Like us on Facebook
Tweet @bowlingball
Follow @bowlingball
**ALL ORDERS PLACED BEFORE 4 PM ET WILL SHIP THE SAME DAY - FREE SHIPPING EVERY ITEM EVERY DAY**

Reviews by Tony Ruocco

900 Global Bank

900 Global Black Eagle

900 Global Bounty

900 Global Bounty Hunter

900 Global Bounty Hunter Pearl

900 Global Break Out

900 Global Break Point Pearl

900 Global Bullet Train

900 Global Profit

900 Global The Break S75

900 Global The Eagle

900 Global Train

AMF 300 Hybrid Mamba

Brunswick Anaconda

Brunswick Aura

Brunswick Aura Mystic

Brunswick Aura Paranormal

Brunswick Brute

Brunswick BVP Sidewinder

Brunswick C (System) alpha-max

Brunswick C (System) maxxed-out

Brunswick C (System) ulti-max

Brunswick C (System) versa-max

Brunswick C (System)2.5

Brunswick C (System)4.5

Brunswick Damage

Brunswick Diamondback

Brunswick Fury

Brunswick Fury Pearl

Brunswick Johnny Petraglia Vintage LT-48

Brunswick Karma Black/Blue Solid

Brunswick Karma Blue/Green Pearl

Brunswick Lethal Revolver

Brunswick Loaded Revolver

Brunswick Massive Damage

Brunswick Mastermind

Brunswick Mastermind Genius

Brunswick Mastermind Intellect

Brunswick MaxXX Zone

Brunswick Meanstreak Beatdown

Brunswick Meanstreak Brawler

Brunswick Melee

Brunswick Nexus f(P) Pearl

Brunswick Nexus f(P+F) Solid

Brunswick Nexxus f(P+R)

Brunswick Nexxxus f(P S)

Brunswick Nirvana

Brunswick Revolver

Brunswick Ringer

Brunswick Ringer Platinum Pearl

Brunswick Siege

Brunswick Total Inferno

Brunswick Twisted Fury

Brunswick Twisted Fury Destruction

Brunswick Ultra Zone

Brunswick Wicked Siege

Brunswick Wild Card

Brunswick Wild Ride

Columbia 300 Action Packed

Columbia 300 Big Shot

Columbia 300 Full Swing

Columbia 300 Mad Antics

Columbia 300 Resurgence

Columbia 300 Rival

Columbia 300 Swerve FX

Columbia 300 Tyrant

Columbia 300 World Beater

Dexter SST 8 Pro BOA LE White/Black/Red - bowlingball.com Exclusive

DV8 Brutal Nightmare

DV8 Deviant

DV8 Diva

DV8 Dude

DV8 Endless Nightmare

DV8 Grudge

DV8 Grudge Hybrid

DV8 Hell Raiser

DV8 Hell Raiser Revenge

DV8 Hell Raiser Terror

DV8 Marauder

DV8 Marauder Madness

DV8 Marauder Mutiny

DV8 Misfit Magenta/Yellow

DV8 Misfit Orange/Blue

DV8 Misfit Pearl Neon Yellow

DV8 Nightmare

DV8 Reckless

DV8 Ruckus

DV8 Thug

DV8 Thug Life

Ebonite Adrenaline Shot

Ebonite Clash Blue/Yellow Pearl

Ebonite Game Breaker

Ebonite Game Breaker 2 Gold

Ebonite Lane Breaker

Ebonite Magic Touch

Ebonite Mission Unknown 15 lb LAST ONE

Ebonite NV Never Released to the Public

Ebonite NVS

Ebonite Pursuit

Ebonite Pursuit-S

Ebonite Raid

Ebonite Signals

Ebonite Total NV

Elite Insanity

Elite Purple Alien

Elite Red Alien

Elite Sabotage

Etonic Men's Tony Ruocco Stabilite Plus Lava RH

Hammer Absolut Flip

Hammer Absolut Hook

Hammer Bad Ass RARE - SOLD OUT

Hammer Black Widow

Hammer Black Widow Assassin

Hammer Black Widow Bite

Hammer Black Widow Dark Legend

Hammer Black Widow Legend

Hammer Black Widow Nasty

Hammer Black Widow Pearl

Hammer Black Widow Sting

Hammer Burgundy Hammer

Hammer Cold Blood 15 Only LAST ONE

Hammer Diesel Heavy Duty Last "Made in the USA Hammer"

Hammer Gauntlet

Hammer Jigsaw

Hammer No Mercy Beat'N

Hammer Raw Hammer Burn

Hammer Raw Hammer Toxic

Hammer Road Hawg

Hammer Scandal Pearl

Hammer Taboo Jet Black

Hammer The Sauce

Hammer Ultra Mega X - Overseas Release bowlingball.com Exclusive

Hammer Viral

Jayhawk BoardBox Practice & Training Aid

Lane #1 Big Curve

Lane #1 Black Panther

Lane #1 Bloody Panther

Lane #1 Boom-R'ANG

Lane #1 Curve

Lane #1 Droid

Lane #1 Massacre Red Death

Lane #1 Maxxx Curve

Lane #1 Pearl Droid

Lane #1 Pearl Panther

Lane #1 Pink Panther

Lane #1 RipSaw

Lane #1 Time Bomb

Lane #1 Time Bomb Black Fire

Linds Easy Flip

Morich Awesome Finish

Morich Awesome Revs

Morich LevRG

Motiv Cruel C51

PBS Horseshoe Blue/Lemon

PBS Planet Earth

PBS Pocketability

PBS Sniper M24

PBS Sniper SG 550

Pyramid Antidote

Pyramid Antidote Pearl

Pyramid Blood Moon Evolve

Pyramid Blood Moon Infinity "International Release" Ltd Ed of 250 RETIRED

Pyramid Blood Moon RETIRED

Pyramid Blood Moon Rising

Pyramid Blood Moon Rising Pearl

Pyramid Blue Moon RETIRED LTD OFFER

Pyramid Blueprint Pearl Project 1.618 RETIRED LTD OFFER

Pyramid Blueprint Project 1.618 RETIRED LTD OFFER

Pyramid Blunt Force RETIRED LTD OFFER

Pyramid Chosen One RETIRED LTD OFFER

Pyramid Chosen Path Acid Lime/Pink RETIRED LTD OFFER

Pyramid Chosen Path Orange/Smoke RETIRED LTD OFFER

Pyramid Chosen Path Pearl Black/Lime Green

Pyramid Curse Pearl RETIRED

Pyramid Curse RETIRED

Pyramid Dark Path 19.5 Hybrid RETIRED LTD OFFER

Pyramid Dark Path Hybrid RETIRED LTD OFFER

Pyramid Divergent Path LE - LIMITED RUN LTD OFFER

Pyramid Divergent Path Pearl RETIRED LTD OFFER

Pyramid Enchanted Path Rising Hybrid

Pyramid Force Gold Pearl *International Release* Ltd Ed of 250

Pyramid Force Pearl RETIRED

Pyramid Force RETIRED

Pyramid Force Unleashed

Pyramid Fortress

Pyramid Fortress Endgame LATEST RELEASE

Pyramid Fortress Hybrid

Pyramid Fortress Solid RETIRED

Pyramid Men's HPX Black/Black Right Handed

Pyramid Path Emerald/Lime/Acid Yellow RETIRED

Pyramid Path Origin Pearl Gold Ltd Ed RETIRED SOLD OUT

Pyramid Path Origin Solid RETIRED LTD OFFER

Pyramid Path Rising Black/Hot Pink Pearl

Pyramid Path Slim Triple Tote Roller American Flag (No Shoe Pocket) Designed for Airline Travel

Pyramid Pathogen

Pyramid Pathogen Asym

Pyramid Pathogen Blue Dot

Pyramid Pathogen Plague Pearl Urethane Available 10-16

Pyramid Pathogen X

Pyramid Pathogen X ATK "International Release" Ltd Ed of 250

Pyramid Pathogen X2 RETIRED

Pyramid Supermoon "International Release" Ltd Ed of 250 Ltd Ed

Quantum King Quantum - Overseas Release

Quantum Violet Hook Dark - bowlingball.com Exclusive

Radical Guru

Radical Reax

Radical Reax Version 2

Radical Slant

Radical Yeti

Radical Yeti Unleashed

Radical Yeti Untamed

Rev Phantom

Roto Grip Asylum

Roto Grip Bandit

Roto Grip Cell

Roto Grip Cell Pearl

Roto Grip Critical Theory

Roto Grip Dare Devil

Roto Grip Dark Star

Roto Grip Defiant

Roto Grip Defiant Edge

Roto Grip Defiant Soul

Roto Grip Disturbed

Roto Grip Grenade

Roto Grip Haywire

Roto Grip Hyper Cell

Roto Grip Infinite Theory

Roto Grip Menace

Roto Grip Mutant Cell

Roto Grip Mutant Cell Pearl

Roto Grip Nomad

Roto Grip Nomad Pearl

Roto Grip Outlaw

Roto Grip Pluto

Roto Grip Realm Pro CG - Overseas Release

Roto Grip Riot

Roto Grip Theory

Roto Grip Wrecker

Storm 2 Fast

Storm 2 Furious

Storm Alpha Crux

Storm Anarchy

Storm Attitude Shift

Storm Code Black

Storm Crossroad

Storm Crux

Storm Fire Road

Storm Frantic

Storm Fringe

Storm Gravity Shift

Storm Hy-Road

Storm Hy-Road Pearl

Storm IQ

Storm IQ Tour

Storm IQ Tour Fusion

Storm IQ Tour Nano

Storm IQ Tour Pearl

Storm Lucid

Storm Manic

Storm Marvel

Storm Marvel Pearl

Storm Marvel-S

Storm Modern Marvel

Storm Paradigm Passion Lust Pro CG - Overseas Release

Storm Pitch Black

Storm Pitch Blue

Storm Prodigy

Storm Reign

Storm Reign Of Power

Storm Reign Supreme

Storm Rocket Ship

Storm Second Dimension

Storm Shift

Storm Snap Lock

Storm Special Agent

Storm Sync

Storm Victory Road

Storm Victory Road Solid

Storm Virtual Energy

Storm Virtual Gravity

Storm Virtual Gravity NANO

Storm Virtual Gravity NANO Pearl

Storm Vivid

Storm Zero Gravity

Track Hx16

Track Kinetic

Track Legion Solid

Track Paradox

Track Paradox Trilogy

Track Phoenix

Track Power Machine

Track The Rising

Show all reviews

900 Global Bank
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click Layout Image to Enlarge


900 Global's Bank features their new Self Righting Core.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5 1/2" above ring finger
Mass Bias Position - 4 1/2" from PAP
CG Placement - center of grip
Balance Hole - n/a

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (4000 Grit Abralon)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
With the new 900 Global Bank I was wanting to see how aggressive this ball could be while still keeping it smooth enough that it could be used during normal league play. Some of the high performance balls we drill are so strong
that really they would not last an entire game on a house shot because they react so strong.

By placing the pin 5 1/2" from my PAP and placing it above the fingers I figured I would create enough skid to have the ball retain energy for the back making it very angular off the break point.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Sometimes when you read up about a ball you think it is all just hype and course it is the best ball they ever made.

Not the case with the Bank, I really feel that to this point this is the best ball 900 Global has ever made. I guess I am a believer in their new Self Righting Core and its effect on ball motion.

For a 4000 Grit Abralon finish the ball clears the heads smoothly and allows you to play anywhere you want on the lane. As the ball transitions through the mids and into the backend you can see the ball wanted to just go left off the point, and it does.

If you think about what they are saying with this core; "the core shape contains only one stable point" You can see that the ball is just
trying to get to that point and that is what makes the ball react so strong off the break point. My discussions with 900 Global are that
the use of this core with variable coverstock will allow them to really give you multiple ball reactions using stronger coverstocks because of this core shape.

Was this comment helpful? yes no


900 Global Black Eagle
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
5

Click to Enlarge

Destiny or shall we say DYNASTY. This core/cover combo continues to finish at the top year after year.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5 1/4"
Dual Angle Layout - 45* x 5 1/4" x 65*
Balance Hole - P3

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (neaT {4000 grit})

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
Well this one was a pretty easy test for us. 900 Global had had a winning ball for the past couple of years starting with the Break Out and then in the Eagle last year. They are making the same ball with another prize incentive for this years Open Championships.

I kept the layout pretty simple on this ball knowing that the motion would be really solid and perform well. The Break Out and original Eagle rolled great and we expected nothing less from this years Black Eagle.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Man I almost forgot just how much I like this ball motion. 900 Global has figured out a way to release the same ball every year and get me excited about each and every year.

This core/coverstock combination could go down as one of the best of all time. The Black Eagles delivers the same awesome ball motion that we have seen from 900 Global time and time again from the Break Out to the Eagle.

The Black Eagle was the perfect combination of strength and control allowing me to do practically anything I wanted to with it. I was able to get just
inside of a couple of the other balls we tested and open up the right side of the lane. I had more room with this ball then anything else that night and I loved every second of it.

Off the spot down lane the Black Eagle was a beast and carried everything. If you are going to the 2012 Open Championships I don't know why you would
not bring one of these balls and take a shot at a nice little price from 900 Global. I don't see how this ball motion would not match up to what you will see out there.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

900 Global Bounty
92 of 92 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click Layout Image to Enlarge


900 Global's Bounty offers performance and control on heavily oiled lanes.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 6"
Mass Bias Position - Above thumb hole on center line
CG Placement - just right of center line
Balance Hole - n/a

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (1000 grit Abralon)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
One of our shops had already drilled a few of these balls. They stated that everyone who threw it got a lot of hook. Not crazy u turn type of hook but strong overall hooking motion.

I figured the only other ball I had in my bag was the Virtual Gravity so I drilled this ball identical to that. This is one of my all time favorite drillings and I use it a lot, especially at the house where I bowl league.
It just seems to roll good there and produces just enough hook without getting me in trouble.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
I got what I thought I would get, a really strong ball motion that is predictable and controllable. The Bounty rolled as well as anything else in my bag. As you will see if you watch our video it hooked plenty but you
will notice it was a good type of hook.

I still got plenty of clearance through the heads even with the 1000 grit Abralon surface. In the mid lane it did read the friction a little harder then I normally like but it did not jump off of it. It maintained plenty of energy for a good solid backend reaction.

This ball hit as hard as anything I have. I am sure this would not be a good ball for anything less then medium conditions but if you know that going in then you will be set. For my first time with a 900 Global ball I would say it is worth the investment to try one of these balls. I look forward to more good balls from Texas.
Was this comment helpful? yes no


900 Global Bounty Hunter
105 of 105 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click Layout Image to Enlarge


900 Global has doubled the ante - Get your share of the Bounty today. - Bounty Hunter

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5 1/2" above ring finger
Mass Bias Position - 4" from PAP - right of thumb
CG Placement - 1" right of center and 1" above mid line
Balance Hole - none

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (4000 Grit Abralon)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
After looking at the Bounty Hunter and reading a little about it I went ahead and drilled this to HOOK. The ball just has that look like it is going to cover every square inch of the lane and have more left over
when it is done.

This layout usually optimizes the amount of length I can get out of a stronger ball like this leaving me with enough energy to make the ball really turn the corner hard.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
OMG!! I thought the original Bounty hooked - The Bounty Hunter literally runs laps around my Bounty. Everything I thought this ball would do, it did and more. Sometimes when you get these super aggressive balls you get all this reaction but no hit because the ball is just done by the time it gets to the pocket. Not the case here, the Bounty Hunter seemed to maintain plenty of energy even with the extremely strong ball motion it has.

Obviously this ball is not meant to be thrown on every lane condition and as we saw more friction early, the ball rolled earlier. But on a fresh shot the Bounty Hunter got through the heads with ease and oil was no match for it.
We could hook this ball from basically everywhere on the lane and just watch in awe as it reacted and hit as hard as some of the best balls on the market.

I think 900 Global is a company to watch and throw if you get the chance.
Was this comment helpful? yes no


900 Global Bounty Hunter Pearl
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:
Click Layout Image to Enlarge


Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 4 1/2" under ring finger
Mass Bias Position - 1 1/2" right of center line
CG Placement - just under mid line and just right of center line
Balance Hole - none

Surface Preparation - Out of Box

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
With the second release in the Bounty Hunter series and the third in the Bounty series. I was excited to finally see a pearlized cover in this series. I was looking for a smooth motion in the front part of the lane with a more angular motion off the break point.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
I got exactly what I wanted out of the Bounty Hunter Pearl. If you have thrown either of the two balls prior to this one you know they like oil and they react great in oil. As the lanes start transitioning or breaking down though you have to put both of them away because the read the friction so much.

The Bounty Hunter Pearl gave me the smoother motion I wanted in the front part of the lane with a great transition into the mid lane and it read the break point great. I saw nothing but continuation off the point and it continued right through the pin deck.

Overall this is my favorite of the three balls in the Bounty series and I think once you throw one you will agree.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

900 Global Break Out
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:
You're game is getting ready to Break Out!!

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5 1/2"
Mass Bias Position - 4 1/2" from PAP
CG Placement - lower right quadrant
Balance Hole - none

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (4000 grit Abralon)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
When I heard we were testing a Break Out I knew right away which layout I would use based on my Break S75 that I absolutely loved. I knew there were big differences in the ball but when I have good luck with a ball and a layout and we are doing another ball in the same line, I figure it should give me a good comparison for the test.

The 5 1/2" pin to PAP under my middle finger usually provides me with the length I need to allow the ball to store up energy for a strong and angular backend motion.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
I ended up with exactly what I thought I would. The ball was an absolute truck for me. Through the heads the ball rolled stronger then any other 900 Global ball without reading any friction too much. As it transitioned into the mids the ball held the line and seemed to rev up more. The motion on the back was exactly what I loved about my S75 but stronger and more angular.

The strength of the ball in the heads and mid lane combined with the pop I got on the back allowed me to play anywhere I wanted. I could get the ball to stay on line and play straighter up the track area of the lane or get inside of it and loop the ball from gutter to gutter.

The thing I thought that was so cool about this ball was the day after we tested it, I was thinking about how good it was and how I must have just assumed it would be good because it did not surprise me the night before.

Since then I have thrown it a few more times in some testing to compare to other balls and I ahve to say that this ball will hold its own against some of the most popular balls on the market today.

If you have had some good luck with 900 Globals balls in the past, I would definitely look at the Break Out.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

900 Global Break Point Pearl
130 of 130 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click Layout Image to Enlarge


900 Global has sharpened their point with the all new Break Point Pearl.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5" under fingers
Mass Bias Position - 5" from PAP right of thumb
CG Placement - 1" left of center
Balance Hole - none

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (polished)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
As you have seen from our past reviews sometimes the balls just do not work out for us. The original Break Point and I did not match up well. Do not know why but it was not one of my favorite balls.

The pearl looks like a ball I would like. I went with a pretty standard layout so that I could get a good read on this ball. The pearlized S73 cover combined with a even stronger weight block from the original made me think this was going to be a good piece of equipment.

This layout usually lets me do a lot on the lane. I can generally play anywhere from up the outside to extremely deep and still get the recovery and power I need at the pins.

Lets see!

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Perfect, perfect, perfect. Every once in a while the ball that you were maybe a little up int he air about comes through. I loved the way this ball rolled for me. It was a perfect mixture of control and power. After throwing this ball I actually think that if I would have taken the time and played with the coverstock on the Break Point I may have liked it more.

The Break Point Pearl got through the heads with ease and did not seem to be too effected by any early friction. It picked up a super strong roll in the mid-lane (reminded me of my Break S75) and continued that strong motion right through the back ends and straight through the pins.

This is the type of ball I love, it makes my job easy....Get a Break Point Pearl!
Was this comment helpful? yes no


900 Global Bullet Train
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
5
Get to striking fast with the 900 Global Bullet Train!

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5 1/8"
PSA Layout - 5 1/4" x 4" x 4"
Balance Hole - n/a

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (neAt - 2500 Grit)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
I went with a longer pin distance from my PAP and a longer pin buffer to help smooth out the overall motion of the new Bullet Train from 900 Global. In the past I have gotten a very strong ball motion especially from the Train series.

This layout combined with the new S79 Hybrid cover should give me a really smooth over ball motion but still allow me to see enough change of direction on the backends to move in and feel comfortable swinging the ball a bit.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
I was pleasantly surprised by how much I like the Bullet Train. Off my hand it offered a really good roll that was not overly sensitive to early friction. As it got down lane I saw a really strong motion that set up a very strong and consistent back end move.

As the night went on I threw it a few more times to see how it handled a little more friction and I got a really consistent ball motion over a variety conditions as the lanes broke down a bit.

I think overall this is the smoothest motion from the Train series but a really good look for me. I would suggest that if you have thrown some of the previous Trains that you give this one a look. If you have not thrown a 900 Global ball in while, you should check this one out. I am sure it will suit a variety of bowler styles on various conditions.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

900 Global Profit
22 of 22 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click Layout Image to Enlarge


Turn A Profit Like No Other with 900 Global's Profit.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5 1/2" above ring finger
Mass Bias Position - 5" from PAP
CG Placement - center of grip
Balance Hole - n/a

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (Polished)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
I was looking for a smooth ball motion that would not get jumpy as it read friction. My thought was that this would be a good compliment to the Bank from 900 Global. This layout would allow the ball to still be aggressive but not over react in any part of the lane.

The 5 1/2" by 5" pin/mass bias layout allows the ball to generate a good amount of length and still recover but not too much.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
I ended up with exactly what I wanted. The Profit cleared the heads very smoothly and just got through the middle part of the lane without jumping as the lanes broke down. Once the ball came off the break point it reacted plenty and continued very nicely through the pins.

I think the Profit does serve a great purpose as a compliment ball to the Bank. If you wanted your Profit to react stronger on a fresh pattern I think a little stronger layout and maybe a cover stock tweak would give you what you wanted.

All in all the Profit is another great release and addition to the 900 Global line up.

Was this comment helpful? yes no


900 Global The Break S75
22 of 22 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click Layout Image to Enlarge


The Break S75 adds an additional weapon to the Break arsenal.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5 3/8", just under middle finger
Mass Bias Position - 3" right of thumb
CG Placement - just above thumb on center line
Balance Hole - n/a

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (1000 grit w/ brown compound)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
I really had no expectations when drilling this ball. We have just started carrying the 900 Global brand and we are doing tests on all the equipment in their line. I had heard that this one was one of their best performance balls to date.

Up to this point I have only thrown the Bounty which was great but I was hoping for more of a utility ball with this one. Something I could throw on a bunch of different types of conditions and maybe use a good way to read the lanes and the ball reaction.

This layout works really well for that purpose for me. I can hook the ball or go straighter down the lane with this layout.


What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Man, so far I am very impressed with 900 Globals ball reaction. This ball is great, it does exactly what I wanted which was pretty much everything. I could use this ball early in the night when they were fresh and throughout the night as they broke down and transitioned it worked like a charm.

The ball was clean through the front part of the lane while still showing a very strong revving motion. This is what allowed me to play the lanes when they were still a little tight. As the ball transitioned it read the dry very clean and did not really get jumpy at all.

I got plenty of movement on the back end and the ball hit as hard as anything I've thrown recently. This was one of those balls that after just a a few shots I could tell I was going to like.
Was this comment helpful? yes no


900 Global The Eagle
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click to Enlarge

Your best bet in Reno is the Eagle from 900 Global.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5 1/2"
Mass Bias Position - 4 1/2"
Pin Buffer - 4 1/2"
Balance Hole - n/a


Surface Preparation - Out of Box (4000 Grit Abralon)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
We decided that since 900 Global specifically released this ball for the USBC Open Championship that
we would test it on that very pattern.

While selecting a layout for this ball we decided to keep it fairly simple. This layout usually allows me to play a variety of angles and parts of the lane with some minor tweaks. When bowling on the Open pattern it is important to keep the ball in play and try and find a comfortable place to get the ball to the pocket with some carry.

Since the Break Out had such huge success last year 900 Global decided to release it again with a fitting name for the tournament.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
I wish I was bowling Nationals this year. I had a phenomenal look with the Eagle on this pattern.

At the start of the night when they were fresh the Eagle handled the condition perfectly. I had just the right amount of down lane movement to allow me to play the proper angle for pin carry. Due to the volume and length of oil I did not have a ton of options on where to play the pattern but once I got lined up it was a matter of repeating the shots.

As the night went on the oil started to carry down like you normally see at Nationals and with some slight adjustments right I was back in the part of the lane needed to strike.

900 Global's statement about the Eagle being "Your Best Bet in Reno" seems right on the money to me. If I was going to Reno this year I can guarantee there would be at least one Eagle in my bag.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

900 Global Train
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
5

Click to Enlarge

The “Train” features the S76 cover and NEAT-E finish collaborated with a unique new core
design that allow for unprecedented on lane performance.


Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5 1/8"
Dual Angle Layout - 50* x 5 1/8" x 65*
Balance Hole - n/a

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (E=performance of 1500 grit)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
With a high performance cover and a symmetrical weight block we were expecting the Train to live up to the hype we had heard before drilling the ball. This layout is a pretty simple one and one that I use on a number of different symmetrical core ball tests.

I expected to see a good amount of clearance through the heads with a really strong mid lane roll and an angular backend motion.


What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
I was surprisingly pleased with the overall ball motion the Train offered. I was able to get it through the heads easily and never really saw any signs of an early motion. As the ball transitioned into the midlane it really picked up and started to shine for me.

The motion from the arrows to the pin deck was awesome. It revved up strong and stored plenty of energy to make an aggressive motion on the backends.
From start to finish I really liked this ball and thought it offered a different look to 900 Globals current line up, giving the bowler
a strong symmetrical core ball in a high performance category.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

AMF 300 Hybrid Mamba
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
5
A double dose of VENOM! The AMF 300 Hybrid Mamba is the perfect balance of length and bite!

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5 1/8"
PSA Layout - 4" x 4" x 3"
Balance Hole - n/a

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (neaT = 4000 Grit)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
It has been years since I last threw a AMF ball. I think the last AMF ball I drilled was either an XS or possibly a Night Hawk. Knowing that 900 Global produces these balls, I had a pretty good idea what to expect in overall ball motion.

I went with a stronger layout on this ball to see how much I could get the Hybrid cover to turn the corner.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
I was very happy with the reaction of this ball. I was able to really get it to make a nice move as long as I gave it some friction to grab on to.

This ball was super smooth off my hand. It cleared the heads as easy as anything we have thrown in a while.

In the middle part of the lane is where this ball came to life. It was so strong as it transitioned down lane that I could throw it as far right as I wanted and it would come off the point very hard. As you can see in the reaction video I had a lot of "miss" right with plenty of recovery.

I will say that even though 900 Global was making this ball I was still expecting something else but I was very impressed with the ball motion the Mamba Hybrid offered.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Brunswick Anaconda
58 of 58 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click Layout Image to Enlarge


The biggest snake brings the biggest hook yet.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 4 1/2" under ring finger
Mass Bias Position - n/a
CG Placement - lower right quadrant of grip
Balance Hole - 1" x 2" from center of grip through cg on VAL

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (500 Siaair/Rough Buff)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
Again I decided to drill this ball using one of my favorite and more common layouts for reviews. I also wanted to drill this the same as my Revolver so I could get a ball to ball comparison of the two. Obviously but the performance line this ball is in and the nature of the ball it will be weaker then the Revolver but we will see how much and where this fits in the line up.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
WOW, one of my favorite ball motions from Brunswick. As much as people raved about the previous balls in the line (Snake balls) I never tried one. The Anaconda surpassed all my expectations and then some.

The ball was so smooth through the heads, even with this stronger layout it rolled awesome and did not jump at the first sign of friction.

As the ball got into the lane I saw a smooth motion off the breakpoint without a jumpy ball motion but it was still very strong. I still had that feeling that even though I knew the ball was not going to go left off the break point it was still going to get back from anywhere because it was so strong.

The cover allowed the ball to store up enough energy that when it got the the backends it rolled up perfectly and hit as hard as the high performance balls on the market.

I could easily see this ball being a go to ball in the second and third games during league or for those transition times in a tournament format. All in all the Anaconda is a great addition to the 2010 Brunswick line up of balls.
Was this comment helpful? yes no


Brunswick Aura
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
5
The greats all have something about them. The "IT" factor. Swagger. Mojo. Find yours with the Brunswick Aura bowling ball!

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 4 1/2"
Dual Angle Layout - 55* x 4 1/2" x 65*
Balance Hole - n/a

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (500 Siaair; Rough Buff)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
The all new Aura was supposed to bring in a new ball motion for Brunswick. Offering outstanding length with a super quick response to friction down lane.

I used a fairly strong layout on this ball. With the thought that Brunswick was trying to get more of a long and strong ball motion I wanted to see what it could really do. With the 4 1/2" pin from PAP below my fingers I expected to see the ball come off my hand strong and read the mid lanes really good allowing the ball to set up nicely on the back end and pop off the break point.


What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
So I know that every ball that comes out from a manufacturer is supposed to be the greatest thing since the last ball they released. I understand that as bowlers we are always saying what else can they do to the balls to make then react any better then they already do.

The answer to that question is what you see with the Aura. Brunswick has completely changed their reaction profile and it is really good.

Off my hand the Aura was one of those balls that I felt like I could do anything with. From the first shot I threw I was able to create a ton of area.

It performed exactly how Brunswick said it would. It was strong but smooth in the heads with a really strong transition in the mid lanes and the strongest most consistent reaction I have seen from Brunswick off the break point. The fact that Brunswick has made this transformation over the last couple of years brings them right back to the forefront of the ball motion game and you need to look at this ball.

Later on in the night I threw this ball some more and as you can tell by our videos there is a wall left of the lane we use. I literally ran out of room left with this ball. I wanted to see where I could get it back from and I had to stop when I was bumped up against the wall. It is crazy.


Was this comment helpful? yes no

Brunswick Aura
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
5
Get ready for a reaction like you've never seen. The Brunswick Aura Paranormal bowling ball will defy everything you know about ball motion!

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5"
Dual Angle Layout - 65* x 5" x 65*
Balance Hole - N/A

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (500, 2000 grit Siaair)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
I was a huge fan of the original Aura. As a matter of fact I ended updrilled another one after our test for my own use in leagues and love both of them.
The Aura Paranormal was to offer a stronger overall ball motion then the Aura with just as much hitting power as the original.

I used the exact same layout as my test Aura to see the differences between the two. I am expected this layout to pick up a strong roll in the middle part of the lane with a strong continuous motion instead of the sharp break point of the Aura.


What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
For me the Paranormal offered a much different look then my Aura.

It was much smoother overall with no big move in any one part of the lane. Off my hand the ball was rolling really strong. It is tough to pick up int he video because of the ball color but the ball is in a really strong early roll and that motion continues into the middle part of the lane. As it transitions into the backend the ball picks up a stronger motion and comes off the spot pretty strong.

All in all I had the Aura Paranormal less then my Aura due to the angles I was able to achieve with my Aura. The Paranormal will offer a great compliment tot he Aura and give you another great look from Brunswick.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Brunswick Aura Mystic
437 of 448 people found this review helpful
5
Get otherworldly scores with the Brunswick Aura Mystic!

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 4"
Dual Angle Layout - 50 x 4" x 45
Balance Hole - n/a

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (500 Grit Siaair/Rough Buff)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
The new Mystic Aura from Brunswick introduces a new Hybrid cover that is supposed to create more length and more backend then the previous two balls, Aura and Aura Paranormal.

I went with a fairly strong layout as I have in previous tests on this series of balls to see what this ball could do. This layout should enhance the ball motion intent with this ball providing me with a good amount of length and an aggressive move off the break point.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
I found the Mystic Aura to have the best ball reaction for me of the three balls so far.

Off my hand you can see the Mystic gave me plenty of clearance through the heads with a really smooth transition into the middle part of the lane. I did feel the Hybrid cover gave me a little earlier read then some of the other testers but that matched up well for me.

Once the ball got the break point it was super strong. I don't know that it was the most angular move I have seen from Brunswick but it was the strongest. This ball did not stop, it drove through the pins really hard and I felt like I could carry anything with this ball. Brunswick has worked really hard on reviving their ball reaction signature over the last season or two and I think the Mystic Aura looks great in their ball line.

It will offer a great compliment ball to others in the line and if you have not had the chance to throw an Aura yet, the Mystic Aura would be a great one to start with.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Brunswick Aura Paranormal
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
5
Get ready for a reaction like you've never seen. The Brunswick Aura Paranormal bowling ball will defy everything you know about ball motion!

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5"
Dual Angle Layout - 65* x 5" x 65*
Balance Hole - N/A

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (500, 2000 grit Siaair)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
I was a huge fan of the original Aura. As a matter of fact I ended up drilling another one after our test for my own use in leagues and love both of them.
The Aura Paranormal was to offer a stronger overall ball motion then the Aura with just as much hitting power as the original.

I used the exact same layout as my test Aura to see the differences between the two. I am expected this layout to pick up a strong roll in the middle part of the lane with a strong continuous motion instead of the sharp break point of the Aura.


What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
For me the Paranormal offered a much different look then my Aura.

It was much smoother overall with no big move in any one part of the lane. Off my hand the ball was rolling really strong. It is tough to pick up int he video because of the ball color but the ball is in a really strong early roll and that motion continues into the middle part of the lane. As it transitions into the backend the ball picks up a stronger motion and comes off the spot pretty strong.

All in all I had the Aura Paranormal less then my Aura due to the angles I was able to achieve with my Aura. The Paranormal will offer a great compliment tot he Aura and give you another great look from Brunswick.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Brunswick Brute
12 of 13 people found this review helpful
5
Out-muscle the pins and your opponents with the Brunswick Brute

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5"
Dual Angle Layout - 55* x 5" x 35*
Balance Hole - n/a

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (500 grit Siaair, Royal Compound, Royal Shine)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
First let me say that the image does not do this ball justice. It looks absolutely amazing and it looks even better going down the lane.

I went with a simple drilling that I use a lot based on the fact that I did not know much about this ball, except that Brunswick was trying to get a new look in this performance category. Based on looks alone on the Brute it looks like it is going to get down the lane with no problem and maker a left. We will see.


What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Again, I have to mention how awesome looking this ball is and it did not disappoint on how it looks going down the lane. Definitely my favorite look of the night when we did our testing.

The Brute did exactly what I thought and glided down the lane. I would almost compare the length to a Ringer Platinum Pearl, I mean it did not read friction at all until the back ends. At first I was a little concerned wondering if the Brute would recover or not from the length but it was amazing.

As the ball got down lane it put a turn signal on and went left. What was really nice about the ball motion for me was:
1. I havent seen this type of motion from Brunswick at this performance level in a long time.
2. I could control it and make it do what I wanted so this will be a versatile piece of equipment to have in your bag.

All night I kept feeling like I could further and further in with the Brute since I had 100% confidence that it was going to recover and hit from where ever I threw it. I was pretty much accurate except for when I got too deep in the oil, the ball wanted to push just a bit too far but that is to be expected since this was not designed for the heavy or fresh condition.

I think Brunswick has added a winner to the line up with the introduction of the Brute.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Brunswick BVP Sidewinder
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click Layout Image to Enlarge


Introducing the Sidewinder with Brunswick's first Solid/Pearl Hybrid Low Load Particle Coverstock.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5"
Mass Bias Position - N/A
CG Placement - 1 1/8" right of grip center
Balance Hole - none

Surface Preparation - Box Finish (Rough Buff)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
After I loved my new Twisted Fury, I decided I wanted to try something particle since it had been a while. I had heard some good things from the tour and other Brunswick Staff members about the Sidewinder. In an effort to really see what this ball did with Brunswick's new hybrid cover we kept everything very simple.

I was hoping to see something with a strong early revving motion in the front and a nice smooth breakpoint and backend reaction. Since this ball comes with Rough Buff we left the cover alone. Keep in mind normally with a particle cover we would be polishing the heck out of it to get it through the heads but this ball looked nice and shiny so we went with it.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Exactly what I wanted. I love when this happens. I wanted something strong in the front, GOT IT. I wanted something smooth and predictable in the middle part of the lane with a nice transition to the back, GOT IT. So far this review is going great for my ball selection and layout.

The Sidewinder was so strong in the front without a jump type of motion. I even got into some friction early and this ball did not read it and go left, it stayed right online and kept revving into the mid-lane.

In the mid-lane this thing just tore it up. Most of my movement came in this part of the lane which was exactly what I was looking for. It was strong and steady and set itself up perfectly for the backend.

Once the ball made it to the back part of the lane we did not see much movement from there but it drove through the pins as well as any high performance ball from any company. Brunswick's big push with the BVP Series in general is high performance balls at mid performance prices. I love these balls because without getting into a high performance higher price ball you can get a great ball reaction.

I think on heavier oiled lanes or when they get a little tricky and your skid/snap stuff is too much on the backend the Sidewinder would fit right into your arsenal. I have always been on the fence with Brunswick's equipment. It was always hit and miss for me personally. The last few balls I have drilled have been fantastic and will definitely earn a spot in my bag for this season.
Was this comment helpful? yes no


Brunswick C (System) alpha-max
1549 of 1575 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click to Enlarge
CFT alpha-max is our newest breakthrough in Chemical Friction Technology.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5 1/2"
Mass Bias Position - 4 5/8" from PAP
Balance Hole - n/a
Dual Angle Layout - 60* x 5 1/2" x 45*

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (500, 800, 4000 Siaair)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
We wanted to really see what this would do with a simple layout that most of our viewers may use on their equipment. By placing the pin in a generic position, 5 - 5/12" from PAP we should create decent length while maintaining
a stronger motion at the break point. We used a stronger Dual Angle Layout with a strong mass bias position to ensure an angular motion at the break point.


What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
The strongest thing from Brunswick in a while. The new C System brings Brunswick back to the high end market with a strong competitive ball. The alpha-max will show you what Brunswick means when they say high performance bowling ball.

Right off the bat the new C System rolled so good for me. It was so smooth in the heads even with the matte finish that I could not believe it. As the ball transitioned to the mid-lane it maintained motion but did not over read the friction of our typical house pattern. Once it got the point it went dead left, as you can see from our video I could get as deep as I wanted with plenty of recovery and power at the pins.

As the night progressed and the lanes started to break down I could see some signs of earlier roll but it never got to a point where I could not
find a place to get it down lane with plenty of back end. I would imagine most house shots would hold this ball well into the second game without
any coverstock tweaks.

Overall I think is the best high performance release we have seen from Brunswick in a while and this will get them back on the map of high performance
balls.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Brunswick C (System) maxxed-out
178 of 182 people found this review helpful
5

Click to Enlarge

Brunswick C.(System) maxxed-out - The Chemistry's Amazing.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 4 3/4"
Dual Angle Layout - 50* x 4 3/4" x 40*
Balance Hole - n/a

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (500, 2000 & 4000 Siaair Micro Pad)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
The introduction of the C System Maxxed-Out offered us a earlier rolling, smoother ball motion the last C System. While the Versa-Max provided a skid/snap motion while still giving us plenty of control, the Maxxed-Out should start up sooner and smooth out the movement down lane.

The layout we used on this ball should highlight the intended ball motion and really let us see what this ball can do on a typical house pattern.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
On our typical house pattern the Maxxed-Out allowed me to play much further right opening up the pocket a little more for me and allowing me to carry much better. The smooth Siaair finish allowed the ball to roll up a little sooner then if it were polished and really smoothed out the overall motion of the ball.

I can see where this ball would fit in perfect for transition games when the lanes get a little tricky and you just want something to roll smooth and hit hard.
The C System Maxxed-Out offers a great compliment to Versa-Max and I think most league bowlers and tournament bowlers alike will like the look this ball will give them.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Brunswick C (System) ulti-max
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click to Enlarge
CFT ulti max pearl is the newest breakthrough in Chemical Friction Technology.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5"
Dual Angle Layout - 45* x 5" x 30*
Balance Hole - 25/32" x 2 3/4" on PAP

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (500;1500 Siaair Micro Pad; Rough Buff Finish)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
With this latest addition to the C System line up we decided to keep the layout pretty simple. This dual angle layout is used quite often and should produce a really good look for me. The new ulti max pearl promises to show us more backend motion then we have seen from this line to date. This should make it a really good ball to compliment the previous release, the alpha max.

This layout should give me a really smooth motion through the front part of the lane and a strong transition to the back end while really popping off the break point.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
I really think this will be a very good ball choice for bowlers of all skill levels. The pearl coverstock delivers awesome performance and great looks as well.

In the front part of the lane the new C System Ulti-Max was as smooth as you could ask for. It never once read any friction before i wanted it to. As it transitioned into the mid-lane it started to pick up strength and made its move once it got to the break point. The overall performance was tremendous and as you can tell from my video, this ball would compliment the alpha-max perfectly as the night goes on.

For me the pearl cover with the overall strength of the ball allowed me play further right on the lane opening up my carry and giving me a good amount of room to miss.

Another great release from Brunswick for the upcoming season.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Brunswick C (System) versa-max
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
5

Click to Enlarge

The C (System) versa-max is the most versatile ball motion from fresh to extremely broken down lane conditions on light to medium-oily lane patterns.


Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5 1/4"
Dual Angle Layout - 45* x 5 1/4" x 65*
Balance Hole - On VAL from center of grip through cg

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (500 grit Siaair; Rough Buff; High Gloss Polish)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
I was pretty excited about this release for a few reasons.
1. I love Brunswick symmetric balls.
2. I was a huge fan of the C System line and now Brunswick has brought it back in a whole new price point.
3. It just looked like a cool ball.

With what we had heard from Brunswick on the Versa-Max release we were expecting a really good symmetric core ball motion. We knew that our testing condition may be a little heavier volume then what this ball was intended for but felt that we could still show case the ball motion with no issues.

I used my go to layout on this ball which should offer a smooth motion with a stronger backend reaction. Compared to other C Systems, we figured this would be closer to the 4.5 ball motion with a slightly smoother movement overall.


What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
I think that this ball in the $119.99 price point is a winner. It gives you exactly what Brunswick says with a versatile ball motion and ideal for light to medium oily lane conditions.

Even on the fresh shot we threw it on the ball motion was great. Not as strong as you would want in the beginning of the night but as the lanes start to transition and you need something to give you a good read and not get too jumpy the Versa-Max would be perfect.

The Versa-Max offered a really clean look through the heads giving the ball plenty of projection down lane. As it caught some friction on the back end the Versa-Max opened up and made a strong move towards the pocket. My carry with this ball was really good. If I got the ball to sniff the head pin I was going to carry. This comes from the amount of energy stored up by the core/cover combination in the new C System.

I think this ball has potential to turn into a go to ball when things get weird on the lanes or if you are looking for the great Brunswick symmetrical motion from a polished reactive cover ball.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Brunswick C (System)2.5
95 of 95 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click Layout Image to Enlarge


Click Layout Image to Enlarge


Brunswick's new C System brings Chemical Friction Technology (CFT) to life.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - Ball 1 45* x 5" x 70* & Ball 2 55* x 5" x 30*
Mass Bias Position -
CG Placement -
Balance Hole - n/a

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (4000 Grit Micro Pad)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
The C System 2.5 is a entirely new core and coverstock from Brunswick. The thought behind this technology is to eliminate slippage on the back part of the lane. This would in turn cause the C System 2.5 to be very aggressive as it makes it final move towards the pins.

After some discussion with R&D guys at Brunswick we decided to drill two of these balls. One with the pin under the fingers and one with the pin above. Dual angles layouts were used on both balls. We wanted to do this so that we could show you the differences in the two more common layouts used.

Since everything is new on this ball we did not have any thoughts on what we were looking for on these layouts. We knew that we wanted to see if the ball motion was stronger then some of the past Brunswick balls and see the differences in a pin down layout compared to a pin up layout. We did decide to leave the surface alone on both balls so that there was more a true test from ball to ball.

If you watch our ball reaction video, the pin down layout is the first ball you will see followed by the pin up layout.


What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:

Pin Down Layout:
WOW! I don't know if it was the core or cover or the combination of both but the C System gives Brunswick a look they never really had before.

Even with the stronger pin down layout I got plenty of clearance through the heads and mid section of the lane. I saw very little to no signs of the ball burning any energy as it transitioned into the back portion of the lane. Every once in a while if I started it out a little early it would obviously read the friction quicker but not enough to slow it down on the backend.

As I squared up a little and went straighter through the fronts I saw the ball read a little earlier but it still roller very strong and recovered nicely on the backend. The main part of the ball description that stood out to me was Brunswick's goal of eliminating any "slippage" on the backend. This I think was accomplished, the ball rolled as strong as anything as it got closer to the pins and I was never concerned with the ball "rolling out" or "burning up" as it made its move.

Pin Up Layout:
After I sat down and thought a little about my ball test to myself, I think I would have like to see a larger gap in the two layouts. I saw enough to say they did not roll identical but they were fairly close for me. This layout as expected did push a little further down the lane then the pin down layout with a sharper motion on the back. I was actually able to play the same part of the lane as the first ball but because of the angles saw a few more hanging ten pins. As I moved right I got a awesome reaction with this pin up layout.

I think in my perfect world I would have polished this pin up ball and played much straighter down the lane. Overall I think either layout rolled well and offered a ball motion that I have not seen so far this season.

For Brunswick I think the C System is a great ball for them and definitely fills some holes that they may have had in their performance ball line up. My prediction is that if some of the Brunswick staffers make some shows this season on the PBA then you will see a few of these going down the lane.
Was this comment helpful? yes no


Brunswick C (System)4.5
174 of 174 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click Layout Image to Enlarge


The C System 4.5 continues Brunswick's quest back to the top in High Performance bowling balls.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5 1/2" above fingers
Mass Bias Position - n/a
CG Placement - center of grip
Balance Hole - none

Surface Preparation - Out of Box

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
I did some early testing of this ball with Brunswick and was excited for it to come out for many reasons. The reason I was most looking forward to this release is that it will be the first C System ball to feature a symmetrical core.

I love the asymmetrical world we have become accustomed to but sometimes a good symmetrical/reactive resin ball is just what the doctor ordered.

I was drilled this one difference then the early test balls because based on what I saw I felt this layout would be neutral enough to let the ball motion speak for itself. I expected this ball to handle the lane well and make a strong but predictable move on the backend of the lane.

The vision in my head was a old Danger Zone I had that was drilled identical to this.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Oh joy, this ball was so perfect for me. I love when a ball just rolls good from the first shot you throw it. The C System 4.5 reacted just how you would think a high performance symmetrical reactive ball would...GOOD!

From the first shot I threw on the fresh oil to the last after 2 1/2 hours of bowling the ball reacted the same and my moves on the lane were minimal. Oh those were the days when I did not have to move entire dots at a time and end
up sliding in the left gutter.

Don't get me wrong this ball still hooked quite a bit but there is something different about it. The ball got through the heads with ease and transitioned into the middle part of the lane well. The ball seemed to rev up nicely off the friction down lane and made a very strong move towards the pocket. The ball had enough energy to continue through the pin deck perfectly and it hit as hard as anything else out there.

Compared to the previous balls in this line it falls in between for me. Brunswick is going to better explain their numbering system with this release so we all understand it better. Even though this may not hook as much as your 3.5 you need to give this ball a try and I think you will agree with me that it is a really good piece of equipment.
Was this comment helpful? yes no


Brunswick Damage
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click to Enlarge

With its high gloss finish, the Damage will provide excellent length with a quick response to friction at the breakpoint.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 4"
CG Placement - 5" from PAP
Mass Bias Position - n/a
Balance Hole - n/a

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (500 grit Siaair/Rough Buff/High Polish)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
With Brunswick's new addition to the Advanced Performance line we were excited to see what ball motion the Damage would bring to the table. After some discussion with our contacts at Brunswick we decided to use a fairly simple layout, placing the pin in a stronger position at 4" from my PAP and the cg back towards the center of grip at 5" from PAP.

We felt this would give us a solid idea of the ball motion and the potential across multiple conditions and/or as the lane broke down.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
This series of balls continues to produce good ball motions across many conditions. The Damage was no different and did not disappoint us when we tested it.

On the fresh you could tell the ball was a little out of it element but it still created enough friction to get into a good roll and still give us plenty of movement on the back part of the lane. If the cover was hit with a 2000 grit pad the motion would have suited the condition much better.

As we saw the lane break down the Damage came to life and by the end of the night it was moving off the break point as strong as any other ball in this performance line. The great thing about the Damage is my eyes was how it looked going down the lane. To me this is sometimes as important as reaction because it lets you see what the ball is doing. With it's sharp three color pearl the Damage was great to watch as it went to the pin deck.

There was no lack of energy by the pins with this ball either. The ball continued off the break point very strong and went through the pin deck
with authority every time.

The Damage is a great reacting and great looking addition to Brunswick's line up.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Brunswick Diamondback
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click Layout Image to Enlarge


The Diamondback is the first ball with Activator Solid cover available in the Advanced Performance price point.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 4 1/2"
Mass Bias Position - n/a
CG Placement - 4 1/2" from PAP
Balance Hole - n/a

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (2000 Siaair Micro Pad)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
This was a pretty simple decision for me. We were doing two ball tests at the same time. One for the Diamondback and another for Brunswick's other new release the Wild Card. I figured we would see how these two matched up to each other and drilled them both the same way. The 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" layout
usually gives me a pretty good idea of the strength of the ball while keeping the reaction to a usable amount for the ball test.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
This is a really good core/cover combination for Brunswick. The Rocket Core gives the ball plenty of roll and strength getting down the lane with a really nice backend motion. While the Activator Solid cover makes this ball read the friction just right and keeps a nice continuous motion all the way through the pins.

The Diamondback was a classic type of Brunswick ball for me. I saw a really nice strong roll off my hand with a stronger transition into the middle part of the lane. On the backend the ball maintained enough energy to continue
off the break point and carry nicely through the pins.

With the cover left at the 2000 grit out of box finish it did start to read a little early as the lanes broke down. Nothing a little Rough Buff or Factory Finish could not correct depending on the conditions you will be using it on.

Overall another very solid release for Brunswick in their Advanced Performance category. This may be a tough one to beat at this price point.
Was this comment helpful? yes no


Brunswick Fury
74 of 76 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click Layout Image to Enlarge


If you read our first review of Brunswick's Fury you would have seen us telling you to make sure that you had plenty of oil because this ball hooked and hooked early.

After a little more thought and trying different layouts. bowlingball.com's Keith Spear tested the ball and changed the surface, and found immediate success. Along with some work with Brunswick's Billy Orlikowski we decided to smooth the surface out and bring it up to 2000 grit Abralon and use Brunswick Factory Finish Rough Buff and then use Brunswick Factory Finish High Polish over that. We did that to all of our test balls and saw a dramatic positive change in the ball reaction.

