Predator cues, anybody have one?
- Thread starter alstl
- Start date
alstl said:
wait wait, let me kick it off...get a szamboti.
drivermaker
Banned
alstl said:
There are NO BAD POINTS about them! They're the greatest cue/shaft that's ever been made. They have excellent feel, super balance, ZERO deflection, you can fire balls in at warp speed or slow roll from anywhere, and this is while putting 3 tips of english on them to fire the CB around the table for perfect position on your next shot. I don't know what else to say...hope I didn't leave anything out. Good luck and great shooting, you'll be a pro in no time. (oh yeh...I forgot to mention...EVERYONE...it has now been officially confirmed....EVERYONE in both the mens and ladies pro division now uses a Predator shaft on their cue)
Damn, I didn't know there was that much hate for Predator.
Didn't Mosconi run 526 balls with a Predator?
Didn't Mosconi run 526 balls with a Predator?
Sweet Marissa
www.Bella-Muse.com
DZilla said:
Run racks, I will then!
drivermaker
Banned
JoeyInCali said:
Very few people are aware of that, but YES HE DID! I'm glad you brought that up and I apologize for omitting that initially.
F
Fred Agnir
Guest
alstl said:
Good point: much less squirt (cueball deflection)
Bad point: much less squirt (cueball deflection)
Fred
Honestly, when I was shooting with one I did notice a change in the tactile feedback transmitted into my hand which did cause me to lose some degree of touch on soft shots. The reduced deflection can help with certain shots, but if you're comfortable enough with a standard shaft you can adjust well enough for the shot. A few certain shots may be easier with the Predator, but there are always alternatives such as playing safe or playing the shot a different way, etc.
F
Fred Agnir
Guest
Shorty said:
Here's my first post on actually shooting with a Predator (as opposed to just talking bad or good about it). I know that those who simply can't read won't bother, so...
Predator BK post
the pertinent answer to your question is:
Where doesn't the shaft work? Well, so far, the subtle soft and/or
long english shots I'm a little lost. Not too lost. Lost in that I
have to fight my natural tendency to adjust for squirt, and often it's
an afterthought. I almost scratch a couple times on this:
START(
%A\3F5%BD7N2%P]8O1%U\8H9%V]4M9%[P1Y7%\]3D1%eA7a2%_]0D5%`\9F2
%a\7G7
)END
The subtle inside-english follow. I hit too full in the face, catching
the point (or worse). If I were to continue with these shafts, it
would be quite a commitment.
Fred
Last edited:
I have one and here's my opinion.....
I don't use it anymore. I used it for a couple weeks and it did not improve my game at all so I put it up.
I'm now experimenting with the Black Dot. I've been playing with the black dot for about 3-4 weeks now. So far, I have found that the Black Dot hits very close to the way the 314 hits if not the same. I'm not a pro, but I can not tell a difference between the shafts (black dot vs. 314)....but that's just me.
I recommend buying the shaft and trying for yourself. I believe they have a return policy if you don't like it.
good luck, JEd
I don't use it anymore. I used it for a couple weeks and it did not improve my game at all so I put it up.
I'm now experimenting with the Black Dot. I've been playing with the black dot for about 3-4 weeks now. So far, I have found that the Black Dot hits very close to the way the 314 hits if not the same. I'm not a pro, but I can not tell a difference between the shafts (black dot vs. 314)....but that's just me.
I recommend buying the shaft and trying for yourself. I believe they have a return policy if you don't like it.
good luck, JEd
JoeyInCali said:
that's right...I own it and I'm selling it on ebay...along with the sardo tight rack that was used to rack for his run
alstl said:
Good points:
1. Low deflection is probably a good thing if you haven't been playing long enough to start naturally adjusting for deflection anyway. Probably helps beginners feel better about their game sooner
2. Since they are all made the same way, with "random" splices, I believe they are more consistent from shaft to shaft. I have 2 with the same type of tip, and I grab either one randomly and have never noticed a difference.
Bad points:
1. If you've been playing for a while, they are a big adjustement. Fred can talk about that much more than I can, but they play in a "unique" way.
2. They seem to be a little soft, as in they pick up dings a little easier than regular maple shafts.
3. They're more expensive than regular maple.
4. Maybe not such a big deal, but apparently they are really hard to jump with. I don't hit jump shots often enough to know, but I do know people who do jump with them.
So, having played with them for a few years, I listed more bad things than good. I'm still used to them and not gonna make a huge effort to switch. Either way, they aren't a magic wand that will turn you into a pool god. The only thing that will do that is practice and familiarity with your equipment. As long as it is a quality cue, spending the time to learn how to play with it is probably money and time better spent.
alstl said:
Once I switched to one I really liked it. I don't give two craps about deflection, because I can pocket balls good with a normal shaft. What I like about the Predator is the consistent feel. They all have the same taper...etc, and feel. So, their consistency is what I like about them.
I agree with Fred about the squirt. I've been playing with one for 6-7 months, I got it when I got my new Joss, and had Mike Webb (a little plug for him) fit it to my butt.
So for me it was the combo, I've not used the Joss shaft as of yet. I did notice, when using English, less deflection then my old Meucci, quite a bit to be honest.
I think if your new to using english, it will be a lot easier to use because it's not such an adjustment you need to make with your aim. But on the bad side, there are shots that the deflection is very helpful like thie rail first extreem spin the ball down the rail, but you'll learn the aim either way.
But as I said, I think for the beginni=er or if your just starting out on learn to spin, it will be easier to learn.
Pete
So for me it was the combo, I've not used the Joss shaft as of yet. I did notice, when using English, less deflection then my old Meucci, quite a bit to be honest.
I think if your new to using english, it will be a lot easier to use because it's not such an adjustment you need to make with your aim. But on the bad side, there are shots that the deflection is very helpful like thie rail first extreem spin the ball down the rail, but you'll learn the aim either way.
But as I said, I think for the beginni=er or if your just starting out on learn to spin, it will be easier to learn.
Pete
I didn't say to use a light sabre! The Force is everywhere, between you and the balls on the table. Just use the Force to manipulate them into the pockets, sort of like moving them with your mind. You do not need to actually physically contact them with anything, may the Force be with you! 