Couple comments on Z's splitting...
I've had the same issue. I had Z-1's, Z-2's, 314-1's (1" ferrule, pre-cats, post cats), 314-2's. (never had the -3's). Maybe 15 of them in total since 1999 when I got my first one. I might have had 5 or 6 split, from normal play, not abuse. Both Z's and 314's split on me.
One really good thing about the Revo's is they squirt the same, but they are way stronger. They also never get dings.
Predator really revolutionized the whole cue market twice. First with the 314, then with the Revo.