Predator Z or 314

[jeff_libby]

Now that I'm able to get a Z shaft in a joint other than uni-lock whats your opinions. Would you go with the 314 or the Z. I'm going to buy one or the other and just looking for opinions from users.

[skor]

I would go with the 314, the Z just didn't feel right when I tried it.

there are some other threads on that issue, you'll find there a lot of opinions

[sanj]

I have tried both.
both will have reduced deflection,but the Z is a bit more extreme.
Some people cant get used to it and hate it ,some love it.
I think this shaft has more polarised opinions than any single item of pool equipment.
My advice is to try it and see which you like.

[spartan]

jeff i would go with the 314. the z was a little too thin for my likiny but as sanj said it is a love or hate thing. one big difference i noticed was i missed longer shots with the z that i made with the 314. i think most people would reccomend a 314. good luck with whatever you pick and i hope you are pleased with your decision GO EAGLES!

[spartan]

what kind of cue do you have jeff?

[Buzzer]

Im not one to make an oppinion on which shaft is better but its a matter of getting use to what your shooting with ive shot with a 13mm shaft for a few years intill last year i bought a 12mm shaft with my McDermott I love it but it took a while to get use to practice is all I can say buy one shoot with it and get use to it Ive wanted a Z since I first heard about them and now I also can get the joint that I want hopefully I will have one in a few weeks if things go right.

[jeff_libby]

I shoot with a costom Keith Hassen. It has a 13mm tip but I've put a lot on time in with my Joss with a 12mm tip.

[epcelt]

I haven't hit with a z-shaft, but have used a 314 for a couple of years. I couldn't be happier with my 314. Just this weekend, while talking to our league operator who also happens to be a cue rep., I was told that many of the people who have purchased the z-shaft have switched back to the 314. I can only guess that they didn't like the hit as well.

[spartan]

im not saying the z is bad its just different. im sure with time i could get used to it but i love my 314 and i have no desire to go back to the z or any 1 piece shaft. alot of players i know tried the z and went back to the 314. z was too thin for my liking anyways.

[Spud]

I like it.
pls

[CueBall]

I have both the z and 314. I grew up playing snooker, so the thin z shaft is to my liking. However, my stoke is certainly not as good as it could be and it seems to me that I have better distance control with the 314. I can put more spin on the ball with the z, but don't play as well, maybe someday I can.

[jkregan]

I played with a 314 for quite a while, somewhere in the neighborhood of 2 years. Then I tried a Z-shaft. I liked the hit and precision right away. Recently, I was able to swap my 314 for a Z-shaft and I can only say that it has transformed my game. I have so much more confidence and accuracy with the Z-shaft.

I have also recently taken some coaching sessions on the basics. I was getting sloppy in my pre-shot routine and he helped me clean up my routine and get better with preparation. I have not gottem back to running racks in 9-ball or straight pool, but I am winning more and having much more confidence in my game.

I like the Z-shaft very much. I liked the 314 but I always felt that it was going to get out of my control. I do not have that feeling with the Z-shaft.

Just my two cents. My best recommendation has been already stated several time in this and other posts on similar subjects. Try them both out and find which is the one that gives you confidence.

[spartan]

i agree try both you might not even want a predator shaft. like you sig jkregan. :lol:

[bobmcq11]

I have had both, and personally prefer the Z shaft. It just seems to shoot right to me.

Is this the Jeff Libby that I used to work for at Staples in Augusta, back when I was in high school?

[DZ314]

I like my 314, but have not shot with the Z. I think the 314 is right for me because I am confortable with the pro-type taper and the more traditional shaft thickness. I am afraid the Z would feel like a toothpick by comparison. My break cue has a 13.5mm and it feels quite thick. I may have it taken down to 13mm.

[ThePoolHustler]

A Predator shaft isn't for everyone. Most people have to go through an adjustment process. The adjustment process can be very difficult for some people. Sometimes they are not able to adjust.

I have the 314. I'm not sure if I like the 12.75mm tip diameter. It's a little small for my taste. It could just be the dime shape I put on the tip. Maybe I should use the nickel shape. I couldn't imagine playing with the Z shaft since it has an 11.75mm tip diameter. The smaller the tip, the more accurate you need to be when you hit the cue ball. I wouldn't suggest either of these shafts for a beginner. I would stay with a 13mm, or larger, tip diameter. It is more forgiving. I like the looks of the strong taper on the Z shaft. It has more thickness to it. It reminds me of the look of a house cue, which I like. I would like it with a 13mm tip diameter.

All in all, it's all a matter of preference. Is there anywhere you can go and try out different shafts on your butt so you can determine what you like before you make a change?

[skor]

I wouldn't suggest either of these shafts for a beginner

I disagree with this statement, if someone is new to this game and just learning how to play it then why should he go through the agony of compensation when applying english.
A beginner is like plasticine, you can shape him any way you want because he doesn't know another way.
I think that a beginner that uses a Predator shaft will advance faster then a beginner that uses a regular shaft.

[audiopro]

Yeah, if I was a beginner I would probably be using a Predator right now... A lot less deflection to have to learn to compensate for.. As it stands now, I am set in my ways of how much to compensate, which is why the Predator is not so great for me.. :?

[spartan]

i played with a 13mm standard shaft on my joss for a long time when first switched to the predator i shot terrible for like 2 months. the z was a little to much for me. i didnt like the taper i didnt like the diameter i just didnt like it. i would reccomend a lucasi with a 314 as a good beginners cue. i think a 314 is a good idea for a beginner.

[bobmcq11]

I learned english on a predator shaft, being just a young guy, and I think it was way more easy for me. I didn't have any built in compensations, and once I learned what english was, I was easily able to include it into my shots, with very few missed as a result of it. The tough part was learning where and when, but you can't blame that on the cue. I think if someone has made the commitment to get serious about pool, at least about becoming an above average player, than learning on the predator is the way to go, for they will learn english quicker with less frustration. Plus, if later on in life, they want a predator anyway, it will eliminate having to re-learn all of their shots. I also like that if I get a new cue, I can get a predator shaft with it, and it eliminates most of the time getting used to the new cue.

The only down side I see to learning on a predator, is that it would make it harder to hustle on a bar cue.

[spartan]

the only way to learn english is to try it and see what happens you can look at diagrams but you dont get it till you try it and i think a 314 shaft will help a beginner use english.

[DZ314]

314 shafts are the best thing since sliced bread. j/k :lol: I think a new player using one will have the advantage of not having to learn to adjust to the normal deflection of a standard shaft and that is a good thing IMO. 8)

[maughanm]

I've played with 314s for a couple of years now....and have to admit that the shaft, along with much more practice has improved my game. I did borrow a Lucassi with a Z on it the other night from a friend..and have to admit...I really like the feel of it. If I didn't have all the money invested in 2 314 shafts...I would like to try the Z....I like the small diameter shaft. mike

[ThePoolHustler]

Yeah...you guys are right. I'm not sure why I made that statement. However, the 314 and/or Z isn't for everyone...even a beginner. Some people might shoot better with something other than a 314 or Z. I guess that is probably what I was attempting to say. It just came out wrong. Oh well. I just don't think the 314 or Z is for everyone, and some of those people being beginners.

[P2 shooter]

314 and Z have the same thickness at some 12 inches from the tip. Therefore, they will feel nearly the same if you like using long bridges. Yes, more accurate tip placement is required, but really if you can't shoot with 11.75, you can't with 12.75 either. It's just a matter of preference. Some people simply don't like canonical taper, even if it is very slight like on the Z shaft. The Z is also very stiff, while 314 is much whippier.