BallReviews

Equipment Boards => Columbia 300 => Topic started by: TamerBowling on September 29, 2009, 02:40:52 PM

Title: Benchmark ball?
Post by: TamerBowling on September 29, 2009, 02:40:52 PM
I currently use a Cell solid and V2 solid. I love the V2 reaction. The best mid-lane read of any ball I've ever thrown with a nice arc to the pocket. There are 2 gaps I'd like to fill. 1-On a fresh shot, it would help to have a bit more bite on the backend to carry. 2-With carrydown, I lose carry with the V2.
On fresh, I could use the Cell, but it's not the usable ball I thought it would be and it eats up the condition too quickly, making it harder to use the V2 afterwards. It's a very aggressive ball, but very early reaction.
I didn't know which board to post this since I don't have a brand preference but I remember how my purple Quake used to roll.

Any recommendations for a benchmark readable ball on Medium THS?
Title: Re: Benchmark ball?
Post by: robuster on September 30, 2009, 11:36:20 AM
As for my new equipment I like my N'code. My benchmark ball. It lets me play inside or outside depending on the lanes.I score well with it no matter what house I play in.But I love my Action Packed,Big Shot or Back Yard Bully.They are the hardest Hitting balls I use,very little over or under with them on a THS.They hold up and I have not seen any ball death from them.On a THS  they perform great.
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Live free or die trying.
Title: Re: Benchmark ball?
Post by: TamerBowling on September 30, 2009, 11:41:06 AM
What do people think about Bedlam or Freeze?  Would you consider them benchmark balls from Columbia or are there other preferences from the current lineup?  Around here, I haven't seen the Freeze thrown yet.  Others liked the Bedlam, but not necessarily a benchmark.  I'm just worried that anything stronger is too much for our house shot.
Title: Re: Benchmark ball?
Post by: hallofamer on September 30, 2009, 11:46:54 AM
Gamebreaker w/ pin over ring finger and 4 x 4 layout is my bechmark ball. Supposed to be modern version of V2 but never had a V2 to compare.

Hy-Road w/ same layout is a little more aggressive in the midlane than Gamebreaker with a little more "pop" at the back end.

Very good 1, 2 combination for me, Hy-Road then swith to Gamebreaker.
Title: Re: Benchmark ball?
Post by: VIXIV on September 30, 2009, 11:48:27 AM
The Cool Noize is the benchmark in the current line up. Got to demo it about a month ago. Good backend without being flippy. There was some carrydown since I had a later squad time, and the ball didn't push too far for me.
Title: Re: Benchmark ball?
Post by: jorr19 on September 30, 2009, 11:48:28 AM
virtual energy. midlane read and backend continuation. storms 1500 grit polish finish reads friction very well.
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Carry is not luck, it's physics.
In my bag... Rogue Cell, Virtual energy, natural, rapid fire pearl.
Title: Re: Benchmark ball?
Post by: TWOHAND834 on September 30, 2009, 11:54:27 AM
Being that this is a COLUMBIA forum, if you want more ball on carrydown and fresh oil, the Full Swing, is exactly what you want.  It reads the mids similar to the V2 stuff but with more continuation through the pins.  I just worked a demo day where they had the Full Swing, Bedlam, Jigsaw, 715A, Sting, and the Evolve and the Full Swing was by far the most popular ball followed by the Bedlam.  Go with the Full Swing.  You wont be disappointed.
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Steven Vance
Pro Shop Operator
Striking Results Pro Shop
Red Carpet Lanes
Duluth (NE Atlanta), Georgia

If anyone out there is worried about the scores being too high, try duckpin!!
Title: Re: Benchmark ball?
Post by: TamerBowling on September 30, 2009, 01:20:39 PM
What do people think about the Full Swing?  Could it be a benchmark while still being a "performance" ball?  I just worry about top-line balls being too aggressive to use on many conditions and I don't want to pull it out for one game max like I do with my Cell.  I like to play parallel to the lanes on our THS, like 10-8 to 6 or 8 at the breakpoint, depending on if it's fresh or some carrydown.  Can this ball really be thrown there like the V2?  I have decent speed and revs, but have learned to let the ball do the work over the years.
Title: Re: Benchmark ball?
Post by: Monster Stitch on September 30, 2009, 03:54:24 PM
I recently tried out a Full Swing and Bedlam at a Demo Day hosted at one of our local houses where Mike Snellbaker who is the West Coast Rep was there to answer any of our questions. The shot was tight and long so when i tested out the Bedlam you had to be slow with your speed but had a decent rev rate to get the ball going. The ball hits great but with a tight shot we were limited. Next i tried the Full Swing which the surface was already sheen up from previous demo days. The ball ate that pattern up like it was nothing. I could play down and in or get in and get a tad softer and open the shot up. All the balls were laid out pin over bridge and MB 2-1/2 to 3 inches right of thumb. This ball i got to admit is like a Black Widow Sting and Black Widow put in one. The ball has an early roll with a strng angular arc on the backend. I am very impress with this ball. I wouldn't say it's a benchmark because of how aggressive this ball is. I would say a Noize would be a great benchmark because it's so early and smooth.
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Title: Re: Benchmark ball?
Post by: Gazoo on September 30, 2009, 06:05:12 PM
None better:

