What's going on with pool equipment?

[skor]

I've been browsing around pool equipment sites, and it looks very gloomy.

Some brands disappear, other cheap brands become too expensive as if they are custom, Cuetec? Really? Lucasi? Really?

The old players in the industry put nothing appealing.

And a lot of things have been sold out for a while now.

Cue cases are even worse; where are all the good cases?

Nobody makes good tubes cases like Instroke anymore? that are not $2000 custom

All the cases have thin nylon dividers that protect nothing; JB seems to be the only one that provides good protection in a non-tube case, but I like a case that I can use as a cue holder while playing. The Instrokes look like they haven't been updated in years, and those jump cue compartments will not fit a modern jump cue butt, not to mention any reference to jump cues that have two-piece butt construction. It seams that there is no new case that can beat my old original Predator case (that was made by Instroke)

Besides CF shafts, it looks like nothing new in 15 years except fewer offerings for a lot more money.

What's going on?

 

[garczar]

So, one person can't find specific items to buy and suddenly the pool market is screwed??? Gimme a break. The pool market is fine imo. Prices on some things are too high imo but as long as demand is there they'll get it. Just what are you expecting the pool equip. market to deliver??

 

[straightline]

The visionaries have been saying dystopia for a long time.

 

[skor]

So, one person can't find specific items to buy and suddenly the pool market is screwed??? Gimme a break. The pool market is fine imo. Prices on some things are too high imo but as long as demand is they'll get it. Just what are you expecting the pool equip. market to deliver??

Look again, a site like syberts has no Revo shafts (no one have them, not even predator), most listed items are sold out in cues and case.
I'm not looking to buy anything, I got more than I need, I was just browsing around to see what's new after years of not being around and offering sucks! I used to be a local dealer that worked with main sites, I know what I'm talking about.

 

[CocoboloCowboy]

Mueller’s in Nebraska, use to have great selection.

Today they are dying, poor selection.

I blame Covid killing business.

 

[alphadog]

The truth is the Heyball market is so big that most manufacturers can't meet the demands.

 

[iusedtoberich]

Case as a cue holder is a horrible idea. I heard at least 5 get knocked over that way during a tournament last weekend. Maybe I’ve heard 100 fall in my life.

 

[skogstokig]

you don't think new cheap brands have replaced lucasi and cuetec as they have moved up the ladder? would make sense

 

[slide13]

Yeah, I think the market is doing just fine. Predator has trouble keeping Revos in stock because they sell them as fast as they build them.

Cuetec and Lucasi are making some solid cues these days.

The cue market has certainly changed, it's no longer dominated by custom cue builders and the popularity of carbon shafts has made production cues kinda the standard these days for performance.

I do think the production case market is a little lacking, in that area I'll agree with you. JB cases are fantastic and the standard in my mind by which all others are judged. Thankfully there are some great custom builders making some really nice cases using JB interiors, like Al King.

But JB cases are often not readily available in stock and a lot of the other production cases are meh. There are some nice butterfly options these days it seems but that just isn't my preferred case style. Thankfully though with a little looking and patience one can usually find a JB rugged available somehow somewhere.

 

[fish2]

The cue market has certainly changed, it's no longer dominated by custom cue builders and the popularity of carbon shafts has made production cues kinda the standard these days for performance.

True, several years ago I would normally be curious about which custom cue a certain pro would use, Judd, TS, Bear, SW, Black Boar, etc.. now it is all CF shafts dominated by Predator.

 

[Texas Carom Club]

I've been browsing around pool equipment sites, and it looks very gloomy.

Some brands disappear, other cheap brands become too expensive as if they are custom, Cuetec? Really? Lucasi? Really?

The old players in the industry put nothing appealing.

And a lot of things have been sold out for a while now.

Cue cases are even worse; where are all the good cases?

Nobody makes good tubes cases like Instroke anymore? that are not $2000 custom

All the cases have thin nylon dividers that protect nothing; JB seems to be the only one that provides good protection in a non-tube case, but I like a case that I can use as a cue holder while playing. The Instrokes look like they haven't been updated in years, and those jump cue compartments will not fit a modern jump cue butt, not to mention any reference to jump cues that have two-piece butt construction. It seams that there is no new case that can beat my old original Predator case (that was made by Instroke)

Besides CF shafts, it looks like nothing new in 15 years except fewer offerings for a lot more money.

What's going on?

Good tube case that isn’t 2k?
Dinko

What did instroke need to update? Still a long lasting cue case

What’s wrong with a $400 jb case that comes with a lifetime warranty?

Cuetec sponsors many of the sports top pros
And makes some of the best playing cues out there today
Lucasi I’ve never looked at but anything can be expensive if you look
Just look at the McDermott site

You just haven’t looked in a long time

 

[Texas Carom Club]

Look again, a site like syberts has no Revo shafts (no one have them, not even predator), most listed items are sold out in cues and case.
I'm not looking to buy anything, I got more than I need, I was just browsing around to see what's new after years of not being around and offering sucks! I used to be a local dealer that worked with main sites, I know what I'm talking about.

