Tiger Ultra X or Predator 314-2

tread2004

tread2004

New member
I am looking to upgrade to a performance shaft. I am between the tiger ultra x or the predator 314-2. I have tried the ob-1 and the predator z2 and do not care for either of them. I don't like the taper of the z2 and I don't like the feel of the ob1. Here is what I'm looking for in a shaft. I want a solid hit that imitates a regular maple shaft. I want increased spin with control and I want some reduction in deflection. I am not looking for a crazy reduction in deflection but, a little bit. I don't have the luxury of anyone in my pool hall playing with either of these and will have to purchase one to try it out. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
 
Here in Philippines we have exactly what you are looking for. The 1al1 shaft. Deflection is very near with predator. It is a solid shaft. Let me know if you are interested.:)
 
I personally have an x shaft and love it. I get plenty of CB action using this shaft with minimal effort. The shaft isn't as stiff taking away deflection like the predator but a damn good alternative. Just my opinion.
 
tread2004 said:
I am looking to upgrade to a performance shaft. I am between the tiger ultra x or the predator 314-2. I have tried the ob-1 and the predator z2 and do not care for either of them. I don't like the taper of the z2 and I don't like the feel of the ob1. Here is what I'm looking for in a shaft. I want a solid hit that imitates a regular maple shaft. I want increased spin with control and I want some reduction in deflection. I am not looking for a crazy reduction in deflection but, a little bit. I don't have the luxury of anyone in my pool hall playing with either of these and will have to purchase one to try it out. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
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Ah, the age old question...;)

Some fine choices you are making there in the selection process!

You will get more of what you are looking for in the Tiger "X" Ultra Shaft.
 
tread2004 said:
I am looking to upgrade to a performance shaft. I am between the tiger ultra x or the predator 314-2. I have tried the ob-1 and the predator z2 and do not care for either of them. I don't like the taper of the z2 and I don't like the feel of the ob1. Here is what I'm looking for in a shaft. I want a solid hit that imitates a regular maple shaft. I want increased spin with control and I want some reduction in deflection. I am not looking for a crazy reduction in deflection but, a little bit. I don't have the luxury of anyone in my pool hall playing with either of these and will have to purchase one to try it out. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
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I think you're looking at the right shafts if you don't like the Z taper.

The old Tiger shafts were not my favorite - but they've improved a lot in the last year or two. I've tried them and like them a lot.

The Tiger feels like a normal, conventional shaft. It is a solid shaft, well built, and in my experience "just right", not too stiff, not too whippy, and is has a nice feel at impact. I compare it more in terms of play and feel to a better conventional shaft, although I would say it is on the low squirt side - I've not found Tiger's to take much adjusting to. The ferrule is their own stuff and I just really like it - plus the shafts are very consistent from shaft to shaft (they don't get many stinkers). They've really improved here and there over time and have a very good product now.

The Predator 314-2 (which is what I use) has a different feel than the Tiger, especially on very softly hit spin shots. The performance is similar to the Z but without the extreme taper. I like the 314-2 a lot - it's good for my accuracy when using a lot of side spin. Predators are also consistent from shaft to shaft and are a quality product. They continue to improve as well.

I am probably going to change to a Tiger next round. I'm willing to compromise some of the lower squirt characteristics of the Predator for the better feel of the Tiger.

Chris
 
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I had a Tiger shaft and it played awesome, I especially liked the tip on it but sadly I snapped the shaft by accident, never happened before to me except with a Meucci I owned a couple years back that was super thin like 10.5mm, I do not know why it snapped as I do not have a powerful stroke at all. :confused:
 
Fast Lenny said:
I had a Tiger shaft and it played awesome, I especially liked the tip on it but sadly I snapped the shaft by accident, never happened before to me except with a Meucci I owned a couple years back that was super thin like 10.5mm, I do not know why it snapped as I do not have a powerful stroke at all. :confused:
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:confused:

First I ever heard of it. Why not contact us about it?

