I've had my Xxxcel since February (only paid $80 for it) and it's a pretty good ball as long as it's getting enough oil. Drilled with the pin below the ring finger and MB 2 1/2-3" from the thumb at about 45 degrees. I'm not much of a cranker, so I usually throw the ball from the 7-10 board (right side), just a straight shot with a strong backend reaction and it does roll in the pocket pretty well.
At times, I have to back up on my approach and speed on the extremely heavy oil lanes, otherwise it doesn't snap into the pocket as hard. But when it does hit the pocket? BOOM!!! Pins are flying everywhere. On lanes with carrydown, that's where the ball is at its best. It does roll early, so if you have problems keeping your shoulder squared or overhooking the ball, that might be a problem.
But the Xxxcel is predictable and as long as you keep it sanded every once in awhile, it won't let you down. I sometimes clean the ball every 6-9 games with Ebonite Powerhouse Energizer cleaner and it keeps the ball nice and tacky and you don't have to worry about the ball shining.
I also bought the Columbia EPX-T1 for $40 and The One for $125, I'm gonna post a review of The One this weekend and the EPX-T1 in two weeks. So far, I'm loving the The One so far, hoping they will come out with some new balls later on this year.
Also, check out the Big One, I've never used the ball from what I've heard in the forum, it's a very good ball. But for now, I'm settling with my Xxxcel. It's reliable and it's one of the most hard-hitting balls I've ever had.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=960yt0bb9S8 (video)
Average For 2006 Season: 208
Ball Style: Stroker
Ball Speed: 15-16 mph
Highest Game: 289 (sanctioned), 300(unsanctioned)
Highest Series: 763
My Weapons of Mass Destruction:
Columbia 300- EPX-T1
Ebonite- Xxxcel
Ebonite- The One
Track- Xception
Revolution- Vengeance
You can give yourself 100% every night when you walk up to those lanes and throw that ball. But there is a part of you that can put yourself beyond that limitation, to an entirely new level. The question is this, can you handle going beyond your own potentials?