BallReviews

Equipment Boards => Brunswick => Topic started by: BrunsMike on February 07, 2007, 02:49:25 PM

Title: Me versus Octane Coverstock
Post by: BrunsMike on February 07, 2007, 02:49:25 PM
Okay, I have given both the radical inferno and total inferno, more so the total, more then enough time.

The Radical was too light so that ball never really got a fair chance. Seems to be a great 3rd game ball though.

The Total is on its 5th surface prep and well, I still do not see the advertised backend hook from this ball. This is one 1 drill layout. I still am not done with this ball just yet. I will be trying another drilling on this ball, maybe the rico layout.

As of right now though, I will not be buying any more Octane based cover stock balls from brunswick until I can figure out my problem here.

To give you an idea, my Rampage I can play 15-5 all day long and carry for the most part. The total will play virtually the same line just 4 boards left of target then the rampage with the same break point which would be 19-5. When I do find the pocket on a regular basis the ball is over/under by a lot. Lots of washouts and splits with this ball too, tonight I had 15 total splits! Chalk up another ball to bad experience.
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Mike Zadler
Using the best brand in the nation, BRUNSWICK!!!
Below, my stats from previous seasons:
http://members.bowl.com/FindAMember/memberView.aspx?ms=12886&mp=552&s=2005-2006
Winter season averages at Sunset Lanes in Waukegan IL.
Wed. Nite Ave: 196
Thur. Nite Ave: 216
http://www.BrunsNick.com
Title: Re: Me versus Octane Coverstock
Post by: BrunsMike on February 07, 2007, 11:07:34 PM
Did I expect more from this ball then its capable of, based on their advertising... No. I just wanted something that would be able to play the medium oil a little better. Like i said before, I have not fully given up on the ball yet. I just have to wait and make a decision, sell the ball now before I kill the resale value with a 2nd drill or do the 2nd drill and suck up the resale value to a lesson learned??
--------------------
Mike Zadler
Using the best brand in the nation, BRUNSWICK!!!
Below, my stats from previous seasons:
http://members.bowl.com/FindAMember/memberView.aspx?ms=12886&mp=552&s=2005-2006
Winter season averages at Sunset Lanes in Waukegan IL.
Wed. Nite Ave: 196
Thur. Nite Ave: 216
http://www.BrunsNick.com
Title: Re: Me versus Octane Coverstock
Post by: Kinalyx on February 08, 2007, 12:07:07 AM
for me, i typically use layouts that i know work for me.  If i drill a ball up & it doesnt work, it gets sold/traded.  On the rare occasion that i try out a different drilling, such as a rico(hated it on the 1 ball ive tried it on so far), or when i get a total NV the TJ "trick" layout, if it doesnt work, i will still typically sell the ball, & possibly buy another, or just get something different.


My main reason for doing this is because i usually dont keep a ball longer than 3-4 months tops, unless i REALLY like it, in which case i will usually keep it until it falls apart.  The other reason i have for not plugging & redrilling is, as inverted said, its a crap shoot as to whether or not its the drilling or the ball.  Unless u used a really odd drilling u dont normally use, its probably the ball that doesnt match up well with u, which means if u plug & redrill, not only have u spent more money on a ball u cant use, its worth MUCH less being that its a 2nd drill.


Just my 1/50th of a dollar.


Shawn
Title: Re: Me versus Octane Coverstock
Post by: splendorlex on February 08, 2007, 12:47:41 AM
Mike,

The layout only affects reaction by something like 10%, you're not going to make gold out of a pile of dung.  If it ain't working for you, chances are it won't.  Sell it while it's hot.
--------------------
If you aren't watching 'The Wire,' the government should be forced to come to your house and repossess your television. END OF STORY!

Mr. Lebowski, this is Bill Salnicker with the Southern Cal Bowling League, and I just got a, an informal report, that a member of your team, uh, Walter Sobchak, drew a firearm during league play. If this is true of course, it contravenes a number of the league's by-laws, and article 27 of the league...

