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Equipment Boards => Brunswick => Topic started by: PowrKoil17 on January 08, 2010, 03:54:55 AM

Title: Power Groove Line
Post by: PowrKoil17 on January 08, 2010, 03:54:55 AM
Can anyone tell me why Brunswick doesn't revamp the Power Groove Line. Why do they offer something like 5 balls with no real difference between them other than color(I believe they are all solids). If I am wrong on the previous statement please correct me. This ball line has a great coverstock in the PowrKoil 17. I would like to see them come up with a true pearl, to go along with the DryR and the Solid versions. Maybe throw the Sapphire Zone Core in it. I have both of the Sapphire Zones and a Power Groove, and love all three. I realize the Power Groove line is entry level, but it seems like the easiest to change. Basically I want Brunswick to reinvent the Sapphire Zone.
Title: Re: Power Groove Line
Post by: johns811 on January 08, 2010, 12:00:57 PM
I believe some are solids and some are pearls. The brunswick site has them listed like that.  

At one point they had a particle and particle pearl but those are long gone. The urethane is just a pancake block I think.
Title: Re: Power Groove Line
Post by: on January 08, 2010, 12:02:01 PM

The black/purple is a solid. The rest are pearls, except the urethane version. Perhaps one of the Avalanches may fit?




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Lane Carter, Strike Zone Pro Shops - Salt Lake City, Utah
Brunswick Pro Shop Staff

www.brunswickbowling.com

The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer and not of Brunswick Corporation.
Title: Re: Power Groove Line
Post by: Dave_in_Rio_Rancho on January 08, 2010, 03:12:48 PM
They are designed to give some hook at a low price for people moving up from plastic house balls.

They are entry level performance balls for bowlers who are as interested in the color of their ball as in the reaction. The color choices are intended to allow the bowlers to individualize their look.

The trade off in these balls is a low price with a pancake plus puck(s)core design that gives a more loping motion to the ball, compared to more sophisticated weight blocks.

Once the bowler graduates from these balls they can move on up to the Avalanche or something similar - or you can skip them all together.

Tell Brunswick you want them to re-make the Sapphire Zone in the Avalanche Series. The intended purpose of the Avalanche balls is to use proven cores and coverstocks so this would fit in with that goal.

Edited on 1/8/2010 4:29 PM
Title: Re: Power Groove Line
Post by: PowrKoil17 on January 08, 2010, 05:11:16 PM
If Brunswick were to remake the Sapphire Zone, I wouldn't care what ball line they place it in, but given the coverstock (PowrKoil 17)I just thought it would fit into the Power Groove line. Also, the Power Groove is a lot stronger ball than it is given credit for.

The Avalanches use the PowrKoil 18 coverstock. Maybe  Brunswick should come up with the "Retro Line" instead. This line could include the Danger Zone, Sapphire Zone, and maybe the Rhino in some sort of way.
Title: Re: Power Groove Line
Post by: BrunsBob on January 08, 2010, 05:48:36 PM
If you like the look that a Saphire Zone gave you, you should at least try the Avalanche Solid. Not dead on, but as close as you'll see.

By the way, every company's entry level line of balls consists of one design with multiple color choices.

I do like the "Retro" ball line idea. Not so sure we'd sell enough of each ball to make it worthwhile, but it is a novel idea.

RoB LaW

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I'm gettin' old, I'm hurtin', but I've got Brunswick balls.......Color me competitive.
Title: Re: Power Groove Line
Post by: PowrKoil17 on January 08, 2010, 06:04:32 PM
I think it worth Brunswick's time and effort to make these balls. Maybe as special order only. How similar are the PowrKoil 17 and 18 coverstocks. Is the difference noticeable?
Title: Re: Power Groove Line
Post by: LotsaBalls on January 08, 2010, 07:04:26 PM
As long as we are on the retro topic who would like to see some of the earlier asymmetric cores brought back into an upper midprice line. Those were some of the best balls I have ever had, my red zone is still in my bag and I have drill at least a 100 balls since I drill that ball.
Title: Re: Power Groove Line
Post by: kidlost2000 on January 09, 2010, 01:15:21 AM
The Sapphire Zone and The Pearl version(Blue Ice) Would be perfect for the next in the avalanche series.

