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Author Topic: VIz-A-Ball for spare ball?  (Read 6854 times)

thegame

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VIz-A-Ball for spare ball?
« on: June 30, 2005, 06:07:26 PM »
Thinking of getting a new spare ball, I have a Lane 1 XXXL, but it is drilled to hook a little, and has a weight hole in it, so I was thinking of getting something that will go a bit straighter when the lanes start to dry out late in a tournament block.  I've heard before that the Viz-A-Balls do hook a little bit more than a regular plastic ball, (Target Zone, Maxim, etc.), is this true, or are the length and hook potentials about the same?  I love the new Freedom ball, but if it may be about the same as my XXXL I could save some money, and get a Target Zone.  Thanks for the help everyone.
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dizzyfugu

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Re: VIz-A-Ball for spare ball?
« Reply #1 on: July 01, 2005, 02:47:26 AM »
A Viz-a-ball is just a polyester ball with a print. Therefore, they react just the same as any spare ball. The only difference MIGHT be clear balls like the Spare Tire, Gemstones or Everclear - it could be that they are made of even harder material (to keep of scratches) and might react even less. But I am not sure about this. Check out the D-scale rating of a ball, the higher the better.

Another option could be an old rubber ball like the Black Diamond from Brunswick. These are harder than polyester balls (even hard to drill!), but I guess that the reaction you will get from it will not be much less than from a modern polyester.

If you just get a polyester, I'd recommend a pearl/mica coverstock above a solid one. From personal experience, even on polyesters a solid coverstock will create more friction (generally and through wera and tear) than a pearl one.
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RSalas

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Re: VIz-A-Ball for spare ball?
« Reply #2 on: July 01, 2005, 02:56:40 PM »
The reaction of the Viz-a-Balls that I've thrown has been virtually indistinguishable from that of the Target Zones that I've used.
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mumzie

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Re: VIz-A-Ball for spare ball?
« Reply #3 on: July 01, 2005, 04:58:40 PM »
I'm gonna disagree with both of you.

A NEW vis-a-ball is virtually indistinguishable from target zones, white dots, and other polyester balls. BUT - they seem to track up and start hooking before the solid poly balls, like my target zone, ebonite maxim, etc...

Don't know why, but when I was only using a spare ball on the right side pins, my vis-a-ball got so that I had to polish it up after every 3 games or it hooked way too much. Now that I'm using a spare ball for EVERY spare, and I'm using a target zone, I don't have to polish it all - and it doesn't hook.

I've got a brand new USA Pride Vis-A-ball in the magic closet - but I'm not going to drill it up if I can only use it a little while.

Therefore, based on what I've seen, buy the target zone.
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Edited on 7/1/2005 4:53 PM
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Bowljr300

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Re: VIz-A-Ball for spare ball?
« Reply #4 on: July 01, 2005, 07:17:13 PM »
Viz-a-balls are beautiful spare balls, but one thing to keep in mind:  As soon as they get a scratch, or begin to show signs of wear, they cannot be resurfaced without ruining the picture on the ball.

If you're a competitive bowler who bowls many games, you might want to use a target zone instead.

If you're looking for the straightest possible reaction, just buy an old rubber ball from a garage sale, resurface it and watch it go straight as an arrow.

My spare ball is an old Brunswick Grabber Ball made of rubber that a customer brought in to my shop a while back.  It's the best spare ball that I've thrown.
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