Just in case you did not see our first review here is what we ended up doing. We drilled the Fury with the pin 5 1/2" from the PAP (5 1/8" over 1/8" up) with the cg back under the ring finger. After further discussion about altering the surface we also decided to place a 1" x 2" hole 2 1/4" past the PAP, to help increase flare.

We were so surprised at the difference in ball reaction from our first review that we could not believe what we were seeing. This ball is possibly the best reacting ball we have reviewed in months. Granted the other recent releases are great as well, for example the Total NV but this ball reacted much cleaner for us on our typical house shot.

With the addition of the polish we saw much more skid through the heads with a almost indescribable backend motion. It really looked as if this ball was picking up revolutions from the break point to the pins. The amount of overall hook was equal to other new releases as mentioned earlier but the ball motion was totally different.

We know that the Fury will be the ball that sets the new standard for ball reaction in the bowling industry. This ball comes highly recommended by our testers to bowlers of all skill levels as long as they realize that altering the surface may be a mandatory factor to get the impressive ball reaction that we have seen.
Was this comment helpful? yes no


Brunswick Fury Pearl
119 of 119 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click Layout Image to Enlarge


We loved our Brunswick Fury Pearl. Brunswick has hit another home run with their second release in the Fury series.

We drilled our Fury Pearl pretty safe. We placed the pin 4 1/2" from the PAP (5 1/8" over and 1/8" up) with the cg in a straight line down. This layout tends to give us a really good test of the balls ability on a variety of conditions.

In the heads the Fury Pearl was much cleaner and smoother than the original. We were able to use this ball well into the night because of how clean it cleared to front part of the lane.

Mid-lane reaction was typical Brunswick, strong and consistent. We saw about the same recation in the mid-lane as with out Fury but because of the smoothness through the front it did seem to set up better than the original. This is based on the out of box surface.

The big difference for us was in the back part of the lane. With the box finish we saw 4-5 more boards easily and more hitting power than most of the new releases this season so far. Watching the ball go off the pin deck was amazing. It was as if there was no way the pins could stand up after the Fury Pearl hit the pocket.

All in all the Fury Pearl is one of the best additions to any ball line that we have seen in a while. It does exactly what Brunswick wanted and that makes our job and everyone's decision a lot easier when looking for a new ball this season.
Was this comment helpful? yes no


Brunswick Johnny Petraglia Vintage LT-48
100 of 100 people found this review helpful
5
Take it old school with the Brunswick Johnny Petraglia Vintage LT-48 bowling ball!

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 4 1/2"
Dual Angle Layout - 55* x 4 1/2" x 35*
Balance Hole - n/a

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (500 grit Siaair/Royal Compound/Royal Shine)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
I was pretty excited about this release. I had heard that we would see more length then the Ringer Platinum Pearl with plenty of recovery down lane. Although this ball may be best suited for slower ball speeds, typically this type of motion sits well with me.

I always like having a ball that forces me to square up a bit and get a nice long and strong motion.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Alright first I'm going on the record saying that all black polished bowling balls are my favorite. The Vintage LT-48 looks amazing going down the lane. If you like seeing logos or grips then you need to use a bright color because otherwise this ball is stealth going down the lane.

The ball motion was 100% what Brunswick says it is. The length this ball produces is awesome. Even for me with my ball speed and rev rate this
ball was perfect. It forced me quite a bit further right then normal on this pattern and it delivered a serious punch at the pins.

There is really not a lot to say about this ball because it is so good. One of our testers that has a slower ball speed absolutely loved this ball.
He can't wait for it to be released because he thinks he will be able to use it all night in league.

The Vintage LT-48 delivers a really long and strong motion and I think all bowlers are going to love this ball.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Brunswick Karma Black/Blue Solid
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click to Enlarge
At first there was bad karma and good karma, but now there's GREAT Karma!

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5 1/8"
Mass Bias Position - n/a
Dual Angle Layout - 60* x 5 1/8" x 40*
Balance Hole - n/a


Surface Preparation - Out of Box (500 grit Siaair Micropad;Rough Buff;High Gloss)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
Well how do describe what you are looking for from one of the greatest balls of all time? The Karma is the rebirth of the original Danger Zone! The Danger Zone was one of the best balls ever made and really changed the standard for ball reaction across the entire world.

I am very excited to throw the Karma solid since I absolutely loved the Danger Zone back in the day. We kept the layouts really simple on this and the Karma Pearl. Pin above ring finger and cg kicked out just a little from the center of grip.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
The Karma delivered on all levels for me. After throwing a few shots with the ball I realized that I did not clearly remember the ball motion of the Danger Zone just that it was good and I liked it. There have been so many between the original release and the release of the Karma that I could only say this was a solid ball motion.

The reactive cover handled the lanes perfect with just enough movement in the midlane and a strong not over aggressive motion off the breakpoint. The Karma showed me tons of versatility allowing me to move around on the lane and get a good motion from multiple parts of the lane. Compared to some of the other balls we have thrown in this performance level and price point the Karma will blow them out of the water.

Brunswick has picked a winner to replace the Avalanche series and using the Danger Zone was a great call. Bowlers of all skill levels will agree the Karma is a great way to bring back the Danger Zone.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Brunswick Karma Blue/Green Pearl
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click to Enlarge
At first there was bad karma and good karma, but now there's GREAT Karma!

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5 1/8"
Mass Bias Position - n/a
Dual Angle Layout - 55* x 5 1/8" x 40*
Balance Hole - n/a


Surface Preparation - Out of Box (500 grit Siaair Micropad;Rough Buff;High Gloss)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
Well how do describe what you are looking for from one of the greatest balls of all time? The Karma Pearl is the rebirth of the original Danger Zone in a pearlized cover! The Danger Zone was one of the best balls ever made
and really changed the standard for ball reaction across the entire world.

I am very excited to throw the Karma Pearl to see what the pearl cover offers me. We kept the layouts really simple on this and the Karma Solid. Pin above ring finger and cg kicked out just a little from the center of grip.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
The Karma Pearl delivered a great ball motion just a little smoother in the front then the Solid. There have been so many between the original release and the release of the Karma that I could only say this was a solid ball motion. The Karma Pearl was designed for lighter patterns but it handled the house shot perfectly fine for me. It allowed me to move right and really
open up the lane. For the performance level Brunswick's putting this ball in, it will definitely be the best ball at the performance level or price you can find.

The reactive cover handled the lanes perfect with a strong not over aggressive motion off the breakpoint. The Karma Pearl showed me a little less versatility the the Solid but overall I loved the ball motion and the ball looked amazing going down the lane. Compared to some of the other balls we have thrown in this performance level and price point the Karma will blow them out of the water.

Brunswick has picked a winner to replace the Avalanche series and using the Danger Zone was a great call. Bowlers of all skill levels will agree the Karma Pearl is a great way to bring back the Danger Zone in a pearlized cover.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Brunswick Lethal Revolver
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click to Enlarge
Killing the competition's hopes has never been easier.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5"
Balance Hole - n/a

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (2000 Grit Siaair)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
The past Revolvers have been very good consistent ball releases for Brunswick. They tend to be very strong but controllable ball motions. When I laid this ball out I kept that in mind and kept the layout pretty simple.
The 5" pin from PAP should give me enough push downlane with a strong, very predictable motion off the break point.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
I got exactly what i was looking for and this was possibly my favorite ball motion of the night. The Lethal Revolver was strong enough that I could play in the fresh oil with it but controllable enough that I did not have to cover so many boards.

Off my hand the Lethal revved up quick but held the line through the heads. Once it started to make its move in the mid-lane the ball was unstoppable. From that point on it was making a very strong move towards the pocket with incredibly strong hitting power. Overall a really good ball motion for me. The only couple of issues I had was if I got the ball into the drier parts of the lane too early I did notice a flatter motion overall.

All in all the lethal Revolver is going to be a great "go to" ball for league bowlers and professionals alike.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Brunswick Loaded Revolver
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click to Enlarge

Now you've definitely got bullets in the chamber with the Brunswick Loaded Revolver!

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 4 1/2"
Mass Bias Position - n/a
Balance Hole - n/a
Dual Angle Layout - 70* x 4 1/2" x 35*

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (500, 1500 Siaair - Rough Buff Finish)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
With the same cover found on the Wicked Siege, the Loaded Revolver looked like it would be a more angular motion then the Wicked and stronger overall then previous releases in this line. We kept the layout very simple with a 4 1/2" pin from PAP and kept the cg back in the grip. This will relate to many common "label" layouts used on performance balls in the category.

I expect based on what I have heard a more angular motion down lane and more overall hook then we saw from the Wicked Siege.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Another really good release from Brunswick right now. Between the Loaded Revolver and the new C System Brunswick has an awesome 1-2 punch at some ridiculous prices.

The Loaded Revolver did everything Brunswick promised. They achieved more overall hook then we had with the Wicked Siege and obviously created the most angular ball in their line at this performance category.

Just by watching our video you can see how versatile this ball was for me. I played from the normal track areas around 15 and had the entire right side of the lane. I then moved in to 20-25 and had as much recovery as I needed to get this ball back to the pocket. It did not matter where I was at on the lane the ball had enough energy to recover and smash the pins.

This is by far one of my favorite pieces of the season so far and I think everyone will agree how versatile and awesome the Loaded Revolver is.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Brunswick Massive Damage
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click to Enlarge
Total destruction is on the pin deck's horizon when you throw the Massive Damage.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5"
Balance Hole - n/a

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (500 Grit Siaair; Rought Buff)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
Since the new Massive Damage incorporates the Activator coverstock with a lower RG core I decided to keep the layout simple again and see what this ball can do. Brunswick says this ball should rev quickly in the mid-lane providing a strong continuous backend motion.

This 5" x 5" layout should provide me with enough skid int he heads and allow the core to rev up for me with that strong motion on the backend.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
I really like this ball. The pearl cover allowed me to play in a really good part of the lane and the low rg core revved up nicely for me with a really good motion off the breakpoint.

The Massive Damage is meant for medium oil lane conditions and I think it will match up to that perfectly. If you watch the ball motion off my hand in the video you will see that this ball is plenty strong while maintaining that classic ball motion we expect from pearlized reactive balls.

Once the ball started to transition in the middle part of the lane there was no stopping it. The amount of power at the pins was incredible to me. Every shot I threw I felt like there was no way I could leave anything standing.

Right now with the line up from high end down that Brunswick has will allow any bowler the chance to tackle any condition.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Brunswick Mastermind
330 of 337 people found this review helpful
5
t's time to let the ball do the thinking. Get high marks with the Brunswick Mastermind!

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5"
Dual Angle Layout - 55* x 5" x 35*
Balance Hole - n/a

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (500, 1500 Siaair Micro Pad)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
So all we heard from Brunswick prior to the test on this ball was that it would be a completely different look then Brunswick has had in years. With the reaction of their last few releases you could see they were very close to really breaking through with a new ball motion and the Mastermind is supposed to be the result of a lot of testing and hard work on Brunswick's part.

I drilled this ball fairly strong and very similar to a lot of my recent test balls. I wanted to see what this ball could really do on the fresh and how it stacked up to the competition.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
The Brunswick Mastermind will completely blow your mind.

We knew Brunswick could do it since we have seen nothing but big hook from DV8 but this is the first Brunswick ball I have ever seen do this on the lanes. It absolutely hooked more then any ball I have thrown to date. I was able to get as far left as I wanted to on the fresh and have no issues getting the ball to recover. I think if the lane was 5 feet wider I could swing it out and get this ball back.

Off my hand it was strong, it got into a really early roll and you could tell this thing was going to grip the lane no matter what. As the ball transitioned into the middle of the lane it kept hooking never finding a point that it could not get back from. I was able to throw this ball as hard and as far right as I wanted to and would scream back with plenty of energy for the pins.

I promise you, no matter how hard you throw the ball, no matter how rev challenged you are, you will get a super aggressive ball motion from the new Mastermind. I think everyone should watch out for the Big B coming back in the coming season with some of the best equipment we have seen in years from them.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Brunswick Mastermind Genius
9 of 10 people found this review helpful
5
Outsmart the pins. Become the valedictorian of your league with the Brunswick Mastermind Genius!

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5"
Dual Angle Layout - 55* x 5" x 35*
Balance Hole - n/a

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (500 grit Siaair/Royal Compound)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
So I used the exact same layout on the Genius as I did on the original Mastermind. I was a big fan of that ball and thought that it was a big turning point in Brunswick ball motion.

The Mastermind Genius was going to use the same core with a hybrid version of the cover. This ball motion should still be plenty strong but a little smoother overall compared to the Mastermind.


What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
I think Brunswick hit another one out of the park with this ball. The original Mastermind was by far the strongest ball we had seen from them in years. The only downfall was as the pattern broke down you were forced too far in and with the strength of that ball you lost carry. Higher rev players also had some trouble on lower volume patterns since the Mastermind was so strong.

The Genius is the answer to those issues. The hybrid cover creates a smoother motion and I I would say a 5-7 board difference from the original. This difference was huge for me. I was able to play in a higher scoring part of the lane and still have plenty of ball to recover should I need it.

The Mastermind Genius produced a typical hybrid ball motion right off my hand, getting into a strong but controllable motion and carrying that through the
middle part of the lane. Surprisingly the cover provided plenty of energy downlane. Sometimes with hybrid covers and stronger cover finishes you see a smoother motion off the break point. Not the case here, I was getting similar recovery to that of a high end pearl cover.

Overall the Mastermind Genius was a perfect compliment tot he Mastermind and a great addition to the Brunswick line up for 2014.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Brunswick Mastermind Intellect
14 of 15 people found this review helpful
5
Scoring with the Brunswick Mastermind Intellect is a no brainer.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5"
Dual Angle Layout - 55* x 5" x 35*
Balance Hole - n/a

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (500 gri Siaair, Royal Compound)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
The Mastermind Intellect features the same core as previous Mastermind releases matched up with an all new Honor Roll A+ reactive cover. This combination is supposed to give you a good look that will fit in between the previous two Masterminds.

I used the same layout on this ball since I had good luck with it on the Mastermind and Mastermind Genius. I am expecting to see more length then the original Mastermind with a stronger move off the break point then the Genius. This layout should help with that motion by giving the ball plenty of help in the front while storing up a bunch of energy to give me a strong, angular motion down lane.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
The Mastermind Intellect did not disappoint for sure. It cleared the fronts with much more length then the Mastermind. Off my hand it got down lane with ease but it rolled strong enough that I think you can get into the oil on the fresh easier then with the Mastermind Genius.

The Genius gave a really strong mid-lane read, where the Intellect still got through it with little reaction to friction. This will be great for players that need as much down lane motion as they can get. The Intellect was super clean and got in the right position to set up a really angular motion off the break point.

I would say that Brunswick is 100% accurate in saying that this ball will fit right between the Mastermind and Mastermind Genius. The Mastermind did hook more overall but the Genius gave a much smoother more controllable motion. The Intellect was right in the middle, marrying up the pieces we loved from each of those releases into one really cool looking piece.

I think bowlers you loved their Masterminds or players looking to try Brunswick for the first time in a while will be amazed by the ball motion and will find a place in their bag for the Mastermind Intellect.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Brunswick MaxXX Zone
1 of 5 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click Layout Image to Enlarge


MaxXX Zone, the ball to go to when you're looking for the Max.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 6"
Mass Bias Position - n/a
CG Placement - center of grip
Balance Hole - none

Surface Preparation - 4000 grit Abralon on Haus machine for about 20 minutes (there is no polish on this ball)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
A few of the last Brunswick balls I tested tended to give me a real bad over/under ball reaction. In the past I have used traditional recommended layouts for these balls. Lately I have been doing a lot of our ball tests using this layout. It tends to help smooth out the ball motion while still allowing for plenty of hook down lane.

All we have heard about the MaxXX Zone is that it hooks. Judging by the way the cover stock looked out of the box I would have agreed without even seeing the ball go down the lane. We immediately thought it would be best to smooth out the 600 grit wet sand finish with some 4000 grit Abralon. After about 20 minutes in the Haus resurfacing machine with 4000 grit Abralon we found the ball to appear shiny as if we polished it. As I stated above there is no polish on this ball. The cover just smoothed out so much that it appears shiny. This was very common a few years ago for ball companies to use really high grit abrasives from the factory and it gave the ball a polished look with the texture of a matte or dull ball.


What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
We only had time to do a little testing with this ball. We will do more in the next few days and update if need be. From what I saw right away I like the ball motion. It definitely was smooth through off my hand, I attribute this to the cover preparation. Down lane the ball made a very sharp move off the friction and hit extremely hard.

In the next few days I will test this ball more and maybe play with the cover to get it closer to box finish and see what that does.
Was this comment helpful? yes no


Brunswick Meanstreak Beatdown
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
5
The Meanstreak Beatdown from Brunswick will help you curb stomp the competition!

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 2 1/2"
Dual Angle Layout - 75 x 2 1/2" x 40
Balance Hole - n/a

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (500/4000 Grit Siaair)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
I decided to drill the new Meanstreak Beatdown up with the intention of getting a really strong read in the middle part of the lane with good continuation down lane.

I placed the pin 2 1/2" from my PAP to assist with getting the ball into a strong roll a bit earlier then normal. Layouts like this may be more a specialty layout for people but I thought we should see it on one of the new Brunswick balls and this one made the most sense. The solid version of the Nexxxus cover should react very well with an earlier motion and I should still get plenty of movement down lane.


What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
It has been a long time since I punched something up like this and I was very pleased with the motion I got.

Off my hand the Beatdown was clean through the heads. It was a little smoother then I thought it would be but it worked out just fine. This ball seriously went to work in the middle part of the lane. It really got into a strong roll and read the pattern very well, this was what I was looking for with this layout. As it got to the backend of the lane it had great continuation and never showed any signs of burning up or rolling out.

I was able to open up the lane a bit with this ball compared to the other 2 guys and I think the ball motion paired with this layout really created a great look for a typical house shot pattern. I think this ball compliments the previous Meanstreak balls very well and helps Brunswick complete a really strong upper mid-performance ball line.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Brunswick Meanstreak Brawler
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
5
The Meanstreak Brawler offers a hybrid of the original Meanstreak.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5 1/8"
Dual Angle Layout - 45* x 5 1/8" x 65*
Balance Hole - on VAL from center of grip through CG (1" x 2")

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (500 grit Siaair, Rough Buff)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
I went with a stronger layout for me on this ball. I was really impressed with the first Meanstreak, for me it was super smooth and a very good ball to gauge the conditions with. I decided to open up the Meanstreak Brawler a bit and see
what this ball can do.

This layout usually gives me a really strong motion in the middle part of the lane with a strong continuous movement down lane.


What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Wow, I really like this ball motion as well. I will say it went a bit further then I was expecting but that is nothing a small surface adjustment couldn't fix.

Even thought it got down lane further for me it really was amazing for the remainder of the lane. It picked up a really heavy roll in the middle part of the lane offering a really nice look as it transitioned to the back end. It came off the spot pretty hard for hybrid in my opinion.

Overall I think the Meanstreak line is a great replacement to the C System line and this ball will offer a stronger ball motion for all of you who loved the original Meanstreak.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Brunswick Melee
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
5
Get in close and bash the pins with the new Melee by Brunswick!

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 4 1/2"
Dual Angle Layout - 55* x 4 1/2" x 35*
Balance Hole - on PAP

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (500 Siaair Micro Pad, Royal Compound, Royal Shine)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
Going into this ball test I had only heard a few things about the Melee. I was told that it would be comparable to the Versa-Max as far as length and recovery. I went with a pretty simple layout based on this and what I knew about that ball.

Depending on how clean this ball is up front I planned on seeing a good amount of revving in the mids with a continuous strong motion off the point down lane.


What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
First of all, Brunswick knocked this color out of the park. The shiny red color looks amazing going down the lane. If it wasn't for a hole on my PAP you would not ahve seen this ball rolling at all. I love that look and think that many people do. The ball almost looks like it is floating going down the lane.

As for comparing it to the Versa-Max, I guess that would be close for me but a Versa-Max on steroids. From what I remember of that ball this one was close in the fronts. It was smooth and clean off my hand but as soon as the ball started to transition, it went to work.

I was able to create a ton of area with the Melee and really open up the back part of the lane. It was much stronger then I remember the Versa-Max downlane. As the ball got to the breakpoint, there was no stopping it. I was able to create some pretty sick angles with this ball and never saw a loss of power at the pins.

I think compared to Brunswick's other recent releases, this ball will fit in well. It will be a great benchmark ball for most bowlers and will easily become one of your favorites.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Brunswick Nexus f(P) Pearl
327 of 327 people found this review helpful
5

Click to Enlarge
Introducing the ball with the most length in the history of Brunswick, the Brunswick Nexus f(P) Pearl bowling ball!


Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5 1/4"
Dual Angle Layout - 45* x 5 1/4" x 65*
Balance Hole - 1" x 3" P3

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (500; 1500 Siaair, Rough Buff Polish)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
With the release of two new high performance balls from Brunswick we knew that they were going to give us two totally different looks at the pocket. The Nexus P + F was obviously meant for heavier oil and the Nexus P Pearl was meant to give you more length with a strong recovery motion.

We drilled the two balls identical to see what they did up against each other. From what we heard and read on the balls we expected to see
at least an 8 board difference and a much more down and in motion from the pearl.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
We were very surprised with how much difference Brunswick was able to give us in the two ball motions. Sometimes you get two ball released together and
although they are different at the end of the day they kind of do the same thing. Definitely not the case here.

I was an easy 8 boards right with this ball compared to the solid P + F. The ball motion did produce the most length I have seen from a high performance Brunswick ball but they managed to give it a strong angular motion with that. I was able to play a part of the lane that I normally have to sacrifice performance to play on.

With this ball I was able to move right and really open up my angle allowing my carry to go through the roof. I will say this motion is much different then we are used to seeing not only from Brunswick but from a high performance release. Do not be fooled this ball is sneaky strong and moves more then you may think downlane.

All in all the Nexus P and Nexus P + F give you two really good looks and two ball motions that will compliment each other very well on the lanes.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Brunswick Nexus f(P+F) Solid
890 of 897 people found this review helpful
5

Click to Enlarge
Introducing the most aggressive ball in the history of Brunswick, the Brunswick Nexus f(P+F) Solid bowling ball!

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5 1/4"
Dual Angle Layout - 45* x 5 1/4" x 65*
Balance Hole - 1" x 3" P3

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (500; 1500 Siaair)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
We knew Brunswick had put all new technology into the Nexus series. Obviously the P + F was meant for heavier volumes of oil and its intention was to cover more lanes and create more friction.

We used a common layout for our test balls that allows us to see the full potential of the ball without making the ball motion to specific to a certain lane condition.

We expect this ball to still clear the heads but to start a very strong roll in the middle part of the lane and transition strongly at the breakpoint.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
You need to give Brunswick another look with the release of this ball. The ball motion the have been producing in their last few releases is totally different than what we saw just a few years ago.

The Nexus P + F is something that everyone has wanted from Brunswick for a long time. This ball was easily the strongest Brunswick ball I ahve ever thrown. This ball saw oil and laughed at it, every shot I threw the ball seemed to get better and better.

Off my hand the ball held well, not reading the heads to quickly and giving me plenty of roll. As the ball got past the arrows and started getting into the backend it picked up a very strong motion and kept driving right through the deck. There was no question of this ball coming back and hitting like a truck.

The overall motion and hook of this ball puts it right up there with any of the other brands high performance balls. The really nice part about the Nexus series is that Brunswick not only hit it out of the park with the ball motion but it also looks fantastic as well. If you have been thinking about trying a Brunswick ball again this would be the time, the Nexus is a whole new motion for them and I love it.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Brunswick Nexxus f(P+R)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
5

Click to Enlarge

We've added an X to the name and you'll add X's to your score.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5 1/4"
Dual Angle Layout - 45* x 5 1/4" x 65*
Balance Hole - n/a

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (500 and 1500 Grit Siaair)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
After raving reviews on the Nexus Solid and Nexus Pearl we were very excited to try out the new Nexxus f(P+R). With a projection and recovery additive
this ball should offer another strong look similar to the Nexus Solid but with a cleaner look through the heads and more recovery.

The layout we used should provide me with a really good look on a fresh shot of what this ball can do.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Brunswick has done a spectacular job of bringing out 3 balls in a series that give you completely different looks. Sometimes when introductions in a new line come this quickly there are overlapping ball motions and usually one of the releases rises to the top. They have done a great job to make sure that each ball in the Nexus series offers something for everyone and a little something that all bowlers can use on a variety of conditions.

For me the new Nexxus was not stronger then my Nexus Solid in over all hook. The Nexus Solid covered more boards but was a smoother, more continuous ball motion then new Nexxus. This release offered a stronger skid/snap motion then the original Solid and definitely still more hook on medium to oily conditions then the Pearl Nexus.

The Nexxus P+R cleared the heads great, for a stronger ball I saw little to no issues getting this ball down the lane very easily with a super strong
transition from the middle part of the lane into the back end. In this test you can see I used a white thumb slug and that really allows you to see how hard this ball was revving up as it got down lane and transitioned off the break point.

Overall this was an awesome ball test and I think the new Nexxus f(P+R) has a place in the bag this season.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Brunswick Nexxxus f(P S)
41 of 46 people found this review helpful
5
The Brunswick Nexxxus f(P+S) offers the strongest backend reaction ever seen in a Brunswick ball!

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 4 3/4"
Dual Angle Layout - 45* x 4 3/4" x 35*
Balance Hole - on PAP

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (500 Siaair Micro Pad; Rough Buff Finish)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
With the introduction of Brunswick's new Projection and Snap additive we were expecting to see a very strong ball motion downlane with a smooth consistent look through the heads.

The layout we used is fairly simple with the pin in a strong position and the mass bias located in a strong position as well. I expected to see a ball motion that may be a little different for Brunswick offering more movement downlane as opposed to a stronger mid lane move.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
This was my favorite Nexus series ball so far. I think the ball motion combined with a great looking ball really bring this release together for Brunswick and I think once you throw it you will agree.

The addition of the Snap additive finally gave me the look I really wanted from this series. I felt as if this ball finally opened up the door for Brunswick getting a strong skid/snap ball motion into their higher performance ball line.

Off my hand the Nexxxus rolled super smooth and really gave me the ability to clear the heads with ease. I saw this ball pick up a little sooner then I expected downlane but the overall motion it offered was welcomed. We tested a couple of other Brunswick and DV8 balls at the same time and this was definitely in my top two for the night.

With the new look from the Nexxxus, I think you find a great compliment ball to any of the previous Nexus balls.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Brunswick Nirvana
11 of 12 people found this review helpful
5
Transcend the zone with the Brunswick Nirvana

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5"
Dual Angle Layout - 55* x 5" x 35*
Balance Hole - n/a

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (500/1500 Siaair Micro Pad)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
There was a lot of hype and anticipation from my buddies at Brunswick for the new Nirvana.

Brunswick has done a great job the last few years of changing their ball motion signature and we are seeing really great things
from them.

The Nirvana brings all their new core and coverstocks together to create a ball motion that is strong int he front part of the lane with
a strong motion downlane making this a great ball for many different styles and lane conditions.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Once again, Brunswick has created a great piece of equipment.

The Nirvana was everythig they said and more. This ball was money right out of the box.

Honestly between warm ups and the shots we threw for the video I dont think I missed.

To say the ball is strong in the heads may be deceptive to bowlers. The ball does not hook early or over react in the heads but it handles oil
with ease. The ball was super smooth in the middle part of the lane and allowed me to get in and open up the pattern.

This ball went nuts downlane, it was so strong for me that I immediately loosened up my swing knowing I was going to get this ball back no matter
what. There was absolutely no energy loss.

By far the Nirvana is my favorite Brunswick ball in years. BTW - look at where this ball goes off the deck in our video. It is int he 8 pin spot almost every time.

Go buy a Nirvana!

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Brunswick Revolver
128 of 128 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click Layout Image to Enlarge


It's time to shoot the lights out with the Brunswick Revolver!

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 4 1/2" under ring finger
Mass Bias Position - n/a
CG Placement - lower right quadrant of grip
Balance Hole - 1" x 2" from center of grip through cg on VAL

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (4000 grit Micro Pad)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
I used one of my favorite layouts on this ball to see what it could do. My first impression of the Revolver was that it was going to hook. It has that dull strong look to it out of the box and I thought this layout would let me see how well the ball would handle.

This layout should provide a stronger roll in the early part of the lane with a continuous movement on the backend.


What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
I ended up with a bunch of hook from start to finish. The Revolver started up plenty early with its 4000 grit Micro Pad finish. As it got to the middle part of the lane you could see it really roll up and set as it transitioned to the backend. I think the ball would ahve finished a little harder with some small tweaks to the cover but overall I saw a very strong ball motion and a ball motion that we have come to love from Brunswick.

As balls go in this performance category from Brunswick this is my favorite so far. I think the Revolver along with the other releases Brunswick has coming this season will offer all bowlers a very complete line up of bowling balls.
Was this comment helpful? yes no


Brunswick Ringer
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
5
The all new Ringer from Brunswick.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5 1/8"
Dual Angle Layout - (Rico Layout) 50* x 5 1/8" x *90
Balance Hole - 6 3/4" from pin through cg (1" x 2")

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (500 Siaair, Rough Buff, High Gloss Polish)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
I don't know what got into me but when I pulled the Ringer out of the box, it hit me, this ball needs to be drilled with the Rico layout. I think I liked the fact that it would be the Ruocco Rico Ringer, sounds nice :)

Anyway, I had no clue what to expect. It had been years since I used this layout and I knew that this was a new ball motion from Brunswick, with hopes to replace the Karma series eventually. Lets see.


What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
I think I remember throwing a Karma solid and I am pretty sure I did not like it as much as I like this ball. I am pretty sure this thing would out hook balls at price points and performance levels well above it.

It was not just me all of our testers immediately fell in love with this ball reaction. We all had it way stronger then we expected and it was a very pleasant and welcomed surprise. As for mine specifically, the video shows you exactly what I thought. I had the entire right side of the lane with this balls. I could tug it and it would hold, I could miss by an arrow and it would come screaming off the break point.

Literally I could do anything with this ball and it came back with authority every time. I hope you dont judge this ball by the price point because it could be one of the best Brunswick balls to hit the lanes this year.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Brunswick Ringer Platinum Pearl
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
5
The Ringer Platinum Pearl - Another Great Look From Brunswick

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 4 1/4"
Dual Angle Layout - 65* x 4 1/4" x 65*
Balance Hole - n/a

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (500 Siaair Micro Pad, Royal Compound, Royal Shine)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
The Ringer Platinum Pearl is supposed to offer a longer, cleaner look then the original Ringer allowing bowlers to play further right on the fresh or have a better look for when they burn up.

I went with a pretty simple pin down layout on mine. I expect to see plenty of differences from this ball to the Ringer based on layouts alone. I am expecting a longer look with a strong motion off the break point.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
The Ringer Platinum Pearl reacted awesome. I feel this release really helps round out the most recent releases from Brunswick giving you three totally different motions in three price points.

Off my hand the Ringer Platinum was much cleaner then the Ringer was. It cleared the heads with ease and was not phased by any early friction.

As the ball cleared it set up for a really strong backend, a little stronger then I was expecting but it was welcomed. I was able to play a part of the lane that I normally cant play with this type of ball and not lose any hitting power.

Overall another really solid release and definitely a contender in this performance group.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Brunswick Siege
428 of 430 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click Layout Image to Enlarge


The all new standard in Brunswick Pro Performance bowling balls, The Siege!

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 6" above middle finger
Mass Bias Position - 5 1/8" from PAP on center line above thumb
CG Placement - center of grip
Balance Hole - none

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (1000 Micro pad)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
This has become one of my more frequently used layouts. If it is matched up to the right ball the reaction is amazing. I have not been able to duplicate this ball motion with any other layouts, so when I want to compare ball to ball from different manufacturers I tend to use this layout as a benchmark.

We heard nothing but good things from Brunswick on the Siege. The cover and core combination has been in the works at Brunswick for some time and they were waiting until it was perfect to release it. We were looking for a different ball motion from Brunswick on this ball. The word was that the Siege was going to deliver that motion and take Brunswick forward with their
performance line of balls.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Finally, I say that in the best way possible. The Siege finally gives Brunswick a chance to compete with the ball motions of some of the other ball companies.

My Siege rolled awesome, off my hand it looked as strong as anything else I have seen lately. As the ball transitioned into the middle part of the lane it did not lose energy and kept the really heavy roll all the way through to the back ends. On the back the ball had a smooth yet strong roll back into the pocket. Overall hook was as high as I as I have seen from them in the
last few releases.

I think on most patterns bowled on by league bowlers the Siege will match up as good as the other guys ball releases for this season. We are going to re-test the ball again since we had some lane conditioning issues on the first go around. But as you will see if you watch the video it did not really effect the overall ball motion we saw from the Siege.

Brunswick is back on top with the new Pro Performance Siege!
Was this comment helpful? yes no


Brunswick Total Inferno
71 of 71 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:
Brunswick is back with their Total Inferno!

Brunswick's newest addition the their Inferno line is possibly the best we have seen since the Original Inferno.
We drilled the Total Inferno with the pin 5 1/8" from the PAP and the CG in a line underneath it. We left the surface how it came out of the box and it was throw on a league pattern. The ball reaction was classic Brunswick, clean through the heads, strong revving action in the mid-lane and plenty of hook on the backend. I absolutely love this ball reaction because it very consistent and easy to make moves with. Of course with that type of movement on the lanes we were able to throw the ball all night, only making small adjustments.
We threw this ball from all over the lane and we could not a line that this ball could not handle. With simple hand adjustments we could play up 7-8 or get in as deep as 4th arrow with no issues at all.
Loyal Brunswick fans will fall in love with the Total Inferno and bowlers who have not thrown an Inferno for a while should definitely give this one a chance.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Brunswick Twisted Fury
507 of 509 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click Layout Image to Enlarge


The Twisted Fury expands and updates the Fury line by introducing a new core and coverstock to the market.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 4 1/2"
Mass Bias Position - 55 degrees
CG Placement - 1 1/2" right of grip center
Balance Hole - none

Surface Preparation - Box Finish (Rough Buff Finish)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
I was not really looking for anything specific in this layout. After some discussion with Brunswick's technical staff we decided to go this route based on their recommendation. Brunswick suggests that whatever layout you normally use to go 1/2" stronger with the pin placement. Since I normally test balls at a 5" pin location from my positive axis point we decided 4 1/2" with the locater Pin (mass bias marking) placed at 55 degrees. We wanted to see a strong skid/snap ball reaction from this setup and possible work in another ball from there.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Brunswick nailed this one. I think they hit a ball reaction home run on this one. This is a just what I think most league bowlers want out of a ball and even higher end players will love this reaction.

I started with this ball in league and was determined to use it as long as I could, that proved to be a non-issue with my ball reaction. In the start of the night on our THS (typical house shot) we had plenty of reaction overall. The ball was clean and predictable in the front part of the lane. As it started to read friction in the mid-lane, it handled it really well with a strong ball motion and just continued that into the backends. Overall it hit as hard as any other ball I have thrown this season.

Overall my moves were small all night and most of them were more for carry reasons than ball reaction. Towards the middle of the third game I could have made a ball change but at this point in the night I figured I would finish out with it. I must have under estimated how much this ball likes friction because as the dried out this ball just ate it up and hooked more but stayed predictable.

You can be sure that I will have another Twisted as soon as I can drilled a little weaker for later in the night.

By the way if you wanted a straight up comparison to the Fury Pearl, the Twisted was a little less but in a very good way. I saw a much more predictable and controllable movement and a more desired ball reaction for myself. Not taking anything away from the great ball the Fury and Fury Pearl are but this ball is hot.
Was this comment helpful? yes no


Brunswick Twisted Fury Destruction
38 of 39 people found this review helpful
4

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click Layout Image to Enlarge


Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5 3/4" under fingers
Mass Bias Position - on center line 1 1/2" below thumb hole
CG Placement - on mid line 1" left of center line
Balance Hole - none

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (Rough Buff)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
I have to say this was a real shot int he dark. I had no preconceived notion of what I wanted this ball to do or what I thought it would do. Lately I have been using a little weaker layout like this to smooth the ball motion out a little through the front and middle part of the lanes while retaining a decent amount of movement on the back.


What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Just so you know that when we lay out balls for testing and for our own personal use we mess up as well. Anyone can make the wrong call on layout and we did just that.

This was not the layout to use on this ball. The Twisted Fury Destruction is so smooth off your hand that stronger layouts would prove to be best. By getting the pin in such a weak position and combining that with the mass bias
placement we made this ball go too long. As we moved further and further right and found more friction we got the ball to react. Once it read the dry part of the lane it did react and when we got it up to the pocket it hit hard.

Every once in a while this happens and we messed up. This is no indication of the balls performance for all bowlers. One of our other testers that drilled his with a stronger layout threw his and it reacted great. He is more of a medium to low ball speed with medium revs but it rolled great for him.

Normally I would say we will make some surface changes and update our review later. In this case we will try another ball with a much different layout and post an entirely new review.
Was this comment helpful? yes no


Brunswick Ultra Zone
137 of 137 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click Layout Image to Enlarge


The Ultra Zone brings the new EnMotion reactive coverstock from the Twisted Fury into the Zone line and combines it with the Phantom core.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5"
Mass Bias Position - 2 1/2" right of thumb
CG Placement - 2 1/2" right and 1/2" down from the center of grip
Balance Hole - 1" x 2" hole 7" right of center of grip

Surface Preparation - Box Finish (Rough Buff)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
This ball was going to be tough for me because I loved my Twisted Fury which has the EnMotion coverstock and I was not a huge fan of my
Blast Zone which was the first ball to incorporate the Phantom weight Block.
I was hoping to see something the complimented my Twisted Fury and would offer a different look when my Twisted either was not enough or was just
going too far past the breakpoint.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Brunswick nailed it. They listened to the comments everyone had about the Twisted Fury and they answered with the Ultra Zone. Most people who I drilled
a Twisted for or saw throw a Twisted all said one thing, "It sometimes goes too long before it starts up and this can get me in trouble from time to time."

The Ultra Zone eliminates that problem by starting up earlier then the Twisted with a more square look at the pocket when it gets to the breakpoint makes
this a perfect combo with the Twisted Fury. We were able to start the night with the ball and we never had to make a ball change. This night of bowling
the pattern held longer then normal so I could use the Ultra Zone all night with a few small moves in as the pattern started to wear down.

As for where this ball fits in my bag, it is actually in front of my Twisted since it starts up a little sooner. When the lanes start off a little drier
then normal I start with my Twisted since it goes so long but on a normal night I actually start with the Ultra and then transition into my Twisted as I
have to move in for the pattern breaking down.

All in all this is another huge success from Brunswick. Look for more great things to come from Brunswick as they introduce the much anticipated Avalanche
series which should compliment their already great line of bowling balls.
Was this comment helpful? yes no


Brunswick Wicked Siege
79 of 80 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click to Enlarge

The Wicked Siege offers a new look to the Siege line from Brunswick.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5"
Mass Bias Position - 4" from PAP
Balance Hole - 11/16" x 2" (4" from center of grip)
Pin Buffer - 2"
PSA Layout - 5" x 4" x 2"

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (500 grit Siaair/Rough Buff Finish)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
We heard the Wicked would offer up a new ball motion to the Siege line. I decided to use a fairly common layout on this ball to see what it could do.

With the pin 5" from my PAP and the Mass Bias in a strong position 4" from my PAP we thought we would be able to see what the Wicked had to offer in the high performance line for this season.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
The Wicked delivered the best reaction of any of the Sieges for me. I always thought the Siege line was good and very solid but I felt they could have been more. The Wicked gave me what I wanted from the line and I think you will agree.

The Wicked offered up a new ball motion for the Brunswick brand by creating more skid/snap while maintaining some surface on the ball. Off my hand you could see the ball getting into a very strong roll but not over reacting in the heads. The transition into the middle part of the lane was seamless and strong setting up the most angular backend from a Brunswick high performance ball I have seen in a while.

This ball motion is what most bowlers want to see and what tends to work the best on house shots. The ball stays strong but delivers great length with a quick response off the friction. I think the Wicked Siege will quickly turn into a "go to" ball for Brunswick fans.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Brunswick Wild Card
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click Layout Image to Enlarge


The new Wild Card offers another great look to Brunswick's High Performance line up.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 4 1/2"
Mass Bias Position - n/a
CG Placement - 4 1/2" from PAP
Balance Hole - n/a

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (2000 Siaair Micro Pad)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
If you have read my review of the Diamondback you know that I drilled both of these balls identical. My intention was to see how they matched up together. This layout is a fairly basic layout and allows me to see a lot of what the ball can do. It also happens to be a very popular layout for most league
bowlers so i thought this would be a good idea.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
I would have to say this is my favorite of the three "Wild" balls in the High Performance line from Brunswick. I think the core/cover combo finally matched up well for me. I still saw that classic Brunswick ball motion signature but it seemed to match up well for me this time.

In the heads the ball was surprisingly smooth and did not seem to over react to friction in first part of the lane. The 2000 grit cover provided enough roll to get the ball through the heavier volumes of oil in the middle part of the lane without skidding too far through it.

In the body of the lane the ball really started to make it move. This is the part of the lane where Brunswick typically shows most of their reaction. The Wild Card was the same way but instead of really getting up and setting for the backend the ball increased friction and made a smoother motion into the back part of the lane.

I still saw plenty of continuation on the back and the ball had plenty of energy going through the pins. I do not know if I said in the Diamondback review but I actually found these two balls to be very close. If you are a hard core Brunswick person and you decide to try both of these balls, I would vary the layouts or play with surfaces to see a larger gap in ball motions between the two of them.

All in all another solid release from Brunswick and the Wild Card really fits into the line up well.
Was this comment helpful? yes no


Brunswick Wild Ride
133 of 133 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click Layout Image to Enlarge


The Wild Ride introduces a all new coverstock for Brunswick giving them a all new ball motion.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5"
Mass Bias Position - 50 degrees
CG Placement - under ring finger on mid line
Balance Hole - n/a
Dual Angle Layout - 50 degrees x 5" x 50 degrees

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (Rough BUff)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
All we have heard for quite some time from Brunswick is their new ball was going to give them the most angular look they have ever had. Brunswick is typically known for their strong midlane roll with an even backend reaction.

After speaking with a few Brunswick staffers that had thrown the Wild Ride I decided to go right in the middle of what they told me with their layouts. This layout has worked well in the past on other balls and figuring this was going to be more angular thought I would try it on a Brunswick ball.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Brunswick delivered on their promise of an all new ball reaction. I have never seen anything go this long with recovery from Brunswick, ever.

Where my Brunswick stuff normally checks up earlier and rolls strong through the break point, the Wild Ride gave me more length and a sharper angle at the break point. Again this is very unlike Brunswick. The reason I keep saying that is because if you have thrown Brunswick int he past and you found that you did not care for their typical ball motion this is different.

I got as much length from this ball as I wanted, I was able to easily control that by the angle I chose and my hand position. Once the ball started to read the friction it maintained its line and at the break point it went left.

All in all this would have to be my favorite Brunswick ball in years. You can really see all the time and effort the Brunswick R & D guys put into this ball. Get your hands on one today and hold on for a...

...Wild Ride!
Was this comment helpful? yes no


Columbia 300 Action Packed
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click Layout Image to Enlarge


Before we drilled this ball we heard that it was going to be strong and based on what we had seen from the original Action we did not doubt it. We used a very simple 5" x 5" layout on this ball and kept the coverstock as it came out of the box. The first night out I was amazed at not only the ball reaction but the versatility of the ball to adjust as the lanes started to break down. The Low RG core really allowed me to go anywhere on the lane with this ball no matter what was out there. The amount of angle created on the backend and the way the ball finished through the pin deck made the carry as good as it gets. In all the games I have thrown so far I have not seen this ball quit on the backend. It has got to be one of the strongest and most versatile balls I have seen in a few years.
Was this comment helpful? yes no


Columbia 300 Big Shot
9 of 10 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click Layout Image to Enlarge


Columbia's new Optima coverstock is all that it is cracked up to be. We drilled our Big Shot with the pin 4" from the PAP with a 1" x 2" hole on the PAP. The mid-lane read the ball gave was great with plenty of reaction on the backend. The ball had no problem clearing the front part of the lane no matter where we threw it from.

The Centrifuge core has been proven for years and hit just as we expected. We left the surface as it was out of the box and really don't see ant need to alter it at this time. On our typical house shot the ball offered superior roll in the middle part of the lane and hit like a truck.

Overall we feel Columbia has brought out another great ball to the marketplace.

Was this comment helpful? yes no


Columbia 300 Full Swing
125 of 133 people found this review helpful
4

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click Layout Image to Enlarge


The Full Swing - The latest and greatest from Columbia 300.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5 1/4" above ring finger
Mass Bias Position - 4" from PAP right of thumb
CG Placement - just right of center
Balance Hole - none

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (4000 Grit Abralon)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
I was looking for a strong reaction with a decent amount of skid out of this stronger ball. This layout as you may have seen on other test balls gives me a good amount of push with plenty of reaction to recover on the back.


What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
I ended up with a really good ball motion. The Full Swing allowed me to get in pretty deep as well as play in the track area with a little higher ball speed. I did find some issue with the ball wanting to push a little more then I wanted in the heavier volumes. Unlike some of the other balls tested this one was a little more sensitive to ball speeds.

Overall a good piece of equipment from Columbia.
Was this comment helpful? yes no


Columbia 300 Mad Antics
12 of 13 people found this review helpful
5
Drive the competition mad with the new Columbia 300 Mad Antics

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5"
Dual Angle Layout - 55* x 5" x 35*
Balance Hole - n/a

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (500/4000 Abralon w/ Clean N Sheen)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
It has been quite a while since we tested a Columbia 300 ball. With the little I knew about the new Columbia 300 line up, I went with a pretty safe pin up layout that I use often.

I looked for the Mad antics to read the pattern pretty early without a lot of response in the heads with a strong finish.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
I was pretty impressed overall, in the past Columbia 300 balls always rolled good for me.

The Mad Antics was no exception. I was impressed with how strong it was but at the same time it allowed me to play a little further right then some of the other new releases opening up my angles and improving pin carry.

Off my hand the Mad Antics so really clean, it still revved up nicely but did not read any friction early. The transition was smooth as well and set up for a strong but not uncontrollable backend motion. The ball got through the pins well and carried just about everything I threw.

Overall, this was a great ball test and really showed us that Columbia 300 has put in some time on their new line and they would make a great addition to your bag.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Columbia 300 Resurgence
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click Layout Image to Enlarge


The Resurgence is Columbia's first high performance ball release since they have changed over.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5"
Mass Bias Position - N/A
CG Placement - 1" right of grip center
Balance Hole - none

Surface Preparation - Box Finish 1000 Abralon

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
We were looking for flat out hook in this layout and surface combination. We knew this ball was supposed to be the strongest Columbia ball to date and we just wanted to see how aggressive it really was. Most likely we will end up changing the surface preparation after we do our initial test. We do not run into enough heavy oil to warrant such an aggressive surface but you never know. Sometimes with newer high performance balls you will find you can use the more aggressive finishes because the ball are so good they still have enough energy to finish well on the backend.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
I love doing ball reviews when everything works out just as we thought. The Columbia Resurgence proved to be one of the strongest ball releases this season. I left the ball at box finish which is a lot heavier grit than I would normally even try to use but every year I like to have one really strong early rolling ball just in case. This is my ball for that this season so far.

In the heads just as expected the Resurgence grabs the lane early and rolls through just about any amount of oil. We threw this ball in practice because they did seem to be quite tighter than normal. Even though I ended up putting the ball away early on I could tell what we had. Obviously if you were going to leave the cover alone like we did you could not use this ball when there is any amount of friction in the heads.

Midlane was strong as expected again. The ball motion was a great continuation of the reaction we saw in the heads. I am telling you if you are seeing heavy volumes of oil the Resurgence was made for that.

The backend motion was strong but obviously it had a little less by the time it got to the backend. If I was lined up right with the ball and played the front and middle part of the lane correctly we were fine. It still hit really hard for as smooth as it ended up being on the backend.

Check back on this review at a later date because we may try polishing the shell to see what we get out of the ball. It is great to have a ball in the bag that hooks this much but it is not always needed.
Was this comment helpful? yes no


Columbia 300 Rival
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click Layout Image to Enlarge


The Columbia 300 Rival is the "New" Columbia's first upper mid performance ball release.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 4"
Mass Bias Position - N/A
CG Placement - 1/8" right of grip center
Balance Hole - none

Surface Preparation - 4000 Abralon in Powerhouse resurfacing system.

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
This ball was drilled with the intention of having a good middle of the night transition ball. I purposely did not use any polish on the surface to keep the amount of backend reaction to a minimum. I was wanting something to arc really smooth and just get me through the second game and into the third game when the lanes really start to open up and I can move in with something that will finish harder. In the house we do our testing at we always have to play pick the right ball int he middle of the night. I was hoping that the pin placement and surface preparation would give this ball motion to me.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Not what I expected. I thought this ball would be a good transition ball. The reaction I got from the Rival was a strong smooth reaction which I wanted but much more than I thought. I was able to use this ball from the time we started well into the end of the second game. The overall ball motion was what I wanted but it was strong and consistent enough to be a great ball to start with on a fresh typical house shot and it got me through a couple of weird lane breakdown until they started to really hook and it rolled to early.

In the heads from the start of the night I got plenty of good strong roll without an early jump. This is what Columbia has said the ball signature would be since they were purchased by Ebonite.

In the middle once again just as Columbia stated they had a strong mid lane roll and really transitioned well into the back part of the lane. The ball had plenty of forgiveness right and even had a little area to the left if I pulled it a little bit.

On the back part of the lane I was very pleased. The strong ball motion continued right through the back portion of the lane and cleared the pin deck strong as well. In a house where 10 pins are left more than anything else I only had one or two while I was using this ball.

I would say this is a solid new release for the New Columbia 300. If this trend continues with the releases they will be a force to be reckoned with because the Rival is possibly one of the best mid-performance ball releases we have seen a quite a while. It appears to be strong enough to cover most medium-medium heavy conditions and I think this coverstock is versatile enough to handle most surface changes you will have to make for your specific game.

