Johndoe,
Both same coverstock??
Please look again.
BowlerKidR.
While many people refer to the Trooper's type of core as a pancake type, nothing could be further from the truth. Both it, and balls like the Power Groove and the Big Hit series are ONLY based on the pancake core. Those flip blocks have the potential, and it's an enormous potential! to make such balls flare 5-6" or more. That is hardly the non-dynamic pancake core's abilities.
I have both and have compared them quite a bit. Most of the Trooper (which is actually half solid and half pearl, compared to the Slate Blue G's 100% pearlized) control is due to that dull, about 600 grit coverstock. I wondered about that, and until I polished it, solely in order to get more length. Then, wonder of wonders, it hook a lot more. (Polishing took a lot of effort.)
Both balls are very much control balls. Both need oil to get thru the heads, somewhat less than most resin balls, but they are still NOT dry lanes balls. My Sonic-X original will get thru dry-ish heads better than the Slate Blue or the Trooper.
For whatever reason (I am not sure it is the core; I strongly suspect it is the Cover AND the Core) the Slate Blue does seem to hit harder and perform better as a strike ball than the Trooper. I use the SBG as my spare ball on everything; use it as a strike on light to light+ (not medium-light) oil patterns.
Johndoe and BowlerKidR, I think you had the right ball choice but for the wrong reasons.
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Bowling: Just like hand grenades and horse shoes, you only have to get close.
Life: Deal with what is.
