BallReviews

General Category => Miscellaneous => Topic started by: Cornerpin on August 07, 2015, 07:41:22 AM

Title: Ball that you had low expectations for but really shined
Post by: Cornerpin on August 07, 2015, 07:41:22 AM
I am thinking this thread would apply to mid to lower end stuff.  One ball that I got used but ended of really loving was the original Storm Tropical Heat Hybrid. Got it fairly cheap and thought it might be good when the shot gets burnt up but ended up using it on fresh house shots.  Loved the reaction and consistently solid carry.
Title: Re: Ball that you had low expectations for but really shined
Post by: tog831 on August 07, 2015, 08:03:28 AM
I bought a Roto Grip Wrecker to use for a third game ball.The ball has been a three gamer for me.I have had more 700 sets with this ball than with the high end balls.A great surprise.
Title: Re: Ball that you had low expectations for but really shined
Post by: tuckinfenpin on August 07, 2015, 08:14:04 AM
By far - Rack Attack Grape Solid. Oh so buttery smooth and predictable. Can handle more oil than I expected as well.
Title: Re: Ball that you had low expectations for but really shined
Post by: St. Croix on August 07, 2015, 08:48:04 AM
The Freeze---fairly low price can fool you. A pretty good ball and versatile, too.
Title: Re: Ball that you had low expectations for but really shined
Post by: scrub49 on August 07, 2015, 09:35:44 AM
For me the Freeze was over/under sometimes too much ball but for three of my friends they loved it on drier lanes. On the other hand like the freeze hybrid until it cracked.
Title: Re: Ball that you had low expectations for but really shined
Post by: billdozer on August 07, 2015, 09:40:17 AM
Roto Shout....wins alot of survivor pots for me! 
Title: Re: Ball that you had low expectations for but really shined
Post by: milorafferty on August 07, 2015, 09:46:07 AM
Motiv Ascent Apex. I bought it to use on the burn, but for low volume patterns, it's awesome on fresh as well. Not an every game benchmark, but I have a spot for it in my lineup.
Title: Re: Ball that you had low expectations for but really shined
Post by: Juggernaut on August 07, 2015, 10:15:35 AM
 Going back a few years for this one, but the MatrixIII was it for me.

 A buddy had it, and it looked POS for him. He gave it to me, and I started just killing stuff with it, until it cracked open. 😔

 
Title: Re: Ball that you had low expectations for but really shined
Post by: Impending Doom on August 07, 2015, 10:23:03 AM
New AMF King Cobra. Ball is sneaky good. Can literally use it on anything but extremes and it reads the pattern so well.
Title: Re: Ball that you had low expectations for but really shined
Post by: Brickguy221 on August 07, 2015, 10:23:56 AM
Track Havoc .... Didn't expect it to be anything special and it turned out to be one of the most if not most versatile balls I ever had.
Title: Re: Ball that you had low expectations for but really shined
Post by: 2handedrook12 on August 07, 2015, 10:57:22 AM
Brunswick Danger Zone HPD. It was my dad's ball that he gave me since he didn't bowl much anymore. It is my all-time favorite ball. Too bad it was stolen... Nothing is like it.
Title: Re: Ball that you had low expectations for but really shined
Post by: Perfect Approach Pro Shop on August 07, 2015, 11:44:47 AM
Roto Grip Rising Star.
Title: Re: Ball that you had low expectations for but really shined
Post by: milorafferty on August 07, 2015, 11:47:39 AM
Roto Grip Rising Star.

