Amazing,
The reason that Visionary and Lanemasters do not get a look from alot of people, is simply because they are smaller companies that do not go out and market their stuff like that of Brunswick and Ebonite. I have been using Visionary since 2000 and have had nothing but great success with them. Funny part, is that I think there is only one pro shop in the Atlanta area that even carries VBP and it is about 50 miles from me. Brunswick, Storm, and Ebonite are bigger, more established companies. VBP is pretty big in the midwest but then that is where they are located (St Louis).
Brunswick will do clinics and Ebonite has Demo Days for bowlers to go out and "test drive" their products before a customer buys them. VBP does not do anything like that, at least not down here anyway.
So far, I have had a Green Gargoyle, Violet Gargoyle, 3 Crimson Executioners, Charcoal Executioner, SS Ogre, Blue Sparkle Gryphon, Frankie May, and B/G Centaur. I have shot honor scores with every one of them and have yet to part ways with any of them. The Green Gargoyle is my fave of all of them and I have had it the longest, about 8 years. It is my old faithful, my go to ball.
The reason that VBP and Lanemasters have more durable covers, is because their covers are thicker. They go 3+ inches into the ball whereas the major companies' covers are only about half of that, maybe 2 inches into the ball. They use filler around the core whereas VBP is virtually core with coverstock poured over it. That is why they can go through many cover changes and resurfaces without losing ball reaction. The resin is 3-4 inches thick. I believe if more people took a chance, they would find good things with Visionary and Lanemasters.
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Steven Vance
Former Pro Shop Operator
If anyone out there is worried about the scores being too high, try duckpin!!