OB Classic Pro vs Predator Z Anyone done the test?

Busboy

Busboy

Wanna Play Some?
Silver Member
Ok so the other night I shot with a buddies predator Z shaft and cue and I must say I could tell there was less deflection from my classic shaft so what I'm asking is I've heard that the classic pro is just as low if not less has anyone on here tested this? Has anyone loved the classic but liked the classic pro more? Also with the predator seemed like u could get a lot of spin is that just the 11.75 compared too my 12.75? I would just like too hear from guys who have tried these or went from the predator too the pro or anyone who has tested the two to which had less deflection any info would help thanks
 
Busboy said:
Ok so the other night I shot with a buddies predator Z shaft and cue and I must say I could tell there was less deflection from my classic shaft so what I'm asking is I've heard that the classic pro is just as low if not less has anyone on here tested this? Has anyone loved the classic but liked the classic pro more? Also with the predator seemed like u could get a lot of spin is that just the 11.75 compared too my 12.75? I would just like too hear from guys who have tried these or went from the predator too the pro or anyone who has tested the two to which had less deflection any info would help thanks
Click to expand...


Spin does not come from the cue, it is how much follow through you put. Although i would say soft tip tends to hug CB longer and could cause more spin, think of pure rubber tip; so friction between tip and CB is the key to spin, the longer it lasts on cb the more the spin, wood has nothing to do with it, IMO.

Deflection on the other hand is effected by this friction a bit, and more from the weight of front of the cue shaft, OB2 11.75 is a LD cue it is my main cue, i like it a lot.
 
I think even OB would acknowledge that the Z-2 deflects less than the OB classic pro. Now the OB-2 and Z-2 have just about the same deflection.


Most to less deflection in order:

1. OB Classic (which I use)
2. 314-2 and OB1 (essentially equal)
3. OB Pro
4. Z-2 and OB2 (essentially equal)
 
I went from the Z2 shaft (11.75) short white ferrule to the OB Pro (11.75) short white
ferrule. I like the OB shaft more as it feels and sounds more like a regular shaft.

(I had been playing with same Z2 for about six years when I switched to the OB)

To me the OB plays a little stiffer, so when I play a shot way out on the edge of the
cue ball I fee i have more control with it, but didn't loose any of the english, or the
low deflection.

Basically switching to the OB it brought with it the things I liked and left
behind the things I didn't about the Z2.

These are very slight differences, but enough that I won't switch back.

PS. Everybody seems to make up their own names for the different OB shafts

They have 4 shafts

1) OB1 ---> 12.75 long wood ferrule modified pro taper
2) OB2 ---> 11.75 long wood ferrule modified conical taper
3) OB Classic ---> 12.75 short wt. ferrule modified pro taper
4) OB Pro ---> 11.75 short wt. ferrule modified conical taper

Hope this helps.
 
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cluelesscuer said:
I think even OB would acknowledge that the Z-2 deflects less than the OB classic pro. Now the OB-2 and Z-2 have just about the same deflection.


Most to less deflection in order:

1. OB Classic (which I use)
2. 314-2 and OB1 (essentially equal)
3. OB Pro
4. Z-2 and OB2 (essentially equal)
Click to expand...

Thanks for ur reply is it a lot from the Z too the pro? Or just slight
 
itsfroze said:
I went from the Z2 shaft (11.75) short white ferrule to the OB Pro (11.75) short white
ferrule. I like the OB shaft more as it feels and sounds more like a regular shaft.

(I had been playing with same Z2 for about six years when I switched to the OB)

To me the OB plays a little stiffer, so when I play a shot way out on the edge of the
cue ball I fee i have more control with it, but didn't loose any of the english, or the
low deflection.

Basically switching to the OB it brought with it the things I liked and left
behind the things I didn't about the Z2.

These are very slight differences, but enough that I won't switch back.
Hope this helps.
Click to expand...

Ok thanks that's what I was looking for cuz I have the ob classic was thinking of going too the pro cuz how how much I could tell from my classic too the z so I'm gonna try the pro thanks
 
cluelesscuer said:
I think even OB would acknowledge that the Z-2 deflects less than the OB classic pro. Now the OB-2 and Z-2 have just about the same deflection.


Most to less deflection in order:

1. OB Classic (which I use)
2. 314-2 and OB1 (essentially equal)
3. OB Pro
4. Z-2 and OB2 (essentially equal)
Click to expand...

They say the pro and OB2 are equivalent but both squirt less than the classic and OB1. But maybe there's a small difference caused by the ferrule?
 
naji said:
Spin does not come from the cue, it is how much follow through you put. Although i would say soft tip tends to hug CB longer and could cause more spin, think of pure rubber tip; so friction between tip and CB is the key to spin, the longer it lasts on cb the more the spin, wood has nothing to do with it, IMO.

Deflection on the other hand is effected by this friction a bit, and more from the weight of front of the cue shaft, OB2 11.75 is a LD cue it is my main cue, i like it a lot.
Click to expand...

But the size of the tip has a lot to do with it. Normally smaller tip more. Hardness can have some effect also.
 
cluelesscuer said:
I think even OB would acknowledge that the Z-2 deflects less than the OB classic pro. Now the OB-2 and Z-2 have just about the same deflection.


Most to less deflection in order:

1. OB Classic (which I use)
2. 314-2 and OB1 (essentially equal)
3. OB Pro
4. Z-2 and OB2 (essentially equal)
Click to expand...

Like Itsfroze said, unless there is a difference in the deflection simply because of the ferrule material, the OB1 should be the same as the OB Classic, and the OB2 should be the same as the OB Pro. It's my understanding that OB introduced the White Ferrule shafts because some people just couldn't wrap their heads around the wooden ferrules when they got down on the cue to aim. I'm also told that OB's sales went nuts when they introduced the white ferrules.
 
