Post by: Neptune66 on June 15, 2008, 12:54:58 AM
I have had some fantastic games with it. Not just high scores, but the ball was effortless to guide to the pocket. But most of the time, for me, it's been a Dud:
1) Ends up on one side or the other of the target.
2) Makes it's move too early sometimes, too late others.
3) Hits flat when it does hit it's target. Not a lot of pin action.
Then again.... there have some very good individual games with it (289, a couple game sin the 260's, and a few in the 240's), after which I thought I had one of the best weapons out there. Most of the time, though, this ball does NOT come through for me ----yet (not selling or giving up on it just yet).
As I said... just interested in the consensus out there. If many of you have experienced anything similar or if you are totally thumbs up or thumbs down on the Bite.
Post by: matt1286 on June 15, 2008, 09:08:31 AM
When you say it either ends up on one side of your target or the other, that can't really be the ball's fault can it? The individual throwing the ball should be able to correct that.
All my widows work well but are all very condition specific.
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*IF YOU AREN'T THROWING A TNT YOU'VE GOT THE WRONG BALL IN YOUR HAND*
Post by: Juggernaut on June 15, 2008, 09:25:12 AM
When brand new, he shot lights out with it, but as it got some games on it ( around 40-50 ) it seemed to "slow down". Not saying it died or anything, but he went from carrying everything that hit the pocket to having trouble getting it to finish hard enough to carry the corners, and all this in several houses, not just one.
Within two weeks of buying it, he shot 2 300's, a 299, an 800, and several games over 270 and sets over 700. A month later, it was all he could do to shoot 600 with it.
Yes, he cleans his stuff, but not stringently. Yes, he tried the hot water bath and resurfacing, but it never was like it was when it was new.
P.S. He doesn't even throw it anymore. Says he doesn't feel he can trust it.
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"The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits."
Albert Einstein
Good transactions list in my profile
My Bowl.com member page (http://"http://members.bowl.com/SearchUSBC/ViewMember.aspx?prefix=2243&suffix=4831")
Edited on 6/15/2008 9:25 AM
Post by: themagician on June 15, 2008, 09:52:39 AM
I've seen good hit, but I would assume its just because i've found conditions that mine works on and matched up, therefore it performed well.
I have used it in a couple houses with no issues unless the shot was too short or too dry, which has occurred but thats when my Emerald or Break Pearl come in.
Bite Pic: http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/magicmike11/Bowling/BWB-Pin.jpg
Break Pearl pic: http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/magicmike11/Bowling/BP.jpg
Emerald pic: http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/magicmike11/Bowling/EV.jpg
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http://www.absolutebowling.com
Post by: Gunny on June 15, 2008, 01:22:31 PM
Post by: Neptune66 on June 15, 2008, 09:56:45 PM
As to matt1286's comment about "operator error", yes... I agree that's part of it. The fact that it's Asymetrical and very sensitive to the slightest variation in my delivery would account for many errant shots. But I have an Ebonite Raid, which is also asymetrical and it always hits very hard. The Bite seems to hit like a wet noodle a lot of the time on what look like solid pocket shots. Not sure if it's still sliding, or rolling too soon, but it's frequently a bad hit.
The Raid, on the other hand, is sometimes off target, but always mixes well. The Bite is much more unpredictable. Granted it's [supposed to be] a stronger ball, but when I throw my Raid (or anything else for that matter) I am seldom surprised at where it ends up...regardless of whether I'm pleased or not with the result. The Bite is very unpredictable...for me. Not a good thing.
Having said all that negative stuff.... every once in awhile it is a great ball. Still... much as Juggernaut's friend said...I don't feel I can trust it to come through for me when I need it to. It's an ok practice ball, but when anything is on the line, I need to go with something else....my Raw Hammer Anger, or Ebonite Raid. Both balls do exactly what they're supposed to do... much more often than not.
Post by: Beano on June 16, 2008, 01:41:40 AM
Never used one myself, but from observing it up close yesterday, could not recommend it.
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It’s bush league psych-out stuff! Laughable, man!
Post by: scadreau on June 16, 2008, 02:18:10 AM
I throw med speed with med-high revs. The ball is basically drilled neutral (just let the ball do what it does).
I have not had any big games with it, but also have not had any carry problems. It is a touchy ball and needs to be thrown well on the correct conditions.
Post by: urbanshaft on June 16, 2008, 02:44:34 AM
but when i bowl on a fresh oil its money
it doesnt sound like it hits super hard but it gets pins flying and has great carry.just cant use it alot
Post by: Neptune66 on June 16, 2008, 06:04:15 AM
When it hits the pins, the impact sounds different somehow. Almost sounds like a broken pin, or a thud. Something just not quite right on several hits.
If only I noticed it myself, or was only on non-strikes, one would think it was just the mind looking for reasons for lack of success. But this is on most hits.... even the ones that LOOK like solid strikes and where all 10 pins DO in fact go down. Something just not quite right there.
And it could just be that the lanes are too dry (they're not bone dry, but they're not heavily oiled either) and it's just burning up too early. That IS the way it feels. As if I have to provide way too much power for it to get far enough down the lane before it makes it's move. But... I have plenty of speed and when I do give it a little more push, it will skate past the breakpoint like it's on ...well "skates".
It's almost as if the ball has too much friction most of the time, but using speed or angle to overcome the friction does NOT make the ball go a little longer down the lane. It just pushes it past the breakpoint altogether or causes it to skid too much.
