See profile for stats.
Lay Out: 4.5" from PAP at 50* PAP angle and 35* VAL angle. The pin ended up slightly above my ring finger. I put a weight hole on my VAL so not to change the motion of the ball or affect the track flare.
Surface: I had left it box which is 800 sheen.
Purpose: To give myself a benchmark ball to read the lane condition with. I also have been using this quite a bit on normal house patterns as it does not overread off the friction like some of my high-powered nukes occasionally do.
Initial Observations: I threw it some on our league shot which is on second shift on Brunswick Pro Anvilane. I also have thrown this on HPL's and on the Scorpion pattern on Pro-Anvilane. Very nice and smooth but strong reacting ball. I can get out into the friction a little more than a couple of stronger balls I have in my arsenal and still stay in control of the breakpoint and skid.
Final thoughts: I like the look I get from this ball. I am able to get a good read on the pattern and also able to use the ball for many of the league conditions I encounter in central Ohio. When the puddle is more pronounced to the left, the ball didn't read as easily. Most of this is the box finish is close to light sheen or smooth surface and a slight scuff from abralon or scotch bright pad would have solved that problem. On the Scorpion pattern, the oil volume and length was little too much for the box surface for me. Again, a slight touch up with abralon or scotchbrite would solve this problem. Once I broke them down, the XS Power started to read consistantly. The XS in box condition would be a good ball to switch to in a long block of games on this longer pattern in about game 4-5, depending on the condition of the lane surface. With some scuffing, it woudl be a great ball to start with as it a stronger control type of reaction.
Additional Thoughts: The XS Power is very smooth and consistant. The ball dynamics show as this ball does rev up a lot quicker that other balls I have seen in the Lanemasters line. The XS Power falls perfect in the medium category and is probably on the stronger side of medium due to the ease in which it starts to rev up on the lane. There is some versatility as the ball could be scuffed slightly to handle slightly more oil in volume or length. The XS Power is very predictable and would be a nice benchmark ball in any bag. If you have been waiting to try out Lane Masters products, this would a good one to start with. You could also build a small progression for most house conditions with the XS Power and the Sure Strike being a great 1-2 punch for many house conditions.
--------------------
Mike Craig-Columbus, OH
