Predator Z Want to know before I buy

cornerhooked

Registered
Im interested in the Predator z shaft but Im not yet sold on the narrow taper. Who has one? How much of a difference was it to adjust to it? I have a 314 now. But Im seeing more of the better players using it. Is it frustrating to adapt to? Is it easy? What are the pros and cons? Any help would be nice. Mick
 
Somewhere along the line I started going from a straight pro taper to something that has more spine, like the Z shaft.

Two of my shafts I had custom made with the identical taper of the Z shaft. I also have a Z2.

Because most of the growth in the taper is in the first 4 or 5 inches of the Z shaft, the stroking area of the shaft feels much like a normal shaft. Unless you havea bridge less than 5", you won't notice much of a difference between the Z shaft and other shafts.

I do notice that I get unintentional spin from the smaller diameter tip. Just have to be that more accurate when addressing and striking the cue ball.

cornerhooked said:
Im interested in the Predator z shaft but Im not yet sold on the narrow taper. Who has one? How much of a difference was it to adjust to it? I have a 314 now. But Im seeing more of the better players using it. Is it frustrating to adapt to? Is it easy? What are the pros and cons? Any help would be nice. Mick
 
Yes it is so darn narrow. I guess Im getting deflection at times when I dont intend for that to happen. I wonder if I can get it in a larger diameter. Im probably not gonna find that though. My stroke I would say is about 4 inches, longer on draw. If I get one and dont like it after 40 days, which is what I think someone should try things for as a minimumm, Im wondering if I can resell it and get almost what I put into it.
 
The taper on the Z shaft is basically a snooker taper and because there is a gradual taper all the way through, it will have a more solid hit than a shaft with a "pro" taper. Those of us with open bridges see no big deal with the Z shaft but you loop bridgers may have to adjust a bit. I have hit a few balls with someone else's Z shaft on my cue on the snooker table and now I am in the process of getting my own at 11.5 mm. I hope to have it in a couple of weeks because I thought it was the best thing I'd ever played snooker with.
 
My Z shaft on a Lucasi butt is the only cue I'm using now whenever I shoot league or in a tournament. I've been using it for about 8 months now. It took me a couple of nights of shooting with it to get used to it, but it's all good now! The only real adjustment I had to make is not shooting as low on the cue ball on draw shots. If you get one, give it some time. I really like mine!!!

Maniac
 
Back
Top