most accurate jump cue?

RBC said:
Kim

I pretty much agree completely. A cue can't be accurate, it can only be consistent. But, that consistency can help to reward an accurate player.

In the end. the perception from those who experience the difference is that they are more accurate with one versus the other. They naturally see that as accuracy, and associate it to the cue.

I just don't get the whole "it's the Indian not the arrow" thing.

I mean, Tiger Woods would beat me like a drum using cheap beginner clubs from Walmart. But, I'd bet that Phil Mickelson would destroy him with Tiger using those same clubs and Phil using is normal top quality, technologically advanced clubs.

The Indian versus the arrow statement implies that the arrow makers are saying "you don't have to be an Indian, just buy our arrow and you'll be just as good as a real Indian". Obviously, that just doesn't make any sense. Also obvious is that poor quality equipment can and, in most cases will, limit anyone's performance.

I would estimate that 99% of all the people that I've talked to, who bought technology based pool equipment knew what the advantages of that equipment was and what it would do for them. I honestly don't ever recall hearing anyone tell me that they expected to "buy a pool game". Or that they would immediately play way better just because they bought a particular piece of equipment. For the most part, they do expect some benefit that will help them, but no magic wand.

Trust me. If I could actually build the perfect pool cue, you know the one that I just could not ever miss with. I would only build one, and it would not be for sale. I would, however, actually get out of the pool cue business all together. But, I'd sure be playing a lot more pool!:grin:

Royce
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I know also that function should be valued over appearance. But you would be surprised that some people simply won't buy certain jump cues because they are hideous. I mean it's at out rare to see a jump cue that even resembles the classic style cues. A lot are gaudy and come in weird colors.
 
Kel_82 said:
I know also that function should be valued over appearance. But you would be surprised that some people simply won't buy certain jump cues because they are hideous. I mean it's at out rare to see a jump cue that even resembles the classic style cues. A lot are gaudy and come in weird colors.
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I know what you mean for sure.


Keep in mind that most aren't willing to pay the same for a jump cue that they would for a nice traditional playing cue. I mean, it is just a jump cue, right. But, to build a jump cue with points and all the parts of a playing cue requires just as much work as the playing cue does so the costs are almost just as high. There's the first reason that jump cues don't look like playing cues.

Also, you have to keep in mind the technical side of things. The things that make a playing cue perform well and the things that make a jump cue perform well are not the same. As a matter of fact, in many areas they are the opposite.

So, first we have to make a jump cue that can perform. Next, we have to make a jump cue that we can actually make a profit from selling. That leaves us with what you find out there right now.

Our jump cue is stained blue with a gold logo on it. It certainly doesn't look like a traditional playing cue. But, it works extremely well. We sold out our pre-built inventory at the SBE, and have taken orders for many more.

There is one who makes a really great jump cue that still looks very traditional. It's the Lomax jump cue. If you haven't seen one, they are really beautiful. There performance is top shelf as well. Of course, they cost more but if you're looking for a traditional style jump cue that performs well, it's the best that I've seen.

Royce Bunnell
www.obcues.com
 
Accuracy isn't a feature of cues, that's like saying what shoes run the fastest.
 
Kel_82 said:
Hopefully it's the Alex Brick jump. Since I'm about to order one :lol:

Should round out my all American cues/case collection nicely.
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Does he have a site or anything set up with details and example photos, or is everything just over the phone to the pro shop in Nashville? Still Nashville, right? Thanks.
 
jhunterr said:
I jump better with the jacoby jump cue better than with my jacoby jump/break cue. Same Indian different arrow.
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cbrand said:
Shooter is generally responsible for accuracy however, with my jacoby I have much more accuracy then whither my j&j j/b. While both jump effortlessly, the j&j seems to deflect some and ill miss left or right slightly.
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+1 on the Jacoby...

I've had a few different jump cues, even tried out the 'Frog' and a few others.
I'm far from a pro, but I knew enough about what worked (for me) and what didn't.

Once I got the Jacoby Jump Daddy, I sold the other jump cues and never looked back...

YMMV

KMRUNOUT did a nice review on the Jacoby jump cue:
http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=301554
 
RBC said:
But, to build a jump cue with points and all the parts of a playing cue requires just as much work as the playing cue does so the costs are almost just as high. There's the first reason that jump cues don't look like playing cues.
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Sounds like you are saying everyone is overcharging for their playing cues.
Time to see some of the playing cue prices come down and be closer to the jump cue prices.
 
I like Brick for accuracy and for everything else.

I also had 2 Lomax jump break, and the one I have right now jumps real well too not as accurate for me though
 
9Ballr said:
Sounds like you are saying everyone is overcharging for their playing cues.
Time to see some of the playing cue prices come down and be closer to the jump cue prices.
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That's not what he's saying at all. He's saying that if you want your jump cue to match or look like a standard shooting cue, the jump cue will cost way more. People already refuse to pay for a jump cue, so if prices doubled no one would ever buy it. It's why jump cues are stained/coated. The characteristics of a good jump cue is not something people strive for. They think that a hard tip is all that's needed and that's not the case.

Everyone who recommends "something with a phenolic tip" has zero clue how to actually jump properly. A J&J jump cue fits that description properly. No quality control to make sure each cue is the same, just a phenolic tip on a soft ferrule. Search on eBay and you'll find the cues for sale at $22-30. Shaft will always be thick, won't bend or buckle. But the ease of jumping isn't quite there, even though it jumps.

