Case question / decision

C

cbb77

Registered
Hello. I am looking to upgrade to a 2x4 case and have been looking at some from Porper and the Predator case. Questions I have for those with or familiar with any of these cases are:

1. Does the porper cases offer any molding in the case lid to hold the cues and keep them from moving? Is this even needed? My current Action case has it; this is the reason for my question.

2. Regarding the Predator case, is it true it is made by Instroke? Is it the same typical size of a 2x4 case? I don't seem to find any case dimensions on it and all pictures/sites make it seem so large.

Thanks in advance.
 
The answer to question #2 is yes . The Predator case is made by Instroke and is roughly the same size as a 2x4 Instroke. The big plus with this case is the zippers instead of the latches. (IMHO of course)
 
cbb77 said:
Hello. I am looking to upgrade to a 2x4 case and have been looking at some from Porper and the Predator case. Questions I have for those with or familiar with any of these cases are:

1. Does the porper cases offer any molding in the case lid to hold the cues and keep them from moving? Is this even needed? My current Action case has it; this is the reason for my question.

2. Regarding the Predator case, is it true it is made by Instroke? Is it the same typical size of a 2x4 case? I don't seem to find any case dimensions on it and all pictures/sites make it seem so large.

Thanks in advance.
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1. IMO, no it accomplishes nothing of significance.

2. The Predator 2x4 is made by Instroke and is a really nice case. A friend had one and it didn't seem any larger to me than my 2x4 Whitten. If it didn't have that gaudy Predator logo on it I'd buy one myself. Even if I played with a Predator I wouldn't go for it; I hate to advertise for people who aren't paying me, especially when the advertisement is UGLY.
 
I just got a new Instroke Premier 3x5 in yesterday and it looks great. I have custom joint protectors for all my cues and they are a little oversized, but still fit perfectly in the Instroke cases. The case retails for $200, not bad for an Instroke.
I agree, #1 doesn't make a difference and #2 is yes, it's made by instroke.
Zim
 
Thanks all. Based on this I am leaning toward the Predator case. From all I have heard and read, Instroke seems to make some of the best cases out there. Unfortuantely, I just don't care for the looks on any of them. I kind of like the more traditional / plain look as in the Predator case. Unfortuantely I also am not to fond of the predator logo on the case either. I just wish Instroke offered this style without the logo.

Thanks again.
 
cbb77 said:
Thanks all. Based on this I am leaning toward the Predator case. From all I have heard and read, Instroke seems to make some of the best cases out there. Unfortuantely, I just don't care for the looks on any of them. I kind of like the more traditional / plain look as in the Predator case. Unfortuantely I also am not to fond of the predator logo on the case either. I just wish Instroke offered this style without the logo.

Thanks again.
Click to expand...

I recently purchased the Predator case for just the reasons you cite. You'll get used to the logo, it's not that bad...

It is a great case and have no regrets about purchasing it whatsoever.
 
cbb77 said:
Thanks all. Based on this I am leaning toward the Predator case. From all I have heard and read, Instroke seems to make some of the best cases out there. Unfortuantely, I just don't care for the looks on any of them. I kind of like the more traditional / plain look as in the Predator case. Unfortuantely I also am not to fond of the predator logo on the case either. I just wish Instroke offered this style without the logo.

Thanks again.
Click to expand...
If it's the logo you're worried about, why not get an 8ball or 9ball patch and have a tailor sew it on or you could just use an adhesive and apply the patch over the logo.

Zim
 
I advised Predator of this many many times. They are stubborn. I suggested a small black panther on the bottom of the upper pocket. I have seen many players who have made leopards out of the jaguar, have blacked out the cat altogether, have put stickers over the logo and a few other ways to cover it up. Rachel Abbink has hers covered in stickers and it looks fantastic.

John
 
If size is an issue then Talisman is out of the running. The Talisman 2x4 is larger than the Instroke 3x7. The Instroke 2x4 is lighter, more efficient and more user friendly than the Talisman and this includes the Predator case.

Talisman writes that their buckle/strap closures are better than Instroke style latches. I disagree and further state that the new Instroke Diamond Latch is far superior as it is practically unbreakable and it is the easiest to open and close. The Predator case features heavy-duty, self-healing zippers with two zipper pulls so that the case can be opened from either side.

Pound for pound the Instroke is superior to every other tube case out there. This sounds like pure bullshit advertising hype but the proof is in direct comparisons. I do not own Instroke any longer and have nothing to gain by this post. I have seen several new brands of cases that claim superiority and some of them "look" pretty sporty. On closer inspection however the shortcomings far outweigh the attractiveness for me.

