Predator Z better than conventional shafts?

Rpm

Rpm

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I traveled to a pool tournament recently a friend whom I see once or twice a year switched to the new predator z, he told me he feels like he's cheating when he uses it. So I was wondering if anyone else felt the same way?
Thanx for your input
Rpm
 
How many pros use crap production cues? Or modified versions there-of? I really don't think that what the pros should be interpreted as any kind of indication of what a quality cue/shaft is and what would work for you personally.

Borrow your friends, if you like it... it's good. If you don't... it's not.

-Matt
 
Preadtor shafts are a little over hyped. I think there is no substitute for hard work and dedication. Take the money you would spend on a predator shaft and point it in the direction of improving your game, through instruction or some similar means.
 
It honestly depends on the person using it.

I recently switched to a 314 and I found that I had to adjust a few things. After 6 hours of practicing, I was loving it.

There really is no substitute for skills and knowledge though. You can have any shaft or cue, someone can always win just as easily with a house cue.

My .02

-Whoa
 
to be honest.. my friend has a 314 and a z shaft and i didnt like either of the hits at all.. its all personal opinion
 
Rpm said:
I traveled to a pool tournament recently a friend whom I see once or twice a year switched to the new predator z, he told me he feels like he's cheating when he uses it. So I was wondering if anyone else felt the same way?
Thanx for your input
Rpm
Click to expand...
If you use a lot of side spin and are used to a relatively high-squirt cue, it could take you quite a while to change over. If you prefer a cue with low squirt, then it might work well for you from the start. There are other options for getting low squirt. If you're not famiilar with what squirt (sometimes called deflection) is or you don't use side spin, then the advantages of the Z shaft to you might not be worth the cost.
 
I dunno anyone who can play with that kind of taper.
Hell, Shuller's taper is tough enough.
 
ridingthenine21 said:
Preadtor shafts are a little over hyped. I think there is no substitute for hard work and dedication. Take the money you would spend on a predator shaft and point it in the direction of improving your game, through instruction or some similar means.
Click to expand...


I guess Tiger and Phil should go back to using wooden driverheads and shafts and work harder.

Predator shafts might not be right for evreyone but to suggest not using/trying advancing technology is crazy.
All games have advanced with time and pool will be no different. If pool hits a height anywhere near 50% of what golf is there will be all sorts of
new technology, theory, and gadgetry. Its something pool players will need to welcome.
 
I switched to a Z shaft almost a year ago, and I like the hit (thanks Shane Sinnott). I guess I'm different to where I dont notice all of these subtleties that I read about, or I compensate for them subconciously. I don't think its about the equipment, its about who is using it. I've shot some of my best pool with Dufferin's I've randomly pulled off the wall.
 
I guess Tiger and Phil should go back to using wooden driverheads and shafts and work harder.

Frank, we are already using phenolic tipped jumpbreaks.:)
 
Thanx

Thanx for all the replies i appreciate the information. & Bob thanx for the 3 cushion billiard lesson at the BCA's last year.
Rpm
 
I tried the Preadator Z shaft once.
I put some severe inside english(at least 2 tips) on the cue ball and aimed pretty much normal and the ball went in with some insane spin off the rails. I was really,really impressed.I was amazed at the little to no deflection.

It was the other more normal shots that I found I didn't like the Z shaft.I'm sure I could have adjusted in time to the feel of the Z, however, with limited use I didn't like it.Actually I couldn't stand it!

It would be real nice to be able to have a bag full(like golf) of cues for different shot requirments.Of course this isn't legal.

-For the shots that require extreme english, use your cue with the Z shaft
-For masse shots, pull out your masse cue with a softer tip for more masse action.
-For jump shots with a long cue, pull out your cue with a super hard tip
etc etc etc

My feeling on shafts is that what a specific shaft gives you in one area, it can take away in another area.There is no magical shaft that does everything perfect.Basically, as previously mentioned, it all boils down to the man stroking the stick.
RJ
 
Z Shafts.... Tiger X

Give the new Tiger X shaft a try. I had used one about a year ago and was not impressed but, with some of the changes they have made, I am very, very impressed with that shaft. It seems to have a little softer hit than the other laminates and I was able to get a shaft that was a full 13mm.
 
I can't speak for the Predator Z, but I bought an OB-1 shaft recently. The OB-1 offers similar performance advantages to those of the Z.

At first the OB-1 was a revelation. I was astounded how much it reduced deflection. However, the fact is, for me, a low squirt (deflection) shaft was not the answer.

I've been playing pool for 40 years and and to relearn the myriad compensations necessary when shifting to a low squirt shaft proved more bothersome than helpful. Moreover, the dull feeling of the OB-1, as compared to my stiff taper Southwest, convinced me to put the OB-1 away.

In short, it may be easier for someone whose habits are less ingrained than mine, to pick up a shaft with dramatically different performance, but it was not for me. I guess the bottom line is, like most things, you need to try it for yourself. There is no magic bullet that is right for all.
 
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PoolSleuth said:
How many GREAT Pros use it?
Click to expand...

A few evenings ago, I was in Dayton at Airway Billiards and who's practicing there but Jason Miller, the excellent player that won the overall "Master" or whatever it's called at the Derby City Classic this year. By the way, I believe that's his home room.

Anyway, I stopped practicing to watch him, and at a certain point other players were speaking with him about different things, and at a certain point another good player offered Jason his cue to shoot a few balls with. The cue had a 314 shaft on it. Jason shot a bunch of banks and other shots with it, for maybe 5 minutes, and at a certain point said it was the longest he had ever shot with a predator. He said all the guys seem to like it, and asked what was really different or better about it. An old timer there, who shoots a pretty mean stick too, said something about it that's baloney, but that's besides the point. He basically said it squirts the cue ball less and thus makes it easier to adjust when shooting with english.

I thought it was interesting to see this champion who had basically zero knowledge about the 314. Will he switch? Who knows, and really, does it matter? I think not.

JMHO,

Flex
 
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