Carbon Shaft comments, please

[Low500]

I have a Predator 314, bought in 1995 and have played with it since then. I think I'd like to try out one of these carbon shafts.
My Predator 314 has a 5/16x14 joint. (Low deflection cue).
Rhino has these carbon shafts for $199. Predator has the carbon shafts for $499.
In my opinion there has GOT to be a reason for the big difference in price.
Please give me some opinions.
(and thanks for any intelligent replies about this)

 

[j2pac]

I have a Predator 314, bought in 1995 and have played with it since then. I think I'd like to try out one of these carbon shafts.
My Predator 314 has a 5/16x14 joint. (Low deflection cue).
Rhino has these carbon shafts for $199. Predator has the carbon shafts for $499.
In my opinion there has GOT to be a reason for the big difference in price.
Please give me some opinions.
(and thanks for any intelligent replies about this)

I recently had chance to test a Cuetec Avid shaft at 12.75mm. It had been sitting in my case for awhile, as some pretty chronic back issues have limited both my ability and desire to play.
I was finally able to get to the table for the first time in awhile, and I took that Avid shaft out for a spin. I was quite honestly thoroughly impressed.

 

[JCraig]

At $199.00 I decided to try out the Rhino 12.2 mm. I have had it for a month and when it comes to squirt compensation, I think I like it better then my Predator Z shaft (plus I don't have to worry about dings). My Rhino, with a natural pivot length of around 15," better matches my bridge length better than the Z, with a natural pivot length of around 18." I would think that the Rhino, when it comes to squirt, will shoot more like Cuetec Cynergy (with a natural pivot length of around 14"). Where as my Z and probably your 314 will shoot more like a super low deflection Revo. Dr Dave does a Cuetec/Revo comparison here

 

[Ģüśţāṿ]

I have a Predator 314, bought in 1995 and have played with it since then. I think I'd like to try out one of these carbon shafts.
My Predator 314 has a 5/16x14 joint. (Low deflection cue).
Rhino has these carbon shafts for $199. Predator has the carbon shafts for $499.
In my opinion there has GOT to be a reason for the big difference in price.
Please give me some opinions.
(and thanks for any intelligent replies about this)

Played with both the revo and rhino, and beyond marginally lower deflection on the revo (due to a smaller ferrule), they play and feel very similarly. You're primarily paying for the name Predator.

 

[Black-Balled]

Well I'm travelin' down that road
And I'm carrying that heavy load
I walk 'round in a stupor
Sleazy, I can't do the show
Well hangin' out backstage
I'm in a homicidal rage
I signed a million dollar contract
I puked on every page
Slaughtered half the crew
'Cause they ate my deli tray
Oh, baby hey?
I said I'd do the show
Then I canceled anyway
You were a road kill baby
'Til I scraped you in my arms
Another wattle flapping
On the old turkey farm
So baby
While the wheels keep rolling
And another milepost gone
All along on the road behind
Oh, can't you hear me calling?
Just like the sad whale song
I'm on that road behind
Well there you have it, baby
I'm just a sensitive guy
You know I snuffed a million planets
But I still find time to cry
Because there's more to life
Than making other people die
Like a little bloody tear baby
Running out my dirty little eye
And some things, baby
They don't make no sense
Does it really matter if it bugs your parents?
You're a road kill baby
Till I took you in my arms
'Nother wattle flappin'
On the old turkey farm
So baby
Baby, quit your crying
Put your clown britches on
While the wheels keep rolling
And another milepost gone
All along on the road behind
Oh, can't you hear me calling?
Just like the sad whale song
I'm on that road behind
Oh, yeah
While the wheels keep rolling
And another milepost gone
All along on the road behind
Oh, can't you hear me calling?
Just like the sad whale song
I'm on that road behind
Well the wheels keep rolling
And another signpost gone
Baby, can't you hear me calling?
Like a sad whale song
Like a sad whale song
Like a sad whale song

The Road Behind, GWAR.

 

[garczar]

View attachment 766000Well I'm travelin' down that road
And I'm carrying that heavy load
I walk 'round in a stupor
Sleazy, I can't do the show
Well hangin' out backstage
I'm in a homicidal rage
I signed a million dollar contract
I puked on every page
Slaughtered half the crew
'Cause they ate my deli tray
Oh, baby hey?
I said I'd do the show
Then I canceled anyway
You were a road kill baby
'Til I scraped you in my arms
Another wattle flapping
On the old turkey farm
So baby
While the wheels keep rolling
And another milepost gone
All along on the road behind
Oh, can't you hear me calling?
Just like the sad whale song
I'm on that road behind
Well there you have it, baby
I'm just a sensitive guy
You know I snuffed a million planets
But I still find time to cry
Because there's more to life
Than making other people die
Like a little bloody tear baby
Running out my dirty little eye
And some things, baby
They don't make no sense
Does it really matter if it bugs your parents?
You're a road kill baby
Till I took you in my arms
'Nother wattle flappin'
On the old turkey farm
So baby
Baby, quit your crying
Put your clown britches on
While the wheels keep rolling
And another milepost gone
All along on the road behind
Oh, can't you hear me calling?
Just like the sad whale song
I'm on that road behind
Oh, yeah
While the wheels keep rolling
And another milepost gone
All along on the road behind
Oh, can't you hear me calling?
Just like the sad whale song
I'm on that road behind
Well the wheels keep rolling
And another signpost gone
Baby, can't you hear me calling?
Like a sad whale song
Like a sad whale song
Like a sad whale song

The Road Behind, GWAR.

wtf??