This ball was proof that sometimes we do not get exactly what we wanted out of a ball but sometimes it also works out ok. We were looking for more of a transition ball and we ended up with a ball that may get more games then some of the other balls in my bag.
Was this comment helpful? yes no


Columbia 300 Swerve FX
10 of 10 people found this review helpful
5
There's no limit on this track - The Swerve FX

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5"
Dual Angle Layout - 55* x 5" x 35*
Balance Hole - n/a
Surface Preparation - Out of Box (500/2000 Abralon/Factory Finish Polish)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
Went with the same layout I use for most of my test balls including the original Swerve. The Swerve was an aggressive ball from start to finish. The Swerve FX features a pearl version of that cover, designed to offer more length and a
sharper motion on the backend.

This layout should suite this ball motion nicely, giving me a clean look through the front part of the lane with plenty of recovery downlane.


What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
I really liked this ball. First, it looks amazing going down the lane. I like balls that you cant see anything while they are rolling and this one did that as well as just looked cool going down the lane.

Second, I was able to move right a little and create a very high scoring angle to the pocket. It was super clean and long down the lane with plenty of "pop" off the breakpoint for me to absolutely crush the pins. A lot of times we will see a pearl ball come out that hooks as much as the first solid ball but in a different part. The Swerve FX actually offered me a totally different look then the original Swerve but kept that high performance ball motion that people look for.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Columbia 300 Tyrant
7 of 8 people found this review helpful
5
Rule with Absolute Domination.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5"
Dual Angle Layout - 55* x 5" x 35*
Balance Hole - n/a
Surface Preparation - Out of Box (500/2000 Abralon)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
I did not have a lot of info going into this review. Based on the specs we saw and just looking at the ball my impression was this thing was going to flat out hook. I went with a pin up layout to increase the length and give me a better read off the spot.

Based on this aggressive looking cover and core shape I expect a very strong reaction on the fresh with a good amount of roll in the heads and a strong continuation downlane.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Wow, way to go Columbia! This ball is one of the best releases I have seen ina while from this brand. Typically a ball this strong would stand up in the heads and have nothing left at the pins. They incorporated a super strong roll
with a good amount of overall hook and continuation downlane.

Off my hand the Tyrant looked like it wanted to dig in and roll up but it cleared the heads very well on the fresh. As it transitioned to the mid-lanes, the roll got even stronger an really easy to read. I was a bit surprised by how well I could
read this ball given the crazy color scheme.

I was able to create some pretty strong angles off the break point which surprised me. I really felt like I had most of the right side of the lane with this ball. All in all a great release and a perfect match for higher rev rate/high ball speed players looking for a good match for heavier volumes of oil.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Columbia 300 World Beater
118 of 118 people found this review helpful
5

Click to Enlarge

Conquering it all has never been so easy! Take the globe by storm with the Columbia 300 World Beater!


Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5 1/2"
Dual Angle Layout - 65* x 5 1/2" x 45*
Balance Hole - n/a

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (800 Abranet, 1000, 2000 Abralon)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
It has been a while since I threw a Columbia 300 product. I used a pretty simple pin up layout on this ball to try and help get it down lane easier with plenty of motion off the break point.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
This was pretty much what I remembered about Columbia 300 equipment. Really heavy rolling strong mid lane ball motions with tons of hitting power.

The World Beater pretty much did what I had envisioned while drilling the ball. It revved up quick with a really strong motion in the middle part of the lane with a really strong continuation down lane and hit like a ton of bricks.

As I threw it a little I was able to open up the right side and develop some bounce room with the ball. Even though this ball was super strong in the mid lane it still recovered nicely when I swung it out a little. All in all I would say a very solid release from Columbia 300.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Dexter SST 8 Pro BOA LE White/Black/Red - bowlingball.com Exclusive
40 of 42 people found this review helpful
5
We were able to have this special make-up of the SST 8 Pro manufactured by Dexter exclusively for bowlingball.com - so far it is a winner.

The SST 8 Pro BOA LE White/Black/Red offers all of the quality and performance you have come to expect from Dexter Bowling with a super cool special make-up for us.

This exclusive shoe offers a unique upper design with the added bonus of the BOA lacing system on the SST 8 Pro base. This combo offers you style and comfort not found on any other Dexter shoe on the market.

Between the comfort of the BOA lacing system and the super cool and clean looking color and design this shoe is a great offering from bowlingball.com.

Get yours while they last, this was a one time run and once they are gone, they are gone for good.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

DV8 Brutal Nightmare
336 of 341 people found this review helpful
5
Your opponents thought the Nightmare was over, but this new one is BRUTAL!

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5"
Dual Angle Layout - 65* x 5" x 65*
Balance Hole - N/A

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (500 grit Siaair, Rough Buff)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
With it all new Class 8 Hybrid Reactive cover I was fully expecting to see all the strength of the original Nightmare with a more skid/snap ball motion.

I drilled the new Brutal Nightmare identical to mu Nightmare so I could see the actual differences in ball motion. With this layout I am expecting to see a big reaction downlane when the ball finds friction with a strong but smooth look in the heads.


What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
WOW! I have been so impressed with the last few releases from DV8 and the Brutal Nightmare kept that going.

This ball is a beast. You may have to get used to the way it looks going down the lane as DV8 is not shy from using bright colors on their equipment. Once you do you will be very impressed by the ball motion of the Brutal and the way that it compliments the other balls in their line.

Just as advertised and expected the Brutal Nightmare is smoother off my hand then the Nightmare was and the Rough Buff finished Hybrid cover gives you a ton of recovery downlane. I swear I could throw this ball as far right as I wanted it would just popped off the break point. It was super strong down lane without sacrificing the smooth but aggressive motion off my hand and through the mid lane.

All in all another winner from DV8.

Tonight We Bowl!

Was this comment helpful? yes no

DV8 Deviant
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
5
DV8 Deviant - Rules Don't Apply

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5"
Dual Angle Layout - 55* x 5" x 35*
Balance Hole - n/a

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (500 Siaair/Royal Compound)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
Went with my favorite layout on the Deviant to see what it could matched up against the Thug Life and the Vandal.

Those have been 2 of the best balls I have thrown from DV8 in some time and the Deviant looked like it could be in that group as well. I love dark colored bowling balls and this one not only looks great but is supposed to roll just as good.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Nicely done DV8

The Deviant is an awesome addition to the line. It give you that high performance ball motion at a lower price point.

Just because it falls under the Thug series don't this this thing wont live up to your expectations. I absolutely fell in love with the ball motion as soon as I threw it.

It was really clean off my hand, I feel like I could get away with throwing this ball well into the night if I wanted to. It had that look of a super shiny pearl ball off my hand. It kept that ball motion through the middle part of the lane.

The backend was great, I would say one of the strongest motions downlane I have seen from this performance category ever since DV8 hit the scene. The ball was angular and strong, it went left and kept going. I saw balls going off the pin deck around the 8 pin spot time after time.

Rules Don't Apply is a perfect tag line because this ball doesn't care about rules.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

DV8 Diva
46 of 48 people found this review helpful
5
This ball may look pretty but it's got an attitude waiting to explode! Get feisty with the pins by throwing the DV8 Diva!

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5"
Dual Angle Layout - 45* x 5" x 45*
Balance Hole - N/A

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (500 grit Siaair, Rough Buff, High Gloss)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
I knew very little about this release when we drilled it. I had seen the DV8 video on it and it looked very impressive. At first I was a little leery about a ball that was obviously geared towards women but if you think about most women
like to see a smooth motion through the heads with a strong change in direction down lane.

Once you get over the Hot Pink color, if that's not your thing, the Diva looks great on paper. I went with a fairly strong layout on this ball to see exactly what this ball could do.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
I'm sold on the "It's All About Me" mentality and I thought the Diva was perfectly matched for me and my game. I had the best look of the night with this ball.

Off my hand it did exactly what I thought it would. It was smooth and held its line no matter if there was early friction or not.

The motion in the mid lane is where this ball shined in my opinion. The ball started a really heavy motion which translated into a super aggressive move off the break point. The Diva completly shattered the pins. As you know we edit the reaction videos to show the strikes.

I think out of 8 shots I struck 7 times and the only I did not was a 10 pin that the messenger went in front of.

Get over the color and the name and give the Diva a try.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

DV8 Dude
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
5
This ball is smooth and predictable... the Dude abides!

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 4 5/8"
Dual Angle Layout - 55* x 4 5/8" x 65*
Balance Hole - n/a

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (500 grit Siaair/Royal Compound/Royal Shine)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
This was a highly anticipated release from DV8 since they had a lot to do to backup the Diva release. First of all I love a nice shiny, dark reactive piece. The name pushes this ball over the edge and I think people will like this ball based on shelf appeal alone.

Now on to the reaction. DV8 boasts this ball as the premier benchmark ball this season. The Dude offers a reactive cover wrapped around the new Dude core. I went with one of my favorite layouts and a layout that is typically first out of my bag an a house shot. I expect to see a really clean look off my hand with a strong but predictable motion off the spot.


What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
This is going to be a very special ball. This could be one of those balls that stays around for a long time based on the looks and amazing overall ball motion. In comparison to the Dive the Dude does exactly what they say it will. It offers that typical reactive ball motion without getting to jumpy or unpredictable in any one part of the lane. It was a less angular look for me compared to my Diva and I liked it.

Off my hand, just as expected it was really clean. The shiny black/purple color made the ball look like it was floating down the lane. As it started to get to some friction to the right it made a great looking move and continued on right through the deck. I think every strike I had was ten back with no deflection to be seen.

The Dude is definitely going to cause some Ruckus this season and you need to get one in your bag.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

DV8 Endless Nightmare
1391 of 1417 people found this review helpful
5
This nightmare is the worst yet! Haunt your competitors for eternity with the DV8 Endless Nightmare!

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 6 1/2"
Dual Angle Layout - 70 x 6 1/2" x 20
Balance Hole - n/a

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (500/1500 Grit Siaair)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
This is one of my favorite layouts to use on stronger balls that I dont want to read the pattern too early. I used similar layouts on balls like the Hell Raiser Revenge and Aura.

This layout should give me more push through the front part of the lane with a smooth transition and a good move down lane. The Endless Nightmare is supposed to be the strongest DV8 ball to date which means this thing is going to boogie. We have seen some of the strongest balls of the last year or so come from DV8 and the Endless Nightmare adds to those.

Also as a note, we always test balls with their out of box (OOB) finish. This allows us to always compare balls with the finish the manufacturer suggests it to be used at. In some cases we know that the finish is not ideal for the bowler style or the lane condition we bowl on but in an effort to show balls evenly we always use the OOB finish.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Holy Hook!

Shortly after we threw this ball I was speaking to someone at DV8 and told them, "Every time I write a review and say this is the strongest ball I have ever thrown, you come out with something that hooks more."

Absolutely sick how much this ball hooks. If you are looking for something for heavier volumes or if you need a little help from the ball to get a strong ball motion, the Endless Nightmare is the ball for you.

Amazingly, DV8 was able to still create a little push before the ball starts hooking. I was able to get the ball through the heads with ease before the crazy strong mid-lane and down lane movement started. As you can see from our video I was able to open up the lane and create a ton of area with this ball. Of course if I was going to use this ball in league I would smooth out the cover or even polish it but out of the box.

As I have said with every single DV8 ball release, you have to check this ball out. It will not only compliment every other DV8 ball out there but will amaze you at the same time.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

DV8 Grudge
16 of 16 people found this review helpful
5
Grind your ax as sharp as the backend this time around with the DV8 Grudge.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5"
Dual Angle Layout - 55* x 5" x 35*
Balance Hole - n/a
Surface Preparation - Out of Box (500/1000 Siaair Micro Pad)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
This is my "go to" pin up layout. It tends to be a pretty strong layout for me, giving me a good amount of skid in the front with a sharper motion off the breakpoint.

The Grudge incorporates an all new core and coverstock from DV8. We are expecting to see a really strong roll in the front and a strong continuous motion down lane.


What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
The new Grudge not only did what I wanted it to do but it surpassed my expectations.

This look was my favorite high performance ball motion from DV8 since some of the early releases. Right from the get go, I was impressed with and loved the look I had with this ball.

As expected it was super strong in the front part of the lane but still cleared without using too much energy. As the ball transitioned, you could see it cutting through the fresh oil we were on and set up for a sick backend move. Off the breakpoint the Grudge was a beast, it made a super aggressive turn and kept digging in all the way through the pins.

Anyone looking for the standard in hook ball motion needs to check out the Grudge, you will not be disappointed.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

DV8 Grudge Hybrid
10 of 10 people found this review helpful
5
Make your grudge go on even longer with the DV8 Grudge Hybrid bowling ball.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5"
Dual Angle Layout - 55* x 5" x 35*
Balance Hole - n/a
Surface Preparation - Out of Box (500/4000 grit Siaair)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
The new Grudge Hybrid should offer a smoother look than previous Grudge's. I went with a simple pin up layout to see what the ball does with a little extra length in the front.

I expect to see a clean motion off my hand with a decent amount of movement int he mids and a continuous backend.


What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
This is a really good piece from DV8. With the introduction of a hybrid coverstock into this line, they gave a smoother more predictable option for bowlers. This ball will match up great on typical house shots and definitely serve a purpose for tournament and competitive bowlers as well.

Off my hand it was really clean, as expected. I saw not issue with it getting down lane without reading any friction too early. As it went into the mid-lane, I saw a super aggressive motion and that allowed me to open up the lane a bit.

The great thing about hyrids is they typically don't burn up too early. The Grudge Hybrid was no exception, it had plenty of energy left for the backend and hit like a truck.

All in all this is great piece for bowlers of all skill levels and will give you a very versatile look on varying conditions.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

DV8 Hell Raiser
480 of 483 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click to Enlarge

Raise some hell with DV8's Hell Raiser!

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 4"
Dual Angle Layout - 40* x 4" x 45*
Balance Hole - 1" x 3" on PAP

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (500, 1500 Grit Siaair; Rough Buff Finish)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
DV8 is an edgy new brand that does not hide the fact that they are here to impress bowlers with how their products perform. The Hell Raiser is their first high performance release and it is supposed to hook. We know that everyone says their new balls hook a lot but we had seen this ball already and knew that they were not lying.

We figured we would go ahead and stay pretty aggressive with all the releases from DV8 to show you what they can really do. In this case we used one of the more stronger layouts that I throw and figured we would watch it hook.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
We had seen the Hell Raiser go down the lane already from DV8 but even that could not prepare us for how much movement we saw with this ball.

Right out of the gate on the fresh oil we were getting more movement then we have seen in a while. Pair that with the sick looks of this ball and you
have yourself an instant favorite in the bowling center. This ball not only rolls great but looks awesome doing it. I am sure this ball will turn
some heads as it goes down lane during league.

The coverstock prep was perfect in my opinion, it gave the ball just enough pick up in the middle to allow a bowler like me to get in and not have to worry about the ball not getting back. I was getting recovery from all over the lanes. This was possibly the quickest video I ever shot since I really threw nothing but strikes with this ball.

I could see some potential carry issues as the night progresses and I would have to move farther and farther left but a simpler, more tame drilling layout may take care of that for most bowlers. I am very glad to see a new player on the performance ball market. I think the attitude and looks of this brand will be a great addition to this season.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

DV8 Hell Raiser Revenge
4260 of 4285 people found this review helpful
5

Click to Enlarge

Give your opponents a smack down with the DV8 Hell Raiser Revenge bowling ball!


Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 6 1/4"
Dual Angle Layout - 70* x 6 1/4" x 30*
Balance Hole - n/a

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (500/2000 Siaair Micro Pad)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
With the second release in DV8's high performance Hell Raiser line we were excited to see what the newest, edgiest company was coming out with.

We had heard from our contacts at DV8 that the Revenge was anywhere from 6-12 boards stronger then the original Hell Raiser depending on the bowler. The thought of that itself got us all excited to throw this ball because the first Hell Raiser was a beast and possibly one of the strongest balls we had thrown last year.

Since we were expecting so much hook I went with one of my favorite layouts for stronger balls that I wanted to be able to use on house shots and that is with the pin up over my middle finger and the mass bias above my thumb. Over the years I had used this layout on some of the strongest balls we have tested and it created enough skid with the out of box finish to allow me to get in deep and just watch the ball change directions at the break point.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
There has to come a point when the ball companies can not make these balls hook anymore. Obviously DV8 has not found that point yet.

The new Hell Raiser Revenge raises the bar for total hook potential to an all new level. I know we say it a lot with new high performance balls but this may be the most aggressive ball ever. As someone I know said after watching the ball reaction, "it makes other high performance balls look like urethane going down the lane."

The ball motion was just ridiculous for me. It was super clean through the heads, even though I was playing deeper then I have in ages during a ball test
I was able to get this ball back from anywhere. The motion off the break point was unlike anything we have seen int he past. It did not seem to matter
how far right or far down lane I moved my break point, the Revenge seemed to always find that spot and come back from it.

Overall the statement of 6-12 boards stronger was very accurate. I believe I had this ball about 7 boards stronger then the original Hell Raiser and our other ball tester had it an easy 10-12 boards stronger. This may be one of the most fun videos to watch in a while. Make sure you check this ball and video out.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

DV8 Hell Raiser Terror
735 of 746 people found this review helpful
5

Click to Enlarge

Trust us, the pins have never been more scared in their lives.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 4 3/4"
Dual Angle Layout - 50* x 4 3/4" x 40*
Balance Hole - on PAP

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (500 Siaair Micro Pad; Rough Buff; High Gloss Polish)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
I was super excited to see a factory polish Hell Raiser. To me that meant that DV8 was going to offer a more aggressive look on the backend while maintaining a smooth motion off your hand. In the past the Hell raiser and Hell Raiser Revenge provided unmatched hook and versatility on medium to heavier oil patterns.

I kept the layout pretty simple with the pin in a safe area and a strong mass bias location. This layout should offer a good look through the heads with an explosive motion off the break point.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Seems like everyt ime we throw the newest thing we say it is a great ball and the bestwe have seen. As soon as I finished throwing this ball the first words out of my mouth were, this could be the best ball this year.

It combined everything we loved from DV8 so far. In my opinion it gave me the look of the Too Reckless off my hand with all the hook of the Hell Raiser and
Hell Raiser Revenge. Possibly the best overall ball motion I have seen in years.

Off my hand the Terror was smooth and consistent, never reading any friction early and always giving me the same look through the heads and mid lane. As
you can see from our video off the point the Terror was awesome. It had a solid, strong motion without over reacting and it seemed to carry everything.

I honestly think that DV8 has set the bar very high with the latest release to the Hell Raiser series. For most typical league shots this ball will allow
bowlers to play in the higher scoring parts of the lane compared to the previous releases while still providing a strong overall ball motion.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

DV8 Marauder
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
5

Click to Enlarge

The DV8 Marauder is out for blood and to raid the lanes of all its high scores!

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 4 3/4"
Dual Angle Layout - 45* x 4 3/4" x 40*
Balance Hole - n/a

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (500 Siaair Micro Pad; Rough Buff; High Gloss)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
Based on what we were being told by DV8 we knew this was meant to be a benchmark ball in their product line. I kept the layout identical to the Hell Raiser Terror we were testing on the night. I was expecting to see a very solid down and in ball motion from the Marauder with similar characteristics of the Terror but less overall.


What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
I would agree that the Marauder offers a benchmark type of ball motion. This ball is easy to read with its Red Pearl/Yellow Solid cover and would be easy to adjust up or down from it.

Compared to the Hell Raiser Terror this ball rolled similar but obviously weaker in overall hook. The Maruader cleared the heads smooth never reading friction too early. It transitioned very nicely into a strong mid-lane roll with a sharp backend. I was able to move a little further right and open up the lane a bit while increasing carry at the same time.

Compared to the balls previously released at this price point, The Reckless and Too Reckless, I think you will just enough of a difference in ball motion to be very happy with the new addition to DV8's line up.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

DV8 Marauder Madness
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
5
This one's meaner than the last.. declare war on the pins with the DV8 Marauder Madness bowling ball!

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5"
Dual Angle Layout - 60* x 5" x 65*
Balance Hole - n/a

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (500, 4000 Siaair)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
Well DV8 is saying that the Marauder Madness is meaner then the original Marauder. From the looks of the ball out of the box it appears it should have more teeth.

I used a standard pin down layout to see what this bad boy can do. I am expecting this ball to start up sooner then the Marauder with a continuous motion off the break point. I know our buddies at DV8 were very proud of this ball and excited to see what it did for us.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Oh my, the Marauder was a really solid ball release. It did exactly what DV8 said it would and they stepped it up with the release of the Madness.

My first comment after throwing this ball was...Did they get it too close to their high performance ball motion. I swear this is the strongest mid performance ball I have thrown in a long time. I think you will be hard pressed to find a ball at this price point that offers this kind of motion.

Off my hand it was a little earlier then I expected but it did not stop. I swear this ball just kept hooking more and more as it got down lane. The recovery area I had with this ball was incredible. I am a huge fan of mid performance balls because they tend to store up energy better and provide a more consistent ball motion for me. That is definitely the case here. The Marauder Madness is possibly my new favorite ball.

You have not tried a DV8 ball yet, this is a great place to start. You will not be sorry.



Was this comment helpful? yes no

DV8 Marauder Mutiny
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
5
Seize control of the lanes with the DV8 Marauder Mutiny!

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 4"
Dual Angle Layout - 50 x 4" x 30
Balance Hole - On PAP

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (500 Grit Siaair/Rough Buff/High Gloss Polish)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
The new Marauder Mutiny was supposed to create more length and recovery then the Marauder Madness. I went with a pretty basic layout on this ball so that we could see what it could do.

The stronger pin to PAP should allow me to create more over hook with this ball while still getting a good clean look up front.


What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
I was pleasantly surprised by how strong this ball is. I almost think it is tough for DV8 to really dial back their ball motions. Both of this seasons new releases are absolute beasts.

The Maruader Mutiny was clean but very strong up front. I had to get a little further in with this ball then I expected due to how strong it was off my hand. It still cleared the heads good but it got moving right away. It kept that strong motion into the middle part of the lane and had a really nice motion off the break point.

Overall I was very pleased with the ball motion and like I said a bit taken back by how much it reacted. As always with DV8 balls, it hit like an absolute
truck. As long as we got this ball near the head pin, it was carrying. I think this will compliment previous Marauders well but also will match up nicely to the new Endless Nightmare.

DV8 - Tonight We Bowl

Was this comment helpful? yes no

DV8 Misfit Magenta/Yellow
88 of 94 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click to Enlarge
Separate yourself from the crowd with DV8's Misfit.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 4"
Dual Angle Layout - 40* x 4" x 45*
Balance Hole - 1" x 3" P2

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (500 Siaair Micro Pad; Rough Buff; High Gloss Polish)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
The Misfit series is supposed to bring a stronger ball motion to the entry level performance group for DV8. Along with its higher performance core the Misfit offers a smoother motion through the lanes with plenty of power to spare.

With two Misfits being offered in two different awesome color combinations we went a little stronger all around with the Magenta/Yellow Misfit and later we can compare the Orange/Blue one to it for layout differences.

We expect to see a really smooth motion in the heads and mid-lane with a strong but controllable motion off the breakpoint. Given that DV8 has kept a stronger core we do expect to still see plenty of movement overall but rolled up into something that can handle drier conditions then the Reckless and Hell Raiser.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Holy smokes batman what a good ball reaction.

Do not let the price or performance category fool with with the Misfit. This ball means business and can hang with any other at this price point or even a few above it. The Class 1 Reactive coverstock with high polish finish does allow the Misfit to easily get down lane before reading friction but once it gets there watch out, it goes left and hits like a freight train.

I was expecting the length part of this ball test and I expected to see moderate movement on the backend but I was pleasantly surprised to see how much movement I was able to create if I wanted to with this ball. I think this will be a great choice for versatility on lighter volume conditions
and I can say from my next ball test that slight variations in the layout will change ball motion but still give you what you are looking for.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

DV8 Misfit Orange/Blue
92 of 93 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click to Enlarge

Separate yourself from the crowd with DV8's Misfit.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5 1/4"
Dual Angle Layout - 45* x 5 1/4" x 65*
Balance Hole - 1" x 3" P3

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (500 Siaair Micro Pad; Rough Buff; High Gloss Polish)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
The Misfit series is supposed to bring a stronger ball motion to the entry level performance group for DV8. Along with its higher performance core the Misfit offers a smoother motion through the lanes with plenty of power to spare.

With two Misfits being offered in two different awesome color combinations we went a little weaker with the Orange/Blue Misfit compared to our Magenta/Yellow. This was to see how different we could make the balls look with subtle changes in the layout.

We expect to see a much smoother ball motion out of the Orange/Blue then the Magenta/Yellow and look forward to seeing a more controllable motion all around from this test. Given that DV8 has kept a stronger core we do expect to still see plenty of power overall but rolled up into something that can handle drier conditions then the Reckless and Hell Raiser.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
This ball rolls really really good. For everyone who thinks they have to have the highest performance ball on the market to throw strikes, watch the video.

Do not let the price or performance category fool with with the Misfit. This ball means business and can hang with any other at this price point or even a few above it. The Class 1 Reactive coverstock with high polish finish does allow the Misfit to easily get down lane before reading friction but once it gets there watch out, it goes left and hits like a freight train.

This ball test went exactly as I expected. My Orange/Blue Misfit was still a tank and rolled awesome even with the weaker layout. I honestly think that I could handle a complete night of league with a couple of Misfits drilled differently. The difference in ball motion from my Magenta/Yellow to my Orange/Blue was night and day and I did not even tweak the coverstocks.

This layout provided a really strong continuous motion from start to finish without ever really getting uncontrollable. I would use this ball middle of the second game out on a normal house shot because I think my carry would go through the roof compared to everyone trying to get further and further left as the night progresses. All in all the entire DV8 line was very impressive and the Misfit series is a must try for any skill level bowler.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

DV8 Misfit Pearl Neon Yellow
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
5
So you want to separate yourself? Get ready to stand out from the crowd with the DV8 Misfit Pearl Neon Yellow bowling ball!

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 4 1/2"
Dual Angle Layout - 60* x 4 1/2" x 65*
Balance Hole - N/A

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (High Polish)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
I have always had pretty good ball motions out of the Misfit series. The core/cover combinations have always responded well for me.

I went a little stronger on this one with a 4 1/2" pin distance from my PAP with a pin down angle. I am expecting to see plenty of length with a good response to friction downlane.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Well besides being super impressed with the way this ball looks going down the lane, I was also very pleasantly surprised with the reaction I got. This may be my favorite Misfit to date and yes part of that may be that you need sunglasses to watch the ball roll.

The new Misfit Pearl was super clean through the heads with a really quick response to friction. I was a little taken back by how strong it was off the break point and it hit like a ton of bricks. Overall I think bowlers of all skill levels will enjoy both the look and the reaction of the new Misfit.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

DV8 Nightmare
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
5
You thought DV8 had already created the most aggressive ball they could, didn't you?

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5"
Dual Angle Layout - 60* x 5" x 65*
Balance Hole - n/a

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (500, 1000, 4000 Siaair)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
After seeing the DV8 video of the new Nightmare release I figured I would use a pretty simple layout that most ball drillers may use. I kept the pin 5" from my PAP and used the dual angles to keep it below my fingers and the mass bias right of the thumb in a strong position. DV8 said this would be the strongest ball to date in their line so this layout should allow us to see what this ball could really do.

I was expected a very strong roll motion off my hand and through the transition part of the lane. The ball is supposed to have an explosive motion down lane while maintaining the strong roll that DV8 was looking for.


What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Wow this ball looks awesome going down the lane. I know that has nothing to do with ball motion but this thing looks sick going down there.

I will say I was very surprised by how clean this ball was through the heads. Normally when you get a ball this strong you will see some early movement
which causes the ball to smooth out as it goes down lane. Not with the Nightmare, it was super clean for me off my hand. In my opinion I don't know that I can say it hooked more then my Revenge but it was definitely a stronger rolling ball with a more continuous motion off the break point. For me the Revenge changed motion too much down lane so the Nightmare was a great look for me.

I was able to play in the oil and see a really strong roll from start to finish with no signs of the ball losing energy as it got closer to the pins. In comparison to the previous releases I would say the the Nightmare was overall the strongest motion. This ball will compliment most of the DV8 line very well and you will be able to cover a variety of conditions with their line up this season.



Was this comment helpful? yes no

DV8 Reckless
181 of 185 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click to Enlarge

Throw caution to the wind and pins to the deck with DV8's Reckless.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 4"
Dual Angle Layout - 40* x 4" x 45*
Balance Hole - 1" x 3" P4

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (500 Siaair Micro Pad; Rough Buff)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
Well as you may have seen lately mid-performance balls have been some of the best selling and best reacting balls on the market for some time. The technology that goes into some of these balls is equal to that of the high performance balls but with a milder coverstock and a lower price point. Typically we see more length with a good amount of recovery out of balls in this category.

From what we have seen from the DV8 brand and the Reckless we expected nothing less. We drilled this with an aggressive layout as well as an aggressive extra hole position to see what this ball can do matched up against the craziness of the Hell Raiser.

We expect the Reckless to provide a smooth look through the front with a quick transition off the dry boards and nothing less then a ton of recovery.

Lets See.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Possibly my favorite DV8 ball. Even though I felt like I owned the lane with the Hell Raiser the Reckless did exactly what I thought and let me play a little further right and open up the right side of the lane and create a ton of power at the pins.

The ability of this ball to clear the heads was amazing. Right up there with Storm mid-performance balls in my opinion which is a good thing these days. The Reckless showed me no concern for any friction early and cleanly go to my breakpoint before shredding the backend portion of the lanes. Every time this ball got to the point, it was going left towards the pocket. Even on a few shots where i thought I leaked it right, it recovered and destroyed the pins.

Overall this ball has a really good look and the kind of look that I think all league bowlers as well as high end bowlers will like and find very versatile across many conditions. Again the looks of the entire DV8 line completely impress me and make these balls pop off the rack when you see them.

Tonight We Bowl!

Was this comment helpful? yes no

DV8 Ruckus
5 of 6 people found this review helpful
5
Get ready to make some noise with the new DV8 Ruckus bowling ball!

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5"
Dual Angle Layout - 65* x 5" x 65*
Balance Hole - n/a

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (500 grit Siaair/Royal Compound)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
Luckily I had a few friends that had already seen this ball go down the lane so I knew what to expect.

DV8 continues their reputation for strong balls in the upper performance category with the Ruckus. I used a pretty simple layout that I think is pretty common all over the country. The stronger drilling angle with a 5" pin to PAP should showcase what the Ruckus was designed to do. This layout combined with the Hybrid cover and stronger core should give me a really strong look a little earlier then normal with a good amount of continuation down lane.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
WOW!! The new Ruckus from DV8 means business on medium to heavy volumes of oil.

You can tell this ball wants to tear through something as soon as it hits the lanes. The Hybrid cover and core combo gets this ball into a super strong roll earlier then we have seen from previous releases. In the middle is where I saw this ball shine. As it transitioned out of the front part of the lane it just dug in an did not stop. As long as I found oil early to help push this ball, I could throw it as far right as I wanted and it recovered every time and hit the pins with authority.

I know that we are all very used to seeing higher end DV8 balls hook but they changed the part of the lane you get the reaction on this ball which I think will compliment their current ball line very nicely.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

DV8 Thug
13 of 16 people found this review helpful
5
Beat up on the pins and your competition with the DV8 Thug.

The new DV8 Thug combines the Class 13F Hybrid Reactive cover with the all new Thug Asymmetric core.

This combination is supposed to offer a new look to DV8's high performance line. The Thug should read the lane a little sooner then the Ruckus Schizo with a stronger motion off the break point.

As always DV8 high performance balls bring crazy hitting power combined with great ball motions. The other very cool piece to the Thug is the color scheme. The Black/Silver/Orange pearl look amazing going down the lane and the addition of the orange stripe gives the bowlers a color
indicator as the ball goes down the lane. This will tend to help bowlers see the ball motion and see any adjustments that need made in the release.

Check out the new DV8 Thug and look for more reviews and ball videos coming soon.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

DV8 Thug Life
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
5
Show that your way of life is more then just a catch phrase - Thug Life

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5"
Dual Angle Layout - 55* x 5" x 35*
Balance Hole - n/a

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (500 Siaair/Royal Compound)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
The Thug series from DV8 has been a really solid group of balls and ball motions.

The Composite Pearl cover with the Low RG core should provide some really good length with a big move off the break point. The layout I used should really highlight this motion and give me a really good look at what the Thug Life can do.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Wow, you loyal DV8 bowlers are going to love this ball.

The Thug Life is no doubt my favorite so far in this series to date. This is the ball motion I expect from DV8 with their in your face attitude.

The Thug Life was amazing off my hand, super clean but got into a really strong roll. So far this Composite material they are using is proving to be a winner for me. The ball really picked up a lot of steam in the mids, even for a pearl I saw it get up and go setting up for the killer backend motion.

This is where this ball won me over and I think all of you will agree. Off the spot this ball went left, not a little but a ton. This ball was going to come back from anywhere and I kept moving left and getting it our further and I swear each time, it hit harder.

Thug Life is a must have for your bag this season.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Ebonite Adrenaline Shot
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
5
Get Your Shot of Adrenaline

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5"
Dual Angle Layout - 55* x 5" x 35*
Balance Hole - n/a

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (500/2000 Abralon)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
I used my go to layout for this ball since it had been a while since we threw anything in this performance category from Ebonite.

With the Hybrid Reactive cover and the specs on the Adrenaline Shot I am thinking this will provide me with a smooth ball motion with plenty of backend strength to give me a good look at the pocket.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Exactly what I thought, the Adrenaline Shot was a super smooth motion front to back with enough energy at the pins to hit like a truck.

I think this ball fits in right where Ebonite wants it to. I see this as being a super clean transition ball in the middle of the night and
it is still strong enough that you could start the night with it.

Off my hand it stayed nice and controllable with a nice read int he middle part of the lane. Even though this hybrid cover is finished with some
surface it stored plenty of energy for the backend and hit as hard as any high performance ball out there.

The Adrenaline Shot will make a perfect ball if you are looking to complete an arsenal or if you want strength and control out of the box.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Ebonite Clash Blue/Yellow Pearl
2 of 3 people found this review helpful
4

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click Layout Image to Enlarge


Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 4 3/4"
Mass Bias Position - N/A
CG Placement - grip center
Balance Hole - none

Surface Preparation - Out of Box Finish (4000 Abralon with Powerhouse Factory Finish Ball Polish)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
I drilled this ball with a very specific purpose. To get down the lane with a moderate amount of movement on the backend for when the lanes started to dry out towards the end of the night. I thought this would be a good ball choice based off of the information I had from our local Ebonite rep and other reviews I had checked out.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Pretty much exactly what I thought. It did everything I was told through the heads and middle part of the lane. Lately they have been drying out quicker than normal at our regular house and I never really needed anything this low in a company's performance group. I have not had a chance to use it on really dry heads but from what i can tell this would be fine even on that type of condition.

Midlane was very solid, it reads the friction but stays clean. It does not really jump just reads it and sort of clears it at the same time. I was very taken back in a good way with the amount of backend movement I saw out of this ball. This is where the information I had was not really correct. This ball will surprise you on the back part of the lane. It made a much more aggressive move left than we thought it would. Not saying this is a bad thing but it was not really what we expected. Of course the way it always works, is you drill a ball for a specific condition that your are seeing lately and then you don't see it again for a few weeks. So far we have not needed to use this ball on the shot we drilled it for. I am thinking that once the lanes get to a point where I would pull this out I will be able to work with the ball to achieve the reaction I was looking for.
Was this comment helpful? yes no


Ebonite Game Breaker
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:
The Ebonite Gamebreaker brings The One coverstock and the popular V2 Sanded core to their Silver Level performance group.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5"
Mass Bias Position - N/A
CG Placement - 1 1/2" right of grip center
Balance Hole - none

Surface Preparation - Out of Box Finish (2000 Abralon)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
Unfortunately do to issues on my own part I do not have the ball to show you photos of the layout. Trust me I will be drilling another one of these balls identically and I will get the images up as soon as I can.

I was very interested in what this ball would bring to my arsenal. One of the best balls on the market ever was the V2 Sanded and one of the best more recent balls was The One. This brought those two balls together. I wanted something for early on in the night or if the lanes were really oily that would allow me to stay in my comfort area on the lane and still get the reaction I like to see. I always think it is smart to try and find balls to fit in your bag that keep you in areas on the lane that you are comfortable playing in. It makes no sense to drill a ball that will cause you to have to do something or play in a part of the lane you don't like or maybe that you can not play.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Exactly what I wanted. This was not a ball that I can throw all night or even every night for that matter. The Gamebreaker was extremely strong in the front part of the lane. Even from my limited time throwing the ball I could tell there would never be too much oil to use this ball on. As long as there is at least a medium amount of oil on the lane the Gamebreaker stays strong but clean through the front part of the lane.

In the middle part of the lane the Gamebreaker stays really strong and picks up so much roll due to the coverstock and surface finish and the core in the ball. As a fellow reviewer of mine said this is one of those balls that when you throw you feel like you can get it back from anywhere. I don't know if any of you have ever had one of those balls before, but every once in a while you get a ball that makes the right side of the lane seem like you own it. I don't care how hard I tried to throw the ball or what I did with my hand position it came back.

Even with how strong this ball is in the heads and the mid lane it stays strong in the back no matter what. I love throwing balls like this when I can because I never feel like I have to back off of the ball or do anything weird with my hand to keep it on line. This is a great feeling because you can make very strong, aggressive, quality shots every time and know you are going to get the ball where it needs to be at the pins.

For the price the Gamebreaker is exactly what they offer, the best of two of Ebonite's best selling balls brought into one great package.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Ebonite Game Breaker 2 Gold
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
5
Go For the Gold - Game Breaker 2 Gold

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5"
Dual Angle Layout - 55* x 5" x 35*
Balance Hole - n/a

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (500/1000 Abralon Polished w/ Factory Finish)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
I felt this would be my type of ball. I loved the Game Breaker and Game Breaker 2 and I ten to like strong pearl balls.

I went with my favorite layout on this one and was hoping for a super clean motion off my hand with a big move down lane.

Let's See.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Perfect motion for me. The Game Breaker 2 Gold was exactly what I wanted it to be.

The Game Breaker 2 Gold was a super strong pearl ball that would fir perfectly in my bag. I was able to use this ball on the "fresh" and
completely open up the lane. The ball was super clean in the heads and did not over read the middle part of the lane, leaving me with a ton
of energy for the backend. I like to see a big move downlane and this ball gave me all I could handle for sure.

The nice thing was the ball was receptive to changes in my hand position so I could see where this would be controllable enough for me to get
further into league without a ball change, another plus for me.

Overall I think the Game Breaker 2 Gold is a great addition tot he Ebonite line-up and will be one for many different bowler styles.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Ebonite Lane Breaker
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click Layout Image to Enlarge


The all new Lane Breaker from Ebonite.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5 1/2" under middle finger
Mass Bias Position - n/a
CG Placement - just under and to the right of center of grip
Balance Hole - none

Surface Preparation - Out of Box

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
Even with all the balls we test, sometimes we open a box and just get a little excited based solely on what the ball looks like. This was one of those balls for me. As soon as I opened the box I knew how I was laying the ball out. It looked like a V2 Pearl to me and I was determined to use the layout I loved on my V2 Pearl.

So see sometimes we do not have anything in mind other then matching up to a older ball that we really liked. I try very hard not to do this but sometimes you have to and since the layout was not anything crazy I figured it would actually be good on this ball.

This layout for me tends to smooth out the ball in the front letting me play deeper on the lane and having more energy to get the ball back using that steep entry angle.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
I got what I wanted. I don't care what Ebonite says they did on this ball, it reacts as close to any V2 I have seen yet. I was able to play so deep on the lane and still get recovery that I thought I was back in the day when my body let me play that deep all the time for more then a game or so.

The ball did exactly what i thought and cleared the heads like there was no tomorrow. Obviously the pearlized reactive cover helped but the ball motion was fantastic as it easily transitioned into the middle part of the lane and exploded for me on the backend. As I squared up with the ball I was not as impressed but it rolled good. This will most likely be the ball I throw
when the lanes let me get in and wheel on it.
Was this comment helpful? yes no


Ebonite Magic Touch
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
4

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click Layout Image to Enlarge


Ebonite's Magic Touch is the perfect compliment to the Magic.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 4 1/2" above ring finger
Mass Bias Position - 4" from PAP right of the thumb
CG Placement - just right of center
Balance Hole - none

Surface Preparation - Out of Box

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
I was not a huge fan of the Magic, it was one of those balls that just did not roll very good for me. This is not a bad thing just sometimes balls do not match up well for certain bowlers. All the more reason we try and give you a variety of styles on our videos. This way if you throw the ball similar to
one of us we can be your test dummy before you purchase.

Since I wanted to give the Magic Touch a fair test I used the recommended layout from Ebonite. You will see this layout on a lot of balls out there because it is pretty safe and 99% of the time we know what it will
do. It should let the ball get down the lane without too much early motion and make a fairly aggressive move on the back towards the pocket.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Alright so whatever went wrong with me on the Magic was corrected on this ball. The Magic Touch was a totally different ball for me. It rolled just as I would have expected a shiny high performance ball to roll. It scooted
through the front without really reading any friction and made a very strong move on the back. Overall this may be one of the best ball motions I have seen from Ebonite's upper performance line of balls in a while. We have not yet tested the Evolve but to this point the Magic Touch is on top for Ebonite.
Was this comment helpful? yes no


Ebonite Mission Unknown 15 lb LAST ONE
13 of 14 people found this review helpful
5
Explore your bowling potential with the Ebonite Mission Unknown

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5"
Dual Angle Layout - 55* x 5" x 35*
Balance Hole - n/a
Surface Preparation - Out of Box (500/1000 Abralon w/ Factory Finish Polish)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
The all new Mission Unknown was born out requests from the bowling community to bring back the original Mission from years past.

The Mission Unknown is an absolute stunning looking ball with a polished solid Black cover with Orange engraving.

I went with me favorite pin up layout to create a good amount of skid with a sharp change of direction downlane.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Holy smokes, I haven't seen an Ebonite ball motion quite like this one in years.

The Mission Unknown was an absolute pleasure to throw for me. It was super clean through the heads and also it looked amazing going down the lane. Solid Black polished surfaces always do.

I was pleasantly surprised by how strong the ball read the mid-lane without burning up too much energy, it really read the pattern well. On the backends is where this ball shined for me. I was able to create some crazy angles with this ball. This is always a plus for me as it allows me to open up the lane and find a good angle to carry from.

The Mission Unknown hit like a ton of bricks, cutting through the pins crazy strong.

All in all the new Mission Unknown is a great release for this season and if you are an Ebonite fan, this ball is a must have.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Ebonite NV Never Released to the Public
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click Layout Image to Enlarge


We received one of these balls through Ebonite's Total NV Pro Shop Promotion. Based on how much we loved our Total NV we could not resist drilling this ball.

We placed the pin 5" from the PAP (5 1/8" over, 1/8" up) which placed it under our ring finger and we put the mass bias at 45 degrees. We knew based on the layout alone this would be strong. Strong does not really describe what we got out og the NV.

We used the ball with the out of box surface on a typical house shot. We normally have more than enough ball with the Total NV or any other polished high performance ball. We still had fun watching the NV get through the heads with ease and make a left hand turn at about 45-50 feet down the lane. The ball reacted so hard that even once it hit the pins it looked like it could have kept hooking.

The NV was easily 8-10 boards more hook than the Total NV. We thought Ebonite had pretty much maxed out their oil absorption time but this shell was amazing. By the time the ball got back to us the oil was gone. This coverstock is like nothing we have ever tested or seen before.

If you have the opportunity to get your hands on one of these balls get it. If not because it was produced in such limited numbers you can only hope that Ebonite decides to release this ball as a sequel to the Total NV. Keep your fingers crossed.
Was this comment helpful? yes no


Ebonite NVS
9 of 9 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click Layout Image to Enlarge


We drilled our Ebonite NVS like we drill most of our Ebonite high performance test balls. The pin is located 5" from PAP (5 1/8" over and 1/8" up) with the mass bias at 45 degrees. For a better test against other balls recently released we left the finish alone.

We were a little surprised how clean the NVS was through the heads. We expected a little more roll or reaction a little earlier than we saw. Once it found some friction mid-lane and on the back end it had that true Ebonite ball motion. It went left with a good amount of hitting power left in it.

We may adjust the cover a little and update this review because we would like to see a little more movement earlier on from this ball but overall we think this is another successful ball release from Ebonite.

Was this comment helpful? yes no


Ebonite Pursuit
133 of 135 people found this review helpful
5

Click to Enlarge

The Ebonite Pursuit will offer you the absolute best performance in the market to date!


Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5 1/4"
Dual Angle Layout - 70* x 5 1/4" x 20*
Balance Hole - n/a

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (800 Abranet, 1500 Abranet)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
After speaking to our Ebonite rep we decided to use a similar mass bias placement as our Taboo Jet Black with a stronger pin placement. The thought behind these two releases was that the bowler could decide what ball motion they wanted and therefor decide on the Pursuit (asymmetrical core) or Pursuit S (symmetrical core).

Based on what we were told about these balls and the data we saw we figured the Pursuit would be a stronger sharper ball motion then the Pursuit S. The asymmetrical core in the Pursuit should cause the ball to roll stronger through the front and middle part of the lane and change directions harder off the break point.


What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
The Pursuit rolled really good for me. From the first shot I could tell that I would be able to create some room down lane with this ball because it had so much recovery and really gave me a good look down lane.

Off my hand this ball rolled really good. It cleared the heads super smooth allowing it to set up perfectly for the shot and transition nicely into the backend part of the lane. I will say that this ball offered me the most consistent ball motion down lane of any Ebonite ball I have thrown in recent years.

We changed our second camera angle on this video and I think you will agree that it offers a really good look into the ball motion from start to finish. As you will see in this angle the ball is super strong and also allowed me some tug and swing room, something we all like to have.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Ebonite Pursuit-S
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
5

Click to Enlarge

The Ebonite Pursuit S will offer you the absolute best performance in the market to date!


Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5"
Dual Angle Layout - 75* x 5" x 40*
Balance Hole - n/a

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (800 Abranet, 1500 Abranet)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
Once we decided how we were going to layout the Pursuit we decided to use a pretty simple layout on the Pursuit S. We felt this would offer us a really good look at what the ball was capable of and the differences between the two balls.

Based on what we were told about these balls and the data we saw we figured the Pursuit would be a stronger sharper ball motion then the Pursuit S. The symmetrical core int he Pursuit S should offer a cleaner look through the front with a smoother motion off the break point.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
I was really surprised at first at how close the two balls were in the front part of the lane. I really thought the Pursuit S would be much cleaner
and maybe even a little weaker off my hand but it was very strong and clean just like the Pursuit.

For me the major differences was as the ball started to hook and transition into the backend part of the lane. The Pursuit S was much smoother and
offered me a cleaner motion off the break point when compared to the Pursuit. I am typically a bigger fan of symmetric core balls because I feel like I have more control of the ball motion by using subtle changes in the hand position and release. As you will be able to see in the video, I was able to throw this ball fairly direct with plenty of roll and motion and then with a simple change I was able to create a lot of movement down lane.

That is the kind of ball I like to throw because I like to make small changes as the night progresses and the lanes change.

We changed our second camera angle on this video and I think you will agree that it offers a really good look into the ball motion from start to finish. As you will see in this angle the ball is super strong and also allowed me some tug and swing room, something we all like to have.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Ebonite Raid
7 of 8 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click Layout Image to Enlarge


Ebonite's new Raid proved to be a big performer in the mid price range.

We drilled our Raid with our favorite layout just to keep it safe. We placed the pin 5" from the PAP (5 1/8" over, 1/8" up) with the Mass Bias at 45 degrees. WOW, we were absolutely floored by the ball reaction we got from this ball. We liked our SR300 and thought the RXS300 was a wonderful ball but we did not expect this ball to do what it did. The combination of core and coverstock proved to be a winner.

If we had to place this in between two balls for you we would say less than the Black Widow but surprisingly more than the Black Widow Pearl. We were able to get 5-6 boards inside of our Black Widow Pearl on still have as much forgiveness and hitting power needed from in that deep.

We loved the reaction so much even though it may be to angular on the backend that we left the surface alone just so we could watch the ball react on the back part of the lane. Ebonite's new addition has a spot in our bag for the rest of the season.
Was this comment helpful? yes no


Ebonite Signals
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
5

Click to Enlarge

Put on your blinker because this thing takes a sharp turn toward the pocket! The Ebonite Signals bowling ball!


Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5 1/2"
Dual Angle Layout - 45* x 5 1/4" x 65*
Balance Hole - n/a

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (Polished)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
This layout typically produces a smooth motion off my hand with a strong more angular move off the break point.
From what we knew about the Signals we were expecting to see an aggressive down and in ball motion with plenty of power by the pins.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
I would say we were fairly close on this one. The ball may have been a bit smoother then I originally thought but after a few shots I really was liking the ball motion I was seeing.

Off my hand the Signals cleared the heads with ease. It never seemed the react to any friction until down lane. In the mids the ball stayed strong and
smooth giving me a good look at the break point.

Once the Signals got to the break point it was look out pocket. Shot after shot the ball recovered and hit with authority. I did think it was going to be
a more angular motion but after I went back and looked at the ball reaction video I saw that I was getting plenty of movement and awesome carry. Sometimes the color and pearlization of a ball can be deceiving making you think it is not moving as much as it actually is. The Signals looks great and just as great.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Ebonite Total NV
13 of 14 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:



Click Layout Image to Enlarge


We drilled 2 of Ebonite's new Total NV. The first layout we used their recommended layout with the pin 5 1/8" from the PAP with the pin above the fingers and the mass bias approximately at 55 degrees. This layout produced more reaction than our Angular One with the same layout while still revving up plenty in the mid-lane and clearing the heads with ease. Our second Total NV we used their Trick Tour Layout. This layout provided more length through the heads then our other drilling with a very distinct movement on the backend. After throwing both balls we did end up using 2000 grit Abralon on the first ball and left the second one with the box finish. These two layouts and finishes gave us a great combination on our standard house condition allowing us to go back and forth between balls as the lane started to break down. Ebonite remains on top with the new release - The Total NV.
Was this comment helpful? yes no


Elite Insanity
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click to Enlarge
Drive your opponents crazy with the Elite Insanity Bowling Ball!

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5 1/4"
Dual Angle Layout - 45* x 5 1/4" x 65*
Balance Hole - 1" x 2" P3

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (Wet Sand 1500)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
We continued with our same test layout for the Elite series.

