Cuetec announces Carbon Fiber tentative price and....

FYI, I just posted a new video covering many topics related to this thread, including a comparison of the new Cuetec CT-15K to the Predator Revo. Here it is:

NV J.12 - How to Select a Pool Cue, Cue Ball Deflection, Carbon Fiber, Revo vs. Cuetec
the four shafts had the same tips?
No, but I adjusted my stroke to attempt to get the same CB speed with the first set of tests; and it doesn't matter with the natural-pivot-length test, as long as the shot speed is fast enough.

Regards,
Dave
 
FYI, I just posted a new video covering many topics related to this thread, including a comparison of the new Cuetec CT-15K to the Predator Revo. Here it is:

NV J.12 - How to Select a Pool Cue, Cue Ball Deflection, Carbon Fiber, Revo vs. Cuetec
Hey Dave,Very informative video as always. One thing though and I know I mentioned this before. I can't believe how much deflection/squirt/whatever you are getting even with the low def shafts.

It appears on you follow through that your stroke goes off line and seems to steer the ball more offline. The same shot with me cue and it's regular deflection shaft, I know I can hit the ball with extreme left or right english and still contact the object ball.

I remember I made a video with kind of an overhead view last time. I'm gonna try one from the rail next time like yours is shot to see if I can capture what I'm talking about.
Honestly, I was very disappointed when I saw (during video editing) how non-straight my follow through was with the first set of tests. However, I'm pretty sure I hit the CB fairly accurately with the off-line motion occurring well after the CB was gone (during the follow through). I also dropped my elbow and clanged the rail on one of the shots. Very embarassing.

Regardless, I am confident the second set of tests, where I measured and compared the natural pivot lengths, produced accurate results because the results were repeatable. Also, my stroke was better during theses tests (maybe I was more warmed up and/or more careful by then).

Concerning the amount of net CB deflection, this will obviously depend on the amount of sidespin (I was using very close to maximum). It will also depend on shot speed and distance, and cloth conditions, all of which can affect swerve and net CB deflection.

If you post videos with different results, I'm sure I can explain any differences.

Regards,
Dave
 
I have seen squirt/deflection differences depending not just on tip hardness but also material.
FYI, I did some tests with a wide range of tip types and hardness, and didn't see significant differences in squirt:

NV D.15 - Cue and Tip Testing for Cue Ball Deflection (Squirt)

Having said this, tip hardness and efficiency can have effects if different CB speeds are used in the comparison, per the info here:

cue tip hardness and efficiency effects

Regards,
Dave
 
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FYI, I just posted a new video covering many topics related to this thread, including a comparison of the new Cuetec CT-15K to the Predator Revo. Here it is:

NV J.12 - How to Select a Pool Cue, Cue Ball Deflection, Carbon Fiber, Revo vs. Cuetec
LOL, you dropped a "Once you go black you'll never go back". Awesome, informative video like always. Thanks.
Now, at least I know you watched the entire video, or at least jumped to the end. Good job.

In today's world, people (especially the younger generation) don't usually have enough patience to watch a video this long.

Regards,
Dave
 
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Honestly, I was very disappointed when I saw (during video editing) how non-straight my follow through was with the first set of tests. However, I'm pretty sure I hit the CB fairly accurately with the off-line motion occurring well after the CB was gone (during the follow through). I also dropped my elbow and clanged the rail on one of the shots. Very embarassing.

Regardless, I am confident the second set of tests, where I measured and compared the natural pivot lengths, produced accurate results because the results were repeatable. Also, my stroke was better during theses tests (maybe I was more warmed up and/or more careful by then).

Concerning the amount of net CB deflection, this will obviously depend on the amount of sidespin (I was using very close to maximum). It will also depend on shot speed and distance, and cloth conditions, all of which can affect swerve and net CB deflection.

If you post videos with different results, I'm sure I can explain any differences.

Regards,
Dave

You also raised up pretty bad on that one shot. Not that I am critiquing your style. :)

I appreciate the video though. I am looking forward to trying the Mezz Carbon Fiber shaft.
 
I would like to hear from you if the difference between Revo whatever version you play 12,4 or 12,9 and Becue Prime-M 12,5 (not 1st generation of Prime shaft!) in both deflection and energy transfer is so you can feel it immediately after just a few shots or is it just so slight between them... What I have heard from a strong player who played with Revo 12,9 and tested both new Prime-M versions: 12,00 version has less deflection but worse energy transfer and 12,5 mm is better in energy transfer so I assume 12,5 Prime-M is very close to Revo...For me as for being very tall and that's why building a 62" player for myself https://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=463154 the major advantage of Becue is the possibility to get a 31" shaft from them. I don't know if the others will offer such an option.
P.S. As for energy transfer I'm so sure if I match my butt with that wood combo and construction with suitable length c.f. shaft it will be not so easy to find a better combo as for energy transfer ;). I know so many are more concerned about the shaft but I believe the butt is of great importance too (it is not only the weight, the balance and the look like most think)

In my comparison I used the 12.4 and 12.9 and prime 12.5.

