Description: The Venom Cobra is the 5th installment in the Venom series and again placed in the lower mid-price range. There is a modification from the original Gear Core as it has the NEW Top Gear Core, a dual density core which slightly lowered the RG from a 2.48 to 2.47 in the Venom Cobra. It also has the NEW Sabotage Hybrid Coverstock.

Reaction: The Venom Shock is one of my favorite balls drilled, ever! With that being said I am excited to have a cleaner and faster responding Venom (Much more so than the Venom Panic), yet with similar overall hook potential as the Venom Shock. The Venom Cobra hasn’t disappointed me…even with the lower RG Top Gear core it doesn’t seem to lack length and creates great entry angle when the Venom Shock is too smooth. The Venom Cobra has great continuation as well as that great carry that the Venom line is known for. My pin-up Venom Cobra (60X5X35) is straighter through the front part of the lane, with a very fast response to friction. My pin-down Venom Cobra (60X4.25X65, P3 Hole) is the earlier and stronger of the two, but still responds to friction fast enough, it’s just more evenly shaped.

Comparisons: Visually it’s very clear in the differences between the Venom Shock and Venom Cobra. The Venom Shock clearly starts up sooner and doesn’t respond as fast to friction, if anything the Venom Shock is only stronger due to the difference in out of the box surface. The Graffiti Tag is definitely just a little longer, has a little faster response to friction and not quite as strong overall. Lastly, the Paranoia is similar in length, but provides a faster response to friction and more hook potential. I also did a quick surface adjustment with 3000 Abralon to the pin down Venom Cobra, it was noticeably earlier and smoother as well as pushed me on top of the Venom Shock line, but it still provided more shape down lane than a Venom Shock.

Summary: This ball has been great on many different patterns so far. I usually drill two of every new release from MOTIV. I have a tendency to prefer one layout over the other with each release. I can honestly say that I REALLY like both Venom Cobras. A Venom Shock is a ball that just has always seemed to make the bag no matter what, I think a Venom Cobra will also being making the bag no matter what from now on. Check out my video for visual reference! 

Mike Magolan
MOTIV/Turbo/Boom Apparel/Genesis Staff Member