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Author Topic: ZonePro HPD - comments?  (Read 3738 times)

dizzyfugu

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ZonePro HPD - comments?
« on: September 29, 2008, 09:42:20 PM »
Yes, it is an old ball, but a HPD (with 1st drill, already plugged, 14.15 lbs gross weight, TW of 2 lbs 1/8 oz and 2-1/4" pin, very good surface condition, reliable seller) popped up on local ebay, and being a fan of Brunswick's light load particles I am intrigued...

But I heard/read a lot of contradictive things about the HPD, about its carry, being not very forgiving and about the conditions it would work on. Some sources even calim that it would have been a dry lanes ball, which I cannot believe. I suppose that it is close to the Sidewinder in overall performance?  Very... confusing.

So: what's your take on this piece, if you used it or if you are still using one? Any input is highly appreciated, thanks a lot in advance!


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agroves

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Re: ZonePro HPD - comments?
« Reply #1 on: September 30, 2008, 05:51:41 AM »
I had one and really liked it.  I got rid of it years ago so I couldn't say how it would fair on todays oils.  It worked well for me on some shorter patterns where control of the backend was needed.
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dizzyfugu

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Re: ZonePro HPD - comments?
« Reply #2 on: September 30, 2008, 06:24:34 AM »
Thanks a lot, keep it coming

AFAIK, the ball has a White Trizact pad finish, just OOB, and it looks very good on the pics. I just wonder how strong the DTX-1 coverstock actually was or is. Anyone knows if it was PK18 based?
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charlest

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Re: ZonePro HPD - comments?
« Reply #3 on: September 30, 2008, 07:06:14 AM »
The DTX-1 was the longest of the B'wick particles AT THAT TIME. It is still a relatively strong and grippy particle by today's standard, thus the need for Trizact to do ANY modification. Abralon will only modify the resin, not the particles. Being a solid with the DTX-1 particle load, (don't worry about whether it was PK 18 based or not. This is a GREAT coverstock!), you'll definitely see not a lot of length on medium oil, depending on your ballspeed/rev rate ratio, of course. It is and will be a control ball. SOme polish will get you more length, but the particles will still get you backend and "lane grab".

Oh, and these particle balls handle oil absorption very well. I believe they hardly absorb oil at all, much like Lanemasters balls. I have a similar Riot Zone (DTX-2, I believe) that I can't seem to kill. (It's 15 lbs and haven't used it for 2 years, but I"m still not getting rid of it.) It easily has upwards of 500 games on it. It has the longevity of a rock!
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dizzyfugu

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Re: ZonePro HPD - comments?
« Reply #4 on: September 30, 2008, 07:20:49 AM »
Thank you, Jeff. MY stats so far are as follows:

PAP: 5" right, 7/8" up
Track: High (semi roller), close to thumb hole
Axis tilt: ~20° (Initial track diameter is 10 2/3")
Axis rotation: can be adjusted ~20-90°
RPM: ~250-300 RPM, self-measured by Ebonite's video taping method
Hand-Revs: ~14
Ball Speed: 14-15mph at pin deck, rather slow

I also heard that those early particle balls do not absorb much oil at all, Brunswick even advertised them as such. I think the coverstock technology primarily relied at that time on the "spike" effect of the particles, not on the coverstock's porosity liek today, and that's just what I like about the ball - I think one will have a hard time finding a comparable piece today.

With the specs, I might put the pin under the fingers at 4.5-5", swing the CG out a bit (kind of 75° setup), leave it OOB and hope for a smooth and steady curve on medium conditions and esp. carrydown. Would fit nicely under my Elimonator which I still have and love, and which is set up for more and longer oil (and probably is by designh the more potent ball in comparison).

Anyone else?

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charlest

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Re: ZonePro HPD - comments?
« Reply #5 on: September 30, 2008, 07:54:56 AM »
Dizzy,

The drilling you describe, with those release specs, sounds very reasonable.

The ball will eat up carrydown. If not, that is one heavy bunch of carrydown.

Good luck.
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dizzyfugu

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Re: ZonePro HPD - comments?
« Reply #6 on: September 30, 2008, 08:14:27 AM »
Thank you!, Well, I'll see... Only thing that worries me is the pile of balls that stacks up in my kitchen, and so little time to practice
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charlest

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Re: ZonePro HPD - comments?
« Reply #7 on: September 30, 2008, 08:24:36 AM »
quote:
Thank you!, Well, I'll see... Only thing that worries me is the pile of balls that stacks up in my kitchen, and so little time to practice
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I build ball racks on the side. Designing a cheaper one now. But shipping fron New Jersey to Germany plus import duties .... Buy some wood, nails and a hammer.
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Mike E

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Re: ZonePro HPD - comments?
« Reply #8 on: September 30, 2008, 07:48:57 PM »
The old brunswick chart location was O-18 which is very close to where they have the Sidewinder.
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agroves

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Re: ZonePro HPD - comments?
« Reply #9 on: October 01, 2008, 12:59:17 AM »
quote:
The ball will eat up carrydown. If not, that is one heavy bunch of carrydown.


No such thing as carrydown, haven't you seen the article in BTM????
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dizzyfugu

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Re: ZonePro HPD - comments?
« Reply #10 on: October 01, 2008, 03:32:05 AM »
quote:


I build ball racks on the side. Designing a cheaper one now. But shipping fron New Jersey to Germany plus import duties .... Buy some wood, nails and a hammer.


Ha ha, well, I have, in fact, a book shelf in the kitchen (almost 6' tall an 3' wide) that holds/displays my arsenal and matches with the rest of the kitchen. It went t´here because it is the only room in my flat that has a concrete floor, the rest is wood, worrying about the weight...
But it is getting a bit tight - I just revamped my arsenal, and the HPD would be one of the "extra" pieces
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Edited on 10/1/2008 3:34 AM
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dizzyfugu

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Re: ZonePro HPD - comments?
« Reply #11 on: October 01, 2008, 03:32:59 AM »
quote:

No such thing as carrydown, haven't you seen the article in BTM????


No, unfortunately not
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nd300

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Re: ZonePro HPD - comments?
« Reply #12 on: October 01, 2008, 04:07:20 AM »
I second the good recommendations about this ball. I had one and it was a great ball that I made the mistake of getting away from.Mine had a stacked drill and was great for the heavier side of mediums if you simply pointed it straight up the ten board,or you could move inside and swing it nad take advantage of the polished surface to get some length.
 It did have the drawback of taking some time to get a resurface done with having to use the Trizac pads and following the Brunswick instructions for doing so.Other than that,definitely worth it.
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dizzyfugu

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Re: ZonePro HPD - comments?
« Reply #13 on: October 02, 2008, 04:21:03 AM »
Thanks a lot for your input so far! Anyone else?
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dizzyfugu

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Re: ZonePro HPD - comments?
« Reply #14 on: October 06, 2008, 02:03:25 AM »
Got it! Dirty cheap, only EUR 13 (less than $20) with plugs from a professonal pro shop. Let's see what it can do
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