So my advice is to try and do some real comparisons firsthand before spending a lot on any case. I truly believe that if protection, efficiency and comfort are of importance then the Instroke will win each time.

John
 
I currently use a Porper 2x4 case. It's a great case in my opinion and the top does have molding. The butts and shafts fit in snuggly. Personally, I think they are worth the money and do a nice job of protecting the cues. Have you looked at Guiseppe cases? They also make some very nice cases; only a little more expensive than the Porper cases ($20). Only then I like better about them in the way the butts and shafts are inserted.
 
onepocketchump said:
... I have seen many players who have made leopards out of the jaguar, ...

John
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Not quite lol, but it did bring a smile to my lips. Now I might have to buy one even though I don't need it just to do that. :)
 
Cases

I have a Porper 4 x 8 case, and Crystal Leisure soft case. The 4 x 8 is too heavy to lug around all the time, and I have come to like a good soft case better (plus you will get action faster with a cheaper case or to use just for league play). I carry my break stick, and play with it, along with a jump stick in the soft case, and I could get one more in it if I wanted to. I chose the soft case because it was only $30.00 and has 2 pockets, small and large (carry jump butt in large) with small pocket having 2 different sections to it. Nothing is worse than having a nice case, and not having room for all of your accessories that you need, or for other items you need to carry.
 
Ok, lots of good info. Thanks. I am going back and forth on the Porper now. Some quick questions for those familar with the Porper cases.

1. Is it a tube based case or foamed rubber?
2. Can the cues be inserted in either direction? ( Prefer butt down)
3. I heard the top molding is indeed styrofoam. Can that be simply removed without sacrificing the functionality of the case or is it really needed to keep the cues stable?

Thanks in advance again. Like the Predator but the price point was making me lean the Porper way. I also took a look at the Guiseppe but didn't care for the looks.
 
The looks of the Guiseppe case can be quite conceiving. I didn't like the looks from catalogs or websites until my good friend purchased one for his dad and decided to get one as well. The case is really smooth and far better in person. The molding can be removed without any problems, but I don't see any problems with it as it fits my Espiritu butt and shafts pretty well. The shafts and butts fit pretty tight. The butt can only be inserted by joint end. Not really a problem for me as I use joint protectors on all my cues. But it's another reason I kind of like the Guiseppe cases better. Guiseppe cases are setup so the butt end inserts into the case and it's tube based. I would really consider one if you want a tube based case and have any doubts about the molding in the Porper cases.
 
cbb77 said:
Ok, lots of good info. Thanks. I am going back and forth on the Porper now. Some quick questions for those familar with the Porper cases.

1. Is it a tube based case or foamed rubber?
2. Can the cues be inserted in either direction? ( Prefer butt down)
3. I heard the top molding is indeed styrofoam. Can that be simply removed without sacrificing the functionality of the case or is it really needed to keep the cues stable?

Thanks in advance again. Like the Predator but the price point was making me lean the Porper way. I also took a look at the Guiseppe but didn't care for the looks.
Click to expand...

1. Injection Foam.
2. On some models.
3. I believe it is styrofoam. No. You will have little to no protection for the ends of your cues if you remove the top.

May I suggest that if you are interested in this type of case that you look at the PRO-AM Case sold by Frank's Center www.frankscenterinc.com

This case also uses injection molded foam but is made so that the cues can be inserted either direction. The entire cue sits below the lip so you don't need to worry about the top piece. This is a very well made case at a decent price. Not as protective as an Instroke but definitely better than a Porper in my opinion.

John
 
cbb77 said:
Thanks John for the tip on the case at Franks Center. That indeed looks great. I think this is the one for me. By any chance do you have any experience with this case? Also I think I found the same one at 5 Star Billiards for less. It looks the same anyway.

http://www.fivestarbilliards.com/Me...=C24N&Category_Code=CueCases&Product_Count=82
Click to expand...

Without violating confidential information I can say that I have inspected the case that Frank's sells and I find it to be a very well made product all around. If I were in the market for a relatively inexpensive hard case, and knowing what I know about cases, I would buy it for myself without reservations.

I have no experience with the one at Five Star Billiards. I can pretty much say with confidence that this case is not the same case from the same source.

John
 
I use the predator case. I had a custom patch made with Mottey's logo on it to cover the Predator logo. Came out really nice. Only thing I don't like about the case (like other Instrokes) is how deep the cues sit. In pictures they show the joint protectors flush with the top of the case. My 58" cue, with joint protectors, is more than an inch down, making it tough to grip them. Wish cases were made for normal length cues, meaning not able to hold a 31" cue. If you have longer cue, get a longer case, don't make the majority suffer. Just my opinion.....
 
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