Neil:
Sorry, my friend; concerning the bolded part above, I'm going to have to disagree with you. Aiming system advocates (and we're talking about the pivot-based aiming systems) *HAVE* stated:
- that "their" system "will make you a better player"
- that one will go up "x" number of balls using it
- that it's the best thing to come along since the two-piece cue
- that its inventor should be in the Hall of Fame because of the performance-changing impact it has (and "will") have
- that its much easier to teach beginners and for those beginners to reach proficiency quicker than the traditionally-taught methods
- that it's a more accurate system than the traditionally-taught methods (the phrase "center-pocket" being bandied about)
I notice your "noone has ever said..." claim being tossed about often by the aiming system advocates, but this is pure back-pedaling, to get away from one's feet being held to the fire. Those things *HAVE* been said, and on numerous occasions, by aiming system advocates. And this is the heart of the controversy concerning these aiming systems. It is these sales pitches that cause any thread devoted to these aiming systems to go south.
By calling your post out (above), I don't mean to pick on
you specifically, but these back-pedaling claims need to stop. Either stop with the sales pitches, or if the aiming system advocates are to continue using them, be prepared to have one's feet held to the fire -- be prepared to speak for those sales pitches and back them up.
And btw, I plan to do my own investigation when I get Stan's DVD. I hope to do a in-depth DVD review, using my most comprehensive methods -- pros and cons. (I've a lot of experience in doing book and video reviews for the technical/engineering industry, and I'm a published author myself.) And if I can provide a service to AZB by gleaning and discerning the math behind the system, you can bet I'll reveal it here, to do my part in helping squelch these "guaranteed to go south" threads. A tell order, yes, but if I can do it in a reasonable time, I'll do my best to.
-Sean