 

[Jimmorrison]

If you have been playing with a Predator shaft for thirty years, why consider anything else? I’d suggest the Revo as your first foray into carbon fiber. If you don’t like the hit, you can try something a little more muted.

 

[jalapus logan]

View attachment 766000Well I'm travelin' down that road
And I'm carrying that heavy load
I walk 'round in a stupor
Sleazy, I can't do the show
Well hangin' out backstage
I'm in a homicidal rage
I signed a million dollar contract
I puked on every page
Slaughtered half the crew
'Cause they ate my deli tray
Oh, baby hey?
I said I'd do the show
Then I canceled anyway
You were a road kill baby
'Til I scraped you in my arms
Another wattle flapping
On the old turkey farm
So baby
While the wheels keep rolling
And another milepost gone
All along on the road behind
Oh, can't you hear me calling?
Just like the sad whale song
I'm on that road behind
Well there you have it, baby
I'm just a sensitive guy
You know I snuffed a million planets
But I still find time to cry
Because there's more to life
Than making other people die
Like a little bloody tear baby
Running out my dirty little eye
And some things, baby
They don't make no sense
Does it really matter if it bugs your parents?
You're a road kill baby
Till I took you in my arms
'Nother wattle flappin'
On the old turkey farm
So baby
Baby, quit your crying
Put your clown britches on
While the wheels keep rolling
And another milepost gone
All along on the road behind
Oh, can't you hear me calling?
Just like the sad whale song
I'm on that road behind
Oh, yeah
While the wheels keep rolling
And another milepost gone
All along on the road behind
Oh, can't you hear me calling?
Just like the sad whale song
I'm on that road behind
Well the wheels keep rolling
And another signpost gone
Baby, can't you hear me calling?
Like a sad whale song
Like a sad whale song
Like a sad whale song

The Road Behind, GWAR.

Bring back the bomb!!!

 

[slide13]

Seems like everything I’ve heard about Rhino has been positive, they seem to offer a lot of value for the money.

Predator probably puts more into R&D, seems like most say it’s a bit lower deflection which makes sense too. There is also after sales support. Not sure about Rhino, maybe they’re great, but I had a tip pop off a new Revo shaft and Predator provided me a prepaid shipping label, turned the shaft around in one day, and had it back in my hands super fast with a new tip that I’ve had no issues with since. So there are real performance reasons one might choose Predator over Rhino.

But, some of it absolutely is marketing but also sponsorship and investment in the sport. Predator supports/sponsors some great players and they’ve run some good tournaments and put some money back into pool which I like seeing.

I think Rhino probably gives you 90% of the performance for a killer price. But I play with a full Predator setup and am quite happy with it.

 

[garczar]

I have a Predator 314, bought in 1995 and have played with it since then. I think I'd like to try out one of these carbon shafts.
My Predator 314 has a 5/16x14 joint. (Low deflection cue).
Rhino has these carbon shafts for $199. Predator has the carbon shafts for $499.
In my opinion there has GOT to be a reason for the big difference in price.
Please give me some opinions.
(and thanks for any intelligent replies about this)

Pred. makes good stuff but a lot of that price is paying for all the ads you see, sponsoring players, backing tournaments/tours. Just like hi-end golf clubs, a lot of the price is in all their marketing. I own a Rhino and think its an absolute steal for what i paid(160bux last shopping season). Even at 199 its still half or more of what some big names bring. I've tried Pred, Cuetec,BeCue, Meucci and to me anyway the Rhino plays as well as any of them.

 

[VTEC John]

I'd been using a 314 for about a year and liked it very much. I was skeptical that I'd find a CF any different, but I recently bought a Rhino and the change improved my game. The characteristic that stands out most for me with the CF is better energy transfer. I'm not hitting the ball as hard with the Rhino, and that has absolutely improved my accuracy. As for deflection, it's sort of a non-issue, because with improved accuracy, I'm no longer overusing english to try to obtain perfect position. Anyway, I love the Rhino.

 

[iusedtoberich]

Well when you bought your 314-1, wasn't it about double the price of other wood shafts? I recall mine was in the mid 90's.

Predator has been the leader of the pack since the 314-1 days, and have priced themselves in the marketplace accordingly.

Go right to the Revo 12.4 IMO. I think you'll be disappointed in any other brand. Your aim is fine-tuned to almost 30 years of Predator.

 

[Cornerman]

If you have been playing with a Predator shaft for thirty years, why consider anything else? I’d suggest the Revo as your first foray into carbon fiber. If you don’t like the hit, you can try something a little more muted.

