Author Topic: Looking at getting a Columbia ball for medium/med-light conditions (Read 2426 times)

MSC2471 · « **on:** February 20, 2005, 01:43:01 AM »

I guess I have a yearning to try some different ball companies and see how their product may match up to my game and the conditions that I see in leagues and tournaments. I'm looking to replace some equipment that has been getting a lot of use over the past couple of seasons- namely my Storm Eraser Pearl Particle and Storm Hot Wire. My pro shop guy recommended a Columbia Panic as a good ball that could replace my Hot Wire (which tends to be my medium ball, playing down and in with a controlled arc nature to the pocket). Do you think this is a good choice or are there other balls in the Columbia line that might fit this bill? The league conditions that I normally face are a THS on Mondays, very wet/dry (wetter inside of 8, significantly drier outside of that) with strong back ends, and on Tuesdays I face more of a heavier oil reverse block condition (most of my Track equipment gets a workout here). I usually bowl a tournament a month and can see anything from a light short oil shot with strong back ends to more of a flood with moderate to average back end reaction.

The stats that I know for how I throw the ball and what I currently have are in my profile.

Matt

fishbowler · « **Reply #1 on:** February 20, 2005, 10:19:05 AM »

ditto - panic. great ball great price
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"I'd quit this game if I thought anyone would give a damn!"

charlest · « **Reply #2 on:** February 20, 2005, 01:50:34 PM »

I wonder (haven't tried it) if the Super Trooper would be a better ball to combat wet/dry conditions because it's the kissing cousin of the Panic ONLY it uses the solid, polished version of the Super-Flex coverstock, whereas the Panic uses the pearlized version. The Panic is more susceptible, by its very nature, to over/under reactions on wet/dry conditions. Also the solid is more likely to handle true mediums than is a pearl.

Both have medium-low Rgs with very small RG differentials, for good control.

A polished Hyde drilled mild, say 5x5, pin under the bridge, would be a great control ball for medium to medium-light oil.

LuckyLefty · « **Reply #3 on:** February 20, 2005, 10:25:37 PM »

Interesting!!!

I was just getting ready to post a piece on the Panic.

Also I own a Hot Wire. I bowl on a strong Wet dry which I have not defeated.

Here is what I was going to say.

Oh I got the panic working a little better today. At .24 diff I note it as being an exact split the middle ball between a Sonic X(.20 diff) and a Sonic Boom.29 diff.

Today's condition was sloppier at the end of the pattern(not as jumpy) and I found the Sonic Boom a nice fit. I'm not certain that it might not be too much for my league which is dryer and better stripped in the back.

Last year the Sonic X gave me a great look on this shot which is the same but I had NO area! The panic today(wetter than league remember sort of sloppy seconds in back) was just enough. Not a ton of area but some. The Sonic boom was real nice but could be too much for league.

I also threw a 5 3/4 X 7 drilled Hyde today and yes that is a smooth performer that I go inside and loop the wet /dry and think I need to redrill to 5 3/4 X 6 or 5 3/4 by 5 3/4.

The Hot Wire I forgot to throw but I find the Hot Wire to be a very dynamic backend ball that for me works on wet dry if I drive it out to the 5 board at teh break point. 10 to 5 all day baby! What action, what recovery and what hit! Sometimes too long!

REgards,

Luckylefty
PS Panic drilled 4 1/4 X 5, Sonic boom is stacked at 4 1/4 X 3 3/4 as is Sonic X and Hot Wire. I drill weak stuff strong!

Hot wire very different from the Panic etc.

MSC2471 · « **Reply #4 on:** February 21, 2005, 06:48:57 AM »

Thank you everyone for the recommendations- more things to think about before I make my purchase. And thank you LuckyLefty for your thorough comparisons- I tend to drill my weaker balls stronger as well, outside of my Barrage which is definitely drilled for more of a control ball when the conditions seem sloppy. Sounds like I have a decision to make between the Panic, Super Trooper and Hyde...

Matt

charlest · « **Reply #5 on:** February 21, 2005, 07:29:00 AM »

quote:

Luckylefty
PS Panic drilled 4 1/4 X 5, Sonic boom is stacked at 4 1/4 X 3 3/4 as is Sonic X and Hot Wire. I drill weak stuff strong!

Weren't you the one who said to drill strong balls strong and weak balls weak a short time ago?? I seem to recall that, although I could be wrong.

LuckyLefty · « **Reply #6 on:** February 21, 2005, 08:35:22 AM »

au contraire, if I said it I was in a 4:00 am coffee spasm.

My mind has always thought, "drill strong balls weaker and weak balls stronger".

If I typed something different it was some sort of spasm.

Regards,

Luckylefty
PS fortunately my drill press has always followed my mind and all weak stuff has shorter(stronger) pin to pap. Strong stuff is longer pin to pap.

Edited on 2/21/2005 9:32 AM

KR300 · « **Reply #7 on:** February 21, 2005, 09:15:07 AM »

Given any thought to the Backyard Bully? I have one and even though it is pretty strong on the backend, it clears the fronts real well w/good mid lane roll. 3"pin above ring, cg near center of grip. Depends on ypur style.
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If you blame the lane conditions for your bad scores, then you had better thank them for your good ones!!

Hex017 · « **Reply #8 on:** February 21, 2005, 06:56:32 PM »

I would definently look at the Super Trooper for control, but the Panic is also a good choice. I'm not much of a Columbia guy but I've heard good things about both balls. Really depends what you're looking for. Good luck with whatever you choose.
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-If you're not willing to change, you're not willing to improve.

-Life is like a coin, you can spend it any way you want, but you can only spend it once.

-I will forever love this great game, I love the people and the competition, I only wish the best would get the recognition of an ATHLETE that they deserve.

Author Topic: Looking at getting a Columbia ball for medium/med-light conditions (Read 2426 times)

MSC2471

Looking at getting a Columbia ball for medium/med-light conditions

fishbowler

Re: Looking at getting a Columbia ball for medium/med-light conditions

charlest

Re: Looking at getting a Columbia ball for medium/med-light conditions

LuckyLefty

Re: Looking at getting a Columbia ball for medium/med-light conditions

MSC2471

Re: Looking at getting a Columbia ball for medium/med-light conditions

charlest

Re: Looking at getting a Columbia ball for medium/med-light conditions

LuckyLefty

Re: Looking at getting a Columbia ball for medium/med-light conditions

KR300

Re: Looking at getting a Columbia ball for medium/med-light conditions

Hex017

Re: Looking at getting a Columbia ball for medium/med-light conditions