Predator Shafts... Opinions?

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gmoll19

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I realize that there are probably hundreds of threads on the web about this topic but I figured I'd ask the question myself.

Do predator shafts really make that much of a difference? I mean I have never owned one but I have shot with my fair share of them. I have shot with z and 314 shafts. I played alright with them but I think I can play with original shafts just as well. For me I feel like it depends on the day not the shaft, to determine how I play. They don't make me play bad or better, but when I shoot with something else in a matter of minutes I see no difference in my game. If I am in stroke one day then I am in stroke, every stick feels the same at that point. I'm sure that they do make a difference for many people, but is it worth spending over 200 dollars just for a shaft? I may be too naive to understand why they are so much better but I really would like to know what other's thoughts are and if it really is worth the investment. Thanks
 
gmoll19 said:
Do predator shafts really make that much of a difference? I mean I have never owned one but I have shot with my fair share of them. I have shot with z and 314 shafts. I played alright with them but I think I can play with original shafts just as well.
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I'm sure there are many posts on Predator shafts. Check out the post "Predator and Deflection", for example, which I mention because I remember posting in it:
http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=151997

The post includes a link to a deflection ratings page.

If you're looking at Predator shafts, you might also consider competing low-deflection shafts such as the OB1.
http://www.obcues.com/

For me I feel like it depends on the day not the shaft, to determine how I play. They don't make me play bad or better, but when I shoot with something else in a matter of minutes I see no difference in my game. If I am in stroke one day then I am in stroke, every stick feels the same at that point. I'm sure that they do make a difference for many people, but is it worth spending over 200 dollars just for a shaft?
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I think it'll depend on how frequently you play, whether you participate in tournaments or get involved in action, or whether you simply want to tweak out your performance at the table. A number of folks swear by the Predator and other low-deflection shafts.

You might see more of a change playing with a different tip unless you're completely happy with the tip you're using now. If you haven't done so already, you might also want to experiment with different shaft tapers.

Good luck.
 
I feel that I play pretty similar with any shaft. I have stock shafts, modified stock shafts, and LD shafts for both of my playing cues. I do feel that it's easier to get more spin with my Predator and OB-1 shafts. Not that I get more spin, it's just easier.

I always thought it was because I switch up frequently, so I adjust to a different shaft easily.
 
Predator Shafts

Please read my thread on a Pechauer with a 314/2 shaft. It speaks to the deflection differences. I've also had 2.5 yrs. experience with a 4K3 which had the original 314. I think that this shaft (314/2) has the least deflection (squirt) of any I've tried...which includes some Z's. Just as in any other manufacturing process, I think I caught a really great shaft. It squirts less than the older Z's that I've tried (haven't played a new Z yet). If you check the deflection ratings the new 314 has about the same deflection characteristics of the original Z.
At any rate, I've been playing long enough that I had automatically compensated for whatever squirt the shaft I was playing had. This shaft is truly a "point and pocket" shaft that Predator markets. I'd also say that the 314 plays very well with a Pechauer butt. Both company's have made special additions before and seem to work well together. I prefer the Pechauer/314/2 to my 4K3 and ANY other all-Predator cue that I've played (4K3, P2's, Hoppe SE, P3, a few of other Se's and LE's).
p.s. I have found that the Moori medium tip, IMO, is superior to the standard Everest tip.This is, obviously, just a preference, but the feel and overall performance of my 4K3 w/ origianl 314 and now the Pechauer 314/2 combo noticably increased.
 
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gmoll19 said:
I realize that there are probably hundreds of threads on the web about this topic but I figured I'd ask the question myself.

Do predator shafts really make that much of a difference? I mean I have never owned one but I have shot with my fair share of them. I have shot with z and 314 shafts. I played alright with them but I think I can play with original shafts just as well. For me I feel like it depends on the day not the shaft, to determine how I play. They don't make me play bad or better, but when I shoot with something else in a matter of minutes I see no difference in my game. If I am in stroke one day then I am in stroke, every stick feels the same at that point. I'm sure that they do make a difference for many people, but is it worth spending over 200 dollars just for a shaft? I may be too naive to understand why they are so much better but I really would like to know what other's thoughts are and if it really is worth the investment. Thanks
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i like them but they're a little over rated. i'm not saying the shafts aren't any good but some people either give them too much credit or not enough.

i like how they play and they make it a slightly easier for me to spin the cue ball.

i'll tell you this though. if you pay 200 for a predator shaft you over paid.
 
I have been made aware of how much Predator spends on sponsoring events and this forums, and have been encouraged to use the word "SNAKE OIL" less in my description of them.

I maintain that they are the "GLOCK of the pool world" a mediocre product with a massive marketing campaign.

For ME, a lowly B player raised on hits like Scruggs, Mottey, Gus, HR, SW, and now CAM, Pred hit like a stack of loose legos with cardboard taped over the ferrule.... but your results may vary.
 
dirtypool40 said:
I maintain that they are the "GLOCK of the pool world" a mediocre product with a massive marketing campaign.

