The Desert Tank is absolutely amazing. I drilled mine 50-5 ½-70. For me the Desert Tank bridges the gap between the Tank Blitz and Covert Tank. The Desert Tank is cleaner through the fronts than the Blitz but smoother downlane than the Covert Tank. This ball will be great on shorter patterns along with medium patterns when you want to need a controllable motion. This ball will definitely be in my bag at all times.

David Hooper
Motiv Staff

Ball Specs and Layout:
Flux Core
Frixion+ Pearl Microcell Polymer
2000 Grit LSS
65 x 4.25 x 65

Bowler Stats:
Rev Rate – 400-425
Ball Speed – 16.5 mph (down-lane)
PAP – 3 3/4 over, zero
Right-handed

Test Environment:
Fresh 42’ THS

Review:
I’ve instantly became a fan of the Microcell Polymer ever since I got my hands on the Covert Tank. As of recent, the Tank Blitz has been a huge favorite of mine. My initial thought process on the layout was wanting something that I would be able to play the lanes with more parallel. On most patterns, my angles are usually more open with the Covert Tank and Tank Blitz. I opted for a pin down layout to give me a very similar reaction to my urethane, Tank Rampage. I got exactly what I wanted with the layout, which is a very controlled, urethane-like downlane motion. With the Microcell Polymer cover, it still does not affect the oil in both the front and backend parts of the lane.

Likes:
Very controlled downlane motion
Shelf Appeal
Microcell Polymer

Dislikes:
None

Summary:
Microcell Polymer is a game changer with today’s bowling technology. The Desert Tank is going to be a great addition in anyone’s bags. The variety of layouts and surface changes that can be placed on the Desert Tank should cover a fairly wide range, along with matching with every style of bowler. For the competitive bowlers, the Desert Tank should be an automatic decision in their bag for any short patterns and/or a lighter volume pattern. Paired with the Covert Tank and Tank Blitz, it is a versatile arsenal with these alone.

Darryl Carreon
MOTIV Staff / PBA Member

LANE CONDITION

Length: 43ft

Volume:

Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc):THS


COMMENTS

Likes:

The Desert Tank is another great ball from Motiv. Every time they come out with a new piece, it’s a different motion that fills a hole in my bag. This ball gives me a more true urathane ball motion, without tearing up the lanes for my teammates. For me, it allows me to keep my angles in from of me, while also being very predictable. This ball will not see the friction and be as sharp off the spot like reactive resin. It really gives you the best of both worlds. Smooth urathane motion, paired with the hitting power and continuation of resin. Check out my YouTube channel for more ball motion videos

https://youtu.be/A8H8YSPIKZ8

Dislikes:


PICTURES AND/OR VIDEOS

I have drilled two of these and enjoy throwing both! The weaker drilling one has a layout of 60x4.5x50. This ends up putting the pin in my ring finger. This one reminds me more of a urethane look. When comparing it to my Tank Rampage; I was able to be about 3 boards deeper on the lane. The second one I drilled had a layout of 60x4x30. This one really allows me to open up the lane a bit more; yet still have that smoothness provided from the Tank line. Comparing all the Microcell Polymer balls, I would have to say this one is by far my favorite!

Drew Crain
Motiv Staff

Weight Block: Flux

Cover Stock: Frixion+ Pearl Microcell Polymer

Finish:  2000 Grit LSS

Length: 12

Backend: 13

Hook:  46

Flare Potential: 2+

 

 

Noun:

1. A weapon that utilizes the pearl version of the Frixon+ Microcell Polymer cover stock used on the Tank Blitz, the Desert Tank.

 

2. A weapon designed to provide an even smoother motion than the Covert Tank.

 

3. A weapon that possess the low differential Fluxâ„¢ core design has been deployed to tame track flare.


 

Ball Reaction: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=QPJ-q0bZJBA   https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=UuCumYrFTEA


 

Strengths

 

Desert Tank is built combat high friction and shorter patterns, its low flaring ability is what keeps it from making a sharp turn down lane.



