Illuminated Cueing arts vs Projection Pro Billiards systems (ICATS vs PPB)

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jimstone

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I'm wondering if there are players here who have experience with both of these systems?
ICATS is significantly more expensive. Is the interface easier to use to build drills with, and is the content of existing drills superior to PPB?
How does the quality/display resolution of the projection onto the table compare for each system?
Thank you.
 
I have the PPB system. I have never played with the ICATS so I can't comment on the relative ability to build drills etc. As far as the resolution goes I would think that would be more a function of which projector you choose and where you mount it. Good luck with your decision.
 
jimstone said:
Thank you for the input. The PPB system is so much cheaper, so who here can justify the more expensive ICATS over PPB?
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If it’s better, then you can justify the cost
That’s why some people buy a Mercedes over a Kia
 
bbb said:
If it’s better, then you can justify the cost
That’s why some people buy a Mercedes over a Kia
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people buy things because of I WANT ... not always because of its always better than the alternative .. people justify things based off i want .... like how do i justify getting this that coincides with i want .....


thats why people pay 16k for as shitty southwest ... I Want .... its not a need ... its not any better ..... its I Want .. so people over price them to find the knuckle heads that will pay it because of i want ... lmao

speaking of 16k southwest ... and some joker is probably going to pay close to that .. https://forums.azbilliards.com/threads/🌵🌵🌵🌵-6-points-wrapless-ebony-on-ebony-🌵🌵🌵🌵.582531/#post-8324651

really sad


i want to play better pool so i pay for this thing .... but i dont want to use my imagination because its to much work ... epic failure
 
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xX-Wizard-Xx said:
oh my gosh ... its so hard to place balls on a table ... forgive me ... i had no idea lmao
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lol. I knew you were going to say that. Like long division is so hard why use a calculator. I have created many shots and drills and yes it isn't hard just time consuming. so i save a ton of time setting them up. like hours upon hours. You are the person who knocks sh*t they don't use or understand. sad.
 
I've had the PPB since I think 2019 or 2020. I never tried the other one. The resolution is limited by the projector. They have not kept up with 4K, 5K, 6K and 8K TV's and computer monitors, so the display will be blocky on the table. The best spot to mount the projector is on the ceiling just outside of the side pocket, and pointing straight down. Only a "short throw" projector will work in that spot. But that will give the best image by far. (I tried other projectors and other locations to form this conclusion).

The UX is clunky on the PPB, but it works once you get used to it. Its a 1 man programmer doing it, so don't expect Apple iOS level UX.
 
fuggles said:
lol. I knew you were going to say that. Like long division is so hard why use a calculator. I have created many shots and drills and yes it isn't hard just time consuming. so i save a ton of time setting them up. like hours upon hours. You are the person who knocks sh*t they don't use or understand. sad.
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right ... i dont use and dont need ..... and i understand it enough to know it not worth having
 
fuggles said:
ok. then move along and don't say anything. you aren't adding anything. and you implied people who buy the systems are somehow inferior to you. which i am pretty sure isn't true.
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No I'm just saying that it's not really doing anything more for you ..... Not really ... I watched a couple videos ... I don't buy in to silly shit
 
fuggles said:
because it is way easier to setup a drill. simple as that.
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Thanks, Fuggles. I don't have a lot of time to burn/waste setting up lots of stickers for great runnouts that Tor lowry, Dr dave, and other great teachers have set up for students of the game. It looks like that content is available with ICATS. At this point, I'm leaning towards that one. I do like the fact that poolbilliard.co is available to connect with the PPB system.
 
jimstone said:
I'm wondering if there are players here who have experience with both of these systems?
ICATS is significantly more expensive. Is the interface easier to use to build drills with, and is the content of existing drills superior to PPB?
How does the quality/display resolution of the projection onto the table compare for each system?
Thank you.
Click to expand...
What is it your after to fix by choosing one of these methods?
 
I have PPB and it works great. It is integrated with Poolbilliards.co drills, which is what I use it for primarily. This combo gives you hundreds of skill level dependent options. You click a drill on your phone and it auto-populates to the table. It's pretty slick. There is also a ton of native drill content, include from Dr. Dave and Bob Jewett. The ability to set up drill after drill in real-time is nice, as was as being able to replicate ball placement with precision.

As a tool for practice, it works as intended. The reality is that you get out of it what you put into it. If you want to improve, it can definitely help. If you are faking that you want to get better and aren't wiling to invest the time, PPB is no better than any other training aid.

I have not tried ICATS, but it looks decent. But, like I said, any tool is only as good as the student's desire to get better.

-td [~650 Fargo]
 
jimstone said:
ICATS is significantly more expensive. Is the interface easier to use to build drills with, and is the content of existing drills superior to PPB?
Click to expand...

iusedtoberich said:
The UX is clunky on the PPB, but it works once you get used to it. Its a 1 man programmer doing it, so don't expect Apple iOS level UX
Click to expand...

If you go to the PPB Users Group on Facebook, a few comments there on how hard it is to contact PPB. It appears that PPB is understaffed and less reliable than ICATS and this helps explain ICATS' greater cost. See https://www.facebook.com/groups/4041398496120790
 
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