Author Topic: Hydra (Read 9528 times)

BallReviews-scodaddy21 · « **on:** June 27, 2018, 12:49:41 PM »

Ball NPS Score: 100.00
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The Motiv Hydra bowling ball is designed for high friction house shots and rev heavy bowlers as well as tournament players who need a performance ball for drier lane conditions. The beast of a bowling ball can strike from deep in the lane as well as generate more entry angles. This is all accomplished through the combination of clean and angular Hexion LFP Reactive coverstock and the high RG/low differential Halogen core. This pairing produces easy length with head turning backend motion. The 5000 Grit LSP finish on the Hydra helps it read the lane more effectively and produces better predictability on the backend.

Color: Black Pearl with an Orange Pearl/Silver Pearl NeoMark
Core: Halogen
Coverstock: Hexion LFP Reactive
Finish: 5000 Grit LSP
RG: 2.55 (for 15# ball)
Differential: .037 (for 15# ball)
Recommended Lane Condition: Light Oil

toverbey · « **Reply #1 on:** July 02, 2018, 03:48:54 PM »

Layout:
65 x 4 Â½ x 40

Turn Up the Heat? Donâ€™t mind if I do! The Hydra is an amalgam of proven core dependability and brand new, exciting coverstock development. The tried and tested Halogen core (2.55RG, .037Diff) is wrapped in the freshest iteration of Hexion technology, Hexion LFP (5000grit LSP). This coverstock is the strongest to date of any Hexion ball, but by finishing it at 5000 grit and then giving it a higher RG core, a good combination of push with punch comes to play. While the layout I have on this particular ball is fairly â€˜neutralâ€™ in terms of overall core manipulation, I can definitively say that this may be the most versatile ball in my bag. At box finish this has been super clean in the heads and mids, storing up a tremendous amount of energy for a backend motion that only quits once it reaches the pit. I have been able to be square with it on fresher house shots (though that is not its preferred environment) along with being able to step left, throw right, and watch it scream back to the headpin. Even when I tug it a bit into the oil it still finds a way to gain traction thereby allowing me a greater room for error rather than just knowing itâ€™s going to wash out because I made it skid in the puddle. When I changed the surface to a fresh 2000, I saw a similar-yet-different beast. The Hydra still made it through the fronts with easy but started to read the mids quite a bit sooner while still allowing plenty of energy to make a pronounced move into the pocket at the backend. If I were building a collegiate-standard five ball arsenal, at box I would have a â€˜4-ballâ€™ and at 2000 I would have a solid â€˜3-ball,â€™ or benchmark. While the overall motion of the Hydra impresses me greatly, I am utterly blown away by its versatility. If you need a ball that can attack medium and lighter conditions, this is a choice that can cover it all.

Trent Overbey
In the Zone Pro Shop
MOTIV Staff
www.motivbowling.com

jamotivated · « **Reply #2 on:** July 07, 2018, 02:43:53 PM »

Hydra
Core Type: Symmetrical
Factory Finish: 5000 Grit LSP
Radius of Gyration (RG): 2.55 (15lb.)
Differential (DIFF): .037 (15lb.)
Core: Halogen
Coverstock: Hexion LFP Reactive

My Stats:
PAP: 5.125 Over, 1.125 Up
Surface: 2000 Light Polish
Layouts: 85x3x55

Ball Reaction Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbOxWDcnbVg

The new Motiv Hydra is Motivâ€™s newest addition to the line, featuring the strongest Hexion cover to date, wrapped around the Halogen core, previously found in the Tag line. The OG Tag was one of my favorite balls, and this release helps me not miss it so much. Very similar shape, but overall I'm pretty sure this is stronger.

Iâ€™m pleasantly surprised by the shape this ball creates, even in the oil. Where the Lethal Paranoia might labor a little bit, this ball comes off the spot significantly stronger. Iâ€™m able to keep my angles straighter through the fronts on medium volume shots with a little bit of surface, and open up the lane on burnt shots with shine, so Iâ€™m seeing a ton of versatility from this ball already. I had an opportunity to throw it on a 40â€™ 1:1 flat pattern, and was surprised at how easy it made the lane look when I took it down to 2000. I shined it back up after a few games and it gave me an awesome shape from inside.

