Predator cues are:

Predator cues are:

  • overpriced; you can get just as good a cue for less

    Votes: 136 69.0%

  • worth it; you can't get the same capabilities for less

    Votes: 61 31.0%
  • Total voters
    197
Originally Posted by TheThaiger
I'm not saying it is 'normal'. I asked where is there to play?

ctran said:
I said because you were just visitng, it is normal that you cannot find a proper pool table in Hanoi. and the fact you cannot find one during your brief visit does not mean there aren't good pool halls/clubs in Hanoi.

we have many pool clubs/halls and even professional training rooms
Click to expand...

Sometimes the locals will tell you where they are?:rolleyes:
 
TheThaiger said:
Agree with your point about all cues being overpriced. I also think Predators are overpriced, but in relation to many other brands, they're a steal. We're absolute mugs for paying over $200 for any cue, and used prices are ludicrous.
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You're ignoring important parts of the poll questions:

[ ] overpriced; you can get just as good a cue for less

[ ] worth it; you can't get the same capabilities for less

I definitely think that someone can get just as good a cue, if not better, for much less. And, I'm talking about LD cues/shafts. OB, for example. I don't think OB's are overpriced. You get your money's worth.
 
risky biz said:
I definitely think that someone can get just as good a cue, if not better, for much less. And, I'm talking about LD cues/shafts. OB, for example. I don't think OB's are overpriced. You get your money's worth.
Click to expand...

Good pick there on the OB's. I recently know a guy who is very passionate on pool, cues and shafts. he's got customs, production SE's, LE's and with EVERY production SE or LE, he ordered 2 OB shafts to play with.
 
risky biz said:
You're ignoring important parts of the poll questions:

[ ] overpriced; you can get just as good a cue for less

[ ] worth it; you can't get the same capabilities for less

I definitely think that someone can get just as good a cue, if not better, for much less. And, I'm talking about LD cues/shafts. OB, for example. I don't think OB's are overpriced. You get your money's worth.
Click to expand...

I think I've answered those plenty.
 
ctran said:
Good pick there on the OB's. I recently know a guy who is very passionate on pool, cues and shafts. he's got customs, production SE's, LE's and with EVERY production SE or LE, he ordered 2 OB shafts to play with.
Click to expand...

I'm no expert, but SEs & LEs are not built by Predator.

On an admittedly small sample of 4 cues, I'd say Predator shafts play differently on Predator cues. Bunging a 314 on a Joss or Pech does not give you a cue as good as a Predator IMO.
 
TheThaiger said:
I'm no expert, but SEs & LEs are not built by Predator.

On an admittedly small sample of 4 cues, I'd say Predator shafts play differently on Predator cues. Bunging a 314 on a Joss or Pech does not give you a cue as good as a Predator IMO.
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If you want a really good match then let a custom cut maker fit a partial shaft to your custom cue. They will ensure the shaft is well fitted with a snug joint unlike a standard predator cue where the tolerances are larger. They will make a one of one fit.

An off the peg Hugo Boss suit will fit nice but a tailor made suit just fits that bit better and feels nicer.
 
BasementDweller said:
For the record, TheThaiger has always been a fan of Predator as far as I recall.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't you (TheThaiger) make the point that it was much easier for the English 8-ballers and snooker players to jump over to pool because of the LD cues? I know you have mentioned in the past that the snooker guys don't have to worry much about squirt, so I could see how having to compensate for it at pool would take quite a bit of getting used to.


- just helping a brother out
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Chris:

Tim has a history of posts like this:

http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?p=3355217#post3355217

So, without spending any time in the WFS forum -- which I don't -- I wouldn't know that Tim is (or "has always" as you purport) been a fan of Predator products. If someone says, "Us Brits from a snooker or English pool background own one cue, a piece of chalk and a bit of sandpaper, and that's it. We do not know what deflection is, or throw" (which he did write), I stand by what I wrote.

