PLAYER STATS
Style = Stroker/mild tweener, right-handed
Speed = ~14-16 mph
PAP = 5" over & 7/8" up (high track)
Axis tilt = ~20°
Revs = ~275-325 RPM at release
BALL LAYOUT:
=====+====
===o=o====
==========
=====#====
==========
====O=====
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+ = Pin
# = CG
WHY THIS BALL?
I frequently encounter rather light to medium conditions in league, and my lower ball speed and the high track make balls roll rather early. Most reactive balls are just to strong for my game, resulting in a fight with the equipment's lack of length or carry, or both.
Urethane pieces with a lower RG core and medium differential have turned out to suit my game well (e. g. a black Pure Hammer or a Lord Field Burning Up), but I am still looking out for a mild reactive piece that offers more traction than these.
Brunswick’s Fanatic BTU balls looked promising, and the BTU Pearl (esp. because of its lower differential) appeared to fill that gap between the urethane pieces and conventional mid-range reactive balls in my arsenal, so I gave it a try.
I was lucky that my trusted pro shop owner and ball driller was able to find a NIB piece for me (the ball had just been taken out of Brunswick’s catalogue), and we chose my standard 4.5x4.5 layout, which placed the pin above my ring finger and the CG 1†under it. No balance hole was necessary, and I kept the ball OOB (4.000 grit), which is a sheen surface, but not glossy.
SOME IMPRESSIONS:
Well, two words to describe the Fanatic BTU Pearl:“Smoothâ€and “Strongâ€. Brunswick promised a mild, arcing ball, and this is what I definitively got - even though "mild" rather describes the hook and breakpoint shape than the hook potential! Despite the “go-long-and-hook-late†layout on my specimen, the ball turned out to be quite rolly – some will say that this was a typical Brunswick trait, but I rather think that this is just the coverstock and its properties, which (successfully) mimic a urethane reaction shape.
After a good number of games on various oil patterns (recreational and sport) I feel that the ball is very predictable and steady, not jumpy at all. But, at least with the OOB finish, it reads the lane well and quite early – it is, at least for me, much stronger than expected, and handles more/longer oil than I frequently encounter and which I’d call light to medium conditions.
The ball also reacts well to release changes – even though it is, when the oil condition simply does not allow it or the lane surface is very clean/grippy, hard to get enough/more length out of it.
However, when compared with urethane pieces, the extra grip is very effective on spotty back ends – the Fanatic BTU Pearl is a very good control piece.
Concerning the ball’s durability, things look good. The OOB finish does not wear out too quickly, and overall the ball shows only minor signs of wear and tear, with no discernible track area or change of reaction (but I clean it frequently and wipe the ball clean before every shot).
I haven’t experimented with the surface, yet, because I fear that a high gloss finish will make the ball jumpier, so that it loses its great controllability.
MY PERSONAL CONCLUSION:
A good ball, smooth but stronger than expected (and advertised). This might depend on the player’s style, but for me the Fanatic BTU Pearl is a versatile medium condition ball that covers a wide range of lane conditions. Its biggest selling point is IMHO its steady, unspectacular and rather arcing reaction on the lane, as well as its good reaction to release changes. The silvery-white material with light blue engravings is also a quite extraordinary design.
But beware: it is certainly not a dry lane ball, unless you have no revs or a very low track.
PERSONAL RATING SCALE:
Length/through the heads:
Easy *****X**** Needs head oil
Breakpoint shape:
Arc **X******* Angular
Hook potential:
Low ****X***** High
Control:
Stable *X******** Erratic
Durability:
Poor *******X** High
Suited for…
Dry ***X***** Oily
Range of utility/lane conditions:
Limited ooooXooooo Broad
Subjective overall rating of this ball:
Poor oooooooXoo Excellent
This scale is inspired by popular rating methods and the results ultra-subjective. Surface prep, layouts and different playing styles will change the results for sure - it is just personal experience with the reviewed ball at OOB finish
LANE UTILITY CHART (Pattern length vs. oil volume)
|S M L
|h e o
|o d n
|r . g
|t
_______
|0 X X| Light volume
|+ X +| Medium volume
|+ 0 0| Heavy volume
Legend:
X = Best suited with effective control & carry
+ = Fairly suited (works, somehow, but can lack control and effectiveness)
0 = Unsuited (ineffective, either slips helplessly or burns up)
The chart’s concept is borrowed from Storm's 2003 print catalogue. Surface prep, layout or a different playing style will change the result.