:confused:
 
CrownCityCorey said:
:confused:

First I ever heard of it. Why not contact us about it?

:confused:
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The shaft had been taken down quite a bit as I had bought it used so I never bothered plus the price was right on it. It broke where the ferrule meets the shaft and it was not the tenon as it did not appear to have one.
 
i really like the feel of the tiger shaft, but it is not low deflection, it deflects like a normal shaft. the saber-t ferrule material hits nice, but is relatively heavy (which causes deflection).

if you want lower deflection than the tiger, i would suggest the mezz wd700. they're not only for mezz joints, mezz usa sells them for standard joints. the hybrid pro 2 shaft is low deflection too, the wd700 feels more like a maple shaft than the hp2. though hp2 is still pretty close.

i'd also suggest looking at the lucasi hybrid (also called flexpoint) shafts. these are basically the old universal smartshafts without the interchangeable joint. low deflection design in the ferrule area, but feels like a standard shaft.
 
Just get a Tiger X and throw a Moori{M} on it and you wont even be interested in another shaft. It has a long pro taper and just enough flex to get some great cue action. Ive had every Predator OB and Mcdermott LD shaft. But "What's in my Case" Nothing but Tiger X baby. And will be getting another in couple months made for new LP cue.
Just contact Tony AZ name Benfica he will hook you up. Let us know what you decide and when you get it give us a review. :thumbup:
 
Thanks for all the input. I like to do research before making a purchase like this. I know exactly what I want out of a shaft but, haven't found one yet. Are there any other shafts out there? Has anyone tried scott frost's shaft the eyeshaft that he is making now? I think he said they are made from birdseye and have 3 different "levels" of playability styles.
 
Why do so many people like the old 314 shafts over the new version? Let's break this topic down more.....

Predator bk2 vs. Tiger Icebreaker

Which one gets your vote and why?
 
tread2004 said:
Thanks for all the input. I like to do research before making a purchase like this. I know exactly what I want out of a shaft but, haven't found one yet. Are there any other shafts out there? Has anyone tried scott frost's shaft the eyeshaft that he is making now? I think he said they are made from birdseye and have 3 different "levels" of playability styles.
Click to expand...

i hear scott owns half the business but dale tague makes the shafts. i was interested in one for a while.....but
 
To your first question, I played with a Tiger X shaft for the first time a few weeks ago in Des Moines and i'm sad to say, I couldn't stand it. I didn't like anything about it, the hit, the feel, anything. Predator 314-2's are a little better and if it were me, i'd go with that. Unfortunately I've been spoiled. For some reason, a few of the original 314 shafts just came together absolutely perfect and play so much better than the rest and I was lucky enough to get one of these with my first order. I've let SEVERAL pro's play with it and all of them have tried to buy the shaft off of me because of how well it plays. I'd pay just about anything to get my hands on 3 or 4 blanks like mine. Unfortunately no one has original 314 blanks anymore, if they do, i'd love to find them.
 
tread2004 said:
Why do so many people like the old 314 shafts over the new version? Let's break this topic down more.....

Predator bk2 vs. Tiger Icebreaker

Which one gets your vote and why?
Click to expand...

i think a huge reason is that they don't fall apart like the new ones do. they also changed the way they're made (at least that's what i hear). the older ones have a foam insert and the new ones are hollow and have a thinner ferrule. once again i'm not a cue repairman or anything that's just what i've heard.

i do like the newer 314-2 shaft's taper a hair more but with all the problems they're (by they i mean the customers) are having it's just not worth it.

i don't get why people still buy 314-2 or the other new predator products. i don't care how good the warranty is i won't buy my way into a problem if i can avoid it.

i'd really like to get myself a black p2 (with wrap) but i don't want to get one that's been made in the new factory. it's not even a "buy American" thing. the canadian made ones were good too
 
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