Predator 314-2 shaft versus Z-2
- Thread starter JoeTo
- Start date
I played with a Z2 for the past 5 months. I was in love with it at first and played the best I ever have. But after a while the small tip size and extra action on the cueball began to bother me. There was just too much juice with that shaft. It is fun for just messing around seeing just how much spin you can put on the cueball.
Eventually I started feeling that all the action was too unpredictable, so I got a 3142 and I am much happier again. I feel like I can predict position on draw shots much more easily. In my opinion, this shaft is better suited for playing with control.
I recommend trying both. Especially with sniper tips.
Hope this helps
Ian
Eventually I started feeling that all the action was too unpredictable, so I got a 3142 and I am much happier again. I feel like I can predict position on draw shots much more easily. In my opinion, this shaft is better suited for playing with control.
I recommend trying both. Especially with sniper tips.
Hope this helps
Ian
QUick question for you: was one of them stiffer than the other (Z vs. 314)? Or were they pretty similar in that repect?
fullsplicefiend said:
I have played with both quite a bit, and use the z myself. The z shafts are very low deflection, and put a lot of spin on the ball, but are not very forgiving in some ways. It only took me about a week to get used to the different diameter/taper, but I have really grown to love the smaller diameter. The overall adjustment period from the 314 to the z took a while, and there were some shots I had trouble with for months. Soft shots with center ball or below, and extreme left or right, will often masse because there is so much spin. I had to train myself to be much more accurate with tip placement, because a little extra english puts on a lot of extra spin, and can put the cue ball where you don't want it. I would reccomend finding a way to try them both. The 314 is a stiffer hit, and much closer to a regular shaft. If you do choose the z, be prepared to spend a lot of time and effort refining your accuracy in terms of speed control and tip placement. Either one will require an adjustment period if you don't currently use a low deflection shaft.
In my experience, players who have very good control over where they hit on the cue ball love the Z shaft. You can really dial in to the amount of English you want to put on the ball. Players who are not as accurate of where they hit on the cue ball struggle with cue ball position when using the Z shaft. I would consider the Z shaft more accurate and the 314 shaft more forgiving.
The 11.75 mm tip is a double edged sword. The advantage is that you don't need to go as far off the center of the cue ball to get the English you want. The disadvantage is that missing where you want to hit on the cue ball by a little bit can significantly affect the shot.
I personally prefer the 314-2.
I hope this helps.
The 11.75 mm tip is a double edged sword. The advantage is that you don't need to go as far off the center of the cue ball to get the English you want. The disadvantage is that missing where you want to hit on the cue ball by a little bit can significantly affect the shot.
I personally prefer the 314-2.
I hope this helps.
I recently bought a Predator SP w/ the Z2 shaft upgrade. I love it. It takes so much less effort to get the english you are looking for. It takes a little play to get used to, but worth it IMO. I just ordered a Z2 for my Mid-90s Joss as well. I can't really compare to the 314 though, since I haven't tried one, but I love the small diameter of the Z.