Post by: VideoBallReviews on April 28, 2008, 05:08:48 AM
Would like to get your opinions on this topic, Coverstock Lifespan Vs Performance...What is more imprtant to you?
When considering that next new purchase, which is a more important factor?
Say you have ball A, which is an excellent ball, but for only 75-100 games...then you have ball B which is an average performing bowling ball, but lasts you 300-500+ games...which one do you go with, and be honest...
also please add if you bowl strictly leagues, or if you bowl tournaments regularly in addition to league, as that could have an effect on your decision
Thanks!
--------------------
Britton (formerly bar5003)
Owner/Operator of Videoballreviews.com
Official Sponsors
VISE (http://"http://www.viseinserts.com")
3G Shoes (http://"http://www.900global.com")
Buddiesproshop.com (http://"http://www.buddiesproshop.com")
Post by: JMORRIS on April 28, 2008, 01:14:29 PM
Seriously, for me, I buy based on performance. I buy enough balls that lifespan is never a factor.
I mainly bowl leagues and a couple tournaments per year.
Jermey
Post by: John D Davis on April 28, 2008, 01:23:15 PM
Post by: shelley on April 28, 2008, 01:38:12 PM
If you've done those things and it still isn't what you want, chuck it.
That said, if I can't get 300+ games on a ball, I don't want it. I mostly bowl league but I bowl a few tournaments each year. I cannot afford to replace a ball after only a few weeks or months, not to mention the dirty looks I get from the missus even when I do get a new ball. 75-100 games on the ball and it's kaput? I'll never buy another ball with that cover again. There's a good chance I simply won't buy that company's products again.
How often do we hear "it's the Indian, not the arrow"? If the ball isn't working on that condition today, try it on another condition tomorrow. The ball will work somewhere.
SH
Edited on 4/28/2008 1:38 PM
Post by: mainzer on April 28, 2008, 01:38:54 PM
--------------------
Mainzerpower
Post by: Strapper_Squared on April 28, 2008, 01:45:59 PM
S^2
--------------------
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
Absurd Quote Power Rankings (http://"http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=quotes/080403&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab6pos1")
Post by: 302efi on April 28, 2008, 02:11:49 PM
~ Eexcellent performing
~ Average performing
--------------------
quote:
I will head to my local pro shop. Right after I buy it online.
Sport Bowling is a F**king joke
Post by: SKC on April 28, 2008, 02:14:18 PM
Nice topic.. Just had a conversation with a couple of friends about this very issue..
Personally i'm for Performance.. But being able to drill up a new ball at a low cost, definetely is a factor for me now.. But i used to consider Lifespan before that.. Now i can afford to drill up multiples, but i rarely do..
I used to practice a couple of hours everyday, and bowl leagues or tournaments 3 weekends out of a month.. So my new equipment would quickly get a lot of games..
Now i practice 1-2 times a week, bowl leagues, and at most 10 tournaments for the whole year, this includes nationals and regionals..
When i was competing a lot, Lifespan was definetely important for me, because i'd spend a lot of my money on travelling to other countries and Tournament-fees, i wouldn't make a lot of replacements in my arsenal.. I did a lot of surface changes instead..
I can see why some bowlers, who maybe buys that one ball every 2 years, but bowls 2-3 times every week, can be bummed out if there ball dies out after 50-100 games.. Especially if they're kids..
I once waited a long time for a ball that was on backorder, was supposed to be the biggest thing since pizza, threw it for 40-50 GOOD games, of which 1/3 might have been practice, to after those games end up with a ball that performed no better than a spareball.. I never drilled up a new one..
A friend of mine, who can afford it, drilled up a 2nd of a ball within 5 weeks because the first one died out after 50 games.. And he has actually already ordered a 3rd for stock.. Not everyone can do this..
I've been lucky/unlucky to have a couple of balls perform well over a number of years.. Lucky because i have found nothing like them, Unlucky because i've been so pleased with them that they've been discontinued, before i remembered to stock some..
--------------------
Tough times don't last, tough people do...
Aggression is an attitude, not an emotion...
