Nic, there are huge differences. Stock storm stuff prior to the x-Factor was best out of the box and then went steadily downhill for me. The X-Factor, like much Track equipment (Voodoo, Hex, EZ Money, Mojo, Freak Out, Threat, Hextreme), needed seasoning to become consistent. Unfortunately, in the vein you note, some Track equipment (the Freak Out and Threat come to mind) need a few games to break in and then track out (need resurfacings with dull scotchbrite, not sandpaper) after about 25-40 games, or they lose punch, at least for me, so you get maybe 20-30 games out of them effectively before they need resurfacing.
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"It's just a carry contest."