Predator cues are:

[kickshotkid]

I played with a predator sneaky for a while. I cut off the ferrule drilled out the foam, added a tenon and new ferrule and it was one of the best playing cues I've ever hit with...

I now use a low deflection shaft that I developed that feels like a standard shaft.

Jaden

Ya, right now I have a mason micarta ferrule on my 314, very light ferrule it plays awesome and almost has the same deflection as the titan. The titan is the only ferrule thats lighter that I know of.
I know alot of people that would love that shaft you developed.

 

[porper-sig]

Roadline series look like a fair value to my eye. Shame falcon is no longer making them. Players now are going the Mezz or Tiger route. Snob types bash them also..

 

[PGHteacher]

A few things;

People always say you can learn to adjust for deflection, but they never say you can learn to like the hit of a Predator, which you can, obviously. It is much quicker to learn to like a predator than it is to learn to adjust for deflection.

In today’s market there is no need to “learn” to like something; somebody somewhere makes what you like sometimes it’s hard to find sometimes it isn’t.

NOBODY around here (the UK) EVER flips Predators - once you've adjusted to them, you'll never change. No constantly searching for the holy grail. No endless buying and selling. As you say, the spin is so easy to achieve, yet nobody mentions it as a selling point.

Somebody somewhere did that which you think nobody anywhere did; this is a fact of life.

3. Most people on here will have never played with a Predator, at least not as a main player. They are merely following the herd. There is a strong American bias on this site (naturally), which is why they poo-poo anything that is not American made, hence the jealousy comment. I bet attitudes would be different if Preds were still made in America...

Possibly; some people are all sorts of bias/crazy about where something comes from; I personally couldn’t care less, but I have seen this in action.

4. I disagree about Lucasi being 99% of a Predator. I like how they play, but there's a difference in performance, especially the shafts - I had a Lucasi Hybrid and it played markedly different to a 314-2, with a lot more deflection.

To YOU it is not 99% of a predator; it IS to him.

5. I see no point in LD cues/shafts that still deflect. Only Predators have virtually zero deflection AND high performance.

You live in a dream world; let me try to appeal to your sense of logic. If _____ were the “best ever” why wouldn’t someone just copy it? The answer is they would, they will and they do.

These cue makers if you look on their website will all say exactly the same thing about their high performance shaft they will say “this is the perfect shaft/cue, it has the most action and least deflection of any shaft ever produced” well quite frankly it’s all bologna. The best you can do with a cue is balance it perfectly for a particular player and that’s it. THERE IS NO MAGICAL POOL EQUIPMENT.

If you think that ONLY ____ has ____ you have been sold a bill of goods. That isn’t that these cue makers are being dishonest they (like everyone) have a faith and belief in the product they produce and believe it to be of the best quality out there. The Predator is probably “perfect” but let me emphasize this as strongly as I can; it is only “perfect” FOR YOU!!!!!!! Granted great for many many people you just happen to be one of them.

This # 5 of yours is all kinds of crazy, not thought out, naive and just plain narrow-minded on so many levels that it is more sad than funny.

 

[Icon of Sin]

Not enough options

This...

I hate polls... because the option I want is never listed.

 

[sfleinen]

A few things;

1. People always say you can learn to adjust for deflection, but they never say you can learn to like the hit of a Predator, which you can, obviously. It is much quicker to learn to like a predator than it is to learn to adjust for deflection.

2. NOBODY around here (the UK) EVER flips Predators - once you've adjusted to them, you'll never change. No constantly searching for the holy grail. No endless buying and selling. As you say, the spin is so easy to achieve, yet nobody mentions it as a selling point.

3. Most people on here will have never played with a Predator, at least not as a main player. They are merely following the herd. There is a strong American bias on this site (naturally), which is why they poo-poo anything that is not American made, hence the jealousy comment. I bet attitudes would be different if Preds were still made in America...

4. I disagree about Lucasi being 99% of a Predator. I like how they play, but there's a difference in performance, especially the shafts - I had a Lucasi Hybrid and it played markedly different to a 314-2, with a lot more deflection.

5. I see no point in LD cues/shafts that still deflect. Only Predators have virtually zero deflection AND high performance.

I have a couple points myself (a few in the form of questions):

1. Since when are you on commission by Predator?

2. Your anti-American sentiments drip in buckets. This is not the first time, nor the second, nor the third, ...ad infinitum... that we've seen this "American-made cues suck" sentiment from you.

3. Since when did you -- Mr. Correct-cueing-from-the-land-of-correct-cueists-that-need-only-a-piece-of-chalk-and-a-piece-of-sandpaper-and-don't-care-about-deflection -- out of the blue actually acknowledge the existence and value of shafts designed for low deflection? Boy, if that's not a 180-degree about face, I don't know what is.