BOB:  Did you see the way she was lookin' at me?
DOUG:  Yeah, because she thought you were some kind of freak!
Title: Re: Me versus Octane Coverstock
Post by: leftehh- LG on February 08, 2007, 12:56:21 AM
have you messed with the surface on this ball. from what I seen this ball doesnt look too good.
--------------------
Bowl to Win!

"Norm Duke is living proof that elves exist"
Title: Re: Me versus Octane Coverstock
Post by: Kinalyx on February 08, 2007, 02:08:20 AM
Im going to say that the TI is 1 of my favorite balls out right now.  OOB worked GREAT for me, ive since gone to about 800-1000grit(its a grey SB pad that had already been used on another ball first, so im not totally sure what grit its at now), and honestly....i dont really like it anywhere near as much as i did OOB.  I think i may take it up to 2000abralon & see if that gives me a little earlier read than the OOB did, but im thinking im going to go back to OOB on the total, & shine up my WCP that replaced the total for med/heavy.


Just my opinion.


Shawn
Title: Re: Me versus Octane Coverstock
Post by: floater163 on February 08, 2007, 07:15:43 AM

Mike I only have the radical so my views are only for that ball.  When I got mine I left it in OOB and loved it on the dry without any carrydown.  the problem was I did not encounter this condition enough to warrant keeping the ball this way and I already have a punisher that I use for this condition.  I then just took the shine off with a green scotch brite pad and I was able to use it on freshly oiled conditions but when the oil starts pushing down I cannot carry very well any longer and I am not able to swing this ball a whole lot.  I have had most of my success up the boards and being really firm with the ball.  I also noticed that after the ball started tracking some I got a more consistent reaction.  These are just my findings but I agree the WOW factor has not been there for me either.
Title: Re: Me versus Octane Coverstock
Post by: WSUstroker on February 08, 2007, 07:17:42 AM
Mike, I have experienced the same thing with my total.  I saw my pro shop guy throw his and his is a big hooking ball, moderate length with a booming backend, layed out exactly like mine.  When I threw my ball in OOB finish, it checked up early when I got it out and pooped out when I kept it in.  I have since polished it and have found it to be a decent ball when I keep the angle off my hand down.  For me, I cannot swing this ball and get a nice reaction, but when I keep it straighter, it reacts very nicely and the hit is very good.  The ball for me is not what I expected, but I am happier now as it gives me a reaction that I did not have before.
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Dan Chambers
www.absolutebowling.com
Title: Re: Me versus Octane Coverstock
Post by: triggerman on February 08, 2007, 07:26:02 AM
most, actually all of the totals i have seen are move of an up the boards type of ball, i have not seen anyone stand left and rip it, of course the 4-5 i have seen have been from up the board bowlers, and they seem to really get a nice reaction out ot it, carries well and hits hard.  maybe it is not quite the big hooker it is claimed to be (oh, and all are OOB)
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www.bowlingballexchange.com

Triggerman

F.O.S Loud, F.O.S. Proud

Lane #1 Baby

Title: Re: Me versus Octane Coverstock
Post by: splendorlex on February 08, 2007, 08:41:28 AM
I'll preface this by saying I LOVE the Absolute I just picked up recently.  Anyhow, this kind of reminds me of when the Smokin' first came out.  You had your guys who liked the ball, and your guys who just couldn't get it to work.  After a month, it seemed that less and less people liked the ball, and even the guys who said they liked it stopped using it.  Maybe the Total is too drill or condition specific?  I know with the Smokin' I was expecting one thing, strong skid/snap on medium oil, and got hook/set on dry at best.  Could this be the case with the Total?  Is it just a very "sensitive" ball?
--------------------
If you aren't watching 'The Wire,' the government should be forced to come to your house and repossess your television. END OF STORY!

Mr. Lebowski, this is Bill Salnicker with the Southern Cal Bowling League, and I just got a, an informal report, that a member of your team, uh, Walter Sobchak, drew a firearm during league play. If this is true of course, it contravenes a number of the league's by-laws, and article 27 of the league...