Good one! I forgot about that ball.
Title: Re: Ball that you had low expectations for but really shined
Post by: chrisleftwich on August 07, 2015, 12:43:45 PM
The 900 Global Boost Hybrid Black and Blue has far exceeded what I thought I was getting when I ordered it....Can use on anything except heavy oil
Title: Re: Ball that you had low expectations for but really shined
Post by: HankScorpio on August 07, 2015, 01:07:21 PM
The current Burgundy Hammer. I only bought it because it was so cheap on Black Friday/cyber Monday. I ended up not putting it down for months, and almost won All Events in my association tournament with it.
Title: Re: Ball that you had low expectations for but really shined
Post by: Metal_rules on August 07, 2015, 01:50:42 PM
Roto Grip Rising Star.
+1    I had allot of success with this ball, and I still use it on occasion.
Title: Re: Ball that you had low expectations for but really shined
Post by: truckstoy on August 07, 2015, 02:46:06 PM
DV8 yellow/pink misfit 
Title: Re: Ball that you had low expectations for but really shined
Post by: Jesse James on August 07, 2015, 04:07:16 PM
Got a used Roto Grip Saturn from my good friend, DP3. He said he was taking a sabbatical and cleaning out his closet. I never re-drilled the ball because it fit my span perfectly. I thought this ball was going to be a light oil, to dry, condition specific piece, but I loved this ball so much on all conditions, I hunted down two more on E-Bay, and now have quite the arsenal, with a few surface changes. Love this ball. The Planet Series was vastly underrated!
Title: Re: Ball that you had low expectations for but really shined
Post by: JohnP on August 07, 2015, 05:32:15 PM
Dynothane Energy - I got it on clearance about 6 - 7 years ago for $60 delivered and drilled it Rico.  Didn't like that reaction so plugged/redrilled it 5" pin to PAP with the cg kicked out about 1/2 oz positive.  It's been my go-to ball ever since.  --  JohnP
Title: Re: Ball that you had low expectations for but really shined
Post by: BradleyInIrving on August 07, 2015, 09:13:32 PM
Meteor Flash...  It turned into a benchmark ball for awhile..
Title: Re: Ball that you had low expectations for but really shined
Post by: vkowalski1970 on August 07, 2015, 09:26:02 PM
Seismic Solaris Blackout. A great  ball better than I ever expected
Title: Re: Ball that you had low expectations for but really shined
Post by: tommyboy74 on August 07, 2015, 09:42:20 PM
The Storm Frantic.  I thought it would be a dry lane only ball but it bailed me out many times on some really tough and/or flat patterns.  Only recently did I retire it for a Motiv Tribal Fire.
Title: Re: Ball that you had low expectations for but really shined
Post by: hammajangs on August 08, 2015, 04:21:25 AM
Hammer True Blood.  I was looking for a plastic ball with a core tha would increase my carry percentage. Works much better than I hoped for and only cost me $60 on clearance!
Title: Re: Ball that you had low expectations for but really shined
Post by: Bowlaholic on August 08, 2015, 08:00:34 AM
I have had a number of balls that far exceeded expectations. But the one that stands out for me was the Roto Grip Rising Star.
Other than a flood of heavy oil this ball this ball would perform and perform well on a variety of conditions.  I tried the Wrecker, but for me it never quite lived up to the Rising Star.
Title: Re: Ball that you had low expectations for but really shined
Post by: Snakster on August 08, 2015, 12:27:19 PM
Radical Times Up (Pearl). Got it because it was cheap.  Awesome.
Title: Re: Ball that you had low expectations for but really shined
Post by: DP3 on August 08, 2015, 07:36:30 PM
Ebonite Pursuit
- Super aggressive down the lane on everything I throw it on.
Title: Re: Ball that you had low expectations for but really shined
Post by: Good Times Good Times on August 09, 2015, 09:38:45 AM
MoRich MoJave.  Versatile on everything medium oil up to really dry heads.  I didn't want it, but my driller offered me a tremendous deal and offered to refund my money if I didn't like it.  6 years later, it still occupies a spot in my bag. 
Title: Re: Ball that you had low expectations for but really shined
Post by: leftybowler70 on August 09, 2015, 11:20:24 AM
For me it was the Roto Grip Mars, so skid flip with a time of backend for a low-end ball that acted more like a benchmark than a low-end ball, regret giving that one away.....
Title: Re: Ball that you had low expectations for but really shined
Post by: scrub49 on August 09, 2015, 12:03:11 PM
Had three Mars gave one to an friend it cracked and the two I had also cracked one was an replacement for the first other than that very good ball once it finds a couple of dry boards.
Title: Re: Ball that you had low expectations for but really shined
Post by: dougb on August 09, 2015, 02:39:41 PM
Seismic Solaris Blackout. A great  ball better than I ever expected

If we were making the opposite list (highest expectation/biggest disappointment) this would be at the top of my list.

But for purposes of this list, the Columbia 300 Rival or the Storm T-Road Pearl.

Fun topic.
Title: Re: Ball that you had low expectations for but really shined
Post by: DP3 on August 09, 2015, 03:22:38 PM
Got a used Roto Grip Saturn from my good friend, DP3. He said he was taking a sabbatical and cleaning out his closet. I never re-drilled the ball because it fit my span perfectly. I thought this ball was going to be a light oil, to dry, condition specific piece, but I loved this ball so much on all conditions, I hunted down two more on E-Bay, and now have quite the arsenal, with a few surface changes. Love this ball. The Planet Series was vastly underrated!


I wish there was still a ball on the market like this. A Dull low end ball that worked on almost everything. I'm glad you're still enjoying it.
Title: Re: Ball that you had low expectations for but really shined
Post by: dougb on August 09, 2015, 06:51:55 PM
Got a used Roto Grip Saturn from my good friend, DP3. He said he was taking a sabbatical and cleaning out his closet. I never re-drilled the ball because it fit my span perfectly. I thought this ball was going to be a light oil, to dry, condition specific piece, but I loved this ball so much on all conditions, I hunted down two more on E-Bay, and now have quite the arsenal, with a few surface changes. Love this ball. The Planet Series was vastly underrated!


I wish there was still a ball on the market like this. A Dull low end ball that worked on almost everything. I'm glad you're still enjoying it.

That's exactly what the Brunswick Melee Cross is for me.
Title: Re: Ball that you had low expectations for but really shined
Post by: Cornerpin on August 10, 2015, 07:04:17 AM
I have had a number of balls that far exceeded expectations. But the one that stands out for me was the Roto Grip Rising Star.
Other than a flood of heavy oil this ball this ball would perform and perform well on a variety of conditions.  I tried the Wrecker, but for me it never quite lived up to the Rising Star.

I have had a number of balls that far exceeded expectations. But the one that stands out for me was the Roto Grip Rising Star.
Other than a flood of heavy oil this ball this ball would perform and perform well on a variety of conditions.  I tried the Wrecker, but for me it never quite lived up to the Rising Star.

Same here, Rising Star was money on most but heavy oil but Wrecker was condition specific for me.