Why are pool players so gadget oriented?
- Thread starter pwd72s
- Start date
Nobdy really needs the gadgets... It's like my new smartphone. It has lots of features and bling and way more computing power than I'll ever need. But it's cool, fun etc and I can afford it, so why not buy it?
Everything in pool does not necessarily revolve around being better either, you know. Maybe it's a little bit about the journey, as well as the destination. If someone told me that to be really, really good at the game I'd have to shoot nothing but spot shots for a year, 5 hours a day, I wouldn't do it. Because it would be boring at a mindblowing level, and I play for fun as well as the satisfaction of being better. Some boredom can be ok, but not for hours at a time. Without enjoying myself there would be no point, as there is no way to make a decent living at this game, and even if you could make a living it would be sad to do it doing something you hated.
I like the way a quality cue feels in my hands when I strike the ball. Who bloody cares if it doesn't affect the performance? It's about having fun and feeling good (at least some of the time). It's a GAME. Some people forget that...
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gadgets
Very true.
But on the other hand, some "gadgets" actually work! Extensions and gloves would be examples. The bridge was once considered a "gadget".
Gadgets are indications of an inventive or imaginative mind, which is usually a good thing!
Very true.
But on the other hand, some "gadgets" actually work! Extensions and gloves would be examples. The bridge was once considered a "gadget".
Gadgets are indications of an inventive or imaginative mind, which is usually a good thing!
I would not say that pool players are gadget oriented. Unless you have ten tip tools in your case, you aren't gadget oriented. However, I do agree that pool players are obsessed with unnecessary items.
Members of the knife/everyday carry community are gadget oriented. Who else buys a $150 utility blade/bottle opener?
Edit - To expand:
I just sold off a bunch of doodads: Tip Tools, Magic Racks, Joint Protectors, etc. as it was all useless equipment. I have not shaped, trimmed, or scuffed my playing tip in almost 2 years. I don't need to. I also haven't changed my tip in almost 2 years. I believe if my tip needs to be shaped, I let someone do it in a lathe; the proper way. There is no need to practice with a magic rack, because the APA doesn't use them and every local tournament doesn't use them either. Joint protectors have begun to see the bottom of my case pouches, so they went too.
Players by the new popular items, because that's what the pro's use or that's what they were told was the best. It's all a gimmick if you constantly change back and forth. That $10,000 diamond inlay Szamboti does the same thing a $100 McDermott does and a 15 cent sheet of 120 grit sandpaper does the same as the $40 tip tool.
Members of the knife/everyday carry community are gadget oriented. Who else buys a $150 utility blade/bottle opener?
Edit - To expand:
I just sold off a bunch of doodads: Tip Tools, Magic Racks, Joint Protectors, etc. as it was all useless equipment. I have not shaped, trimmed, or scuffed my playing tip in almost 2 years. I don't need to. I also haven't changed my tip in almost 2 years. I believe if my tip needs to be shaped, I let someone do it in a lathe; the proper way. There is no need to practice with a magic rack, because the APA doesn't use them and every local tournament doesn't use them either. Joint protectors have begun to see the bottom of my case pouches, so they went too.
Players by the new popular items, because that's what the pro's use or that's what they were told was the best. It's all a gimmick if you constantly change back and forth. That $10,000 diamond inlay Szamboti does the same thing a $100 McDermott does and a 15 cent sheet of 120 grit sandpaper does the same as the $40 tip tool.
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Years ago I was given a tip that billiard players were using to try on my pool cue. I got it from Sang Lee who I think at the time was the only person with them. It was a Moori tip, I was using of course a triangle at the time.
I put it on and after a few days of getting used to it it was amazing. I was showing it to people and could not say enough good things about it. I may have been one of the first US pool players to try a Moori.
I would not call a new tip a gimmick, there are not really any gimmicks in pool other then maybe extensions and bridges. Different types of tips, wraps, shaft designs are more innovations.
You try them and you like them or you don't. There is always a hope it will be a game changer for you, usually isn't but then you have something like a Moori come along that changes everything.
Surprised there isn't a smartphone app that does this without having to buy a unit.
Compared to many hobbies and sports, pool isn't particulary gadget oriented. Lookat golf, fishing and guns...
I used to compete in IPSC shooting, pistol, shotguns and rifles. I had to give that up due to the extremely high cost of that hobby...
Now I just shoot .22 once in a while.
I used to compete in IPSC shooting, pistol, shotguns and rifles. I had to give that up due to the extremely high cost of that hobby...
Now I just shoot .22 once in a while.
I would consider myself a gadget collector. 
I can assure you I don't think there is any cure for my inability to shoot ( although if something raises your confidence you will shoot better a fair amount of time ). Pool is one of the less expensive "gadget" hobbies in my opinion if you aren't buying a high value cue and even if you do you can shoot with it for many years.
When I bowled and before I got a sponsor I was buying a couple bowling balls a month it seemed that ranged from 200-300 dollars.
When I was really into paintballing I would constantly work on my gun and find things to buy.
The amount I've spent on baseball and softball is just stupid. Bats, bags, gloves and cleats.
