Most people do not recognise how much deflection their cue exhibits. Over time, your mind becomes accustomed to the deflection and automatically "corrects" your aim to account for it. I remember playing with my first cue (a Joss) and thought you couldn't make a better playing cue. I changed my mind when I put a Predator 314 on it. I could not believe the difference. The inside english shots I once found impossible were now easy.fullsplicefiend said:I have a predator Z2 shaft. I can honestly say that I feel no difference between it and the solid maple shaft that came with my cue. I can't really tell if the deflection is any less. I play well with it. I like the taper and the small tip.
This is how I demonstrate cue ball deflection to others. I place the cue ball on the foot spot and place a ball (8 in this case) at the center of the opposite end rail. I aim directly at the 8-ball and then apply a generous portion of english and hit with a firm stroke. The first shot is with my 314 and I take special note that I still hit the 8-ball. I repeat with the other persons cue (same english and firm hit) and I will usually clear the 8-ball by at least an inch.
An example of Schon is on page one and an exmple of my 314 is on page 2.
http://cuetable.com/P/?@2HAWi3PATY3...Deflection_with_Predator_314&ZZ2rHOF&ZZ1uAAR@