I messaged them via FB when the thread about them was fresh. They replied yesterday. My question was is Cyclop as a brand still alive? They said they still make billiard balls but are just focusing on production. Sounds like Cyclop as a brand of ball is most likely gone and Dynasphere is the ball to get if you like the Cyclop/Xin Biing formula of ball.
Cyclop message reply........
- Thread starter garczar
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sounds like just the name disappeared.
Pretty much. With Loontjens involved i think the Dynasphere's are here to stay.
I recall CSI Mark got on here 5 or so years ago and answered why he went with Cyclop and not Aramith. It was something like (paraphrasing from memory) that Aramith was simply impossible to deal with, so they signed a 5 year agreement with Cyclop. Right after they signed, like days or weeks, Aramith/Saluc got bought out by Simonis (which by contrast was excellent to deal with), but Mark had said its too late, they already signed with Cyclop.
So I guess that brings us to the present, the 5 years are up, Aramith is easy to deal with since they are now run by Simonis, and CSI and Aramith signed a new deal.
Also interesting that Predator went with Aramith for their balls and not the Cyclop factory.
So we probably won't see the new Dynaspheres much in competition I'm guessing. Kind of a shame, as I think the Cyclop ball (I own the original set), was a higher quality product than anything Aramith. Competition is good
So I guess that brings us to the present, the 5 years are up, Aramith is easy to deal with since they are now run by Simonis, and CSI and Aramith signed a new deal.
Also interesting that Predator went with Aramith for their balls and not the Cyclop factory.
So we probably won't see the new Dynaspheres much in competition I'm guessing. Kind of a shame, as I think the Cyclop ball (I own the original set), was a higher quality product than anything Aramith. Competition is good
Yes, if you like the Cyclop balls the Dynasphere balls are an upgrade. With the Tungsten set under $80 the best bargain in pool balls.I recall CSI Mark got on here 5 or so years ago and answered why he went with Cyclop and not Aramith. It was something like (paraphrasing from memory) that Aramith was simply impossible to deal with, so they signed a 5 year agreement with Cyclop. Right after they signed, like days or weeks, Aramith/Saluc got bought out by Simonis (which by contrast was excellent to deal with), but Mark had said its too late, they already signed with Cyclop.
So I guess that brings us to the present, the 5 years are up, Aramith is easy to deal with since they are now run by Simonis, and CSI and Aramith signed a new deal.
Also interesting that Predator went with Aramith for their balls and not the Cyclop factory.
So we probably won't see the new Dynaspheres much in competition I'm guessing. Kind of a shame, as I think the Cyclop ball (I own the original set), was a higher quality product than anything Aramith. Competition is good
I have practiced daily with them for a couple of weeks and couldn’t be happier with the balls.
Just a guess here but i think that Loontjens must have signed an exclusive deal for Xin Biing's formula forcing Predator to go with Aramith. Predator started out with Cosmos as their maker then switched to Cyclop/XinBiing then Aramith.I recall CSI Mark got on here 5 or so years ago and answered why he went with Cyclop and not Aramith. It was something like (paraphrasing from memory) that Aramith was simply impossible to deal with, so they signed a 5 year agreement with Cyclop. Right after they signed, like days or weeks, Aramith/Saluc got bought out by Simonis (which by contrast was excellent to deal with), but Mark had said its too late, they already signed with Cyclop.
So I guess that brings us to the present, the 5 years are up, Aramith is easy to deal with since they are now run by Simonis, and CSI and Aramith signed a new deal.
Also interesting that Predator went with Aramith for their balls and not the Cyclop factory.
So we probably won't see the new Dynaspheres much in competition I'm guessing. Kind of a shame, as I think the Cyclop ball (I own the original set), was a higher quality product than anything Aramith. Competition is good
The Predator set is nice. But side by side I can't tell much difference between playability compared to Cyclop.
I agree the new Pred. balls are sweet. The difference that i've heard is Cyclop/Dynasphere ball stays cleaner easier/longer.
Did the Predator set change at all across the 3 manufacturers? In other words, if you had all 3 side by side, could you tell which came from which manufacturer?
I think I'm going to order them for the hell of it. I need another ball set like I need a hole in the head though...
I couldn’t resist the price. Just said to myself, “look how much my recreation funds have accumulated since the pandemic struck “. Barely put a dent in that account though:wink:.
Pretty sure there are pics on here if you search it. IIRC the first versions used tv colors and new ones use traditional. Both had Pred logo on one side. The orig Korean-made set:https://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?491726&p=6368509#post6368509
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