bluerrpilot, give you a great comparison between the Blue Vibe and Doom.
I had a 4 ball Doom arsenal when the ball first came out. When the Doom first came out many told me not to dull a pearlized ball. They said the ball wasn't inteded to be dull and I wouldn't be happy with the results. Keep in mind that many back then didn't get into dulling pearl equipment. Well, I didn't listen to them and dulle dthe cover anyways.
On a medium pattern (40' medium volume) the Doom in it's box surface has a good mid-lane read and strong but controllable backend reaction. Of course drill layout's and or bowlers style come into play on just how controllable the ball is. The Doom's characteristics are clean thru the heads, good mid-lane read and strong backend.
Now when the polish is taken off the DOOM iT obviously becomes stronger with respect to handling more oil. I had two DOOMS drilled exactly the same. Both balls had the pin above the bridge 5.5" from my pap, CG kicked right to almost 1oz of side and no balance hole. One of the DOOM's were in box condition and the other was used at various grits but settled on 1000.
On a medium pattern (not walled up house patterns) the box surface DOOM was about 5 baords less total hook than the 1000 grit DOOM. The 1000 grit DOOM was a tad bit smoother at the break point as well.
On the longer, heavier pattern the 1000 grit DOOM would hook a lot more than the box surface DOOM. I've seen as much as 10 boards more hook out of the 1000 grit DOOM on certain patterns. I also have seen the 1000 grit DOOM read the mid-lane really well and give a great reaction while the box surface DOOM would shoot past the break point because the oil was too heavy.
Like I said before, the DOOM's characteristics are clean thru the heads, good mid-lane read and strong but controllable backend. This is one of the most controllable pearlized bowling balls i've ever rolled.
I currently don't have any DOOM's. I do have the Blue Vibes. So comparing the two without really using them on the same pattern side by side, may be a little inaccurate. However, if their's one bowling ball I know really well it's the DOOM.
If both balls are in box condition, the DOOM is going to be stronger overall. I also think the DOOM is stronger in both the mid-lane and backend. Although on certain patterns the BV backend can get very strong. So it's kind of a toss up on the backend move. I've seen both balls cover a lot of boards on the backend.
If both balls were 1000 grit, again the DOOM is going to be stronger. Although the gap would be closer than if both balls were in box condition.
If you get on a heavier, long pattern the BV will not hook a lot. I've been on some heavier, long pattern and my Box condition BV would only hook about 5 boards. This is the type of condition you would see a bigger difference between the DOOM and BV. The DOOM will handle more oil than the BV both in it's box condition and dulled.
Hit and carry! Both balls hit good and carry great on the right condition. However, I think the DOOM hit's and carry's better. I still have never come across another ball that can carry light hit's as well as the DOOM.
Both of these bowling balls are awesome and would work very well together in an arsenal.
Side note: I don't currently don't own the DOOMs anymore but will be buying a few before there discontinued.
Hope this helps.