BOB:  Did you see the way she was lookin' at me?
DOUG:  Yeah, because she thought you were some kind of freak!
Title: Re: Me versus Octane Coverstock
Post by: GetYaWeigtUp on February 08, 2007, 08:54:39 AM
I've heard a lot of people say their Total isnt very strong on the backend but mine hooks a lot. I have it drilled aggressive also. This is what Im using...

---O--O--------
--------P-----x
----------cg---
----0----------

I had to polish it down to 1500 just to keep it on the right side of the lane, the rough buff was to aggessive for me, and Im a stroker with avg revs and speed.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zAQSNIrgyM
Title: Re: Me versus Octane Coverstock
Post by: Phoneman on February 08, 2007, 08:58:05 AM
I would love to get some idea of what drilling you have.  Your original post says a 1 but not moroe info.  I have mine drilled up very close to 4L layout and find this ball is a monster.  I am playing across 23 at the arrows out to 10 just to keep it in the oil.  I have it polished also.  Ruff Buff was too aggressive. If I get it outside of 10 it will get back just so dry it rolls out.
Title: Re: Me versus Octane Coverstock
Post by: Deathclutch on February 08, 2007, 09:19:26 AM
My TI moves a ton. grey scotch pad + Rough Buff = money!
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Wannabe Regional staff member.

Edited on 2/8/2007 3:50 PM
Title: Re: Me versus Octane Coverstock
Post by: WSUstroker on February 08, 2007, 09:47:19 AM
quote:
My TI moves a ton. Burgandy scotch pad + Rough Buff = money!
--------------------
Wannabe Regional staff member.


Amazing, that surface prep for me would equal 35ft and roll-out.
--------------------
Dan Chambers
www.absolutebowling.com
Title: Re: Me versus Octane Coverstock
Post by: shelley on February 08, 2007, 09:55:23 AM
quote:
The layout only affects reaction by something like 10%, you're not going to make gold out of a pile of dung.  If it ain't working for you, chances are it won't.  Sell it while it's hot.


But that 10% can really be the difference between an over-under, inconsistent reaction and "gold".  Splits and washouts sounds like it's coming in just off the headpin, and a 10% difference in reaction might be all that's needed to fix that.

That said, I'd be pretty upset if I had to redrill a basically brand new ball just to get it to work properly.  That alone will reduce the resale value considerably more than a single drill.  Unless I were sure that the redrill would fix it (i.e., tried a goofy exotic layout and want to go back to something more reliable), I'd get out while the gettin's good.  A single drill TI should be worth plenty enough to get something new and the money you'd spend redrilling the TI would be comparable to what you'd spend drilling the new ball anyway.

SH
Title: Re: Me versus Octane Coverstock
Post by: RSalas on February 08, 2007, 10:14:16 AM
quote:
most, actually all of the totals i have seen are move of an up the boards type of ball, i have not seen anyone stand left and rip it, of course the 4-5 i have seen have been from up the board bowlers, and they seem to really get a nice reaction out ot it, carries well and hits hard.  maybe it is not quite the big hooker it is claimed to be (oh, and all are OOB)


I've seen the Total work well in the hands of both down-and-in players and coast-to-coast players.  However, the common denominator seems to be a higher pin-to-PAP distance, like 5" or more.  Layouts closer to leverage seem to result in over-flaring, which is the last thing you'd want with that lower-RG core.

Oh yes...my Total is drilled 5" under, and in box finish, and it's great for opening up tighter blends.  Think Scorchin' in the front, but Red Zone in back.
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...formerly "The Curse of Dusty," and "Poöter Boöf" before that...
Title: Re: Me versus Octane Coverstock
Post by: leftehh- LG on February 08, 2007, 12:51:31 PM
quote:
quote:
The layout only affects reaction by something like 10%, you're not going to make gold out of a pile of dung.  If it ain't working for you, chances are it won't.  Sell it while it's hot.


But that 10% can really be the difference between an over-under, inconsistent reaction and "gold".  Splits and washouts sounds like it's coming in just off the headpin, and a 10% difference in reaction might be all that's needed to fix that.

