Buyers Guide: Predator Cues
Categories: Predator Cues, Production Cues
Written By: Skippy
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(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Predator cues are, truly, unique and innovative. When considering buying a predator cue, you should be considering the technology and performance features that they provide. If your not familiar with predator products and your looking for a cue, then you MUST, at least give one a try before you make a final decision, IMHO.
There are many players that play with Predator cue products, including many top level players. Some of them are endorsed by Predator, but there are far more, high-level, pool players that play with them, because they like the performance and characteristics that there pool cue provides.
The main difference with Predator cues is their shaft technology. They started back around 1994 when they launched their revolutionary 314 shaft. This was a shaft that was made of 10 pieces of wood spliced together. The net result was a shaft that had much less cue ball deflection than your typical cue shaft. This shaft technology changed the cue world and changed pool players expectations about there pool cues. Also, it set in action a never-ending discussion about cue-ball deflection, squirt, swerve, etc. You can read more about cue ball deflection on my blog.
Predator didn't stop there. To this day, they just keep on innovating. In 2000, they introduced an improved version of their 314 shaft, which was called P2.
In 2001, they introduced there BK break cue series, which is, specifically, designed for breaking.
In 2003, they introduced their very popular Z Shaft technology. I like this series, because the shaft is a small diameter, about 11.75mm with a strong taper.
In 2005, they improved their break technology with the BK2 series and in 2006 they introduced improved versions of the 314 and Z shaft technology. Also, they introduced new designs for the cue butt in 2006 called C4.
Most recently, they have introduced new jump cue technology called "Air Technology" and a "revolutionary" P3 Technology in 2008.
Most of the buzz about Predator Cues is a result of their shaft technology and the consistency that it provides for pool players. Many players have production or custom cue butts with Predator shafts on them. This includes many pro pool players. Predator makes shafts with threaded inserts to match standard cue pins. This means, most likely, if you already have a cue, you can get a predator shaft to fit it. This provides a cheap way to get a "new" cue without buying a whole new cue.
For many years, I resisted the trend of the spliced cue shaft and the hype that came with the introduction of Predator shafts. I thought it was just hype. Maybe I am just a pool-purist and I didn't want things to change. Finally, I think I am a convert. As of Sept. 2008, I sold my Bill McDaniel cue. My next cue will have a Predator Z shaft. I borrowed a friend's cue and really liked the feel of it. It was amazing that you can hit a shot with extreme english without compensating much for deflection. Predators cues tend to be more "modern" looking. They are different than a lot of traditional custom cues. I think I am leaning toward one of the sneaky pete models.
I like this Predator sneaky pete.
My next cue.
In summary, I would encourage ANY player to pick up a Predator cue and/or shaft and give it a try. You have to give it a chance, though. If you are used to a cue with a lot of deflection (like most cues), then you might miss a lot of shots at first. There is an adjustment phase that you must go through. In the long-run, they can improve the consistency of your game.
Cheers,
Skippy
P.S. If you have any personal knowledge, dealings, experience and/or opinions about this cue maker, please contact me or post a reply below. Also, click on the rating "stars" to indicate your opinion of this cue maker. Thanks for your participation.
If you own a cue made by Predator, send me a picture and I'll share it with everyone else. If you have a website to promote, include a link and I'll include it with the picture. People like to see examples of a cue maker's work before buying.
If you represent Predator Cues and can provide me with more information, pictures, website, etc., then please contact me and I will gladly include that information on my site.
Here is the current contact info:
Predator Cues
5055-5 St. Augustine Rd.
Jacksonville, FL 32207
Allen McCarty
904-448-8748
www.PredatorCues.com
Where to buy:
Check out the great deals on Predator Cues to the right on this page===>
August 27th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
[...] believe that the best cues to help in this area are low deflection cues like a predator cue.Low deflection cues help in a couple of ways. First, the radial design makes the cue play the [...]
August 28th, 2009 at 4:04 pm
[...] believe that the best cues to help in this area are low deflection cues like a predator cue.These types of cues have a couple of benefits. First, the radial design makes the cue play the [...]
August 30th, 2009 at 7:44 am
[...] believe that the best cues to help in this area are low deflection cues like a predator cue. These cues provide two benefits. First, the radial design makes the cue play the same every [...]
