Cyclops balls

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maxeypad2007

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I recently picked up a set to have for practice leading up to the derby and ended up loving them.

I know they have a reputation of being a little ugly with the TV set but I adapted to this pretty quickly. I'm using the new zeus set with the purple 4 ball also known as the skittles set with the large red dot cue ball.

The major differences -

The harder surface stays cleaner longer
Balls "fall in" easier - I think this has to do with the extra weight
The additional cueball weight vs the super aramith set plays slightly different. I find that I can really stiffen the cueball off the rail with reverse english.
I find i'm making more balls on the break mostly because I just get more action on the rack itself.
They definitely look different but they contrast wiell with tournament blue cloth.

The downside
They are different - No other pool rooms I"m aware of even use them.
They bank differently - I wouldn't say this is a downside but they stiffen a little more
I've noticed the extra weight makes table imperfections more noticable such as a tiny divot in the cloth.

In time I could see these becoming the standard. I do wish the folks at diamond/cyclops would produce a pro cup cue ball though
 
A

AtLarge

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maxeypad2007 said:
... extra weight ...
Click to expand...

What do they weigh?

According to the WPA equipment specs, pool balls are supposed to weigh from 156 to 170 grams (hopefully, matched closely within any given set). All of the Saluc balls I have weighed (Super Aramith Pros, Centennials, Tournaments) have been on the upper end of that range, from roughly 167 to 169 grams. That doesn't leave much room for Cyclop balls to be heavier and still within spec.

[Of course, balls lose a little weight after they have been used for a good while.]
 
pt109

pt109

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I like the Cyclop balls...but only in the traditional colors.

IMG_3306.JPG

The unusual colors are not just aggravating....they make it harder to play well...
...when you've played a lot, you get a sense of how to make a plan..at first glance....
...when you have to figure out which balls are which...it retards that process.

When I played a lot of chess, I would only play with Staunton pieces....
...the game is hard enough to see patterns without having to identify the pieces.
 
mvp

mvp

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pt109 said:
I like the Cyclop balls...but only in the traditional colors.

View attachment 449564

The unusual colors are not just aggravating....they make it harder to play well...
...when you've played a lot, you get a sense of how to make a plan..at first glance....
...when you have to figure out which balls are which...it retards that process.

When I played a lot of chess, I would only play with Staunton pieces....
...the game is hard enough to see patterns without having to identify the pieces.
Click to expand...

I agree with this 100% during the late 90's-2005 it seemed like they changed ball colors and designs weekly! I hate the non traditional designs regardless of manufacturer.
 
jay helfert

jay helfert

Shoot Pool, not people
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pt109 said:
I like the Cyclop balls...but only in the traditional colors.

View attachment 449564

The unusual colors are not just aggravating....they make it harder to play well...
...when you've played a lot, you get a sense of how to make a plan..at first glance....
...when you have to figure out which balls are which...it retards that process.

When I played a lot of chess, I would only play with Staunton pieces....
...the game is hard enough to see patterns without having to identify the pieces.
Click to expand...

I have an original set of Cyclop balls and I hate the six and seven ball colors. I'd like to get a traditional set like that. Where can I get them?
 
Maniac

Maniac

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mvp said:
I agree with this 100% during the late 90's-2005 it seemed like they changed ball colors and designs weekly! I hate the non traditional designs regardless of manufacturer.
Click to expand...

Add another to the list of ones not liking the new colors. Give me the traditional ones every time.

It's like trying to fix a problem that doesn't exist, and you can't really define it as progress.

Maniac
 
pt109

pt109

WO double hemlock
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jay helfert said:
I have an original set of Cyclop balls and I hate the six and seven ball colors. I'd like to get a traditional set like that. Where can I get them?
Click to expand...

The DCC used them on the main floor last year...tell Greg to give you a set.
...there are certain spin bank shots that these balls work better on.....
....and I know that will interest you...that's with the one-dot cue ball.
 
trob

trob

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I agree completely .. The first year they showed up at the expo I had the same issue. Even after hours and days of play I'd still have to occasionally stop and do double take to make sure I was playing position for the right ball. lol


pt109 said:
I like the Cyclop balls...but only in the traditional colors.

View attachment 449564

The unusual colors are not just aggravating....they make it harder to play well...
...when you've played a lot, you get a sense of how to make a plan..at first glance....
...when you have to figure out which balls are which...it retards that process.

When I played a lot of chess, I would only play with Staunton pieces....
...the game is hard enough to see patterns without having to identify the pieces.
Click to expand...
 
JoseV

JoseV

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Silver Member
I'm really thinking about getting a set for myself but i'm torn between these and the Super Aramith set. I guess i'll have to flip a coin.
 
bwally

bwally

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trob said:
I agree completely .. The first year they showed up at the expo I had the same issue. Even after hours and days of play I'd still have to occasionally stop and do double take to make sure I was playing position for the right ball. lol
Click to expand...

I did the same at the BCA's in 2013 the first year for the Cyclop balls. Four years later it's not a problem anymore..
 
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