predator...hard to control?

[Egg McDogit]

saw some advice on another thread about getting a predator...I played with one and recently switched to another shaft. Looking back, I was thinking that the predator was kind of hard to control. For instance, one shot I had a problem with was a 2/3 table shot where you have to draw it like 1 foot. I'd either draw it a couple feet or only a few inches. In all fairness, I didn't play with a predator that long. What do you think? Do you think that the predator's harder to control than a normal shaft?

 

[davidhop]

saw some advice on another thread about getting a predator...I played with one and recently switched to another shaft. Looking back, I was thinking that the predator was kind of hard to control. For instance, one shot I had a problem with was a 2/3 table shot where you have to draw it like 1 foot. I'd either draw it a couple feet or only a few inches. In all fairness, I didn't play with a predator that long. What do you think? Do you think that the predator's harder to control than a normal shaft?

Actually, once you play with one long enough to gain confidence with it, the Predator is easier to control. That is the reason that I like them so much. I can draw the ball however far I need to with a great deal of accuracy, I never could do that (as accurately) before I got a Predator.

 

[drivermaker]

saw some advice on another thread about getting a predator...I played with one and recently switched to another shaft. Looking back, I was thinking that the predator was kind of hard to control. For instance, one shot I had a problem with was a 2/3 table shot where you have to draw it like 1 foot. I'd either draw it a couple feet or only a few inches. In all fairness, I didn't play with a predator that long. What do you think? Do you think that the predator's harder to control than a normal shaft?

There will be those on here (Predatorites to be exact) that will disagree with me, buy my feelings are if you keep beating your brains out to find the answer, you're going to live up to what you have printed right below your screen name.

 

[Egg McDogit]

There will be those on here (Predatorites to be exact) that will disagree with me, buy my feelings are if you keep beating your brains out to find the answer, you're going to live up to what you have printed right below your screen name.

I've abandoned my predator for good...and I'll have you know that I've already lived up to what's printed below my screen name many times!

 

[etimmons]

I guess I am one of drivers targets on this one. Dee Adkins and Cory Deuel are also because Dee is the reason I switched. Do you always shoot your mouth off? Dee and Cory also use predators can you say they are suckers too?

 

[drivermaker]

I guess I am one of drivers targets on this one. Do you always shoot your mouth off?

Actually, I do...after only 2 posts, what's your excuse?

 

[Williebetmore]

Hard to control??QUOTE]

EggMcD,
While D'maker and ET both make valid points; it's NOT the arrow, it's the Indian. It is well known that any self-respecting Indian who practices can learn to use any arrow with fair accuracy (radially spliced or otherwise). The exception is Indians who switch arrows later in life, once they are set in their ways (then they should stick with what they have been successful with in the past). No Indian with any dignity would blame their failures on the arrow (unless of course the sun is in their eyes).

P.S. - I've just finished Buddy Hall's autobiography, and it describes him at his very peak, playing for huge money day in and day out using whatever cue he could grab off the wall or borrow, warpage and mushroomed tips often. He could play.

 

[mjantti]

saw some advice on another thread about getting a predator...I played with one and recently switched to another shaft. Looking back, I was thinking that the predator was kind of hard to control. For instance, one shot I had a problem with was a 2/3 table shot where you have to draw it like 1 foot. I'd either draw it a couple feet or only a few inches. In all fairness, I didn't play with a predator that long. What do you think? Do you think that the predator's harder to control than a normal shaft?

This is exactly why I can't play with a Predator shaft. With a regular shaft I get good speed control and a great feel plus with my pivot point aiming system for English I really don't see any reason why I should change to a Predator. Plus the quality of the Pred shafts are quite low nowadays.

Good post, Egg.

 

[breakup]

it's NOT the arrow, it's the Indian.

There is also the old cliché

“It’s not what you got …it’s how you use it”

I am in no position to judge the validity of that statement however I have seen experts in the field laugh out loud at the utterance.

 

[Fred Agnir]

There is also the old cliché

“It’s not what you got …it’s how you use it”

I am in no position to judge the validity of that statement however I have seen experts in the field laugh out loud at the utterance.

No professional archer would use anything but the best arrows he could get his hands on.

Fred <~~~ doesn't know why the bogus statement still get spewed

 

[Fred Agnir]

This is exactly why I can't play with a Predator shaft. With a regular shaft I get good speed control and a great feel plus with my pivot point aiming system for English I really don't see any reason why I should change to a Predator. .

Exactly right. And, as has been (or hasn't been?) discussed before, it was a heated debate between myself and then Predator sales person, my friend Shane Sinnot (Platinum Billiard). I said it wouldn't help me because I spent too much time understanding how to complensate for squirt. He said it can help everyone, with himself as the anectodal proof. I took the "challenge" to see if my game would get better with a Predator. It didn't get better, and for exactly the reasons that Mikko has stated. But, I was happy to experiment, for nothing else but some information.

The Predator helps some. Shane swore by it. It doesn't help everyone, as I proved to myself after a year and a half of trial, and as others have reported. Hey, I tried. It didnt' work out. The world continues still turns. I'm back to regular shafts, and pretty content. For now.

Fred <~~~ until the next experiment

 

[pete lafond]

No professional archer would use anything but the best arrows he could get his hands on.

Fred <~~~ doesn't know why the bogus statement still get spewed

And Predator is one of the best arrows. I'll play with anything as long as the shaft isn't all dinged up. This is were FEEL topic belongs and not in the aiming thread. Play with any stick and you should get the feel quickly. Playing with your own stick is comfortable and familiar which is one less thing to think about when you start warming up. Just like cloth speed, rail and cue ball weight.