August 31st, 2009 at 8:10 am
[...] believe that the best cues to help in this area are low deflection cues like a predator cue. These cues provide two benefits.First, the pie-cut shaped laminated shaft pieces make the cue [...]
August 31st, 2009 at 5:11 pm
[...] believe that the best cues to help in this area are low deflection cues like a predator cue. These cues provide two benefits. First, the radial design makes the cue play the same every [...]
September 1st, 2009 at 8:09 pm
[...] believe that the best cues to help in this area are low deflection cues like a predator cue. These cues provide two benefits. First, the radial design makes the cue play the same every [...]
September 2nd, 2009 at 12:33 am
[...] believe that the best cues to help in this area are low deflection cues like a predator cue. These cues provide two benefits.First, the pie-cut shaped laminated shaft pieces make the cue [...]
September 2nd, 2009 at 5:10 am
[...] believe that the best cues to help in this area are low deflection cues like a predator cue.These types of cues have a couple of benefits.First, the pie-cut shaped laminated shaft pieces make [...]
September 2nd, 2009 at 3:08 pm
[...] believe that the best cues to help in this area are low deflection cues like a predator cue.These types of cues have a couple of benefits.First, the pie-cut shaped laminated shaft pieces make [...]
September 3rd, 2009 at 1:39 pm
[...] believe that the best cues to help in this area are low deflection cues like a predator cue.Low deflection cues help in a couple of ways.First, the pie-cut shaped laminated shaft pieces make [...]
September 5th, 2009 at 3:41 pm
[...] believe that the best cues to help in this area are low deflection cues like a predator cue. These cues provide two benefits.First, the laminated shaft gives radial consistency, providing [...]
September 6th, 2009 at 12:32 am
[...] believe that the best cues to help in this area are low deflection cues like a predator cue.These types of cues have a couple of benefits. First, the radial design makes the cue play the [...]
September 7th, 2009 at 1:10 am
[...] believe that the best cues to help in this area are low deflection cues like a predator cue. These cues provide two benefits.First, the pie-cut shaped laminated shaft pieces make the cue [...]
September 7th, 2009 at 2:15 am
[...] believe that the best cues to help in this area are low deflection cues like a predator cue.Low deflection cues help in a couple of ways. First, the radial design makes the cue play the [...]
September 7th, 2009 at 3:40 pm
[...] believe that the best cues to help in this area are low deflection cues like a predator cue.Low deflection cues help in a couple of ways. First, the radial design makes the cue play the [...]
September 23rd, 2009 at 12:03 am
[...] believe that the best cues to help in this area are low deflection cues like a predator cue.Low deflection cues help in a couple of ways.First, the laminated shaft gives radial consistency, [...]
October 9th, 2009 at 11:17 pm
[...] believe that the best cues to help in this area are low deflection cues like a predator cue. These cues provide two benefits.First, the laminated shaft gives radial consistency, providing [...]
October 20th, 2009 at 12:09 am
[...] believe that the best cues to help in this area are low deflection cues like a predator cue.These types of cues have a couple of benefits.First, the laminated shaft gives radial consistency, [...]
October 21st, 2009 at 4:19 pm
[...] believe that the best cues to help in this area are low deflection cues like a predator cue.Low deflection cues help in a couple of ways.First, the pie-cut shaped laminated shaft pieces make [...]
December 13th, 2009 at 7:31 pm
I BOUGHT THE IKON 8 ABOUT 7 MONTHS AGO. I SHOT WITH A MEUCCI WY WHOLE LIFE. TOOK AWHILE TO GET USE TO IT , BUT I LOVE IT NOW, BEAUTIFUL LOOKING STICK JUST TAKES SOME GETTING USE TO.
December 19th, 2009 at 8:07 pm
Tom,
The Predator Ikon 8 is a great looking cue.
How do you like the leather wrap?
What shaft did you get?
Congrats on the new cue.
Skippy
January 2nd, 2010 at 7:14 pm
THE CUE IS GREAT, THE WRAP TAKES A LITTLE GETTING USE TO. AND I GOT THE 312-2 SHAFT. THANKS TOM