Post by: VideoBallReviews on April 28, 2008, 02:22:57 PM
quote:
Britton please define:
~ Eexcellent performing
~ Average performing
Think of excellent as that WOW ball that gives you that little bit of extra room and backend...or something to that effect...think of some of the best sellers out there now
Think of the avg ball as a solid performer but not one of those wow balls, nothing special just gets the job done...
Its kind of tough to describe what im asking for, and i dont want to name ball names cause everyones opinions are different...i like the responses im getting so far tho...keep them coming guys!
--------------------
Britton (formerly bar5003)
Owner/Operator of Videoballreviews.com
Official Sponsors
VISE (http://"http://www.viseinserts.com")
3G Shoes (http://"http://www.900global.com")
Buddiesproshop.com (http://"http://www.buddiesproshop.com")
Edited on 4/28/2008 2:23 PM
Post by: Dan Belcher on April 28, 2008, 02:25:01 PM
So, basically while I don't want ball death after just 50 games, I also don't need extreme longevity for hundreds upon hundreds of games. Performance matters more than longevity to me.
(But for what it's worth, my Storm Special Agent has probably got 150 or so games on it, and it got me a 776 and a 790 series last month. It's had only one hot water bath, and I clean it at least once a week with Clean & Dull. It's maybe a couple or three boards weaker than it was brand new, but it still can kick pins around, gives me a little miss room, and can handle plenty of oil. I have even used it successfully on a double-oiled condition in a house that already puts down quite a bit of oil -- 278 with a ringing 10 pin and a stone 8 pin on the fill ball.)
Post by: on April 28, 2008, 02:32:46 PM
--------------------
Lane Carter, Strike Zone Pro Shops - Salt Lake City, Utah
Brunswick Amateur Staff
Post by: Slopsurprise on April 28, 2008, 02:52:32 PM
quote:
Why not have both? Buy STORM!
WORD!!!!!!!!
Post by: 302efi on April 28, 2008, 03:40:51 PM
quote:quote:
Britton please define:
~ Eexcellent performing
~ Average performing
Think of excellent as that WOW ball that gives you that little bit of extra room and backend...or something to that effect...think of some of the best sellers out there now
Think of the avg ball as a solid performer but not one of those wow balls, nothing special just gets the job done...
Its kind of tough to describe what im asking for, and i dont want to name ball names cause everyones opinions are different...i like the responses im getting so far tho...keep them coming guys!
--------------------
Ok so your saying would I rather have the wow factor _ _ _nite made gear that has 10 or 20 sets in it or the something for Storm's or Brunswick's midline that will get the job done, just not so flashy ?
I'd take a longer lasting ball over any of _ _ _nites ball poster child balls !
--------------------
quote:
I will head to my local pro shop. Right after I buy it online.
Sport Bowling is a F**king joke
Post by: mrbowlingnut on April 28, 2008, 03:51:18 PM
Post by: sammy the sage on April 29, 2008, 08:49:17 PM
oh well..........................................................................................................................................................
Post by: 1MechEng on April 29, 2008, 09:04:40 PM
My decision might be different if I was a pro and had 12 new balls per year.
--------------------
======================
Dan
======================
Engineering * Bowling = a fun and practical application of rotational kinematics.
Bowling Nerd Herd (TM) Member
Post by: themagician on April 29, 2008, 09:06:11 PM
--------------------
http://www.absolutebowling.com NO TROLLS
Post by: John D Davis on April 29, 2008, 10:21:29 PM
If he/she cheaned thier balls regular and maybe baked/bathed them I really dont think ball-death would ever happen. I own a ball spinner, so its so much easier for me to keep my bowling balls in perfect condition. I have right now, 7 bowling ball polishes, 4 diff. cleaners, abralon pads, aceton, and wet sand paper. I know everyone wouldnt go to this extent to keep their balls in good condition but if you're a serious bowling then Id really consider getting a ball spinner...