I'm not saying that being a fan of Predator is a bad thing. To me, you use whatever product works for you, and you believe in. If he likes Predator products, so be it. I just thought it was odd (and inconsistent, to use his own accusation against him) coming from a "Land-of-correct-cueists-that-only-own-a-piece-of-chalk-and-a-bit-of-sandpaper-and-don't-know-what-deflection-is" type.

I do know this, though -- his accusations to other people about "being on commission" just because he/she likes and advocates a certain product should now be on a permanent shelf, never to be used again. You know, it's that pot calling the kettle black thing.

-Sean
 
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Dave Mackay said:
If you want a really good match then let a custom cut maker fit a partial shaft to your custom cue. They will ensure the shaft is well fitted with a snug joint unlike a standard predator cue where the tolerances are larger. They will make a one of one fit.

An off the peg Hugo Boss suit will fit nice but a tailor made suit just fits that bit better and feels nicer.
Click to expand...

I agree 100%. There's nothing like a craftsman that knows his trade, able to perfectly fit the product to the customer. The end result is a product that feels as if it were built from the ground up to be mated together. Wishing upon a star, I'd love to visit Savile Row in London and have a suit custom-fitted for me.

The next shaft I purchase (which will be radially-consistent, not LD) will be a partial, that is custom-fitted to a butt that I also send to the cue repairman. The difference between that approach, and just buying a stock shaft off the shelf and screwing it to your cue, is like night and day.

-Sean
 
Dave Mackay said:
If you want a really good match then let a custom cut maker fit a partial shaft to your custom cue. They will ensure the shaft is well fitted with a snug joint unlike a standard predator cue where the tolerances are larger. They will make a one of one fit.

An off the peg Hugo Boss suit will fit nice but a tailor made suit just fits that bit better and feels nicer.
Click to expand...

I've played with several that have had custom fitted shafts, and none had the performance of a Predator cue. I've never had a problem with the joint, either, despite swapping and changing shafts. All fit perfectly, which can't be said of the LD shafts I've bought for my McDermott.

Nobody would buy Predator products if everything you read about them was true.
 
sfleinen said:
I agree 100%. There's nothing like a craftsman that knows his trade, able to perfectly fit the product to the customer. The end result is a product that feels as if it were built from the ground up to be mated together. Wishing upon a star, I'd love to visit Savile Row in London and have a suit custom-fitted for me.
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I suggest a visit to Hoi An, Vietnam, instead. You can get one made for $50.
 
sfleinen said:
Chris:

Tim has a history of posts like this:

http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?p=3355217#post3355217

So, without spending any time in the WFS forum -- which I don't -- I wouldn't know that Tim is (or "has always" as you purport) been a fan of Predator products. If someone says, "Us Brits from a snooker or English pool background own one cue, a piece of chalk and a bit of sandpaper, and that's it. We do not know what deflection is, or throw" (which he did write), I stand by what I wrote.

I'm not saying that being a fan of Predator is a bad thing. To me, you use whatever product works for you, and you believe in. If he likes Predator products, so be it. I just thought it was odd (and inconsistent, to use his own accusation against him) coming from a "Land-of-correct-cueists-that-only-own-a-piece-of-chalk-and-a-bit-of-sandpaper-and-don't-know-what-deflection-is" type.

I do know this, though -- his accusations to other people about "being on commission" just because he/she likes and advocates a certain product should now be on a permanent shelf, never to be used again. You know, it's that pot calling the kettle black thing.

-Sean
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As hilarious as it is risible. I think I've told you before, a simple apology will suffice. I'm sure you're able, sean.
 
TheThaiger said:
As hilarious as it is risible. I think I've told you before, a simple apology will suffice. I'm sure you're able, sean.
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Your "glossing over" and evasive abilities are legendary, Tim. I think it's hilarious that you think you're owed an apology. Putting my neck on the chopping block, I'd even go as far as to say most on these boards would agree with me.

-Sean
 
sfleinen said:
Your "glossing over" and evasive abilities are legendary, Tim. I think it's hilarious that you think you're owed an apology. Putting my neck on the chopping block, I'd even go as far as to say most on these boards would agree with me.