The low-flaring Flux core design and Frixion+ Pearl Microcell Polymer coverstock are best suited for drier lane conditions, should you desire more length than the Covert Tank and less hook overall than Tank Blitz I encourage you take a look at Desert Tank.

 

The benefit of Desert Tank having less backend reaction than Tank Blitz is that you can play straighter angles ultimately minimizing the amount of boards being covered down lane.

 
The 2000 Grit LSS box finish paired with Frixion+ Pearl Microcell Polymer coverstock provides the most length between Covert and Blitz, with respect to its higher RG and very low differential core design


The change in core shape really controls the down lane motion of the Desert Tank compared to other balls in the Tank line. The rough box finish also keeps the pearl cover from retaining too much energy for the breakpoint.

 

 

 

Weakness

Desert Tank is rather useful for a variety of styles when everything else is overreacting, however Desert Tank does not excel on heavier patterns as Frixion+ Pearl Microcell Polymer doesn’t have enough teeth.


Summary

 

Desert Tank was created to combat high friction and short patters, which is why the Flux core design and Frixion+ Pearl Microcell Polymer covertock makes this weapon highly valuable.  As expected Desert Tank did as advertised as I was able to play straighter angles and more direct sitting on top of the pocket, the overall reaction was indeed different from the Tank Blitz as Desert is not as aggressive as Blitz which I considered to be plus.

 

The low flaring Flux core will keep Desert from over hooking however when I misfired at the bottom of my swing it doesn’t sit up enough down lane to recover, Covert and Blitz provide more reaction overall compared to Desert Tank.

 

As advertised Desert Tank is useful on worn patterns and when over/under conditions start to appear, I was able to sit in the friction preferred to playing into it as I have done with Covert Tank and Thrill.  The reaction was smooth and predictable for me as Desert Tank didn’t hook too much coming off the friction.

 

I like this addition to the Microcell Polymer Family. When I thought Microcell Polymer couldn’t get bigger Blitz was created, when I thought it could get smaller than Covert the Desert Tank was created. I consider it rather pleasing to avoid a lane play audible and to stay where I want to, where other bowlers will move left I didn’t.

 

I encourage anyone that enjoys avoiding jumping inside or circling the lane when friction becomes unreasonable to take a look at Desert Tank.

 
What better way to cross a Desert than by Tank

 
Your game will thank you for it.


K.C. White II

Logo Infusion Staffer

Motiv Staffer

 

Layout:
   65 x 5” x 40

If you are looking for a urethane-shaped reaction but still want something that bites through the pin deck a bit harder, the MOTIV Desert Tank is what you want to have. Continuing the success of the Microcell Polymer technology from the previous two Tanks, this iteration takes the strength of the cover to a new level while adding more control with a higher RG, lower differential core. The nature of MCP, along with the 2000 grit LSS finish, provides the traction and continuation you would like from a lower-volume ball while the Flux core (2.57RG, .015Diff) gives the most control of any MCP ball to date due to its low differential. By lowering the flare potential of this ball, the Desert Tank provides the most urethane-like shape that is not a true urethane. Urethane shape but with MCP technology provides good hitting power longer through the day as the lanes get scorched, or you need ultimate control on a low volume.
    Based upon my observations above, I laid my Desert Tank out with a longer pin, lower flaring layout so that as the lanes break down I could move myself back right and have something that is clean and smooth through the track. While the cover does take a game or so to be broken in (this was hooking a solid five feet sooner on the lane than my Forge Fire out of the box!), once there it has lived up to its hype. On a typical league night for myself, game three is a crap shoot between getting ridiculously left and wide open or just trying to control the pocket and make your spares. This Tank has allowed me to throw those options out of the window for a far superior one. The nature of this ball does not make it jump the moment it finds dry which means that I have been able to square back up and play less volatile angles. The MCP coverstock also retains exceptional hitting power, so even though the reaction shape is smooth and controlled, the pin action and carry is up there with true reactive shells. The only times I run into danger with this ball is when there is too much oil up front, meaning there is no way for traction to be gained until after the pattern, or when I attempt to open up my angles too much, trying to make it work harder on the backend than it is designed for.

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