Few weeks ago I went to a Billiard supply store that sells tables and most brands of cues. I looked at, held, and hit some balls with both McDermott and Viking. I was very disappointed in the McDermott build quality, look of the MDs. The Gcore shafts looked like crap. Did not care for them at all. They were balanced well however.
The Vikings were well balanced but the materials used looked like crap. I did like Viking butt diameter better as its thicker but that's personal preference. I looked at the Vpro shaft and the shaft wood looked like a stick in my backyard six months after a hard rain. I hit some balls with the Vikore. Not firm but very crisp. Not bad. Gcore sucked.
I wouldn't buy either one. Pechauer, Joss, Jacoby are the only named cues I would consider. The Meucci's ( I used to be a Meucci fan boy) looked like crap. I bought a Players sneaky Pete with an Elkmaster few weeks ago just to piddle with. It's surprisingly well made, well finished and plays very well. I was shocked a bit. Predator makes very fine cues but I feel they are way overpriced. I can't speak on Mezz, schon, Lucasi, bc I haven't played with them. I want a custom but my wife would kill me. Pray for me