-Sean
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About what? I've noticed this tendency to drag other people into the debate when you're losing before. Safety in numbers, eh?

A simple retraction, Sean. It's easy.

3. Since when did you -- Mr. Correct-cueing-from-the-land-of-correct-cueists-that-need-only-a-piece-of-chalk-and-a-piece-of-sandpaper-and-don't-care-about-deflection -- out of the blue actually acknowledge the existence and value of shafts designed for low deflection? Boy, if that's not a 180-degree about face, I don't know what is.
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Now, how about that 180-degree about face, boy?
 
TheThaiger said:
About what? I've noticed this tendency to drag other people into the debate when you're losing before. Safety in numbers, eh?

A simple retraction, Sean. It's easy.



Now, how about that 180-degree about face, boy?
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No, Tim. It's remarkable that you think you're owed an apology for the rancor alone that you seem to enjoy on these boards. And for what? Because out of all the points I made in that post -- things you are known for belittling people about -- the very pointed and specific topic of LD shafts was the one thing that you actually subscribe to?

No Tim, you keep on dreaming. Apologies are given where they are owed, not where they are expected or asked, especially if the person asking thinks he's got a loophole.

-Sean
 
sfleinen said:
No, Tim. It's remarkable that you think you're owed an apology for the rancor alone that you seem to enjoy on these boards. And for what? Because out of all the points I made in that post -- things you are known for belittling people about -- the very pointed and specific topic of LD shafts was the one thing that you actually subscribe to?

No Tim, you keep on dreaming. Apologies are given where they are owed, not where they are expected or asked, especially if the person asking thinks he's got a loophole.

-Sean
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Loophole? Moi? Extraordinary. Just extraordinary.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't this thread specifically about Predator cues? You know, LD cues? Now, why would I concentrate on that? :rolleyes:

You got it wrong, you had a gloat, you played to the audience and now you're moving the goalposts to wriggle off the hook. Quit embarrassing yourself and man up.
 
TheThaiger said:
Loophole? Moi? Extraordinary. Just extraordinary.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't this thread specifically about Predator cues? You know, LD cues? Now, why would I concentrate on that? :rolleyes:

You got it wrong, you had a gloat, you played to the audience and now you're moving the goalposts to wriggle off the hook. Quit embarrassing yourself and man up.
Click to expand...

Speaking of wriggling... :D

-Sean
 
TheThaiger said:
I've played with several that have had custom fitted shafts, and none had the performance of a Predator cue.
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This cannot be argued as fact. What is performance in your opinion may be rubbish to others. Any thoughts by ANYBODY on how a cue performs/hits is only an opinion. Will there be others that agree with you? Yes. Will there be others that disagree with you? Yes. Because some agree with you still cannot make it fact.

IMO, Predator cues are good cues. They are just way overpriced. Once again, this is only my opinion. If you will notice on my signature line, I use Predator shafts (but my main playing shaft is an OB Classic). I do not have/nor ever had a problem with their products. I bought a shaft once (314) and liked it. Bought a couple of Z2's later and didn't like them (sold them). The LD shafts do not make me play any better than the cues I have with standard maple shafts. I started using them because A) I wanted a tip diameter of 12.75mm and I didn't want to shave down my existing maple shafts, and B) being a gun owner of rifles with laminated stocks, I had a rookie misconception that a laminated shaft (like a laminated rifle stock) would be resistant to warpage. All I'm saying is that IMO cues in general are overpriced, including the Predators. I can take a $27 Rage cue from my wall rack down and run a rack of 15 balls just as easily as I can with any cue I own. If a cue is fairly straight, has no structural damage, and has a good tip on it, I can shoot with it as good as any other cue. I've played matches with people at my local poolhall with cues off-the-wall (after I had already put my cues away for the night) and played some remarkable pool with some old, rough, dinged-up, heavier-than-I-like cue with a crappy tip on it. I think (once again MY personal opinion) we tend to overrate the abilities of CUES on here as opposed to the players ABILITY.

Just some thoughts.

Maniac
 
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