Cyclop Pool Balls

Bavafongoul

Bavafongoul

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Over the past couple months, it seems like the Cyclop pool ball design popularity that was being bolstered by AZ threads has taken a genuine nose-dive........big time.

When the bulk buy of Cyclop sets was recently being put together, there were Azers coming out of the wood work expressing interest in getting a set of Cyclop pool balls
and amazingly, there was lots of people indicating they wanted the skittles color set instead of the traditional color set.

Well, I've been a critic of the Cyclop design and so I bought a set to compare with Centennials which I think rate #1 when it comes to pool ball sets. I even started a poll
that you can search if you're curious. The pool results conducted over a month confirmed overwhelmingly that Azers ( 3 out of 4) prefer the Brunswick Centennial design
over the Cyclop design and the Cyclop skittles color set was a total flop according to the poll results......which I always suspected because I think the skittles version
Cyclop actually has an unappealing appearance, i.e., ugly. And when you adjust the survey for Azers that voted neutral (no preference for Centennials or Cyclop pool balls)
which was a small number, 8 out of 10 Azers that participated in the survey preferred Centennials.....that's a huge difference.....4 out of 5.

The Cyclop poll is now history and it's been said that history tends to repeat itself. In one sense, I think that's being reflected in the popularity and interest in Cyclop pool ball
sets. The bulk buy purchase allowed everyone to get the Cyclop sets at $150 plus shipping which was the biggest discount Diamond ever offered for one set of Cyclop balls ($150).
After comparing my set of traditional color Cyclop pool balls with my two Centennial sets (new & used), I listed my set for sale on Az and it took awhile to sell my set. And my
sale thread started a lot of controversy about whether I was making a profit on the sale and I didn't make a penny's profit on the sale.

Since that time, I've seen a couple of sale attempts on Cyclop pool balls and apparently the popularity and interest in Cyclop sets has taken a big nose dive. Sellers are offering
their sets way below the market price for a new set of Cyclop pool balls and the sets are not being gobbled up. Deanoc just listed a used set of Centennials for $160 and it sold pronto.
So in my opinion, the poll results were dead on accurate and I wonder if all the hoopla and hype over Cyclop pool balls has run out of steam. Frankly, I am amazed that anyone
would choose either Cyclop design more appealing than Brunswick Centennial Pool Balls. Do you think the wave of interest in Cyclop balls has finally diminished?

Matt B.
 
Last edited:
I'm not saying that cyclop balls are as good as some of the others but I actually really like them. It took me a little bit to get used to the colors but one of the pool halls I play in have them on all their tables and most people there really like them including myself. I should add that these are diamond barboxes and that coin op barboxes aren't known for having the best sets of balls.....
 
Is this all about the appearance and design? Anything with performance? Did you compare their playing characteristics at all?

I heard people didn't like them because they skidded a lot or something like that? I played with them at the sbe. I didn't really notice that they played bad or anything. I got in trouble once though because I got on the wrong ball because of the skittles colors.

I'm just curious if everyone would rate them as high as centennials for playability?
Thanks,
Tim
 
It's been said that Cyclop balls have a higher resin ratio but I don't know that to be true......but I know you can try putting lipstick on a pig but in the end it's still a pig.
Appearance is the number one factor why people buy.....which sometime leads to buyers remorse........I've never heard anyone express buyers remorse over a new
set of Centennial pool balls.....and I think that's becoming more common for buyers of Cyclop balls and I can personally vouch for that since I previously owned a set.
 
Last edited:
thubosky said:
I'm just curious if everyone would rate them as high as centennials for playability?
Thanks,
Tim
Click to expand...

Everyone? No, but I prefer Aramith Super Pro's over Centennials. I haven't used the Cyclops balls personally, but to "rate them as high as centennials for playability" is just stupid. How someone rates "playability" is preference. I personally think Centennials play bad, I'm not a fan at all... but that's just my preference.

I would guarantee that you could put all three sets (Brunswick, Aramith, Cyclops) next to each other and other than color, they would all play the same. The cue balls may play different because of weight, but even then they should all play great with the correct cue ball/object ball.

My opinion on why they have "died out" is because of the ridiculous coloring. They do make a traditional set, but every BCA event has been using the skittles rainbow.

Edit -

I've heard and read of a few A players and pros having differing opinions on them.
Some said they skid, some said they play perfect.
 
I have a set and love them. The ones I have don't skid no where near as bad as the Aramith super pros we have at the pool room. It took me a few games to get used to the color, but I actually like them better than the traditional colors now. It may be just me but they seem to be easier on my eyes. Then again I'm a nobody.
 
I agree that the colors are easier on the eyes. Not that that's the most important thing, but if your playing with them for a while color is definitely not a detriment.
 