If youâ€™re looking for a weaker ball that you can throw on a lot of light-medium patterns, or just something for your basic house shot, the Hydra is a great choice.

Jamison Peyton
Motiv Staffer

cyafromfla · « **Reply #3 on:** July 10, 2018, 12:56:18 PM »

This ball is the newest introduction into the MOTIV line of bowling balls. The MOTIV Hydra features the combination of the incredibly clean and angular Hexion cover system combined with the high RG/low differential Halogen core which results in easy length with impressive backend motion. It's very clean through the front of the lane, yet doesnâ€™t hydroplane on oil and has a ridiculously fast backend response. Most importantly, it features the continuation through the pins that MOTIV balls are becoming known for.

It will be a great fit in your bag on medium to light oil. The Hydra will become that ball you can count on when you need to go away from the pocket and have no fear that it will recovery giving you the angularity and continuation you need to go through the pins.

My Hydra is laid out pin up (to the right of my ring finger), the cg in the palm and no extra hole. This ball has already found a place in my bag and drives through the pins with easy from an insane angle. If you are looking for a ball with crazy backend reaction, continuation and awesome hitting power. Look no further, you've found it.

Craig Auerbach
MOTIV Staff Member
Florida

scottyb300 · « **Reply #4 on:** July 13, 2018, 09:11:30 PM »

Scott Boyle

Bowling Ball: Hydra
Core: Halogen
Coverstock: Hexion LFP Reactive
Finish: 5000 Grit LSP
RG: 2.55
Differential: .037

Bowler

Hand: Left

Rev Rate: 375-400

PAP: 5 0ver 3/16 up

Introducing the all new Hydra by Motiv!!
I'm extremely excited about this ball. The Hydra features the Halogen core, which is the same core used in the Tag Cannon and has the Hexion cover.
The Hexion cover may just be in fact my favorite covert that Motiv has come out with. It is the same cover used on the Lethal Paranoia just tweaked the slightest bit. The Hexion coverstock is very clean and has a very fast response to friction down lane.

The Hydra fits very well right under my Lethal Paranoia. Since the Lethal has a bigger core in it I find that when it gets to be too much of a ball I can ball right down to my Hydra and it allows me to still play the same part of the lane.

We did a simple Pin under bridge layout with mine. With myself already having such high axis tilt and the Hydra already being so clean this was the perfect layout for me.

One thing I think that is being drastically overlooked is the coverstock versatility. I used it out of box at its 5000 grit and with that cover it is extremely clean, however with the Hexion coverstock when I sanded it down to 1000 this ball became a freight train, instead of it being a ball under my Lethal Paranoia with a duller coverstock it then became a ball right under my Villain (a big asymmetric ball). Motiv has definitely nailed it with this one!
Hope this helps! Cheers and High Scores!

Here's a little clip of the Hydra! Enjoy!
https://dl-mail.ymail.com/ws/download/mailboxes/@.id==VjN-V5B_CZeqp-GtGrksBKDYsQ_fA8Pwb6a_oECL76dkvbSlsgMeyvKYOO8-JcRmi-ic6F676llwJijNHGM9Rx73ng/messages/@.id==AL_5ZLxz8QIqW0lWbQBKOKiKof0/content/parts/@.id==2/raw?appid=YMailNorrin&ymreqid=aeaad3b3-2ddf-8f5a-1cb7-23000301d300&token=zitEzqOML3j84e6ealFTT5U7-km5qEQF52lp7AcCuBaHKl8whOCeK7XVHMP6TXDvsSu70V4ZNGOrfeYa80A0a9L4tKkuTubkbu3hzogxjvUGYHG5zZROOYeWZBW-NzAx

jrob857 · « **Reply #5 on:** July 17, 2018, 09:13:43 AM »

Review:

The Hydra is the latest release from MOTIV Bowling products a favorite core and cover stock all MOTIV fans have loved. The Halogen core gives the Hydra nice length and lots of backend and then we pair that with the Hexion cover technology that gives the Hydra a nice clean and angular motion. If you want to have more bang for your buck then go get the new Hydra at your local pro shops.

