GAMMA Obsidian

What it is

The GAMMA Obsidian (listed here as Compass after a brand-side rename) is a mid-tier carbon-face paddle from a racquet brand that's been making tennis gear for decades. 16mm polymer core, hybrid shape, 7.9 oz, 4 1/8" grip. Spec sheet reads like a conservative all-court paddle from 2023, and that's basically what it is, a well-built but generation-behind option that lands in 2026's competitive landscape without a real edge.

How it plays

The Obsidian's calling card is feel. Players who've used one consistently describe it as the softest paddle they've ever hit, long dwell time on the ball, generous control around the kitchen, low-vibration even on off-center contact. That softness is the paddle's whole personality. If you're a touch player who hates the springy pop of thermoformed Gen 3/4 paddles, this is one of the few mid-tier options that still feels like it absorbs the ball instead of catapulting it.

The trade-off is everywhere else. Spin numbers lag raw-carbon competitors. Power is mid-pack. There's no thermoformed edge, no foam-core trampoline, none of the tech that the sub-HK$1,200 bracket now expects.

Who should actually buy this

Former tennis players who want a soft, controllable paddle and don't care about chasing 2026 spin specs. The long-handle version specifically gets praised by tennis-style drivers who want that lever feel. Everyone else is better served by a Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro at the same money, more pop, more spin, larger sweet spot, current tech.

Bottom line

Niche pick. Not bad, just outdated. If softness and dwell time matter more to you than spin numbers, this is one of the few mid-tier paddles still optimized for that feel. If you're cross-shopping on specs, the Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro or any current thermoformed paddle in the same price bracket wins on every measurable axis.