New 'dope' for Predator junkies...... the 'Centro'

[Frosty]

Pred is not stupid, they must see a market for this. WhyteCarbon uses a faux finish for those that hate the look of CF, Pred must see buyers for carbon-cored wood.

You’re right, they’re not stupid but I think you hit the nail on your head in your first post. The “market” that Predator sees is their legion of fanboys that will buy ANYTHING new they produce and then rabidly swear by it being the best thing since their last released item. It’s almost comical to watch but hey, if that group of fans can afford it and it blows their hair back then that’s their choice.

 

[garczar]

You’re right, they’re not stupid but I think you hit the nail on your head in your first post. The “market” that Predator sees is their legion of fanboys that will buy ANYTHING new they produce and then rabidly swear by it being the best thing since their last released item. It’s almost comical to watch but hey, if that group of fans can afford it and it blows their hair back then that’s their choice.

yep. If Pred came out with a line of sox/underwear that they said would make u play better their fanboy legions would line up to by 'em. they do know their market.

 

[skor]

yep. If Pred came out with a line of sox/underwear that they said would make u play better their fanboy legions would line up to by 'em. they do know their market.

I played a tournament last week wearing Alex Pagulayan's socks (that were sent to me with AP chalks I bought), I finished second, so hey, maybe it does help

 

[Ģüśţāṿ]

What doesn’t make sense is the whole shaft in an era that full CF shafts are well established and became the sponsor required equipment for most pros

Fixed that for you

 

[Flakeandrun]

It is just a c8 with a new name. Confirmed from three different current players. They didn’t even change the logo.

 

[JohnnyOzone]

It is just a c8 with a new name. Confirmed from three different current players. They didn’t even change the logo.

I have had a C8 for a few years. It's 12.9, which was the only diameter made as far as I have ever seen. All the Centros I have seen online are 12.4. The construction is certainly the same. Don't know about the taper. C8 has a very stiff taper, which I have altered slightly on mine.

 

[iusedtoberich]

I have had a C8 for a few years. It's 12.9, which was the only diameter made as far as I have ever seen. All the Centros I have seen online are 12.4. The construction is certainly the same. Don't know about the taper. C8 has a very stiff taper, which I have altered slightly on mine.

The Centro I played for a few racks had a nice normal pool taper, like a 314. Definitely not a noticeably strong taper.

I've never seen C8 in person, and I doubt anyone with a C8 has seen a Centro in person. It would make sense that they are the same construction technique, but a different taper. Same as 314 vs Z.

 

[jalapus logan]

yep. If Pred came out with a line of sox/underwear that they said would make u play better their fanboy legions would line up to by 'em. they do know their market.

Since Pred has not come out with branded underwear, I tatooed their logo on my d*ck in order to be thorough.

 

[Paul_#_]

Maybe no help at all but Predator's advertisements claim Centro has Pro taper while C8's got Predator ProV taper:

 

[cueball2010]

Some people saying the taper is like the 12.4 Revo(8% Low Rise Pro), others saying it's like the 314-3(Pro). Does anyone know for a fact what the taper is on the Centro?

 

[iusedtoberich]

Some people saying the taper is like the 12.4 Revo(8% Low Rise Pro), others saying it's like the 314-3(Pro). Does anyone know for a fact what the taper is on the Centro?

What's the difference? The C8 is for the Chinese market. The Centro is for the Western market. A player is not getting the other unless they live in the target market.

 

[iusedtoberich]

Some people saying the taper is like the 12.4 Revo(8% Low Rise Pro), others saying it's like the 314-3(Pro). Does anyone know for a fact what the taper is on the Centro?

And both of those shafts are about the same taper. 12.4mm Revo and 12.75mm 314.

 

[cueball2010]

And both of those shafts are about the same taper. 12.4mm Revo and 12.75mm 314.

Have u played with both? I have, i can feel the difference the 8% low rise is steeper. You can feel it get tight on a closed bridge. Maybe negligible with open bridge.

 

[iusedtoberich]

Have u played with both? I have, i can feel the difference the 8% low rise is steeper. You can feel it get tight on a closed bridge. Maybe negligible with open bridge.