Not to crazy of a core with a proven coverstock. Or just modify the avalanche/rhino core to give you the similar numbers from the Zone series with the PK17 and PK18 cover.

Mainly a little lower RG then the Avalanche. I would buy at least one of each right now.(probably more though)
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" men lie, women lie, numbers don't "
Title: Re: Power Groove Line
Post by: Brandon Riley on January 09, 2010, 03:05:24 AM
I would love to see older symmetric zone cores in a couple of midrange balls.  
However, i think what B really needs is a higher rg symmetric in either the snake or wild line.  Something that would compare more to what storm has done with the thunder line.
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Brandon Riley
Title: Re: Power Groove Line
Post by: Verbs on January 09, 2010, 06:50:17 AM
The difference between PK 17  & PK 18, on todays oils & harder lane surfaces, is minor at best.

Back in the mid 90's when these covers came out, better players could see some differences. But in todays environment, I dare say that VERY FEW people could see a difference, all things being equal (i.e. core, drilling, coverstock prep, etc.).

quote:
I think it worth Brunswick's time and effort to make these balls. Maybe as special order only. How similar are the PowrKoil 17 and 18 coverstocks. Is the difference noticeable?

--------------------
Larry Verble
Title: Re: Power Groove Line
Post by: BowlingBallVault on January 09, 2010, 08:05:37 AM
quote:
The difference between PK 17  & PK 18, on todays oils & harder lane surfaces, is minor at best.

Back in the mid 90's when these covers came out, better players could see some differences. But in todays environment, I dare say that VERY FEW people could see a difference, all things being equal (i.e. core, drilling, coverstock prep, etc.).

I think it worth Brunswick's time and effort to make these balls. Maybe as special order only. How similar are the PowrKoil 17 and 18 coverstocks. Is the difference noticeable?


Im an avid user of PowrKoil17 and PowrKoil18 (Original & Current), the reaction shape may be similar, but how each handles oil volume is night and day. PowrKoil17 on todays oils just flat out cant cut it. PowrKoil18 continues to show why it was a coverstock ahead of its time.
Title: Re: Power Groove Line
Post by: BrunsNick on January 09, 2010, 02:06:20 PM
PK17 and the lowest price point asymmetrical core ball on the market... I've done testing with these on a DeTerminator and made a Blue/Ivory hook off the lane for a buddy of mine.
--------------------
Nick Smith ... A.K.A. BrunsNick
Brunswick -=- PBA 03-10
http://www.BrunsNick.com
http://www.BrunswickBowling.com
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Best in the business.
Title: Re: Power Groove Line
Post by: kidlost2000 on January 09, 2010, 05:47:41 PM
There was something to the Blue/ivory because a friend of mine had one and that ball was impressive.

I had the gold/copper one and wasn't impressed. The proactive/pearl plum on the other hand was amazing.
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" men lie, women lie, numbers don't "
Title: Re: Power Groove Line
Post by: BrunsNick on January 09, 2010, 07:59:13 PM
Proactive Plum was by far my favorite of the bunch...
--------------------
Nick Smith ... A.K.A. BrunsNick
Brunswick -=- PBA 03-10
http://www.BrunsNick.com
http://www.BrunswickBowling.com
http://www.KRstrikeforce.com
Best in the business.
Title: Re: Power Groove Line
Post by: kidlost2000 on January 09, 2010, 10:09:49 PM
Also if you have any suggestions on bowling balls like whats been mentioned email it in


tom.tomaras@brunbowl.com

I did so suggesting the Sapphire Solid and Pearl remakes of some form and got a very quick response. They like to hear from people.

Tom has always been supper nice when I've e-mailed him on things.
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" men lie, women lie, numbers don't "
Title: Re: Power Groove Line
Post by: LaneHammer20 on January 09, 2010, 10:22:24 PM
One of the best bowlers in my are has been averaging 220 at a tough house and 230+ at other house with a Groove Proactive for a long time. He loves that ball, and he always remarks to others how it was only $30 dollars.