This reply will get lost in this, but a friend of mine took his Revo to Eddie Cohen to match to his Gina. The result was an incredibly muted hit. I asked Eddie what he did, and he said he just made the joint fit right. Nothing more.

To say I was shocked is an understatement.

 

[Jimmorrison]

I would be too. The only time I tried a Revo, it was the exact opposite of muted.

 

[Zerksies]

I found A bigger difference going from a 314-1 to a 314-3, then going from a 314-3 to carbon. What I like most about carbon is humidity has no effect on the feel of the shaft. With wood I’d feel differences in the smoothness when humid and I would feel the shaft swell a bit carbon has no effect. I don’t wear gloves but if you use powder it’s going to feel like sandpaper on the shaft. I now carry a towel to dry my hands or clean my shaft. But my hands really don’t sweat either

I‘ve been a predator user for 20+ years, I didn’t think of any other brand

 

[Mensabum]

I have a Predator 314, bought in 1995 and have played with it since then. I think I'd like to try out one of these carbon shafts.
My Predator 314 has a 5/16x14 joint. (Low deflection cue).
Rhino has these carbon shafts for $199. Predator has the carbon shafts for $499.
In my opinion there has GOT to be a reason for the big difference in price.
Please give me some opinions.
(and thanks for any intelligent replies about this).

I have a Predator 314, bought in 1995 and have played with it since then. I think I'd like to try out one of these carbon shafts.
My Predator 314 has a 5/16x14 joint. (Low deflection cue).
Rhino has these carbon shafts for $199. Predator has the carbon shafts for $499.
In my opinion there has GOT to be a reason for the big difference in price.
Please give me some opinions.
(and thanks for any intelligent replies about this)

The Rhino I have hits like most cf shafts. Can't beat the price either!! I'm sure they're putting a dent in the big boys pockets and I wish them continued success!!
Mine came w 5/16 -14 piloted brass for a Joss and it lined up perfect. I didn't experience all the dust and rub off a few others seemed to have with theirs.
Reasons why the kitty's is so expensive?? Bcuz they can. Ala players keep buying them at $499, they can.

 

[9BallKY]

Pred. makes good stuff but a lot of that price is paying for all the ads you see, sponsoring players, backing tournaments/tours. Just like hi-end golf clubs, a lot of the price is in all their marketing. I own a Rhino and think its an absolute steal for what i paid(160bux last shopping season). Even at 199 its still half or more of what some big names bring. I've tried Pred, Cuetec,BeCue, Meucci and to me anyway the Rhino plays as well as any of them.

I had some collectibles I sold a couple years ago, I took the money and bought a brand new BK Rush and a brand new Air Rush. When they were one year old both had a wobble in the shaft. Still do and they have never been abused in any way. Neither has so much as a scratch in the finish. Now the wobble doesn’t affect anything but I always hear about the quality of Predator stuff and I’ve never owned anything else Predator has made but you would think for $800 for a break cue it would at least roll straight for a year

 

[SeniorTom]

View attachment 766000Well I'm travelin' down that road
And I'm carrying that heavy load
I walk 'round in a stupor
Sleazy, I can't do the show
Well hangin' out backstage
I'm in a homicidal rage
I signed a million dollar contract
I puked on every page
Slaughtered half the crew
'Cause they ate my deli tray
Oh, baby hey?
I said I'd do the show
Then I canceled anyway
You were a road kill baby
'Til I scraped you in my arms
Another wattle flapping
On the old turkey farm
So baby
While the wheels keep rolling
And another milepost gone
All along on the road behind
Oh, can't you hear me calling?
Just like the sad whale song
I'm on that road behind
Well there you have it, baby
I'm just a sensitive guy
You know I snuffed a million planets
But I still find time to cry
Because there's more to life
Than making other people die
Like a little bloody tear baby
Running out my dirty little eye
And some things, baby
They don't make no sense
Does it really matter if it bugs your parents?
You're a road kill baby
Till I took you in my arms
'Nother wattle flappin'
On the old turkey farm
So baby
Baby, quit your crying
Put your clown britches on
While the wheels keep rolling
And another milepost gone
All along on the road behind
Oh, can't you hear me calling?
Just like the sad whale song
I'm on that road behind
Oh, yeah
While the wheels keep rolling
And another milepost gone
All along on the road behind
Oh, can't you hear me calling?
Just like the sad whale song
I'm on that road behind
Well the wheels keep rolling
And another signpost gone
Baby, can't you hear me calling?
Like a sad whale song
Like a sad whale song
Like a sad whale song

The Road Behind, GWAR.

What a dumb post!

 

[garczar]

KB just posted this review. If you just want to try cf this shaft is only around 70bux on Temu. I've never bought on there but Karl had no issues.

 

[Patrick Johnson]

an incredibly muted hit.

The only time I tried a Revo, it was the exact opposite of muted.

Are you guys talking about a muted feel or a muted sound?

pj
chgo