The Insanity is supposed to bring a big motion to the backend with a cleaner motion in the heads. Most of the Elite balls we have tested so far clear the front parts of the lane very well so we are anxious to see what this ball will do in comparison.

The layout should highlight what Elite wants this ball to do in their line and provide a clean look early with a good motion off the spot down lane.


What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
I had the smoothest ball motion of all so far with the Insanity.

It was a very clean ball and it was probably the best looking ball so far. The Insanity cleared the front the same way every time, clean, it never reacted to friction early and kept a really good line the entire way down the lane.

Off the point, it was strong enough to recover but clean enough not to over react. This ball fits in their arsenal very well in my opinion because it would work the best on lighter volumes.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Elite Purple Alien
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click to Enlarge

Long and strong is what the Elite Purple Alien is all about.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5 1/4"
Dual Angle Layout - 45* x 5 1/4" x 65*
Balance Hole - 1" x 3" P2

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (Performance Polish)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
This was our first series of ball tests for Elite. We had heard plenty of really good things about
their ball motion but never got to see it for ourselves.

To keep everything simple and so you can see the balls compared evenly we drilled all of my test balls identical with one of my favorite layouts. This layout should provide a clean motion through the heads with a strong revving motion in the mid-lane and plenty of energy for a quick back end reaction off of the friction.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
This was my favorite motion of the night. We tested on ball that was stronger then this and one that was smoother then this and by far the Purple Alien was my favorite.

I got a really solid ball motion from start to finish on this ball and throughout the test it did exactly what I thought it would do. From the heads on it was very clean and never jumped when it saw friction on the lane. It transitioned well into the middle part of the lane really revving up as it got further down lane.

As I watched the video back I realized it looks really smooth on the video but I promise this ball was giving me plenty of movement. Sometimes on these videos it is tough to see the overall movement and also this ball has no logos that show up while the ball is rolling so that makes it a little tricky on the
play back.

All in all I think the Purple Alien is a very solid ball to have in your arsenal and offers you a motion that would be a staple in your bag.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Elite Red Alien
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click to Enlarge

Designed to combat the slickest lane conditions, thanks to the E80 coverstock, our highest friction coverstock.


Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5 1/4"
Dual Angle Layout - 45* x 5 1/4" x 65*
Balance Hole - 1" x 3" P3

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (1000 grit Abralon)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
It was told to us that the Red Alien hooked. As we stated this was our first series of ball tests for Elite and in an effort to see a true comparison we drilled all of my test balls identical.

This layout may prove to be a little strong for this type of ball but we will see. On this aggressive of a core/cover combo we should see the ball get into a very early roll and really set up strong int he mid-lane with a more controlled backend.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Holy Hook!!!

The Elite Red Alien will hold its own against any of the bigger brands high performance aggressive balls. This thing absolutely rips the oil and
does not care what you put in front of it.

If you are watching our test video please keep in mind where you see me playing is on the fresh oil. I literally could not keep this ball
right of the head pin from any further right on the lane. Now of course if this was actually being used during league we would have most likely polished the shell and created some length for myself but this is a test video and we test them out of the box.

I will say the layout worked out much better then I thought. The ball was strong, very strong but it was very controllable once I got into the right part of the lane. I was able to stay on my little area and really open up the back part of the lane much more then I thought I would be able to.

As long as this ball finds some head oil it really stores it energy well and has plenty of motion left for the back end.

If you have been thinking about trying Elite and want hook this is the ball for you.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Elite Sabotage
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click to Enlarge
WARNING: The use of an Elite Sabotage may cause long term damage to your competition.


Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5 1/4"
Dual Angle Layout - 45* x 5 1/4" x 65*
Balance Hole - n/a

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (Wet Sand 1500)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
The Elite Sabotage is supposed to be one of their strongest pearlized covers out right now.

This layout should provide a good motion for this ball and create plenty of movement down lane while keeping the ball controllable enough for lighter volume patterns.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
The Sabotage is possibly one of the strongest pearlized balls I ahve seen when the ball gets to middle part of the lane.

If you like seeing the ball set up and maintain a strong motion into the pocket then is the ball for you.

It glided through the heads with no issues but as the ball started to get into the middle section of the lane it made such a quick move it caught me
off guard for the first few shots. I mean normally a pearlized cover will continue to store up energy until it hits the back end and your break point and then make its big move. This ball started earlier and set up very nicely to the pocket.

I was very surprised at this motion and once I saw it a few times I realized how nice it was and that this kind of motion has its places. The Sabotage
offers a different motion then we typically see right now. This ball would be a great addition to your arsenal.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Etonic Men's Tony Ruocco Stabilite Plus Lava RH
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
5
The Etonic Stabilite Plus Lava bowling shoe offers a unique look for the high end bowler.

I had been using the same pair of shoes for almost 8 years and finally it was time for a new pair. The only bowling I do lately is for our ball reaction videos and I figured why not try a pair of these Lava Stabilite shoes.

My main concern was that they had interchangeable soles. I really never change the heel and since this had a regular rubber heel I figured that it
would work out just fine for me. I was really drawn to these shoes when they first came out because of the way they look. I have no issue being the center of attention and I thought these shoes would show well in our ball videos.

I was amazed at how comfortable they were right off the bat. There was practically no break in time with them. There was the normal couple of shots to make sure that I had the correct sole on them and from there they were good to go.

I have been using them for about 3 months now and they are getting a little softer and more and more comfortable as time goes. I had never worn a pair of
Etonic's before this but I have to say that I am impressed with the quality and the performance of the shoe....And Of Course They Look Awesome too.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Hammer Absolut Flip
14 of 14 people found this review helpful
5
Sometimes you need the ball to go longer and turn the corner faster. The Hammer Absolut Flip is the ball for the job!

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5"
Dual Angle Layout - 55* x 5" x 35*
Balance Hole - n/a

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (500/500/500/1000 grit Abralon w/ Factory Finish)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
In this case I used the same layout as the other Hammer ball we tested on the same night, Black Widow Legend. I figured this would allow me to see the difference in performance levels straight up between the two.

The Absolut Flip is the newest addition to the Absolut line from Hammer and the Flip is supposed to offer just that, a more aggressive look downlane then the previous releases in this line.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
So I was kind of backwards on these balls. The ball I thought would read the mids sooner went longer and the ball I thought would be sharper off the spot read the pattern earlier. Oh well sometimes that happens I guess.

Regardless the Absolut Flip was an awesome piece of equipment. It was so clean off my hand I felt like I was throwing an entry level ball. It literally glided off my hand and cleared the fronts with no effort at all.

As the ball started to transition it really picked up steam and showed its teeth. I had the strongest motion by far of our testers with this ball. It really rolled great in the middle part of the lane which allowed me to feel confident that I was going to get this ball back from anywhere on the lane.

That strong motion continued through the backends off the spot and right through the pins. I really enjoyed throwing this ball and think it makes a great compliment to the previous releases in this performance line.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Hammer Absolut Hook
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
5
The name says it all... Absolute Hook from Hammer!

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5"
Dual Angle Layout - 55* x 5" x 35*
Balance Hole - On PAP

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (800 Abranet/1000, 2000, 2000 Abralon)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
I have used this layout on a few recent test balls and feel it gives me a strong look without the ball reading too early. The Absolut Hook is supposed to bring just that, hook. This layout should provide a really strong look off my hand with a strong continuous motion through the back part of the lane.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
I was pleasantly surprised by how strong yet controllable this ball was.

The Absolut Hook from Hammer is all business. Right off my hand it was revving but not over reacting in the heads.

The motion I had in the middle part of the lane and through the backend was great. It was super strong and very responsive to friction downlane. I was able to create a ton of miss with this ball as you can see in the video. If I let the ball leak a little right it revved up and recovered great with plenty of hit.

Overall I think this is a really good piece from Hammer and from what I have seen of their other new releases will compliment them very well.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Hammer Bad Ass RARE - SOLD OUT
33 of 36 people found this review helpful
5
The Hammer Bad Ass. Rated "R"

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5 5/8"
Dual Angle Layout - 40* x 5 5/8" x 35*
Balance Hole - n/a

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (500/2000 grit Abralon/Factory Finish Polish)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
Going by the name alone I thought this ball was going to hook. I went with a pretty simple pin up layout. I was trying to increase length while getting a really strong, angular motion off the spot.

I would say this would be a typical layout used for league conditions without getting the ball motion too specific for more challenging conditions.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
This is by far the strongest overall ball motion I have seen from Hammer in quite some time.

The Bad Ass brought everything I was hoping for to the lanes. Off my hand it was clean but super strong. It got into a really heavy roll off my hand without reacting to friction int he heads and mids.

As the ball transitioned it was apparent that I was going to be able to create a bunch of room with this ball. As you can see from my ball video, I was constantly moving in deeper on the pattern to see what this ball could handle. It got back fro anywhere regardless of the angle I was creating by
moving further left on the lane.

The Bad Ass came off the spot hard just like I wanted and it did not quit until it was in the pit. This ball hit harder then any previous Hammer ball we have tested. I would say this is by far my favorite Hammer since the original Black Widow series.

Hammerheads and new bowlers trying Hammer for the first time will love the Bad Ass.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Hammer Black Widow
48 of 49 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click Layout Image to Enlarge


We drilled three Hammer Black Widows with three different layouts. We drilled one for a high rev high ball speed bowler. We drilled the second for a low rev mid ball speed bowler. We drilled the third for a low rev low ball speed bowler. We found that some fine tuning of the coverstock was required to attain the proper reaction. Once the proper surface was found the ball performance was way beyond our expectations, especially at this price point. For the high rev high ball speed bowler we polished the ball to 3000 and the lane opened right up. For the low rev mid ball speed bowler we left the coverstock as it came out of the box and the ball flat out hooked. Rolled strong through the mid lane without rolling out. Keep plenty of energy for the back end finish through the pocket. Absolutely awesome. For the low rev low ball speed bowler we polished the ball to 1500 and found that the ball got down the lane and still had plenty left for the backend without rolling out. On our scale of 1-5 this could be one of the first 6's. You will not be disappointed. Discover why this ball is the number one seller in the nation right now.
Was this comment helpful? yes no


Hammer Black Widow Assassin
536 of 544 people found this review helpful
5
The legend has returned! Hammer's most successful line of bowling balls, the Black Widow, is back and deadlier than ever!

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 4 1/2"
Dual Angle Layout - 60* x 4 1/2" x 50*
Balance Hole - n/a

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (500/500/500 1000 Abralon w/ Factory Finish Polish)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
This was a very similar layout to one of my favorite Black Widows. I figured this was a good place to start withe this release. I expect more length then the original Widow with a more angular motion off the break point.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Hammer did not disappoint with this release. Everything you thought it would be it was.

This ball was super clean off my hand. Much smoother up front then the original Widow. I was able to create some really aggressive angles since this ball was so smooth through the heads.

The Assassin did have a stronger transition then I was expecting in the middle part of the lane. As the ball transitioned you could tell it was going to be very aggressive. The ball set up so well that I able to get in and really create a strong angle on the fresh. This ball really goes to work on the backends. Off the break point the Black Widow Assassin was super strong and angular.

I was able to get this ball back from just about where ever I wanted on the lane and it always got there with plenty of power. The ones thing I noticed
that really reminded me of the Black Widow was the way the ball went through the pins. It kept everything low and the ball seemed to always go off the
deck with tons of power.

Anyone who loved their Black Widow will absolutely love the new Black Widow Assassin.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Hammer Black Widow Bite
226 of 227 people found this review helpful
3

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click Layout Image to Enlarge



The Black Widow Bite expands the Black Widow series by offering a stronger hook motion with more aggressive backend.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5"
Mass Bias Position - 45 degrees
CG Placement - 1" right and about 1 1/4" up from grip center
Balance Hole - none

Surface Preparation - Box Finish

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
This is our bench mark layout. We use this on most balls for testing purposes and from our past experience we have found it to work well on our Black Widow test balls in the past. We figured based on all we knew of this ball this layout would offer us a pretty clean reaction through the front with an aggressive move through the mid lane and back part of the lane.


What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
We are a little unsure of this ball at this time. We may update this review later based on more testing.

We really did not see the ball motion we expected to see out of this ball right out of the gate. The first few shots we threw were a little odd. The ball seemed to react well but as we threw more shots we saw a huge decrease in reaction. It seemed to start to "float" more and more on the back part of the lane. It was a weird ball reaction because it looked like it was going to read the friction ok and then when it got there it just seemed to stop.

When other balls were thrown against this they looked really good compared to the Bite. From what we heard before drilling the ball we knew that with less oil to ball would burn up early and lose reaction overall. We may re-test this ball with some polish on the shell and see what happens. Knowing what we know about the ball, that is has the same proven core as the original Black Widow and a stronger cover that Hammer has used previously we know this ball should be fine. I guess this ball test proves that sometimes things do not go as planned and slight adjustments have to be made from time to time to get the desired ball reaction.
Was this comment helpful? yes no


Hammer Black Widow Dark Legend
12 of 13 people found this review helpful
5
Become a legend on the lanes with the Hammer Black Widow Dark Legend

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5"
Dual Angle Layout - 55* x 5" x 35*
Balance Hole - n/a
Surface Preparation - Out of Box (500/1000 Abralon/Clean N Sheen)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
I'm pretty sure every Black Widow I have thrown for ball videos used this same pin up layout. So how could I not keep that streak going?

The Dark Legend utilizes the Gas Mask core from the previous Widow series balls combined with the new Semtex Hybrid cover. I am expecting a good clean motion with a strong pick-up in the mids and a strong/continuous backend reaction

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Given the fact that the Black Widow series has been one of the most successful of all time, it is a strong statement to say this is my favorite but...

This is my favorite!

I am usually not a huge fan of hybrids but this combination with the Gas Mask core suited me perfectly. I was able to do so much with this ball just by making simple adjustments in my hand position or ball speed. Truly a unique piece of equipment that I think will suit most bowlers.

Off my hand just as expected, it was strong but did not over read the pattern. It still provided plenty of skid up front with a really strong motion through the middle part of the lane as it transitioned. On the backend, this ball went nuts. I was able to cover as many boards as I wanted or I could square up a bit and get a strong but controllable motion off the breakpoint.

All in all this was the closest ball motion I have had to the original Black Widow and it would no doubt be one of the first balls out of my bag every night.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Hammer Black Widow Legend
32 of 33 people found this review helpful
5
The Hammer Black Widow Legend continues!

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5"
Dual Angle Layout - 55* x 5" x 35*
Balance Hole - n/a

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (500/1000 grit Abralon w/ Factory Finish)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
This has been a staple layout in my bag this season. It allows me to really get a good amount of push before I start to see the ball read the friction. It stores up energy well enough that I can still move in if needed and get plenty
of hook downlane.

Out of the Legend I was expecting to see a smooth motion off my hand with a really good read in the mids from the hybrid cover. Of course with this core I was fully expecting plenty of movement off the spot downlane.


What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
I have to say I was little surprised with this ball. Typically hybrids even with polish read the mid lanes really strong and set up for a good downlane motion. The Black Widow Legend was surprisingly a bunch of movement downlane and stayed pretty tame in the middle part of the lane.

The reacted exactly as I thought off my hand, it was super clean and didnt read any friction outside too early. Off the spot this ball that classic Black Widow motion for me and just kept going through the pin deck.

Overall another really good addition to the Black Widow series. I think this ball will be very responsive to surface changes as all the Widows have in the past.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Hammer Black Widow Nasty
226 of 227 people found this review helpful
4

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click Layout Image to Enlarge


The Hammer Black Widow Nasty adds another look to the Black Widow line.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5" - above ring finger
Mass Bias Position - 3 1/2" from PAP
CG Placement - just above mid line and right of center line
Balance Hole - none

Surface Preparation - Out of Box

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
As we do with any Black Widow series ball, we used a popular and pretty safe layout to ensure we could see the differences in their new core and coverstock technology. This layout generally lets us see peak performance from most balls and in the past has always worked very well on Black Widow balls.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
We got a very solid ball motion as expected from a brand such as Hammer with their Black Widow line. Initially I do not know if I can say that I saw anything new or exciting from this release. The ball rolled very good, it cleared the front smoothly and reacting to the friction just like you want to see it do. We got a very sharp motion off the break point from just about anywhere on the lane.

My only concern with this is that the ball reacted very similar to previous balls in this line. The changes in core and coverstock did not show any significant changes in overall ball motion to me from even the earliest balls
as the original Black Widow.

Does the Nasty roll good, yes. Will you be pleased with this ball if you ahve never thrown a Widow ball before, yes. If you ahve another Widow should you get this ball to compliment it, not so sure.
Was this comment helpful? yes no


Hammer Black Widow Pearl
85 of 86 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click Layout Image to Enlarge


Hammer has done it again!

Somehow they were able to bring all the things that you wished your original Black Widow did to their new release, the Black Widow Pearl.

We drilled the Pearl the same way we had our favorite Black Widow drilled. The pin is about 5" from our PAP (5 1/8" over, 1/8" up) and the mass bias is kicked about 2" right of the thumb. We did have to put a small balance hole in the ball and we did this 4" right of the center of the grip.

When our Black Widow is getting to be too much ball the Widow Pearl picks up right where it would leave off. It gave a cleaner reaction through the front part of the lane with plenty to offer on the backend. The way our house shot has been this summer we did decide to go ahead and bring it down from its box finish to a 4000 grit Abralon surface. This smoothed the reaction out and made it a little more usable for our tester.

All in all if you want the perfect compliment to your Black Widow the Black Widow Pearl is the ball to get.
Was this comment helpful? yes no


Hammer Black Widow Sting
141 of 141 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click Layout Image to Enlarge


The Hammer Black Widow Sting is ready to lay a beat down on the competition.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5" under fingers
Mass Bias Position - 5" from PAP right of thumb
CG Placement - 1" left of center
Balance Hole - none

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (2000 Grit Abralon)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
With the success of just about every Widow before it I used a very simple layout that should give me a good read on the overall motion of the newest Widow to date.

With a 5 x 5 layout I get to see the potential of the ball to get down the lane, even with the strong coverstock. I also get to see how much this can really move on the back end of the lane.


What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
I got exactly what you would expect from a Widow. A really strong ball motion right off my hand with a very smooth transition from the heads to the mid-lane. The ball seemed to be fine clearing the friction, if the lanes started to dry out quicker this ball may have read the friction a little too early. Nothing a little polish could not handle. I think on most house shots this would hold up just fine for quite some time.

The part that surprised me was the amount of energy this ball had left over for the back ends! With the strong cover and the 2000 grit Abralon you would expect to see some roll out or at least a little loss of motion on the back part of the lane. But the Sting as most of the Widows before it kept on moving right through the pins.

All in all another successful Black Widow series release for Hammer.
Was this comment helpful? yes no


Hammer Burgundy Hammer
44 of 46 people found this review helpful
5
The qualities that made the original Burgundy Hammer so special have been brought back and updated for today's lane conditions with the all-new Burgundy Hammer.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5"
Dual Angle Layout - 75* x 4 3/8" x 60*
Balance Hole - n/a

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (500, 500 Abralon)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
I never threw the Blue Hammer so I have not had much experience with Hammer's urethane balls. The Burgundy Hammer features a Reacta-Thane combination cover with a modified Vibe core.

I am expecting to see an earlier motion out of the cover and the cover finish with a smooth and controllable motion off the break point.


What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Super smooth from start to finish. Once I got lined up with this ball I could not miss.

The blend of reactive and urethane was really nice. I just had to get the ball into a nice early roll by finding some early friction and it took care of the rest. It never really had a big change of direction but it rolled really strong from the foul line to the pin deck.

I was amazed by the amount of hitting power this ball produced. The ball motion allowed me to create so much area that I could tug a few boards and it would just sit there and still hit like a truck.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Hammer Cold Blood 15 Only LAST ONE
217 of 220 people found this review helpful
5
Show no mercy toward the competition with the Hammer Cold Blood!

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 4"
Dual Angle Layout - 40 x 5 3/4" x 35
Balance Hole - On PAP

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (500/500/1000 Abralon - Clean N Sheen)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
I have always had a good luck with Hammer balls using pin up layouts. I typically keep the pin 5" - 5 3/4" from my PAP to assist in getting a clean look through the heads with a good amount of direction change downlane.

I used a 5 3/4" pin to PAP with a strong drilling angle on the Cold Blood to see what this ball could do on the backend. I expect to see a good amount of skid with a quick reaction to friction and a strong motion off the break point.


What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
I ended up with a really strong continuous ball motion from my Cold Blood. I was expecting a little different ball motion overall but I was pleasantly surprised with the reaction I got from this ball.

Off my hand, as expected it was super clean. You could see it get into a really strong roll but it never read any friction early. In the middle part of the lane I got a really strong revving motion and the ball started to read the friction a little more then I expected but it turned out to be really good.
The Cold Blood has awesome continuation downlane for me with really good pop on the backend creating a strong finish.

All in all a really good piece from Hammer and a perfect ball to match up to heavier volume patterns or when you need to get in an have the ball create a strong overall motion for you.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Hammer Diesel Heavy Duty Last "Made in the USA Hammer"
185 of 188 people found this review helpful
5
The Diesel Heavy Duty is the last Hammer produced in the USA and is Exclusive to bowlingball.com

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5"
Dual Angle Layout - 55* x 5" x 35*
Balance Hole - n/a
Surface Preparation - Out of Box (500/1000 Abralon Polished w/ Factory Finish Polish)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
The Diesel series has always been a benchmark type of line for me. Normally they give you a very controllable ball motion and do exactly as Hammer intended for them. I went with my go to layout with the pin up above my fingers to see
what this ball does compared to most of the other balls we test.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
One of the best motions I have seen from a Hybrid to date. Hammer left it all out there with their final ball made in the USA.

Although it was produced before they knew it would be the final ball made in Hopkinsville, this ball is a beast. I am normally not a huge fan of hybrid covers as they tend to give me a weird ball motion in the middle part of the lane but this ball was fantastic.

Off my hand it reacted like a pearl, clearing the fronts with ease and never reading the friction too early. In the mids is where I saw a huge difference compared to other hybrids. The Diesel Heavy Duty read the mids just like I like it to and never got too aggressive in any part of the lane. It set up the ball for a very common Hammer type of backend movement.

As the Diesel went through the pins it destroyed the pocket. Since this ball didnt seem to run out of energy on me it was a truck downlane and through the pins.

For all of you Hammer Heads and fans of the brand this is a perfect way to end a chapter in the Hammer dynasty. Remember you can only get the Diesel Heavy Duty from bowlingball.com and once they're gone, they are gone!

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Hammer Gauntlet
24 of 25 people found this review helpful
5
You mean business when you throw down the Hammer Gauntlet.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5"
Dual Angle Layout - 55* x 5" x 35*
Balance Hole - n/a
Surface Preparation - Out of Box (500/2000 grit Abralon)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
The new Hammer Gauntlet was described as the most aggressive ball in Hammer's history. Pairing the new Semtex Hybrid CFI cover with the strongest asymmetrical core they have was supposed to result in a insane amount of hook downlane with good clearance in the heads. I went with my favorite layout to see what this did compared to previous balls. Based on what I have heard, I expect
the Gauntlet to clear the heads pretty good with a strong mid-lane roll and a left hand turn off the spot.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
WOW!!!

Hammer delivered on their promise of the strongest ball motion we have seen from Hammer. The Gauntlet is unlike any other Hammer ball we have ever thrown. I mean they have given us some pretty strong bowling balls in the past but the overall motion and hook produced by the Gauntlet is unheard of.

Even with the 500/2000 Abralon surface, the Gauntlet cruises through the heads with ease. I was able to create some pretty sick angles with this ball because of how clean it got through the front part of the lane. As the ball transitioned I saw a strong but not jumpy roll. I am sure with some more friction this would have wanted to grab a bit more but on a fresh house shot, the Gauntlet was perfect.

Downlane is where I saw the big motion come to life. Normally for me a matter finish ball that will still change directions is perfect, hard to come by, but perfect. The Gauntlet went crazy an the backends for me. Off the spot the ball turned left with authority and smashed through the pins. Based on the angles I was able to create I saw some pretty crazy exits points on the deck. The Gauntlet did not stop, I think it would have hooked out of the building if the lane was longer.

Obviously a ball like this has a purpose but if this is not the first ball out of your bag this season you are making a mistake.

Run the Gauntlet!!

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Hammer Jigsaw
173 of 173 people found this review helpful
4

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click Layout Image to Enlarge


The Hammer Jigsaw introduces an all new core the Hammer's ball line.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5 1/2" above ring finger
Mass Bias Position - 4" from PAP right of thumb
CG Placement - just above center of grip
Balance Hole - none

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (500/4000 Grit Abralon)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
Well luckily I got to see this ball go down the lane quite a bit while in Las Vegas at Bowl Expo. They run a large Demo out there as part of their show and so I had some knowledge of what to expect before putting holes in this one :)

As you can tell by looking at the Jigsaw, it is going to hook. With the addition of the new Jigsaw core and super aggressive Burst Reactive 5/4 cover this ball should not meet a heavy oil condition it can't handle.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Wow, the Jigsaw literally runs laps around every other Hammer ball to date. I was most surprised by the amount of skid I got through the heads even with the new 500/4000 Abralon surface prep. What they do here is hit the ball with 500 grit Abralon and then go back over the surface with 4000 grit Abralon to smooth it out while the under grit helps the ball bite on the back.

The Jigsaw does all of the above. Even though there is absolutely no way we could throw this ball towards the third game of a regular league it sure would be fun to throw in the beginning. The amount of hook we saw as the ball came
off the back end was amazing. The power it had left at the pins was perfect. If you are wanting something that hooks and still has enough to hit hard the Jigsaw is perfect for you.
Was this comment helpful? yes no


Hammer No Mercy Beat'N
11 of 11 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click Layout Image to Enlarge


We drilled our No Mercy Beat'N knowing that this was going to be a big hooking ball. Just based on the No Mercy we threw and knowing the changes made by Hammer we knew we would see a lot of movement.

As you can see from the image we used Hammer's reccomended layout. The pin is above the middle finger, approx. 5" from our PAP (5 1/8" over, 1/8" up) and we placed the HART right near the first and second flare rings in our track, about 1"-1 1/2" left of the thumb hole. We left the cover at box finish.

If we said that there was no way it would hook more than the No Mercy we were dead wrong. The Beat'N ran laps around the original No Mercy. We saw 5 boards more movement easily and the lanes were a little tighter than when we tested our No Mercy. We were able to get the No Mercy Beat'N back to pocket from any angle on the lane and every time it had more than enough hitting power.

If heavy oil is your problem or if you just like a ball that flat out hooks we would say there is no other choice but Hammer's No Mercy Beat'N.
Was this comment helpful? yes no


Hammer Raw Hammer Burn
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
4

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click Layout Image to Enlarge


Turn and Burn with the newest addition to the Raw Hammer series.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 4 1/2" under ring
Mass Bias Position - n/a
CG Placement - just under and to the right of center of grip
Balance Hole - none

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (4000 grit Abralon / Powerhouse Factory Finish)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
The Raw Hammer series has always been a consistent series of mid price performance bowling balls. We were looking for a basic layout to let me read what this ball can do and hopefully get past this bright yellow color that Hammer chose.

One thing is for sure if this turns out to be a winner for Hammer there will be no missing it on the lanes.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
I ended up with a really good ball reaction kind of as I expected. There has not been a Raw Hammer that has let me down yet. I compare this line to the Vortex line that Ebonite used to have, every ball is a solid piece
of equipment that lets you play a variety of angles with the same good ball motion.

The Burn was a little tough to read at first since the color is hard to pick up going down the lane. Once my eyes adjusted to the color and swirl patterns you could tell how hard this ball was working going down the lane. Very smooth
from the heads into the transition part of the lane with plenty of energy stored for the back end portion.

Overall ball reaction was solid and I think this ball will play well for a majority of bowlers out there looking for a solid ball reaction from a mid-priced pearlized ball.
Was this comment helpful? yes no


Hammer Raw Hammer Toxic
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click Layout Image to Enlarge


If you have read any of our other reviews you will see that we never really have anything bad to say about Hammer bowling balls. The Raw Hammer Toxic is no exception.

We felt pretty confident about this ball based on the performance of the previous Raw Hammer series. All of them are very consistent performers and seem to react well for all styles of bowlers.

We kept our layout pretty simple. The pin is 5" from the PAP and we just kicked the cg right of it a little. At first glance when we threw this ball we thought we found a hard hitting mid-performance ball for when they start to dry out. After a few games we discovered how wrong we were. This ball is a beast for the level of performance its price allows it to sell in.

The ball reaction was as smooth as it gets through the heads with a very strong transition when it hits the dry in the backend. We ended up with a ball that was straighter than our Widow's or our Premiere Series balls from Ebonite (SR300, RXS300 and No Limit) but had as much a place in our bag as any of them.

The great thing with newer mid-performance balls is they react enough to warrant using them on the fresh oil as much as when they start to break down. We are able to throw this ball on our typical house shot from start to finish with very small moves all night. Hammer has hit another home run with their Raw Hammer Toxic, oh and by the way it looks pretty cool going down the lane.
Was this comment helpful? yes no


Hammer Road Hawg
12 of 12 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click Layout Image to Enlarge


I drilled the Road Hawg 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" from my PAP and polished it with Power House Extender Polish. The ball reacted very clean through the front part of the lane with a good ball motion in the mid lane and plenty of backend. The Road Hawg offered a great overall ball reaction for the League condition I bowled on with more hitting power than any of the new releases so far. The ball motion allowed me to play any part of the lane with a simple adjustment in hand position. I did find that the best ball reaction and carry I had was from inside the 15th board using a steeper entry angle. Overall I think this ball will suit most bowlers and be a great decision for your new ball this season.
Was this comment helpful? yes no


Hammer Scandal Pearl
13 of 14 people found this review helpful
5
Experience the controversy for yourself with the Hammer Scandal Pearl.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5"
Dual Angle Layout - 45* x 5" x 30*
Balance Hole - n/a
Surface Preparation - Out of Box (500/1000 Abralon w/ Factory Finish Polish)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
The Scandal Pearl from Hammer is the second version of the Hammer Scandal. The pearl should offer a smoother look through the heads with a stronger, more angular motion off the spot downlane.

I went with a stronger pin up layout to see what this ball could do downlane. I am expecting some serious angles off the spot and a sharp motion through the pins.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Hammerheads be ready. The Scandal Pearl is all that you could want from a high performance pearl ball.

The Scandal Pearl offered an amazing compliment to the original Scandal with a cleaner motion through the heads, smoother transition and a crazy amount of hook downlane.

Off my hand the Scandal Pearl was as clean as any HP Pearl ball we have thrown recently. It glided down lane allowing me to move in and open up the lane. Through the mids, the Scandal Pearl transitioned very well, reading some friction but never over reacting. This allowed me to stay online setting up for a devastating motion off the break point.

Off the spot this ball was crazy. I was able to create the angles I was hoping for and the ball always came back. As it went through the pins there was Zero deflection which allowed me to really open up the right side of the lane.

All in all, another great release from Hammer and in my opinion the perfect follow-up from the Scandal and an even better league ball.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Hammer Taboo Jet Black
14 of 14 people found this review helpful
5

Click to Enlarge

You asked for us to get Hammer videos back and the Taboo Jet Black was a great way to get back on board.


Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 6"
Dual Angle Layout - 70* x 6" x 25*
Balance Hole - n/a

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (500/1000/2000 Grit Abralon, Powerhouse Factory Finish Polish)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
The Taboo Jet Black uses a core from the Widow series with a polished GTR III Solid coverstock.

I decided to use the layout from my original Black Widow that I still use today and see what this ball could do. This layout for me allows the ball to get down lane with ease and make a left on the backends. In my original
Black Widow I used the ball at 4000 grit Abralon so I am expecting the polished coverstock to create more direction change downlane then that ball with a stronger overall ball motion.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
I am very glad that we were able to test this ball. I really missed the ball motion signature that Hammer creates on their high performance balls. The Taboo Jet Black was no exception and rolled just as I predicted.

The Taboo Jet Black cleared the heads smoother then any other ball we tested that night. The way the ball set up in the middle part of the lane reminded me of Hammer products that we have tested in the past. It was a smooth easy transition through the mid lane and man did have plenty left for the backend.

Off the break point the Taboo Jet Black put on a turn signal and went left. It was by far one of the more angular motions I ahve seen from Hammer in quite a while. The angle I was able to create down lane was sick. The ball came off the break point so hard I felt like I could just keep throwing it further and further right and it would recover.

All in all a very good "welcome back" ball test from Hammer and we are excited to see whats to come.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Hammer The Sauce
39 of 40 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click Layout Image to Enlarge


The Sauce is Hammer's first High Performance release for almost a year!

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 6"
Mass Bias Position - n/a
CG Placement - 1" above mid line
Balance Hole - none

Surface Preparation - Box Finish (4000 grit Abralon)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
Well I use this layout on a Black Widow and Black Widow Pearl. The conditions at the particular house we do our testing and league bowling tend to get very wet/dry. This layout helps smooth out the ball motion while maintaining plenty of heavy roll and enough down lane hook. With what we heard about the Sauce from Hammer I thought this would fit in above my Widow.


What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Pretty much what I expected. This ball fits in perfectly with the other Hammer balls I have drilled this way. It actually skids through the heads a little cleaner then my Black Widow which was a little bit of a surprise but
the overall ball motion is awesome. I think this is the look that Hammer has needed to really fill out their ball line.

The Sauce rolls very strong in the front part of the lane and continues that motion into the transitional part of the lane. As you can see from our ball reaction video the ball makes a very distinct, very sharp motion at the break point. Overall I feel this will fit in well with most league bowlers and higher average players.
Was this comment helpful? yes no


Hammer Ultra Mega X - Overseas Release bowlingball.com Exclusive
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click Layout Image to Enlarge


We actually tested this ball back in late 2005. Being an Overseas Release there was a delay in us receiving the ball in the US. We had a pretty good idea that if this ball was thrown out of the box it would be an aggressive ball reaction. We decided to keep the layout very simple and drill it label (4 1/2" x 5"). I used this ball on a heavier pattern and was amazed by how strong the ball rolled through the heads and maintained enough energy to make a very strong move on the backend. This ball makes you feel like you picked up revs with how strong it comes off your hand. Overall I thought this ball was a great ball for medium-heavier oil conditions and yet it was controllable enough to use when they started to break down. This ball proved to us that Nothing Hits Like A Hammer in the US or Overseas!
Was this comment helpful? yes no


Hammer Viral
21 of 22 people found this review helpful
5
The Hammer Viral brings back the classics in a brand new way.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5"
Dual Angle Layout - 55* x 5" x 35*
Balance Hole - n/a

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (500, 1000 Abralon/Factory Finish Polish)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
With the Viral combining two of Hammer's best core/cover elements we were pretty excited to throw this ball.
I expected to see exceptional length with a strong but controllable backend motion off the spot.

I went with a pretty basic pin up layout that I use often. This layout should enhance the ball motion the Viral brings
to the Hammer line-up.


What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
First of all, the Viral looks amazing both on the ball rack and going down the lane. The silver pearl almost looks like it has some
lime green in it and it looks awesome.

Now on to the ball reaction. Exactly what you would expect from the Vibe core and Violent Flip reactive cover. A consistent, strong and
predictable ball motion. The Viral was super smooth off my hand. It allowed me to move right and open up the pocket for myself. Not
often can I get this far right and still have some room to miss.

The Viral did exactly what I wanted off the break point, it was strong but not jumpy. I could see this being a great ball to use in transition or on drier conditions when you just need something predictable.

For any Hammerhead or bowlers just needing something for this condition the Viral is a must.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Jayhawk BoardBox Practice & Training Aid
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
5
We have been using the Jayhawk BoardBox for a little over 3 months. So far we have been super pleased with the functionality and ease of use.

As you can see from our more recent ball video reviews, the Board Box allows us to easily show you where on the lane each of our testers is playing on the lane.

We currently use 2 Board Boxes - one at the arrows and another downlane close to our breakpoint to show the area we are playing. As a consumer, this product would offer you a better way to practice targeting and accuracy on the lane.

As a coach this would effectively let you work with your students on their targeting and accuracy as well.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Lane #1 Big Curve
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click Layout Image to Enlarge


Lane #1's sexy Curve now has a big brother for protection. Introducing the Lane # 1 Big Curve.

Dual Angle Layout(PAP 5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 60* x 5" x 30*
Balance Hole - none

Surface Preparation - Out of Box 2000 grit Abralon)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
One look at Lane #1's new Big Curve and you know it is going to hook. The dual angle layout I chose was to create some good length and try and delay the early roll and store as much up for the backend as possible.

By using the angles I did I was able to get the Mass Bias over closer to my thumb to help tame some of the hook the ball was going to create.


What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
I was amazed at how much length I was able to get out of such a strong ball. Normally when you try and tame down a stronger ball like this you get a real weird roll out of it.

The Big Curve reacted exactly how I wanted giving me enough early roll to read a little heavier oil volume but still getting enough to create a ridiculous amount of hook down lane. As I played inside with this ball I noticed how the ball was pushing through the pattern and creating more length giving it more hook on the backend then I have seen in quite a while.

I even took this ball and played more up the boards and I think as long as you have enough oil to create the length needed you will get all the mid lane and down lane hook you want out this ball. Now granted most people would not be throwing this ball well into the second and third game unless it was polished but with a ball like this why polish it. I would use this as my starting ball for the night and open the lane up just the way I want.

Another winner from Lane #1, can't wait to see whats next.

Was this comment helpful? yes no


Lane #1 Black Panther
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click to Enlarge

The Black Panther hunts down pins like no ball before it, taking no heed to heavy oil.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5"
Mass Bias Position - n/a
Dual Angle Layout - 45* x 5" x 60*
Balance Hole - n/a


Surface Preparation - Out of Box (2000 Grit Abralon)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
Well the obvious intention with the introduction of the Black Panther was to offer another great version of the Pink Panther but for a little heavier volume.

At first glance you think this thing is going to start hooking at your toes and keep going down lane. We thought this layout would offer us a chance to see what the ball can do with a pretty simple layout and nothing too strong to get it started too early.

We fully expected the same great overall motion that we loved from the Pink Panther just stronger.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
The Black Panther is a great compliment ball to the Pink Panther or just a great ball or heavier volume patterns. From the get go of the night I had more ball motion from this ball then any other tested that evening.

The 2000 grit Abralon surface created plenty of roll in the heads and mid-lane without reading any friction too early. The Black Panther handled the oil just the way you like to see it, it did not skid through it but kept a heavy roll and once it started its motion towards the pocket there was no stopping it.

We saw absolutely no deflection from any of the shots thrown with this ball. The Black Panther just destroyed everything in its path. Not to mention I am a sucker for all black bowling balls and I think the Black Panther looks great going down the lane as well.

Lane #1 fans and anyone else looking for that great heavy oil ball will love the Black Panther.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Lane #1 Bloody Panther
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
5
Shred the lanes and devour the pins with Lane #1's newest beast, the Bloody Panther.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5 1/8"
Dual Angle Layout - (Rico Layout) 50* x 5 1/8" x *90
Balance Hole - 6 3/4" from pin through cg (1" x 2")

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (Polished)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
The Bloody Panther offered a new look at the Panther line from Lane #1. The Bloody Panther combined the same great core shape with a Hybrid Reactive cover. The ball looks great out of the box and it had been a while since I threw a Lane #1 ball with this layout.

I was expecting a really strong motion right off my hand with a super strong transition in the mid lanes with a killer back end motion. Usually with this layout I can get the ball back from some really steep angles and not lose any carry. Let's see.


What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Lane #1 fans will be super excited tot how this ball. With the new Hybrid Reactive cover it helped tame the ball off my hand. Which, from previous releases is a good thing. The Bloody Panther was really clean through the heads and absolutely destroyed the rest of the lane.

I could literally get this ball back from anywhere I wanted during my test. I even saw some pretty good hold when I got it in a bit.

As the ball transitioned from the mid lane to the back end we saw this ball come to life. It completely tore it up and put on a turn signal and went left. The best thing I noticed about this ball was no matter how steep my angles got it carried everything. I think total I left 2 10 pins and some of those shots were super steep coming into the pocket.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Lane #1 Boom-R'ANG
44 of 44 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click to Enlarge

Lane#1 has taken core technology to another level.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 4 1/4"
Mass Bias Position - n/a
Mid-Point to VAL - 4"
PAP to Mid-Line - 1 1/8"
Balance Hole - n/a


Surface Preparation - Out of Box (Polish)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
This was the recommended layout from Lane #1.
This layout should produce a strong backend motion with a smoother look in the front part of the lane. Since this Lane #1's first non-Diamond shape weight block in a while we are eager to see what else they have up their sleeve for us.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Well as you will be able to see from our video review the Boom-R'ANG lived up to its name for us. We saw quite a bit of back end motion from this ball with all of our testers. Exactly what you would expect from a ball with its name.

As you see the ball motion on our video you can also see have versatile the ball can be depending on where you like to play on the lane. I threw some really aggressive shots from the typical area on the lane for most bowlers around 15-16 at the arrows and had the ball coming off the breakpoint pretty strong around 5-6 board down lane.

From this part of the lane you saw exactly what you wanted, the ball did not read any friction early and went left off the point down lane. It absolutely crushed the pins from this angle.

I was also able to throw some really good shots from inside the 4th arrow and carry the ball as far right as 5 again, even from this angel the ball came screaming back and had plenty of stored up energy at the pins. I love when I can do this because I feel like no matter what I see on the lane I will be able to find a good spot to get the ball to the pocket from.

All in all I think this is another winner for Lane #1.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Lane #1 Curve
329 of 330 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click Layout Image to Enlarge


The Curve brings the biggest backend reaction into the Lane #1 ball line.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5 1/2" under middle finger
Mass Bias Position - 2 1/2" right of center line
CG Placement - just below mid line and right of center line
Balance Hole - none

Surface Preparation - Out of Box

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
With what we had heard from Lane #1 the particle pearl cover combined with the core used this ball was supposed to really get up and go on the backend.

This layout should enhance this motion and give me a good idea of how much the new Curve can do. By placing the pin 5 1/2" from my PAP I create a good amount of length with a sharper break point shape. By keeping the pin below my finger and the mass bias placement it should only enhance the ball motion off the break point.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
I ended up with my favorite Lane #1 ball to date. It has been quite some time since I felt like I could throw a particle pearl ball and not get a weird kind of smooth motion. The Curve flat out hooks down lane and comes back from anywhere.

You have got to watch the video and see where we made this ball hook from. It cleared the heads better then most particle pearl balls I have thrown and transitioned through the mid lane with ease. As it started to read friction at the break point it was as if it stopped faced the pocket and went for it. Absolutely amazing motion off the point with great pin carry.

The amount of movement I created down lane with this ball was more then I have seen recently out of a pearl ball. All in all I think Lane #1 will turn a few heads with this release.
Was this comment helpful? yes no


Lane #1 Droid
23 of 23 people found this review helpful
5

Click to Enlarge

Short-Circuit the pins with the DROID, from Lane #1.


Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5"
Dual Angle Layout - 45* x 5" x 65*
Balance Hole - 7/8" x 2" on PAP

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (2000 Grit Abralon)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
I have to admit when I first saw the Droid I was a little worried that it was going to check at my toes and go dead straight. It looks so strong out of the box, even though it is only 2000 grit Abralon, it just feels and looks like it is going to move as soon as it hits the lane.

After speaking to Lane #1 about the ball we decided to lay this ball out the same way I have my last few Lane #1 balls to get a good comparison. This layout keeps the pin and mass bias in a stronger position but allows me to place a weight hole on my PAP to smooth out the ball motion through the front part of the lane. Sine Lane #1 tends to focus on the higher performance balls this layout works well for me.

It allows me to see just how strong the ball is down lane and helps me read the ball off the break point instead of seeing any early motion.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
I really liked this ball. As far as Lane #1 goes for the last 5 releases I would say that the Droid has been my favorite. I like everything about this
ball from the way it rolled to the way it hit the pins and how cool it looked going down the lane.

Even on the fresh pattern the Droid handled the heads easily. Making a very strong consistent roll and transitioning into the middle part of the lane very well. From this point on the Droid really started to shine for me. It go into the backends so clean that it made a strong but very controllable move towards the pocket. I kept trying to find a spot that I could not get this ball back from and I really couldn't until I got in so far that the oil just sent the ball too far downlane before it read the friction.

Overall I think this ball is deceiving by its looks and needs to be considered with other high end ball purchases this year. The Droid for me was right up there with many of our recent high performance ball tests. Lane #1 fans will love the new look and reaction of the Droid.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Lane #1 Massacre Red Death
120 of 120 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click Layout Image to Enlarge


The Massacre Red Death isn't like the original Chainsaw Massacre, it's much worse - on the pins!

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5 1/2" above ring finger
Mass Bias Position - n/a
CG Placement - 1 1/8" right of center of grip
Balance Hole - n/a

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (2000 Grit)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
I was looking for a true test of a Lane #1 ball. This would be the first Lane #1 ball we have tested here at bowlingball.com. For me personally this was also the first Lane #1 ball I have ever thrown. I always heard they hooked quite a bit and typically did not need strong layout to help increase hooking potential.

I went with a very safe and somewhat basic layout. By getting the pin 5 1/2" from my PAP and placing it up I was thinking I would help increase skid leaving myself plenty of energy to see what the ball could do on the back end of the lane.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Lane #1 did not come up short on their first ball test with us. The Red Death Massacre delivered on every level. This ball is not for the faint of heart or those that bowl primarily on drier conditions. But if you want a ball that creates friction and does not seem to stop then this is perfect for you.

From the beginning of the test I was finding myself going deeper and deeper on the lane and not finding a spot where I could not get the ball back to the pocket. The one thing that really stuck out to me was that for a very strong rolling, higher hooking ball it did not seem to read the friction too early or roll out on me. If I tried to play right up the drier part of the pattern of course it would roll early and fade out but when I was in the oil the ball rolled strong and never jumped off the friction early.

Overall I am impressed with both the coverstock and core combo on this ball. Look for more great Lane #1 balls and ball tests from us in the future.
Was this comment helpful? yes no


Lane #1 Maxxx Curve
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click to Enlarge
Particle isn't dead, it's sexier then ever with the new Maxxx Curve!

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5 1/2"
Dual Angle Layout - 55* x 5 1/2" x 40*
Balance Hole - on PAP

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (Sanded)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
From the moment we saw this new high load particle ball from Lane #1 we knew we were going to need a layout to help the
ball store up some energy and get down the lane.

A ball like this is obviously meant for heavier volumes of oil and sometimes even on a THS (typical house shot) you can get too much motion too early and no completion on the back end.

The layout we chose should help this stronger core/cover get through the heads and save up some energy for the back end part of the lane. We still expect to see a decent amount of roll through the fronts and plenty of pick up in the mid-lane.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
I was pleasantly surprised by how much clearance I got with this ball. Even though we threw it on the fresh condition the ball got through the heads with ease. It picked up a very strong roll early but did not over react as soon as it hit the lane.

This allowed me to still play in a high scoring part of the lane and not get trapped in too deep too early. As the ball transitioned through the
heads into the middle part of the lane it was clean and strong. I was blown away by how much it had left on the back end.

What I ended up with was a very solid ball motion from front to back with enough power to blow the pins away. Every so often an aggressive, sanded ball comes along that really surprises you and the Maxxx Curve from Lane #1 was that ball for me.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Lane #1 Pearl Droid
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
5

Click to Enlarge

The Pearl Droid has the perfect formula for ratcheting up your scores.


Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5"
Dual Angle Layout - 45* x 5 1/4" x 70*
Balance Hole - On VAL from center of grip through cg

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (Polished)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
I used a very similar layout on the Pearl Droid as I did on the original Droid. Obviously I was expecting to see more skid with the Pearl and a more angular move down lane.

The original Droid was very strong int he heads and midlane with a decent amount of movement on the back ends. This layout should suit this ball very good.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
I really like this ball motion. I would even say that the Pearl Droid may be my favorite Lane #1 ball in quite some time. Normally Lane #1 goes for the huge hook ball that best suits a heavier volume condition.

The Pearl Droid showed great restraint in my opinion while still offering a very solid and strong ball motion. On our THS condition I was able to play much further right then normal allowing me to open up the pocket more then I could with other balls. I got plenty of skid through the heads and midlane with a really strong move off the break point.

Honestly this is the best part of the lane to score on in this center and I normally have to be left of it and go across it. The Pearl Droid was the perfect blend of skid and strength.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Lane #1 Pearl Panther
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
5

Click to Enlarge


Within the darkness of destruction, rose the beast of annihilation.


Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 4 1/2"
Dual Angle Layout - 60* x 4 1/2" x 65*
Balance Hole - 1" x 3" P3

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (2x Compound)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
I was a huge fan of the original Pink Panther. I did decide to go a little stronger on the Pearl Panther to see what it could do. I expected to see more skid with a stronger movement off the breakpoint then in the original Pink Panther.

The layout I used should also help the ball get into a strong roll in the mid-lane setting up a strong motion on the backend.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
I rally go exactly what I thought I would out of this ball. I will say my initial thoughts after just a few shots was how strong this ball was in the mid section of the lane for a pearlized ball.

Right out of the gate it was really reading the friction in the mid-lane but it kept a really strong motion on the backend and through the pin deck. The Pearl Panther cleared the front part of the lanes with ease every time never reading any friction in the heads. As I said earlier the transition in the mid-lane was really strong and a few times I did not give it enough room to set up. Overall the ball motion was as expected and very strong.

This is a great compliment to the original Pink Panther and should give you a very nice alternate look with similar motions.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Lane #1 Pink Panther
135 of 136 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:


Click to Enlarge

Lane #1's newest release into the wild...the Pink Panther!!

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5" under fingers
Mass Bias Position - N/A
CG Placement - 1 1/2" right of center of grip
Balance Hole - 3/4" hole x 2" deep on PAP
Dual Angle Layout - 45* x 5" x 45*

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (6421 Compound 2x Polished)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
After my eyes adjusted to the brightness of the ball I decided to think a little about how to lay this one out.

With the release of the Pink Panther Lane #1 shows their largest Diamond Core yet. With that in mind and the fact that the ball surface felt about as tacky as I had felt in a while, I decided that this ball was going to hook.

I used a fairly strong dual angle layout on the ball. 45 degrees x 5" (from PAP) x 45 degrees. Since I did not want the ball to read the friction early I placed the balance hole on my PAP to try and smooth out the ball in front part of the lanes.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
This ball is as hot as it looks!!

The Pink Panther may not appeal to you at first based on the bright pink color but throw it once and you will not care what color it is.

