Illuminated Cueing arts vs Projection Pro Billiards systems (ICATS vs PPB)
- Thread starter jimstone
- Start date
I doubt anyone has tried both. They are so obscure, and to have access to both systems would be a stretch.
I didn't like the built in drills on mine that much. I preferred to use it to mark a random rack, then practice getting out that rack over and over. I had about 10 racks I'd cycle between.
The PPB is a father-son team. The son is the programmer, the father is the player. They might have had a secretary at one point too. They were always super responsive to me in both email and FB, even when I was being an ass. I also screwed up the Raspberry pi trying to reinstall some software (my fault). They told me to sent it back to them and they fixed it for me in a day and then sent it back. (this was around 2022 or so). I'm quite surprised there are recent reports of poor communication. I'm in that FB group and saw those reports also.
The ICA system I'd bet is also just Robin developing the drills and a programmer he hired, so just as small a company.
I didn't like the built in drills on mine that much. I preferred to use it to mark a random rack, then practice getting out that rack over and over. I had about 10 racks I'd cycle between.
The PPB is a father-son team. The son is the programmer, the father is the player. They might have had a secretary at one point too. They were always super responsive to me in both email and FB, even when I was being an ass. I also screwed up the Raspberry pi trying to reinstall some software (my fault). They told me to sent it back to them and they fixed it for me in a day and then sent it back. (this was around 2022 or so). I'm quite surprised there are recent reports of poor communication. I'm in that FB group and saw those reports also.
The ICA system I'd bet is also just Robin developing the drills and a programmer he hired, so just as small a company.
actually
in addition to the drills developed by robin you can buy modules from many well known instructors
the first few are the most expensive but if you keep looking there are modules by tor lowry/sharivari/ralph eckert/etc that are less expensive(be sure to check out page 2 too)
3rd Party Content | ICATS
www.icatraining.com
3rd Party Content | ICATS 2/2
www.icatraining.com
Those look like pre-existing books/dvds made years ago. Robin or someone at ICA converted them to his projector format. The PPB guys have done the same, including with Dr Dave's stuff. The original authors probably get a revenue sharing or something like that. I guarantee you the original authors did not do all the conversion to get their drills onto Robin's system, nor where they made explicitly for his system.actually
in addition to the drills developed by robin you can buy modules from many well known instructors
the first few are the most expensive but if you keep looking there are modules by tor lowry/sharivari/ralph eckert/etc that are less expensive(be sure to check out page 2 too)
3rd Party Content | ICATS
3rd Party Content | ICATS 2/2
On PPB, you can scan any book page and get it on the system. I've personally never done it, as I like my own drills, but it's advertised as a feature. The ICA is probably the same.
KingSamurai
New member
I improved from legit 525 to legit 558 Fargo in 1 year, and I think the icats system helped with that to an extent. I think doing drills helped, and I would mark them out on the table off paper diagrams. I've only had the icats for a couple of months, but they include the same drills that I have been doing and make them easier to visualize and set up.
Also nice, is that with a push of a button, you can reverse the drill and practice the other direction. I don't have any experience with PPB, but I seen the iCATs and talked with a couple people who had it beforehand.
I do believe the most annoying thing I find on azbilliards forums is when people ask a specific question and somebody pipes in and in so many words, basically says, its a dumb question. If you are not going to respond to the poster's question is it so hard to keep silent and not hijack or divert the thread? Just my frustration, and I see it in this thread. Of course I am perhaps hijacking and diverting the thread...but I couldn't resist.
Just like pool.
Badpenguin
Well-known member
I can guarantee you that at least one original author _did_ generate his own drills for ICATS, this year. But don't let facts stop you.
I had a $10 mini spotlight mounted to the ceiling in my room in AZ.
I used clear rings for ball positions and the spotlight for the landing area.
Setting up the positions for Bert's shots took less than an hour and I was all set.
Moving from drill to drill after that took only seconds to place the balls and aim the light.
I realize this is not helpful to the OP but wanted to share an alternative to those who prefer pool to Tron.
I used clear rings for ball positions and the spotlight for the landing area.
Setting up the positions for Bert's shots took less than an hour and I was all set.
Moving from drill to drill after that took only seconds to place the balls and aim the light.
I realize this is not helpful to the OP but wanted to share an alternative to those who prefer pool to Tron.
Badpenguin
Well-known member
I've never tried a system other than the ICA, which I'm very happy with. Just from watching demos on youtube, the PPB looks more polished, but I'm not sure if that is a good thing or not. I would love to try one to give my opinion on it, but these things aren't cheap 
I have the PPB. It has the BU drills which I use quite a bit. It does not have Tor's stuff. I converted what I had of his pattern drills to jpg and uploaded to PPB. I also did a couple of Bert Kinisters workouts, and some Phil Cappelle shots from his practice book, and The Pro Book shots, and Neils stuff. I use a few of the built in but mostly what I added myself.
Coos Cues
Coos Cues
I have tried them both because Robin Dreyer was selling the PPB first before he jumped ship with Bob on ICA. I upgraded from the PPB to I cats on the urging of Robin and sort of "traded in" my old system for the new. I think ICA has put a lot more thought into it JMO.
Having said that I have decided I am past the point of trying to improve my game much and just want to play and enjoy.
If anyone wants a complete ICA system with a long throw projector Viewsonic PA503W (Has to project from the end, not the side) I am moving my table to my new house and am on the fence whether to set it up or not. I would sell the entire setup for $750. It has all the base modules plus some of Robin's drills and Dr. Daves billiard university exams. There is a lot of expansion available from ICat.