4. No cue -- no matter who makes it -- is "zero" deflection. Where do you come off with "low" equals "zero"?

5. Ah yes, TheContrarian, as we know him, is still alive and well. Ever so quick to walk under creaky ladders, or under the opening gate of a manure truck/lorry about to deposit its load. Yes sir, Tim, there certainly is much value to adopting the contrary stance! I hope you're getting what you're obviously here for on AZBilliards, and that you're getting your money's worth!

-Sean

 

[Bambu]

I say Predators are worth it, but that doesnt mean you cant get just as good or better for the same money. Theres too much preference involved to say whats the best, we all know that. Many consider these cues to be so expensive, but you can get one for less than $500.

 

[thekaiserman]

My 2c
I like mine. 19 oz P3 with Z2 shaft & leather wrap.
I would have also liked to pay less for it.
I'm probably not good enough of a player to know the difference.
It feels good in my hands and gives me confidence when I play.

 

[strmanglr scott]

predator shaft breakdown

This post has expired.

 

[highkarate]

I think the quality is good. The shafts are very good. However, I would rather buy a shaft and put it on another cue.

dead on. i think people need to differentiate between predator shafts and predator cues as a whole. i play with a 314 2 on my jacoby and it hits amazingly.

 

[TheThaiger]

I have a couple points myself (a few in the form of questions):

1. Since when are you on commission by Predator?

2. Your anti-American sentiments drip in buckets. This is not the first time, nor the second, nor the third, ...ad infinitum... that we've seen this "American-made cues suck" sentiment from you.

3. Since when did you -- Mr. Correct-cueing-from-the-land-of-correct-cueists-that-need-only-a-piece-of-chalk-and-a-piece-of-sandpaper-and-don't-care-about-deflection -- out of the blue actually acknowledge the existence and value of shafts designed for low deflection? Boy, if that's not a 180-degree about face, I don't know what is.

4. No cue -- no matter who makes it -- is "zero" deflection. Where do you come off with "low" equals "zero"?

5. Ah yes, TheContrarian, as we know him, is still alive and well. Ever so quick to walk under creaky ladders, or under the opening gate of a manure truck/lorry about to deposit its load. Yes sir, Tim, there certainly is much value to adopting the contrary stance! I hope you're getting what you're obviously here for on AZBilliards, and that you're getting your money's worth!

-Sean

Not for the first time, you're mistaken. I was rather perplexed when you said I was railing against LD shafts, or whatever you said. Given this, your post is meaningless.

It's not my fault you cannot read.

 

[TheThaiger]

I've had two people who work on sticks, one builds, both said they've seen the shaft split at the ferrule. They said they are hollow at that point. Like I said in another thread-advertising works.

No, it's not advertising. It's high performance, highly temperamental.

Predator shafts = Ferrari cars. Goes like shit off a shovel, but breaks down a lot.

 

[TheThaiger]

Correct me if I am wrong but isn't predator a US company? I know they make the cues in china but I thought they were based in the US. If that is the case why would americans be jealous of a american company?

Then why are P2's (US made) the greatest thing since sliced bread, with every subsequent model (Chinese made) being a useless piece of junk? Why does John Barton get such a hard time about moving production to China? And have you been to NPR? {shudder}.

Still hard to escape the conclusion this site is more representative of purists and snobs than players...

 

[TheNewSharkster]

Then why are P2's (US made) the greatest thing since sliced bread, with every subsequent model (Chinese made) being a useless piece of junk? Why does John Barton get such a hard time about moving production to China? And have you been to NPR? {shudder}.

Still hard to escape the conclusion this site is more representative of purists and snobs than players...

I can take a guess but honestly I have no clue. I wasn't aware of a favortism towards the P2. Personally I am most interested in the P3. I will say that moving production to china indicates lower production cost. Usually people assume that means the quality of the product will take a hit. Either way that has nothing to do with my last post. I was pointing out that Predator is a American company. Why would Americans be jealous of a American product?

 

[risky biz]

Why single out Predator?

Do a poll for Meucci, Joss, Schon, Tiger, and all the other popular brand cues.:thumbup:

After that, do a poll on the Custom Cues as well. That would be most interesting. That would bring out some haters for sure. LOL

Because someone was trying to sell me one used- $725 with 314 and Z shafts. I practiced with it for about half an hour then went back to playing with a house cue. The Z shaft was icky. The 314 was better but there is no way these cues are worth what they sell for new. It looks like most in the poll have the same opinion. I couldn't care less if they're made in China if the quality is there. [edit: it was a P3]

I did the poll on the Predator because the pricing is a lot higher than, for example, an OB cue and I like them better.

As an aside, about an hour later the house person came in and let me play for a while with her Dan Stout custom. It's about 12 years old and plays great.