Bavafongoul said:
It's been said that Cyclop balls have a higher resin ratio but I don't know that to be true......but I know you can try putting lipstick on a pig but in the end it's still a pig.
Appearance is the number one factor why people buy.....which sometime leads to buyers remorse........I've never heard anyone express buyers remorse over a new
set of Centennial pool balls.....and I think that's becoming more common for buyers of Cyclop balls and I can personally vouch for that since I previously owned a set.
Click to expand...

Sounds like a serious advocacy/anti-advocacy marketing effort.

If we sell our Cyclops balls and replace them with Brunswick Centennials, do we get a rebate? When the vendor [who sells us the Brunswick Centennials] asks us who referred us to them, shall we just say your screenname? "Aw, vaffanculo!" And what do we do about the subsequent reaction?

:p
-Sean
 
I have a set and have absolutely nothing bad to say about the Cyclop balls. I love mine and know of several others that are very happy with theirs as well.
 
my first experience

was NOT good at all. I used them for the first time a couple of weeks ago at the Texas BCA tournament...The colors of the balls were a minor annoyance but I got used to them pretty quick... However, the CUE BALL is another story entirely. At first I thought it played like a measle ball but now I'm not so sure. I know one thing for sure, I never did figure out where that little bastard was going!
 
Baba has never hidden his dislike for the cyclop balls, so it is not surprising to see yet another thread that attempts to bring them down.

I will agree that Centennials- appearance wise- are the classic pool ball, to me.

The cyclop set plays perfectly, IMO. Stays cleaner than the aramith pros I have, aren't all worn out, like 90% of the centennials I have access to...

I would like a set of centennials, but they are pricey. Hopefully the aramith monopoly will come down a bit
 
It makes me giggle when I read a thread that was started with the intention of bashing a product, but leads to some positive reviews, which leads to more sales of that product.

Sucks you don't like playing with Cyclop balls, but thanks for raising the chances of having to play with them!
 
If I were Cyclop's manufacturer I'd be laughing my ass off.
You were determined to hate them "from day one". You knew what they looked like ("ugly").
Then you bought them anyway... LOL.

They must be awesome if even haters buy them.
I got to use them for the first time and I liked the colors and they played absolutely fine.
The cue ball moved no differently from the other balls.

People can't figure out how to adjust, and are always looking for excuses,
so when they miss a shot and blow shape, they blame the equipment.
"those balls are super skiddy! and the cue ball plays funny!"
 
This is the main forum...we can discuss "any topic" and bump as one might prefer....no restrictions in this section of the Forum.
Perhaps you should start your own thread on chalk.......just ignore this thread....Yes? No? Just looking to gripe?
By the way........Blue Diamond Chalk Rocks!

Matt B.
 
Last edited:
A friend bought a set of the Skittle Cyclop balls and I have played at his place with them a few times. I wanted to try them out on my table so I bought the traditional colored set because I can't stand the weird colors.

My impression / opinion of them is thus..... They play great, stay super clean and I never had any issue with skidding. They DO play ever so slightly different than my Centennial's.

The only reason I just sold mine is because I just wanted to try them out for myself and I have two perfect sets of Centennial's that I use on my GC I. Plus the fact that no pool hall or tournament around me uses them.

I really don't understand the hard on that the OP has for them.

I really do like the way they play.!!!
 
True or not?

I have some info that was relayed to me by a reliable source who had spoken with the Cyclops Rep.

1. They have a different color because 1 or more players from the Chinese National team were consulted to help with the development and these players were color blind. The colors chosen were the easiest color that allowed color blind players to notice the difference.

2. The Cue ball weighs the same as the object balls.

3. The hardness of the cueball is hard enough that it prompted CSI to lift their ban on phenolic tips for breaking that had been put in place in 2011 or 2012.

I have no reason to doubt any of what I wrote.
 
Bavafongoul said:
This is the main forum...we can discuss "any topic" and bump as one might prefer....no restrictions in this section of the Forum.
Perhaps you should start your own thread on chalk.......just ignore this thread....Yes? No? Just looking to gripe?
By the way........Blue Diamond Chalk Rocks!

Matt B.
Click to expand...

I didn't think anyone said you couldn't discuss the topic further...but we sure are going to make fun of the way you continue to knock the cyclop balls.

You didn't, don't and won't like them. We get it.
 
The Forum is better than a funhouse.....it's more than amusing to see some of the cynicism and responses.
This is better than Comedy Central.......keep it up fellows......you guys are truly entertaining.

But do read the poll results.....Ha Ha Ha......So I guess I'm in the majority while you guys are... are...just freakin' funny.

Matt B.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top