Any advantage to a 314.2 over a pre-cat 314?
- Thread starter Da Bank
- Start date
i think pre cat and 314 are the better shafts
The main differences are that on the first gen shafts - note that not every shaft before the 2nd generation (i.e. 314-2 and z-2) were pre-cat, they are referred to as 1st gen shafts - the ferrules were a hair longer, 0.15 inch longer on the 314-1 and 0.1 inch longer on the z-1 to be exact -, the joint inserts were set into wood instead of phenolic and finally they changed the ferrule material.
I would not recommend the second generation shafts not because of their playability but their quality. I have ordered dozens for local players who wanted to play with one and not one of them was as good as my friend's 314-1 that he got for his 4k7 back many years ago.
I don't like where predator is going with their new lines - every single item in their catalogue reflects the 'less manufacturing cost by less / worse quality = PROFIT' idea. Take a look at the new wraps they are putting on: they aren't even leather anymore. The PVC wrap on the sports cues is useless as well - not because it doesn't grip well because it does but it's a $1.2 PVC material.
The 30 piece construction in the p3 equals with using worse quality wood used because it's the glue and the construction giving solidity for the cue and not the WOOD.
Go for the old and play without fears is what I recommend.
I would not recommend the second generation shafts not because of their playability but their quality. I have ordered dozens for local players who wanted to play with one and not one of them was as good as my friend's 314-1 that he got for his 4k7 back many years ago.
I don't like where predator is going with their new lines - every single item in their catalogue reflects the 'less manufacturing cost by less / worse quality = PROFIT' idea. Take a look at the new wraps they are putting on: they aren't even leather anymore. The PVC wrap on the sports cues is useless as well - not because it doesn't grip well because it does but it's a $1.2 PVC material.
The 30 piece construction in the p3 equals with using worse quality wood used because it's the glue and the construction giving solidity for the cue and not the WOOD.
Go for the old and play without fears is what I recommend.
better ferrule material? i thought they made it thinner and that's why they had cracking issues?skor said:
All Gen.1 shafts were made in North America.
All Gen.2 shafts are made in China.
I'm not making an argument for either, just making a statement for better clarification.
Seybert's does currently have some outstanding deals on Gen.1 shafts but there is a 'catch'. Once they're gone, they're gone forever.
Anyone interested in saving some serious cash on a new, Gen.1 Predator shaft would do well to give them a call. 1.877.314.2837.
All Gen.2 shafts are made in China.
I'm not making an argument for either, just making a statement for better clarification.
Seybert's does currently have some outstanding deals on Gen.1 shafts but there is a 'catch'. Once they're gone, they're gone forever.
Anyone interested in saving some serious cash on a new, Gen.1 Predator shaft would do well to give them a call. 1.877.314.2837.
poolplayer2093 said:
I don't know exactly what was the reason for the cracking ferrules they had with the first batch but it looks like it has been fixed.
The old ferrule would get scratch very easy and very fast making it impossible to keep it white and clean. The new ferrule is more durable to scratches and this is why I think it's better.
I have two 314-2 shafts and I like them much better then the first generation shaft (which I sold after I got the 314-2).
I do have to say that I had the pre-cat 314 shaft (with a Predator cue I got in '98) and I liked its feel and hit better then the later 314 shafts with the cat, I can't explain why but the hit of the pre-cat felt better.
I do find the 314-2 better then both.
KJ Cues said:
All of them were made in China.
ive been playing with predator since the green veneered sneaky with a wood to wood joint. ive had my p2 and 314, z, and 314-2 shafts. no z-2 shaft experience. i liked the 314 shaft and it felt better to me. but i got used to playing with the 314-2 and it did what it was supposed to do (reduce deflection) and it puts some killer spin on when needed. 2 days ago i put a ob shaft on from my friend an loved it. I think u should try one b4 making any purchase decisions for real.......i wish i would have tried it earlier. and the ferrule isnt so bad when your looking down the cue.
Food for thought
IMO I have played with all the pred shafts and at the time I really loved them. I wanted to experment and try something new, so I picked up a Tiger X Ultra and I will NEVER go back to anything predator makes. just that hollow sound they make when you hit the rock really gets under my skin anymore. I find myslef turning a predator shaft depending on the type of shot/english I am applying to the cue ball as they are not very radially consistent from hit to hit. You will get air pressure changes depending on the temp in your room and humidity in the air on the inside of the shaft causing the wood to expand and contract everytime you go out to shoot. I have also noticed that once you change a tip on any pred shaft they never really feel the same as they did when you first got it.
You always have the option of just getting a high quality shaft spun and you wan't have much to worry about, just play your game.
I on the other hand am a true believer that no cue has an advantage over another but it will inspire confidence with you as a player. Once you are comfortable with something just stick to it.
Jackal
IMO I have played with all the pred shafts and at the time I really loved them. I wanted to experment and try something new, so I picked up a Tiger X Ultra and I will NEVER go back to anything predator makes. just that hollow sound they make when you hit the rock really gets under my skin anymore. I find myslef turning a predator shaft depending on the type of shot/english I am applying to the cue ball as they are not very radially consistent from hit to hit. You will get air pressure changes depending on the temp in your room and humidity in the air on the inside of the shaft causing the wood to expand and contract everytime you go out to shoot. I have also noticed that once you change a tip on any pred shaft they never really feel the same as they did when you first got it.
You always have the option of just getting a high quality shaft spun and you wan't have much to worry about, just play your game.
I on the other hand am a true believer that no cue has an advantage over another but it will inspire confidence with you as a player. Once you are comfortable with something just stick to it.
Jackal
Da Bank said:
THEY ARE NOT PRE-CAT SHAFTS, THEY ARE THE NEWER FIRST GENERATION.
I LOVE THE PRE CATS....NOTHING LIKE EM. (EVERYBODY HAS A DIFFERENT OPINION)
dave sutton
Banned
FAST_N_LOOSE said:
agree and agree