I think you should look again

Predator Radial Revo Carbon Shaft

Predator Revo Radial thin black collar cue shaft. The ultimate in billiards technology and performance. The most accurate cue shaft in billiards.

seyberts.com

Predator REVO 12.4 Ultra Low Deflection Pool Cue Shafts | Official USA Site

Predator REVO 12.4 ultra low deflection carbon fiber shafts deliver even more increased rotation and accuracy than wood shafts, with not only less effort, but with the most consistent hit in the world. Free Shipping & Returns on USA orders.

www.predatorcues.com

Just flapping your gums

 

[sudocrushms]

I think you should look again

Predator Radial Revo Carbon Shaft

Predator Revo Radial thin black collar cue shaft. The ultimate in billiards technology and performance. The most accurate cue shaft in billiards.

seyberts.com

Predator REVO 12.4 Ultra Low Deflection Pool Cue Shafts | Official USA Site

Predator REVO 12.4 ultra low deflection carbon fiber shafts deliver even more increased rotation and accuracy than wood shafts, with not only less effort, but with the most consistent hit in the world. Free Shipping & Returns on USA orders.

www.predatorcues.com

Just flapping your gums

You got my hopes up... still no 30" UniLoc...

 

[skor]

Yeah, I think the market is doing just fine. Predator has trouble keeping Revos in stock because they sell them as fast as they build them.

Cuetec and Lucasi are making some solid cues these days.

The cue market has certainly changed, it's no longer dominated by custom cue builders and the popularity of carbon shafts has made production cues kinda the standard these days for performance.

I do think the production case market is a little lacking, in that area I'll agree with you. JB cases are fantastic and the standard in my mind by which all others are judged. Thankfully there are some great custom builders making some really nice cases using JB interiors, like Al King.

But JB cases are often not readily available in stock and a lot of the other production cases are meh. There are some nice butterfly options these days it seems but that just isn't my preferred case style. Thankfully though with a little looking and patience one can usually find a JB rugged available somehow somewhere.

JB has some cases always available to order. I have one on the way; not sure I'll use it other than for storage. I still prefer the tube-style case, and I still have the original Predator case in great condition; it just lacks a bit the ability to house a modern jump cue that comes in 3 pieces, and in some cases one is quite long, like the Cuetec Propel.

As for cues, it seems that every decent production cue is north of $400, and the nice-looking ones are over $1000, and that's before upgrading to a CF shaft. It feels like there is a gap in the $200 to $400 market that is filled with terrible Temu brands rather than decent quality brands like Lucasi used to be.

 

[Texas Carom Club]

You got my hopes up... still no 30" UniLoc...

Check with Greg or asad who are dealers for predator

Nielsons has a 30 inch unilock 12.9

 

[skor]

I think you should look again

Predator Radial Revo Carbon Shaft

Predator Revo Radial thin black collar cue shaft. The ultimate in billiards technology and performance. The most accurate cue shaft in billiards.

seyberts.com

Predator REVO 12.4 Ultra Low Deflection Pool Cue Shafts | Official USA Site

Predator REVO 12.4 ultra low deflection carbon fiber shafts deliver even more increased rotation and accuracy than wood shafts, with not only less effort, but with the most consistent hit in the world. Free Shipping & Returns on USA orders.

www.predatorcues.com

Just flapping your gums

From all the joint they make shafts for, only uni-lc and radial are available, I guess all is well in the billiards world

 

[Texas Carom Club]

From all the joint they make shafts for, only uni-lc and radial are available, I guess all is well in the billiards world

That’s because the greater majority of revo users are unilock and radial jointed cues

 

[skor]

Good tube case that isn’t 2k?
Dinko

What did instroke need to update? Still a long lasting cue case

What’s wrong with a $400 jb case that comes with a lifetime warranty?

Cuetec sponsors many of the sports top pros
And makes some of the best playing cues out there today
Lucasi I’ve never looked at but anything can be expensive if you look
Just look at the McDermott site

You just haven’t looked in a long time

Nothing wrong with JB if you are into that type of padding, which is great for the cues, a bit less for the user in my opinion, but probably the only decent case made these days. And as I mentioned, I do have one on the way, but I'm not sure it'll be my everyday carry to the pool hall.

I love the classic instroke; what's wrong?

Well, try to fit a jump cue into it... They have the space to make the long pouch longer, but the design hasn't changed in 20 years since they added that side zipper for the old-style jump cue.

And for me, as a lefty, I would prefer the strap on the other side or at least at the centre of the back.

 

[billiards_watch]

True, several years ago I would normally be curious about which custom cue a certain pro would use, Judd, TS, Bear, SW, Black Boar, etc.. now it is all CF shafts dominated by Predator.

Yea Predator pays them to play with their product or else they wouldn't play with it.

I have a Mezz that I love but I rather play with my customs.

 

[sbrownn]

I've been browsing around pool equipment sites, and it looks very gloomy.

Some brands disappear, other cheap brands become too expensive as if they are custom, Cuetec? Really? Lucasi? Really?

The old players in the industry put nothing appealing.

And a lot of things have been sold out for a while now.

Cue cases are even worse; where are all the good cases?

Nobody makes good tubes cases like Instroke anymore? that are not $2000 custom

All the cases have thin nylon dividers that protect nothing; JB seems to be the only one that provides good protection in a non-tube case, but I like a case that I can use as a cue holder while playing. The Instrokes look like they haven't been updated in years, and those jump cue compartments will not fit a modern jump cue butt, not to mention any reference to jump cues that have two-piece butt construction. It seams that there is no new case that can beat my old original Predator case (that was made by Instroke)

Besides CF shafts, it looks like nothing new in 15 years except fewer offerings for a lot more money.

What's going on?

Instroke still makes great tube cases. I really like their 3x7. They are quite low on stock everywhere and I was lucky to get Nielson's last one...