This is a going down as my favorite Lane #1 ball to date. The ball along with the layout used allowed me to play anywhere I wanted and it handled it with ease. Off my hand the Pink Panther did just what I wanted and cleared the front without any issues with friction in the heads.

You could see the ball transition into the mid-lane and continue its motion through the back ends. Like I already stated I was most impressed with the angles I was able to create with this ball. Since it is so clean and so strong off the point I could get much steeper angles then I have been able to in a long time.

For all the Lane #1 fans out there and the people who have always wanted to try a Lane #1 ball, this is the one to get.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Lane #1 RipSaw
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
5
When the oil for your power saw is gone, it's time to RIPSAW the wood!

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5"
PSA Layout - 5" x 3 1/2" x 4 1/4"
Balance Hole - on PAP

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (neaT)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
The idea behind this release from Lane #1 was to offer a ball for medium to dry conditions. Most of Lane #1's higher performance balls are not shy to oil. The release of the Ripsaw was hopefully going to be a good once since we thought we would able to use this on more of a typical house shot.

I used a similar layout on previous Lane #1 balls and was very pleased so we used it again. The ball should give me a really good look from further right
then other higher performance balls with plenty of motion off the break point.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
This may be my favorite Lane #1 ball since the Pink Panther. The new core/cover combination rolled awesome right off my hand.

It allowed me to move further right on the lane and open up the pocket. My test of this ball went really well and quick. Right off the bat it cleared the heads so good that you just knew it was going to recover strong downlane. I dont think I ever saw the ball not get back from where I was playing
and everytime it got near the head pin it was just pure power.

My opinion is if you have thrown Lane #1 in the past and felt like it was too strong or too early for you then you should give this release a try. This ball motion will suit a variety of bowlers on what they see the most, typical house shots.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Lane #1 Time Bomb
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click Layout Image to Enlarge


Lane #1's Time Bomb is ready to explode with a new core and coverstock combination.


Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5" under ring finger
Mass Bias Position - n/a
CG Placement - just right and below center of grip
Balance Hole - none

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (2000 grit Abralon)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
In the past Lane #1 product has been strong enough for me that I tend to use smoother layouts so that I do not get too much hook.

The look of the Time Bomb gave me the impression that even with its pearl surface it would be strong. With this layout I just wanted to see what the ball would do with a layout that most pro shops use for a variety of bowlers.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
What I got with this smoother layout was perfect. The 5" pin from PAP allowed the ball to clear the heads smoothly while still rolling very strong into the middle part of the lane. As the ball transitioned through the mids into backend it really picked up and rolled as strong as I have seen into the pins.

If you watch this video back you will see for yourself how incredibly strong the ball rolled from start to finish. This ball hit as hard as I have seen from the new releases so far this season. Once I again I think Lane #1 has proved that their ball line s more versatile and stronger then ever.
Was this comment helpful? yes no


Lane #1 Time Bomb Black Fire
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:


Click to Enlarge

Lane #1 is about to detonate a new Time Bomb and this one is hotter than the original!

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5"
Mass Bias Position - n/a
Balance Hole - on PAP 7/8" x 2" deep
Dual Angle Layout - 40* x 5" x 65*

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (6421 Compound x2)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
I decided to lay this out the exact same way as I had my Pink Panther drilled. Over time I have found that the Pink Panther rolled as good as any Lane #1 ball and we thought it would give us the best idea of how the new Time Bomb would handle the lanes.

Overall it is very strong layout and with the extra hold added on my PAP it seems to allow the ball to store a little more energy resulting in a more drastic motion off the break point.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
First let me say in that my opinion Lane #1 is consistently introducing very good bowling balls. If you ahve not thrown a Lane #1 ball recently you need to, so you will know what the hype is all about.

How to describe this ball motion...Perfect! The Time Bomb Black Fire was not only a perfect compliment to the original Time Bomb but is fit well in my bag with all the other releases from Lane #1.

It rolled similar to my Pink Panther (where we got the lay out from) but overall from start to finish it was stronger and you could tell. Getting the ball down lane was no issue, not only did it look really good getting to the break point but it did not matter where I threw it from I was able to get it through the heads and into the transition part of the lane really well.

From there it was all about going left and exploding some pins. The Time Bomb Black Fire did not stop, it kept going left and drove so hard through the pins I was in shock with each shot.

I think Lane #1 has another winner in there arsenal and if you have not tried it you need to.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Linds Easy Flip
56 of 58 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click to Enlarge

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 4"
Mass Bias Position - n/a
Balance Hole - P3
PSA Layout - 4" x 4" x 2 1/2"

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (polished)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
We really did not have any idea of what we getting into when we did the initial testing on this ball. We knew it was a symmetrical core in a reactive coverstock. That gave us some idea that it should be long and strong. Since we wanted to see what this ball could do we went fairly aggressive and used a 4" x 4" layout with a 2 1/2" pin buffer and used a strong P3 weight hole.

This should create good distance with a strong angular motion at the breakpoint.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
We have never thrown a Linds product before and I was really impressed by performance I got right off the bat.

The Easy Flip got down lane with no problem, even as the night went on and more games were thrown on the test lanes the ball did not read the friction early. We saw a good amount of strength in the mid-lane but I am pretty some of that was generated by the layout. I think with a less aggressive layout the ball would have created more length.

The match up of layout and condition was perfect for me. The symmetrical core allowed me to stay in the track area and get that classic reactive coverstock ball motion. With some minor tweaks I was even able to get into the heavier oil and create a good amount of movement from a deeper angle.

Overall I think the Easy Flip in this exclusive color to bowlingball.com will match up well on medium to medium-heavy conditions and will work well for a variety of bowler styles. I see this being a good benchmark ball for most players to gauge lanes off of as well. Reactive symmetrical balls are great for this because they tend to be more versatile on a variety of conditions.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Morich Awesome Finish
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click Layout Image to Enlarge


I'm a Morich convert.

I will be honest that before meeting Mo and really looking into the dynamics and the thought that goes into all of his releases I was not a believer. After meeting him myself and him giving us some balls to test I see why he has a huge following out there.

Morich releases solid, good performing bowling balls that deserve more credit than they get a lot of the time. We used our most popular layout of course so we could give you a good idea of the ball reaction. Pin about 5" from PAP (5 1/8" over 1/8" up) and the mass bias at 45 degrees. I have to say that I was not thrilled about the looks of the ball but as far as performance goes it was a winner. I would say overall hook was a little less than some of the other new releases but the thing I love about the few Morich balls I have thrown is they are solid reacting balls. I know what each of them are going to do everytime I throw them. No surprises with their stuff, which makes me willing to sacrifice some hook to have that consistantcy.

On our typical house pattern I was able to play most of the night right around 14-15 at the arrows and had a lot of room right with this ball. My Awesome Revs played well against it from inside of this line but I really like the "finish" (no pun intended) that this ball had over the Revs.

All in all if you have been waiting to try a Morich ball for whatever the reason give the Awesome Finish a try and I think you will be a convert as well.
Was this comment helpful? yes no


Morich Awesome Revs
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click Layout Image to Enlarge


MoRich fans look out - We have not reviewed a MoRich ball in quite some time now. We were amazing by the ball reaction from the Awesome Revs.

We drilled it pretty simple to get a good test from it. The pin was located 5 1/2" from the PAP with the cg slightly kicked right and the Mass Bias placed 45 degrees. We left the finish out of the box. We were very surprised by how clean the ball was through the heads and the amount of roll and hook seen on the back part of the lane.

On a league pattern we were able to use the well into the third game without sacrificing hitting power. Overall this ball surpassed our expectations and we would definitely recommend to any past MoRich user or anyone looking to try them out for the first time.
Was this comment helpful? yes no


Morich LevRG
26 of 26 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click Layout Image to Enlarge


Morich's new LevRG was up for our test, based on past products we think we will like this one.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5"
Mass Bias Position - 45 degrees
CG Placement - 1/2" right of grip center
Balance Hole - none

Surface Preparation - 2000 grit Abralon with Brunswick Rough Buff

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
This was a predictable layout for a Morich ball for us. A little weaker than some used in the past but we kept the Mass Bias in a stronger position. I was hoping for a strong rolling reaction with a moderate amount of movement on the back part of the lane. This was intended to be a transition ball for me. If you read my reviews I drill balls for this transition part of the night a lot. Every once in a while I nail one and it does what I think. This is a tough ball reaction to find sometimes because you don't want the ball to hook a lot but you don't want it to go 60 feet either.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Just what I wanted, the ball is the heaviest rolling ball in my bag currently and it hits like a truck. I knew this type of ball motion was very common for Morich and especially with the new larger EZ Rev core I think I nailed this ball reaction.

In the front part of the lane the ball is strong and makes a nice move to set up for one of the best mid-lane ball reactions I have see in a long time. The ball transitions into the mid-lane beautifully and does not quit that motion on the back. The ball hits so hard and really keeps the pins low to the deck which greatly increases carry.

I only threw this ball for about half a game in the middle of the night but it served its purpose well. Next week I am going to try to bring the surface back to box finish (1000 grit) and give it a try earlier on in the night. If you have watched the PBA the last few weeks you have seen Walter kill them with this ball and I think he is using a little more surface.

I just want to see how much stronger this ball gets with a little surfce on it. Overall another great ball from Mo and anyone who has liked his stuff int he past will like this one as well.
Was this comment helpful? yes no


Motiv Cruel C51
229 of 232 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click to Enlarge

The Motiv Cruel C51 is a fierce weapon.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5" under fingers
Mass Bias Position - lower right
CG Placement - lower right
Balance Hole - P3 placement 3/4" hole x 2" deep
Dual Angle Layout - 60* x 5" x 70*

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (2000 Wet Sand)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
First I would like to say that we are happy to bring you ball reviews and video reviews on Motiv bowling products.

After deciding to move forward with reviewing their products we were asked to start with their new release, the Cruel C51. That was a great choice because let me tell you this ball looks absolutely amazing in person. Everything from
the color to their Neomark Graphics on the ball make people stop and look.

Now on to the important stuff. Since this was our first review of Motiv equipment we decided to use a layout from their recommended layouts included with the ball. We are asked a lot why we do not do more of this so for all of you who wanted it here you go.

I decided to use their "Midlane Hook & Backend" layout because I thought that would give me a good look at this ball for the first time. I also had heard this ball was not shy and did not have any issues with oil.

Let see....

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Wow, truly a very good piece of equipment. As soon as we turned on the camera to shoot the ball video I tear off eight in a row and seriously pins were flying and I had created so much area on the fresh condition it was amazing.

I was truly able to strike as much as I wanted as long as I made sure the ball had enough push to retain energy for the backend.

I started in around the track area of the lane and tried to stay there as long as I could and let myself gradually migrate as I would during league. This ball was great from every angle I threw at it. I am not really sure how they created such a smooth and almost shiny surface out of 2000 grit wet sand but the cover was amazing and I had very little issues with oil absorption on the cover.

The surface appears to be very tacky and ready to go for every shot. The ball would read friction a little early if I caught it just right but most of the shots I threw the ball retained plenty of energy for a big, and I mean big, move on the back.

For our first ever test of Motiv product I will say I am very impressed and very eager to throw some more in the future.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

PBS Horseshoe Blue/Lemon
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
5
PBS offers three color options in their Horseshoe line of balls. These balls offer a great option for people wanting an entry level reactive ball or for higher end bowlers who need an option for certain conditions.

I thought the Horseshoe gave me a really good look and I could imagine with some surface changes this ball could be quite versatile. The main thing I noticed with the Horseshoe was that it hit really hard.

Obviously I had to play the lanes a little straighter with this ball but it still crushed the pins. Sometimes you see entry level balls lay off at the pins a bit, not this one.


Was this comment helpful? yes no

PBS Planet Earth
7 of 9 people found this review helpful
5
Alright so maybe a goofy name but a really cool looking ball. I was very pleased with the ball motion as soon as I threw this ball.

First, it looks awesome going down the lane. The colors come together in a really cool way and really looked great. Second, this thing rolled amazing for me. It was by far the best ball motion of the night for me.

Off my hand the Planet Earth was by far the cleanest look I had. It did not read any friction early and stayed real clean through the middle part of the lane as well. As the ball got to the break point, it went left. I was so surprised by the motion I saw down lane that I had to see it a few times before I believed it.

If you like to see a lot of direction change on the backend of the lane you have to try the Planet Earth.



Was this comment helpful? yes no

PBS Pocketability
9 of 9 people found this review helpful
5
More overall hook then I expected. The new Pocketability was a surprising ball motion for me. I used my favorite pin up layout on this ball and even though this is not a ball motion I typically like using, I could see a purpose for it from time to time.

The Pocketability rolled a little earlier then I prefer but it gave me a really even smooth ball motion which could be very useful on certain conditions.

Overall, this ball covered more boards then I thought it would. I was happy with the line I ended up finding with it and it hit as hard as any of the other PBS I threw that night. I think bowlers with higher ball speeds that need some help getting the ball into a strong roll would love this ball.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

PBS Sniper M24
11 of 13 people found this review helpful
5
I used a 55*x5"x35* layout on this ball to see how it compared to most of equipment that I would use for league.

The Sniper M24 was really surprising to me. It was really clean up front and had a really strong transition in the middle with a good amount of motion downlane.

Not throwing anything from PBS previously I was pleasantly surprised by the overall ball motion and the versatility I saw from this ball. I was able to play the track area of the lane with ease and as I got more comfortable with the ball, I was able to move in deeper and open up the lane a bit.

All in all, this is a very solid piece of equipment. If you are looking for an affordable asymmetric option to add to your bag, I would give this ball a chance.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

PBS Sniper SG 550
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
5
The PBS Sniper SG550 proved to be a really strong symmetric ball for me. I used my typical pin up layout on this ball and I was really surprised by how much overall hook I saw from this ball.

I actually threw this ball first on the fresh and I will say I did not expect that much movement from it. It rolled really strong in the heads, it didnt hook early, but it gave me a really good motion up front. As the ball transitioned it kept that motion and still had enough energy to get around the corner and hit the pins with some authority.

I think I saw about the same amount of overall hook from both Snipers but in different parts of the lane. The Sniper SG550 would be a great choice for league bowlers looking for a really strong ball to use in the first game or with some surface changes I think you could use it in the transition period throughout the night.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Pyramid Antidote
108 of 115 people found this review helpful
5
When oil starts to spread, the Pyramid Antidote is the perfect solution.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 4 3/4"
Relation Weight Layout - 4 3/4" x 4 1/8" x 4 1/8"
Balance Hole - n/a
Surface Preparation - Out of Box (2000 grit Abralon/Factory Polish)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
The Antidote from Pyramid is the follow-up release the most popular ball in Pyramid's history, the Pathogen.

The Antidote is designed to smooth out that super aggressive motion of the Pathogen. Getting the ball into a slightly earlier roll and cutting down on the massive change of direction from the Pathogen. The Antidote features the same great coverstock from the Pathogen with the ball new New Era 149 symmetric block.

I drilled this one identical to my favorite Pathogen just to see the direct differences in the two balls. Based on initial testing we should see a earlier start with a more controlled motion downlane.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Pyramid has achieved exactly what they wanted from the Antidote. Just because we keep saying a more controlled motion, do not think this ball is weak by any means. Basically imagine a Pathogen that you can play a little straighter with and control the motion off the spot better. That's an Antidote.

Off my hand the Yellow/Black/White cover looked great and visibly picked up a stronger roll then the Pathogen. As the ball transitioned it kept up a really strong rolling type of motion and set up for a great move downlane.

I still saw plenty of movement downlane but it was much more controllable then the previous release. The Anthidote allowed me to play 5-8 boards further right then my Pathogen and open up the pocket quite a bit compared to it.

All in all a great follow-up release to the Pathogen and great addition to any bowlers arsenal.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Pyramid Antidote Pearl
49 of 51 people found this review helpful
5
When oil starts to breakdown, the Pyramid Antidote Pearl is the perfect solution.

Pin to PAP(4 1/2" over 3/8" up) - 5"
Relation Weight Layout - 5" x 4 1/2" x 2 3/8"
Balance Hole - n/a
Surface Preparation - Out of Box (2000 grit Abralon/Factory Polish)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
The original Antidote was one of my favorites and had a place in my bag for a long time. The introduction of the Antidote Pearl was a good one for me.
With a cleaner look through the front part of the lane and a sharper motion off the spot, the Antidote Pearl would help fill a gap in a symmetric pearl ball for my bag.
Went with my typical pin up layout - expecting to see the Antidote Pearl give me a good amount of length and super clean motion off my hand with
a sharper, more defined change of direction from the original Antidote.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
The Antidote Pearl delivered just as expected. In the past, I have had really good luck with Pyramid pearl covers and this one is no exception.

The Antidote Pearl delivered a super clean motion off my head and really allowed me to create some big angles downlane. I will say this ball offered a really good
mid-lane look for me. Sometimes pearls can get too angular downlane for me but the Antidote Pearl read the backends really well and gave me control, through
hand positions, to create more motion or get a cleaner move off the spot.

I would say this is stronger than a similar pearl in this performance category like the Pathogen X. I think this core/cover combo matches up better for me and will
for most bowlers. Having the ability to create a longer/smoother motion or a long/angular motion was awesome to see.

Get yours today!

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Pyramid Blood Moon Evolve
89 of 91 people found this review helpful
5
The Blood Moon Evolve has arrived!

Pin to PAP(4 1/2" over 3/8" up) - 5"
Relation Weight Layout - 5" x 5" x 4 3/8"
Surface Preparation - Out of Box (2000 grit Abralon)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
Since it had been a while since we saw a symmetric release in this performance category, I went back to a pin down layout that worked really well for me in the Curse line of balls. The pin down under my middle finger give me a little earlier ready on the pattern without sacrificing some shape downlane.

With the awesome looking Silver Pearl cover on the Blood Moon Evolve, I thought this would blend the motion out nicely and not give me too much length.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Yeah, this was a really good call on the layout. With the Blood Moon Evolve having the same core of the Curse line, I thought it would be right - and it was!

Off my hand the Evolve cleared the heads easily, this color combination on the coverstock also helps with the illusion that the ball is floating downlane, which I love. I was able to play in a high scoring part of the lane but with the layout I used, the ball motion was smoothed out a bit and not as dramatic as this ball would be off the spot if we went with a more snappy layout.

I saw a really aggressive read in the mids and a strong, continuous motion on the backend. I think the Blood Moon Evolve will quickly earn a spot in your bag. If it is not the first ball out of your bag it will definitely help smooth out transition as the night goes on.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Pyramid Blood Moon Infinity "International Release" Ltd Ed of 250 RETIRED
17 of 17 people found this review helpful
5
Blood Moon Infinity International Release Hits the US Market

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 4 5/8"
Relation Weight Layout - 4 5/8" x 6 1/4" x 4"
Balance Hole - n/a
Surface Preparation - Out of Box (2000 grit Abralon)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
The Blood Moon Infinity was an International Release specifically designed for the Korean market.

Staying with the theme of the Blood Moon line from Pyramid, the Blood Moon Infinity uses the same big asymmetric core with a new version of the Navigational Hybrid cover. As we have seen from this line in the past, the Infinity should offer the bog hook out of the box type of reaction that most bowlers love seeing.

We did some early ball testing on this ball and it gave us a noticeable 5-6 boards more than the Blood Moon Rising. I went with a pin down layout that I like to use
on stronger balls to be the first ball out of the bag on the fresh.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
First lets start with the appearance of this ball. It is amazing what the addition of a third color does to ball not only on the rack but as the ball goes down the lane.
It looks amazing!!

Going way back in this performance line - we love the Dark Path which was the early release in this line. From there we saw the Blood Moon Rising which is always in my bag. The International Version, Blood Moon Infinity lives up tot he name and doesnt disappoint at all.

This ball flat out hooks! As you will see in the ball video the Infinity doesnt care how much volume is on the lane it gets in there and moves.

Off my hand I saw the same type of early read as we have seen in the past but the movement in the middle part of backends was where we saw a noticeable change. The Infinity just cut through the fresh and never shyed away from hooking. The ball had so much energy left when it got the pics, they didnt stand a chance. I was able to create some pretty deep angles right off the bat with this ball.

As the night transitions this ball may have to go into the bag as it needs oil - but on the fresh it is super fun to throw!

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Pyramid Blood Moon RETIRED
132 of 132 people found this review helpful
5
Blood Moon. Performance Revelation.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5"
Relation Weight Layout - 5" x 4 1/2" x 2 1/4"
Balance Hole - n/a

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (2000 grit Polish)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
Pyramid continues to expand their performance ball line with the introduction of the Blood Moon.

The Blood Moon offers another look to their High Performance ball line. The Blood Moon will be the longest motion in this performance category with a strong yet controllable motion off the break point.

I used one of my favorite layouts on this ball and let me tell you, this ball is the real deal.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
I had the luxury of testing this ball quite a bit prior to shooting the video for R & D purposes in development so when we got to the video shoot I knew exactly what I was going to have on the fresh with this ball.

As you can see from our video the Blood Moon is long and strong for me. Off my hand it glides with ease through the heads. I have been able to throw this ball from the first frame on the fresh to the end of the third game once they break down and really open up.

This ball is super sweet in the mids for me. It reads the friction but does not get jumpy so it allows me to keep a more aggressive angle into the pocket for more time throughout the night. On the backend this ball shows its power. While it is one of the strongest downlane motions that Pyramid offers in this performance category it is still very controllable and you wont find yourself chasing this one in as the night goes on.

Overall this is a great addition to the Pyramid line and just give you another way to...Choose Your Path.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Pyramid Blood Moon Rising
278 of 288 people found this review helpful
5
The Pyramid Blood Moon Rising is here and it's end times for the pins.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 4 3/4"
Relation Weight Layout - 4 3/4" x 4 1/2" x 2"
Balance Hole - n/a
Surface Preparation - Out of Box (2000 grit Abralon)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
This is my "go-to" layout for most of our test balls. I knew that the Blood Moon Rising was going to offer a super strong hybrid/asymmetric combo great for heavier volumes of oil.

This layout paired with the core/cover combo should produce a strong but controllable motion through the heads with a really strong transition through the mids and awesome continuation down lane.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
The new Blood Moon Rising didn't disappoint from a performance stance. This ball reminded me of a stronger version of the original Dark Path Hybrid which was and still is one of my favorite Pyramid balls ever.

The SG 19.5 Dual Density Asymmetric core offered more ball motion with the same great motion through the pin deck. I think the upgraded GPS Navigational Hybrid cover offered a stronger look than previous hybrids from Pyramid but was still super clean off my hand without adding polish to the cover.

Overall this ball will be one of the first out of my bag and will be in the rotation for a long time coming.


Was this comment helpful? yes no

Pyramid Blood Moon Rising Pearl
51 of 52 people found this review helpful
5
By popular demand the Blood Moon Rising Pearl offers a different take on one of the best selling Pyramid balls ever. The Pyramid Blood Moon Rising Pearl has arrived.

Pin to PAP(4 1/2" over 3/8" up) - 5"
Relation Weight Layout - 5" x 4 1/2" x 2 3/8"
Surface Preparation - Out of Box (2000 grit Abralon/Factory Polish)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
Well, it is no secret that I have always been a fan of the Blood Moon series and honestly all of the balls in the High Performance category from Pyramid. I went with my typical pin up layout on this ball so it would easily compare to other balls
in this performance line.

As we have seen from previous Blood Moon releases, I expect the first pearl version to offer a smoother motion in the heads with a more noticeable transition downlane. This layout should suit that ball motion perfectly - hoping that the pearl version of the Blood Moon Rising will also allow me to play some different angles and possibly have a ball that can last a little longer as the pattern breaks down.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
The Blood Moon Rising Pearl did not disappoint at all.

As we have seen from other brands and other performance lines from Pyramid, the pearl version did exactly what we expected. I got a much longer and cleaner look from the Blood Moon Rising Pearl with a more noticeable move at the breakpoint. Since we have seen this cover before we knew the ability to create angles was going to be there but I was more impressed with the ability to hold a more manageable angle and create incredible pin action.

I was bale to get in and create the big ball motion downlane if I wanted to and as the pattern transitioned I could do that easily. On the fresh I was in a very good part of the lane with an incredible ball motion.

If you have been a fan of the Moon series the Blood Moon Rising Pearl is just what you want.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Pyramid Blue Moon RETIRED LTD OFFER
8 of 8 people found this review helpful
5
A new moon is rising...Introducing the Pyramid Blue Moon

Pin to PAP(4 1/2" over 3/8" up) - 5"
Relation Weight Layout - 4 1/2" x 3 1/2" x 2"
Balance Hole - n/a
Surface Preparation - Out of Box (2000 grit Abralon)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
The all new Blue Moon from Pyramid is a Asymmetric benchmark ball in the current lineup. It uses the SG 19.5 Asymmetric core wrapped in the GPS Navigational ATX coverstock. This combination along with the 2000 grit Abralon finish should offer a clean look through the front part of the lane with a controllable motion downlane.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
The new Blue Moon was a super cool ball for me.

It gave me some benchmark motion but I was able to really play around with it and get more and more hook. Through the heads it stayed super clean regardless never showing any motion of reading the pattern early.

On the THS, I saw a good amount of "pick up" in the mids with a strong but controllable motion downlane. As always the power at the pins was ridiculous and something that we see with every release from Pyramid, keeping pins low and throwing them all around.

As the pattern started to break down a little, I was able to get in with the Blue Moon and really create a good amount of ball motion off the breakpoint.
I think this ball will aloow most bowlers to get well into a normal league night without having to change balls.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Pyramid Blueprint Pearl Project 1.618 RETIRED LTD OFFER
96 of 102 people found this review helpful
5
Plan for success. The Pyramid Blueprint Pearl has the finishing touch.

Ball #1
Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5"
Relation Weight Layout - 5" x 4 1/2" x 2 1/4"
Balance Hole - n/a
Surface Preparation - Out of Box (2000 Abralon/Factory Polish)

Ball #2
Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5"
Relation Weight Layout - 5" x 4 1/4" x 4 1/4"
Balance Hole - n/a
Surface Preparation - 500/1000 grit Abralon


The Blueprint was one of the best performance balls in Pyramids line-up since last season. It offered a benchmark reaction that you could still create great angles with or go up the boards. The Blueprint Pearl is the obvious follow up to that ball and offers a cleaner motion down the lane with a stronger more angular ball motion off the break point.

Ball #1:
I was able to thrown this ball quite a bit prior to release and even the ball video/test. It had quickly become one of my favorite balls in my bag. I have
always had great success with Pyramid's pearl coverstocks. They just get down the lane so easy and store up so much energy for me. The Blueprint Pearl was
no exception, off my hand it glides through the heads and doesn't read any friction early at all. Through the mids it picks up a nice strong roll but saves
all of its movement for the backends. This ball absolutely puts on a turn signal for me down lane. I can get so far left on the lane because I know I will be able to get this ball to turn the corner from just about anywhere.

In true Pyramid fashion, this ball hits like a truck. Pins are low and flying all over the deck. This combination will easily find a place in your bag this season.

Ball #2:
Alright so changes are you will never see me throw a ball like this with this surface but for the video we wanted to show you what it would do with some grit on it. Now for lower rev or high speed players, this may be a viable option. Basically this surface change brought the ball reaction 5-8' closer to me and smoothed out the backend quite a bit. It still rolled great and I could see this coming in handy for heavier volumes of oil.

All in all if you loved your Blueprint or even if you never had the chance to thrown one, you can not miss the Blueprint Pearl. This ball looks great, roll great, hit hard and will increase your scores this season.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Pyramid Blueprint Project 1.618 RETIRED LTD OFFER
30 of 30 people found this review helpful
5
Pyramid Blueprint. Detailed Design. Precise Performance

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5"
Relation Weight Layout - 55* x 5" x 35*
Balance Hole - n/a

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (500 grit Abralon/Compound Polish)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
The Pyramid Blueprint was designed to specifically fill a hole in their performance ball line-up.

By taking the symmetric core from the Path Origin series and pairing it with the cover from the Chosen Path, we were able to create a high performance ball motion with a symmetric core. This allows for more versatility on the lane from a wider variety of bowlers.

The Blueprint should offer a cleaner motion in the front part of the lane, similar to the Path Origin but with a more angular and consistent motion off the spot. This ball motion was missing from my bag and I would find myself in between during transition. I threw our test ball out of the box with the 500/Compound Polish finish but in other testing we did we saw a huge difference in ball motions with simple coverstock changes.


What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
I am so excited about this ball, it is exactly what bowlers have been asking for and the Blueprint delivers.

It is super clean off my hand, never saw any changes in motion early with this ball even as the pattern broke down. The finish is smooth enough that it reacts just as expected but has enough grit on the base the keep it digging in oil. As the ball transitioned into the mids, the Blueprint did not quit. It kept a great line and never read any friction when I did not want it to.

Downlane, you will see the biggest change in the ball motion. The Blueprint comes off the spot aggressive and angular. This was a perfect marriage of the two main components, core/cover, to achieve a ball motion that Pyramid did not have previously.

Pyramid - Choose Your Path

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Pyramid Blunt Force RETIRED LTD OFFER
225 of 230 people found this review helpful
5
Create a stellar collision with the all new Pyramid Blunt Force.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 4 3/4"
Relation Weight Layout - 4 3/4" x 4 1/2" x 2"
Balance Hole - n/a
Surface Preparation - Out of Box (2000 grit Abralon/Factory Polish)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
The all new Blunt Force from Pyramid is a follow-up release to the last High Performance release, the Force.

The Blunt Force features the same SG Precessional Asymmetric core as the Force with a Hybrid version of the GPS Navigational coverstock. This combination will produce a smoother overall ball motion than the original Force with a better coverage on medium to heavy oil patterns.

I went with the same layout as my Force to get a better comparison. This layout should product a clean motion through the heads while still seeing the smoother consistent motion throughout the pattern.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Awesome addition to the High Performance line from Pyramid.

Some bowlers may prefer this overall ball motion. Of my hand this reacted like a pearl clearing the heads with ease and setting up nicely in the mid-lane. As the ball transitioned I saw a really strong motion as I would expect from a hybrid coverstock.

There were a lot of times that I saw a stronger change in direction than I was expecting from the hybrid cover. As I played around with different angles, I saw more of a traditional hybrid ball motion. This is a prefect compliment to the Force or a great High Performance hybrid for anyone's bag.


Was this comment helpful? yes no

Pyramid Chosen One RETIRED LTD OFFER
312 of 315 people found this review helpful
5
Many Are Called,Few Are Chosen.

Ball #1
Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5"
Relation Weight Layout - 5" x 4 1/2" x 2 1/4"
Balance Hole - n/a
Surface Preparation - Out of Box (2000 Abralon/Factory Polish)

Ball #2
Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5"
Relation Weight Layout - 5" x 4 1/4" x 4 1/4"
Balance Hole - P3
Surface Preparation - 500/1000 grit Abralon


With this review we did something a little different. We had a pin up layout OOB and a pin down layout that we dulled down to give you a good look at the ball with different surfaces and layouts.

The Chosen One offers Pyramids first Hybrid coverstock in their Pro Performance category. The all new XF Gravitational Hybrid covers is wrapped around the proven SG 19.5 Astmmetric core from the Chosen series. This combination will give you a strong yet controllable ball motion on a wide variety of patterns.

The Chosen One should fit right in between Pyramid's matte finish Pro Performance balls like the Divergent Path and Chosen Path and the pearl version of these balls like the Divergent Path Pearl and Chosen Path Pearl.

Ball #1:

The Chosen One OOB was amazing. Right from the get go the ball motion was perfect. It was plenty strong but it gave me a different look at the pocket.
With the hybrid cover the Chosen One read the pattern earlier then the pearls but not quite as early as the solids we have seen before.

Dont mistake this ball for a weaker version by any means, the Chosen One brings plenty of hook to the lane with the super aggressive SG 19.5 Asymmetric core. This ball read the heads pretty clean, still giving me really strong roll but not over reacting too early. In the mids this ball went to work. The Chosen One read the pattern great and still had plenty of energy for the backends.

I am surprised at some of the angles I was able to create with this ball. Typically a hybrid doesnt change direction too much down lane but the Chosen One still allowed me to open up the pattern and get some serious motion off the spot down lane.

Ball #2:

I am not a big "dull" surface guy so i thought this part of the test would be challenging for me.

I will say I was very surprised at how well the Chosen One reacted to the surface change. It didnt hook early and roll out. It amplified the ball motion overall. I saw similar motions just a bit earlier and with a little less down lane. I would say for bowlers who don't get a lot on the ball or higher ball speeds the Chosen One with a little surface is a really good option.

My biggest observation of both Ball #1 and #2 is how well these balls went through the pins. I know we say it with most of our Pyramid reviews but
these balls keep the pins so low it almost seems like I'm cheating. When you can get a ball to clear the pin deck with no deflection and the pins are flying all over you have a huge advantage.

Give the Pyramid line-up a try this season.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Pyramid Chosen Path Acid Lime/Pink RETIRED LTD OFFER
504 of 514 people found this review helpful
5
Your Path Is Chosen...Are You Ready?

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 4 1/2"
Relation Weight Layout - 4 1/2" x 4" x 1 1/2"
Balance Hole - P3 (1" x 3")

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (2000 grit Matte)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
I have been testing this ball since Pyramid first designed it. I had the luxury of throwing quite a few of the balls with many different layouts. This is actually my second Hot Pink/Acid Lime Chosen Path and by far it is the strongest of the Chosen's that I have.

This layout was intended to produce a very clean look in the heads with a really strong motion in the middle part of the lane. It also allows me to get in a little deeper and still have plenty of continuation on the backends. It was drilled specifically for fresh patterns when I needed something to read the conditions early in the night.

My first Hot Pink/Acid Lime Chosen Path was drilled with the down and I polished the surface for use in the later games of league. This layout along with keeping the surface OOB (20000 grit) allows me to play the inside part of the lane from game one in league and gives me the strong ball motion I was looking for compared to my polished one.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
This ball is incredibly strong for me. As you can see from our reaction video I was getting plenty of overall hook and it was exactly where I wanted it.

Off my hand the 2000 grit surface clears the heads easily. Of course as the lanes break down this surface with this layout will start to read a little early. On the fresh pattern it was perfect, it picked up a really strong ball motion in the mid-lane and still had plenty of energy for the look I wanted
off the break point. The feature I really like is that with the technology in the core and cover combination I can alter the ball motion very easily with a simple move or change in hand position.

The Chosen Path allows me to make small adjustments to the surface and get exactly the look I want. In the video you can see that I made a small adjustment in my hand position and moved in pretty deep on the lane. The Chosen handled that part of the lane very well and I did not sacrifice any
continuation down lane or hitting power at the pins.

I am very excited to be part of Pyramid's first High Performance ball release. We feel that this ball will offer a wide variety of bowlers a very strong piece of equipment that will match up to many different lane conditions. Another nice addition is that the Chosen Path is available in two colors. This is the first time that a High Performance ball is being offered with a color option.

Choose Your Path

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Pyramid Chosen Path Orange/Smoke RETIRED LTD OFFER
212 of 221 people found this review helpful
5
Your Path Is Chosen...Are You Ready?

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5 3/4"
Relation Weight Layout - 5 3/4" x 3 3/4" x 3"
Balance Hole - n/a

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (2000 grit Matte)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
I have been testing this ball since Pyramid first designed it. I had the luxury of throwing quite a few of the balls with many different layouts. This is the only Orange/Smoke Chosen Path in my bag right now. This ball has had plenty of games on it as I find it to give me a really good ball motion on a typical house pattern.

This layout was intended to produce a good amount of skid off my hand with a really angular move down lane. I have not tried changing the surface of this ball at all because at the 2000 grit finish I get that perfect mix of skid but not too far where I get dragged to a part of the lane I don't want to be in.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Even though the Orange/Smoke is identical to the Hot Pink/Acid Lime Chosen Path, it is not hard to see the significant differences in ball motion just
by using a different layout. As I said above this ball has turned into my "benchmark" ball during league. It offers the perfect mix of skid through the
heads with the right amount of motion in the mid-lanes setting up a strong and consistent backend move.

As you can see in the video this ball allows me to play in a very common area of the lane where my carry percentage goes up dramatically. All in all I feel very strongly that Pyramid has created a very unique product that will suit the eye of many bowlers on a variety of conditions.

The other neat option that we have is that this ball does come in two colors. This is the first time that a High Performance ball has been released with
a color option. The Path Has Been Chosen...The Color Hasn't.

Choose Your Path

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Pyramid Chosen Path Pearl Black/Lime Green
606 of 611 people found this review helpful
5
Your Path Is Chosen...Are You Ready?

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 4 5/8"
Relation Weight Layout - 4 5/8" x 4 5/8" x 4"
Balance Hole - 1" x 2" on VAL from center of grip through cg

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (2000 grit Abralon/Factory Polish)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
I used a very similar layout to one of my favorite Chosen Paths. This layout allows me to get in a rev up on the ball while providing me just enough length in the front to get a very aggressive move off the spot.

With the GPS Navigational Pearl cover the Chosen Path Pearl should offer all the strength of the original Chosen's with some extra skid a ton of extra movement down lane. I have been excited since my first test of this ball for it to release to show how strong we can get this cover/core combination to be for a wide variety of bowlers.


What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
After extensive testing and tweaking to cover finishes we ended up with a true winner that we hope everyone loves as much as we do.

The Chosen Path Pearl offers another great look to Pyramid's performance lineup. By adding a pearl cover to the SG 19.5 Asymmetrical core we were able to create a very special ball motion.

As expected off my hand this ball was clean but strong. You can tell this ball wants to hook a bunch from the moment it hits the lane but it does clear the heads with ease. As this ball starts to transition it just digs in a makes one of the best moves I have seen in years.

I literally can not get too far left on the lane. I was able to get this ball to recover from anywhere but at the same time I could move right and get a super long and strong motion. The Chosen Path Pearl will quickly make its way to your bag and be one of your favorite balls.

Your Path Is Chosen...Are You Ready?

Choose Your Path!

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Pyramid Curse Pearl RETIRED
31 of 34 people found this review helpful
5
The Power Is Yours with the Pyramid Curse Pearl

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5 1/2"
Relation Weight Layout - 5 1/2" x 4 1/2" x 2 3/4"
Balance Hole - n/a
Surface Preparation - Out of Box (2000 grit Abralon/Factory Polish)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
The Curse Pearl is the much anticipated follow up release to one of Pyramid's hottest releases - The Curse.

Using the same SG Equinox Symmetric core wrapped in the pearl version of the GPS Navigational ATX cover the Curse Pearl should offer up more length with a sharper move off the spot downlane.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
WOW! Exactly what we were looking for from this release. The Curse Pearl was super clean off my hand with one of the most aggressive change of directions offered by Pyramid.

When I get a ball that is this clean through the heads and the mids, I am able to create some angles that are crazy. As you can see from the video, I was able to bounce this ball from anywhere knowing I was going to get a left hand turn downlane.

As the lanes started to transition on the backends tightened up a bit, the Curse Pearl got even better. Being that is is so strong off the break point, it handled that little bit of carry down with ease.

All in all I would say this ball hit the mark with a cleaner and stronger move than the original. The Curse Pearl is sure to compliment either your Curse or any other Pyramid ball in your bag.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Pyramid Curse RETIRED
69 of 81 people found this review helpful
5
Unleash the Power of the Pyramid Curse.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 4 3/4"
Relation Weight Layout - 4 3/4" x 4 1/2" x 4 1/8"
Balance Hole - 7/8" x 2" on VAL
Surface Preparation - Out of Box (2000 grit Abralon/Factory POlish)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
The all new Curse from Pyramid is the follow-up ball to very popular Blueprint series. The GPS Navigational ATX cover combined with an all new symmetric core is designed to offer a stronger ball motion in the price point.

I went with a strong layout in this ball. The core/coverstock combination should naturally allow the Curse to get down the lane so I figured this layout would create a strong ball motion off the spot and give me a strong upper mid-performance reaction.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
This ball does truly "unleash the power" The new Curse was amazing on a THS (typical house shot) and looked great going down the lane. The Purple/Black/Silver combo is dark enough but shows its true colors as it goes down the lane.

Well compared to my Blueprint/Blueprint Pearl the Curse delivered a much stronger ball motion from start to finish. For medium-heavy oil conditions this ball will be a new benchmark ball out of my bag.

As expected with the polished cover and symmetric core, the Curse was clean off my hand allowing me plenty of length. The ball picked up really strong in the mids and set itself up for a ridiculous backend motion.

Off the spot downlane the Curse went left. The stronger cover and core in this ball was evident compared to the Blueprint series. This ball went nuts on the backend. I actually think I left 3-4 stone 9 pins with this ball due to the entry angle. Once I made some minor adjustments I was blowing up racks and not leaving any pins on the deck. The Curse is definitely the strongest release yet in this performance group.

This ball would make a perfect benchmark ball for all bowlers on any type of medium-heavy oil conditions. If you have not yet experienced a Pyramid ball the Curse is a great place to start. This ball will definitely show you the Power of the Pyramid.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Pyramid Dark Path 19.5 Hybrid RETIRED LTD OFFER
176 of 178 people found this review helpful
5
The Dark Path 19.5 is the first ever symmetrical hybrid from Pyramid Bowling

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5"
Relation Weight Layout - 5" x 4 1/2" x 2 3/8"
Balance Hole - n/a

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (2000 grit Abralon)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
The all new Dark Path 19.5 Hybrid offers the same amazing Hybrid cover used on the Dark Path combined with the SG 19.5 Symmetric Core used in a few balls like the Path Origin and Blueprint.

The symmetric block should make this ball a little smoother off your hand and through the middle part of the lane with a sharper more pronounced change in direction on the back end. I went with one of my favorite layouts which was also on one of my favorite Dark Paths.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Exactly what we wanted and let me say this may be a benchmark ball for a lot of Pyramid fans.

The Dark Path 19.5 was exactly what I wanted for some time now. When your Dark Path gets to be too much ball and you dont want or need to ball down too much the 19.5 is perfect. The symmetric core changes the ball motion just enough to let you get more distance with a nice change of direction at the pins.

Off my hand I could see the difference, the Dark Path 19.5 still rolled like a true hybrid but smoother from the heads to the mids. Once it got down lane you could see the ball wanted to get up and go and trust me it did. It was very receptable to changes in my hand position which is what I love about symmetric cores and this was no exception.

I think there is a perfect spot in your bag for the Dark Path 19.5 and like I said this may be the first ball out of your bag week in and week out.

Choose Your Path

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Pyramid Dark Path Hybrid RETIRED LTD OFFER
468 of 474 people found this review helpful
5
Down the Dark Path there is victory.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 4 1/2"
Relation Weight Layout - 4 1/2" x 4 3/4" x 4"
Balance Hole - 1" x 2" on VAL from center of grip through cg

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (2000 grit Abralon)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
The Dark Path Hybrid incorporates the extremely popular SG 19.5 Asymmetric core from the Chosen Path series with the first ever and all new GPS Navigational Hybrid coverstock from Pyramid.

This ball should provide a smoother overall ball motion then the Chosen Path series with just as much power at the pins. I used a very similar layout
on this ball as I used on the Chosen Path. I expect to see the Dark Path read the pattern a little earlier with a smoother motion downlane.


What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
The Dark Path delivered on what it was supposed to do.

It was a good 5-6 boards smoother overall for me. While it provided a similar overall motion it was less and a little smoother then the Chosen Path. Off my hand the ball still cleared the heads with ease, picking up a little sooner then the Chosen did in the middle part of the lane. As it transitioned to the back the Dark Path still provided plenty of movement and a ton of hitting power.

The intent was to offer a Hybrid cover with a similar motion to the Chosen and not sacrifice any hitting power. This was definitely accomplished and whether you have thrown a Chosen Path or not, you will love the Dark Path Hybrid.

Pyramid...You're Going To Like Our Dark Side.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Pyramid Divergent Path LE - LIMITED RUN LTD OFFER
113 of 119 people found this review helpful
5
Dare To Be Different. Take The Divergent Path.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5"
Relation Weight Layout - 55* x 5" x 35*
Balance Hole - n/a

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (1000 grit Abralon)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
The new Pyramid Divergent Path offers a new look to the Pyramid ball line. This was intended for heavy oil conditions and offers a stronger look
on these patterns then the previous High Performance balls in the line, the Chosen Path.

Our testing showed us that we saw a earlier and stronger roll, reading the friction sooner, while storing up plenty of energy for an aggressive look
downlane. I expected to see a good 5-7 boards more in overall hook from my Chosen Path as well as allowing me to play a little deeper on the lane.
I should be able to get into the oil a little more and see plenty of recovery where the Chosen Path may have laid down a little.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
I saw exactly what we wanted out of this ball. The Divergent Path allowed me to get in the oil by about an arrow or so and still see the motion I wanted.

Off my hand the ball looked great. It got into a really heavy roll in the heads but still cleared it smooth enough to not roll out down lane. As I threw
a few more shots with the ball, I was able to open up a little and get it pretty far right of the Chosen and saw plenty of recovery. On heavier oil conditions
or your typical house shot the Divergent Path will offer up a whole new look at the pattern and the pocket.

The biggest part of the ball motion that I saw was how aggressive this ball stayed down lane. Normally when you get such a heavy roll up front you will see it
die off down lane. The Divergent stored up plenty of energy for the breakpoint and it did not quit. All the way through the pins this ball was strong.

If you wanted a little more from your Chosen Path then the Divergent Path is what you want. Dare To Be Different, Take The Divergent Path.

Pyramid - Choose Your Path

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Pyramid Divergent Path Pearl RETIRED LTD OFFER
219 of 223 people found this review helpful
5
Now there's more than one way to throw a strike with the Divergent Path Pearl. See things from a different angle.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 4 3/4"
Relation Weight Layout - 4 3/8" x 4 3/4" x 4"
Balance Hole - n/a

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (2000 grit Abralon/Factory Finish Polish)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
This is only Pyramid's second high performance pearl release. I absolutely love my Chosen Path Pearl so I went with the same pin down layout that I use on that ball.

The Divergent Pearl incorporates Pyramid's newest core/coverstock technology in a pearl version so I am looking for this ball to get down the lane about the same as my Chosen Pearl with a more angular move to the pocket.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Since I already knew what this ball would do from our original ball motion testing, I was not surprised when I threw it for the video and review. This ball is an absolute beast, even on the fresh I was able to dominate the pattern from a deeper angle then my Chosen Pearl or original Divergent Path.

Off my hand this ball was so smooth, it cleared the heads easily and did not pick up any friction in the mids. It just got down the lane super clean and set up for the real treasure of this ball.....The Backend.

Easily the strongest downlane motion Pyramid has ever had. I mean I thought the Chosen Pearl put on a turn signal but the Divergent Pearl was easy another 5-6 boards stronger and it was all down by the pins. The entry angles I was able to create paired with Pyramid's ability to keep the pins low made this ball carry everything.

This ball will make the perfect pairing to the Divergent Path or just a really good high performance pearl to put in your bag.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Pyramid Enchanted Path Rising Hybrid
18 of 19 people found this review helpful
5
The Enchanted Path Rising - Pyramid's first hybrid in an entry level price point.

The Enchanted Path Rising is Pyramid's first offering in this entry level performance line with a hybrid reactive coverstock.

The Path Rising series has been one of the best selling entry performance lines of the brand and now you can get a hybrid version for a slightly stronger ball motion without going up to the next performance level.

The Path Reactive Hybrid cover is still wrapped around the New Era 139 symmetric core offering an outstanding ball motion for the price. We saw a slightly earlier and stronger ball motion from the Enchanted Path compared to any of the pearl Risings. This ball motion allowed me to get in a bit deeper and change up some angles. On top of the slightly stronger motion, the Enchanted Path with its 3-color hybrid cover - Black/Tea/Silver - looks absolutely amazing going down the lane.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Pyramid Force Gold Pearl *International Release* Ltd Ed of 250
9 of 11 people found this review helpful
5
The Force Gold Pearl was produced for the Korean market only. We are releasing 250 to the US market and this will be it. once these are gone they are gone for good.

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
So here is my description on review on the Force Gold Pearl. Since this is an International Release and the only main difference between this ball and the Force Pearl is the amazing Gold color, I wanted to try a "trick" layout that my good friend has had some success with.

So basically here is the thought process and then I will get into what it did for me.

When the Intermediate Mass Bias Diff is .016 or higher you can "flip" the ball and use the Mass Bias marker as the Pin and the Pin as the Mass Bias marker. Let me first say that prior to this video I had never tried this before so I was going into it blind.

I placed the Mass Bias ("pin") 4 1/2" from my PAP and the Pin ("mass bias") 4 1/2" from my PAP with a 2 1/4" pin buffer. Essentially, this would be the exact same layout I would normally use but a touch stronger position in relation to my PAP and of course the fact that markers are flipped.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Alright so now my uncensored, honest review of this ball using this "trick" layout.

Let me start by saying I product tested this ball prior to approval and it rolls fantastic. It is basically on top of my Force Pearl except I saw the Gold Pearl version get down the lane a touch further and have a little more extreme angle to the pocket. That original test ball was drilled identical to my Force Pearl for comparison purposes.

So this "trick" layout. I like it, it is not for everyone. Let me repeat, it is not for everyone. If this will be your main ball for league - DO NOT use this layout. If you love your Force Pearl and want to play around with something different, give it a shot.

First, you probably cant hear it in the video but I was hitting a finger hole just past the middle part of the lane as the ball started to make a move. Nothing major and nothing would stop me from throwing the ball but it did thump a bit.

Second, when I missed, I missed - haha. For me, I had to get the ball started and stay around it a little. If I got a little flat at the bottom the ball skidded a bit too far and didn't recover. Now when I stayed on it - the ball reaction was pure. As you can see from my better shots in the video the ball gets down lane super clean and recovers off the spot great. I don't know how to describe it but it appears to "tumble" a bit harder down lane and through the pins.

As we tested the balls you could see where my ball reaction was a bit touchier than the other guys but I expected some subtle differences using this layout.

All in all I like the layout. I will say it is unique for me to have this type of motion. I am sure with some tweaking I could achieve it with a standard type of layout but I'm not certain of that. Hard to describe but it was very unique.

My plan for this piece is to tweak the surface just a bit and throw it some more. I plan to use it in league and see if I can find a sweet spot for it.

I want to emphasize, this layout is not for everyone. If you choose to try it, great, I always think you should try new things when it comes to layouts. Just know going in it may not be your "cup of tea" but it was fun. FYI - Also be prepared for some very strange looks from other bowlers when you throw this ball down on the rack!!

