I was pleased to receive the cue from Viking eXactShot XRZR two days earlier than they said I would get it.
The unveiling of the cue was a task as it was very well protected. They also put many other little goodies into the box—it was nice to see a company offer more than what was purchased.
Opening the box, I was trying to figure out how this cue was different or better than others on the market. A point I have brought up in past reviews is the quality of the finish—or the lack thereof—as I have used a number of cues with poor quality final finishes.
The finish was amazing!
Every cue has a personality and an energy; it takes time to see how you and your cue get along. I believe this much is true: each cue has an energy, no matter what weight. And that energy is spoken through your stroke and how you choose to see how far you can push what it is that you do. This cue has a responsive energy and that, with the right wielding hand, can do amazing things.
The Viking eXactShot XRZR cue comes standard with a black Kamui soft tip. Looking at the cue for the first time, I was a little perplexed at the lines going down the shaft. I personally weighed the cue in at 17 oz. and it came standard with a 29″ shaft. I had followed the recommendations of Viking and ordered this shaft in the 11.75 mm. conical taper to optimize the low deflection properties.
If you have never shot with a conical tapered shaft before, it feels a little odd getting used to it. I feel that with a pro-tapered shaft I reach that point where the shaft starts getting thicker and I get the feeling that I should start adjusting my stroke. A conical tapered shaft just gets thicker and will take a little getting used to.
I have personally played with a few other conical tapered shafts on the market including the Predator Z2 and the Muecci Ultimate weapon shafts and have to say that the Viking eXactShot shaft is absolutely incredible. I have been a die hard Predator fan for a long time and this shaft and cue really made me change my idea of what is possible for a playing cue. I thought the lines going down the shaft would bother me. Instead, I actually learned how to use them in my line of site shooting.
Every shaft has its own characteristics and feel to it. Essentially, this shaft has the attitude of a really sleek sports car with the elegance of a four piece suit.
I personally love making the rock spin around the table and try and use stupid amounts of English. I feel that this cue with the eXactShot shaft amplifies the stroke and allows me to maximize what I can do so much so that I personally have really had to go back to the basics.
I have been training myself to try and go back to hitting center ball, make the shot and then move on to the next ball. The shaft comes with speed and that speed is, “Wow! What was that?”
With every new shaft and cue that comes my way, I have new learning curves and some are easy to judge. This shaft and cue combination has made me rethink what I could do with a cue and the cue ball. The weight balance point on this cue is a little forward for my taste, but I like the feel of the cue.
Breaking It Down
Pros
This cue with the shaft is an excellent investment at the price point.
The eXactShot shaft has lines that will help your aiming system once you learn how to use them.
The cue makes you feel like you can really maximize your stroke.
Cons
I’m trying to be fare here and give a non bias review here but honestly I can’t think of anything negative to say about this cue or the shaft. The finish was really nice and the cue feels comfortable in my hands.
Editor: Marcee Murray King Photo: Provided by Garret Troop