It has been by far the best 220$ investment I have ever made. Heck I even enjoy cleaning up my bowling balls after each session now. I used to be the one that cleaned his ball after say 50-75 games. Now I do after 2
. Bottom line is............. Oil absorption maybe a little higher or a little lower than some balls but the fact remains, bowling balls dont go through ball-death. I used to think so back in the days but now that know how to keep one up I have learned otherwise. Britton how do you feel about what I just had to say? Would you agree or disagree about balls dying...? I know you may not keep a bowling ball very long but you are in the business and you maybe perhaps see other people posing to this situation. Thanks for reading.
Post by: themachine300 on April 29, 2008, 10:23:17 PM
--------------------
www.bowlingsolutions.com
Move left, hook it more.....
Tommy Jones is a Gamecock fan...are you???
We shall now refer a 4-bagger as a hambone...Mark it down the revolution has started!
Edited on 4/29/2008 10:24 PM
Post by: stormed1 on April 29, 2008, 11:53:22 PM
Post by: jd1319 on April 30, 2008, 12:05:50 AM
Post by: williewc on April 30, 2008, 12:09:22 AM
but i dont really have the money to buy new balls at the rate most of the people on this site does
i want both performance and lifespan, if i can only get 50 games out of a ball i dont want it, i dont care if that ball won me nationals i wouldnt get another one after it died
i havent bought a ball in over a year and they still react just as good as when i bought them for the most part, hell the first ball i ever bought was the Track Threat 4 1/2 years ago and only threw it the first year i bowled and probably put close to 1000 games on it that year, i can still take it out to the lanes and watch it hook just as good as it did when i bought the ball
none of my balls react any different that when they were new and if they do start to hook less its nothing a good deep cleaning wont cure
hell every ball i have probably has over 500 games on them except for maybe the Phoenix
--------------------
Proud member of the Track Legion
Tag Team Coaching Success Story
Post by: Foppe on April 30, 2008, 04:44:34 AM
Post by: VideoBallReviews on April 30, 2008, 05:18:35 AM
quote:
Well..if you'rer not gonna NAME names...it mean's you've GOTTEN INTO BED w/some ball company's...so as to GET BALLS cheap...INSTEAD of doing HONEST ACCURATE review's...much like the bowling magazine's!
oh well..........................................................................................................................................................
IM a little confused by this statement? Ask anyone who has talked to me and asked me advice, they know i say all the companies are good, and i treat every company the same way, no-one gets any special treatment...i have no particular favorites, i throw what works best for me in my own personal life, if someone asks me whats in my bag currently i tell them
to say that i dont do fair accurate reviews is incorrect, and i would appreciate it if you wouldnt jump to a conclusion with a lame attack like that...
I simply did not name names because everyone has their own idea of which companies last longer than others...you may think brand x balls last forever while another guy may think his brand lasts forever and yours is junk...everyone could interpret the question differently because they DO have their favorites
--------------------
Britton (formerly bar5003)
Owner/Operator of Videoballreviews.com
Official Sponsors
VISE (http://"http://www.viseinserts.com")
3G Shoes (http://"http://www.900global.com")
Buddiesproshop.com (http://"http://www.buddiesproshop.com")
Edited on 4/30/2008 5:34 AM
Post by: Strider on April 30, 2008, 07:17:04 AM
--------------------
Penn State Proud
Special thanks to Lane#1 for donations to two consecutive Ballreviews Get Togethers.
Ron Clifton's Bowling Tip Archive (http://"http://www.bowl4fun.com/ron/roncarchive.htm")
Post by: VideoBallReviews on April 30, 2008, 07:29:37 AM
quote:
Bottom line is............. Oil absorption maybe a little higher or a little lower than some balls but the fact remains, bowling balls dont go through ball-death. I used to think so back in the days but now that know how to keep one up I have learned otherwise. Britton how do you feel about what I just had to say? Would you agree or disagree about balls dying...? I know you may not keep a bowling ball very long but you are in the business and you maybe perhaps see other people posing to this situation. Thanks for reading.
I actually have thrown a few balls long enough to experience a form of death...if i like a ball enough, it stays in my bag for awhile...now they did not full out go straight as an arrow, but they did not perform as well as OOB for me, even with recessatation...and this wasnt just from one company either...
