I thought, I'd post my first thoughts on a Motiv SX1 (black one) that I had drilled up before Christmas this week Mon. 12/22 and used Monday 5-man hdcp and Tuesday 3-person hdcp in league (2) 3 game sets both at the same house 32 lanes 6 yr. old Bruns Anvilane 2nd Generation with the targeting stripes down lane.  They put down what I would term a medium-a bit more than medium THS but not heavy.  Lane oil normally carries down and transitions at end of first game in 5 man.

My driller and I decided on drilling up the SX1 instead of the TX1 as it would be a good ball to start with.  He laid it out 4" pin to PAP...pin is up just right of my ring VAL angle @ 45* and drilling angle @65*. with my PAP of 4 7/8" over and 0 basically a 4" x 4" layout CG kicked out about 3/4" from grip center. No X hole.  Driller put it on his deTerminator spins up very fast although we didn't time it to see where Mb would wind up even though it's symmetrical.  Winds up just left and below thumb.  This is a strong drilling but not stacked and not a 105 or label leverage kind of in between.

I warm up with it and this is what you will see and notice right away.....early roll with no over reaction......kind of reminds me of Big B balls like the Command Zone and others like it arcing rolly balls.....easy to read.  This house is not typically overly wet/dry but I think with the right surface you could even use the SX1 on wetter/drier THS's. First game a 268 out of the gate.  Very good ball on fresh condition's.

The second thing you see is in OOB surface the ball during transition will struggle a bit on carry down unless going around it.  I left a 7-10 on  a swisher hit...switched to a Gladiator Solid @2000ab w/lane shine (sliding 20) which I will do just to see how they compare...had to move my feet further right 2 boards and go straighter to strike.  After transition went back to SX1 and moving further in (sliding 25) using a more off the side release to get ball further down lane with more roll at break point more axis rotation.  

I do like the OOB surface of 2000 ab and lil polish over...rolls evenly and stores up energy well.   Driller made comment that coverstock is porous when drilling but not an oil sucker. Cover is thicker than some.

I like the non-engraved logo whether it does offer performance advantage is up for discussion but it can't hurt and I like the solid colors as I am more old school....you can really tell the ball is revving up and might be a good ball for a beginner to see ball roll.

Motiv lists them as medium balls and I'd agree with the SX1.  Great ball to use on fresh medium.  I drill a TX1 tomorrow...if what Chris of Buddies says is correct this would be a good ball to follow up on the SX1.

If you are looking for a big hooking monster ala Virtual Gravity type you'd have to take the SX1 down to 1000ab or lower but I don't think this is where this ball fits in a line-up.  There are other balls for that...many others too numerous to mention and if you are a heavy handed player you will like both of these Motiv balls.  

Just an FYI.....I've drilled a 3 new balls this year.  The SX1 is the most impressive of the 3.  I do think Motiv is bringing something good to the market.  Cover and core match up well for me. I do like symmetrical cores. (must be my inconsistent release )  Being that TechLine/Motiv have been in the business a long while I am not worried about their longevity in the business it's not a flash in the pan kind of think I am thinking.  

I have heard that BTM will be doing reviews on both he SX1 and TX1 in Feb.  


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Scott



Edited on 12/25/2008 2:36 PM