For ME, a lowly B player raised on hits like Scruggs, Mottey, Gus, HR, SW, and now CAM, Pred hit like a stack of loose legos with cardboard taped over the ferrule.... but your results may vary.
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:grin:now that was a sweet reply!!!
 
As far as cue ball deflection due to purposely applied english, I feel there are ways to compensate for the squirt other than spending 250 dollars. But on the flip side of that, I think if you are having trouble hitting a center ball and are missing shots that are pushed offline "slightly" by english, then they are a good tool. However people were pocketing 100s of balls before predator. So is it needed? No.
Chuck
 
watch the videos on bob meuccis site and then make up your mind some very interesting videos
 
For the record, I shoot MUCHHHH better with LD shafts then the standard maple. It just gets eassssy...

That said, is it worth 200 bucks? If you have money to throw around and love pool, I guess so. But if you're like me, forget it.
 
screw predator

Ill say this much my best friend has the predator 2 and has had to send it in 3 times, some how the shaft is down to 12.2MM and he never did anything to it, because its undersized predator says they will not honor the warranty replacement on it, so screw them....its the guys who did the work that gaffed it up and took down the ferrule not my buddy. This is ridiculous to a point unseen, 3 broken ferrules...thats a bunch of GARBAGE:angry:!!!!!!!!

If you think I'm full of it just PM mnorwood and he will give you the low down


Grey GHost
 
Just a little about shafts ld or sd-my op

i DID PICK UP A PRED. THE OLDER ONES THAT- SEARING PUT AN IVORY FERRULE ON. fANTASTIC SHAFT, ANYONE WHO WORKS ON PRED WONDERS HOW (tHE PEANUT SHELL PLASTIC FERRULE STAYS SNAPPED ON. tHE OTHER OPTION IS PUT A AGIS 4 FERRULE ON THEIR PRED. BREAK CUE. OR G-10. i LIKE THE PHILLPPI SHAFTS-30ICHES , CUSTOM JOSS SHAFTS, ALL NEW AND OLDER SCHONS-HAVE IV,1ST BROWN STICHED SCHON SHAFT,1 SAYES SCHON-(90'S) AND ELITE SCHON SHAFTS. 50- B-MODEL MCDERMOTT nEW SHAFTS,D-26 MCD IVORY FERRULED SHAFTS. aNDY gILBERT SHAFTS ARE GREAT TOO. ANOTHER PRED z WITH Z-2 FERRULE(BROKE IT,THE Z FERRULE,THEY REPLACED FREEWITH Z-2) i LIKE THE i-SHAFTS, OB SHAFTS AND (ANOTHER SHAFT THAT OFFERS LOW DEFLECTION AND STANDARD. LOST MY MIND. MARK mEZZ 360?
 
i have tried before Z2 and amazingly the spin transfer is quite enormous that you can make the CB dance (travel anywhere on the table), the downside with Z2 is you have to be always in top shape coz if you have a lousy stroke/s then z2 will make it worst due to the spin transfer....the taper is the obvious reason...
used it for maybe 6 mos then i sold it....

i used as well a 314 for maybe 3 mos but never like the hit of it....so sold again...

Currently using Hybrid Pro II and Alpha, i luv both of them, i just altered/trimmed a bit on the taper.

I also kept my old reliable Sharp Shooter.

LD shafts really give some advantages to a player if you know how to adapt to it, the best part i noticed is the psychological help of Tech shafts, the mentality of having an advance eqpt adds on self confidence.

but as they always say: "it's not the cue....it's you" ...so you just have to get familiarized with your eqpt..but if you have the money to burn then go for it....

i just have a Q eversince..

"What's the difference of an LD shaft which grab and transfer too much spin to CB compare to old school shafts that deflects?"

both of them can divert the accuracy of your shots.....

well above is just my own opinion.....:smile:
 
greyghost said:
Ill say this much my best friend has the predator 2 and has had to send it in 3 times, some how the shaft is down to 12.2MM and he never did anything to it, because its undersized predator says they will not honor the warranty replacement on it, so screw them....its the guys who did the work that gaffed it up and took down the ferrule not my buddy. This is ridiculous to a point unseen, 3 broken ferrules...thats a bunch of GARBAGE:angry:!!!!!!!!

If you think I'm full of it just PM mnorwood and he will give you the low down


Grey GHost
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Did your buddy get one of the -2 versions of the shaft?

imo the original 314 and precat 314's are worth what you'll pay for them. i won't say they'll make you shoot better but they seem to make some things a little easier to do. to me anyway
 
I use a 314/1 on my schon and I would say it hits very very nice. When I switch back to a schon shaft I feel a difference but I wouldn't say any more deflection just a different feel. I bought my 314 used and I would suggest if you want to try one pick one up used off the bay or on here before buying one brand new.
 
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