Custom Bats Cricket Forum
Equipment => Bats => Topic started by: toby176 on November 20, 2012, 03:38:46 PM
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Hello lads!
So, I am now officially cashed up! And to celebrate this, I am seriously considering a Screaming Cat. I love them, and, there from Australia just like me. :)
But I ask, are they really worth the heaphty price tag? Do they really perform better then most other bats? Are they true, one percenters? The top of the top? I have only seen few around here, but they look bloody nice!
It would also be nice to get one before Julian finally calls it a day I think. Still, the logical side of my brain is telling me that $675 is to much.
Is it?
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No.
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Yes, worth every penny.
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I dont wanna try one just in case they are...
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No.
No as in not worth it, or no as in not too expensive? :P
I have never used a Screaming Cat, and have only read reviews of them. I will say that I have yet to hear a bad review. Seeing as all the big brands cost more for their top of the range bats over there, then I would say that the big brands are far too expensive.
A bat in the end should only cost what you are prepared to pay. If you are prepared to spend $675 on a top end model, made by someone who is among the very finest podshavers in the world, then yes, it is worth it. :)
Oh, if you are going to get one made, ask Pete for pictures of his SCat. I think I have only seen one picture of the profile, and it looks amazing. I'm going to get that shape copied. 8) (Or steal; it for myself. :D)
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No.
Yes, worth every penny.
this is the most helpful forum thread ever!!!
my view is that if you were in the area and popped in for a visit and could pick up one in the sales then you are on to a winner. Otherwise, up to you really, it is your money and you choice.
You will still make 0's and your chances of making a ton probably wont change that much.
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Damn... You guys arn't making it easy.
Why do you say that Tim?
And is a lot of pennies... over 60,000.
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I say that because I've used Pete's SCat and plenty of other top bats, and quite frankly, it just doesn't make that much difference. The limiting factor will always be me, and while some willow is wonderful, you'd be better getting something that cost $350 and spending the difference on coaching. Then you'd really see a difference!
If you want one, get one, but you asked whether it was worth it, and I don't think it is.
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this is the most helpful forum thread ever!!!
my view is that if you were in the area and popped in for a visit and could pick up one in the sales then you are on to a winner. Otherwise, up to you really, it is your money and you choice.
You will still make 0's and your chances of making a ton probably wont change that much.
Haha
But coming across a brand new Screaming Cat is as rare as batting like Sir don Bradman and having same average as him. Louis Vutton, Apple to name two who never go on sale. Frequent sales tend to devalue your product.
Buying a Screaming Cat won't make you score tons of runs, it is something that is up to the batsman, but referring to the initial question in OP, do they perform better than other bats? I will definitely say so.
I recall the Batoff and even Stig rated Screaming Cat very high, if I'm not mistaken I read that he didn't wanted to take his hands off it!
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It's all well and good spending that kind of dough on a bat if you have it, but I have to agree with Tim. The bat is only as good as the user. If the user is rubbish, the bat isn't going to score the user the runs. It might help a bit, but a good batsman with a rubbish bat is more likely to score the runs than a poor batsman with a good bat...
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If you want one, get one, but you asked whether it was worth it, and I don't think it is.
I completely get that. And I guess that's what it comes down to.
In reality, its not going to make me better, and if it does its a very minute difference. And I also know that I could spend half the money on a bat that's almost as good...
But wouldn't it be great to hold and own what very well could be one of the best bats in the world? And never be left wondering what possibilities are out there? How much better the top of the top is compared to say, a H4L?
Damn. In. A. Pickle.
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It's a nice thing to own, it definitely won't make you a better player though. You won't hit the ball further or more consistently, it's coaching that makesyou do that not a bat! I honestly think, if you even have to think about it then you shouldn't buy it. You'll only regret spending so much money. Do what Buzz suggested and try and get one in a sale (if that's possible) otherwise look at something a bit cheaper....it's boring but buy a bat for less and spend the rest on coaching, that will actually make a difference to how you play!
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I used a few good bats last season costing around the £200 mark, but my top score (81) was made with a Kookaburra Ice Sub Zero, weighing 2'6 (i usually use 2'12 to 2'14) the paint or whatever was on the face to cover the abysmal grains was all peeling off, it was 6 years old and cost my Dad £25.
If you want to buy it, and you can justify paying it, then go for it. The fact that you are asking the question rather than just ordering suggests you have your own doubts!
Grab a top bat from a forum sponsor and spend the rest on coaching.
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I've used bats made by Tim Keeley and Julian Millichamp. They are as good as each other. I've also used bats made by Eric Loxton, Matt H4L, Andy SAF and Gary Redback. In all honesty, the Millichamp wasn't better than all the others. It was just much rarer in the UK.
So don't listen to Uzair ;) as it really doesn't make any difference.