To me, the only difference from original prime and prime 12.5 was comfort level due to no paint. Energy, deflection, everything else "IS" the same as the original prime. anyone that says anything different, most likely has a reason other than proof. Then again, most opinions are just that, opinions.

As far a strong player saying this or that..... myself and a couple other players that play even 10 ball with Danny Smith, Josh Robert's, Warren and young casper are the very ones that did the comparison.

Bottom line for me:

I can run ghost out of town with either so it does not matter. I'm not a sponsored player and have no stake in either.

If I was you, I would use the cue "you" played best with for whatever reasons. The reasons don't matter to anyone but the person holding the cue.

Rake
 
Honestly, I was very disappointed when I saw (during video editing) how non-straight my follow through was with the first set of tests. However, I'm pretty sure I hit the CB fairly accurately with the off-line motion occurring well after the CB was gone (during the follow through). I also dropped my elbow and clanged the rail on one of the shots. Very embarassing.

Regardless, I am confident the second set of tests, where I measured and compared the natural pivot lengths, produced accurate results because the results were repeatable. Also, my stroke was better during theses tests (maybe I was more warmed up and/or more careful by then).

Concerning the amount of net CB deflection, this will obviously depend on the amount of sidespin (I was using very close to maximum). It will also depend on shot speed and distance, and cloth conditions, all of which can affect swerve and net CB deflection.

If you post videos with different results, I'm sure I can explain any differences.

Regards,
Dave
You also raised up pretty bad on that one shot. Not that I am critiquing your style. :)
I know ... I do this a lot, especially with power shots. When I watch myself on video (especially this video), I see all sorts of stuff I don't like. But this is a good thing because I will actually focus and work on this stuff. That's why video is useful for improving.

I appreciate the video though.
You're welcome ... and thank you. I aim to swerve. :grin-square:

Regards,
Dave
 
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In my comparison I used the 12.4 and 12.9 and prime 12.5.

To me, the only difference from original prime and prime 12.5 was comfort level due to no paint. Energy, deflection, everything else "IS" the same as the original prime. anyone that says anything different, most likely has a reason other than proof. Then again, most opinions are just that, opinions.

As far a strong player saying this or that..... myself and a couple other players that play even 10 ball with Danny Smith, Josh Robert's, Warren and young casper are the very ones that did the comparison.

Bottom line for me:

I can run ghost out of town with either so it does not matter. I'm not a sponsored player and have no stake in either.

If I was you, I would use the cue "you" played best with for whatever reasons. The reasons don't matter to anyone but the person holding the cue.

Rake

I trust the opinion of the player I mentioned. Having enough experience in the game I know what is really important and I'm not the one who expects any shaft makes me much better player. In fact I really enjoy my current player and have some more ideas to try in cue building. It is just my curiousity to try new things appearing in the game to find out what is best to use in order to achieve particular goals. When it comes to the equipment I know the best method to find out is to try on your own so I will when the opportunity comes.
 
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Predator has consistently done a fantastic job of marketing. Over the years I watched the pricing of their shafts go up, and now getting folks to pay $500 plus is a new achievement.


As others pointed out, Cuetec does suffer from a low quality cue image. They should come up with a luxury brand, like the Japanese automakers did back in the 80's with Lexus.

In 1989, Lexus came out and Mercedes "snickered". How can a non luxury brand like Toyota compete with Mercedes. They did and they are. In some years, Lexus tops the number of Mercedes sold in the US. They battle back and forth. And you can bet MB was none to pleased about that. But, the best selling luxury vehicle is still the Lexus RX SUV. They "invented" the cross over. An SUV build on a sedan platform to provide superior handling and ride quality, since most folks never take their SUV's off road, they just want more space.

But, Toyo was smart enough to separate the brands, diff name, diff dealerships, diff service, etc. But, luckily Cuetec wont have to worry as the market for these cues are not us "old" pool guys and the younger players don't know about much history of cues. And won't think of them as "cheap".....

I say good luck to them. Why let Predator take all the market share, let them grab a piece of it.
 
In 1989, Lexus came out and Mercedes "snickered". How can a non luxury brand like Toyota compete with Mercedes. They did and they are. In some years, Lexus tops the number of Mercedes sold in the US. They battle back and forth. And you can bet MB was none to pleased about that. But, the best selling luxury vehicle is still the Lexus RX SUV. They "invented" the cross over. An SUV build on a sedan platform to provide superior handling and ride quality, since most folks never take their SUV's off road, they just want more space.

But, Toyo was smart enough to separate the brands, diff name, diff dealerships, diff service, etc. But, luckily Cuetec wont have to worry as the market for these cues are not us "old" pool guys and the younger players don't know about much history of cues. And won't think of them as "cheap".....

I say good luck to them. Why let Predator take all the market share, let them grab a piece of it.

There was a European car guy crack at the US car market and SUVs. Almost no one in the US wants a station wagon, but add 10 inches to a station wagon height to make an SUV and all of a sudden everyone wants one. All everyone wants to drive now is nothing but a tall station wagon.
 
Nice, informative video.

It squares with my own observation, that the Z2 is very close to the Revo in deflection properties (which Revo owners refuse to believe for some reason).

