Meucci testing -vs- Platinum testing

:eek: This should be a great thread! I presume since each site tested different cues although, they were the same brands shows the differences even among the same brand cues. This explains a lot to me as to why no two (same brand) cues play the same! I was really suprised at the lower deflection of the Players and Fury brand cues compared to the high dollar ones. I have a Players and it shoots pretty well and now I know why!
 
I'd like to play against those robots.
Just cheap sets. LOL
Bob, you just opened the Pandora's box.
Here come the deflection police.
 
I figured out a way to get absolutely ZERO DEFLECTION! It's a secret, but I'll let you guys in on it.

Don't play pool.

LOL--here they come JC

~DC
 
What were the parameters on the Meucci test?

The Platinum Billiards test listed the tip curvatures and the speed of the shot. It would be interesting to know what tips, ferules, and shaft sizes were used in addition to that. From being an engineer with some experience in dealing with marketing folks, when data is publicized to sell a product the worst case is chosen for the other samples to dramaticize the difference. That said, the Platinum Billiards test didn't take a large enough sample for each configuration, but they noted more than the Meucci test. They should have done at least 3 of each configuration, averaging each configuration separately and noting the amount of deflection relative to the amount of english and side. Then change the speed and do another 3 of each configuration, repeat in increments and decrements of speed and plot the data for easy reading noting the test conditions. Marketing skewed engineering data, bleh.

Side tracking a bit, I wonder how the McDermott I-Series shafts does in comparison to the Meucci black-dot and the Predator. Does anyone have any hands on experience with the McDermott?

I really doubt any of these places will perform true engineering tests and if they do, they wouldn't publicize them. I'm curious to know the real results, though it probably wouldn't matter much for my game...since I suck.
 
I think some deflection is a good thing. Archer and Strickland do not seem to be having any great problems with their cues.
 
How did the greats ever play pool without pred or muchi? LOL Would Willie have run 600? Would the Babe have run 700? Who knows, only the shadow knows.

Rod
 
Billy_Bob said:
Meucci says their black dot shaft has the least deflection.
Platinum says Predator Z has the least deflection.

Who is right?

Meucci...
http://www.meuccicues.com/blackdot-chart.htm

Platinum...
http://www.platinumbilliards.com/rating_deflect.php
Click to expand...


Well, since I have both of them I guess I could tell you but it would ruin your own discoveries once you purchase them and experiment on your own.
I also have about 30+ other shafts that aren't either of those two. I'll give you a little hint though...in the large scheme of things the deflection issue is blown out of proportion to sell shafts, but it doesn't mean ca-ca. All of these tests are somewhat skewed anyway to show the results and outcome that they want to show. Wanna bet that when the Intimadator is tested by McDermott that IT comes out on top of whatever they're testing? Wanna bet that Mezz's hybrid shaft might also come out on top if they do a test too?
 
Wanna bet that when the Intimadator is tested by McDermott that IT comes out on top of whatever they're testing? Wanna bet that Mezz's hybrid shaft might also come out on top if they do a test too?
Stop confusing me. I don't know what to get now.
Good thing you didn't mention the X-shaft. :D
 
JoeyInCali said:
Wanna bet that when the Intimadator is tested by McDermott that IT comes out on top of whatever they're testing? Wanna bet that Mezz's hybrid shaft might also come out on top if they do a test too?
Stop confusing me. I don't know what to get now.
Good thing you didn't mention the X-shaft. :D
Click to expand...


Dammit Joey...I fogot about that one. Wanna bet....oh you know the rest of it. :p Should I have included the Thunderbolt in there also? :confused:
 
I don't really think deflection is a huge issue, unless you play with something that deflects a lot. The tests can show you how much shaft A deflects less than shaft B, but it doesn't show you how well a shaft plays. A lot of pro players don't use either kinds of shafts and stick with the non-laminated shafts. I had a laminated shaft made for my cue from a laminated shaft dowell I bought a couple years back, let's just say I haven't played with it in a couple of years. I also have a josey pete with Predator shaft, but I prefer the non-laminated shaft for my cue.
 
Billy_Bob said:
Meucci says their black dot shaft has the least deflection.
Platinum says Predator Z has the least deflection.

Who is right?

Meucci...
http://www.meuccicues.com/blackdot-chart.htm

Platinum...
http://www.platinumbilliards.com/rating_deflect.php
Click to expand...