           
Or move your feet two left or right depending what hand you bowl with and save the moneys worth!
--------------------
Bowl to Win!

"Norm Duke is living proof that elves exist"
Title: Re: Me versus Octane Coverstock
Post by: BrunsMike on February 08, 2007, 04:09:32 PM
Okay guys, I appreciate the replies.

I said I wold have a photo of the layout last week but I completely forgot about it. Tonight gauranteed.

As for the ball, The layout thats on the Total is fairly the same as my rampage, just a longer pin. The layout on my Total is my most favorite layout also. I didnt realize this ball has a 4" pin.

The ball was in out of box polish and rolled great before I had the thumb plugged and redrilled to my span, and 95% of the plug material was drilled back into. After that the ball doesnt seem to wanna hook, I tried 5 different surfaces. 220 with matte finish, 800 with matte finish, 1000 no polish, 1000 matte finish, and right now its at 2000 polished. Best results were with the 1000 no polish. Hand positions dont seem to work very well at all. Yes the ball is over/under on the "Correct" line. Its just 4-5 boards stronger over my rampage. Heres a scary thought, Rampage which costs half of what the Total does retail looks like gold compared. If I wanted a high performance ball to go straight, id buy a NIB No Mercy! (the NM's ive seen locally have all been duds from what Ive seen)

Splendorlex, I am already ahead of you on thinking about other companies, this is just for the heavy oil lanes. Im looking at Ebonite once again for the heavy oil condition. I had The One and The BIG One, drilled identical and they complimented each other extremely nice.

I have come to my decision on what I am going to do with this ball. It is going up for sale or trade, there will be a post before the weekend in the For Sale/Trade forums.
--------------------
Mike Zadler
Using the best brand in the nation, BRUNSWICK!!!
Below, my stats from previous seasons:
http://members.bowl.com/FindAMember/memberView.aspx?ms=12886&mp=552&s=2005-2006
Winter season averages at Sunset Lanes in Waukegan IL.
Wed. Nite Ave: 196
Thur. Nite Ave: 216
http://www.BrunsNick.com
Title: Re: Me versus Octane Coverstock
Post by: northface28 on February 14, 2007, 01:56:29 PM
As long as you people keep drilling these super strong balls, with the pins/marked bias' right of your midline they are going to burn up and stop. Hence thats why most of you have to play a straighter line with them.
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Perception is NOT reality.


My Pics http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/northface28/album?.dir=/9f09&.src=ph
Title: Re: Me versus Octane Coverstock
Post by: rbroller815 on February 14, 2007, 07:01:47 PM
ive thrown the ti and i only throw brunswick and the lane 1 balls with brunswick coverstocks. i have my own on the way. The one i threw was pin up and it turned beautifully. It read the midlane well an cornered liked nobodies business. Was not a big fan of the radical but the total is on a whole diff level and i cant wait to get my fury. Pick that monster out its gunna b great
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**************************
Adam Carreon
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Title: Re: Me versus Octane Coverstock
Post by: BrunsMike on February 14, 2007, 10:14:24 PM
I was emailed by Billy O several different pin layouts. The ball is drilled incorrectly for me and most everyone else out there, probably why Frank The Tank never liked it either as the drilling was never changed from him to me just the correct span put on the ball. I will try 1 other drilling and then go from there. Might just say screw it and trade for a Red Zone. Dont know yet.
--------------------
Mike Zadler
Using the best brand in the nation, BRUNSWICK!!!
Below, my stats from previous seasons:
http://members.bowl.com/FindAMember/memberView.aspx?ms=12886&mp=552&s=2005-2006
Winter season averages at Sunset Lanes in Waukegan IL.
Wed. Nite Ave: 196
Thur. Nite Ave: 216
http://www.BrunsNick.com
Title: Re: Me versus Octane Coverstock
Post by: rbroller815 on February 14, 2007, 10:35:12 PM
dont screw it give it a shot if the drill matches u go for it should read well
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Adam Carreon
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