Your typical bowler will experience ball death, simply because they refuse to clean their stuff...i bet about 15-20% of league bowlers actually clean their stuff regularly (after every 3 game set), many only clean their stuff when they start to see a decrease in reaction and unfortunately that is usually too late...plus im a full believer that most bowlers would rather complain about it anyway
--------------------
Britton (formerly bar5003)
Owner/Operator of Videoballreviews.com
Official Sponsors
VISE (http://"http://www.viseinserts.com")
3G Shoes (http://"http://www.900global.com")
Buddiesproshop.com (http://"http://www.buddiesproshop.com")
Post by: n00dlejester on April 30, 2008, 07:33:52 AM
And whoever said it, all maintenance is key to life.
Post by: dizzyfugu on April 30, 2008, 08:53:30 AM
--------------------
DizzyFugu (http://"http://www.putfile.com/dizzyfugu/") - Reporting from Germany
Confused by bowling?
Check out BR.com's vault of wisdom: the unofficial FAQ section (http://"http://www.ballreviews.com/Forum/Replies.asp?TopicID=74110&ForumID=16&CategoryID=5")
Secrets revealed: What's a fugu? (http://"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fugu")
Post by: MC on April 30, 2008, 09:27:22 AM
--------------------
"Don't Give Up... Don't Ever Give Up."
-Jim Valvano
"Perfection is not attainable. But if we chase perfection, we can catch excellence."
-Vince Lombardi
VISIONARY TEST STAFF 07/08
Tag Team Coaching success story 
Post by: TheProphet on April 30, 2008, 09:45:30 AM
Ebonite stuff dies on me.. no matter how good the ball looks I'll never throw it again. With that said.. Brunswick stuff doesn't look as good.. but I always have a good look with it and I'm usually bowling well with it. It just reads the lane opposed to the skid flip wow factor that ebonite gives off..
Yeah. Ball B.
Post by: Visionary 4626 on April 30, 2008, 02:18:41 PM
Post by: Joe Jr on April 30, 2008, 02:31:29 PM
I guess price plays a part in it too, if I get 75-100 games out of a great rolling ball that cost only $100, then it's pretty much done it's job.
--------------------
My Vid (http://"http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e56/RevLefty/?action=view¤t=0415085.flv")
Formerly Brunswick Lefty & Richard Cranium
Post by: Grayson on April 30, 2008, 03:25:40 PM
the longer the ball lives and works the better... I am still learning the game though I am now making big steps toward big scores I have not much money to spend on bowling balls...
one ball per year not more. My arsenal of two balls is enough here at my local house and so my oppinion is:
it depends...
the one guy playing tournaments and making money wants A+ performance when he needs it and so needs a ball that gives him that no matter if it "dies" (I do not believe in this term! Keep your ball clan and resurface and imho 500+ games should be possible without seeing a biog loss in performance... maybe reaction... but not performance)
and then there is the other guy... a house bowler... learning the game ... or simply playing once a week for fun. He needs a ball that lasts... for him scores are not the world and often he does not want to spend big money every three month on a new ball...
AND of course there is the big mucho macho bowler always with the newest stuff and the biggest hook etc... and this guy gives a shiet about how long the ball works as he will buy a new one anyway
--------------------
Sebastian Koch
"Have fun and bowl well!" - Grayson
"Some things are made so even idiots won't fail using them.... But I ask what about the genius?" - Grayson
(\_/)
(x_x)
c(')(')
Unoffical Ballreviews.com FAQ (http://"http://www.ballreviews.com/Forum/Replies.asp?TopicID=74110&ForumID=16&CategoryID=5")
Post by: jls on April 30, 2008, 03:33:27 PM
If your a donor, Lifespan is more important.
Had a customer in Monday who bought another Cell. His last one lasted about 45 games. Does he care, no, cause he says he won boo koo bucks with the ball.
If your going to get in the pots, you need "performance"
If you just want to feed the pots, Lifespan it is!!!
--------------------
jls, proud watcher of womens golf