 

[BRKNRUN]

I'll play with anything as long as the shaft isn't all dinged up. This is were FEEL topic belongs and not in the aiming thread. Play with any stick and you should get the feel quickly. Playing with your own stick is comfortable and familiar which is one less thing to think about when you start warming up. Just like cloth speed, rail and cue ball weight.

Efren had his cue laying on a table next to him. In his best English he told me I could check out his playing cue (I had pointed out his fine wrap )...He had wrapped the cue with electrical tape. I did not hold the cue very long, but I could swear the shaft felt like a house cue you would pull off the rack...

I asked him who made his break cue (it had some kind of asian writing on it)...He shruged his shoulders and said "I don't know"......I am not quite sure if he said he does not know who made his cue, or that he did not understand me...

 

[pete lafond]

Efren had his cue laying on a table next to him. In his best English he told me I could check out his playing cue (I had pointed out his fine wrap )...He had wrapped the cue with electrical tape. I did not hold the cue very long, but I could swear the shaft felt like a house cue you would pull off the rack...

I asked him who made his break cue (it had some kind of asian writing on it)...He shruged his shoulders and said "I don't know"......I am not quite sure if he said he does not know who made his cue, or that he did not understand me...

Wow, that is something.

 

[Egg McDogit]

Figured the indian/arrow thing would come up It's a legitimate point. My shooting partner and I both switched from predators to universal shafts recently and we both noticed an immediate increase in control.

I haven't 'given up' on the predator...just don't think it's suited for my style. A lower spin shaft is much more forgiving for me...more predictable. I do still think the predator is a good shaft - hits solid, shoots straight, and it's deflection is consistent.

 

[runscott]

Hard to control??QUOTE]

EggMcD,
While D'maker and ET both make valid points; it's NOT the arrow, it's the Indian. It is well known that any self-respecting Indian who practices can learn to use any arrow with fair accuracy (radially spliced or otherwise). The exception is Indians who switch arrows later in life, once they are set in their ways (then they should stick with what they have been successful with in the past). No Indian with any dignity would blame their failures on the arrow (unless of course the sun is in their eyes).

Then why not just shoot with a broom handle? eventually you would get used to it. But seriously, different players prefer different equipment - I like the 314, but I certainly understand why others don't. I really like your quote about blaming failures on the arrow, though - the trick is to find the type of arrow you like and shoot with it. If you ocassionally have to use a different arrow, deal with it.

 

[drivermaker]

In general, I believe that the Predator shafts are the lightest shafts on the earth. I also like front weighted cues. Having said this, there are very few cues with a Predator on them that I would like.

DM, if you are reading, I am just wondering if you adapted any of your cues to move the balance forward after putting on a Predator shaft and if so, did you still hate them anyway?

Lightness was not the case with my Predator. They CAN BE very light, actually they're all over the board. Mine was right there...4.15 oz., 118 grams, and straight as could be. After 4 years it still remains totally straight with not even the slightest hint of wobble. It was fit for an uni-loc joint. I took the cue from as light as it could possibly go (in the 18's) up to 21 oz. in .05 increments. (Do you have any idea how many different weight bolts that is?) It didn't matter.

Bottom line is....I missed shots with it. I don't mean I missed everything I shot at, but many more than my fair share with that particular shaft than ANYTHING else. It was totally unacceptable, especially after such a long time playing with it and many different types of tips. Why??? I have no idea.

 

[MFB]

Lightness was not the case with my Predator. They CAN BE very light, actually they're all over the board. Mine was right there...4.15 oz., 118 grams, and straight as could be. After 4 years it still remains totally straight with not even the slightest hint of wobble. It was fit for an uni-loc joint. I took the cue from as light as it could possibly go (in the 18's) up to 21 oz. in .05 increments. (Do you have any idea how many different weight bolts that is?) It didn't matter.

Bottom line is....I missed shots with it. I don't mean I missed everything I shot at, but many more than my fair share with that particular shaft than ANYTHING else. It was totally unacceptable, especially after such a long time playing with it and many different types of tips. Why??? I have no idea.

C'mon. You got to have an idea why you miss more.

I do not use predator shafts anymore. I have always been someone who hits the ball a little too hard and uses too much spin. For me, I have trouble enough just hitting the pockets with any pool cue shaft, mostly due to dominant eye, how I line up, (but that's a different thread).

I have come to the conclusion that for >me< I think a predator shaft puts too much spin on the cue ball, which in turn puts too much spin and/or throw on the object and it's just enough to make me miss pockets more than I like.

So, I like to use normal shafts, where it seems to dumb down my spin on the cue ball, thus put less spin/throw on my object ball.

Course, one could say, just use less english with a predator shaft, and get the same results, but what's the fun in that?

JMHO

 

[drivermaker]

I have come to the conclusion that for >me< I think a predator shaft puts too much spin on the cue ball, which in turn puts too much spin and/or throw on the object and it's just enough to make me miss pockets more than I like.

JMHO

I think this was probably it more than anything else. (seriously) There will be those that say it doesn't create more spin, however that totally contradicts Predator claims and ads which say that it DOES have more spin.

 

[mikepage]

[...]

So, I like to use normal shafts, where it seems to dumb down my spin on the cue ball, thus put less spin/throw on my object ball.

Course, one could say, just use less english with a predator shaft, and get the same results, but what's the fun in that?

JMHO

Predator has perpetrated this malarky about their shafts producing more spin. They don't. They're not some kind of hypersensitive weapon suitable for only the best strokes. The difference between predator shafts and most other shafts is simply that they squirt less.

That's an important difference because you have to aim differently to pocket the balls. But that's the extent of the difference.

mike page
fargo