Vigma billiard ball quality?

blackflagsailor

blackflagsailor

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
As some of you know I've been looking for different sets of billiard balls to collect and enjoy on my table. I mostly like Aramith. There is a manufacture from Hong Kong called Vigma that offers a few sets I was interested in.

One particular set is their Diamond set. I like the looks of these. They offer a sort of vintage look to them. Supposedly they are decent quality and the colors and numbers are inlaid instead of screen printed like some.

Does anyone own Vigma's products and could they review them or post their opinions on here?

I found this set for $50 on closeout from a billiard supply and wondered if it was worth it.

This is the set:
Vigma_Diamonds_L.jpg
 
I own a set of the platinum series. The colors are very vivid and bright, but the ball finish doesn't' seem to hold up as long as Aramith balls do. I've learned it's because these balls are made out of regular polyurethane, instead of Aramith's Duramith. My balls are relatively lightly used, I'd say about 50 racks or so, and the cue ball has lost all it's shine and it's finish is very dull. Scratches and impact points definitely don't buff out with elbow grease. I've never tried putting these in a mechanized ball polisher. I use them now in conjunction with a measles ball, and I feel that I don't get a very explosive break because I think these balls may be heavier. In retrospect, I would've shelled out the extra money for Aramith balls IMO.
 
Hey, for 50 bucks if you're ok with that go for it. A 50 doesn't buy much of anything these days anyway. They do look unique enuff to justify the try out.

And they do look old school to me too, I likes dem. If they do wear out on ya, they will look even more old school.
 
Last edited:
Yeah, I'll use an Aramith set most of the time but I thought these looked pretty cool and probably would only use them every once in a while.
 
Ok, so I know Aramith is big because of their Phenolic resin but is polyurethane that bad? I mean, if it's well taken care of?
 
Aramith

When Aramith combined their technology with Super Crystalate..
..they began to make the best ball in the history of this game.
The tolerance far exceeds 'world legal'.

Many other makes would probably not stand up to 'world legal' which
demands within 5/1,000 off round.
And they don't wear well.
Reminds me of off-shore tooth brushes...guaranteed for life..
,,as long as you don't get them wet

When I play golf,I use the best ball I can get...
..when it ends up in the rough..I know who put it there..:angry:
That's why I buy Aramith
 
Those are some very strong points. Here's typically how I feel about most everything I buy; I'm not going to spend money on something if it's not going to last and I'll end up having to spend my hard earned cash again to replace it. Seems kind of foolish.

As long as these can be used and I am able to polish and keep them nice, then $50 for the set isn't a bad deal I guess.

Here's an interesting question that's been killing me; what did people use in this sport before Aramith came around?
 
Vigma pool balls are not made from polyurethane. Vigma uses a polymerized resin compound known as Kobo resin. Vigmas can be polished up like any other pool balls and will last as long. You can get their best set (Diamond), brand new, for as little as $120. Their Platinum series can be had for around $70. They meet and / or exceed all current US / international specs and come with a lifetime warranty. The Vigma sets are an excellent value for the price.

The set in your pics is the Vigma Diamond series. At $120 it's a hell of a deal, and at $50 it's a steal! I say go for it.

My favorite pool balls are the Brunswick Centennials which are manufactured by Saluc in Belgium. I just really love the look of the Centennials.

Saluc also sells pool, snooker, and billiard ball sets under the Aramith, Crystalate, and Super Crystalate brands.
 
Last edited:
That was very fascinating to read! Thanks!

I grabbed them at $50 along with a set of criss-crossed style balls that looked like they'd make play a little more challenging...or just hard to see...lol I figured if I use these every now and then for shear enjoyment, they will be worth it as long as they last me years.

I'd still like to find the Vigma Snooker set I have pictured in my album.
 
blackflagsailor said:
As some of you know I've been looking for different sets of billiard balls to collect and enjoy on my table. I mostly like Aramith. There is a manufacture from Hong Kong called Vigma that offers a few sets I was interested in.

One particular set is their Diamond set. I like the looks of these. They offer a sort of vintage look to them. Supposedly they are decent quality and the colors and numbers are inlaid instead of screen printed like some.

Does anyone own Vigma's products and could they review them or post their opinions on here?

I found this set for $50 on closeout from a billiard supply and wondered if it was worth it.

This is the set:
Vigma_Diamonds_L.jpg
Click to expand...

I have the exact same set. As far as I can tell, and anyone else I know who has shot with them, they play just like Aramith balls. I cannot tell if they break any different - seems the same to me.

I have successfully polished them up in a ball cleaning machine and they turned out nice. I rarely use them so I cannot give you a long term analysis. But for $50, you got a steal IMHO.
 
VIGMA Billiard Platinum Balls

I own a set of VIGMA Billiard Platinum Balls not the diamonds Balls but this review will give you a general idea about vigma balls.HERE GOES:------------------------These weigh 6 ounces each slightly heavier than aramith.Aramith are about 5.8 ounce.Ok I did some tests with these balls to see if the balls roll perfectly straight ,I shot each ball very slow from one side of pool table to a spot that I marked with tape on other side of pool table .So slow just before the balls stop rolling when it gets to the mark.That is the only way you can tell if balls roll straight .The conclusion is they roll perfect. Don’t be discouraged that these balls are made in China .The Vigma Company in China perfected billiard ball making .Ok the next test was the bounce or rebound which is another characteristic which is very important. Vigma balls are made of Kobo resin unlike aramith which are phenolic resin .My opinion is Kobo resin is just as good as phenolic resin maybe even better.. I placed 2 poster cardboards one on top of other on smooth cement floor and dropped a vigma and an aramith ball simultaneously from about 5 feet from cement floor.Both aramith and vigma bounce back about the same height .Next I looked at surface .Vigma is very nice .I really like the font of the numbers and high polish.These balls are much better than any balls made from polymer.It is comparable to aramith in quality and the style of this set looks similar pattern-wise to aramith premier balls except the number font used is better looking and a bit larger which looks classy.Give these billiard balls a shot and buy.You will really like them.Also I advise everyone that owns a billiard table this .Make sure there are no nail heads popping out that hold the pockets in place.They will damage any brand of pool/billiard balls.One thing I did notice with these balls is that the paint is not as hard as aramith.Here was the test I performed .I dropped an old aramith ball and a vigma platinum ball on cement floor both from 10 feet high with out any poster boards on cement floor to protect balls and absorbed the hit.It seems like both balls chip just a bit.but on the aramith it is a little less noticeable.On vigma's website it states that these balls are for home use only.I will buy the VIGMA PROFESSIONAL PREMIER BALL SET .Vigma states that the PROFESSIONAL PREMIER is for both commercial and home use. I will apply the same tests and see if the paint and coating hardness is better than the VIGMA PLATINUM BALLS..I owned this balls for about 1 year with regular play.They look just as good as the day I bought them.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top