http://www.bowlersdream.com/columbiarival.html
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"I don't want to be remembered, I want to be forgotten"
Title: Re: Benchmark ball?
Post by: TamerBowling on September 30, 2009, 10:20:44 PM
Interesting, my doubles partner is throwing a Rival and that's his benchmark.  I haven't considered it since it's no longer on the current Columbia roster.

So far there was mention of the Noize and Cool Noize as benchmarks.  Can anyone compare them for reaction?
Title: Re: Benchmark ball?
Post by: No Revs00300 on September 30, 2009, 10:24:31 PM
WHy don't you try a Rogue Cell? Being a hybrid, you kinde get the best of both worlds. (solid+pearl)
Title: Re: Benchmark ball?
Post by: clt2244 on September 30, 2009, 10:49:19 PM
Look at the Global 900 Lunatic, makes a great benchmark ball, also the Roto Nomad Solid looks to make a good benchmark ball.
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Only throw the good stuff, Roto/Global.
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Title: Re: Benchmark ball?
Post by: TamerBowling on September 30, 2009, 10:49:58 PM
I really haven't been too crazy about the Cell so not sure if I want to try the Rogue again.  I was even considering trading in my Cell for the Full Swing to try something else as the heavy oil ball.
We were thinking of putting the Freeze under my V2 for late games.  The other way is to replace my benchmark ball, but this is not a light decision.  I've had the V2 for 5 years.  It took 4 years for me to consider it a benchmark ball but I liked it since the day I got it.  I think these older balls don't 'die' like the newer veneers.  That's probably what scares me most about new equipment.

Still would like to hear a comparo of Noize to Cool Noize.
Title: Re: Benchmark ball?
Post by: dougb on October 01, 2009, 10:13:00 AM
quote:
None better:

http://www.bowlersdream.com/columbiarival.html
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"I don't want to be remembered, I want to be forgotten"


+1.  The Rival can handle anything from fresh oil to burnt lanes in it's OOB finish (4000 abralon).  

The ball is smooth and predictable--a great benchmark.

I've heard people like the Perfect Rival even more, although I have to say it is (IMHO) not a good looking ball.
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Arsenal:
Lane #1 Agent Orange
Columbia 300 Rival
Storm T-Road Pearl
Hammer Cherry Vibe
Lane #1 Bullet
Columbia 300 White Dot - Blue Pearl
Title: Re: Benchmark ball?
Post by: dougb on October 01, 2009, 10:13:04 AM
quote:
None better:

http://www.bowlersdream.com/columbiarival.html
--------------------
"I don't want to be remembered, I want to be forgotten"


+1.  The Rival can handle anything from fresh oil to burnt lanes in it's OOB finish (4000 abralon).  

The ball is smooth and predictable--a great benchmark.

I've heard people like the Perfect Rival even more, although I have to say it is (IMHO) not a good looking ball.
Title: Re: Benchmark ball?
Post by: dougb on October 01, 2009, 10:13:08 AM
quote:
None better:

http://www.bowlersdream.com/columbiarival.html
--------------------
"I don't want to be remembered, I want to be forgotten"


+1.  The Rival can handle anything from fresh oil to burnt lanes in it's OOB finish (4000 abralon).  

The ball is smooth and predictable--a great benchmark.

I've heard people like the Perfect Rival even more, although I have to say it is (IMHO) not a good looking ball.
Title: Re: Benchmark ball?
Post by: TamerBowling on October 03, 2009, 08:18:53 PM
Thanks all.  I think I'll try to fill the gap with a Freeze.  I'll let you know how it works.  The V2 works so well right now, I will not fully replace it, unless the Freeze turns out to be more than I hope.
Title: Re: Benchmark ball?
Post by: CHawk15 on October 07, 2009, 05:35:52 PM
I'd look at the Cool Noize, it's the closest thing to the Rival that is currently in C300's lineup.  I have one with the pin in the ring finger and the CG kicked towards the palm and it has a very good benchmark reaction IMHO.