Predator Aspire cue butts....

[mistamikel]

Any idea if the points are real? (Or painted)
And how do they feel?
And last, how's the mini radial joint?

Im liking the look of the purpleheart with white points, but I keep hearing bad things about the woods, and the opinions on weather the points are real or not.

 

[Straightpool_99]

I don't know if the points are real or not. Keep in mind that Predator has a habit of painting their cues.
The Aspire cues feel cheap. I know some people have been positive about them, but I was decidedly unimpressed.
Mini radial is rubbish. Don't buy cues with strange joints, you'll regret it.

You don't always get what you pay for, usually you get less. At this price point, I'd honestly go for something used. Might get a used Mezz, or even a real Predator (if you're dead set on them) for this price, but you'll have to look around a bit.

 

[Texas Carom Club]

What in the world in a mini radial join?

of course its painted on points. nothing under 1k is gonna be inlaid

 

[Texas Carom Club]

the blak cues are not just nice, and real inlays
but the balance and weight to them is incredibly nice in hand.
expensive but will not be disappointed
a cheap "pointed" predator feels like nothing special

 

[skor]

What in the world in a mini radial join?

It’s radial pin just shorter, you’ll see those something on jump cues. You can still attach a standard shaft with radial joint to it.

 

[mistamikel]

What in the world in a mini radial join?

of course its painted on points. nothing under 1k is gonna be inlaid

Im just going by what thier own description says (real purpleheart with real maple points and rings)

Im not in a position to spend anything more than a couple hundred (usd) in a butt end, and wanted something that feels along the lines of a Roadline (from Predator)

 

[skor]

I don't see those cues on Predator's web site anymore, they might have discontinue them.
The only reason to get a Predator cue is to get a Predator shaft but the Aspire series came with a solid maple shaft, not one of their tech spliced shafts so I would pass on it.
For about $400, you can get a JFlowers with a CF shaft

 

[trob]

What in the world in a mini radial join?

of course its painted on points. nothing under 1k is gonna be inlaid

Exactly ..at that price you’re not getting inlays. My sp2 is painted but It was $900 new with a revo so I wouldn’t expect it to be.

 

[garczar]

Just going by Pred info the Aspire with points is real inlays. I've seen other asian cues in that price range that had real inlays. All cnc so its not hard to do.

 

[skor]

Predator are made in China at the same factory that also produces cheaper cues. If you can get a $200 full splice cue (sneaky pete) from these factories then I don't see a problem for those to be real inlays for $400.

 

[mistamikel]

Just going by Pred info the Aspire with points is real inlays. I've seen other asian cues in that price range that had real inlays. All cnc so its not hard to do.

This is/was my thought process, but I've heard/read horror stories about lots of paint used on thier higher end line.