I have an OB classic Pro and an older Predator Z shaft. The feel of the OB shaft is firmer which I like. I can't say it is a direct comparison as the OB has a Tiger Everest tip and I have an UltraSkin Pro on the Predator. Both play great as is
 
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BryanB said:
I have an OB classic Pro and an older Predator Z shaft. The feel of the OB shaft is firmer which I like. I can't say it is a direct comparison as the OB has a Triangle tip and I have an UltraSkin Pro on the Predator. Both play great as is
Click to expand...

Ok great u have both would u say one deflects more or about the same?
 
I think OB's promotional materials on their website will tell you that the classic line (classic and pro) deflect more than their size counterparts (OB1 and OB2). The classic line was introduced afterwards in attempt to appeal to getting more feel in the shot and feedback. The classic shafts are not hollowed out like the OB1 and OB2.
 
cluelesscuer said:
I think OB's promotional materials on their website will tell you that the classic line (classic and pro) deflect more than their size counterparts (OB1 and OB2). The classic line was introduced afterwards in attempt to appeal to getting more feel in the shot and feedback. The classic shafts are not hollowed out like the OB1 and OB2.
Click to expand...

I was just told the classic pro and Z were about the same I was just looking for someone too confirm
 
Busboy said:
I was just told the classic pro and Z were about the same I was just looking for someone too confirm
Click to expand...

There is no classic pro, there's the classic, and there's the pro.
It would be good to specify which one you mean.
Or did you just forget a coma? If that's the case.
I would say there's no way the classic (12.75) and the pro at (11.75) play the same.

On their own website they are grouping the OB1 and the OB Classic,
by calling them both low deflection.

Also the OB 2 and the OB Pro, by calling them ultra low deflection.



1) OB1 ---> 12.75 long wood ferrule modified pro taper
2) OB2 ---> 11.75 long wood ferrule modified conical taper
3) OB Classic ---> 12.75 short wt. ferrule modified pro taper
4) OB Pro ---> 11.75 short wt. ferrule modified conical taper
 
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I've tested the Z2 against the OB2 and OB Classic Pro (now just OB Pro), as well as recently testing my 314-2 against a custom shaft and the OB1 and OB Classic. I have a very defined method of adjusting for deflection/squirt that's more accurate than most people I've run into, so when I test a new shaft I'm very sensitive to that. For the right shaft I would retune my adjustments, but I prefer not to...

The Z2, OB2, and OB Pro were very close in deflection. I noticed with the OB2 that the balls tended to be more center pocketed on the reference shots I use - in other words, probably a bit more consistent, maybe just a minor touch less deflection due to the lighter ferrule material. It also has a dampened feel, which some may like and some may not. Pairing that with a medium to hard tip can also help offset some of that mushy feel if one doesn't like that.

Z2 and OB Pro were very similar, slightly different feels and hits but so close that it didn't matter much deflection-wise, just personal preference. I shot with a Z2 for 2 years, I could easily switch to either OB2 or OB Pro with very little if any adjustment.

I now use a 314-2, and have been testing the OB1 and OB Classic. Similar results, OB1 might have just a touch less deflection due to ferrule, same dampened feel, both were practically interchangeable with my 314-2 on all reference shots I performed. I ordered a Schon-piloted Classic, I liked the consistent and stiff hit vs. the 314-2, and since it's starting to sound funny I suspect I have a small microcrack along a glue line, if so will be the third Predator shaft in 5 years that has cracked like that. They've all been replaced thus far, so no biggie, just been looking to try something else and also have a back up, just in case.

Hope that helps. I think you'll be fine switching from Z2 to OB without any major tweaks. If switching from an original Z, you'll probably find a bit less deflection with OB but something easy to adjust to.
Scott
 
scottjen26 said:
I've tested the Z2 against the OB2 and OB Classic Pro (now just OB Pro), as well as recently testing my 314-2 against a custom shaft and the OB1 and OB Classic. I have a very defined method of adjusting for deflection/squirt that's more accurate than most people I've run into, so when I test a new shaft I'm very sensitive to that. For the right shaft I would retune my adjustments, but I prefer not to...

The Z2, OB2, and OB Pro were very close in deflection. I noticed with the OB2 that the balls tended to be more center pocketed on the reference shots I use - in other words, probably a bit more consistent, maybe just a minor touch less deflection due to the lighter ferrule material. It also has a dampened feel, which some may like and some may not. Pairing that with a medium to hard tip can also help offset some of that mushy feel if one doesn't like that.

Z2 and OB Pro were very similar, slightly different feels and hits but so close that it didn't matter much deflection-wise, just personal preference. I shot with a Z2 for 2 years, I could easily switch to either OB2 or OB Pro with very little if any adjustment.

I now use a 314-2, and have been testing the OB1 and OB Classic. Similar results, OB1 might have just a touch less deflection due to ferrule, same dampened feel, both were practically interchangeable with my 314-2 on all reference shots I performed. I ordered a Schon-piloted Classic, I liked the consistent and stiff hit vs. the 314-2, and since it's starting to sound funny I suspect I have a small microcrack along a glue line, if so will be the third Predator shaft in 5 years that has cracked like that. They've all been replaced thus far, so no biggie, just been looking to try something else and also have a back up, just in case.

Hope that helps. I think you'll be fine switching from Z2 to OB without any major tweaks. If switching from an original Z, you'll probably find a bit less deflection with OB but something easy to adjust to.
Scott
Click to expand...

Thanks a lot scott ur reply has been what I've been looking for I've got the classic now and played with a z the other night and I could tell it had less deflection that's why I was thinking of going too the ob pro shaft and I was just wanting too know if the ob pro was close or even less too the z and u cleared that all up for me thanks a lot buddy :thumbup:
 
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