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Pyramid Force Pearl RETIRED
249 of 254 people found this review helpful
5
Achieve Cosmic Collision with the all new Force Pearl from Pyramid

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 4 1/2"
Relation Weight Layout - 5" x 4 1/2" x 4 1/4"
Balance Hole - n/a
Surface Preparation - Out of Box (2000 grit Factory Polished)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
The Force Pearl is the follow-up to one of the best performing HP balls in Pyramid history, the Force.
The Force Pearl offers the same core and coverstock combination in a pearl reactive formula. This change offers an even cleaner look through the heads with a more explosive motion on the backends.

I went with a little stronger layout on this ball as I had played with the same layout on one of my original Force's. This pin down layout offers a little earlier read in the mids setting up for a big motion off the spot downlane. My guess based on previous testing and ball motion is that the Force Pearl will still give me a clean look in the front with a more angular motion than my original.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
SUPER CLEAN!

The Force Pearl was easily one of the cleanest motions of the season off my hand. I think it was a combination of the GPS Navigational Pearl cover along with the super cool Silver Pearl coloring that made this ball look like it was gliding.

No matter where I went on the lane I got the same clean and smooth motion through the heads. This allowed me to play a variety of angles on the fresh test pattern. I was able to create some really cool angles since I knew that when the Force Pearl got to the spot it would react just as expected.

On the backend this ball was a beast. Not too much as we have seen some of the new releases this season. To me those balls pop so hard off the break point that I really dont know how long and on what pattern they could be used. The Force Pearl gave me a super strong but controllable ball motion. As we have seen in the past releases from Pyramid, there was a clear motion that they intended for on this release and they hit it spot on.

The Force Pearl will be a must have for Pyramid fans and new Pyramid customers alike.

Choose Your Path.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Pyramid Force RETIRED
144 of 150 people found this review helpful
5
The Pyramid Force. Unstoppable.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5"
Relation Weight Layout - 5" x 4 1/4" x 4 1/4"
Balance Hole - n/a
Surface Preparation - Out of Box (2000 grit Sheen)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
The new Force from Pyramid was designed for heavier volumes of oil. The intent was to achieve a clean reaction in the front part of the lane with an unstoppable backend motion in heavy oil conditions.

I went with a pin down layout to get the ball in an earlier motion and still read the pattern well enough to store plenty of energy for the backends. This layout should highlight the motion intended by Pyramid and achieve a great ball reaction for the fresh condition you see in typical league patterns.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
The Force is strong with this ball.

Before I get into the ball motion I had let me say, this is one of the best ball motions we have delivered from Pyramid ever. It combines everything a bowler would want from a strong matte finish ball. Not to mention the matte black cover looks amazing going down the lane.

Alright so the ball motion was amazing from this ball. Off my hand the ball was clean. It did get through the heads easily but it picked up a super strong roll and read the pattern amazingly. I was able to get right where there were drier boards or go left and get right in the middle of the pattern.

This ball picked up a really strong roll in the mids. Allowing me to see the motion from this solid black coverstock easily. The most amazing part of the ball reaction was the amount of backend I was able create if I wanted to. I literally could throw this ball as far right as I wanted. As long as I got good clearance through the heads the ball just exploded on the backend.

As always from Pyramid we were able to design the block to keep the pins low to the pin deck and increase carry compared to others.

This is easily the new heavy oil ball from Pyramid and a great compliment to the entire Pyramid family of bowling balls.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Pyramid Force Unleashed
217 of 224 people found this review helpful
5
The Pyramid Force Unleashed brings the final chpater in the strongest line in Pyramid's history.

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
The Force Unleashed is the final and strongest release in this High Performance ball line.

Keeping with the rest of the Force series this ball features the SG Precessional Asymmetric core with the GPS Navigational ATX cover. I kept it consistent and put my favorite pin up layout on this ball.

Based on initial testing and the specs on this ball I am expecting to see a super aggressive ball motion from front to back. Normally with Pyramid balls Im never worried about them starting up too early and burning out but just in case this
layout should assist in ensuring I get the ball downlane to see what it can really do.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Well, this is a great way to end one of my favorite lines in the Pyramid series.

The Force Unleashed checks a lot of boxes for me. It is super aggressive while being controllable through the front part of the lane, it looks amazing with its solid red color, it gives me a ton of forgiveness.

The Unleashed is amazing, granted I do see this ball being a game 1 maybe game 2 contender. Not sure how great it will be as the pattern starts to burn up but it will be a fun first couple of games with this ball. The Force Unleashed is like a Force Solid on steroids.

It handles the fresh pattern with ease and allows me to get into a part of the lane that I am comfortable with. Off my hand it was super clean but also aggressive. It got into the pattern early without burning up. It handles the mids easy, maintaining the strong motion and transitioning well into the backends where this ball absolutely explodes.

One of the big things for me was the forgiveness of the core with this cover. I was able to miss in and see the ball hold well, of course as with most stronger balls as long as I didnt miss right early, this ball recovered easily.

If you have missed the previous Force releases, dont miss this one. It is definitely the best of the line.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Pyramid Fortress
109 of 121 people found this review helpful
5
Lock down the lane with the all new Pyramid Fortress

Pin to PAP(4 1/2" over 3/8" up) - 5"
Relation Weight Layout - 5" x 5 1/2" x 4 3/8"
Surface Preparation - Out of Box (2000 grit Abralon/Factory Polish)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
With the Fortress being the first symmetric Pro Performance ball from Pyramid and the first in a new line, I went with a pretty basic pin down layout. The thought was to get the Pearl/Symmetric ball going a little sooner and see what it can
do on fresh house conditions.

Knowing the core from previous releases with a new stronger pearl cover, I figured this would give me a clean but strong motion in the front and middle parts of the lane with enough energy retention to make a strong motion downlane.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Whoa!! If this is what to come from the new Fortress line of balls, we are in for some great ball motions.

The Fortress is not only amazing looking as the White Pearl goes down the lane but the ball reaction is very unique and something that can be used on a variety of lane conditions.

Off my hand it was just as expected, I got the Fortress into a clean but very strong roll in the fronts. Even on fresh the XF Gravitational Pearl cover dug in and cut through the oil with ease. I was super surprised with the downlane motion from this ball with this layout.
Normally this layout with tame down the angles a little downlane, not the case with the Fortress. I was getting this ball back from wherever I wanted on the lane.

Since this ball video and review, I have been able to use this on a few different league nights and it is the first time in a long time that I can remember starting and finishing with the same ball. With just some minor moves and hand adjustments I was able to use the Fortress from the first game through the third game.

This may be the best benchmark ball motion I have ever seen from Pyramid!

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Pyramid Fortress Endgame LATEST RELEASE
158 of 172 people found this review helpful
5
The future of your game starts now - claim your victory!

Pin to PAP(4 1/2" over 3/8" up) - 5"
Relation Weight Layout - 5" x 5" x 4 3/8"
Surface Preparation - Out of Box (2000 grit Abralon)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
The Fortress Endgame will be the final piece in the Fortress series. It features the first true dual-density asymmetric core from Pyramid.
As always, went with my typical test layout - expecting to see a pretty strong ball motion from the Endgame. I was able to do some early testing on both the core and coverstock, those samples were some of my favorite ball reactions from the Fortress line.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
For me this was a perfect ball motion!

I love when big asymmetrics come together with a strong cover. For me, those types of bowling balls hook plenty but the big thing for me is that they slow down a little at the pins. I love seeing a driving motion at the pins but not a left turn signal type of motion off the breakpoint.

The Endgame does just that - dont get me wrong, it hooks, but I was able to manipulate it in a way that I could see the shape that I like. It is super smooth off my hand and it had to get pretty beat up before I saw any early read of the friction. It picked up really nicely in mids and had that continuation that Payramid and the Fortress line has been so famous for.

Downlane the Fortress Endgame shines. I was able to create a big sharp motion or smooth it out and see more of a controlled break. For me, this ability, paired
with incredible power at the pins make this a great choice for most league conditions and bowlers of all types.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Pyramid Fortress Hybrid
81 of 92 people found this review helpful
5
Lock down the lane with the all new Pyramid Fortress Hybrid

Pin to PAP(4 1/2" over 3/8" up) - 5 1/4"
Relation Weight Layout - 5 1/4" x 5" x 4 1/4"
Surface Preparation - Out of Box (2000 grit Abralon/Factory Polish)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
With the original Fortress being one of my favorite balls of the recent releases, I was pretty excited to see what the Hybrid version would offer. The Fortress is the first ball out of my bag most nights and I will say with the cover at factory finish it can be a little too long for me at times, the introduction of the Hybrid version should be perfect for me.

I used the same layout and was wanting to see this ball read the pattern a little earlier and not get so far downlane before making a motion on the back.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
The perfect fit for my bag!!

Although in the ball video I threw a couple pretty bad, the Fortress Hybrid did exactly what I needed it to.

It read the pattern earlier than my original Fortress which set up for the motion downlane much better for me. I still feel like as the pattern breaks down
the Fortress will be perfect but as a first ball out of the bag as a benchmark, I think the Fortress Hybrid wins. With the hybrid cover getting started a bit sooner, the backend motion is a little less sharp and smoother for me. That type of ball motion tends to lead to better carry for me on typical house shots where I dont really need the ball to change directions a ton.

The Fortress Hybrid cover still allows the ball to get through the heads clean enough that there is no issue getting into later games with it. All in all
a really good Hybrid release from Pyramid.


Was this comment helpful? yes no

Pyramid Fortress Solid RETIRED
12 of 12 people found this review helpful
5
Lock down the lane with the all new Pyramid Fortress Solid

Pin to PAP(4 1/2" over 3/8" up) - 5"
Relation Weight Layout - 5" x 4 1/2" x 2 3/8"
Surface Preparation - Out of Box (2000 grit Abralon)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
The Fortress Solid was developed to be the biggest overall hook to date in the Fortress line-up.
I went with a typical pin up layout for me to compare easily to the other two releases in this performance line.

Out of the box the Fortress Solid appears to be a hook monster. The 2000 grit Abralon finish with the Black/White solid cover look amazing and like it is ready to tear through some oil.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Definitely a different look than the previous two Fortress releases.

Compare to my Fortress Hybrid, the Solid provided a much earlier look with more overall motion across the entire lane. For me a big asymmetric core in a
solid aggressive coverstock and be "hook - stop". The Fortress Solid did well at not burning up too early and allowing me to create some angles and not
lose ball motion.

I was able to play a pretty controllable line on the typical house shot but had the ability to open it up and let this ball eat if I wanted to. The addition of the
Solid to the Fortress line-up gives you everything you need in one ball line. You can easily transition through the Fortress series with the variety of covers and cores that are offered.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Pyramid Men's HPX Black/Black Right Handed
105 of 110 people found this review helpful
5
The Pyramid HPX, Pyramid's First High Performance Shoe

I have been doing testing on this shoe for a few months now. The Pyramid HPX is by far the most comfortable high performance interchangeable shoe on the market. For me most of the high end shoes feel very clunky and they dont allow me the range of motion I need while bowling. The HPX is as comfortable as a
pair of running shoes or your favorite every day shoes.

The other thing I like about this design is that I can use any sole or heel I want. Over the years I have stock piled a good number of soles from shoes and any of those will work with the Pyramid HPX. From a purchasing point of view the HPX is aggressively priced and comes with the most popular soles and heels only on the shoe. From that point, bowlingball.com has it set up where you can add additional soles and heels that you will use at a discounted price. This allows you to get exactly what you need for the shoe instead of paying more and getting shoe accessories you will never use.

With the competitive market in high end shoes the Pyramid HPX should definitely be on your list to check out.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Pyramid Path Emerald/Lime/Acid Yellow RETIRED
13 of 25 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:
I have used this ball as my spare ball for a full season. I always get a lot of compliments on the color scheme and the overall looks of the ball.
Was this comment helpful? yes no

Pyramid Path Origin Pearl Gold Ltd Ed RETIRED SOLD OUT
415 of 423 people found this review helpful
5
The Path Origin Pearl...Start Your Journey.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5 1/8"
Relation Weight Layout - RICO 45*
Balance Hole - 1" x 2" - 6 3/4" from pin through cg

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (1500/Polish)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
The Path Origin Pearl was designed to offer a longer and stronger look then the original Path Origin.

By using the same core and coverstock only pearlizing it we were able to achieve an unmatched ball motion off the break point with the control that we loved so much from the Path Origin.

I ended up with multiple Path Origin's in my bag since its release and I did have one drilled up with the "Rico" layout. It turned out to be my favorite motion from this ball so I figured I would do the same to see the difference the cover change made.

I should see a really clean look off my hand with a smooth transition and a ridiculous move off the friction down lane.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
During our initial testing of this ball I knew that Pyramid Bowling had something very special with this ball. Not only does it look amazing both on the shelf and going down the lane but they were able to create a totally different motion from the original ball without making drastic changes to the ball. The Pearl cover offers a cleaner look with a sharper backend which most league bowlers tend to like.

As I said earlier this ball gave me a much straighter look through the heads, not reading any friction too early. As it moved into the middle part of the lane I saw it pick up strength setting up for an absolute explosion on the backend. The original Origin was a typical solid reactive ball, in that it revved up a little earlier and gave me a nice predictable motion the entire lane. The Pearl version offers a sharper move with increased angle of entry at the pins.

The Path Origin Pearl will be a great compliment to the Origin or any of the Chosen Path balls as the lanes dry out a bit.

Choose Your Path!

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Pyramid Path Origin Solid RETIRED LTD OFFER
154 of 156 people found this review helpful
5
The Path Origin...Start Your Journey.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 4 1/2"
Relation Weight Layout - 4 1/2" x 5" x 4"
Balance Hole - n/a

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (1500/Polish)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
The Path Origin brings that popular polished reactive ball motion to the Pyramid performance line-up. The Path Origin features the SG 19.5 Symmetric
core with a polished Path Reactive cover. This ball produces a a strong yet controllable ball motion on medium lane conditions.

I went with a pretty simple pin down layout which should create a good amount of skid with a strong change of direction at the breask point. With the current line-up of the Chose Path and the Path origin this ball should fit in perfectly for later in the night as the lanes have broken down or I need to play further right on the lane and create more of a down and in ball reaction.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
The Path Origin will hold its own against any ball in this performance category. This ball did exactly what we were looking for. It compliments the
Chosen Path perfectly as the lanes break down or for a different look on the fresh.

Off my hand the Origin was smooth. it cleared the heads with ease and when thrown on some friction it got through the heads cleanly storing up plenty of energy for the back part of the lane. I saw a really strong transition in the mid-lanes with a really good motion to set up what I feel is as strong as a backend motion from this performance group as any other ball.

Since the Origin does such a great job of storing energy, the backends and pins are no problem at all. This ball came off the break point very strong and
absolutely crushed the pins.

I am very excited to see the performance of this ball in the coming months. I feel that Pyramid Bowling has brought a really solid line-up of balls that
is rounded out perfectly with the Path Origin.

Choose Your Path

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Pyramid Path Rising Black/Hot Pink Pearl
210 of 215 people found this review helpful
5
The Path Rising...Entry Level Pricing With High Performance

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 4 1/4"
Relation Weight Layout - 4 1/4" x 5 1/4" x 3 1/2"
Balance Hole - n/a

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (1500 grit Abralon/Factory Polish)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
The Path Rising series offers a entry level performance ball with high performance attributes.

This ball incorporates the same cover found in the Path Origin series with an all new New Era 139 symmetric core. This ball should provide a much cleaner look through the fronts with a strong yet controllable move down lane.

I went with a pin down layout on this ball to increase motion in the mids to the back part of the lane. I expect this ball to get through the heads super easy and allow me to play further right on the lane even after the pattern has broken down a little bit.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
I was pleasantly surprised by the ball motion I had with the Path Rising.

Just as I suspected off my hand the ball was long and smooth. This allowed me to move further right on the pattern and really open up my angle into the pocket. Even though we are dealing with a lower performance ball, the Rising was plenty strong for me off the break point and getting into the pins.

I saw just as much hitting power with this ball as I did with other High Performance balls tested. The Path Rising will offer a couple of different options for many bowler styles. For the higher end bowler this ball will allow them to have a ball for when they dry out without sacrificing hitting power and letting them play the right part of the lane. For the beginner this series will offer great looks with unmatched performance at this price point.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Pyramid Path Slim Triple Tote Roller American Flag (No Shoe Pocket) Designed for Airline Travel
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
5
Pyramids newest and first Slim Triple Tote with a patriotic design is a winner.

This is the first triple tote made by Pyramid Bowling without shoe/accessory add on compartments. The Slim Triple Tote with the American Flag design is the perfect addition to the line.

For me the USA slim triple tote was a no brainer. It is super cool looking with a great depiction of the American Flag on both sides but also allows me to easily get 3 balls to and from. I normally dont need a place for shoes and accessories on my triple totes so this was a perfect fit for me.

The bag offers all of the quality and performance that Pyramid puts in to all of their products. It does have a cool slim side pocket for small items if needed and a clear top so I can easily see what balls are in there.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Pyramid Pathogen
732 of 755 people found this review helpful
5
High Score Are Infectious with the new Pathogen from Pyramid

Ball #1
Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5"
Relation Weight Layout - 5" x 4 1/2" x 2 1/4"
Balance Hole - n/a
Surface Preparation - Out of Box (2000 Abralon/Factory Polish)

Ball #2
Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5"
Relation Weight Layout - 5" x 4 1/4" x 4 1/4"
Balance Hole - n/a
Surface Preparation - 500/1000 grit Abralon


In this review we reviewed the new Pathogen at both at the out of box surface and with matte finish.

I had been able to use the Pathogen for a few weeks prior and got some games in league with the ball using both the pin up and the pin down layouts.

The Pathogen marks the first Advanced Performance (6) that Pyramid has had in over a year. The makeup of this ball was pretty simple, the GPS Navigational

Solid cover was used and wrapped around the New Era 139 symmetric core from the Path Rising series. This will give the ball great length with plenty of movement down lane. Up until this review, I had only thrown the ball with the OOB surface.

Ball #1:
The Pathogen with the pin up and OOB surface was amazing from the first time I threw it a month or so ago. It glided off my hand not reading any friction early. The ball maintained this motion through the mids and just popped off the spot on the backends. I have thrown this ball on everything from the fresh to third game burn and it reacts amazing on both. The video was shot on the fresh and you can tell the Pathogen lets me stay further right and open up the pocket a bit.

I am still able to create really good angles with this ball which enhances the already great carry you get with Pyramid balls. Overall this ball fits right where Pyramid wanted, it is a great benchmark ball. Whether its the first ball out of your bag or what you go to late in the night you will love the Pathogen.

Ball #2:
So I never threw this ball with anything but the OOB surface. With a little grit added the Pathogen turns into a hook monster. I was able to really get into the oil with this ball it handled it with ease.

Obviously we showed an extreme change with the 500/1000 grit surface but when you watch the ball motion you will see that there is still plenty of energy retention with this ball as it transitions to the back part of the lane and through the pins. The Pathogen with some surface is plenty of ball to handle the fresh oil conditions you would run into in league or tournament play.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Pyramid Pathogen Asym
100 of 105 people found this review helpful
5
Go Viral with the Pyramid Pathogen Asym

Pin to PAP(4 1/2" over 3/8" up) - 5"
Relation Weight Layout - 5" x 4 1/2" x 2 3/8"
Surface Preparation - Out of Box (2000 grit Abralon)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
Used my go to pin up layout on this ball. Excited to see what the first Asym ball in the Pathogen series rolls like.
Based on the core and the cover combo, I expect to see a much earlier pickup than previous releases in this performance line with a stronger overall ball motion. With the 2000 grit cover and the big asymmetric core, I assume this ball will need a decent amount of volume but should read the friction to the right well.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
WOW!!! First of all, maybe my favorite ball to watch go down the lane. With the Highlighter Yellow solid cover this thing pops every inch of the lane. No way you will not be noticed with the Pathogen Asym.

Now on to the ball motion, as expected, this is easily the strongest Pathogen or any Advanced Performance for that matter from Pyramid. The Pathogen Asym did what we expected and read the house pattern a touch earlier than other balls in this line with at least an arrow more overall hook. As long as this ball has a little oil in the fronts to help keep it tamed early, it is a monster downlane.

The combination of such a reliable reactive cover with such a strong asymmetric core is a great pair. I see this ball easily being first out of the bag during league with a super smooth transition to the original Pathogen or Antidote as the night goes on. Sometimes with stronger asymmetric cores and really aggressive covers, you get forced in too deep too early. The Pathogen Asym gives you the best of both worlds and offers a super versatile and aggressive look.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Pyramid Pathogen Blue Dot
139 of 146 people found this review helpful
5
Pathogen Spare - A Unique Option for Drier Lanes

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5"
Relation Weight Layout - 5" x 4 1/2" x 4 3/8"
Balance Hole - n/a
Surface Preparation - Out of Box (High Polished)

The Pathogen Spare adds a unique ball motion to the Pyramid Performance Ball Line-up.

With the SG 19.5 Dual Density Asymmetric core wrapped in the Path Polyester cover, the Pathogen Spare gives bowlers a great option for extremely dry lanes.

There is not a lot to say about ball motion with this test. Obviously as you can see in the video, I had to find some friction on the pattern to get the polyester cover to read the lane. Once I did this ball was perfect, it never over reacted as expected with polyester but hit like a mack truck when it got to the pins.

If you are looking for a viable option as the lanes become "burnt" or on short patterns the Pathogen Spare is a perfect solution for you. On a side note, as a tournament bowler is normally limited to the number of balls they either can take or want to travel with, the Pathogen Spare can of course double up as your spare ball giving you a "two for one" option.


Was this comment helpful? yes no

Pyramid Pathogen Plague Pearl Urethane Available 10-16
134 of 136 people found this review helpful
5
The infection is critical. Victory is imminent with the Pyramid Pathogen Plague Pearl.

The Pathogen Plague Pearl urethane offers the second urethane ball in the Pyramid line-up. The new Plague Pearl offers a pearl version of the GPS Navigational urethane cover combined with the SG 19.5 Asymmetric core. This combination gives you the look of conventional urethane with a amped up motion downlane and the look of an asymmetric core ball.

Over the years I have not been a huge fan of urethane making a come back for various reasons. With all of my personal thoughts aside, I will say this ball rolled as good as any urethane has for me. Granted, I match up well with this core but the motion of this ball was much more appealing to me than urethanes have normally been.

I was able to create some room just right of the track and once I got the feel of the "earlier roll" motion urethane gives I lined up pretty good. Off my hand the ball was a bit smoother than I expected but still had that strong roll in the heads and mid-lane. As urethane tends to do the ball stood up a bit on the backends but had plenty of continuation and hitting power.

All in all I like the motion and I think this ball will make its way into my bag this season to help out when everyone else grabs urethane and tears up the pattern.


Was this comment helpful? yes no

Pyramid Pathogen X
167 of 178 people found this review helpful
5
The Infection is Spreading - Pyramid Pathogen X

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 4 3/4"
Relation Weight Layout - 4 3/4" x 4 1/2" x 2"
Balance Hole - n/a
Surface Preparation - Out of Box (2000 grit Abralon/Factory Polish)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
The Pathogen X is the follow-up release to one of Pyramid's best selling balls ever, the Pathogen. The Pathogen X uses the same great core as the original with a Pearl version of the GPS Navigational cover.

From my earlier testing, I knew this ball was longer and stronger downlane than the Pathogen and that it was not afraid to change directions quickly off the breakpoint. I went with the same layout as my favorite Pathogen, pin up about 4 3/4" from my PAP. This will highlight the natural ball motion of the Pathogen X nicely and give me a super clean motion off my hand with an unstoppable motion on the backends.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
If you havent thrown a Pyramid ball yet, this is the ball you should start off with.

The Pathogen X does exactly what Pyramid set out for. It creates a longer/stronger motion than the Pathogen without sacrificing control. Pyramid's pearl additive historically has been very good, looking back over the ball line. All of the pearl covers have produced a strong and angular motion down lane.

The Pathogen X is no different. Gliding through the heads with ease and unleashing a destructive motion on the backends with unbelievable hitting power. Off my hand I was able to get the ball through the heads super easily and this allowed for some crazy angles into the break point. The ball transitioned perfectly through the mids and set itself up for a left hand turn downlane.

After watching this video and looking over the past performance of the Pathogen, you would be nuts not to give this ball a shot.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Pyramid Pathogen X ATK "International Release" Ltd Ed of 250
11 of 14 people found this review helpful
5
Pathogen X ATK International Release Hits the US Market

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5"
Relation Weight Layout - 5" x 4 7/16" x 2 3/8"
Balance Hole - n/a
Surface Preparation - Out of Box (2000 grit Abralon/Factory Polish)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
The Pyramid Pathogen X ATK was specifically produced for the Korean market. A limited number were released to the US.

The Pathogen X ATK is a slightly altered version of on of the staples tot he Pyramid line - the Pathogen X. The slight modification in the coverstock produces a little more length with the same awesome movement off the break point of the entire Pathogen series.

We went with a pretty simple pin up layout that has been used on most of my Pyramid balls. I expect to see a smooth and controllable motion off my hand with a pretty strong read in the mids and a continuous movement off the spot downlane.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Slightly longer and stronger than my Pathogen X.

The ATK gave me exactly what I expected - it cleared the heads with ease. I would say compared straight up with the Pathogen X it was slightly longer off my hand.
The ball really picked up a lot of traction in the mids which is great from a pearl ball. Sometimes they can get long and snappy and at times that drastic change of direction can be a bad thing.

The ATK picked up a strong read in the mids and just kept going downlane and through the pins. As we have said in the past, Pyramid balls just seem to keep the pins so low the carry is crazy good.

I was able to strike from many angles with this ball. Since it was so clean in the front part of the lane, a simple hand change made it possible to strike from further right on the lane as well as from deep inside angles.

Based on what I saw from initial testing, the Pathogen X ATK offers a similar yet different look from other Pathogen performance balls. In addition the dark burgundy color is very pleasing to the eye as it gets down the lane.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Pyramid Pathogen X2 RETIRED
70 of 70 people found this review helpful
5
The Pathogen X2 brings together 2 of the best selling Pyramid balls of all time.

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
The Pyramid Pathogen X2 brings together the original Pathogen and Pathogen X Pearl in a symmetric hybrid that is sure to be a great piece in your bag.

Typically hybrids are hit or miss for me. I went with a pretty simple pin down layout on this ball. I have used this layout on both the Pathogen and Pathogen X previously and wanted to see what the hybrid version of these 2 powerhouse balls would offer.

With this layout I expected to see a smooth overall motion with no drastic change of direction in any one part of the lane. The intention was to smooth out the transition between the solid and pearl ball motions of the previous releases.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Not only does this ball look like the Pathogen and Pathogen X had a baby but it rolls like it too!

If you were to take the best qualities from those 2 balls - the Pathogen X2 is what you get. This ball was super controllable and had plenty of power to use on the fresh. Normally I can be in between with hybrids, either they are too early or the just dont leave me enough power for downlane - the Pathogen X2 was an exception to that rule for sure.

Off my hand this ball got into a super strong roll. I am normally good with this as long as it doesnt read the pattern too early and lose energy as it gets downlane. The Pathogen X2 was just really strong in a good way in the heads and middle part of the lane. This motion allowed me to feel more confident as I migrated in a little deeper on the lane.

The great thing about this hybrid was that it still stored plenty of energy and gave me a strong but not too angular move on the backends. For me this will prove to be a valuable piece in the bag as it blends the pattern a bit more for me and gets me away from that stronger overall hook from start to finish or the extremely angular motion off the spot downlane.

Whether you are a Pathogen fan from previous releases or this will be your first in the line, the Pathogen X2 is sure to quickly become a favorite in your bag.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Pyramid Supermoon "International Release" Ltd Ed of 250 Ltd Ed
7 of 8 people found this review helpful
5
A new moon is upon us...Introducing the Pyramid Supermoon

Pin to PAP(4 1/2" over 3/8" up) - 5"
Relation Weight Layout - 5" x 4 5/8" x 2 1/8"
Balance Hole - n/a
Surface Preparation - Out of Box (2000 grit Abralon w/ Factory Finish Polish)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
The Supermoon is an International Release for the Korean market and will be released in limited quantities in the US.

This ball should offer a smoother look than the very popular Blood Moon Rising. With that in mind, I went with my "go to" pin up layout. This layout should give me a good look at what the Supermoon offers right out of the box on a fresh house shot. I am expecting to play a little straighter than I would with a Blood Moon Rising and have more control of the shape downlane.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Pretty much exactly what I described above.

The Supermoon gave me a super clean and controllable ball motion while still offering enough traction to hook it if I wanted to.
I definitely could see the difference from my Blood Moon Rising, which is normally one of the first balls out of my bag on the fresh. The Supermoon with its polished GPS Navigational ATK cover gave me a really clean motion off my hand. It read the mids well and stayed controllable at the break point.

Over all I would say if you find yourself battling too strong of a ball motion at times, the Supermoon will offer a better look and an easier transition through games as the night progresses. Dont get it wrong, not only does it look AMAZING going down the lane, you can get this ball to rev up and hook plenty
if you want.

The International Supermoon is an awesome addition to the line and won't be around for long - get yours while you can!

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Quantum King Quantum - Overseas Release
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:
We drilled our King Quantum to get a feel for what this ball can do. We figured since this had a more aggressive cover with the Original Inferno core we would go ahead and drill it strong.

We placed the pin 4 1/2" from PAP (5 1/8 over, 1/8 up) and placed the cg at 45 degrees. We left the cover out of box.

We were pleasantly surprised with how strong but versatile this ball ended up for us. We used on a fresh Typical House Shot (THS) and we were able to use it well into the second game. We were not expecting that kind of versatility since we left the cover alone.

The ball revved up real nice int he heads but not over react to friction. It kept that nice strong ball motion through the middle part of the lane and well into the back ends. We were taken back by the aggressive flip we saw out of this ball. I would compare this ball to a Ultimate Inferno.

It is very rare to find a strong ball with surface that allows you to get this kind of reaction. I would say Brunswick is the best at obtaining this ball motion signature.

All in all we love our Overseas King Quantum!

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Quantum Violet Hook Dark - bowlingball.com Exclusive
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:
We had this ball remade because the coverstock and the core technology is still considered cutting edge. The Quantum line by Brunswick was the first bowling ball to take into account that each different weight needed a different core to maintain dynamic integrity. Every weight flares and rolls almost identically. Engineered by the mechanical engineers at Brunswick this ball continues to be at the top of the list when engineering is at the core of the design of the bowling ball. You will find the Quantum Violet Hook ball to arc smoothly and yet aggressively down the lane under almost any lane condition. Whether the lanes are flooded with oil or are extremely dry this ball can still be used. None of the Quantum line rolls out early and the coverstock on every Quantum can be fine tuned to the bowlers game by changing the coverstock with polish applied by hand or a dulling agent also applied by hand. The Quantum line is one of the easiest bowling balls ever made to maintain. The only reason that the Quantum line was first pulled from production was due to the misinformation coming from pro shops that were not authorized distributors. When the Quantum was first released Brunswick would only allow so many authorized dealers within a certain mile radius. The prices were also set by Brunswick and could not be sold for less. Pro shops that did not get in early were upset because only one pro shop in the area could handle the product, therefore the bad press from these pro shops. Many of our biggest customers today are pro shops themselves that resell this product to their customer.
Was this comment helpful? yes no

Radical Guru
9 of 17 people found this review helpful
5
You'll look like a genius for rolling the Radical Guru bowling ball!

The all new Guru from Radical offers the most hook we have seen since the release of the original Black Reax. The Guru offers a great ball for heavy oil or fresh oil conditions. The solid black dull surface looks great out of the box and the orange logos look great against this solid color.

The Radical Guru adds the their already impressive line of HP balls and looks like it will prove itself quickly as a go to ball for hook.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Radical Reax
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
5
You won't believe the way the new bowling ball from Radical REAX!

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5 1/2"
Dual Angle Layout - 45 x 5 1/2" x 40
Balance Hole - n/a

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (500, 1500 Siaair)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
The new Reax from Radical is the first high end release from Radical since the change in design team.

The Reax looks like it is ready to handle heavy volumes of oil with its 500, 1500 Siaair finish. I decided to use one of my favorite drillings to help increase length with a strong motion down lane. This layout usually keeps the ball from getting too jumpy and from reading the pattern too early.

I expect to see a very strong motion without a huge change in direction from the Reax.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
I am very pleased with the overall motion of the new release from Radical.

As expected this ball is going to love when there is oil on the lane. With the layout I used I was able to get the ball to clear the heads with little effort. The ball was still super strong off my hand but it did not start up early as I think it would have with a stronger layout or less oil on the lane.

This was awesome from the mid-lane back. I saw a really strong but subtle motion from the ball with hardly any deflection through the pin deck. I was very impressed by how I was bale to keep this ball on line and get a bunch of recovery when I let it get right of my target down lane.

I think the new Reax will be a winner for bowlers looking to conquer heavier patterns or for bowlers who need a little help getting the ball into a strong roll off their hand.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Radical Reax Version 2
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
5
The Radical Reax Version 2 adds more hook with more length and a stronger backend reaction then the original Reax.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5"
Dual Angle Layout - 55* x 5" x 35*
Balance Hole - n/a

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (500 grit Siaair/Royal Compound)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
I did not have much to go on except that I knew Radical was building off of the Reax and giving a stronger look with more length. I went with another pretty simple layout that works well for me on the fresh. The pin is up above my fingers with a strong drilling angle to help get the motion I want downlane.

Expecting to see good clearance in the heads with a pretty strong motion off the break point.


What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
My first comment after throwing this ball is "Radical is not afraid of hook!" This ball is silly.

From the first shot I threw warning up to the last ball I threw I was thoroughly impressed with this ball front to back. Off my hand the ball was super clean, which only looked better with the super smooth color combination they went with.

The motion in the heads and middle was clean and then this thing just exploded on the back. This is the type of ball I love having in my hands because I feel like I can get inside of everyone else and just open the lane up without sacrificing any hit at all.

As the shots went on I was able to make pretty good moves left with each shot and I was able to do whatever I wanted with this ball. Radical is going through a change in their line-up and in my opinion they are doing a lot of things right. Everyone loves hook and the Reax Version 2 does just that, it flat out hooks.

If you have never thrown a Radical this is a great place to start. If you have then you know they have really good ball motions and you will fall in love with this ball.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Radical Slant
46 of 46 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click to Enlarge

The reaction and movement of the Slant is unlike any other, you might even say it's RADICAL!

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 4 3/4"
Mass Bias Position - just right of thumb hole
Dual Angle Layout - 55* x 4 3/4" x 40*
Balance Hole - n/a


Surface Preparation - Out of Box (Polished)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
The Slant is the first release from a new company on the market, Radical Bowling. The founder of this company has been in the industry for sometime and has had his hand in may great ball releases.

With this knowledge we had an idea of the ball motion we would see from the Slant and we figured we would keep the layout pretty simple so that we could have it relate to how most ball drillers would lay this ball out.

From the information we had on the ball we expected to see a good amount of length with a pretty strong angle from the breakpoint. They are going for a more versatile asymmetric ball so we will see what we get from them.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Early on in the night when the pattern was fairly fresh we saw a really good ball motion from the Slant. It got down lane clean and reacted great off the breakpoint. As I threw the ball I thought it had that benchmark ball look to it. This would be the ball that you throw in practice to get a feel for the conditions and know that you can get through a few
games with it because it has a really solid motion.

As the night went on we saw more and more motion out of the Slant and I really liked how it opened up the lane for me. During our video shoots we rotate from ball to ball and try and get a handful of shots to use on the video. For me the Slant went the quickest which meant I threw a lot of strikes with it. The ball motion just seemed to fit my game and the ball recovered from all my little misses.

Overall I think the Slant is a solid ball release and a contender in the high performance market. I am excited to see what is to come from Radical Bowling.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Radical Yeti
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
5
Scare the pins into the pit with the Radical Yeti!

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 4"
Dual Angle Layout - 35 x 4" x 55
Balance Hole - on PAP

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (500 Siaair, Rough Buff)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
I used this layout earlier in the season on a similar performance level ball and thought it would suit the Yeti well.

Using a stronger pin position then I normally do along with a hole on my PAP allows me to move further right then normal with plenty of recovery allowing me to open up the right side of the lane and increase my carry percentage quite a bit.

I hoping for a similar motion from the Radical Yeti using this layout.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
WOW, this mist be one of the best performance balls at this price point of the season.

I was exactly right going with this layout on the Yeti. I was able to get a good 7-8 boards right of where I normally play this pattern and use plenty of speed and get a huge motion off the point from this ball.

The cover and layout allowed me to get a super smooth motion of my hand. As the ball got into the mids and backend you could see it come to life. It literally stood up and went left off the break point giving me a ton of carry. I dont think I left a single pin on the deck with this ball, they were all ten back.

If you look at all three of our testers ball motion you will see we all got a really strong motion down lane no matter where we were playing the lane. The Yeti offers a great look to the Radical line-up and a great compliment ball from the Reax when it gets too strong to use in league.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Radical Yeti Unleashed
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
5
You can't keep this beast tied down! Hide your kids, hide your wife... the Radical Yeti Unleashed is ready to feed!

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 4 1/2"
Dual Angle Layout - 55* x 4 1/2" x 35*
Balance Hole - P2 (1" x 3")

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (500/2000 grit Siaair)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
I had heard that Radical was bringing out a stronger version to the Yeti series. I went with a pretty strong pin up layout to see what I could get this ball to do. I have been pretty impressed with the previous Yeti's and of course Radical as a whole has had plenty of great pieces this past year.

I expect to see plenty of movement on the fresh with this ball. I am thinking this ball will really show its stuff in the middle part of the lane and have a nice continuous motion off the spot.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Wow! Another great piece from the boys at Radical.

I will say it was a little less then I expected in overall hook motion but my gosh did this thing roll super strong and just kill the pins every time. It was smoother then I expected off my hand but as I thought this ball went to work in the body of the lane. It was so strong yet predictable in the mids with a super strong continuous motion downlane.

I said it before and will say it again, the Yeti Unleashed absolutely killed the pins. If I got the ball anywhere near the 1-3, I was going to strike, no doubt. From what I remember of the previous Yeti's, this one will offer a different look and a great motion for a variety of bowler styles.

If you have not yet checked out what Radical is doing with their product line, you need to.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Radical Yeti Untamed
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
5
The beast is back and the chains are gone... the Yeti Untamed is the baddest ball around!

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 4 1/2"
Dual Angle Layout - 65* x 4 1/2" x 65*
Balance Hole - n/a

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (500 grit Siaair/Royal Compound/Royal Shine)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
I based this layout on the ball reaction I had on my original Yeti. It was really smooth and clean. Knowing that Radical amped up the ball motion a bit I went with a stronger pin down layout to enhance that motion.

I expected to still get a smoother motion with the Untamed but with a stronger, more angular move off the break point.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
My previous comment on the Reax Version 2 still stands, Radical is not afraid of hook. After I had loosened up with this ball I had to sit until it was my turn to shoot the video.

It took me all of my warm up shots and few filmed shots before I committed to how much this ball moved. It gave me the same clean look I remember from the Yeti but with a totally different look in the mids and back end. This ball was a beast as it transitioned into the middle part of the lane and it did not stop there. The backend movement this ball had, creating really steep angles and finishing super strong created ridiculous pin carry for me.

I will say that you could build a really good line up with just the 2 new Radical releases let alone all of the other really good pieces they have in their current lineup. Another winner from Mo and Phil, I promise this may be one of the most under rated balls this winter.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Rev Phantom
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click to Enlarge
REV is known for its sleek high performing products and the Phantom fits that mold. Its a must have.


Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5 1/4"
Dual Angle Layout - 45* x 5 1/2" x 65*
Balance Hole - n/a

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (Wet Sand 1500)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
The Phantom looked like it would be the smoothest of the balls we tested this first night.

Again staying with the same layout as on previous Elite balls we expected this ball to be very clean through the heads, have a smoother less violent transition and provide a strong but controllable motion off the break point.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
This was a really good ball motion. Was it the strongest thing I have ever thrown, no. Was it the straightest thing I ahve ever thrown, no. It really fit right ion the middle and that is a very good thing sometimes with the aggressive balls on the market.

If I was still bowling league this ball would fit right in the middle of my bag. I think it would be that ball I threw the first game when I did not feel like I was throwing it that good and just wanted a solid motion to get to the pocket and hit hard or maybe even the ball I throw when the lanes are transitioning in the second game or so.

The reason I say this is I knew what this ball would do every shot I threw with it. It was very easy to read the motion of it and since it did not
over react to friction I was able to stay aggressive with it all test long and really see some good shots with it.

The ball motion was very straight forward, clean as a whistle through the heads with a very steady movement in the mid-lane and a continuous motion off
the break point. No surprises no tricks just a good solid motion the whole way down the lane.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Roto Grip Asylum
16 of 16 people found this review helpful
5
The reaction you see when you throw the Roto Grip Asylum will be enough to have your opponents thrown in a padded room!

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 4 1/2"
PSA Layout - 4 1/2" x 4 5/8" x 2"
Balance Hole - n/a

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (3000 grit Abralon)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
The Asylum brings a Hybrid reactive cover back to the HP3 line this season. The Asylum is supposed to offer a strong midlane reaction with a good continuous motion on the back, giving bowlers a good benchmark ball to go to.

The layout I used is pretty simple and should bring the features of the Asylum to light. I expect to see good length with a stronger more continuous motion overall.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
For me the Asylum was pretty close to what they said it should be. Most hybrids are very "rolly" for me and the Asylum was no exception. Off my hand it was super smooth getting down the lane with ease. As it transitioned to the mids I saw it pick up a pretty strong roll and that gave me a very continuous motion on the backend.

It never really made a strong move in any one part of the lane which would suit you well to try and build off this ball motion. I think the Asylum will offer a great look in the HP3 line and offer bowlers a strong but smooth ball to go to.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Roto Grip Bandit
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click to Enlarge

Experience Roto Grips newest weapon.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5"
Mass Bias Position - 4" from PAP
PSA Layout - 5" x 4" x 4"
Balance Hole - n/a


Surface Preparation - Out of Box (1500-grit Polished)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
I really had no clue what to expect from Roto on this ball release. The Nomad line was a really good line of balls and they offered multiple ball motions for a variety of players and conditions. I wanted to drill this and the Outlaw the same so that we could see the drastic differences in the balls themselves and know it was not effected by the layout.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
I was pleasantly surprised by this ball. At first I was not thrilled with the ball motion I was getting. But when I moved right of 10 I absolutely fell in
love. Most times even on fresher conditions I get way too much when I get that far right. The Bandit allowed me to stay out there and get a really solid motion to the pocket. The pearlized cover provided plenty of skid and yet it maintained its control off the breakpoint.

As the shot broke down a bit I could move in with it but frankly my look was way better from outside. Overall I think that you will see this ball a lot
in leagues and tournaments alike. As you can tell by our video this was a great ball motion for our other testers who have slower speeds and less revs. The ball seems very versatile which is what we ahve all come to expect from this series of Roto Grip balls.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Roto Grip Cell
343 of 344 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click Layout Image to Enlarge



Evolve your game with Roto-Grip's newest addition to their high performance line, The Cell.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 4 1/2"
Mass Bias Position - 4" from PAP
CG Placement - 1" right and 1" down of grip center
Balance Hole - none

Surface Preparation - Box Finish (2000 grit abralon)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
I can't even remember the last Roto-Grip ball I have reviewed. So in this ball we really wanted to get a feel for their ball reaction signature and see what the Cell could do if we went with a fairly aggressive layout. This also seemed like a great time to do something like this because we have been seeing a higher volume of oil then usual and this ball and layout should do the trick for that condition.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
WOW! This thing means business, obviously with the cover preparation and knowing this is a high performance ball we expected to see a lot of reaction but this blew my mind. I made the lanes look like they were flying while other people were having issues wrinkling the ball. The reaction in the front part of the lane was very deceiving because the ball seemed to roll strong but it did not look like it was creating much friction. As the ball got into the middle part of the lane you could see it really start rolling and making a solid move as it got closer to the break point. For a ball with 2000 grit finish the amount of back end reaction was amazing. It was like it lost no energy at all through the heads and mid-lane. First game started out great with the front 8 followed by a mind blowing 9 pin and 3 more strikes. This was right out of the box with very little practice time.

To my surprise I did not change balls all night and my moves were very minimal. Normally with such a strong ball I would expect for it to be in my bag by the second game and by then I would moved arrows left. This ball really reads the front part of the lane well and stays very clean for one of the best ball motions I have seen lately on the backend.

We are going to go out on a limb here, with the e-tailing marketing tactics that we have in place along with the great reaction of this ball, not to mention the Ebonite price increase, bowlingball.com will call this as one of the top three balls of early 2008. It is very easy to recommend a ball that is truly outstanding.

Look for more Roto-Grip reviews as I may be throwing their stuff for a while.
Was this comment helpful? yes no


Roto Grip Cell Pearl
194 of 194 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click Layout Image to Enlarge



Are you ready for the next generation? Roto-Grip's Cell Pearl is sure to be everything you need!

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5 1/2"
Mass Bias Position - 4" from PAP
CG Placement -
Balance Hole - none

Surface Preparation - Box Finish

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
With all the success of the original Cell this one was going to be pretty easy. Use a layout that I know and trust and let the ball do the rest. The Cell Pearl combines the same Nucleus core as the Cell with a pearlized reactive cover. The layout I used on this ball is fairly common for me and I have a Storm Gravity Shift that I love drilled the same way. I figured this would be a perfect way to compliment my Cell and to give us a good idea of
what this ball can do.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Roto-Grip once again has raised the bar with this release. The look the ball had going down the lane alone would sell this ball to anyone who saw it. I guess the best description would be a Cell on steroids. With the pearlized reactive cover this gave me the look that most bowlers want, long and strong. The Cell Pearl got through the front part of the lane smoothly and with little disruption to friction, as it moved through the mid-lane you could see the ball grab the lane and continue straight through the back end. This ball hit as
hard if not harder then the Cell, this was mostly due to the amount of energy that it stored for the back part of the lane.

As the night continued making adjustments to the lane changes was as easy as it is with any reactive ball but the predictability of the Cell Pearl was amazing. The small moves that I had to make were common during league and
the ball gave me enough forgiveness to recover if the move was to drastic.

Overall this is another winner from Roto-Grip. I think you will enjoy throwing this ball as much if not more then your Cell.
Was this comment helpful? yes no


Roto Grip Critical Theory
115 of 118 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click to Enlarge

The Critical Theory expands Roto-Grip's Theory line of performance balls.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5"
Mass Bias Position - 4" from PAP
PSA Layout - 5" x 4" x 4"
Balance Hole - n/a


Surface Preparation - Out of Box (4000 Grit Abralon)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
Roto-Grip hypes the new Critical Theory up as the most angular motion in their ball line. With the quality of the balls coming out of their plant a statement like this gets you kind of excited.
I took a really good middle of the road layout for me and figured I would see what this thing could do. I kept the pin and mass bias in a strong but not too strong of a position using a 5" pin to PAP and 4" Mass Bias to PAP placement. We coupled this with a modest 4" pin buffer and we were off. I expected this layout to offer plenty of skid and a good look at the backend when this ball found friction down lane.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
I will say that I love when ball companies talk their new releases up really big and then they not only meet your expectations but they completely blow them out of the water.

The Critical Theory is possibly my new favorite ball. I think the Roto-Grip guys were tired of the Storm guys telling them they had the strongest motion on the backend and they said we will show you. The new Critical is ridiculous and I ahve personally not seen this kind of ball motion since I threw the original Virtual Gravity and the recent Nano release. The amount of area and angle I had down lane with this ball was absolutely amazing.

From the first shot I threw on the fresh pattern I had all the room I wanted right and no matter what I did this ball came off the break point so sharp it almost looked like it was going to come back at me. This combined with a core that just killed anything in its path and all in all this was a pretty easy ball test for me. The color combination had me a little concerned when I first saw the ball but let me tell you it looked pretty cool going down the lane and turning left. I said the same thing the first time I saw a Virtual Gravity but just like with that ball I loved the way it looked going down the lane.

The Critical Theory is definitely my favorite in this line so far and I think it will expand the line greatly for Roto-Grip. The only thing I think is more exciting then this release is, what could they possibly do next?

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Roto Grip Dare Devil
10 of 10 people found this review helpful
5
This ball is afraid of nothing. The Roto Grip Dare Devil takes ball reaction to the limit.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5"
PSA Layout - 5" x 4 1/2" x 2 3/8"
Balance Hole - n/a
Surface Preparation - Out of Box (1500 grit Polished)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
I had not heard a lot about this release going into the review except that it was going to fit into Roto-Grip's HP3 line. This performance group has yielding some great releases over the last year or so. The Dare Devil looks amazing in itself, I
went with a typical pin up layout. I have used this same layout on all recent HP3 releases so this should give me a good idea as to where this ball stacks up against the current and past line.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Wow! Really impressed with so many things about this ball.

First, it looks absolutely amazing both on the shelf and going down the lane. Second, I threw one shot with this ball and turned around and double checked that this wasn't an HP4 release. This ball motion is the reason that these Upper Mid-Performance groups have been so successful over the last few years. It literally combines everything we look for from a High Performance release into a lower price point.

The Dare Devil was smooth yet strong the entire way down the lane. I was able to go in with it and loop the lane are move into the track area and open up the pocket. It didn't over react to friction at all and hit the pins like a freight truck.

All in all I think this will be a huge seller for Roto-Grip and if you are looking for a benchmark ball or for the new "first ball out of your bag", this is it.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Roto Grip Dark Star
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click Layout Image to Enlarge


One of the newest additions to Roto Grip's Shield Line.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 4 1/2" from PAP
Mass Bias Position - n/a
CG Placement - 1/2" right of center line and 1/2" up from mid line
Balance Hole - none

Surface Preparation - Out of Box

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
When I opened up the box for this ball I was happy to see a .5-1" pin. The reason is we hear a lot from customers that they received a shorter pin and they were told that it could not be drilled for them.

I will admit your options may be limited with these shorter pins but they are still very usable for almost everyone.

In my case the easiest thing to do was to stack the pin and cg right under my ring finger. This left the pin in a strong position, 4 1/2" from my PAP and I figured that would be a good layout for this type of ball.

Keep in mind when you get a ball with a shorter pin that the most dominant factors in ball reaction are the distance the pin is from your PAP and the coverstock finish. The fact that the cg is closer to the pin does not change how far you can get the pin from your axis.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
What I ended up with is one of my favorite ball reactions for a performance line like this. The Dark Star not only reacted great but it had that look that I like. You could not see any logos going down the lane which to me always make the ball look better as it goes down the lane.