Weight Block Halogen
Cover Stock Hexion LFP
Finish 5000 Grit LSP

Review:

Before I get into this, I was a huge, huge fan of the original Tag. That ball won me so much money and I was so sad when we discontinued it. However, the first time I threw the Hydra for a split moment I never knew the Tag ever existed. Now Iâ€™ll never forget the OG Tag, but the Hydra is the real deal. I never thought a bowling ball in this price point will be the versatile. I can play straighter angles if I want or open up the lane without losing power in the pocket. The first time I threw this I threw 20 shot and struck 19 times playing multiple angles. All I can say is that is the new Hydra is needed in everyoneâ€™s bag. All rev rate bowlers will love the Hydra because its versatility is so impressive both on house and sport shots. You can play straighter or move in and you wonâ€™t lose the pocket.

Likes: Clean and angular motion; incredible length and backend; versatility

Dislikes: None

I recommend this bowling ball for all types of bowlers.

MOTIV Staff Player,
John Robertson
www.motivbowling.com

Average Joe Reviews · « **Reply #6 on:** July 18, 2018, 12:09:48 AM »

LANE CONDITION

Length: 41'

Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc): THS

COMMENTS

I tried this ball on our house shot pattern and this ball does exactly as advertised. It seems like Motiv created something special with their Hexion coverstock technology.

The Hydra is very clean through the front part of the lane and when it hits the friction it has a strong, STRONG move to the backend. When I found out about this release I was expecting a weaker ball but I was wrong.

The Hydra is stronger overall than the preivous balls that used the Halogen core, the Tag Cannon and the Graffiti Tag. As a low rev, medium speed bowler, sometimes I have issues with this type of equipment. If the ball hits the friction too soon, the ball goes sideways, if I stay in the oil for too long, the ball goes foverer and it picks up late, so most of the time I have to use surface to get the ball to read the lane earlier. With the Hydra I didn't have to touch the out of the box surface and I was surprised on how clean this ball is and how much energy it saves for the last part of the lane.

I was able to start close to my confort zone around the second arrow and I could swing the ball a little bit farther down the lane than what I was expecting. The Hydra is definitely stronger than advertised. I can see myself using this ball on fresh without a problem.

Overall I really enjoyed testing this ball. Motiv did a great job creating such an angular ball with a low-mid entry price. Even with how angular this ball is, the Hydra is really easy to read and it is really easy to adjust once you need to make and adjustment.

I feel that this ball will be useful to open up the lane on most light-medium oil conditions or to play straighter angles while bowling on fresh. This ball will be a great fit for all the tournament bowlers who need a ball that provides length and shape downlane.

If you are looking for an affordable ball, with a strong backend motion that can handle most light and medium oil conditions, then the Hydra might be the ball you are looking for.

Thank you for watching!

The SuperHitMan · « **Reply #7 on:** July 31, 2018, 01:02:13 PM »

Weight Block: Halogen
Cover Stock: Hexion LFP Cover Stock
Finish: 5000 Grit LSP
Length:17
Backend:18.5
Hook:49
Flare Potential:4"+

Hail Halogen.
Hail Hexion.
Hall Hydra.

Summary

I used the Hydra out of box on a variety of patterns and it does indeed do as advertised on light to medium patterns, to an extent on heavier patterns however I did alter the surface using a small square green scotch brite and a 1000 abralon pad simultaneously. At 5000 the Hydra is lengthy and when encountering friction it makes a strong move down lane, out of box the strong move is sharp but continuous so it doesnâ€™t hook through the pin deck.

Applying surface to the Hydra makes the shape rounder down lane which I found ideal for my rev rate and ball speed, instead of a sharp continuous motion it was evenly continuous. I did not lose any length by altering the cover which shows the versatility of the Hexion cover and the strength of the Halogen core.

Hydra is a great go to ball when your Venom Shock Pearl is too strong and your Freestyle is not enough for your liking, testing Hydra on flatter patterns it matched up nicely for me at both box and scotchbralon 1000 which speaks to its versatility.