Yes. 314s, Zs, 12.9 Revo and 12.4 Revo. Owned them all for years. The only one of the bunch I didn’t like was the 12.9 Revo. The taper was ok, but I think the tip diameter was too big and I was getting different English than I intended.

Still, as an American, you’re not going to get a C8 unless you pay international shipping and duty and buy from a Chinese seller to have it imported.

As far as taper for “fact” no one has that answer unless they measure the diameter with calipers every 2” or 50mm and post it. The “taper” names are just marketing bs.

 

[Gmess3000]

The Centro I played for a few racks had a nice normal pool taper, like a 314. Definitely not a noticeably strong taper.

I've never seen C8 in person, and I doubt anyone with a C8 has seen a Centro in person. It would make sense that they are the same construction technique, but a different taper. Same as 314 vs Z.

Left Centro
Right C8

 

[iusedtoberich]

You’re right, they’re not stupid but I think you hit the nail on your head in your first post. The “market” that Predator sees is their legion of fanboys that will buy ANYTHING new they produce and then rabidly swear by it being the best thing since their last released item. It’s almost comical to watch but hey, if that group of fans can afford it and it blows their hair back then that’s their choice.

The thing that keeps all the fanboys coming back to predator is the lowest deflection aim. There was nothing close in the 314 days, and still nothing close in the CF days.

I’ve tried dozens of other shafts across both eras to try to save money. Keep going back. Not because of any marketing machine. But rather they make the ball with a better aim.

 

[skor]

The thing that keeps all the fanboys coming back to predator is the lowest deflection aim. There was nothing close in the 314 days, and still nothing close in the CF days.

I’ve tried dozens of other shafts across both eras to try to save money. Keep going back. Not because of any marketing machine. But rather they make the ball with a better aim.

The SMO is on par with the Revo 12.4mm
But the Revo is stiffer as the taper is different.
Both play great and it’s just a matter of preference.
The CueTec is not far behind.
I haven’t tried the Triple 60, so don’t know about it.
Mezz ignite is nice and stiff but deflects more than the above

 

[Paul_#_]

Left Centro
Right C8

Predator's advertisements claim Centro has Pro taper while C8's got Predator ProV taper:

The Centro I played for a few racks had a nice normal pool taper, like a 314. Definitely not a noticeably strong taper.

As near as I can tell, GMess3000's photo shows the Centro with less pro taper than the C8. This is contrary to Predator's specifications that list the Centro with pro taper and the C8 with ProV taper.

From https://forums.azbilliards.com/threads/what-is-a-shaft-taper.577021/

he Predator 314-3 is labeled as a "Pro Taper", and the Predator Vantage is labeled as a "ProV Taper" My understanding is that these are different tapers. The "ProV taper" feels like a cross between a "Pro Taper" and a "Conical Taper". My shop guy got really offended when I tried to say that the 314-3 had a different taper then the Vantage. He insisted that they have the same taper and throwing a "V" infront of the word "Pro" doesn't change anything.

 

[cueball2010]

This thread is the most information on the Centro on the whole internet. There are literally no reviews, and no YouTube video reviews.

Calling @dr_dave Dr. Dave! Sure would love a review and comparison of the Centro VS the popular wood and CF shafts.

 

[Flakeandrun]

I have had a C8 for a few years. It's 12.9, which was the only diameter made as far as I have ever seen. All the Centros I have seen online are 12.4. The construction is certainly the same. Don't know about the taper. C8 has a very stiff taper, which I have altered slightly on mine.

You can get differing diameter of C8 here in China.

This thread is the most information on the Centro on the whole internet. There are literally no reviews, and no YouTube video reviews.

Calling @dr_dave Dr. Dave! Sure would love a review and comparison of the Centro VS the popular wood and CF shafts.

Because you can look up c8 and find all you need to know

View attachment 833938
Left Centro
Right C8

What I imagine they are going to do is use the name to differentiate the size in future. I have seen c8 shafts in various diameters here. In fact, two guys I play regularly have 12.4/12.9 c8