The ball impresses the heck out of me. I would like them to remake that because I would buy one
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What is sandbagging???

Title: Re: Power Groove Line
Post by: dizzyfugu on January 11, 2010, 02:21:46 AM
The Power Grooves are very good balls for the money - and due to their high differential very versatile. I find it sad, too, that the particle PGs are gone, and that the line is not expaneded beyond color versions. The Dry/R was a good addition, as well as the particle balls, or the solids (there once also was a sanded solid).

Anyway, I'd also like a PK17 ball with a more powerful core. Sapphire Zione sounds good, but there have also been the Red/Black and Green/Black Monsters, one with a low and another with a high differential. That could be a nice complement in the Avalanche line.

And, of course, there is still hope for the Danger Zone revival. It will probably never come back (Copperhead was close, though)...
--------------------
DizzyFugu - Reporting from Germany

Confused by bowling? Check out BR.com's vault of wisdom:  the unofficial FAQ section (http://"http://www.ballreviews.com/Forum/Replies.asp?TopicID=74110&ForumID=16&CategoryID=5")
Title: Re: Power Groove Line
Post by: kidlost2000 on January 11, 2010, 03:37:39 AM
I loved my green/black monster. I'm excited because I have a NIB wizard on the way. I forgot it had the PK18 cover and a slightly higher RG core. I'm really excited.
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" men lie, women lie, numbers don't "
Title: Re: Power Groove Line
Post by: BrunsBob on January 11, 2010, 05:04:40 AM
Hey Dizzy, not that you had access to them over there, but we had a Distributor here in the states that we did a remake of the Danger Zones for and they sold at least 2500 of them. That was a few years ago.

Normally the remakes would be done exclussively for a distributor that requests them, but we did try bringing back the Ultimate Inferno to see if it would go over well for us. It didn't, so it's doubtful that you will see us do it anytime soon for ourselves. I think it takes the push of a distributor to make it work out. You will, however, see balls that come from us that resemble balls of past, such as the Avalanche Line basically being the old Rhino Pro type ball. We will always take some of the ideas we see or hear about and take them into consideration.

Thank you all for showing such interest and support for Brunswick products. Keep up the great "teamwork" Bruns people.

RoB LaW

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I'm gettin' old, I'm hurtin', but I've got Brunswick balls.......Color me competitive.
Title: Re: Power Groove Line
Post by: dizzyfugu on January 12, 2010, 02:46:07 AM
BrusnBob, thank you! I think some of the DZ remakes made it overseas, AFAIK some are still available in the UK. I'd just like to use this ball, because its specs just sound so promising, even today. I can understand why it left such an impact at its time. I also bought a Blue Hammer out of curiosity, and this ball is also a great weapon. It just plays different than modern stuff, but I can understand why it was such a force on tour.

But I also understand a manufacturer's point of view, so hope is still there that such a remake might come along again, but I also doubt that it would ever become an official re-release again.

But MAYBE we will see a "vintage collection"...
--------------------
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Confused by bowling? Check out BR.com's vault of wisdom:  the unofficial FAQ section (http://"http://www.ballreviews.com/Forum/Replies.asp?TopicID=74110&ForumID=16&CategoryID=5")
Title: Re: Power Groove Line
Post by: TheDude on January 21, 2010, 07:00:36 AM
Are power grooves going to be discontinued?
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Title: Re: Power Groove Line
Post by: dizzyfugu on January 21, 2010, 07:10:57 AM
I could hardly imagine that the line as such is dropped, even though the name "Groove" has been around for years and COULD use some refreshment. But dropping the PK17 balls themselves would be a shame...

Where did you hear tht rumour?
--------------------
DizzyFugu - Reporting from Germany

Confused by bowling? Check out BR.com's vault of wisdom:  the unofficial FAQ section (http://"http://www.ballreviews.com/Forum/Replies.asp?TopicID=74110&ForumID=16&CategoryID=5")