Just received a new Predator Racer Sport 2x4 case and over all I am happy with the purchase - which isn't to say I can't nit pick a few items...
This is a vinyl case that has a bit of a leatherish stamped pattern to it and it looks nice. Generally the decisions on how this case was made are all about how it looks from where the pockets are placed to how they are oriented. Appearances are subjective so you either like it or you don't - I do or I wouldn't have bought it. Of note is that the metal parts (zippers, strap parts) are all carbon colored rather than silver so they don't stand out.
Construction -
Everywhere I look the case appears to be solidly put together. Stitched pieces that you expect to receive wear are double stitched. The handle is securely connected and the tail ends of where it connects to the case are hidden under the outer vinyl giving it a clean look. The top is connected with 3 rivets which is better than the 2 I would have expected - and this is a high stress spot so more is better.
Strap -
The strap has a padded shoulder piece that could be a bit larger / more padded but for this size case should be sufficient. I like the way the strap connects to the case making it easy to rotate / untwist.
Interior -
This is a tube case and sized so that standard length pieces stick up above the tubes a bit so they are easier to pull out. Also the tubes for the shafts are quite snug as you slide the joint end into the tube.
Pockets -
The outside of the pockets have padding on them - since these are on the back of the case the pockets will rest up against your back and this padding prevents it from being uncomfortable... I don't have any issues with that. However, the "molded" pockets are just oddly shaped empty pockets with nothing inside to help you organize anything. Plus the zippers are odd - sitting the case down on one side you see a zipper facing up but the other zipper faces the opposite direction. Also for the large pocket the zipper wraps around the bottom of the pocket so if you unzip it all the way your stuff falls out - it is like this pocket was attached upside down. However it wasn't actually attached upside down, it was attached this way to be more symmetrical with the top pocket but the zipper is just on the wrong side . The zipper on the top pocket wraps from the top across one side so it doesn't have this issue.
Jump Cue Compatibility -
A selling point for me was the "custom fit predator air jump sleeves in bottom pocket".. well I guess my expectations were a bit off. You get two sleeves for the air jumps handles but they are in no way tied to / built into / specially stored in the bottom pocket - they just fit in like anything else you want to put in a pocket. With both pieces in the larger pocket is maybe 2/3 full. Although if you don't have an air-jump this might be a good thing since no room in the pocket is especially designed for it.
Misc -
The top is padded and says the word SPORT on it - kind of a surprise but it looks fine. This top piece is held in by 4 very tiny nails(?) that are a bit sunk into the material. The bottom has round feet nibs all the way around the outer edge of the base - good enough but with the footprint of a 2x4 case I don't really trust my cues standing up in it (not a flaw in this design - just my opinion of what to expect from any 2x4 case).
So to sum up - this case is all about the looks and I'm a fan of the appearance. The construction is good. I like the strap and handle. The pockets are a bit odd. Over all I'd give it a solid B.
Craig
This is a vinyl case that has a bit of a leatherish stamped pattern to it and it looks nice. Generally the decisions on how this case was made are all about how it looks from where the pockets are placed to how they are oriented. Appearances are subjective so you either like it or you don't - I do or I wouldn't have bought it. Of note is that the metal parts (zippers, strap parts) are all carbon colored rather than silver so they don't stand out.
Construction -
Everywhere I look the case appears to be solidly put together. Stitched pieces that you expect to receive wear are double stitched. The handle is securely connected and the tail ends of where it connects to the case are hidden under the outer vinyl giving it a clean look. The top is connected with 3 rivets which is better than the 2 I would have expected - and this is a high stress spot so more is better.
Strap -
The strap has a padded shoulder piece that could be a bit larger / more padded but for this size case should be sufficient. I like the way the strap connects to the case making it easy to rotate / untwist.
Interior -
This is a tube case and sized so that standard length pieces stick up above the tubes a bit so they are easier to pull out. Also the tubes for the shafts are quite snug as you slide the joint end into the tube.
Pockets -
The outside of the pockets have padding on them - since these are on the back of the case the pockets will rest up against your back and this padding prevents it from being uncomfortable... I don't have any issues with that. However, the "molded" pockets are just oddly shaped empty pockets with nothing inside to help you organize anything. Plus the zippers are odd - sitting the case down on one side you see a zipper facing up but the other zipper faces the opposite direction. Also for the large pocket the zipper wraps around the bottom of the pocket so if you unzip it all the way your stuff falls out - it is like this pocket was attached upside down. However it wasn't actually attached upside down, it was attached this way to be more symmetrical with the top pocket but the zipper is just on the wrong side . The zipper on the top pocket wraps from the top across one side so it doesn't have this issue.
Jump Cue Compatibility -
A selling point for me was the "custom fit predator air jump sleeves in bottom pocket".. well I guess my expectations were a bit off. You get two sleeves for the air jumps handles but they are in no way tied to / built into / specially stored in the bottom pocket - they just fit in like anything else you want to put in a pocket. With both pieces in the larger pocket is maybe 2/3 full. Although if you don't have an air-jump this might be a good thing since no room in the pocket is especially designed for it.
Misc -
The top is padded and says the word SPORT on it - kind of a surprise but it looks fine. This top piece is held in by 4 very tiny nails(?) that are a bit sunk into the material. The bottom has round feet nibs all the way around the outer edge of the base - good enough but with the footprint of a 2x4 case I don't really trust my cues standing up in it (not a flaw in this design - just my opinion of what to expect from any 2x4 case).
So to sum up - this case is all about the looks and I'm a fan of the appearance. The construction is good. I like the strap and handle. The pockets are a bit odd. Over all I'd give it a solid B.
Craig