I played with a "tuned" Z2 shaft and compared it to the Revo, the deflection was about the same but the feel was a lot harsher and it took more force to do the same thing compared to a Revo.
 
FYI, I just posted a new video covering many topics related to this thread, including a comparison of the new Cuetec CT-15K to the Predator Revo. Here it is:

NV J.12 - How to Select a Pool Cue, Cue Ball Deflection, Carbon Fiber, Revo vs. Cuetec
Nice, informative video.
Thanks.

It squares with my own observation, that the Z2 is very close to the Revo in deflection properties (which Revo owners refuse to believe for some reason).
Why would people not want to believe this? I used the Z2 for many, many years, and I probably would have been reluctant to switch to the Revo if it did not have the same amount of CB deflection. Because it did, I didn't need to change the way I aim when using sidespin. I got all of the benefits of carbon fiber without having to change anything (although, it did take me a few sessions to get used to the different hit/feel/look and to get used to visualizing the tip contact point with the different shaft diameter). My hope is that every shaft I might use in the future will also have the same CB deflection (and same shaft diameter).

Regards,
Dave
 
Honestly, I was very disappointed when I saw (during video editing) how non-straight my follow through was with the first set of tests. However, I'm pretty sure I hit the CB fairly accurately with the off-line motion occurring well after the CB was gone (during the follow through). I also dropped my elbow and clanged the rail on one of the shots. Very embarassing.

Regardless, I am confident the second set of tests, where I measured and compared the natural pivot lengths, produced accurate results because the results were repeatable. Also, my stroke was better during theses tests (maybe I was more warmed up and/or more careful by then).

Concerning the amount of net CB deflection, this will obviously depend on the amount of sidespin (I was using very close to maximum). It will also depend on shot speed and distance, and cloth conditions, all of which can affect swerve and net CB deflection.

If you post videos with different results, I'm sure I can explain any differences.

Regards,
Dave
OK, so I recorded a video that I won't bother posting because I noticed 2 things.

1. My aim is not straight at the ball like I thought. When I am lined up, I am slightly off to the side enough to compensate for the squirt/deflection/whatever. This must be subconscious as it happens regardless of using left or right english... either that or I should stop shooting pool with only 1 shoe on.

2. My hair is way thinner then I thought it was... like I knew it was getting down there, but shit, not that much that fast...
 
OK, so I recorded a video that I won't bother posting because I noticed 2 things.

1. My aim is not straight at the ball like I thought. When I am lined up, I am slightly off to the side enough to compensate for the squirt/deflection/whatever. This must be subconscious as it happens regardless of using left or right english... either that or I should stop shooting pool with only 1 shoe on.

2. My hair is way thinner then I thought it was... like I knew it was getting down there, but shit, not that much that fast...
Try the “natural pivot point” test instead. It is much more reliable, and it is fairly easy to do.

Regards,
Dave
 
Cuetec's are awesome. If you never have owned one...It was one of my first cues, a mint

green Earl Strickland model...traded it for a Meucci...worst trade I made in my life. People are

saying that cuetec is the bottom of pool cues. Hey, they sponsor players, that I can get behind.

I am sure that I have overpaid for cues in the past, one come to mind, I ordered a HXT Pure X Jump Break Cue.

$220. For a Players cue. I mean who would pay that much for a Players...JS. Cuetec is

better than Players, right? I would bet that people who started playing in the 90's have had

a least one cuetec in their bag at one time or another. And since then have 'grown up'
and
left that old cue in a closet, which if you did, I bet it still is straight.
 
FYI, I just posted a new video covering many topics related to this thread, including a comparison of the new Cuetec CT-15K to the Predator Revo. Here it is:

NV J.12 - How to Select a Pool Cue, Cue Ball Deflection, Carbon Fiber, Revo vs. Cuetec
LOL, you dropped a "Once you go black you'll never go back". Awesome, informative video like always. Thanks.
FYI, to anybody who might be offended by this, I just added the following to the YouTube video description:

NOTE: When I used the "Once you go black, you won't go back." phrase in the video, it didn't occur to me that some people might read a racial connotation into the words. FYI, that was not my intention, and I hope it didn't offend anyone. I just think it is a cool phrase applied to carbon fiber shafts (which are black).

Regards,
Dave
 
FYI, to anybody who might be offended by this, I just added the following to the YouTube video description:

NOTE: When I used the "Once you go black, you won't go back." phrase in the video, it didn't occur to me that some people might read a racial connotation into the words. FYI, that was not my intention, and I hope it didn't offend anyone. I just think it is a cool phrase applied to carbon fiber shafts (which are black).

Regards,
Dave
Relax Dave. I really hope we haven't hit PC insanity on AZ. Great info. as always.
 
FYI, to anybody who might be offended by this, I just added the following to the YouTube video description:

NOTE: When I used the "Once you go black, you won't go back." phrase in the video, it didn't occur to me that some people might read a racial connotation into the words. FYI, that was not my intention, and I hope it didn't offend anyone. I just think it is a cool phrase applied to carbon fiber shafts (which are black).

Regards,
Dave
It's a sad day when you have to add a disclaimer because you know someone, somewhere is going to take offense. I thought it was hilarious.
 
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