So, just got a chance to hit with my new HXT63. I want to preface my review by saying I'm just a hacker compared to everyone else here, I'm sure. I think my all-time high run in 14.1 is around 15 balls, I don't usually run an 8-ball or 9-ball table, etc. But I've played pool for a long time. Those of you who are regulars here will probably be well familiar with all this, but I'm writing this more for people who aren't pool "regulars" and might find this via search.
First off, before I get to the actual review, a sour note. I ordered from Seyberts online. The cue arrived in a very sturdy shipping tube and well-padded. One problem--the bottom end of the cue, just above the actual butt of the cue, had a small sticky label on it where someone had handwritten "18.5oz" and crossed out "19oz". This label did NOT come off cleanly--far from it. I had to very carefully use my fingernail to pick pieces of it off. It left an ugly sticky glue residue behind. It took some more careful picking at the residue with my fingernail (praying I wouldn't scratch the brand-new finish), and a small amount of moisture, to get the rest of it off. It's not really noticeable now, but it still doesn't look absolutely 100% pristine, despite my efforts to buff it out.
I wrote to Seyberts and complained about this, and they said it's a manufacturer thing, that all the cues they receive have that sticker, and they've raised the point before with the manufacturer. So....there's that, I guess.
Anyway, on to the review. The HXT63 is my third cue I've owned in the last few months. I've been struggling to find something I'm comfortable with. I owned an ebay "Dr. Cheng" cue first, then a Valhalla 010. Sold the former, returned the latter. But I think I'm finally done searching
The HXT63 has a rubberized "Isoprene" grip, Kamui soft black tip, stainless steel joint, and HXT low deflection shaft. The hit is REALLY solid, to me at least, compared to the other two cues I had. No comparison, by far. Not overly soft (i.e. not too plush), not hard as a rock....just a nice medium solid smooth feeling.
The grip is interesting. It's my first rubberized grip on a cue, and I like it. It definitely allows you to barely hold onto the cue, while still keeping control of it with your stroke. Maybe a little too much "texturing" to the grip for my liking...I'd rather have a smoother rubber with just a little light texturing...but that's just personal preference I suppose.
As for the LD shaft, I have nothing to compare it to, as I've never owned an LD shaft before. It didn't feel much different from the other "normal" cues I've used. So if you're torn whether to buy this just for the LD shaft, thinking it'll revolutionize your game, the short answer is: it likely won't. I missed a lot of the same shots I missed before.
But I definitely did notice a difference in how I was able to move the cue ball, simply due to the better draw I was able to get, and the solid hit made me feel like I was very much in control of the cue. For me, I'd definitely make the purchase again in a heartbeat. I'm very happy with it.
First off, before I get to the actual review, a sour note. I ordered from Seyberts online. The cue arrived in a very sturdy shipping tube and well-padded. One problem--the bottom end of the cue, just above the actual butt of the cue, had a small sticky label on it where someone had handwritten "18.5oz" and crossed out "19oz". This label did NOT come off cleanly--far from it. I had to very carefully use my fingernail to pick pieces of it off. It left an ugly sticky glue residue behind. It took some more careful picking at the residue with my fingernail (praying I wouldn't scratch the brand-new finish), and a small amount of moisture, to get the rest of it off. It's not really noticeable now, but it still doesn't look absolutely 100% pristine, despite my efforts to buff it out.
I wrote to Seyberts and complained about this, and they said it's a manufacturer thing, that all the cues they receive have that sticker, and they've raised the point before with the manufacturer. So....there's that, I guess.
Anyway, on to the review. The HXT63 is my third cue I've owned in the last few months. I've been struggling to find something I'm comfortable with. I owned an ebay "Dr. Cheng" cue first, then a Valhalla 010. Sold the former, returned the latter. But I think I'm finally done searching
The HXT63 has a rubberized "Isoprene" grip, Kamui soft black tip, stainless steel joint, and HXT low deflection shaft. The hit is REALLY solid, to me at least, compared to the other two cues I had. No comparison, by far. Not overly soft (i.e. not too plush), not hard as a rock....just a nice medium solid smooth feeling.
The grip is interesting. It's my first rubberized grip on a cue, and I like it. It definitely allows you to barely hold onto the cue, while still keeping control of it with your stroke. Maybe a little too much "texturing" to the grip for my liking...I'd rather have a smoother rubber with just a little light texturing...but that's just personal preference I suppose.
As for the LD shaft, I have nothing to compare it to, as I've never owned an LD shaft before. It didn't feel much different from the other "normal" cues I've used. So if you're torn whether to buy this just for the LD shaft, thinking it'll revolutionize your game, the short answer is: it likely won't. I missed a lot of the same shots I missed before.
But I definitely did notice a difference in how I was able to move the cue ball, simply due to the better draw I was able to get, and the solid hit made me feel like I was very much in control of the cue. For me, I'd definitely make the purchase again in a heartbeat. I'm very happy with it.
