I've thrown both, the Black Ice is definitely smoother, but less hook overall, the Cross Fire is harder off the breakpoint, but definitely not the skid/snap type reaction. I fit both into my bag, but most use the Black Ice as a spare ball/torched lanes ball. I've never used the Xcel Pearl, so I can't comment on its oil-handling abilities, or its comparison to the Cross Fire, but if it's at all stronger than the Cross Fire, then you could probably get away with both. But overall, the Black Ice is smoother, yet hooks less, and the Cross Fire is harder off the dry, and hooks more generally overall.
--------------------
Andrew Loose
Strike for show, spare for dough, split for D'OH!