Same goes for hunting and I don't even want to try to figure out what I've spent on that.
Personally when I can't get out and do something I love doing and I'm stuck at home I tend to get online and look at what I'm interested in and if I run across something I like then I buy it, especially if it's from someone that I associate with or know loves the game as much as I do. I have no problem trying out tips or chalk or shirts from someone I see post on here.
I can assure you I don't think there is any cure for my inability to shoot ( although if something raises your confidence you will shoot better a fair amount of time ). Pool is one of the less expensive "gadget" hobbies in my opinion if you aren't buying a high value cue and even if you do you can shoot with it for many years. When I bowled and before I got a sponsor I was buying a couple bowling balls a month it seemed that ranged from 200-300 dollars.
When I was really into paintballing I would constantly work on my gun and find things to buy.
The amount I've spent on baseball and softball is just stupid. Bats, bags, gloves and cleats.
Same goes for hunting and I don't even want to try to figure out what I've spent on that.
Personally when I can't get out and do something I love doing and I'm stuck at home I tend to get online and look at what I'm interested in and if I run across something I like then I buy it, especially if it's from someone that I associate with or know loves the game as much as I do. I have no problem trying out tips or chalk or shirts from someone I see post on here.
You are right, in the grand scheme of things pool is pretty cheap to play. I bought some Kamui chalk. As it turned out I really like it. Was it expensive, not really, maybe for a piece of chalk but still not very much money.
People go to the movies and pay $5.95 for a bucket of popcorn that you could make at home for a few cents. They willingly allow themselves to be ripped off. Every once and a while we don't mind being suckers.
Even though some laughed at me for paying so much for a piece of chalk, as it turned out I am very happy. To them I am a sucker, to me worth every penny.
Almost there with my gadgets
Found my cue - Mobley
Found my tip - Zan premium
Found my breaker - Mobley
Found my tip tool - Kamui Gator grip
Found my case - Murnak
Pool rest and chalk holder - Maik Halmer's Pool Tools
About to try a Taom tip on my break cue, and that will hopefully be that
(until next Month no doubt hahaha)
Found my cue - Mobley
Found my tip - Zan premium
Found my breaker - Mobley
Found my tip tool - Kamui Gator grip
Found my case - Murnak
Pool rest and chalk holder - Maik Halmer's Pool Tools
About to try a Taom tip on my break cue, and that will hopefully be that
(until next Month no doubt hahaha)
Almost there with my gadgets
Found my cue - Mobley
Found my tip - Zan premium
Found my breaker - Mobley
Found my tip tool - Kamui Gator grip
Found my case - Murnak
Pool rest and chalk holder - Maik Halmer's Pool Tools
About to try a Taom tip on my break cue, and that will hopefully be that
(until next Month no doubt hahaha)
This post proves my point, that pool is not as "gadget oriented" as the OP thinks.
There is only six things named above that Grantstew says he has.
Just in my range bag, I have:
(1) Handgun
(1) Howard Leight Ear Protection
(1) Surefire Sonic Defender Ear Protection
(1) Aerosol CLP Breakfree
(1) Cleaning Brush and Rod
(1) Pack of Hoppe's Cotton Patches
(1) Pelican Case w/
(5) 17 round magazines w/
(5) +6 base pad magazine extensions
(1) Pocket Pro II timer
(2) Holsters
(2) Magazine Carriers
And that's just carrying light to the range for a day of shooting steel. Just think about how much gear is in my day-pack that also goes with me. :thumbup:
Like the guys that haunt rooms with cases, >$200 cues, extensions, glove, powder, tip gadgets of all sorts, break cues, jump cues, and are -C players. Could have invested in Pro lessons.
Kill the weed now or it will stunt your growth!
It's easier to buy a gadget than to find time to HAMB.
You'd need something small like the QMD unit attached to your cue that communicates with your smartphone. I don't see how it could with just a phone app unless you're suggesting taping your phone to your cue.
Well, when it comes to cue repair, I am a Gadget and Doo Dad addict.
Cues and such, not so much beyond a couple of Willards shapers and a curved one.
A leather burnishing pad.
A Moose Head Bridge = cool. Man, they're coming out with some wild ones that won't come close to fitting in your case. Gloves, who needs em, right.
Ha, a Friend of mine comes home from Vegas with a very tall pivoting bridge for jump cues. Really? I would rather give a ball in hand than to whack that thang out in front of everyone. Even if people don't LOL, they are LOTI. Laughing on the Inside.
So, I tried a guys aluminum extension out. It was well built and gripped the butt well but still flexed, as far as I could tell. Fully extended, even Earl would be jealous.
Using one, you may very well hit your ball but anything happening after is a crap shoot. Why not use a bridge. More accurate and they have a free one on either side of a table.
I saw a cue tip shaper that had so many extras on it, you would think that you could replace a tip in between shots. And the neat thing about this humungous thing was, it actually came with a pouch that you could clip to your belt while playing.
The premise behind this one was, you could also use it for a Pocket Marker. Sure, a 10 lb Pocket Marker.
Time out, I have to shape my tip, take off the mushroom and burnish the sides. I'll only be a minute.