This ball gave me a very smooth roll from the time it left my hand to the time it cleared the pin deck. Because I knew what the ball was doing and since it did not ever seem to get jumpy off the friction, I could do almost whatever I wanted with it. With some slight adjustments to my hand position and minor speed changes I could hook the lane or play right up the boards.

I think all bowlers of all skill levels will fall in love with the Dark Star.
Was this comment helpful? yes no


Roto Grip Defiant
1258 of 1267 people found this review helpful
5

Click to Enlarge


At Roto Grip, we rule the lanes! And you better have your game in gear if you want the same.


Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5 1/4"
PSA Layout - 5 1/4 x 3 3/4" x 4"
Balance Hole - n/a

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (3000 Grit Abralon)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
We knew the new Roto Grip Defiant was going to be one of the strongest balls in their line since the original Cell. Knowing this we wanted to make sure that the layouts used would suit the ball in its out of box finish on our THS pattern. This layout has become a regular in my test videos and I think gives me a really good look from start to finish.

We expected to see this ball react pretty strong to friction with a continuous motion downlane.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
What I ended up with in the new Defiant was possibly the best High Performance ball ever from Roto.

On our fresh typical house shot this ball was everything you would want. Even with its 3000 grit Abralon finish the Defiant cleared the heads smoothly. In the part of the lane I was playing I never really saw it read the heads early and it transitioned perfectly into the middle part of the lane.

As it got into the middle section of the lane it picked up a very strong roll and really made a nice move into the back ends where it just exploded into the pocket. I had so much area with this ball due to how strong it was down lane. I swear in some of the shots that did not make our video I would miss by an arrow and the ball would get back to the pocket.

All in all I could see where this ball would be a little strong as the night went on but I could easily see where this ball would react great with some polish on the cover. If you threw the Virtual Gravity series from Storm and wished that Roto Grip had something comparable, here it is. The Defiant will go up against the strongest balls released this year and definitely hold its own.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Roto Grip Defiant Edge
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
5

Click to Enlarge

Get a clear cut lead on your competition with the Roto Grip Defiant Edge bowling ball!

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 6"
PSA Layout - 6" x 4 1/8" x 3"
Balance Hole - n/a

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (1500 grit Polished)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
The Defiant Edge is Roto Grips answer to a pearlized Defiant. The ball motion was going to be pretty straight forward in that we expected to see really good length with a strong angular movement down lane. I used a further pin to PAP to create a little more skid and kept the mass in a strong position to create a angular move off the point.


What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Everyone will really like this ball. It has been a while since we have seen a pearlized High Performance ball from Roto Grip. The last really good one I can remember was the Mutant Cell Pearl and this reminds me of that but better.

It takes all the aspects of the Defiant and allowed me to move further right and get more skid snap, opening up the backends and getting through the pins really strong. Even on the fresh oil the Defiant Edge offered a really strong look and great pin carry.

Roto Grip has a great line-up coming this season led, in my opinion by the Defiant Edge.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Roto Grip Defiant Soul
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
5
I don't even hear their music. I make my own. Defiant Soul.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 4 1/4"
PSA Layout - 4 1/4" x 4 1/4" x 2"
Balance Hole - P3 (1" x 3")

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (4000 grit Abralon)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
I wanted to see what this ball would do on the fresh shot so we went fairly strong with the layout.

That combined with the addition of a P3 hole should give me a really strong mid-lane look with an aggressive and continuous backend motion.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
The new Defiant Soul did not disappoint me. Of the three balls in this line so far I like the look I got from this ball the best. It was the perfect combination of the strength of the Defiant with a more controllable motion
off the break point then the Defiant Edge.

Off my hand the Soul showed me a really smooth, controllable motion without ever starting up too early. Like most Storm and Roto Grip balls we saw a really good transition into the mids where this ball really picked up a heavy roll but again not over reacting to any friction.

The Soul maintained all of it power moving through the backend and into the pins. I threw a lot of strikes with this ball and saw pretty much the same strong ball motion from every part of the lane.

All in all this is a very solid release from Roto Grip and I think all bowlers will enjoy the look the Defiant Soul offers.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Roto Grip Disturbed
2 of 3 people found this review helpful
5
They tried to stop me. But my obsession cannot be contained. The Roto Grip Disturbed.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5 1/4"
PSA Layout - 5 1/4" x 4" x 3"
Balance Hole - On PAP

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (2000 grit Abralon)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
Based on the looks of the new Disturbed from Roto Grip I decided to try and help this ball get down the lane and stay smooth over all. With it's 2000 grit surface and core/cover combo this ball was certainly not going to be shy to oil and want to rip through the lane and pins.

With the longer pin distance from my PAP and the longer pin buffer I expected this ball to still be very strong off my hand but stay smoother overall and not get too jumpy at any one part of the lane.


What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
During our video test of this ball our other 2 testers went before me. I have to say I was a little worried because I saw how much the ball hooked for them. I mean flat out hook.

Good news, this ball is amazing. Roto Grip absolutely knocked this one out of the park.

Now keep in mind I still say you need oil and particularly head oil but if that is what you have the Disturbed will be a beast for you. With the smoother layout and addition of the hole on my PAP I saw a super strong but very smooth motion out of the ball from start to finish.

If I wanted to really see the ball change direction it allowed me to make a slight hand adjustment and move in and see it go left down lane. With
the out of box surface the only thing I could not do was square up with it. But I'm sure with a surface change and the right pattern/layout we could
make this ball do anything.

My opinion is you are are going to see a lot of this ball this season both in league and on tour.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Roto Grip Grenade
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click Layout Image to Enlarge


Roto Grip is pulling the pin, tossing the Grenade and shaking it up.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 4 1/2" under ring finger
Mass Bias Position - n/a
CG Placement - lower right quad.
Balance Hole - 1" x 2" from center of grip through cg on VAL

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (2000 grit Abralon)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
It has been a long time since I threw a urethane cover ball. When say a long time I mean like 10+ years.

I figured I would use one of my favorite layouts so I would have some base line to go off of and see what happened. I was hoping that it would be an aggressive enough layout to get a decent read on a fresh pattern. I know urethane tends to roll really strong and kind of set at the break point as opposed to reactive stuff the continues to flip through the pins.

My logic was this layout would start the ball up nice and strong and give me a little more continuation down lane before it set up at the break point.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
I have to say that I am impressed with my knowledge of urethane. :-) This ball did exactly what I thought it would. The first few shots I threw with it was a reality check that this was not reactive and I had to jump right. After I got in the right part of the lane the ball rolled really good. I can see how some peoples game developed from throwing urethane because you cant really do what you would normally do with reactive balls with your hand. Once I started getting right up the back of the ball of adjusted my ball speed I loved the ball motion.

Immediately I started thinking of conditions this would work great on and different layouts I could use on this ball. Since the ball does not over react or over read friction you can get pretty creative. I then started to realize why you saw so many Storm Naturals on tour last season. Pros must love having a good urethane ball they use during those brutal qualifying rounds.

All in all I think the addition of a urethane ball to your bag is a smart choice and the Grenade is the one to go with.
Was this comment helpful? yes no


Roto Grip Haywire
20 of 21 people found this review helpful
5
My opponents think they can handle the voltage?!?!

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5"
Dual Angle Layout - 55* x 5" x 35*
Balance Hole - n/a

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (2000 grit Pad)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
We have all become so accustom to Roto Grip putting out great bowling balls that this review was easy.

I went with my favorite layout and figured we would see what Utah had in store for us this time.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Wow!! I wasn't expecting that from the Haywire.

I don't know why but I was expecting a really tame ball motion. Almost like a god transition ball to compliment the already amazing
line up from Roto.

Not the case...I am pretty sure that I had the Haywire a little stronger then the Menace. The Haywire was a beast for me.

It was strong literally from the minute it hit the lane surface until it went off the deck. I had so much room with this ball it was crazy fun
to throw. I know we test on a house shot but I could literally just throw this ball towards the gutter and watch it strike.

Amazing that this performance level is so comparable at times to the high performance balls on the market. For the money you will not
go wrong with the Haywire and I promise you will have a blast throwing it.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Roto Grip Hyper Cell
11 of 12 people found this review helpful
5
SUPERHEROES NEVER DIE THEY'RE REBORN FOR A GREATER PURPOSE

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5"
PSA Layout - 5" x 4 5/8" x 2 1/4"
Balance Hole - n/a

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (2000 grit Abralon)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
The Hyper Cell is supposed to offer the strongest reaction to date from Roto Grip and the Cell series.

I went with a proven layout that I have used for strong ball motion on heavier volume patterns. This layout on the Hyper Cell should produce a strong roll off my hand with an even stronger motion as it transitions and still finishing
with plenty of power. With the 2000 grit OOB finish this should react very strong on our East Street test pattern.


What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Definitely the strongest Roto Grip ball I have thrown in a while.

The Hyper Cell gave me everything they said it would and so much more. I was super impressed by how smooth it was off my hand. With the 2000 grit finish and stronger layout I was expecting to see it roll up a bit earlier but the added length off my hand was welcomed after I saw how much this ball hooked overall.

The Hyper Cell really went to work in the middle part of the lane. It cut through the fresh with ease and never showed signs of not getting enough friction. As it transitioned through the mids and into the backend this ball just kept going. There were a few shots were I clearly missed to the right and kept the speed up on the shot and the ball just came barreling back from where ever I wanted with no loss of power at the pins.

I was absolutely amazed at how hard this ball hit the pins each and every shot. There were a few shots we did not keep where I completely killed the pins and they were flying all over the deck with messengers just missing ten pins, etc.

Overall I think the new Hyper Cell is exactly what Roto Grip needed to put a charge back in their HP4 line up for 2014.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Roto Grip Infinite Theory
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click to Enlarge
Infinite. Forever. Never-ending. Watch the newest Theory roll down the lane and you'll believe it will never quit on the backend.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 4 1/2"
Mass Bias Position - 5" from PAP
Balance Hole - n/a
PSA Layout - 4 1/2" x 5" x 2 1/2"

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (1500 Polish)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
When laying out the new Infinite Theory we decided to copy the layout from our original Theory so that people could see a side by side comparison of the two balls.

Of course with the shiny hybrid cover we knew we wold see smoother motion through the heads and a more angular direction change at the break point.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Exactly what Roto Grip told us was what this ball did. The Infinite Theory offered a smoother more angular ball motion from start to finish then the original Theory.

If you threw the original Theory and loved its strength and versatility but found it to be to strong as the night went on then this is your answer. The Infinite Theory offers all the same qualities of the Theory but in a Hybrid package that gives you more length through the heads and a more angular motion down lane.

As you can see from our video I played right up the track and watched to ball hold its line and go left on the backend. I also moved in to the left gutter cap and watched the Infinite Theory cover as many boards as I wanted with plenty of power left at the pins.

The Infinite Theory is the perfect compliment to the Theory and the perfect league ball for most bowlers out there.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Roto Grip Menace
8 of 8 people found this review helpful
5
#Menace for president!!

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5"
Dual Angle Layout - 55* x 5" x 35*
Balance Hole - n/a

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (3000 grit Pad)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
There was a lot of talk about the Menace during the summer and I am hoping it is all they said it was.

Again with Roto Grip lately I can just throw my favorite layout on it and watch it work.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Amazing ball motion again from the guys at Roto Grip.

As I said in my Haywire review, I had the Haywire a bit stronger downlane then the Menace.

But overall from heads to pin deck the Menace was a hook monster. This ball started in on the pattern the second it hit the lane and just kept going.

It rolled really strong for me off my hand and kept that strong motion int he middle part of the lane. It was a little less on the backend
but the ball was in such a good spot going into the pins it didn't matter. It absolutely killed it at the pocket. I saw no energy loss at all just a different overall ball motion then the Haywire.

I think the Haywire/Menace combo will be a great choice this season.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Roto Grip Mutant Cell
111 of 112 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click Layout Image to Enlarge


Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 4 1/2"
Mass Bias Position - 4 1/2" from PAP
CG Placement - just below mid line
Balance Hole - n/a

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (2000 Abralon)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
I went with a safe drilling on the new Mutant Cell so we could get a good read of the balls potential. This would most likely be the type of layout that most of our customers will end up with. With the combination of the new core and cover we thought this would show us the true potential of the ball and give us the best read for a solid review.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Another winner from Utah. The Mutant Cell did everything we thought it would do. Even with the stronger cover the ball held a great line through the heads and unleashed on the back part of the lane. We moved from right up the track area to inside 20 and saw an awesome reaction from all spots on the lane.

I think I was most impressed with how strong the Mutant Cell rolled and held in the middle part of the lane allowing it to react strong on the back and keep the pins really low. Overall the Mutane Cell ranks up there with the other Cells as my favorite high performace balls from Roto Grip.
Was this comment helpful? yes no


Roto Grip Mutant Cell Pearl
13 of 13 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click Layout Image to Enlarge


Click Layout Image to Enlarge


The ever popular Cell lines continues its greatness with the release of the Mutant Cell Pearl.

Test Ball #1
Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 4 1/2" under ring finger
Mass Bias Position - 3 1/2" from PAP almost right on the VAL
CG Placement - lower right quad.
Balance Hole - 29/32" x 2" from center of grip through cg on the VAL

Test Ball #2
Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5 1/2" above fingers
Mass Bias Position - 4 1/2" from PAP, just right of thumb
CG Placement - center of grip
Balance Hole - none

Surface Preparation For Both Balls- Out of Box (1500 grit polished)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
Alright here we go with the highly anticipated release of the Mutant Cell Pearl. Like most bowlers I loved the Mutant Cell and everything in the Cell line for that matter. But, like most I found myself using weaker layouts or polishing balls like the Mutant because they were so strong.

Well everyone asked and Roto Grip listened releasing the Mutant Cell Pearl.

As you will see from our video I was the only tester available to shoot so I figured I would drill two of them so we could get a different look from the two balls.

Test Ball #1 - I used a favorite layout of mine, pin down under my ring finger and a hole down in the lower right quadrant on my VAL. This layout tends to let the ball read the heads and mid lane well while keeping enough energy stored up to let the ball have a strong motion off the break point.

With the ball being pearlized and strong I figured this may help smooth out the overall ball motion so it was not so flippy off the friction.

Test Ball #2 - I used a safe drilling that 99% of the balls drilled will look like. The pin is above my fingers to increase length and the Mass Bias is in a strong position 4 1/2" from my PAP right of the thumb. I am thinking this ball will get down the lane with ease and really read the friction hard and make a pretty aggressive move towards the pocket.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Awesome, Awesome, Awesome!!

These balls were nuts, I can not remember the last time I threw so many strikes with a ball from practically anywhere on the lane.

Test Ball #1 - This ball did exactly what I wanted out of it. Its overall ball motion was a dream for me and it impressed me every time I threw it. The layout allowed the ball to go really strong through the heads and maintained
that momentum into the middle part of the lane. It almost looked like it was revving up more and more as it went down lane.

As the ball transitioned into the back part of the lane as it read the friction, it made a strong but predictable move. The ball motioned continued right through the pins and the ball seemed to carry everything. As expected I really could not get too far right with this ball because it started up a little early even for the the pearlized ball, but as long as I had enough head oil to allow the ball to get into its roll it was great.

Test Ball #2 - Well if you ahve ever had a ball drilled like this you know it gets down lane and then puts on a turn signal and goes. The Mutant Cell Pearl was no different. At first on the fresh I thought the first ball rolled a little better. This would make sense because it handled the fresh oil better in the heads.

As the lanes started to transition, this ball turned into a truck. As i slowly migrated left I quickly realized I was going to be able to get this ball back from anywhere as long as it had some friction down lane. This ball was so smooth through the lane that it looked like it was just waiting to go left and tear through the pins.

For most league bowlers this will again prove to be a layout of choice. You may have to start a little further right on the fresh oil but as the lane transitions and you move left the ball will allow you to open up the entire lane.

Once again the boys in Utah have a huge seller on their hands. I suggest you try one of these bad boys out for yourself and see what I mean.
Was this comment helpful? yes no


Roto Grip Nomad
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click Layout Image to Enlarge


THE NOMAD. This will be the most highly sought after weapon of choice.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 4 1/2"
Mass Bias Position - n/a
CG Placement - 1 1/2" right of center
Balance Hole - 57/64 x 1 1/2" deep on PAP

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (1500 Polished)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
As much as I love Roto Grip balls I could not remember the last ball I threw in their mid-performance line. The Cell line was so good that we focused so much on those balls that I think the Illusion line of balls was missed.

After realizing this I kept it fairly simple with my layout and was looking for just a strong rolling ball motion with a decent amount of kick on the back. Lately I have been using a hole on my axis to smooth out the overall motion and give me a real strong reaction on the backend.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
I ended up with what may be my go to ball for the upcoming season. Every once in a while you find a ball that you feel like you can throw on any condition no matter how you feel or how you are throwing the ball that night. These are usually the balls that you will start off with in practice to read the lane or go to when you feel like you just need to get a good ball reaction on those tough nights.

The Nomad was that ball for me.

I had a very strong but steady roll through the heads and a smooth transition in the middle part of the lane. As the ball got to the backend it read the friction awesome and reacted a ton. It actually hooked a little more then I was expecting but it was manageable.

Every time I throw a new mid-performance ball I am always shocked at just how good these balls are. Sometimes I think people may put too much emphasis on getting the highest priced ball and they do not give these balls a thought. I am telling you the new mid-performance balls are great and roll great.


Was this comment helpful? yes no


Roto Grip Nomad Pearl
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click Layout Image to Enlarge


THE NOMAD PEARL. This will be the most highly sought after weapon of choice.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5" above ring finger
Mass Bias Position - n/a
CG Placement - 1" right of center
Balance Hole - none

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (1500 Polished)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
With the new Nomad Pearl I was looking for what I thought would be a good compliment ball to the Nomad that we were testing at the same time. As with most pearlized mid-performance balls I was expecting this ball to be plenty strong so I went with a fairly simple layout.

By placing the pin 5" from my PAP and above my ring finger I was hoping to get the ball down the lane easily and see a smooth recovery on the backend. My goal was that this ball would be a easy transition from the Nomad.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Perfect, I love when things come together. If you already read my Nomad review you will know that it was awesome and reacted a little stronger then i expected but it was still a good thing. The Nomad Pearl did just what I wanted. It would be a perfect ball to go to when the Nomad was getting to be too much. The ball got through the heads easily and did not over react to any early friction on the lane. It kept this motion right to the break point where it read perfectly and reacted just enough to keep me from having to get too deep and lose carry percentage.

Overall I think the Nomad and Nomad Pearl is a perfect 1-2 punch from Roto Grip.


Was this comment helpful? yes no


Roto Grip Outlaw
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click to Enlarge

Experience Roto Grips newest weapon.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5"
Mass Bias Position - 4" from PAP
PSA Layout - 5" x 4" x 4"
Balance Hole - n/a


Surface Preparation - Out of Box (2000-grit Abralon)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
Here we go with the second release from Roto in their Sword line for this season. You can tell by the look of the ball out of the box that they wanted something to really get its teeth into the lane and hook. I mapped this ball
out identical to the Bandit so that we could really get an idea of the different motions these balls are going to offer to bowlers.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Wow, this thing really hooks. It is one of those balls that rolls so strong right off of your hand that it just looks great. Once I realized just how much more this would be then the Bandit I moved a hop, skip and a jump left and got it into some oil. This ball has no issues getting in there and seemed to cut through the oil from every angle I tried. The dull cover and stronger core really allowed me to get in and open up the lane.

The Outlaw was just so strong from start to finish that I personally think it may really battle some of the great high performance balls that are out on the market today. Overall I think is my favorite ball motion from this performance line to date. I am going to throw this ball some more after I tweak the cover a little with some polish.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Roto Grip Pluto
11 of 11 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click Layout Image to Enlarge




The Planet series has proven to be the best value performance line of bowling balls in the industry and the new Pluto is a welcome addition.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 4 3/4"
Mass Bias Position - N/A
CG Placement - 1" right and 1" down of grip center
Balance Hole - none

Surface Preparation - 2000 grit Abralon with Black Magic Polish

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
We had never tested anything from Roto-Grip's planet series. We knew they were good performance balls in the mid-level group. Going into this review we figured we would drill this ball pretty safe hoping to use it in transition or when they started to dry up later in the night. Out of the box this ball was a little intimidating to look at with its 2000 grit Abralon finish we thought this may need a little taming, so we threw some Black Magic polish right on top of the 2000 grit to help it a little.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
First few shots really went long with a minimal amount of movement. We could not tell at first if this was the ball or the Black Magic on the cover. It also did not help that we threw it along side our Cell which of course ran laps around this ball. Throughout the night we threw this ball a few times at some spares and on a few of our fill balls. After a few shots had been thrown we could see the ball start coming alive.

The next week they played much drier than they had been so we used our Cell through the first 2 games and right in the beginning of the third game I pulled the Pluto out. This ball is absolutely amazing on the right condition. They were not burnt dry, you could still use the stronger stuff but the angles were a little tricky. We moved a little right and this ball went nuts.

The amount of skid in heads and the nice read in the midlane set up a great backend ball motion. The Pluto allowed us to play a little straighter and keep the ball in the friction when nothing else did. We had miss right and plenty of hold left. This ball really looked like any high performance ball on this condition. As it stands know there is a spot in our bag for this reaction and hopefully we will have plenty of opportunities to use it.
Was this comment helpful? yes no


Roto Grip Realm Pro CG - Overseas Release
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click Layout Image to Enlarge


The Royal line of balls was never released in the US until now - The Realm offers a new look to an already awesome line-up.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 4 1/8"
Mass Bias Position - 3 1/4" from PAP on VAL (verticle axis line)
CG Placement - 3/4" left of center line
Balance Hole - none
Dual Angle Layout - 25 degrees x 4 1/8"x 40 degrees

Surface Preparation - 2000 grit Abralon and Xtra Shine

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
We decided to do a video of the Realm for numerous reasons. One being that this line of balls was never released in the US until we secured the remaining overseas inventory. The Royal line was going to be released early this year in the Roto Grip line but due to the success of the Cell line they decided to
hold off in the US.

Now we are able to bring you a ball that nobody else can get and bowlingball.com is the only source for it.

We also wanted to shoot a video using Pro CG balls to demonstrate some of the unique layouts that may need to be used but also that they still react great and can be very usable on many conditions.

As far as what we were looking for in this layout, not really sure. On my Realm Pro CG I took what would be considered a really odd pro cg layout. When I say that I mean the cg was kicked well left of the pin/mass bias line.
In the past we have had many customers who received a ball like this and said their ball drillers were unsure of what to do with it. I thought lets take one of these and show them what the ball can do.

We are expecting this layout to produce a lot of heavy roll with a good amount of movement. The Realm comes out of the box at 2000 grit Abralon so we also added some Xtra Shine to the cover to help get the ball through the heads a little cleaner. Based on the pin to PAP length and the placement of the mass bias we just wanted to be sure the ball stored enough energy for the backend.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Wow, this ball impressed me on two levels. One the amount of ball reaction I got from this ball was ridiculous. Roto Grip has had great ball motions throughout the Cell line of balls but you can tell that this ball was
intended to be one level up from those. The ball reacted a ton on the THS we tested it on.

The other thing that really impressed me was how good the ball reacted with the Pro CG layout we used on it. We know that cg placement only has static weight meaning but even with the cg left and the mass bias out on my
VAL the ball reacted great.

After a few shots getting a feel for the reaction I saw nothing but hook. The ball cleared the heads pretty clean, I think without the addition of the Xtra Shine it may have rolled a little early on the shot. As the ball transitioned into the middle part of the lane it revved up stronger then any other ball I have tested recently. It held pretty good as it got to the backend where it still had energy to continue through the pins strong.

Overall this is a great addition to the Roto line and I think it compliments the Cell line as well as the other balls currently in their lineup. Keep in mind that you can only get your Realm from bowlingball.com.
Was this comment helpful? yes no


Roto Grip Riot
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click Layout Image to Enlarge


One of the newest additions to Rot-Grip's Shield Line.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5 1/2"
Mass Bias Position - n/a
CG Placement - 4" from PAP
Balance Hole - none

Surface Preparation - Out of Box

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
We were really just looking to see what this ball would do for the average player using a very safe layout on a THS (typical house shot). This layout has become a very safe layout and you will most likely see a lot of balls leave your local pro shop drilled this way.

In out case placing the pin above the fingers brings the pin to 5 1/2" from my PAP which should help the ball clear the heads and store most of its energy for the back part of the lane.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
I ended up with a very solid ball motion. This ball cleared the heads great even with the little bit of surface it has out of the box. As it transitioned through the middle part of the lane it revved up quite nice and made a solid, smooth move on the backend.

It reacted like one of those balls that you will love to throw because you always know what it will do. I would say it would make a good base line ball to kind of get a feel for what the lanes are doing. In the price point that
the Shield line balls fall into the Riot is a great piece of equipment.
Was this comment helpful? yes no


Roto Grip Theory
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:


Click to Enlarge

Put this THEORY to the test. The evolution of the bowling ball never has reached a level this advanced!

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 4 1/2"
Mass Bias Position - just below and right of thumb
Balance Hole - n/a
Dual Angle Layout - 60* x 4 1/2" x 40*

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (2000 grit Abralon)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
We decided to use this layout based on previous testing with upper end Roto Grip equipment. We thought this would provide us a good look at how aggressive we could make this ball while still keeping the overall reaction
useful on house shot conditions.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
We got a lot from this test. Even with its 2000 grit Abralon surface the Theory maintained a strong reaction off my hand without over reacting to the friction. As it transitioned into the middle part of the lane you could see
it start to rev up a little more and really digg into the lane.

The backend motion was very strong and seemed to react stronger then any of my Mutants had in the past. The great thing about the Theory was how versatile I felt it was across the lane. With a slight adjustment of my
hand position I could create more skid and play further right with it while still maintaining the overall strong ball motion it provides.

All in all the Theory is the next evolution in Roto Grip's ball line and I think it is a very good piece of equipment.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Roto Grip Wrecker
18 of 21 people found this review helpful
5
Some avoid obstacles. I leave a trail of rubble. The Roto Grip Wrecker.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 4"
PSA Layout - 4" x 4" x 2 3/4"
Balance Hole - on VAL (7/8" x 2")

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (1500 grit polished)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
I was kind of in between with the Shatter release. I could tell it was a good ball but it was never what I needed when I tried to use it.

I went with a stronger layout on the Wrecker to see if I could get it to recover a little more for me down lane and hopefully use it when i was forced right on the lane. I am expecting to see a lot of length with a really strong look down lane and a good strong continuous motion into the pins.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Oh man, I really liked this ball. From the way it looked going down the lane to the ball reaction everything was good with the Wrecker.

It did exactly what I wanted and let me play a little further right and open up that side of the lane. I was able to get this ball down the lane with ease and watch it pick up a really good roll and go left off the point.

All in all I definitely threw more strikes with this ball then any others we tested that night. Compared to the Shatter I saw a much better motion down lane and overall more hook then the Shatter.

I think this will suit all bowler styles well and work on a variety of patterns. I think with the right layout and the right condition you will
love what the Wrecker has to offer.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Storm 2 Fast
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:


Click to Enlarge

The 2Fast adds another another great look from Storm.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5 1/2" under middle finger
Mass Bias Position - N/A
CG Placement - lower right
Balance Hole - n/a

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (1500 grit Polish)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
Storm's description on this ball says they were looking for something that would offer glide through the heads with attack down lane at the break point.

I figured by placing in the pin a little further from my PAP but keeping it under the grip I would enhance this ball motion and give us a really good look at what the new 2Fast can do. This layout normally creates more skid
but still allows the ball to read the friction. For me when I do this layout with the pin under my middle finger I tend to get a little earlier read then if I go above so I thought that would keep the ball from going past the breakpoint and not recovering.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
The 2Fast offered exactly what Storm said they wanted and gave me everything I would need to be a go to ball. As you can see if you watch our video on this ball I was able to start out playing up the boards with this ball and had an amazing look at the pocket. The ball cleared the heads easily and read the friction at the breakpoint just right.

As we bowled a little more and as the video progresses you will notice my migration left and by the end of the night I was able swing the lane from inside the fourth arrow. The ball handled this angle just as good as it did going up the boards earlier in the night.

That shows me that this is a good all around ball and will allow the player to be versatile with the layouts and angles on a variety of lane conditions.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Storm 2 Furious
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:


Click to Enlarge

The 2Fast adds another another great look from Storm.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5 1/2" under middle finger
Mass Bias Position - N/A
CG Placement - lower right
Balance Hole - n/a

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (2000 grit Abralon)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
Storm's description on this ball says they were looking for something that would offer glide through the heads with attack down lane at the break point.

I figured by placing in the pin a little further from my PAP but keeping it under the grip I would enhance this ball motion and give us a really good look at what the new 2Furious can do. This layout normally creates more skid
but still allows the ball to read the friction. For me when I do this layout with the pin under my middle finger I tend to get a little earlier read then if I go above.

I laid this ball out identical to my 2Fast so that we could see what the subtle differences in coverstock would do to the ball motion. I expect that this ball will read a little earlier and have a smoother motion on the backend.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
The 2Furious offered what I thought it would but it did surprise me on how much more aggressive it was then the 2Fast. Ball for ball you could tell the motion of the two were close but the 2Furious definitely allowed me to play
in a part of the lane that I could not with the 2Fast.

From the first shot of the night I was able to play in the oil a little more which allowed this ball to store up a enough energy to come back like a truck on the backend. The 2Furious with the dull cover was not as versatile as the night went on but for the price point still offered enough hook to make anyone happy.

Possibly one of the best two ball combos so far this year I would suggest players of all levels look into the 2Furious and 2Fast for the upcoming season.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Storm Alpha Crux
16 of 18 people found this review helpful
5
Show your dominance on the lanes with the Alpha Crux.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5"
PSA Layout - 5" x 4 1/2" x 2 3/8"
Balance Hole - n/a
Surface Preparation - Out of Box (2000 grit Abralon)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
So following up on the great run of Premier line balls from Storm, the Alpha Crux offers another great solid reactive coverstock to this line.

I went with my typical pin up layout on this ball to create a good amount of skid with enough energy retention to make a sharp move off the break point downlane. With the 2000 grit finish on the Alpha Crux I expect to see a strong roll off my hand with an aggressive mid-lane and backend motion.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Pleasantly surprised to see the amount of skid I was able to create with this ball. It looks like it is really going to grip and get going right off your hand but the GI-16 Solid Reactive cover really clears the front well.

As expected from a Storm high performance ball, this think was not afraid of oil. Although it was smoother then expected in the heads it completely tore the
mids and read the motion perfectly down lane. I was able to create all kinds of angles with the Alpha Crux, I tried to show a few different looks in the video but afterwards I threw it some more and man I was impressed with this ball.

For me it was a much more versatile ball motion then the original Crux and much better suited for heavier oil conditions then the Pearl.

All in all another great release from Storm. Make sure you check the Alpha Crux out.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Storm Anarchy
150 of 152 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click to Enlarge

Don't take nothin' from nobody... make your own rules with the Storm Anarchy!

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 4"
Mass Bias Position - 4" from PAP
Balance Hole - 7/8" x 2" on PAP
Pin Buffer - 1"
PSA Drilling Layout - 4" x 4" x 1"

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (1500 grit Polish)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
Our best guess when we looked at the new Anarchy was that it was going to produce a longer and stronger version of the Invasion.

With a pearlized version of the R3X cover and the same Origin core we could not wait to throw this ball and see how aggressive it was on the backend.

I decided to use a 4" x 4" x 1" layout on this ball to create good skid through the heads while producing plenty of read in the midlane and a strong continuous backend motion. This layout has worked well in the past on multiple conditions and it seemed to fit for this type of ball with my style.


What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
It seems like all of my Storm ball reviews are copies of each other. Storm has yet again outdone their last high performance release with the Anarchy.

This is the perfect compliment to the Invasion and a great replacement for the older Virtual series, specifically the Virtual Energy. First of all this may be my new favorite layout for high performance Storm balls. The 4" x 4" x 1" layout produced a perfect amount of length for me while keeping the ball strong enough not to push through the break point.

The Anarchy read the friction well in the midlane but I did not really ever see it over react. It was one of those ball tests that allowed me to miss in and miss out and the ball either held its line or reacted stronger off the friction and recovered. That is never a bad thing to see when you throw a ball, since most of us tend to miss quite a bit during the course of a night :)

The backend motion was where this ball really shined. It showed no mercy on the pins as it demolished through the pin deck. I think in the course of our ball test I left at least 2 stone 9 nine pins from some angles that you would not normally see a 9 pin left. The ball finished so hard it just continued right through and past the 9, amazing.

Like I said earlier this is the perfect compliment to the Invasion and the perfect replacement from the older series of high performance balls from Storm. No matter what I think you will enjoy throwing the new Anarchy!

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Storm Attitude Shift
8 of 8 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click Layout Image to Enlarge


The Attitude Shift brings a new level of performance to Storm's Premier Line of balls.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5"
Mass Bias Position - 55 degrees
CG Placement - 1" right of grip center
Balance Hole - none

Surface Preparation - Out of Box Finish (2000-grit Abralon)


A few weeks ago I had the bright idea to make some changes to my grip and so I started cleaning out all of my older balls in my arsenal. By the time I was done I realized I did not keep anything that had my old specs and I only had a few balls with the new grip. After a couple of weeks using the new grip I decided to go back to my old grip and that meant I had nothing. So from here on out I am rebuilding my ball arsenal and will most likely be adding a few balls that I already had and got rid of.

Now without further delay here is my ball review of one of my only two balls.

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
Well after reading the above paragraph you know at this point I just needed a couple of balls to throw during league. But the layout and thought behind this
ball was not totally brainless. I knew that I have had great success with Storm product in the past in my normal center. I also knew that I did much better with reactive covers in this center which made me think I may really like this ball. I had a Shift originally but did not match up well with the particle pearl cover but I did think I would like the weight block in a reactive and voila here it is.

I wanted a strong rolling ball that did not over read friction but still offered me plenty of movement. I know this sounds like a lot to ask out of a ball now a days but I have had similar reactions with some older Storm stuff.(Special Agent - loved it)

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
I have to tell you that if you ever get a bug to change your grip for no reason what so ever - DON'T! After throwing this ball I realized that I should have never started messing around with my grip because this feels better than ever.

To top it off I had one of the best ball reactions I have had recently. The ball everything I wanted and then some.

In the heads the ball rolled as strong as I have seen lately. It looked like it could almost be too strong for me in the heads and roll too early but that
must have been an optical illusion because it did not. It kept this strong motion in the middle part of the lane and in the back it just exploded like a polished reactive ball. I have to tell you that I love this ball, usually I need some time with a ball to say that but when your only complaint is that the color looks a little odd going down the lane you know you have a winner.

For me on the house shot I bowl on this will be my starting ball. It offers the big ball motion you want and need for fresh conditions but adds versatility that allowed me to use this ball into the end of the second game. Strong in the oil and reads so great off friction.

Bowl Up A Storm!
Was this comment helpful? yes no


Storm Code Black
18 of 18 people found this review helpful
5
Sound the alarm, the Storm Code Black is ready for launch.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5"
PSA Layout - 5" x 4 1/2" x 2 3/8"
Balance Hole - n/a
Surface Preparation - Out of Box (1500 grit Polished)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
I had heard some really good things about this ball as it was first introduced in the international market prior to hitting the states.

I expect another very solid HP release in the Code Black, offering a good motion through the heads and mids with Storm's signature motion off the dry downlane. I went with my favorite review layout for this ball to show off the qualities of the all new Code Black.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Storm consistently hits them out of the park and the Code Black is no different. This ball offers another great ball motion from Storm.

Combining the R2S Pearl Rreactive cover with the super strong RAD4 Asymmetric core creates a great ball for the fresh during league and is still versatile enough to give you some longevity through the night.

I had some crazy give shots with this ball and it impressed me from the second it hit the lanes. Not only does it roll really good but again we see that there is something about an all black, shiny bowling ball that just looks cool.

Off my hand the Code Black cruised through the heads but read the pattern really well in the mid-lane. This allowed me to play a little further right then I have in past review with HP Storm balls. The mids smoothed out enough that I could really open up the pocket and let the ball go to work on the backends.

Downlane, this ball ball went crazy creating some really good entry angles and a ton of hitting power. All in all another solid release from Storm and a great addition to anyone's bag this Holiday season.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Storm Crossroad
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
5

Click to Enlarge

Put your favorite layout on the new Crossroad and in your next tournament you'll be the first to cross the finish line!

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5 1/4"
PSA Layout - 5 1/4" x 4" x 4 1/2"
Balance Hole - On VAL from center of grip through cg

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (1500 Grit Polished)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
With the new Crossroad being a combination of the Hy-Road and Victory Road we were super excited to throw this ball.

I used a simple layout that I use on most of my test balls. This layout allows me to get max length from the ball with a strong angular motion off the break point. It really allows me to open up the right side and see what a ball can really do on a typical house shot.

I expected to see just that from the Crossroad, plenty of skid with a really angular move down lane.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
This performance level is possibly the best that Storm has. These balls are super consistent and react awesome. The Crossroad was no exception to this for me.

Off my hand the polished R2S Hybrid cover cleared the heads with ease storing up a ton of energy to use down lane. I never saw this ball read the lane early throughout our testing. As the ball cleared the fronts and started to set up for the back end it just over powered any oil it came across and motored towards the pocket.

As you can see in the video I had the entire right side of the lane with this ball. Even when I got the ball a little too deep downlane, it recovered
and carried everything. The backend motion was truly awesome and I guess if I had to sum it up I would agree with Storm and say it was all the best
characteristics of the Victory Road and Hy-Road rolled into one.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Storm Crux
44 of 45 people found this review helpful
5
Asymmetry is the Crux.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5 3/8"
PSA Layout - 5 3/8" x 5 3/8" x 2"
Balance Hole - n/a

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (3000 grit pad)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
The Crux features an all new core paired with a hybrid reactive cover. The 3000 grit finish makes this ball look like it will hook in the box. I was looking forward to a duller high performance ball from Storm, we really havent seen anything like this in a few years from them and they always seem to nail this ball motion.

I went with a pin up layout to try and gain a little length so we could see what the new Crux could really do on a THS pattern.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
WOW!!

Possibly the most hook I have seen in a long time. The Crux was by far the strongest piece I have seen from Storm in a while. It completely over powered the fresh condition we threw it on and it looked great while doing it.

I will not candy coat this review for you. This ball flat out hooks. From the time I got it on the lane until it got through the pins, it hooked.

It was super strong off my hand but it did not use up too much energy in the heads. It allow me to get deeper then anything else we tested that night though. Knowing the ball could get through the oil with ease I was able to get super deep on the lane and send it as far right as I wanted to.

This ball was a beast in the middle part of the lane. It set up perfectly and gave me so much mistake room it was like cheating. Off the mids the ball transitioned into a surprisingly strong motion off the break point. I only say it like that because typically when you get a ball that does so much work in the heads and mids, you will see it lay down a bit on the back end. Not the Crux, this ball just kept going.

With the out of box finish I dont see this ball getting further then maybe the second game of bowling but knowing Storm with a few small tweaks you can probably make this ball do anything you want.

The Storm Crux is the new benchmark for hook and if you are looking for a super strong ball for this season you better seriously look at the Crux.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Storm Fire Road
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
5

Click to Enlarge

Following in the footsteps of such great balls as the Hy-Road, T-Road Solid, Fired Up, Black Thunder and Fire Storm, the Fire Road is sure to scorch the competition!

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5 1/4"
PSA Layout - 5 1/4" x 4 1/2" x 2 1/2"
Balance Hole - n/a

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (1500 grit Polished)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
I was personally very excited about throwing this ball. The series this ball falls in for Storm is by far my all time favorite ball motions. We are talking about Hy-Road, Fired Up, T Road, this ball had a lot to live up to and I felt it would.

Right out of the box it looks great and I kept the layout pretty straight forward on it. Pin over my ring finger and cg just kicked off my grip. I was expecting to see skid - left hand turn. Based the previous few releases to this ball, example Crossroad, it seemed appropriate for Storm to raise the bar again and make a ball that read the pattern a little stronger and flipped harder.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Watch the video and you will see that I love this ball. I had the entire lane with the Fire Road. I felt like I had all of the best balls that I ever threw
from this performance series wrapped up in one ball. This was one of those balls that I felt like I could not miss with and I did not care how far left I moved.

It got down the lane and seemed to recover from any angle I threw at it. Never once did I see the ball read to friction early or stand up. I was literally trying to throw this ball too far right with too much angle by the end of the night and I could not stop it from recovering.

This performance level of ball matches up so well I could see where this could be the hit that Storm has been looking for since the Hy-Road introduction. If you have loved these balls like I have then you have to get your hands on a Fire Road.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Storm Frantic
209 of 212 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click to Enlarge
You'll never see the pins fly off the deck as fast as you will with the Storm Frantic.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5"
PSA Layout - 5" x 3 3/4" x 4 1/4"
Balance Hole - 1" x 2" P2

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (1500 Grit Polished)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
So I admit to being a little ignorant on this release. I did not pay any attention to it since I was so excited about the Nano Pearl. I told our tech guy in the office to lay it out and we would see what happens. All I knew is the ball was loud and I thought it looked kind of cool and would look awesome going down the lane.

As you can tell by the layout we went with something fairly simple and this layout usually provides me with a really clean look through the front and an aggressive motion off the break point. Given this ball has a shinier surface I expect to see plenty of movement down lane.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Ok, once I threw this ball one time I realized I had something special here. I went back to check on the tech specs and realized that this was basically a Hy-Road with a weaker core like in the 2Fast and 2Furious. Anyone who has thrown these balls will now that's a great combo.

Besides the fact that this ball is crazy loud looking and really grabs your attention going down the lane. The ball motion is unbelievable. Imagine if you will a Hy-Road that goes longer and on the right condition actually comes off the point stronger and more angular, that is the Frantic.

After my test I had to make sure that I was not hypnotized by the colors and that the ball really did roll as good as I thought. As soon as I saw the footage for our video I knew it was true. A R2S Hybrid coverstock (Hy-Road) with the N.O.S core (2Fast/2Furious) is possible the best combination you can imagine for a Hot Line ball that will let you do whatever you want to with it.

You have to get one of these and see what I mean.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Storm Fringe
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
5

Click to Enlarge

Throw the ball farther out than you've ever done before, to the fringe, and watch it come back!


Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5"
PSA Layout - 5" x 3 7/8" x 4 1/8"
Balance Hole - On VAL from center of grip through cg

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (1500 Grit Polished)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
The Fringe is a follow up release in Storm's Hot line to best selling Frantic.
The Fringe features a pearlized cover with the same core as the Frantic. This change in cover material should produce a longer motion downlane with a more angular move off the break point as opposed to the hybrid cover on the Frantic.

We used the same layout as our original Frantic test ball. We expect to really see this ball shine as the pearl reactive cover will give us plenty of skid with a aggressive and angular move down lane.


What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Exactly as expected. The Fringe will offer a great compliment ball reaction to people who already have a Frantic but want to see more movement downlane.

The Fringe sailed through the heads with ease and gave me a noticeable difference in length before it started to read the friction down lane. The
pearl reactive cover did exactly as Storm intended and allowed the Fringe to literally open up the back end coming back off the break point from a variety
of angles.

All in all the Hot line from Storm is proving to be a force to be reckoned with this season and the Fringe should definitely be on your list to try out.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Storm Gravity Shift
175 of 175 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click Layout Image to Enlarge


The Gravity Shift offers the strongest ball reaction in the Shift series to date.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5 5/8"
Mass Bias Position - 3" right of thumb
CG Placement - center of grip
Balance Hole - none

Surface Preparation - Box Finish (1500 grit polished)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
This layout was intended to give me much needed skid through the heads and mid lane with a very angular motion on the back part of the lane. I have used this layout before on Storm Dual Density cores and it tends to roll very strong for me. The Cover/Core combo on the Gravity Shift looked perfect to try this layout again.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Exactly what I wanted. I do not know that this is really the best ball for me int he first game when the shot is fresh, but when they start to break down and I need to get in and know I can clear the heads smoothly and have the ball make a left from wherever I want this is it.

The ball motion is awesome, the first few times I threw it I was worried. Because of the darker coloring of this pearl cover, the ball looked like it was skating down the lane never to return from the right side. After I got more comfortable with this motion I knew it would come back from any part of the lane I wanted.

The last two weeks I have not thrown this ball until the start of the second game but from there on out I used nothing but the Gravity Shift. It compliments the Attitude Shift better then anything else I have thrown since I drilled my Attitude.

If you are looking for something for medium/medium-heavy oil lanes or something to get through the front and middle part of the lane and have
plenty of energy left for the backend the Storm Gravity Shift should be in your bag.

Bowl Up A Storm!
Was this comment helpful? yes no


Storm Hy-Road
61 of 61 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click Layout Image to Enlarge


Hy-Road offers another great ball reaction option to Storm's ball line.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 4 1/2"
Mass Bias Position - n/a
CG Placement - just right of center line
Balance Hole - none

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (1500 grit Polish)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
The only real thought I had while I was laying this ball out was to have something to compliment my Virtual Gravity. I have been using my Virtual so much lately that I really did not need something else for league but I thought it would be nice to have something under my Virtual just in case.

I used a pretty simple stacked drilling, I put the pin 4 1/2" from my PAP with the cg right below it. This drilling tends to be a really controlled but strong reaction layout. That sounded good since the only things I knew besides all the technical stuff was that Norm Duke made it look really good a few weeks earlier on TV.


What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Another great ball from the guys at Storm. I think they have had the most good balls in row if you combine Roto-Grip and Storm. This ball was perfect! It rolled super strong in the front part of the lane without giving up any energy for the rest of the lane. I threw this ball with a few of our other testers that drilled one and they all reacted different but they were all good. I have to say that I like my look a little better then the other guys but I will be drilling on up with one of their layouts.

Overall this was just a good ball reaction. If you remember back in the day when anything with a "Z" on the ball from Brunswick rolled good, this had that type of reaction. Just a good, clean, strong (maybe I should think of more adjectives for this ball) ball motion from start to finish.

If you do not have a Storm ball of some kind in your bag right now, you need to get one. You will happy you did.
Was this comment helpful? yes no


Storm Hy-Road Pearl
50 of 56 people found this review helpful
5
Finally there is a compliment to the most successful ball in Storm's history, the Hy-Road.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5 1/2"
PSA Layout - 5 1/2" x 4" x 3"
Balance Hole - n/a

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (1500 Grit Polished)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
Well with this ball possibly being the most anticipated release ever, we were sure to love the new Hy-Road Pearl. The Hy-Road Pearl combines proven Storm core and coverstocks in a compliment ball to the best selling Hy-Road.

I used a pretty basic layout on this ball figured its main goal was to clear the heads and make a sharp move down lane. This layout should compliment the ball motion perfectly. I was looking for a super clean look off my hand with an aggressive change in direction off the break point.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
I ended up with exactly what I thought, a super clean, strong ball that the bowling world will love.

The Hy-Road Pearl did not disappoint as it does just what Storm says. It is way cleaner through the front and the awesome Blue/Purple color combo makes this ball look super cool going down the lane.

As the ball gets from the heads to the mid-lane you can see the ball starting to prep up for a wicked downlane motion and it goes left when you want it. Off the breakpoint this ball was super strong and on our typical house shot pattern we saw an amazing amount of movement and carry from the part of the lane we were able to play.

I don't know that another Hy-Road needs a lot of hype but in the off chance you have lived under a rock for the last few years or so check this ball out, you will love it.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Storm IQ
191 of 194 people found this review helpful
5

Click to Enlarge

Make the smart choice... go with the Storm IQ bowling ball if you want the highest scores!

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5 1/8"
PSA Layout - 5 1/8" x 6" x 2 3/4"
Balance Hole - n/a

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (3000 grit Abralon)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
With Storm's release of the IQ and IQ Tour at the same time we wanted to see the actual difference in the ball motions without the layout being a factor.

I kept the layout very simple placing the pin 5 1/8" from my PAP just above my ring finger and using a smoother placement for the cg keeping the ball from over reacting and really letting me see the way the ball rolls.


What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
I really enjoyed this ball motion from Storm. The Master line has been dominated by the Marvel series for the last couple of seasons and those were always great ball releases. Saying that, I think the release of the IQ series will fit the bowlers as whole more. I see this ball motion as the motion that everyone wants to see. It is plenty strong enough to combat heavier oil conditions but it remains smooth throughout the lane so that you can see where the ball is reading the pattern or not reading the pattern.

With the IQ I had about 4-5 boards room to miss and the ball just read the friction perfectly and adjusted to the miss. When I got it right a little early it checked up sooner but stayed controllable down lane and blew the pins out. When I would tug it just a bit you would see it skid a little further but just come screaming back down lane as as strong as anything we have thrown recently.

I think the two ball introduction in this series is a perfect call from Storm and that bowlers of all skill levels will enjoy the motion this series will offer.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Storm IQ Tour
27 of 31 people found this review helpful
5

Click to Enlarge

Make the smart choice... go with the Storm IQ Tour bowling ball if you want tame the lane!

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5 1/8"
PSA Layout - 5 1/8" x 6" x 2 3/4"
Balance Hole - n/a

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (4000 grit Abralon)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
With Storm's release of the IQ and IQ Tour at the same time we wanted to see the actual difference in the ball motions without the layout being a factor.

I kept the layout very simple placing the pin 5 1/8" from my PAP just above my ring finger and using a smoother placement for the cg keeping the ball from over reacting and really letting me see the way the ball rolls.

With the smoother finish and differences in core/cover we expected to see a noticeable difference in the ball motion from the IQ.


What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Awesome, awesome, awesome. The IQ Tour was perfect, it showed me plenty of difference in motion from the IQ and I loved the movement this ball made and the look it gave me.

In the video the ball motion differences look very subtle, but do not be fooled by this two ball line up as you will see plenty of differences in the look you will have from ball to ball. The IQ Tour offered a smoother motion off my hand allowing me to open up the lane for a strong backend move off the break point.

This overall motion suited my eye more then the IQ normally would but on a fresher pattern I can see where I would need the IQ and then transition into the Tour as the night progressed. The IQ Tour saved up more energy for a sharper motion down lane but still offered plenty of roll and read throughout the lane from the heads to \the pins.

