Ball return vs Drop Pockets Preference Survey/opinion

tonemachine

tonemachine

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
When I was looking for a table, I swear I saw a thread with this title but I can't find one now...

I had the option on my new table and I almost got drop pockets (again) based on stuff I read here about the noise of ball returns and the comparative difficulty of bending over to retrieve balls from the box. I'm glad I got a ball return this time- and I have a table in my first floor living room of my one story house with hard wood floors and no carpeting so its as primed as any house for being a noisy situation. However, the noise of the ball box is no more bothersome to anyone than the noise of shooting; in fact, it's quieter than a medium to hard shot and you can always pad your ball box as necessary. The ball return itself is quite quiet and a very pleasing sound to hear.

So, for the benefit of future shoppers- what do you prefer overall (not necessarily what do you have)?

I like the option of a ball return.

I have enjoyed drop pockets when practicing repeated shots into one corner, however, it fills up pretty fast- you can't shoot 15 (or more) without pausing. If you really want a drop pocket to save yourself from bending over, just do what you tell your wife to do when she tells you that you're practicing too much, "put a sock in it." ;) I just tried putting a sock in a corner pocket and could easily sink and retrieve 6 balls.

Just wanted to put this out here for people who are deciding. It doesn't hurt to get the extra exercise of actually squatting down, either. It saves the back and works the legs (which you should be using rather than your back when you go into the ball box).

Good Luck, all.
 
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+1 on the ball return, although i never considered squatting and getting the balls out as exercise
 
I've had both and much prefer my present Gold Crown with return. I'm a geezer and grew up around GC's with returns. The sound of the ball rolling down the rack and popping into the box sounds like, success. And two rolling at the same time sounds like winning.

God, I love that sound.
 
Yes!! Thats what I like to hear!! rolllllll...plunk...plunk.lol,sounds like money to me. My
Big G had cheap drop pkts installed OVER the nice ball returns. I just need the cup and pocket liners to refit the returns,AND i`ll keep a couple drop pkts handy for shooting drills.Cant wait. I set up some old valley bumpers and a piece of felt on the center piece of slate,(other two are under repair) just so I could shoot draw shots,ha. pic here of recovered ball return tray,and ball returns. 3 ball anyone,or maybe a quick game of
no pocket?? ok, nuff, back to work!!
 
I love the ball return on my GCII. I have never understood why people remove the ball return and install drop pockets. They are not loud like a Valley BB.
 
Nope on the ball return , hate having to go bend over to gather the balls or retreive the cue ball after a scratch , don't know how many times , from habit , reaching in the pocket for a ball ... too old school ...;)
 
I have drop pockets on my 1 year old olhausen. It can be a pain when your shooting practice shots, however the noise level is what I bought it for. I practice 9pm to 1am. Doesn't keep waking up the family. I had an old bar box that sounded lie someone beating on a 50 gallon can. Besides it keeps you moving and not just shooting at the same 2 pockets.
 
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I prefer a manual transmission to an automatic. Like it when my motorcycle shifts with the right foot and I pull up to downshift and push down to up shift (sometimes called a "racing pattern"), have a water well and a septic system, have a hand fired coal stove....Automatic ball return...??? What's that ? My near century old 9' Brunswick Madison has sagless drop pockets.......Wouldn't have it any other way.

Call me a Luddite ? OK, I'll accept that.
 
I had a bar box with ball return system, and now I'm practicing on a 9' table with drop pockets. I like the drop pockets more, because:
1) I love the sound of balls falling in the pockets (actually that right sound indicates me if I shoot the ball correctly).
2) You can practice the drills and you don't have to go after the balls.
3) If you play One pocket, you can't mess with the ball count.
4) The drop pocket, don't make noise, like ball return system.
5) You don't have to look for cue ball after a scratch.
6) It's not a general problem on the tables with ball return, but on my barbox, on the hard shots I often had the ball spit out from the pocket.
7) I'm young guy, but I think drop pockets are old school, and that is cool :)
 
Drop

Grew up on old drop pocket Bruinswick tables and prefer drop pockets. I am to old and fat to crawl around on the floor looking for a ball that is hung up on a ball return.
 
Ak Guy said:
Grew up on old drop pocket Bruinswick tables and prefer drop pockets. I am to old and fat to crawl around on the floor looking for a ball that is hung up on a ball return.
Click to expand...

My current bar box has me down on one knee in order for my fused bone wrist to reach in to retrieve balls. Knee don't like it either...moving up to a 9 ft drop pocket!
 
Drop pockets only. I have an antique Brunswick Non Paraliel Novelty with the leather web pockets from circa 1880, plays great, certainly the only way they came. I have it stored now in a spare bedroom. Up currently I have a Rosewood Centennial redone by Mark Gregory with drop pockets. I never liked the subway system, sound, balls sticking, and the drop to the tray. However, playing one pocket you keep your balls on your side and never leave anything in the tray.
 
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