So there's THREE generations of 314.... Help
- Thread starter TrumanHW
- Start date
You can read all about technology here.
http://www.predatorcues.com/technology/shafts/
This link from Predator outlines the differences between their shafts.
http://www.predatorcues.com/technology/predator-low-deflection-shaft/
Of course, nothing beats trying the shafts in person. I found if I ask respectfully and honest and state my intentions upfront, most people will allow me to try out with their cue or shafts. In some cases, insist I play a couple of games to fully appreciate the cue or shaft.
http://www.predatorcues.com/technology/shafts/
This link from Predator outlines the differences between their shafts.
http://www.predatorcues.com/technology/predator-low-deflection-shaft/
Of course, nothing beats trying the shafts in person. I found if I ask respectfully and honest and state my intentions upfront, most people will allow me to try out with their cue or shafts. In some cases, insist I play a couple of games to fully appreciate the cue or shaft.
I very broad terms:
314-1 had a 3/4 inch long ferrule, and the joint insert went right into the wood.
314-2 had a 5/8" long ferrule, the ferrule material was slightly stronger, and the joint insert threaded into a block of phenolic
314-3 (I don't have this one, but did have the 1 and 2), has a new design up front in the ferrule area, that reduces the front end mass by 3% over the 314-2.
314-1 had a 3/4 inch long ferrule, and the joint insert went right into the wood.
314-2 had a 5/8" long ferrule, the ferrule material was slightly stronger, and the joint insert threaded into a block of phenolic
314-3 (I don't have this one, but did have the 1 and 2), has a new design up front in the ferrule area, that reduces the front end mass by 3% over the 314-2.
When they were made by Falcon, the ferrule had a lot less problems.
And they were more stable.
And they were more stable.
Which generation is more desirable, if any?
Except that Falcon didn't make the shafts at all to my knowledge. They only made the butts. I believe they were originally made in house, then they farmed out some of the shaft work to companies like Samsara and others.
I'm not 100% on this, but fairly sure.
KMRUNOUT
The above is a nice general summary of the 3 generations. I played with Predator from fairly early in the generation 1 days. I have several gen 1 uni-lock shafts. I then converted to gen 2. All 314's by the way. I have not bought a gen 3 and so far don't particularly care for it.
The wood used in the gen 1 seemed by a mile the best. Overall, the 314-2 was also quite nice. Somewhere in the middle of the 314-2 life is when they sent production out to China. It seems that was the beginning of the end of the quality and customer service for Predator. I'm not saying they are necessarily bad, but definitely not what they were. You used to be able to buy direct from Predator, and their customer service was excellent at one point. Then they got huge, farmed out their work, and the rest is history.
Play wise, here are my impressions:
Gen 1 was fairly stiff. The feel was dull in comparison to a solid maple shaft, but somewhat more lively compared to the Gen2. I think a big part of this is the phenolic insert in the joint. I think the construction quality of the Gen 2 was actually a better design. The gen1 has pretty crappy joint work...the joint ring was basically a slip on piece of plastic that easily came unglued. The gen 2 was a more rugged phenolic piece. However that phenolic insert I believe dulled the vibrations and feel of the hit. On the other hand, the gen 2 has noticeably lower deflection. Not like a mile less, but noticeable. If you are looking solely for the best hit, I would recommend a gen 1 with an aftermarket joint. I have one with a very nice phenolic ring threaded on...it hits amazing. If you want the very lowest deflection, the gen 2 is a great choice. If you can find an older one, chances are you might get slightly better quality wood. I have a gen 2 with a joint installed by Andy Gilbert for my playing cue. This one hits fantastic, and the deflection is super low. 314-2 is definitely still a great way to go.
As for the gen 3, I've tried them out several times. Overall, I do not see any real improvement in deflection, but I do notice a duller and less satisfying hit. This could potentially be attributed to the Predator Victory tip they put on there. I'm surprised they wouldn't have demos available with more universally used tips, like triangle or even a kamui black soft. Anyway, it seems like the build quality of the gen 3 is very nice. I'd still recommend getting a partial and having a good cue guy install the joint right into the wood to try and recover some feel.
I hope this helps a little?
KMRUNOUT
I have not tried the new shafts as I dont want to, but I have beard positive feedbacks about the Vantage shafts, most Predator players at pool hall I play at, pros and amateurs, have switched to the Vantage and swear by them, my mentor sells Predator shafts and says Vantage sells like hot cakes even though they are pricey.
Vantage uses a stiffer fatter taper than the 314-3
Vantage uses a stiffer fatter taper than the 314-3
This helps, turns out I have a gen 1. I got this years ago from fujiwhopper. I remember it sucked ass adjusting to, but I was gonna do it hell or high water because I paid, iirc, $200 for it. :smile:
I find it funny that gen 3 reduced 3% which warranted a new release and branding while the OB plus was 13% end mass reduction at the same time.. The gen 3 was a knee jerk so they had an offering to coincide with the OB... 3% my ass.....
Before some douche calls me an OB nuthugger KNOW that I have nothing but precats on my playing cue... OB Classic plus is my 2nd choice if I cannot find a precat with the right joint....
This guy Bernard (super cool dude) at SM house of billiards let me hit balls with his Mezz wx900 -- it was absolutely SWEET. LOVED IT.
On top of that, tried out my Gen2 predator shaft and it actually hits pretty good. I think I'm set for now... but I'm elated to have a decent back up and if I needed a new shaft/cue I would definitely look at getting a Mezz wx900 series.
Thanks for all the input.
Are pre-cats really that great? I have one coming in, and have only played with one once a long time ago. just curious if a ton of people here like the original 314 pre-cat shafts
Ok, what are pre-cats besides the logo? I believe mine is a first generation with a cat logo. Is that possible? Or are cats specific to a generation?
Precats and early cats have a 3/4" ferrule but some early early precats suppposedly had 1" ferrules... They have a little more deflection than cats with the shorter ferrule in my testing...
Falcon did not "make" any shafts for Predator but they turned them down to tapered dowels from the blanks made at Predator, then they were shipped back to Jacksonville for front end engineering and turned to final size and finished.
Ah. Thanks for clearing that up.
Turned down at Falcon on Dan Janes' taper machines ?
Yeah I had a victory tip and hated it. I have a 314-3 and really like the feel of it actually. I have played with traditional and laminated shafts and I'm pretty happy with the 314-3. You can't pay me to play with a Z shaft but I like the 314-3.
Not sure if those ever left the Jacksonville factory, from what I remember we didn't really use it that much. That was the 10-spindle unit right?