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It may not make you a better player, but if it makes you feel like a better player then go for it. i think a top performing bat certainly improves confidence and in turn that should hopefully show in a better batting average.
As for how good, they are very good indeed, no question. But i think that is partly down to the lack of concaving in the shapes, the wood is in the area where you need it most. As well as his pressing of course which is unquestionable.
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I was under the impression that he has stopped pressing his own bats? Or was that bit of info forum bs?
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It may not make you a better player, but if it makes you feel like a better player then go for it. i think a top performing bat certainly improves confidence and in turn that should hopefully show in a better batting average.
As for how good, they are very good indeed, no question. But i think that is partly down to the lack of concaving in the shapes, the wood is in the area where you need it most. As well as his pressing of course which is unquestionable.
you love a scat lol
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I've used bats made by Tim Keeley and Julian Millichamp. They are as good as each other. I've also used bats made by Eric Loxton, Matt H4L, Andy SAF and Gary Redback. In all honesty, the Millichamp wasn't better than all the others. It was just much rarer in the UK.
So don't listen to Uzair ;) as it really doesn't make any difference.
Haha :D :D :)
I have always believed that at one point or another two bats will have same peak performance, one might have a quicker peak than other but both will cross each other in terms of performance at one point or another.
Screaming Cats are scarcity in UK, the demand for them is high due to Julian Millichamp who is held in high esteem and due to low/no supply as no retailer carries them and only source is ordering through Screaming Cat. That is the reason why they have hefty price tag.
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"It would also be nice to get one before Julian finally calls it a day I think"
I bought the Screaming Cat for this reason and have no regrets. It is a special bat. If you have the money, go for it.
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I was under the impression that he has stopped pressing his own bats? Or was that bit of info forum bs?
This question remained unanswered, videos do not show the pressing nor he has admitted it ever.
I dug in my inbox and found this bit, not entirely relative to your question, but better to share than not to;
"I do most definitely 100% shape all of my screaming cat bats and do not sub contract any this shaping to any other party, I also have no intentions to do this in the future. Handles are made from top quality manau rattans, they are semi turned but not in a fully finished shape such as all other brands..................My Gaurantee is that when you buy a professional grade bat, that is exactly what you will receive. This is my reputation at stake. I am the only person that can select a piece of wood that will be suitable to pass the weight specification and the grade specification, all you need to do is indicate what you would like to see in your bat and I will do my very best to get as close as possible if not spot on. "
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I think the question of whether or not it's worth it depends on why you are buying the bat. If you are buying it because you want to improve your batting average, I would agree with Tim and say that you're better off spending the extra money on coaching and settling (if that's the right word!) on a £250-£300 bat. However, if you want it because it will make you feel good, and look pretty damn cool, then I'd say the Screaming Cat is a good choice!
Does someone buy a Ferrari because they want to improve their driving? I'd say not. If this is a Ferrari type purchase, I would say go for it! You only live once!
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I think the question of whether or not it's worth it depends on why you are buying the bat. If you are buying it because you want to improve your batting average, I would agree with Tim and say that you're better off spending the extra money on coaching and settling (if that's the right word!) on a £250-£300 bat. However, if you want it because it will make you feel good, and look pretty damn cool, then I'd say the Screaming Cat is a good choice!
Does someone buy a Ferrari because they want to improve their driving? I'd say not. If this is a Ferrari type purchase, I would say go for it! You only live once!
this is the A* answer for me!!
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Does someone buy a Ferrari because they want to improve their driving? I'd say not. If this is a Ferrari type purchase, I would say go for it! You only live once!
This should settle the decision. Wise thoughts Sir.
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Good advice from Paul IJC - and as they are fond of saying in Oz 'Don't die wondering!' ;)
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I think the question of whether or not it's worth it depends on why you are buying the bat. If you are buying it because you want to improve your batting average, I would agree with Tim and say that you're better off spending the extra money on coaching and settling (if that's the right word!) on a £250-£300 bat. However, if you want it because it will make you feel good, and look pretty damn cool, then I'd say the Screaming Cat is a good choice!
Does someone buy a Ferrari because they want to improve their driving? I'd say not. If this is a Ferrari type purchase, I would say go for it! You only live once!
Never really thought about it that way, but I completely agree!
Here's something completely unrelated to cricket, but of a situation where I can relate. (ish) I managed to urge my parents to buy me a new grand piano to replace my old piano, as I felt I was getting to the point where I really was starting to enjoy my music, and wanting more out of it. At the back of my mind, I think I was wanting a grand piano as they looked really nice and play much nicer than uprights, kind of like why you would buy a SCat, because it looks really nice and you know they will perform really well. (The old grand was dying, so I had to use the upright) After getting the grand piano, I guess it was motivation to get even better at piano, therefore I found myself spending hours on it. I don't think I had ever improved as much as I had in the first year of having the piano.
