BallReviews
General Category => Miscellaneous => Topic started by: KRex1313 on September 20, 2015, 03:11:54 PM
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I'm looking for suggestions on a new benchmark ball to get. I've been throwing an Ebonite Elevate for a few years and love it, but it's time to retire it.
I have it drilled skid flip and combined with my high rev rate and higher speed (about 16.5 mph), it's been the perfect benchmark ball for me. I can typically shoot around 10-15 at the arrows, break on 5-8, and it's in the pocket every time. Granted that's on a THS, but it's a comfortable shot to start with and gives me a good idea of what's going on, no matter what the shot is. I have stuff to swing the lane and stuff to play no hook with, but need something in between now.
That being said, what is your recommendation for a new benchmark ball? I am partial to Ebonite and Brunswick, but I'm really intrigued by Storm and Motiv lately, though I'm open to anything. Thanks in advance for the suggestions!
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With Motiv, look at the Venom Shock, Forza or Forza Redline as your benchmark. All 3 are great to have. The Forza will be the earliest reading ball of all 3 and will handle some more volume. The Redline is cleaner down the lane but still has a very even reaction with its pearl cover. The Shock is one of those balls that's really versatile and you really get your money's worth at that price point. It's a great ball for medium patterns and also for patterns that have a little less volume.
The huge advantage with Motiv is the covers they use. They don't nearly soak up oil as much as the other brands, which means you won't be extracting oil during the season. Just maintain them as you would with any other brand (clean after every set, freshen the surface every 20-40 games) and you'll be fine.
Motiv tends to be a little smoother overall in ball motion yet is probably the closest to Storm with what you'll see. At the same time, I think the Motiv balls are a bit more versatile compared to Storm or even the EBI brands for the most part.
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I'm trying to think in terms of similar overall strength to the.Elevate.
I'd say there is the Motiv Forza Redline or Ebonite Gamebreaker 2 Gold.
I think the Brunswick Melee Jab and Storm Sky Rocket would be close but more angular.
If you're partial to Brunswick then how about the Radical Primo which is poured by Big B. I'd honestly suggest the Primo the most.
To me it is one of the balls out right now, along with the Forza Redline where they get length but not too much and they aren't too smooth and aren't too angular. They're both just really good at being right in the middle of a reaction chart
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I agree with SVstar34 on the Radical Primo. I am not too familiar with other lines as I am sticking to Brunswick equipment - especially the Radical line. This is by preference, I am not a staffer.
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I really like using the Motiv Forza as my benchmark ball. Originally, my benchmark ball was the Track 505T but after about 5 years, it was ready for retirement. The Forza has a smooth, even reaction and reading the lanes with that ball is very beneficial. I would also look into the Track LX05, LX10 or MX10.
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I have a track legion set up as my bench mark ball. fits right in between a red solid and warrior on top and viral and spike below
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I have been using my Brunswick Mastermind Einstein on a house shot the last 3 weeks and have shot 725, 771, 732. It has been my benchmark ball / first ball out of my bag for tournaments too. I have it drilled pin up and it reads the back part of the lane with a stronger motion compared to the original Mastermind. With the new composite coverstock technology, the Mastermind Einstein will keep performing like new for a longer period of time. Plus, you can adjust the surface to get a more desirable reaction. I would suggest getting the Mastermind Einstein because it would be a great fit to what you are looking for in a ball motion.
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I think bowlers in general don't know the difference between "benchmark ball" and "best ball for me right now on the conditions I see."
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I think bowlers in general don't know the difference between "benchmark ball" and "best ball for me right now on the conditions I see."
Excellent statement. My Sigma Sting is my benchmark simply because it will either work on the condition or "tell" me which direction to go more reliably than any other ball I have ever owned. After a couple of throws, I automatically know what I need for the conditions.
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I've used my Radical Primo (Pin up) and Radical Grease Monkey Whack (pin down) as my benchmarks. That will probably change here after the first of the year as we are looking to install synthetic lane beds around Christmas (if all of our leagues agree on that time frame).
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My benchmark ball right now is my DV8 Hooligan Taunt. Very controllable and predictable.
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I think bowlers in general don't know the difference between "benchmark ball" and "best ball for me right now on the conditions I see."
Absolutely. I look at a benchmark ball as the first ball that I pull out of my bag and I know it so well that based on what it does, I know I can stick with it or if I have to make a ball change and which ball to change to. That's why I like to have something that doesn't hook too much or too little, because it's easiest for me to shoot consistenly and get an accurate read on the lane, quickly.
I love getting new equipment, but I hate when I have to replace "old reliable" because I know it so well and know what to do, based on what it does.
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I ended up ordering a Motiv Forza Redline and should be getting it tomorrow. Hopefully I'll get to throw it sometime this week. Motiv has really intrigued me lately and with the suggestions in this thread and Google, it seemed like a great option. Thanks for all of the feedback!
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Good choice. I love mine so far. I just shot a 900 series with mine last week. The rest of the league didn't realize we were playing no-tap though. :) I'll still take the 734 with 10 nine counts. Most of those were just bad shots on my part. Everyone else was saying how much they had to move and I moved 1 board on the left lane and 2 boards on the right all night. Opened the league a few weeks ago with a 792 / 299. I'm definitely buying more Motiv! I drilled mine with the pin straight above the bridge and the cg in grip center. Surface is at 4000.
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Good choice. I love mine so far. I just shot a 900 series with mine last week. The rest of the league didn't realize we were playing no-tap though. :) I'll still take the 734 with 10 nine counts. Most of those were just bad shots on my part. Everyone else was saying how much they had to move and I moved 1 board on the left lane and 2 boards on the right all night. Opened the league a few weeks ago with a 792 / 299. I'm definitely buying more Motiv! I drilled mine with the pin straight above the bridge and the cg in grip center. Surface is at 4000.
I see you have a couple wreckers in the bag. How would you compare the redline to the wrecker oob.
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Good choice. I love mine so far. I just shot a 900 series with mine last week. The rest of the league didn't realize we were playing no-tap though. :) I'll still take the 734 with 10 nine counts. Most of those were just bad shots on my part. Everyone else was saying how much they had to move and I moved 1 board on the left lane and 2 boards on the right all night. Opened the league a few weeks ago with a 792 / 299. I'm definitely buying more Motiv! I drilled mine with the pin straight above the bridge and the cg in grip center. Surface is at 4000.
I see you have a couple wreckers in the bag. How would you compare the redline to the wrecker oob.
Actually, my favorite Wrecker (pin down) cracked right after I got the Redline. I guess it was mad at me. >:( The pin up Wrecker vs the pin up Redline has the Wrecker being a little more squirty. Basically I think the Wrecker skids more in oil and responds faster to friction. The Redline picks up a bit more in the midlane and is smoother over all but still very strong going through the pins. The Redline is currently stronger than the Wreckers, but they have a lot of games on them and have lost a little of their original reaction.