I'll adlib from facebook comments, but Motiv has a new trick coming to the market with a new coverstock technology that they are saying isn't reactive, and isn't urethane.

Motiv Covert Tank
Cover: Frixion Microcell
Core: Torx 2.50 RG .051 Diff
Color: Solid Black
Logo Color: Dark Gray Pearl
Box Finish: 2000 Grit LSS

"Cover (it's not urethane....isn't resin either)
The revolutionary microcell polymer cover comes from year of research in cover technology, durability, and oil absorption. Currently, bowling balls are either high absorption or non-absorbing with virtually nothing between. When Motiv set out to create the ultimate competitive advantage ball, we began experimenting in microscopic variations of oil absorption. What we developed was a brand new cover that absorbs oil at a fraction of the speed of resin, but is still capable of absorbing oil. To the naked eye, the microcell polymer cover appears to absorb no oil, like a urethane cover. However, this microscopic adjustment creates more continuation through the pins and therefore better carry. This continuation comes without sacrificing traction. With oil absorption rates as slow as the Frixion microcell polymer cover, the Covert Tank provides long life and durability as well."

Interesting. I saw this on the approved list last week and was wondering what it'd actually be.

Agreed, staffer I know said it's really good, and he's not the homer of a staffer, he's brutally honest to me on releases.

Marketing sounds a bit like Storm's with the SPEC coverstock, so it shall be interesting to see

Almost sounds like the Epoxy marketing

Except its not designed to be a hook monster. More of Purple Hammer competitor from what I have gathered.

Quote from: 3835 on May 03, 2019, 02:40:12 PM

Almost sounds like the Epoxy marketing

Except its not designed to be a hook monster. More of Purple Hammer competitor from what I have gathered.

Plus epoxy balls are pretty much the ultimate oil sponges and high maintenance.  This sounds like its trying to be the opposite and cater to lazy bowlers who don't clean their equipment.

I've moved from reactive to urethane since changing to no thumb style last summer. I tried BTU pearl and it's a weak reactive.

I hope this ball is more urethane with a little extra at end.

In general I like what the companies have been starting to do with urethane's, make them for the modern game. For a long time it seemed most urethanes where made to have some sort retro type roll.  So many of them with the low flare, carrydown producing cores.

I recently got a Fever Pitch and I think it's great. I'm looking at this ball as something that rolls earlier to compliment it.

Someone already put up a video. At least he put up some comparison shots.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4Fz9huTha0

Seems a tad stronger than the Tank Rampage, but clearly much weaker overall than the Trill.
 

Breaking out my motiv rebel tank today. Love the tank series.... They have made so many in last few years, all of them great. Wish they were all still available as the differences were subtle but significant if that makes any sense.

Another update:
So i've got to use this on a few different patterns, bowled every day since I got it. I've always wanted to have that ball motion the high rev rate guys can get out of a purple hammer, but my lack of axis rotation and rev rate has never allowed urethane to look any bit good for me unless the pattern is really short. This Covert Tank is giving me a shape i've never been able to have and is really impressing me, what i thought would be a niche piece is looking like it's going to be a heavily used piece. I brought my camera but forgot a battery so no video yet, but i'll make it happen.

I have a purple hammer and a combat tank, both are weaker than the Covert Tank, with the Purple being somewhat close, but not as continuous for me, the Combat Tank wouldn't wiggle from where the Purple Hammer let me line up, let alone the Covert Tank.

EDIT: Quick video added