Guess I will be the first one...LOL!
Ball speed: 19 mph at release
Rev rate: mid 500s
Axis point: 5.5 over and 1.5 down (two hander obviously)
Axis rotation: 30 degrees
Axis tilt: Not exact but have a high track oil ring about an inch away from my fingers
Ball Specs:
Weight: 16 lbs
Pin distance: 3 inches
Top weight: 3.25 oz
Layout: 45 x 4.5 x 30
Box finish: OOB (dont think it was 500/2000 but looked like around 3000)
Lane conditions: House condition, 42 feet with big cliff outside 5, plays more wet/dry
Center: Lane Glo South, New Port Richey, Florida (North of Tampa and previous home to the Cream of the Crop Tournament from back in the 90s and 2000s).
When I got this ball, I wanted something that was a step sideways from my Scorpion. My Scorpion is laid out more around 70 x 4.5 x 30 and the RG is significantly higher than the Explosion (2.54 vs 2.47). The diff numbers are pretty much identical. While I did shoot a couple 800s with the Scorpion; I really had to keep it dull to make it usable due to the volume of oil in the middle and the core not offering enough help. So in steps the Explosion. I wanted something to rev up sooner and had some success with the Resurgence core in the past with the Violent Eruption. I went from drilling it up straight to using it in my Monday Trio league. During practice, I used the Scorpion for one shot and left a ringing 10. Grabbed the Explosion and threw it on the same line and went flush. The Explosion revs up about 5 feet sooner than the Scorpion with just as much continuation. While the Scorpion, albeit it with over 125 games on it, was starting to have trouble carrying the 9s and 10s from going a little too long, the Explosion with the earlier core help was carrying those back row pins. What I really like about this Explosion is the versatility it has. I can play straighter when the oil starts to push as well as move my feet way in and wheel on it. Went 701 first night getting to learn the capabilities and 736 the other night. Started with my foot on 30 playing 3rd arrow out to about 7-8 breakpoint. Then as the lanes got tighter, I moved 3 right with my feet while targeting around 13 with same breakpoint area (7-8). Then the last game, as the track started to go; I moved into about 37 with my feet, targeting around 17-18 arrows and bumping it off the gutter with no sign of laboring. Went 238, 266, 232 for 736. I am still learning the ball and feel some bigger sets in the near future. With the way the Explosion rolls, I am considering leaving it at box finish and taking the Scorpion up to 4000 to create a little more separation so they complement each other even though both are mid performance hybrids.
This ball is a house shot killer for sure. It can be used by a variety of styles and a variety of angles. Resurgence core from Columbia was one of my favorite cores and happy they brought it back out. While the Eruption has the same core; I didnt think the pearl cover was going to match up to the league condition I see which is the main reason I did not get it. But as soon as I saw this Explosion, I knew it was a much have for me. This is going to be one of those fly under the radar type of balls because it doesnt come from Utah. But dont sleep on it. The Explosion is a definite winner!!!