I honestly believe that buying the piano wasn't what improved my playing, but it was more my mind set to improve even more to get more out of the piano which helped me improve.
All depends on the reason, and your mindset of course. :D Essentially, a bat is something which should help you get runs, and the only way you can get the most out of it is by improving your game. Having a great bat doesn't make you runs, but it can certainly help if you learn use it right! ;) If it helps, I made my high score using an Asian made bat, and not even a bat made by Julian Millichamp could have stopped me from getting out as I attempted a pre-meditated sweep to a yorker! :-[
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I used a few good bats last season costing around the £200 mark, but my top score (81) was made with a Kookaburra Ice Sub Zero, weighing 2'6 (i usually use 2'12 to 2'14) the paint or whatever was on the face to cover the abysmal grains was all peeling off, it was 6 years old and cost my Dad £25.
to be fair, most of us don't count scores made against our sisters in t'back garden mate :-)
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Runs are runs
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get a copy of the shape made 8)
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to be fair, most of us don't count scores made against our sisters in t'back garden mate :-)
Not true! It was the 6 year old from next door!!!! :D
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I think the question of whether or not it's worth it depends on why you are buying the bat. If you are buying it because you want to improve your batting average, I would agree with Tim and say that you're better off spending the extra money on coaching and settling (if that's the right word!) on a £250-£300 bat. However, if you want it because it will make you feel good, and look pretty damn cool, then I'd say the Screaming Cat is a good choice!
Does someone buy a Ferrari because they want to improve their driving? I'd say not. If this is a Ferrari type purchase, I would say go for it! You only live once!
I was going to make the Ferrari reference until I read this post. So I agree 100%. If I was cashed up and wanted a Ferrari, I would go out and buy one in a heart beat. Since the OP says he's cashed up and ready to spoil himself, then why not go for a Scat?
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Getting an top of the range bat can give you great confidence, if it looks good, feels good and goes like a gun, then maybe your bat like one.
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I had one.. But mine was from Stuart surridge when I received a credit not for my woodworm that broke.. Mine cost £210 - actually a £10 once I took the credit note off... What I will say is what a great piece of willow!! If I could afford the cost now I would buy one again.. It went like a shotgun!! Boom!! lightweight series pennant range.. Sheer class... Latest me about 5 seasons until the toe went..
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Funny this topic...have been arguing with a retailer on Facebook today who is basically saying JM is wrongly grading poor looking clefts and selling them as top grade bats thus making a lot of money...went so far to say that he is going to resticker his next batch of Grey nics based on ping as an 'experiment'. When I said its completely different and I didn't think GN would be too pleased hearing of their bats being restickered my post disappeared!
For the record my two SC arent good lookers (both professional grade) but go like rockets so I'm a huge fan of his grading system...
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Funny this topic...have been arguing with a retailer on Facebook today who is basically saying JM is wrongly grading poor looking clefts and selling them as top grade bats thus making a lot of money...went so far to say that he is going to resticker his next batch of Grey nics based on ping as an 'experiment'. When I said its completely different and I didn't think GN would be too pleased hearing of their bats being restickered my post disappeared!
For the record my two SC arent good lookers (both professional grade) but go like rockets so I'm a huge fan of his grading system...
Yeh I'd love to see him do that Jenko. Then GN will cut him off. And soon after a factory from Pak will tell him they make GN and he'll end up with a load of fake GN's........... :o
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Yeah I'd like to see him try it too. What a muppett!! And to openly state he was going to do that on a public forum haha.
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His Facebook posts are always a great source of entertainment!
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So you know who I'm talking about then :) massive debate in grains etc...would love to just send everyone commenting on there to this forum
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So you know who I'm talking about then :) massive debate in grains etc...would love to just send everyone commenting on there to this forum
Sure do mate! Anyway back on topic. So I take it you would say a Scat is definitely worth it?
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So you know who I'm talking about then :) massive debate in grains etc...would love to just send everyone commenting on there to this forum
Feel free to post a link there Jenko ;)
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Maybe not exactly on topic, but a teammate was talking about bats he had owned back in the day, and he'd had a very light bat made by M&H while JM was there and he rated it the best bat he'd ever had bar none.
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Feel free to post a link there Jenko ;)
A link to the forum?? I'll do it now :)
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Feel free to post a link there Jenko ;)
Hint: he does loads of online video reviews and recently started selling his own brand of bats...
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Look up 'cricket store online' on Facebook...can't link it with my phone! I posted a link to the forum on there too so might get a few knewbies :)
Anyway don't want to derail the SC thread too much...
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Well Jason grades his bats on looks. He said in one his videos - this grade will have (insert number) grains, this other one will have a minimum of (Insert number) grains, so clearly looks are high on his list.