 

[ctran]

Predator is the most favorite cue used in Vietnam, and I have had the chances to talk with some dealer and tested numerous Predator cues/shafts.

I myself owned a couple of Predators, couple of Mezz and now a Sugartree. I can say that Mezz cues are much better than Predators, they hit firm, provide great feedback and are very consistent. while Predator cues can help you play better when you are in good form but suck big time when you are not in the mood.

about deflection, it is adaptable and even if you have a high deflection cue, you can adapt to it and play very well. Deflection does not have much to do with accuracy. but the feedback and firm hit cannot be made up for, you just cannot adapt to a cue with limited feedback, because you would lose the feeling of the cue, the cue ball and the speed.

I played maple shafts before, then switched to Predator cues with 314-2, then to Mezz with WD700, and the LD feeling/aiming is not suitable for me, I then switched to a Mezz with a Maple shaft, and now a Sugartree. NOTHING is more important to me than a stiff hit and a great/uncompromised feedback.

And one more point, the quality difference between old USA-made predators and new China-made predators are HUGE, especially the wood quality, they are junk. new predator shafts made in China warp in 3 months, and the leather wrap is nowhere near as comfortable as the cues made in the US.

 

[bender_lu]

No, it's not advertising. It's high performance, highly temperamental.

Predator shafts = Ferrari cars. Goes like shit off a shovel, but breaks down a lot.

man... i like you... you are so much fun :thumbup: bump for this great thread, gonna tell my friends they shall have a look and a laugh (btw following the herd.... i am one of the last in my club playing NOT with a predator cue or shaft... advertising for the win my boy... )

PS: Ferrari, except the non street legal versions, suck to 90% on race tracks. They are made to be sold to seniors with potency problems so that they can do real motorsport. want a fast strretcar? get a Porsche GT2 :thumbup:

 

[TheThaiger]

Predator is the most favorite cue used in Vietnam, and I have had the chances to talk with some dealer and tested numerous Predator cues/shafts.

I myself owned a couple of Predators, couple of Mezz and now a Sugartree. I can say that Mezz cues are much better than Predators, they hit firm, provide great feedback and are very consistent. while Predator cues can help you play better when you are in good form but suck big time when you are not in the mood.

about deflection, it is adaptable and even if you have a high deflection cue, you can adapt to it and play very well. Deflection does not have much to do with accuracy. but the feedback and firm hit cannot be made up for, you just cannot adapt to a cue with limited feedback, because you would lose the feeling of the cue, the cue ball and the speed.

I played maple shafts before, then switched to Predator cues with 314-2, then to Mezz with WD700, and the LD feeling/aiming is not suitable for me, I then switched to a Mezz with a Maple shaft, and now a Sugartree. NOTHING is more important to me than a stiff hit and a great/uncompromised feedback.

And one more point, the quality difference between old USA-made predators and new China-made predators are HUGE, especially the wood quality, they are junk. new predator shafts made in China warp in 3 months, and the leather wrap is nowhere near as comfortable as the cues made in the US.

Firstly, everything older is better - even when it very obviously isn't.

Secondly, you say "you just cannot adapt to a cue with limited feedback". It appears thousands and thousands of top players do.

The proof of the pudding is in the eating. Predator dominates the cue market for a very obvious reason.

 

[JumpinJoe]

No, it's not advertising. It's high performance, highly temperamental.

Predator shafts = Ferrari cars. Goes like shit off a shovel, but breaks down a lot.

lol = ferrari cars

 

[ctran]

Firstly, everything older is better - even when it very obviously isn't.

Secondly, you say "you just cannot adapt to a cue with limited feedback". It appears thousands and thousands of top players do.

The proof of the pudding is in the eating. Predator dominates the cue market for a very obvious reason.

Dear you, Pros HAVE TO adapt because they are sponsored, players who know well and have a choice NEVER pick Predator ahead of customs

Predator dominates the cue market because they have much better marketing strategies than others, and they produce more thanks to cheap cost from China.

again, this is a pool in a forum and people have the rights to speak their ideas. is it necessary for you to jump in every post and argue with others?

 

[Slh]

man... i like you... you are so much fun :thumbup: bump for this great thread, gonna tell my friends they shall have a look and a laugh (btw following the herd.... i am one of the last in my club playing NOT with a predator cue or shaft... advertising for the win my boy... )

PS: Ferrari, except the non street legal versions, suck to 90% on race tracks. They are made to be sold to seniors with potency problems so that they can do real motorsport. want a fast strretcar? get a Porsche GT2 :thumbup:

provide evidence of lap records in race tracks where a Ferrari sucks compared to a Porsche GT2 except the nurburgring where the Porsche are set-up *ad hoc*. Ferrari doesn't do that. Also your comment is a bit partial because the GT2 is a street legal race car instead Ferrari doesn't make car like that. Compare the GT2 to a Radical sr8.