Post by: chitown on June 16, 2008, 09:17:51 AM
Post by: NElefantis on June 16, 2008, 04:10:44 PM
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Currently Throwing:
Hammer Black Widow Bite
Storm T-Road Solid
Storm Sure Fire
Brunswick T-Zone
Post by: Foppe on June 16, 2008, 04:58:49 PM
A Bite that gets better with more games on it ... I think we all want that
on topic: I now have around 50 games on my Bite, reaction now compared to oob:
ball has an earlier Breakpoint now, and less angular, I would say it's about 3 boards weaker than oob, and no real difference between game 20-50 so I like that.
On oure THS it's good, allthough I was more impressed with it's reaction on a Sportshot that I tried (I didn't score good, about a 170avg for 6, but it was the first time EVER I tried a sportshot, I could play a lot of lines on it, and the first 2 games I was quite lost, think I left about 5 washouts or splits each game, but that's due it's operator and not the ball offcourse...)
Good ball to have in the bag, imo ... just hoping it will last at least 100-150+ more games, probably letting it resurface week or 2 before league season starts.
grtz.
Greetz.
Edited on 6/16/2008 5:02 PM
Post by: Neptune66 on June 16, 2008, 08:09:44 PM
First 3 frames am getting very nice hits, but they're all 9's. Picking up my spares (2 were 10 pins), so it's a decent game still, though not remarkable. Then a nice solid strike...everything good (location, sound, mixing action)...everything. Then another beautiful pocket hit.
Then... 2 or 3 (I honestly don't remember) very sloppy strikes, but strikes just the same. Then it starts to hit flat. In the pocket, but not very good carry at all. Ended up with spares the rest of the way for a 229. Not an awful game, not a great game. A disappointment though. Still on the fence with my Bite. Tomorrow night it will be tested again an we'll see how it goes.
Post by: agroves on June 16, 2008, 10:12:45 PM
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--Andrew
Post by: Mr Hurt24 on June 17, 2008, 09:49:29 PM
Post by: Bowlin for Beer on June 17, 2008, 10:13:25 PM
However, if I hit the release just right, I know its going to be lights out. It's just been really sensitive to missed releases. But, I've mostly been afraid to use it because a few bad hits in a game can just ruin your chances of a decent score. I've got more forgiving balls that carry better that I've been relying on more lately.
Post by: Neptune66 on June 18, 2008, 01:25:40 AM
Can string together multiple strikes and carry all kinds of poor hits, but the reason they're poor hits (in addition to "operator error") is cause the ball is Sooooo sensitive to any change in release. And later on, the ball's wildly varied reactions, end up costing more blown shots than the ball saved earlier on.
A few times, as I'm about to deliver the ball, I have realized I am out of position and a slight adjustment was enough to save the shot (a good thing). But many times it's an accidental or unconcious adjustment and ends up ruining the shot (not good).
Could never get into a groove with it tonight. Maybe it's just too much ball for the oil pattern at my most frequented bowling center.
All I know, is my BWB is very very close to being retired, sold, or....if it fails me in a really crucial situation, it could possibly find itself homeless or at the bottom of a river.
:-(
Haven't totally given up yet, but it's looking bleak. My old Brunswick Command Zone and Storm Triple XXX Factor, were far superior to the BWB tonight, in terms of carry, predictability, mixing action. All the way around. And I have reasonably good speed, averaging around 17-18 mph. It's like the ball has used up most of it's energy before it hits the pin. Is that what is meant by the term "Roll out"?
I haven't tried putting some polish on it yet.... Anyone had better results with a polished surface on their Bite?
Post by: mxbowler95 on June 19, 2008, 10:14:49 AM
I went down to the BEST tournament and made it through to Sunday and was way up in the standings. Went to bowl on the Sunday shot and was using my Awesome Hook and Blast Zone. They were just arcing to the pocket. While I was struggling,I saw a lot of Bites just killing it down there. The Bites were just kicking up even in the oil. So I went out and got one yesterday so I wouldn't have to be the kid struggling while I was making good shots. All I can say is WOW. I threw it at the house my pro shop is at and they had the Shark out there. Went 717 with this ball right out of the pro shop. It was oob, but I think I'm going to go 2000 on it. But I had my Awesome Hook, Blast Zone, and Twisted Fury. The Bite out hooked them all by at least 4-5 boards. I won't be throwing this ball though, until my next tournament then out at Gold. So I will make an update then, but from what I have seen and thrown with this ball, it is amazing.
Post by: Neptune66 on June 21, 2008, 06:56:04 AM
Despite the fact that it's supposed to go long and then snap, there is just too much friction too early, and it still snaps, but USUALLY not far enough down the lane. And if I add some speed, it sometimes makes it too the pocket and sometimes sails on past it. It's now banished to either my closet or foir an audition at another center, with more oil (except I don't bowl there in the summer).
When I get just the right speed and conditions, it absoultely crushes the pins. So I am not totally down on it ----yet. It is just soooooo condition specific that it's been pretty useless ...save for a few oohs and ahhs by spectators on those occasional "crusher" strikes.
Post by: themagician on June 21, 2008, 10:53:33 AM
Now this is not completely confirmed with the bite but i've first hand seen numerous bite's with at least 100 games on them going strong as can be with just regular cleaning and every 30-45 games refreshing the coverstock to box finish.
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