In the mid-80's, Bob Meucci said his shafts had zero deflection. Even back then, he didn't have the decency to ask a basic engineering student what "deflection" meant, nor did he ask what he was looking for.

Today, he's hacked together a "robot" that tests in a method that allows him to design a cue ferrule that defeats or maximizes the results of his robots.

IMO, the Meucci Myth Destroyer needs help. But Bob Meucci would never allow that.

Fred <~~~ robotic engineer
 
SplicedPoints said:
I don't really think deflection is a huge issue, unless you play with something that deflects a lot. The tests can show you how much shaft A deflects less than shaft B, but it doesn't show you how well a shaft plays. A lot of pro players don't use either kinds of shafts and stick with the non-laminated shafts. I had a laminated shaft made for my cue from a laminated shaft dowell I bought a couple years back, let's just say I haven't played with it in a couple of years. I also have a josey pete with Predator shaft, but I prefer the non-laminated shaft for my cue.
Click to expand...

Lamination has nothing to do with "cue ball deflectiion."

Fred
 
drivermaker said:
Well, since I have both of them I guess I could tell you but it would ruin your own discoveries once you purchase them and experiment on your own.
I also have about 30+ other shafts that aren't either of those two. I'll give you a little hint though...in the large scheme of things the deflection issue is blown out of proportion to sell shafts, but it doesn't mean ca-ca. All of these tests are somewhat skewed anyway to show the results and outcome that they want to show. Wanna bet that when the Intimadator is tested by McDermott that IT comes out on top of whatever they're testing? Wanna bet that Mezz's hybrid shaft might also come out on top if they do a test too?
Click to expand...

I agree 100%. It's all a bunch of crap just to make sales. If you have a good stroke, deflection isn't that big of an issue anyways.
 
Fred comes fourth with his knowlege honed over the years and is in deadstroke on his answer! I sure wish Drivermaker would now spill his beans and shed more knowlege on his statement... please? :D
 
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Here's my take on it- All this fuss about deflection was made to elevate sales in 'low deflection' shafts. Pool players jumped all over it just because it gives them an excuse to miss. It's all a bunch of crap. Like I said, when you have a good stroke, deflection doesn't really make much of a difference. When you know how your cue hits, you automatically make adjustments when you are putting sidespin, you don't even have to think about it....you just do it, and you make the shot and get the shape.
 
cut shot said:
Fred comes fourth with his knowlege honed over the years and is in deadstroke on his answer! I sure wish Drivermaker would now spill his beans and shed more knowlege on his statement... please? :D
Click to expand...


OK cut shot, just for you. In my opinion, not from doing tests but from testing through playing a lot with both, the Predator has less. However, I miss more balls with the SOB and get too much spin on the CB at times that it gets me in trouble. I can shoot lights out with a good Mooch though...go figure.
 
:) Thanks for the input Drivemaker! I seem to do the same when I borrow my buddies Predetor. Actually I do prefer a medium whippy shaft.. it appears to sink balls better.
 
All I can say is that if Predator is low deflection, then we really need to improve shaft technology. I was practicing warp speed, inside English shots last night with my instructor (hitting the cue ball as far towards the edge as possible using my one inch longer than standard Predator shaft). To pocket the ball I had to aim THREE QUARTERS OF A BALL away from the contact point - that mother was deflecting almost a full ball width (I use parallel English, not backhand). If there are shafts that deflect more than this I would hate to try these shots with them.
 
Williebetmore said:
All I can say is that if Predator is low deflection, then we really need to improve shaft technology. I was practicing warp speed, inside English shots last night with my instructor (hitting the cue ball as far towards the edge as possible using my one inch longer than standard Predator shaft). To pocket the ball I had to aim THREE QUARTERS OF A BALL away from the contact point - that mother was deflecting almost a full ball width (I use parallel English, not backhand). If there are shafts that deflect more than this I would hate to try these shots with them.
Click to expand...


What effect does the 1" longer shaft have over the normal length? Is it possible that it now has MORE deflection than a regular shaft? A 1" longer golf shaft sure has an impact on flex and torque readings.

The other point to consider is...when have you EVER hit a CB at warp speed with so much english that you're at the very border line of miscueing in normal play. It's these kind of severe tests that are meaningless in the real world. It's like driving two cars at 150 MPH and then turning sharply to see which one will roll over first. What difference does it make, nobody ever drives 150mph. If NEITHER turns over at 80 MPH and both are stable, that's all that matters.
 
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