I think the two ball punch of the IQ and IQ Tour will offer a great variety to play multiple conditions and I promise you will see a lot of this ball from Storm staffers this season.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Storm IQ Tour Fusion
12 of 14 people found this review helpful
5
Take the predictability and hook of the IQ Tour and mix that with the strong backend reaction of the IQ Tour Pearl and what do you have?
The Storm IQ Tour Fusion!

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 4 1/2"
PSA Layout - 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" x 2"
Balance Hole - n/a

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (1500 grit polished)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
So I was pretty amped up about this test. I mean this one had to be awesome, it was the best of two of the best balls of the last two years all wrapped up in one awesome looking ball. The IQ Tour Fusion was bringing a hybrid version of the IQ Tour and IQ Tour Pearl to life.

I know that I went with a much stronger layout on this ball, and I admit, I wanted to see how much I could make it hook. I fully expected this layout to produce a strong roll through the heads with a ton of motion downlane.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
First let me say, this was one of the most fun ball tests we have done in a while. I went into this one knowing I drilled the ball way too strong for a
typical house shot but I wanted to see how much it would hook.

I accomplished exactly what I set out to do. The IQ Tour Fusion was a complete beast on our THS fresh pattern. I was able to play so deep, even I was
a little shocked.

As you can see from our test video, I was sliding over by the left gutter and this ball did not stop. Off my hand it was much cleaner then I expected. I thought the hybrid cover would create an earlier stronger motion off my hand but the Tour Fusion cleared the heads with ease. This is what assisted in allowing
me to get so far in on the pattern and have plenty of recovery.

This ball was ridiculous down lane. I threw a few shots just to see how much it actually hooked and once I got settled in on the lane I could not believe it.
The Tour Fusion was one of those balls that just matched up to my game perfectly allowing me to open up the lane and create a silly entry angle. Because of that angle and the fact that ball did not lose any energy from that spot carry was a breeze. I think I may have left one ten pin during this test and the rest were ten in the pit.

Bowlers of all skill levels will love this ball. If you had a Tour Pearl or Tour you have to drill this ball. You will not be disappointed.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Storm IQ Tour Nano
22 of 29 people found this review helpful
5
The Storm IQ Tour Nano is the best of Storm's past, rolled in to one bowling ball.

The new IQ Tour Nano from Storm is a combination of two great pieces. They are using the core that we all have come to love from the IQ series. This core offers predictability with control and power. They paired this core with the super aggressive NRG cover giving you the IQ Tour Nano.

We look for this ball to fit right in with the other IQ balls offering a look for heavier volumes of oil or for bowlers that want more read in the middle part of the lane with good continuation downlane.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Storm IQ Tour Pearl
1472 of 1510 people found this review helpful
5
The IQ Tour Pearl features the perfect combination of mid-lane control and backend hook.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 4 1/2"
PSA Layout - 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" x 2"
Balance Hole - n/a

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (1500 grit Polished)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
For IQ fans this is the release we have all been waiting for. The IQ Tour Pearl was going to bring a controllable ball motion with an aggressive backend motion to the IQ line. Of course when we all heard it was going to be gold pearl we were even more excited.

I used a very similar layout on this ball as compared to my other IQ's except we went a little stronger with the pin and pin buffer to help keep the ball from going too long and getting behind the pocket. With this small tweak in the layout I expected to see a very smooth motion with an aggressive yet controllable move down lane.


What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
All the IQ fans will be very happy with this addition. The IQ Tour Pearl does exactly what Storm says it will do and it fits into the line very well.

Off my hand the Pearl was smooth and very controllable. It did not get jumpy when it found any friction early. The transition was the same, just very
predictable and smooth. Downlane was where this ball really shined in my opinion.

The motion off the break point was strong but not too angular. It was just enough to make it back from where ever I wanted but not so sharply that I got hung with tens. Overall I would say this ball would offer a good look when the IQ Tour was getting to early and flat downlane and when you need something to make a stronger move off the break point.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Storm Lucid
10 of 10 people found this review helpful
5
Controlling your ball reaction and knowing how to strike on heavy oil has never been easier than it will be with the Storm Lucid!

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5"
PSA Layout - 5" x 4" x 2 1/2"
Balance Hole - n/a

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (4000 grit Abralon)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
The introduction of the Lucid was an exciting one for me. Storm is using their new ERG coverstock on this ball, getting the cover closer to a pure reactive resin shell. This should allow a later break point with a stronger motion off that spot.

Compared to the last few releases in the Premier series with the NRG additive, this should be a welcomed ball motion for all bowlers on a variety of conditions. We decided to leave this matte pearl ball out of box. In my world if I was bowling league with this I would throw some polish on there to get a more angular move downlane.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
I really enjoyed the look of the Lucid from start to finish. The new ERG did exactly what Storm said it would do. It offered a smoother look getting down lane and a later break point then the previous release, the Vivid. Off the spot the Lucid was very strong and gave me quite a bit of miss to the right.

Like any reactive cover you still had to find the friction to really see it go off the break point but even when I would get inside of the pattern a little the Lucid still rolled great and recovered quite nicely.

As we expect from Storm the ball looks amazing and hits like a truck. I think the addition of the Lucid to the Premier series will be a perfect combination with all of the other winning balls from Storm so far this season.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Storm Manic
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
5

Click to Enlarge

With the Storm Manic you can expect enhanced midlane reaction without losing the desired entry angle that Storm is known for!


Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5"
PSA Layout - 5" x 3 7/8" x 4 1/4"
Balance Hole - On VAL from center of grip through cg

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (4000 grit Abralon)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
I used my typical layout on the new Manic as well as the Fringe. This should give us a good comparision to each other and to the very popular Frantic from Storm's Hot line.

This layout allows good clearance in the heads with a strong mid-lane and backend motion. With shiny balls I tend to see a very angular motion off
the breakpoint and with something like the Manic with a little surface I expect to see a really strong move int he middle part of the lane with a smoother move off the point.


What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
I think the new Manic offers a really good look to the Hot line from Storm. If we use the Frantic as a baseline the Manic offers an earlier motion as expected with its 4000 grit abralon finish with a very smooth and strong motion down lane.

Off my hand the Manic offered a stronger roll then previous balls in this line with a really strong move in middle part of the lane. The best part in my opinion was how smooth the transition was from the midlane where it really did its work into the backends as it made its move to the pins. As I threw the ball more and more I become more confident in the ball motion. My only mistakes were not getting it projected far enough right and it read the friction in the mids and checked up on the head pin. As long as I kept my angles right the ball was perfect everytime.

All in all I think Storm has added a really nice dimension to the line and between the Manic, Frantic and the Fringe you could cover a wide variety of conditions.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Storm Marvel
336 of 339 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click to Enlarge

The Master line expands this year with the first release, the Marvel.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5 3/8"
Mass Bias Position - n/a
Balance Hole - 1" x 2" on VAL from center of grip through CG
PSA Layout - 5 3/8" x 3 1/4" with a 5" pin buffer

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (2000 grit Abralon)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:

When I heard about the Marvel I was excited immediately. The coverstock from the Virtual Gravity combined with the Centripetal core, just sounds like a winner. I used the same layout as another one of my favorite Master line balls, the Dimension. I also used this layout on the new Victory Road to see these balls side by side.

I had heard the ball had amazing movement in the mid-lane setting up a perfect shape at the breakpoint. This layout should assist that motion and really give us a good look.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
I know every review seems good but when you throw these balls they really are that good. Storm constantly puts out equipment that not only does what they say it will do but they work well and compliment each other perfectly.

The Marvel is no exception the this statement. I was absolutely amazed at how good this ball was overall. Just like you came to expect throwing the Virtual Gravity the Marvel's 2000 grit cover handled the heads great. It was strong but did not read the friction too much.

As the ball got down lane it really started the shine. Storm talks a lot about the mid-lane movement this ball makes and how important that is to setting up a good shape on the backend. The Marvel does it all, it read the mid-lane every time just when it needed to and because it constantly got into such a good place in the middle it was always in the right place on the backend and at the pins.

Overall I found it a little stronger then the previous release in this product line, the Prodigy, but it still complimented Storm's line.

With the release of the Marvel and the Victory Road I think Storm has started the new year off right and I am excited to see what is to come from the Bowler's Company.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Storm Marvel Pearl
58 of 66 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click to Enlarge
Experience all the greatness of the Marvel in a pearlized version.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5"
Mass Bias Position - 4" from PAP
PSA Layout - 5" x 4" x 4"
Balance Hole - n/a


Surface Preparation - Out of Box (1500-grit Polished)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
I thought this layout would provide a good amount of length with a really strong change in motion down lane. The original Marvel was so good and really just a strong ball front to back that I figured combine that with a pearl cover and you are going to get plenty of motion and a ton of pin action.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
I was a little surprised how controllable this ball was for me. The first few shots I threw I was expecting more movement off the break point. As I threw the ball some more I came to really enjoy the ball motion overall. It was strong enough to handle the fresh shot but it was not too snappy on the backend.

Even though I thought this ball would be much stronger down lane the overall ball motion was plenty and really solid for me. This ball seems like a ball
I could start off in league and not have to change balls all night. Very consistent and strong through the middle part of the lane, the Marvel Pearl allowed me to move a little right of normal and get a better angle of entry to the pocket.

I really hope this ball does not go unnoticed like the original Marvel. I think Storm has kept their promise of being the Bowlers Company with the second
release in this series of balls.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Storm Marvel-S
666 of 672 people found this review helpful
5
Amaze everyone at the lanes with the Storm Marvel-S!

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 4 1/2"
PSA Layout - 4 1/2" x 4" x 1 1/2"
Balance Hole - P3

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (3000 Grit Pad)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
I have used this layout on a few releases and had some really good feedback on it so I figured the introduction of the Marvel-S made sense to use it on as well. The Marvel-S combines the cover from the Sync (NRG Solid Reactive) with the Centripetal core used in previous Marvel balls.

This layout should provide me with a very strong motion int he mid-lane with strong continuation down lane.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
I think this combination may end being a lot of bowlers favorite Marvel to date. The Marvel-S seems to combine everything we have loved from Storm into one great ball.

The cover is plenty strong enough but smooth enough that it does not read the pattern too early. This combined with the 3000 grit finish allowed me to get the ball down lane to where I wanted to see hook with ease. The symmetrical core allowed me to control the ball motion a little more. I was able to make some slight changes to my hand position and see some totally different
movement out of the ball.

As the ball transitioned from the mids to the back ends I saw a super strong motion that I felt was missed in previous Marvel releases.

The Marvel-S is definitely one you should check out this season from Storm.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Storm Modern Marvel
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
5

Click to Enlarge

The Master line features new technology with strong, dynamic core shapes that are sure to help all bowlers looking to 'master' the sport of bowling.



Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5"
PSA Layout - 5 1/4" x 3 3/4" x 4 1/2"
Balance Hole - n/a

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (4000 Grit Abralon)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
I used the same layout I have used on most of my Storm tests lately.
This pin down layout allows me to get inside the track area and open up a little room for myself to the right. It tends to keep the ball pretty smooth in the heads with a strong transition at the break point.

The Modern Marvel offers a dull Hybrid coverstock that allows a stronger overall ball motion without the ball changing directions too early.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
This is my favorite ball in this series so far. I felt that Storm finally found a combination the worked well for me in this performance category as well as price point.

The Modern Marvel gave me everything I would want out of a ball that fits in its performance group. Off my hand it rolled really strong but never reacted too early. The Modern Marvel got into a much stronger roll in the middle part of the lane then any other ball we tested that night but it still had plenty of energy for the backends.

I was able to miss in by a 3-4 boards at times and the ball held wonderfully and still hit the pins with authority. As I broke the pattern down just a bit I was able to send this ball right as far as I wanted and it would come off the break point strong. As I said earlier I think this is a perfect ball motion to fit in under the Nano series and any other Premier line balls coming in the future. The Modern Marvel offers a really strong roll without something the hooks too much for slower ball speeds.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Storm Paradigm Passion Lust Pro CG - Overseas Release
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click Layout Image to Enlarge



We have a lot of questions regarding the Storm Pro CG technology and how the balls should be drilled and what to expect. We took a Passion lust that the alignment of the pin, cg and RAD(mass bias) were not in a straight line or even close and mapped it out using the pin and mass bias as our only points of reference.

As you can see from the photo of the ball we put the pin under the middle finger. This put it about 5 1/4" away from our PAP(positive axis point) and the RAD is 3" from the thumb hole. The cg fell left of the grip but because of the starting top weight this would not be an issue at all. On newer balls static imbalances are of such little importance that the pin and mass bias placement along with the cover preparation would make this ball react fine.

Just as we thought this ball was a truck. No difference then a regular ball at all. We saw a smooth reaction int he front part of the lane with a great transition to the backend. Once this ball got to our breakpoint it read the friction perfectly and reacted great on the backend. This ball hit as hard as any other Storm ball we have tested recently.

This was not only a test of this Overseas release from Storm but also of utilizing a Pro CG and seeing that it really does react just fine.

bowlingball.com is your exclusive source for Storm and Roto-Grip Pro Pin and Pro CG technology. We encourage and invite any questions about any of these products as well as help with mapping out these balls.

Bowl Up A Storm!
Was this comment helpful? yes no


Storm Pitch Black
53 of 60 people found this review helpful
5
Use darkness to see the light on the driest conditions with the Storm Pitch Black Bowling Ball!

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5"
PSA Layout - 5" x 4 3/4" x 4 3/8"
Balance Hole - n/a

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (1000 grit Abralon)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
I have never been a huge fan of urethane covers. I typically get forced to a part of the lane I am not that comfortable with and I really haven't crossed a pattern that I need urethane for.

With that being said, I went with a pretty simple layout with the pin under my ring finger and the cg kicked right. I am hoping that since it has been years since throwing a urethane ball I may find something with this new Pitch Black that I haven't had before with urethane.


What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
I will say I was pleasantly surprised with the ball motion I got from the Pitch Black. It did force me much further right then normal but I was expecting that anyway. Like I said it has been a while since I threw urethane but I don't remember having this much room with the last urethane I threw. That could be attributed to the black in the Pitch Black but I was able to create some room out there with this ball.

Once I got my shoulders squared up and made my body realize that it was ok to be so far right I was fine. I created an obvious hold spot, which is not a big shocker with urethane but I was also able to create a little swing right. I guess I should not say swing as much as miss right but either way it really let me open up the ditch.

As much as I say I don't see patterns where I would need urethane, I think I could find a place to throw this piece. Very impressed with what Storm created with the all new Pitch Black.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Storm Pitch Blue
29 of 33 people found this review helpful
5
Make a clean getaway on tricky lanes with the Storm Pitch Blue.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 3 3/4"
PSA Layout - 3 3/4" x 5 3/4" x 2 5/8"
Balance Hole - n/a
Surface Preparation - Out of Box (2000 grit Abralon)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
So it is no secret that I am not a big fan of urethane. I know they serve a purpose and for some bowlers on certain conditions I get that they work well for them. They just typically dont for me. I get into weird spots on the lane that dont best suit my game.

I went with a pretty simple stacked layout on the Pitch Blue. I am hoping that with a pearl urethane cover this ball will clear the heads clean and pick up the friction enough to set up well for me.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
So I could see myself carrying this ball in the bag. The Pitch Blue is the first urethane in a while that rolled pretty good for me. Even on the fresh I had a pretty good line and this thing carried like you would not believe. Obviously being urethane I still found a decent amount of miss room right but when

I was pumping it up the boards this thing was great.

Off my hand it was smoother then I remember from the Pitch Black. This allowed me to open it up a little more and see some motion in parts of the lane that I like. For me this was a much better overall motion from a urethane cover.

Of course as you would expect from Storm, the Pitch Blue looks amazing going down the lane. Very clean without a bunch of distracting logos, etc. The biggest difference for me was how hard the Pitch Blue hit the pins. My carry percentage was way higher with this ball then the previous urethane's we have tested.

I definitely see the use for this ball on the right condition.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Storm Prodigy
82 of 82 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click Layout Image to Enlarge


Storm continues to develop innovative technology combined with fine workmanship.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5 1/2" above fingers
Mass Bias Position - n/a
CG Placement - center of grip
Balance Hole - none

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (4000 grit Abralon)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
I think it is awesome that we are starting to see more reactive balls with symmetrical weight blocks. They just roll so true and really let you do so much with them as far as ball motion goes.

On to the Storm Prodigy, as you may have seen in a recent review of another reactive/symmetrical ball I chose to go with a very simple layout. I find that with the pin above my fingers about 5 1/2" from my PAP gives me the flexibility to do a lot with the ball.

With this Pearl mica cover left with a matte finish I was hoping to see the ball read the lane strong with out over reacting. My hope was that with a few games on it, it would start to kind of self polish and create a real natural skid/snap ball reaction.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Absolutely exactly what I expected. The Prodigy rolls so true and so strong, it really reminds me of my Dimension which I loved. The Prodigy rolled strong through the heads just as I expected with the cover finish but it did not over
react as it met friction. The ball kind of checked up a little as it transitioned from the heads to mid lane but never enough to effect the drive on the backend.

Since the ball is a symmetrical core I was able to create more hook with slight adjustments to my hand position and ball speed. This is why I love this type of ball because I think it allows more options for the bowler to create other
ball motions with the same ball.

Overall I think the Prodigy is a perfect addition to Storm's ball line up and I think that this is a perfect replacement for the very popular Dimension.

Was this comment helpful? yes no


Storm Reign
36 of 37 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click Layout Image to Enlarge


Storm's Reign continues their amazing Thunder line.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 4 3/4" under ring finger
Mass Bias Position - n/a
CG Placement - right of center line and below mid line
Balance Hole - 1" x 2" hole on VAL from center of grip through cg

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (1500 Grit Polish)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
I have a Dimension drilled almost identical to this but with a slightly weaker pin position. I figured since this was one performance line down from that ball I would get the pin in a little stronger position. Plus, I had heard that this ball rolled really good but was a smoother reacting ball. This layout tends to give the ball a little more kick from the back part of the mid-lane down for me.

This line of balls has always been a really good performer for Storm. Most of you that have seen or heard of the Hy-Road know how good that ball is in the price and performance category it's in so this ball had a lot to live up to for me.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
All I can say is that when you're hot you're hot. Storm is doing everything right, and they just keep making great pieces of equipment.

I forget who told me this ball rolled smooth and did not react much but they obviously did not throw it enough. This ball is a powerhouse, it rolls great. I was amazed at how far down the lane the Reign got before it started
to read friction. As you will see from my ball test video, the lanes were hooking a little more then normal but the Reign handled that with no problem.

I got this ball back from any point on the lane and it had so much energy stored up that it carried from pretty much anywhere as well. As Storm has been known to do, they kept the Thunder line very strong this season. This ball will find its way down plenty of lanes this up coming season and I think bowlers of all skill levels will find it just as good as I did.
Was this comment helpful? yes no


Storm Reign Of Power
52 of 52 people found this review helpful
5
Take your rightful place upon the bowling throne with the Storm Reign of Power!

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 6"
PSA Layout - 6" x 4 1/4" x 3"
Balance Hole - N/A

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (1000 grit Abralon)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
When I took this ball out of the box, it looked like it would hook at my feet. I went with a much tamer layout with the pin 6" from my PAP above my middle finger. This layout should allow me to produce more length with a controlled move at the break point.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
I really liked the combination of this ball and the layout I used. It allowed me to move further right and open up the pocket while still getting a strong enough motion that I could really lay on the ball from out there.

The other testers saw a stronger overall ball motion and hook but that was solely the layout I chose. For what I was looking for this ball was perfect. Off my hand the ball was really strong but I was able to control that and not get an early motion. In the mid-lane is where we saw this ball really come to life. It was so strong but again I was able to maintain a better angle from the outside part of the lane.

The Reign of Power gave me really good continuation down lane creating a ton of hitting power.

This will be a welcomed addition to the Storm line-up this season.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Storm Reign Supreme
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click to Enlarge

The Reign Supreme gives the Thunder line a new look.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5"
Mass Bias Position - 4" from PAP
Balance Hole - 27/32" x 2" on PAP
Pin Buffer - 3"
PSA Drilling Layout - 5" x 4" x 3"

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (1500 grit Polish)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
The Reign Supreme looks like it will be another staple in Storm's performance series of balls. At first glance I say this is the ball that is set up to replace the Hy-Road eventually. Featuring the C.A.M. core from the Reign
series of balls with the R2S Hybrid Reactive cover from the Hy-Road, I am looking forward to this ball motion.

I decided to use a fairly common layout on this ball but a different layout then any of the Hy-Roads I threw. I think this combination will work out really well for me since I loved the Hy-Road but also had pretty good luck with the C.A.M. core.


What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
I ended up with a great benchmark ball. This ball was strong but smooth and seemed to handle everything I tried to do with it. As expected with the core/coverstock combination the ball was very predictable and rolled really consistent.

In my opinion all of our testers got a really good ball motion from this ball. The Reign Supreme handled the heads as well as anything we have thrown lately. It never really read the friction to early and even when they were fresh it created enough to get the ball into a good spot through the transition.

Off the middle part of the lane into the backend the Reign Supreme stayed smooth but strong with great continuation through the pin deck. All in all another really solid ball motion from Storm and in my opinion a good replacement for the very popular Hy-Road.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Storm Rocket Ship
20 of 20 people found this review helpful
5
The Rocket Ship brings a sonic boom the the Thunder Line.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5"
PSA Layout - 5" x 4 1/2" x 2 3/8"
Balance Hole - n/a
Surface Preparation - Out of Box (3000 grit Sheen)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
The Rockt Ship is the newest addition to the amazing Thunder line from Storm. I think everytime I test a ball from this performance line, I find a new favorite ball. The Rocket Ship with its 3000 grit Sheen 2-tone Purple coverstock looks amazing.

I am going with a pin up layout on this ball to help create some skid up front with a strong continuous ball motion on the backends.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Wow, once again a perfect ball motion for me.

This ball was amazing from the moment it left my hand until it cleared the pin deck. I honestly dont think I threw a shot that didnt strike with this ball.

It was really strong but very controllable off my hand. It got into a pretty early roll but kept its energy for a very smooth transition andit had plenty of movement downlane for me to create some really aggressive angles off the breakpoint.

Anyone who loves Storm Thunder line balls will fall in love with the new Rocket Ship.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Storm Second Dimension
198 of 198 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click Layout Image to Enlarge


Get ready for the pearlized version of the Dimension from Storm.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 4 1/2"
Mass Bias Position - n/a
CG Placement - 2 1/2" right of center, 1/2" down
Balance Hole - 7/8" x 2" from center of grip through cg on VAL

Surface Preparation - Out of Box

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
This layout is fairly similar to my Dimension which I use as a bench mark ball. I did decide to put the pin in a stronger position then my regular Dimension. I kicked it 3/4" further right, a little closer to my PAP hopefully making this pearlized version stronger then my polished Dimension.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
I love when plans come together and this one did perfectly. The Second Dimension rolled almost identical to my Dimension but stronger. This was exactly what I was looking for this ball to do. Keep in mind this is a pearlized shiny Dimension so the ball is going to get through the heads pretty clean. My best opinion is to use a stronger layout on this ball so it does not get to long down the lane.

Anyway back to may ball reaction. Through the heads the ball was smooth with a pretty strong roll. The placement of the extra hole and the logos made the ball look really cool off my hand. As the ball made the transition and read the friction it revved up nicely. I would say this was where I saw the biggest
difference in the 2 Dimensions. My Dimension is drilled weaker and shined up with Moon Shine so it still skids when it gets to the friction area. The Second Dimension does not it reads the friction and moves hard. On the back the ball was a typical Storm ball, it just kept driving through the pin deck and carried like a dream.

Overall another winner from Storm, especially if you have a Dimension that you like you can really play off of this ball with a different layout.
Was this comment helpful? yes no


Storm Shift
8 of 10 people found this review helpful
3

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click Layout Image to Enlarge


If there is any question that this is a pearl particle cover throw it once and you will know for sure. I am usually not a big fan a pearl particle covers because they tend to give me a real in between ball reaction. I truly think if this cover would have been on any other core shape this ball would have been no different. I am a believer int he new Shape-Lock core system from Storm. We used a fairly typical layout for us, pin 5" from PAP (5 1/8" over 1/8" up) with the "key" (mass bias) 2-2 1/4" to the right of my thumb.

The ball is somewhat clean through the front part of the lane. The ball reads the middle of the lane somewhat well and has a little left over on the back.

I think this core and cover combination is not what the bowlers expect from Storm, however given their track record recently with the Paradigm I guess this ball is OK. NOTE: Make sure you talk to your local pro, the wrong layout can make the ball a bit jumpy and worse that it already is.
Was this comment helpful? yes no


Storm Snap Lock
27 of 29 people found this review helpful
5
The newest addition to the Premier line from Storm - Snap Lock

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5"
PSA Layout - 5" x 4 1/2" x 2 3/8"
Balance Hole - n/a
Surface Preparation - Out of Box (1500 grit Polished)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
Coming off the previous success of the Crux, Crux Pearl and Lock, we were excited to see what the all new Snap Lock had in store for us. Typically Storm high performance pear balls are a great fit for my game. They tend to be super clean in the front for me and unleash on the backends where I can play with different angles and create a ton of pin carry.

I went with my typical pin up layout, also the same layout used on the previous releases in this performance line.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Alright lets start with the fact that once again, this ball looks amazing going down the lane. Storm has a great feel for how they mix colors and the looks those colors create.

Now to the ball motion. The Snap Lock was exactly how I would have expected it to be off my hand. Really clean through the heads, which is typically what we see from their pearls. As the ball transitioned, it picked up a good strong roll and transitioned easily down lane.

The backend is where I saw a little different look for Storm, it was much more controllable then previous pearl high performance releases. Dont get me wrong, this is a good thing. The ball still hooked plenty and I was able to create a lot of direction change but it was smoother then I thought it would be. Once I got lined up, I did not miss. This was a an absolute stud for me and I loved the ball motion.
If you want a strong but controllable ball motion of the fresh or during the transition, you need to check out the Snap Lock.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Storm Special Agent
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click Layout Image to Enlarge


Storm's Special Agent is something special for sure.

We drilled our Special Agent very simple and left the coverstock at box finish. We placed the pin 5" from the PAP with the cg in a straight line down from it. This ball cleared the heads great, rolled strong through the middle part of the lane and still had plenty of energy left for the backend.

Leaving the finish alone was the smart choice for our tester as he was able to play inside of everyone else during our test during league. After a good first game leaving a few stubborn corner pins he shot a 300 game and ended up with a 750 series.

The ball had more forgiveness than past Storm products and plenty of versatility as he was able to continue to use it throughout the night.
Was this comment helpful? yes no


Storm Sync
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
5
It's never been as easy as it will be with the Storm Sync!

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5 1/4"
PSA Layout - 5 1/4" x 4" x 3"
Balance Hole - N/A

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (4000 grit Abralon)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
The Storm Sync is the new release in Storm's Premier Line. With that in mind I used a pretty simple layout to allow me to see what the all new Sync could do. Storm is saying that the Sync will allow you to fine tune the layout to the desired reaction and work for many different bowler styles and conditions.

With the layout I used I expected to see a really clean motion through the heads with a strong revving motion from the mid-lane on through the backends. Depending on the finish I am sure I could tweak the motion a little but like all of our review videos I am using this out of box.


What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
I got a really strong ball motion from my Sync. I will say with the layout I used and the pattern we bowled on I did not see a lot of change in direction but the ball rolled super strong from front to back.

Off my hand the Sync got into a really heavy roll without reading any friction early. it maintained a really strong motion through the mid lanes and on through the backens just as I wanted. I could tell that with subtle tweaks in my release I could make the ball really turn off the corner downlane or smooth
it out.

I think the Sync will offer a great ball motion for a variety of bowler styles and all though it may not look like the ball motion of the Nano for example, it will not take long for everyone to fall in love with this ball.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Storm Victory Road
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click to Enlarge

Storm's Victory Road gives the Thunder Line a new look.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5 5/16"
Mass Bias Position - n/a
Balance Hole - 1" x 2" on VAL from center of grip through CG
PSA Layout - 5 5/16" x 3 5/16" with a 4 7/8" pin buffer

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (1500 grit Polish)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
We were going to be testing both of the new Storm releases together. I thought it would be best to use the same layout on both so we could see the same type of roll out of both balls but let the balls shine on their own with their specific characteristics.

This layout has worked well for me on Storm balls in the past. One of my favorite Storm ball of all time, the Dimension, was drilled identical to this and I still use that ball as my go to ball to this day. This layout allows for plenty of skid while maintaining a good roll through the mid-lane and popping off the breakpoint.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
I ended up with my favorite Thunder line ball ever.

I think a combination of the ball/layout and pattern all came together perfectly. From the first shot I threw loosening up I had an amazing ball motion with this ball.

It handled the front part of the lane perfectly, even as the night went on and there was more friction up front it got through it easily. I saw a good transition in the middle part of the lane without the ball really over reading any friction.

Once it got the the break point it meant business. Every shot no matter where I was at on the lane came back. I don't care how far left I was or how far right the ball was at the break point it came back. I have not seen this kind of energy on the backend this consistently in a long time. All night I never had one come up light, it just kept going left.

As you will see from our video I tried playing in a variety of parts of the lane and every time it did what it was supposed to. With mid-performance balls reacting stronger and stronger and getting closer to high performance balls the Victory Road sets a new standard for everyone including Storm to live up to.



Was this comment helpful? yes no

Storm Victory Road Solid
323 of 327 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click to Enlarge
Looking for more traction in the midlane and an earlier breakpoint, the Victory Road Solid is for you.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5"
Mass Bias Position - 4" from PAP
PSA Layout - 5" x 4" x 4"
Balance Hole - n/a


Surface Preparation - Out of Box (3000 Grit Abralon)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
So it is no secret that I am a big fan of the Victory Road. That ball for me was so strong off the break point and I love it on so many different kinds of conditions. Like anyone else that has thrown that ball, it does not work the best on really fresh oil or when there are higher volumes of oil. The Victory Road Solid should take care of this issue.

I used a pretty simple 5"x4"x4" layout on this ball so that we could really see what it was capable of. I expected this layout to allow me to control the break point and shape with subtle hand position changes. Either way that fact that this is a Victory Road with a strong dull coverstock makes me think that this will be good.


What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Exactly what I expected. The Victory Road Solid offered me all of the same great parts I loved about the original but in a cover that allowed to me play in the heavier oil.

Off my hand the Victory Road Solid looked as strong as any high performance ball with its 3000 grit Abralon cover the ball cut through the oil and got
into a really good position in the middle part of the lane. The nice thing about this dull version was that it did not lose all of its energy by the
backend. I was still getting plenty of ball motion off the break point and the ball hit like a truck.

All in all another really good ball release in this awesome series of balls from Storm.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Storm Virtual Energy
1291 of 1292 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click Layout Image to Enlarge


Virtual Energy, The perfect compliment to Storm's Premier line of bowling balls.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5 1/4" above ring finger
Mass Bias Position - 4" from PAP right of thumb
CG Placement - center of grip
Balance Hole - none

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (1500 grit Polish)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
This is the identical layout I used on one of my favorite Storm balls ever, The Gravity Shift. Since the Virtual series kind of came from the Shift series I thought it was an appropriate layout to use on this awesome looking pearlized Virtual Energy.

The layout normally allows me to play a variety of shots from up the boards to as deep as I want to get on a typical house shot. As you will see from our ball reaction video this ball allows me to cover as many boards as I want and still gets through the pins as good as any other Storm ball.


What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Just like in anything else there are hot streaks, right now Storm is on the hottest ball streak i think I have ever seen. I do not care what ball shape, what performance level, what color the ball is, if it has a lightning bolt on it - IT ROLLS GREAT!!

Storm has not missed a release in quite some time and the Virtual Energy is no exception. I have seen some of the best ball motions ever after watching my Virtual Gravity and Virtual Energy go down the lane. The Energy allows me to get a little more skid through the front part of the lane, compared to my Gravity with just as much if not a little more recovery on the back. Really, I could not miss far enough right to make this ball not get back to the pocket.

My Virtual Gravity was drilled differently but it still recovered well. The Virtual Energy just offered me a different look which may hold up longer on a typical house shot. All that says to me is that I get to play anywhere I want for a longer period of time.

Whether you have a Virtual Gravity or not you will be impressed with every single part of what the Virtual Energy offers.
Was this comment helpful? yes no


Storm Virtual Gravity
192 of 192 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click Layout Image to Enlarge


Virtual Gravity, An Unstoppable Force from Storm.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 6"
Mass Bias Position - above thumb hole on center line
CG Placement -
Balance Hole - none

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (4000 grit Abralon)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
This one was pretty easy to think of the ball motion we wanted. The Virtual Gravity features the SHAPE-LOCK HD
core which was found int he Gravity Shift. It also has the solid version of the R2X coverstock that was
also on the Gravity Shift.

Since we were a big fan of the Gravity Shift this was a much anticipated release. I was hoping the solid cover
would help the ball read the friction a little earlier which should help smooth out the overall ball motion. If you
ever threw a Gravity Shift or watched someone throw the Gravity Shift you know that it makes a U Turn on the back end.
we have been this layout more and more on test balls so they are easier to compare, it also helps create a smoother ball motion
in the front and middle part of the lane while still allowing for plenty of movement on the backend if you want.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
WOW!!!

I will state it now, there is nobody that will not want this ball once they see it roll. After you finish reading this review you need to check out our video and see for yourself.

I could not believe the reaction I had with this ball. We tested this ball on our fresh house shot, to start off I was being conservative with my lines and angles. Playing the part of the lane where I would typically be during normal
league conditions. As I saw what this ball could do I migrated as far left as I wanted and watched the ball change directions with ease.

I honestly can not remember the last time I had a ball that allowed me to make the ball change directions at the break point like this ball does. On paper I really thought this ball would react similar but a little stronger then my Gravity Shift. They were not even close, they were very compatible but not the same ball at all. Every move I made with this ball it read the oil
and reacted off of the friction amazingly. The ball motion of the Virtual Gravity is what we are all really looking for, it rolls really heavy in the front part of the lane but does not hook early or burn up early. Through the mid lane section you see it start to read the friction but really just maintaining the heavy roll and then on the back part of the lane it makes a very distinct motion to the pocket.

As you will see from our video review, we made this ball do some amazing things. Storm has the winner so far for winter releases!
Was this comment helpful? yes no


Storm Virtual Gravity NANO
1265 of 1268 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click to Enlarge
Storm took one of the most successful balls ever and made it more AGGRESSIVE!

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5 1/2"
Mass Bias Position - 4" from PAP
Balance Hole - n/a
PSA Layout - 5 1/2" x 4" x 4 1/2"

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (4000 grit Abralon)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
Well obviously just by looking at this ball you think Virtual Gravity and of course that ball was a beast.
My original test ball was drilled using a layout I love but overall not many people use something like that. With the Virtual Gravity Nano I decided to use a more conventional layout and a layout we have seen a lot lately on some other test balls.

This layout on a more aggressive Virtual Gravity should create an amazing amount of mid-lane roll with a absolute ridiculous amount of motion on the back end. I am really excited to throw this ball and see what it does.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
I got the Nano really close to my original Virtual Gravity. I do see the slight increase in overall ball motion and overall hook. I already stated that the two drillings on my original VG and the new Nano are completely different with that being said I think this shows just how versatile of a combination Storm has created and I completely agree with the release of this ball from them.

The Nano was awesome, off my hand I felt like there was nowhere on the lane I could not get this ball back from. As you can see if you watch our video review on the ball my ball motion was long, strong and angular. The Nano never quit and the amount of hook I had in my hands was amazing. For most of you that threw a Virtual Gravity you will love the new look the Nano offers, not saying the original was not strong but the change is noticeable. If you never threw the original you are in for a treat because this ball will not let you down.

As the night progressed I was able to move in and find some more oil and I could throw this ball as long as I wanted to. This was a feature I loved about
the original Virtual Gravity. I remember bowling league and everyone else had to go to weaker balls and they lost a little something and I just went deeper
and threw the VG all night. This ball showed me similar features and I think would allow the same if I wanted.

Don't miss the new release coming early March, it will blow you away.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Storm Virtual Gravity NANO Pearl
1605 of 1617 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click to Enlarge

Get everything you got the from Nano in a pearlized cover!

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 4"
PSA Layout - 4" x 4" x 2 1/2"
Balance Hole - 1" x 2" on PAP

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (1500 Grit Polished)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
First of all I would like to say that this was possibly the most anticipated release of the year for me. I completely love the Virtual Gravity line
including the Virtual Gravity Nano released earlier this year. But in my opinion that ball pearlized has to be one of the best balls ever seen by
the bowling industry. Even though I am not currently bowling league I was excited to drill this ball and throw it. That does not happen very often, now on to the review.

As every bowler in the world knows by now the VG Nano was arguably one of the best balls made by Storm. But if you are a higher rev player you would appreciate seeing it in a pearlized cover so that with all that power we can move a little further right and really open up the lane. Well Storm has answered our prayers and we expect the Virtual Gravity Nano Pearl to do just that. Pack all that power into a pearlized package and let us play further right.

Since we all like to see the ball hook we kept the layout stronger then normal for a Storm ball and expect to see plenty of down lane movement out of this ball.


What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Exactly what I wanted and exactly what I think Storm needed. The Virtual Gravity Nano Pearl speaks for itself on the lanes.

The ability to move right with a ball that strong is a deadly combination on today's oil patterns. It is not often that you can take such a strong piece
of equipment, drill it very strong and play in the highest scoring area of the lane possible for multiple games.

The Virtual Gravity Nano Pearl does all of the above and looks absolutely wonderful doing it.

My review on this ball is a waste of time if you have already watched the video. There is nothing I can say that would tell you something you can not see for yourself by watching our video review.

The Nano Pearl is strong - check
The Nano Pearl is amazing - check
The Nano Pearl will blow away the competition - check
The Nano Pearl is the next ball you should buy - check

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Storm Vivid
618 of 623 people found this review helpful
5

Click to Enlarge


The best ball motion just got a little more Vivid.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5 1/4"
Dual Angle Layout - 5 1/4" x 3 3/4" x 4"
Balance Hole - On VAL from center of grip through cg

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (2000 Grit Abralon)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
Well we knew the Vivid had a lot to live up to since the balls that came before it were the Virtual Gravity Nano and Nano Pearl.
We went with my typical layout on Storm test balls that should allow me to get the ball downlane easily and see plenty of motion of my break point.

The Vivid is said to fit in between the Virtual Gravity Nano (solid) and Pearl version, offering a smoother motion with plenty of reaction down lane. This layout should suit this ball perfectly and allow me to play from a deeper angle and have plenty of recovery off the back portion of the lane.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
From the moment the Vivid hit the lane I knew I was going to like it. It looked really good right off my hand going down the lane.

In the heads the ball was as smooth as any other Premier line ball from Storm recently. I feel like it was a little smoother in the heads then the original Nano was. That smooth but strong motion continued into the middle part of the lane as the ball started to transition and see some friction on the lane.

The vivid was very solid off my break point and always made it back. There were a few shots that I leaked a little right and really gave up on it but it
came back strong off the break point and carried the pins with ease.

Storm had a lot on their plate when it came to backing up the Nano releases and I think for Storm fans they will appreciate the subtle differences and really like the overall motion the Vivid brings to the line.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Storm Zero Gravity
362 of 366 people found this review helpful
5
With the Storm Zero Gravity no pins will be left on the deck!

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5"
PSA Layout - 5" x 4 1/2" x 2 1/2"
Balance Hole - n/a

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (4000 grit pad)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
I did not have a particular motion in mind on this test. All I knew is that Storm was bringing back a modified version of the Virtual Gravity
core with the ERG cover from the Lucid.

In my mind I saw this ball being super aggressive on the fresh and not leaving anything behind on the deck. I went with one of my stronger PSA Layouts
on this ball to see all that it could do.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
I ended up really liking this ball, I mean a lot. Storm was able to perfectly incorporate the smooth motion from the Lucid with all the power of the Virtual Gravity.

As we have seen from so many matte finish higher end balls, the Zero Gravity was really clean off my hand. I was able to get it through the heads easily and
really create a great angle off my hand.

As the ball transitioned it turned up the power without ever reading too early. I saw plenty of hook and recovery with this ball from a variety of angles. No matter how steep I tried to get with it, it recovered and hit like a truck. The part of the ball test that I was really impressed with was how many boards I
was able to cover without ever getting too much reaction in any one part of the lane. My carry with this ball was through the roof because although I was deeper on the lane my angles were solid.

I think bowlers that liked the Lucid and that liked the Virtual Gravity motions will find something in the Zero Gravity they are comfortable with.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Track Hx16
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
5
A High-performance ball for high-rev players who need excellent length and continuation for their game.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 4 1/2"
Dual Angle Layout - 60* x 4 1/2" x 40*
Balance Hole - n/a

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (500/1000 Abralon w/ Factory Finish Polish)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
It has been such a long time for us to throw a Track ball, we were kind of shooting blind on this one.

We knew the HX16 was meant for length with good continuation so I went with a stronger pin up layout. This layout should suit the ball motion nicely and give me a really clean front with a good motion off the breakpoint.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
The ball did exactly what Track said it would do. Extremely smooth and good continuation downlane.

I dont know if this would be the first ball out of the bag on the fresh for me but in the second game when they opened up a little I could see this ball rolling really well.

It was super clean off my hand and on the fresh forced me further right then normal. It got through the mids clean not reading any friction. On the back, the ball made a strong move but not overly jumpy in any part of the lane. A really solid motion from start to finish.

I did notice that the ball would recover well, as you can see in a few of my shots, this was great to see. Sometimes with these smoother HP balls they tend to not recover as well as the HX16 did.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Track Kinetic
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click Layout Image to Enlarge


The Track Kinetic is the first ball in their UMP series. After all the hype we had heard we had to see what this ball did.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5 1/8"
Mass Bias Position - 2" right of thumb hole
CG Placement - grip center
Balance Hole - none

Surface Preparation - Out of Box Finish (2000 Abralon w/ Powerhouse Factory Finish)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
We used Track's recommended ball layout on this one. We always find that if a ball manufacturer takes the time to illustrate a layout that they recommend it is best to try that first. We always suggest this to our customers because they have obviously done plenty of testing to get to that layout for optimal ball reaction. Everything we have heard about this ball told us it was going to be a very aggressive skid/flip ball reaction. We went with that and we were hoping to see a strong ball motion even with its glossy finish. We were hoping this ball would be aggressive enough to use early in the night on the fresh pattern and maybe even go long enough to carry us through a normal league night well into the third game.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
This should be one of our easier and possibly shorter reviews in a while. A lot of times a company comes out with a ball and they have a general idea of the ball motion they are looking for and they know pretty much what to expect by their own testing before the ball is released. Track nailed this one. It did exactly what they said it would do, it went long and made a serious non-stopping left hand turn.

This ball was so strong but so clean through the front that it was no wonder it had so much energy to spare in the back part of the lane. I wont't waste any of our time with all the specifics because it can be summed up quicky, SKID/FLIP.

If that is the ball motion you are looking for the Track Kinetic would be a great ball choice. So far from what I have seen from Track and Columbia's new ball line the move to Kentucky was the best thing that ever happened to those companies.



Was this comment helpful? yes no


Track Legion Solid
8 of 9 people found this review helpful
5
The solidarity of the Legion is growing.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5"
Dual Angle Layout - 55* x 5" x 35*
Balance Hole - n/a

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (500/2000 grit Abralon)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
I went with the same layout as my Legion to see the differences between the two.

Obviously, with this Legion Solid being a solid reactive surface with a matte finish I knew I would see earlier roll with a smoother motion off the spot.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Man this was a really good motion for me.

First of all, I love a solid black bowling ball. I love not seeing anything as the ball rolls down the lane, plus the entire house doesn't know when I miss :)

Back to the ball motion though, the Legion Solid did just as I thought it would. It gave me a really strong but controllable motion from the heads to the pins. I definitely could see this ball being the first ball out of the bag on league night.

The ball was strong enough that I could get into the oil but it really smoothed out for me downlane allowing me to control my entry angle better. Don't misunderstand smooth in this case, this ball still hooked plenty just in the right parts of the lane and not over reacting in any spot.

I was super impressed with the way it went off the pin deck. There was no deflection at all, it drove through and kept the pins really low which I always like to see.

All in all another great release from Track. If you havent thrown a Track ball this season you need to try one.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Track Paradox
23 of 27 people found this review helpful
5
Some things are just better left unexplained - Paradox

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5"
Dual Angle Layout - 55* x 5" x 35*
Balance Hole - n/a

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (500/2000 Abralon)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
We were not given a ton of information on the new Track Paradox. Just that it was all new and a totally different ball motion
not only for Track but for the entire EBI family.

As soon as I saw this ball, my first thought was that it was going to be super strong. I figured it would burn up early and die for
me. Typically strong dull balls do not match up really good for me. I am usually able to use them for maybe a game or so then I'm left
guessing and moving all over the place.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
I was completely shocked and impressed with this ball motion.

To say this is a "new" ball motion for Track is a complete understatement. The Track Paradox is possibly going to be one of the best balls this season
and maybe one of the best Track balls we have ever seen.

The Paradox was a total surprise in the heads for me. It did not read friction early at all. It allowed me to get in as deep as I wanted and
create a really good look through the heads and the middle part of the lane. In the mids the ball revved up great but did not seem
to be effected by friction.

The ball was an absolute beast downlane. As you know I like to see the ball change direction and the Paradox did just that. If you watch
our video review, you will see the motion I had and pay close attention to the where the ball is when it goes off the pin deck.

The Track Paradox is going to be the perfect ball for bowlers of all styles.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Track Paradox Trilogy
9 of 9 people found this review helpful
5
Bring the confusion to full capacity for your opponent with the Track Paradox Trilogy!

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5"
Dual Angle Layout - 55* x 5" x 35*
Balance Hole - n/a
Surface Preparation - Out of Box (500/1000 Abralon w/ Factory Finish Polish)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
The Paradox Trilogy is the third release in this series and features a Hybrid Reactive coverstock wrapped around the Paradox core.

The Trilogy should provide a smoother motion then the previous releases while still being on the stronger side of ball motions for this season.

I used my favorite pin up layout to see what this ball does compared to some of my other equipment and compared to the previous videos we did for the Paradox line-up.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
WOW! I will say it was smoother then the previous Paradox balls but do not mistake that for weak. This ball gets up and goes as much as anything else we have tested so far this season.

Although it is still plenty strong the Trilogy was one of my favorites so far. It was strong enough to get in the oil and play but it was much more controllable for me which allowed me to play a variety of angles.

It was smooth int he heads but you knew this ball needed some oil to clear them perfectly. As it transitioned I saw a much better, more controllable motion as it got into the back part of the lane.

On the back end of the lane this ball went pretty nuts. It changed directions aggressively and with plenty of power. I see how this ball would complete the trilogy of Paradox balls. If you have thrown either of the earlier balls and want a Hybrid, smoother, more controllable version of that the Paradox Trilogy is perfect for you.

Was this comment helpful? yes no

Track Phoenix
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click Layout Image to Enlarge


Another solid ball release from Track. The Phoenix introduces Track's Ascent core combined with their DSR (Dura Soak Resin) coverstock. We drilled our Phoenix with the pin 4" from the PAP with a 1" x 2" hole located on the PAP. We use this drilling to keep the ball stable through the heads while storing up enough energy to still pop on the backend.

The Phoenix did just what we expected it was clean throughout the night in the heads and maintained plenty of backend motion. The ball was a little sensitive to oil down, but a stronger layout should fix that quickly. Overall the Phoenix was a little weaker than our Power Machine but still will find a place in our bag.
Was this comment helpful? yes no


Track Power Machine
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click Layout Image to Enlarge


We drilled our Track Power Machine with what has been a great layout for our tester on high permance Track balls.

We placed the pin 5 1/4" from the PAP and kept the Mass Bias marking in Track's strongest position about 2" right of the thumb hole. We ended up not needing any extra hole in this layout.

We were very impressed by how much this ball reacted. We were thinking we were going to have the smoothest of the Machines when we tyhrew this ball and we were wrong. The movement on the backend was amazing with the strongest roll in the mid-lane that we have seen out of a pearlized ball lately.
Was this comment helpful? yes no


Track The Rising
21 of 21 people found this review helpful
4

About the Bowler

League Average:
215.00
PAP:
5 1/8 right 1/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
0.00
Experience:

Click Layout Image to Enlarge


Here it is after a long wait the Track Rising featuring the Mega Tron Core!

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5 1/8"
Mass Bias Position - 3" right of center line
CG Placement - 2 1/2" right of grip center
Balance Hole - none

Surface Preparation - Out of Box Finish (4000-grit Abralon)


A few weeks ago I had the bright idea to make some changes to my grip and so I started cleaning out all of my older balls in my arsenal. By the time I was done I realized I did not keep anything that had my old specs and I only had a few balls with the new grip. After a couple of weeks using the new grip I decided to go back to my old grip and that meant I had nothing. So from here on out I rebuilding my ball arsenal and will most likely be adding a few balls that I already had and got rid of.

Now without further delay here is my ball review of one of my only two balls.

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
Well I have been extremely impressed with the "New" Track since Ebonite purchased them. The anticipation of The Rising had me a little worried because sometimes you build up the ball reaction in your mind and it does not meet your expectations.

I wanted to see what this ball had to offer. We used Tracks recommended layout on this ball and we left the cover alone. We hope to do some adjustments later on but for the sake of getting a good review we left everything alone and used as Track intended.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Strong, strong, strong ball motion. I thought my Kinetic offered the perfect ball motion, not taking anything away from that great Track ball but this ball is nuts. I don't know how they got this ball to be so solid and clean int he front and middle part of the lane with this core and coverstock combination
but they did.

The Rising was a huge surprise for me in the first 40 feet of the lane. I was expected a lot of overall hook from start to finish but this ball follows Track's signature of long and strong. I swear I think a polished one of these balls could get you well into a 8 game sweeper it is so clean in the front.

Enough for the front lets talk about the part of the lane where this ball will blow your mind - the back! I saw this ball literally stop and put its left turn signal on. It makes one of the strongest and I guess steepest moves I have seen. I mean it came back from any spot on the lane with any ball speed I could muster up. If you read my Kinetic review you know I love that ball and it did hook a lot on the back as well. But this was different hook. This was more but in a different way.

This is definitely a ball worth trying especially if you need one of the strongest overall ball motions offered today.
Was this comment helpful? yes no


Showing comments 1-293 of 293
Click here to shop smart deals Need Help? Click here to access our contact information. Pyramid Promo 2025 1000's of FREE Tips and Articles
WeeklyContestText Click here to shop Pyramid Power Moon Bowling Ball