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Yeah that's for sure. He reckons Julian sells grade three bats at premium prices. I said I'd sooner do that than buy a stunning looking bat from him that's a plank for a premium price but he doesn't get it!
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He's pretty much following the Wright's grading system in his process though. While Julian grades on performance (as does James Laver - think about Special Reserve, stated as not a looker but a goer ;)) it can be a slightly subjective thing to grade off, as you could pick up a bat that, however good it is suppsed to be, just doesn't work for you!
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Yeah that's for sure. He reckons Julian sells grade three bats at premium prices. I said I'd sooner do that than buy a stunning looking bat from him that's a plank for a premium price but he doesn't get it!
Could have guessed who you were talking about straight away lol
Can't believe anyone would knock the great JM
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I had an argument with him on one of his pictures, he was puting pictures of MSR bats on there, then he bit called me a few names, deleted the comments, and then blocked me from posting :).
Clearly he doesn't like it when people know he's selling bats for ridiculous prices, and people who know where he's getting them from lol
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Hahahahahahahahaha!
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I was fairly sure the bats were coming from L&W and TK.
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I was fairly sure the bats were coming from L&W and TK.
Yes, they are.
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Yes, they are.
Ah ok, I'll go back to sleep.
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I had an argument with him on one of his pictures, he was puting pictures of MSR bats on there, then he bit called me a few names, deleted the comments, and then blocked me from posting :).
Clearly he doesn't like it when people know he's selling bats for ridiculous prices, and people who know where he's getting them from lol
Are the pictures still up?
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Are the pictures still up?
Not sure fella, I can't access some of hs pictures because I'm blocked for telling the truth :) Wish I'd print screened the conversation lol.
It's not pictures of his stickers on MSR bats, it's just pictures of the one with the scoops taken out of the back
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Not sure fella, I can't access some of hs pictures because I'm blocked for telling the truth :) Wish I'd print screened the conversation lol.
It's not pictures of his stickers on MSR bats, it's just pictures of the one with the scoops taken out of the back
14th Dec picture i think ?
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14th Dec picture i think ?
that's the link to it
but he's deleted the part where he called me a 'whining bitch' and aparently I'm jealous of his brand too, but if I had my own brand I wouldn't charge people quite as much as he does
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152350162565584&set=pb.391552200583.-2207520000.1355845569&type=3&theater
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that's the link to it
but he's deleted the part where he called me a 'whining bitch' and aparently I'm jealous of his brand too, but if I had my own brand I wouldn't charge people quite as much as he does
[url]http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152350162565584&set=pb.391552200583.-2207520000.1355845569&type=3&theater[/url]
Sorry , I didn't get the story.. from the photo and comments, he seem to attempt a discussion on the shape of the bat..
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I just said, if you had of come up with the idea he'd have his shiny stickers on it and be on the internet for 400 quid.
Tongue in cheek comment in which he kicked off to, but obviously the evidence is now gone as he's deleted the comments
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I just said, if you had of come up with the idea he'd have his shiny stickers on it and be on the internet for 400 quid.
Tongue in cheek comment in which he kicked off to, but obviously the evidence is now gone as he's deleted the comments
He modified his response to say, no 500...
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Yeah he deleted the other comments that I put on there as well though, and the comments where he lost his rag.
Anyway this is a screaming cat thread, not a hammer cricket thread :) we shall leave it there
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Moved the Hammer discussion to another topic. Please feel free to discuss SCATs on here!
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If you ask most people I guess they must be worth it you hardly ever hear bad things about them.
I had one once bought in Melbourne used it on tour came home then sold it....
Silly boy
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If you ask most people I guess they must be worth it you hardly ever hear bad things about them.
I had one once bought in Melbourne used it on tour came home then sold it....
Silly boy
:O that could have been the mystical bat that's as good as your laver Dave :(
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http://www.screamingcat.com.au/index.html
Just watched the video very nice indeed love the making videos
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sure they are decent bats but at that price id want them to be something else and i just cant see them being any better than anything we can get over here for half the price
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sure they are decent bats but at that price id want them to be something else and i just cant see them being any better than anything we can get over here for half the price
But by Aus standards they aren't that expensive... No more expensive than top of the line off the shelf bats..
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[url]http://www.screamingcat.com.au/index.html[/url]
Just watched the video very nice indeed love the making videos
Very nice video.. only thing could have better is the chosen customer for this video, somehow feel that he is quite a beginner to use such high end Screaming cat specially whenever Julian gives him to test the bat out..
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Iv heard a lot about scat bats but are they really worth the price tag ?
are they so much better than all the other bats out there
they do look well finished but do they out perform other bats as when I buy a bat I want performance not looks
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Andy,
I merged your topic with existing Screaming Cat discussion thread. You may go over the preceding posts/pages to read opinions of members.
Feel free to ask if you have further questions
Cheers :)
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Cheers mate no that's not a problem think its answered my questions