BallReviews
General Category => Miscellaneous => Topic started by: mswitz88 on September 20, 2013, 07:39:22 AM
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My uncle is looking to replace his worn out Brunswick Danger Zone. His current ball motion looks the most similar to something from urethane with a long slow arc to the pocket. He wants to duplicate this motion as it works pretty well for him (he averages 212 with a 15 year old ball with a separated core). He throws on the slow side (I'd guess 14-15mph) and doesn't get very much revs on the ball. We bowl on a long (44') light pattern that tends to break down pretty quickly. For his ball speed and desired motion, I think anything reactive will not fit well with his style. I am trying to decide what is going to be closest to his lane play in the current lineup of equipment. I was tentatively thinking something like a Natural Pearl or Super Natural. Roto Grenade looks OK too but they are almost impossible to find new (same with the Brunswick Karma). My question is will the super natural be too strong compared to what he's used to or will the Natural Pearl not be strong enough? Thanks for your help!
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I have a Pink/Purple Karma, and from my understanding it is VERY similar to the old DZ.
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The blue/green karma and the blue/black karma use PK18 pearl and solid coverstocks which were used on the Danger Zone line. The core is slightly weaker.
Since his ball is so worn out it looks like urethane you may want to consider the Slingshot with a little surface adjustment. Say 2000 sanded. It uses pk17 pearl coverstock with a weaker core that would be very close to what he has now.
The pink karma uses activator+ which is a lot more aggressive cover.
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My uncle is looking to replace his worn out Brunswick Danger Zone. His current ball motion looks the most similar to something from urethane with a long slow arc to the pocket. He wants to duplicate this motion as it works pretty well for him (he averages 212 with a 15 year old ball with a separated core). He throws on the slow side (I'd guess 14-15mph) and doesn't get very much revs on the ball. We bowl on a long (44') light pattern that tends to break down pretty quickly. For his ball speed and desired motion, I think anything reactive will not fit well with his style. I am trying to decide what is going to be closest to his lane play in the current lineup of equipment. I was tentatively thinking something like a Natural Pearl or Super Natural. Roto Grenade looks OK too but they are almost impossible to find new (same with the Brunswick Karma). My question is will the super natural be too strong compared to what he's used to or will the Natural Pearl not be strong enough? Thanks for your help!
Drill him up a Super Natural and call it a day. Even if it is a lighter pattern, it is still 44 feet. Even being the "Super" Natural, the cover is still going to be weak enough for him that he should still be able to control it.
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I'm going to go a different direction and recommend a Brunswick Meanstreak Brawler or Radical Torrid Affair. The Torrid Affair in particular has a low RG core (2.47) to help him with his low revs and the same differential as the Danger Zone (0.47). The Brawler has a higher RG (2.536) but the same differential (0.47). Both balls have covers that take extremely well to surface changes.
These are both classic benchmark balls and you can expect that predictable roll and smooth arc that Brunswick is known for. In fact, the Torrid Affair is poured by Brunswick.
If you are worried and want something a little weaker, I highly recommend the Ringer. If you want to steer away from Brunswick, others can chime in. I had the original Natural and found it didn't stack up against my old Faball Hammers, but that's the only one I tried.
Good luck!
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The pink karma uses activator+ which is a lot more aggressive cover.
Ahh, got ya. I got them confused for a second there.
I stand corrected.
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Activator or Activator+ are really not all that much, if any, stronger than PK 18. A lot of their perceived extra strength came from the ruff buff finish used on the Inferno and Absolute Inferno. I have an Anaconda ( remake of Absolute ) and it is one of the tamest balls in my bag
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Torrid Affair or Torrid Elite from Radical
If he was a fan of the Inferno line he will like either one of these.
Radical is part of the Brunswick family with Phil Cardinale and Mo Pinel behind the cores and covers.
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When you compare RB finish to RB finish of PK18 and Activator it is a very noticeable difference. If you get on to heavier oil and play with surface the difference becomes even more obvious. PK18 is great and can be used on a lot of conditions especially todays THS no problem. It is my second favorite cover behind Activator.
If you have a ball with original PK18 it will not be as strong as PK18 of more recent years. No current ball uses PK18, the Strike King SK13 is the next closest thing. The cover is stronger then recent PK18.
Here is the Strike King SK13 cover with a weaker core next to the Karma PK18 and a slightly stronger core. Same layout, I can play either on the same line.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fz5Pe6_PqiE
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Even an old, worn out reactive resin ball is stronger than a urethane. Take a look at the Tropical Breeze. -- JohnP