There are a lot of jump cues priced in the $80-120 range. In this range you have jump cues like the Lucasi basic jump cue which is great for long jumps, but sucks for 2 ball width or less. Then you got the composit looking jumpers, Lucasi Air Hog, Predator Air2 and a few others. Which are all improvements to close quarters jumping. Then you got the little finger groove near the joint on some jump cues. Jacoby , Pechauer, McDermott and a few others make that design.

Basically if you're looking for an 'accurate jump cue' you know to stay away from jump/ break cues. From there I'd suggest getting a J&J jump cue to start. If you find problems with it, you can then spend more money on a truly better jumper. If you never find a fault with it, it shouldn't ever fail on you. But if you have a bad shoulder, get a jumper with that finger groove so you can jump easier dart style.
 
Keith Jawahir said:
tried it at the expo. wasn't compatible with me. It felt like a solid jump cue, but my technique just didn't work with it. I use a Jacoby Jump cue, works like a charm. Tried the Air 2, that thing is unbelievable. Almost unfair. If I can perfect full-cue jumping, I'll abandon the jump cue. Tried the Mezz and Lucasi Jump cues, meh. And there is one man's opinion. Just like our individual mechanics, cues will work differently with each of us.
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Good post Keith!

JoeyA
 
DJordan816 said:
Thanks for all the responses, some jump cues seem to deflect more than others at least for me. Maybe I should have asked what jump cue deflects the least?
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Actually that would be exactly the wrong question to ask. The jump cue that deflects the least would probably be something with a Predator Z2 or OB2 shaft on it. That is the opposite of what you want. For good jumping, more deflection means a more effortless jump. That is why the jump cues that get the ball up in the air the quickest and easiest usually have a lot of mass right up at the tip...brass ferrule, etc.

Now getting the ball up in the air is a big part of a jump cue that jumps *easily*. However, the most *accurate* jump cue is not likely to be the same cue as the easiest jumping cue. Since most jump shots are not hit with any left or right english, this is only a concern in so much as the deflection characteristics may minimize errors due to off center hits.

My first paragraph explains why a jump/break cue is not a great idea...different requirements that more or less contradict each other.

Thoughts?

KMRUNOUT
 
Heads-UP over there, I'm flying.

KMRUNOUT said:
Actually that would be exactly the wrong question to ask. The jump cue that deflects the least would probably be something with a Predator Z2 or OB2 shaft on it. That is the opposite of what you want. For good jumping, more deflection means a more effortless jump. That is why the jump cues that get the ball up in the air the quickest and easiest usually have a lot of mass right up at the tip...brass ferrule, etc.

Now getting the ball up in the air is a big part of a jump cue that jumps *easily*. However, the most *accurate* jump cue is not likely to be the same cue as the easiest jumping cue. Since most jump shots are not hit with any left or right english, this is only a concern in so much as the deflection characteristics may minimize errors due to off center hits.

My first paragraph explains why a jump/break cue is not a great idea...different requirements that more or less contradict each other.

Thoughts?

KMRUNOUT
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I like what you had to say about a jump cue deflecting. The jump cue needs to move away from the cue ball as soon as possible.

I have to imagine that if the jump cue is built to either move away from the cue ball as soon as possible or to move the cue ball away from the jump shaft as soon as possible, then the amount of side spin accidentally applied (and squirt to the cue ball) is magnified when jumping the cue ball.

I then have to imagine that even more care has to be put into hitting the vertical axis of the cue ball than if you were shooting a shot with a level cue. Add in the hopping aspects of the cue ball when it lands after jumping over the impeding ball and you have so many things to control, it's a miracle if we ever make a ball by jumping.

Maybe, we need to have a JUMP BALL TOURNAMENT. :D

JoeyA
 
JoeyA said:
I like what you had to say about a jump cue deflecting. The jump cue needs to move away from the cue ball as soon as possible.

I have to imagine that if the jump cue is built to either move away from the cue ball as soon as possible or to move the cue ball away from the jump shaft as soon as possible, then the amount of side spin accidentally applied (and squirt to the cue ball) is magnified when jumping the cue ball.

I then have to imagine that even more care has to be put into hitting the vertical axis of the cue ball than if you were shooting a shot with a level cue. Add in the hopping aspects of the cue ball when it lands after jumping over the impeding ball and you have so many things to control, it's a miracle if we ever make a ball by jumping.

Maybe, we need to have a JUMP BALL TOURNAMENT. :D

JoeyA
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Joey,

My experience has been that when I need to get the ball up high and fast, I am more susceptible to accidental side spin which curves the cue ball, and sometimes I totally miss the object ball. So I think I agree with all you say here.

I guess just like the jump cue/break cue contrast, perhaps there is a spectrum between "easy jumping" and accurate jumping. For example, I tried the OB jump cue out at the SBE. I liked the cue itself, but found I could not get the ball up in the air as easily as with my Jacoby. However, what I did not take the time to test out was how *accurate* the OB was. Now I really wish I did. I love my Jacoby jump cue and am certainly not in the market for a new one, but if someone out there is shopping they probably should try the OB. I have learned over the years (and one of the things I like best about OB as a company), is that Royce does not claim his products do things that they don't do. He doesn't say his shaft has less deflection than XYZ brand. He just says they have low deflection. (For the record, the OB2 may be equal to the Z2 Predator...maybe less maybe more but right around the same amount, and CLEARLY the lowest on the market). Anyway, if Royce says they focused on the accuracy of jumping, then I believe him. Maybe I can try it again in Vegas.

Interesting topic!!

KMRUNOUT
 
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