Today Thursday, December 9, 2021, it is exclusively that we test the new range from Head, the famous Delta 2022.
Before getting to the heart of the matter, as usual, a little history never hurts.
Located at the foot of the Austrian Alps, the small town of Kennelbach is home to the world headquarters of HEAD. Although HEAD is currently based in Europe, the brand had its beginnings in the United States, headed by Howard Head, an American aeronautical engineer, passionate about skiing. He sought to modernize the contemporary wooden skis of the time. For inspiration, he looked to industries in other sports disciplines to find new technologies capable of modernizing ski equipment. Tennis rackets followed and today the shovels padel.
It is therefore in Kennelbach, at the north-western end of Austria that all products are designed and developed. The main production plant is no longer in operation but a prototyping center is still in use, mainly to prepare frames for professional players. Some engineers and other employees often have over 30 years of experience developing snowshoes, which is extremely rare these days.
After making the presentations with the company, let's get down to business with this new Delta range which comes in 3 models: Pro, Elite and Motion.
The Delta Pro is the new pearl of the 2022 range launched by Head. Let's not go through four paths, this racket is intended for experienced players.
Not that heavy with its 363 grams, it is rather the weight distribution resolutely in the lead that will surprise those who are not previously informed (balance at 272).
No surprise regarding the characteristics and technologies deployed, Delta numbers are renowned for providing a high balance due to their diamond shapes, because the heart of the target is undoubtedly attackers in need of thrills.
The color palette is simple, sober and efficient, no fuss as they say in Marseille, the black and gray combo is universal and versatile. It is embellished with touches of orange which add a touch of modernism.
In game, it is clear that this pala will express its full potential during trench attacks or overwhelming smashes. I was waiting for a Power Foam providing more ball output, but I found a fairly rigid foam that it will be necessary to master quickly at the risk of visiting the opposing plexiglass (probably because of the climatic conditions of testing where the celsius was in PLS) …).
The faces are embellished with carbon fiber to improve precision. The reserve of power is quite simply monstrous and the players who will miss this “little extra” to finish the points with enthusiasm will be delighted to have this saving boost.
Obviously, it is a racquet with character that will absolutely have to be tamed because handling is not its strong point. We will feel this lack of convenience especially in defense and during off-center shots, the fault of a reduced sweet-spot located on the top of the sieve.
However, if you are moving towards this product range, it is because beforehand you are ready to make concessions on handling and comfort to favor aggressiveness and the shock. Please allow 310 € for the flagship of the range.
It is in a way the little sister of the Delta Pro, but with smooth faces. Which means we're on a model that's supposed to generate even more ball speed! (but less effects)
The color code is the same but reversed, orange predominates over the entire surface of the frame, the logo is black and a small gray part is located in the continuity of the handle.
It is a pala that weighs 360 grams with a balance at 270, so we are far from the “Full Power” standards which generally oscillate between 368 and 380 grams. This time, the sides are made of fiberglass for a greater feeling of flexibility. A softer touch therefore, but less precise.
In game, the difference is not that obvious, the output of the ball is obviously improved and the weight distribution seems a little less pronounced in the head, which will result in benefiting from an additional point of maneuverability ... and a little less efficiency at the smash.
It's a pala that looks a lot like the Delta Pro, with a bit more comfort and ease. Although Head categorizes the Delta Elite as the most powerful of the 3 palas, I play my joker and I estimate that the Delta Pro is nevertheless more powerful (but it is played for nothing, as usual).
With a public price of 210 €, it is certainly a model that will be talked about.
The latest model to be pampered by yours truly is the Delta Motion. As in the past, this range is synonymous with lightness and fortified amenities.
Always focused on power but relatively more manoeuvrable than the other two models in the range, it is a pala that surprised me on all levels. The colors are somewhat reminiscent of Sanyo Guttirez's old Alpha Pro: a predominance of gray, a hint of orange, and a pinch of black.
The weight has been considerably reduced whether overall (348gr) or at the head (balance ~ 268). This will have the effect of having an ultra versatile model, with a focus on weight and proven energy, while keeping a much more appreciable maneuverability in the fast and complex phases of play. The faces are in carbon fiber in order to gain in precision and impact.
It is a pala that will delight advanced players as well as women, and those looking for a model that develops maximum power while being light and easy to handle. Offered at 250 €, it is a reference packed with technologies, at a great price.
For fans of technology, process and technique, I offer a summary of all the resources on board these new models
Three complementary palas, all in the shape of a diamond, having power as their main axis, with three different balances (Pro 272, Elite 270, and Motion 268). They all have a simple adjustable strap, and the size and length of the handle are, for me, a unique accuracy.
Head has capitalized on previous models, and unlike its competitors declared at the time of this writing, has endowed its references with a promising new technology, namely the Auxetic System.
I also greet Head, even if it is no longer a secret for anyone, to have affixed the name “Made in China” directly on the frame, and not camouflaged in the small internal pocket of the cover, or more often than not completely hidden!
Thanks to Thomas from Head France for the loan of palas!
View comments
Hello Michel.
On the edge of the frames of the vast majority of rackets, there is an acronym ~, the purpose of which is to inform and specify the potential variation by excess or by default in the general weight of the paddle (g +/- 10gr for the Head recently tested).
Indeed, when leaving the factory, the manufacturers are not (yet) able to customize the final weight of each model to the nearest gram.
This is why a "delta" has been established, if the latter "is too widely exceeded", the palas must be scrapped.
On the technical sheet that I was able to obtain on the internet, it is specified that the weight of the Head Delta Pro 2022 is between 365 and 380 grams.
I flashed the test model at 363 grams, so the variation is tiny (2gr).
This width is generally granted when the palas are lighter (because we can add weight in different ways), but the penalty will be more severe in the opposite case (because we cannot lift weight).
Regarding the questions you are asking yourself and which are legitimate concerning the weight of your future palas, if they are lighter than advertised, I would take that as an asset and not as a defect.
As mentioned above, anyone who wants a Delta Pro but who, after trying it, seems too light for his lumberjack arm, will only have to add a frame protector (~ 10 grams) to compensate for the variation.
But we are in the conditional, I'm sure you will receive from Head palas conforming to the specifications!
Do not hesitate to come back here or on our Facebook account to keep us informed of your different arrivals.
See you soon !
From Michel LABORIE.
Article: presentation of all news HEAD DELTA 2022.
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Inconsistencies in the 2022 presentation of the DELTA range HEAD !!
- A DELTA PRO at 363 grams !!! On my technical sheets sent to me HEAD, it is displayed at 375 grs.
12 grams of difference !! this is enormous from the point of view of sensations and efficiency and sufficient to cancel an order.
Or there is cheating at HEAD (impossible) or there is an error in the weighing (normally not) or the Chinese do not respect the requested standards.
To be elucidated.
A Delta PRO at 363 grs would be worrying to use the power. No one will buy it.
- A Delta MOTION 2022 at 348 grams !!!
HEAD sold it to me for 360 grams.
I ordered a good quantity which will arrive in January 2022. It is obvious that those which will not respect this weight of 360 grs will go back to the after-sales service. HEAD.
With a balance at 268 mm, this Delta MOTION 2022 will have an extreme maneuverability which will correspond to the padel current which favors handling over power. This racket should be a big hit.
As for the Delta ELITE which would be close to the Delta PRO, in weight / balance yes, but for the rest no.
They do not have the same platform design or the same interior technologies.
Their uses will be different.