Predator sucks

thoffen said:
That whole laminated shaft bit is a gimmick. It does improve consistency from shaft to shaft, but not compared to a custom maker who will hand-select the wood.

The biggest "secret" to low deflection is reducing tip end mass. Predator does this by providing a very thin ferrule and hollowed out shaft end (pictured above). Obviously, it is more prone to damage.

You can change the ferrule, but you wouldn't have a predator anymore. The shaft would play different and have different deflection.

Varney says pros prefer the new ferrules. Does that tell you something about how (un)important an ultra-low deflection shaft is?

FYI, most pros use Predators because they are sponsored by Predator, or at least get free stuff. Just like most pros used Meucci in the early 90's.
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It's funny that you mention that. My good friend just picked up a top end McDermott for very cheap. when I picked it up to shoot a few balls around it felt top heavy compaired to my Josey (60") with a 314 shaft. I don't remember my old McDermott being that way. But I know that They put Quick release joints on their top end sticks; which my Mcdermott had the standard 3/8-10, which is a joke in itself to change the hit and integrity on their differrent model cues.
 
If you smash the balls, believe me the 314 ferrule will break. Mine cracked about 3 weeks ago. I have had the shaft for 5 or more years, but recently I started really pounding my breaks hard.

I bought a fury break/jump with a phenolic tip in Vegas the other day and I must say I have my doubts that I'll ever be able to adjust to it. I really hate the way it feels with that rock hard tip. I also wish the shaft wasn't so big around. I will hang in there a while and give it a good chance.
 
So I broke my last cue and I am STRONGLY looking at a predator Snky Pte ---- Im not going to break with it but am worried because it seems people LOVE EM or HATE EM. WORTH IT OR NOT???
 
9BallBust-O said:
So I broke my last cue and I am STRONGLY looking at a predator Snky Pte ---- Im not going to break with it but am worried because it seems people LOVE EM or HATE EM. WORTH IT OR NOT???
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I had a Predator SP, SWPU was the model and I loved it. I almost regret selling it on ebay. It had green in the inlays but it was hard to notice, especially from a distance. It actually walked away from me a few times at the bar because people thought it was a house cue.
 
9BallBust-O said:
So I broke my last cue and I am STRONGLY looking at a predator Snky Pte ---- Im not going to break with it but am worried because it seems people LOVE EM or HATE EM. WORTH IT OR NOT???
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Try it and find out. Some people do benefit from a low deflection cue. I find that my stroke is consistent enough for my subconscious to take it out of the equation.

Personally, I think the hit of a predator is dead and artificial. There are other low-deflection shafts out there that are popular. I've heard great things about the OB-1 in comparison. Might give it a shot instead.
 
Hey Kamasutraguru I just have one question for you, as you break with your cue the tip must mushroom often, do you use an "ultimate tip tool" or similar device to correct the mushroom because agressive use of these will bullet shape your ferrule no matter what kind it is.

Bern
 
I use the 5 in 1 tip tool, but i don't touch the ferrule. I break with it, wouldn't that mushroom the ferrule instead of conning it in? I have two of them. One is severly disfigured the other is barely noticable. I assume it's something I'm doing not bad equipment. I usually break about half speed, but i do like to light them up from time to time. Come to think of it, I use 1200 grit sandpaper to slick up the shaft. Maybe the heat caused from the friction has something to do with it. Either way I think I'm going to try a new type of ferrule.
 
Actually...what is happening to him is this...
As he breaks, his tip/ferrule edge is sliding along the felt causing his ferrule to "heat up" and actually melt little skid marks. Repeated over a brief period of time...it cones the ferrule. I've seen it so bad on some 314 shafts that it looks as if someone took a knife to trim the tip.
 
Varney Cues said:
Actually...what is happening to him is this...
As he breaks, his tip/ferrule edge is sliding along the felt causing his ferrule to "heat up" and actually melt little skid marks. Repeated over a brief period of time...it cones the ferrule. I've seen it so bad on some 314 shafts that it looks as if someone took a knife to trim the tip.
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That is exactly what has happened to mine. the top of the ferrulle looks like someong barely clipped it with blade on a very slight angle. I break with mine all the time. I must be lucky it hasn't broken seeing as how it has been turned under predator recomended specs.
 
Varney Cues said:
You can have the plastic original Pred. ferrules changed out to Aegis or Ivorine 4...and then you'll have zero issues. Pictured below are my 314, TigerX both with Aegis & Sniper tips. The other shaft is my j/b with my 1pc. canvas resin tip/ferrule combo.
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Can you put a regular tip on the black ferrule and play with it?

unknownpro
 
NineBallNut said:
That is exactly what has happened to mine. the top of the ferrulle looks like someong barely clipped it with blade on a very slight angle. I break with mine all the time. I must be lucky it hasn't broken seeing as how it has been turned under predator recomended specs.
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well....Dont hit the table..lol Send it back to them and let them fix it!!
 
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