Continuation is something Motiv has never lacked on and there is no shortage in Hydra, it isnâ€™t something that hooks through the pin deck instead it continuous. There is nothing like a ball that does as advertised and Hydra is everything that it is made out to be and more, I consider Hydra to be a success for all types of styles.

As a fan of the Apex, Apex Ascent, Freestyle, and Freestyle Rush I have an admiration for small ball weaponry and the ball motion they provide, Hydra doesnâ€™t disappoint and will offer you a lot for an affordable price. Should you have a spot to fill in your bag or youâ€™re a collector of small weaponry I encourage you take a look at Hydra.

Your game will thank you for it.

K.C. White II

Motiv Staffer

CodyS138 · « **Reply #8 on:** August 29, 2018, 05:59:54 PM »

The Hydra from Motiv Bowling is an absolute must!!

This ball combines the Halogen core with a new version of the Hexion cover. This combination gets us a pearl with great length and a strong angular move down lane.

This ball for me allows me to know I can get left when the lanes burn up and I know this ball with get through the fronts and never be sensitive to oil.

I personally drilled one pin down and pin up, below and above the bridge and have hit the pin down with surface and thrown it on everything late in the day.

Get one of these today and always be able to strike late in the day or on dry lanes in league!

Cody shoemaker
Motiv Staff

Mohrevs · « **Reply #9 on:** September 10, 2018, 12:54:23 PM »

Hydra Lay out 60 x 4.5 x 60 pin under bridge, no extra hole

The hope with this nugget is to be able to blend the over under when chasing the pattern left on the burn/ late day. The core/cover match is a wonderful mix of easy length, high RG, lower diff, cover that sees the lane easy with out the over read off the dry. This nugget and lay out does allow me to blend the lane with easy. Lighter volume patterns, worn out surface, beat up heads and lots of linage are no match for the Hydra. The Hydra reminds me of one of my favorite balls of yesteryear, the Tribal.

What I loved about the Tribal was the ability to see the core tumble in the middle of the lane. The classic light bulb core for me have always been more of a lope/tumble than a hard reving skid snap core. This type of core roll suits my eyes for playing left as I like to see mid lane shape. The lope of the core does not over read the front part of the lane like some of the bigger more aggressive cores, nor does it just scoot to the spot like some of the smaller cores. The new cover laid on top of the seems to be a wonderful choice as the cover matches core. Some of past releases have seemed to want to scoot to much and then read the back end dry very hard. This would lead to a lot of over under, the Hydra seems to leave the over under behind and makes a great blended ball.

The Hydra looks to be an excellent addition to the line up for both tournament play and leagues play alike. The Hydra is a great step down for situations where the Venom Shock is to much, the VSP is to strong and the Rampage is not going through the pins. Look for the Hydra to be a mainstay in my bag for a long time to come.

Clayton Mohr
Motiv Staff

Croedner · « **Reply #10 on:** September 11, 2018, 07:44:15 PM »

When I first tested the Hydra I was pleasantly surprised! Not because I low expectations, but because being a "light oil" ball I thought this would be a niche ball that would come out of my bag only in desperation when the lanes have very little oil left on them.

They Hydra might be a "light oil" ball but it packs a lot of performance for the dollar. The Hydra has been a life saver for me in both the fresh on a high friction house condition and also the burn in match play of a tournament leading me to victory.

The problem with a lot of light oil balls is that they usual don't blend out wet/dry conditions well. They under-react to the oil on small misses in causing light splits, or they are too jumpy off of the friction to the right causing high hits. The Hydra is the exception for me as it reads just enough in the oil to still drive through the pins but also reads smooth enough off of the friction to provide control at a time in the tournament or league where that is very important.

Here I am talking about it providing control but it somehow also is extremely punchy through the pins and keeps the pins low causing unbelievably good carry.

If you're bowling on a high friction league pattern/surface and need something to give you length, control and great pin carry then there isn't a better ball on the market for it, especially not at the lower price point.

Cody Roedner
Motiv Staffer

Author Topic: Hydra (Read 9528 times)

BallReviews-scodaddy21

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toverbey

Re: Hydra

jamotivated

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cyafromfla

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scottyb300

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jrob857

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Average Joe Reviews

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The SuperHitMan

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CodyS138

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Mohrevs

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Croedner

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