Z2 vs OB2

A

Andrewjoseph

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
HELLO AZ-ER's!!

I am still kind of new to AZbilliards, and I would like to start off by saying I LOVE this site. The site is an amazing resource of information and all of you are so helpful. Many thanks to all because this site has definetly helped my game.

back to the question at hand; what's better, the Predator z2 or the ob2:confused:? now, I understand this question is a matter of opinion and there is no right answer. But that is really what I'm looking for is the opinion of players who have played with both shafts.

THANKS A BUNCH!!
Can't wait to read what you guys have to say.:smile:

P.S.
I would just like to throw in for all the old school players who play with conventional shaft that I understand the LD shafts aren't necesarily better than conventional shafts. I'm just one of those players who started playing with LD shafts and they are just what I am used to.
 
I don't know as I have only played with the Z2. I am on my second one. A friend unintentionally broke with my first Z2 and it developed a crack.

However some one might know how many pros play with one or the other shaft. These guys have probably tried both and settled on one of them.

As I remember there is a thread that lists what the pros play with and I Think that many of the shafts they used were listed. Not sure what to use as a search term but someone else might know.
 
Last edited:
Thanks for your reply

JoeW said:
I don't know as I have only played with the Z2. I am on my second one. A friend unintentionally broke with my first Z2 and it developed a crack.

However some one might know how many pros play with one or the other shaft. These guys have probably tried both and settled on one of them.

As I remember there is a thread that lists what the pros play with and I Think that many of the shafts they used were listed. Not sure what to use as a search term but someone else might know.
Click to expand...

I play with a Z2 also and I do like it but it's the first and only LD shaft that I have played with.

I have done some research and heard the the OB2 has a better feel/hit than the z2 because of the "Vibration Dampening Core". Or at least thats what seems to be the general opinon on youtube and a couple of blogs.

I have also heard people saying that the z2 has an "unsatisfying" hit because the end of the shaft is hollowed for less deflection.

like I said before this is the first and only cue that I have played with so I have nothing to compare the hit or the feel to.
 
try the SS360 from BD cues , cheaper and better than the Z2 and OB2 .
This shaft is custom made so you can choose your ferrule size , jointsize , ..... whatever . Best shaft i've played with and i tested a lot of the LD shafts .
 
Z-2 over Ob2 ..

Ob2 and z-2 are close, if not a dead heat as far as deflection goes.
The ob2 hit is kinda soft upon impact, to soft for my liking.
I feel with ob2 you need more power in your stroke to get around the table, you can get more spin, and power with z2 with less effort..

Also note the z-2 has a much stiffer hit then ob2.
 
Last edited:
SKILLZELITE said:
Ob2 and z-2 are are close, if not a dead heat as far as deflection goes.
The ob2 hit is kinda soft upon impact, to soft for my liking.
I feel with ob2 you need more power in your stroke to get around the table, you can get more spin, and power with z2 with less effort..

Also note the z-2 has a much stiffer hit then ob2.
Click to expand...

How about the Ghost ?
 
I've played with both and prefer the OB2. The hit feels a bit softer to me. Otherwise I can't really put it into words why I prefer it. They're so similar in terms deflection and quality and tip size... so the main reason to pick one over the other is the 'feel'...and that's something no forum post can decide for you, the only way to decide feel is to hit balls with both.

I will say I've seen and heard of more predator sticks having warp issues. But that's just one guy's experience, not the gospel. You may not care for the weirdo OB2 ferrule and prefer a traditional white one.
 
The Z2 has a great hit, if you have a good stroke, more than likely you will love it

The OB2 is a much softer hit
 
Last edited:
Hmmm....well when I was first learning to play I thought it would be a smart idea to get a players sneaky pete butt and buy a Z2 shaft for it. Needless to say I couldn't shoot a damn and long range shots were impossible for someone with a crooked stroke. It hit nice and solid, but the taper too me really stuck out in my mind. It felt too thin for my closed bridge and a little awkward in an open bridge. Granted, I was still starting out so my feel for the cue was not complete.

Fast forward 6 years and finally learning a little about the game I thought I would never go back to a 11.75mm shaft after I switched to a 314. However, I tried a friends OB-2 and must say the taper on that cue felt just as natural to me as my 314. I immediately tried another friends Z-2 and the taper on that cue still felt a little bit weird. The mix taper on that OB-2, that I think Royce says is there, is a really really good taper. Yes, the hit is a little softer than the Z2, but on faster tables I kind of like that anyway. If I was going to switch today I would probably go for the OB for the sole feel of the taper and a new OB is cheaper than a new Z2.

Sorry for the rant though :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top