Ball: 16 lb, 3" pin
Drill: Pin is 4.5" from PAP, 2.5" above the midline
MB: 5" from PAP, approx 75 degree PAP-pin-MB angle.
Surface: 2000 grit (stock)
Bowler: 5"x0" PAP, 20 degree tilt, 35-40 degree rotation, 16-17 mph ball speed
rev rate: 250 - 300, right handed
Oil patterns and Lane Surfaces:1. Medium-light to medium house oil on Anvillane surface
Just too light for this ball and my release/delivery. Started 1st game standing up against the the ball return and trying to throw it fast - not my strength. Couldn't get it far enough out to burn off some energy. If I pulled it inside, going no further right than 11 board AND did not come around it -- Not sure how I managed to shoot over 200. Put it away for 2nd and 3rd game.
2. Medium heavy oil pattern on Guardian overlay with pine backend. This house is very well taken care of, the heaviest oil pattern in 4 counties. Outside of 5 is drier but not one dry, inside can be a virtual flood. I bowled on this pattern/surface combo as my main test bed, because it's the only one heavy enough in my area to use the Cell (and my only practice for Nationals.) I bowled on it in various stages of use, including some very dry in the 5-10 board area and some mild to huge carrydown in the 5 - 10 board area.
The Cell seemed in its glory on this pattern for me and my release. I had a good deal of release AND targeting forgiveness. The only time I left solid 10 pins was when I both pulled it inside of that area AND threw it too fast. Hitting power was above average as was carry power. The pocket seemed a little extra wide as it does on a couple of my Lanemasters balls, which is as big a complement as I can give a ball. Balls that should have left weak or solid 10 pins just slapped them out.
When it came to carrydown, considering it was solid resin and not particle and it had a relatively fine 2000 grit surface, it handled much more than I thought it would. When carrydown got heavy, I did have to go around it; that was not unexpected.
The best aspects of the ball are its targeting forgiveness and its ability to not overreact with the stock finish on its designed oil pattern. As the lanes got dry, this combination allowed me to easily see what was happening and avoid those sudden jerks of movements that many other strong balls make when the lanes begin to dry or carrydown begins to affect the ball's path.
It was so easy to comfortable with this ball and to see what it was doing when it was right and when it was not quite right. That is a major benefit. It makes me wonder is an earlier pin and a finer finish could make this into a benchmark ball for lighter oil.
Surface Changes:A. I only tried a finer surface, 4000 grit once and did not test it thoroughly. I will try to add to this review
when that is finished. When I did try it, it hooked a lot more on medium, because it saved energy so
well. I was surprised at how much more it did hook.
B. I imagine this ball could handle true heavy oil, if sanded to 1000 grit (or lower) and if drilled stronger
than mine was. Since I could barely find what I regard as true medium-heavy oil, I have not tried this.
Since I intend to bring this to Nationals, I might use it at a tough, heavier condition like the BTM.
Ball comparisons:
I compared it to two other medium-strong balls, Legends New Standard 2 (NS2) and the original New Standard (NS) which are very different balls. Both are drilled pin over ring finger and CG stacked below (5"x4"). The NS, a light load particle, was sanded to 2000 grit Abralon; the NS2, a heavy load particle was sanded to 4000 grit Abralon.
With these drills & surfaces, the NS is good for medium to medium-heavy oil and the NS2 is good for medium-heavy and slightly more oil. Both, due to their coverstocks and the same core, give me area and hitting power than many other medium-strong balls (No, I haven't tried every one
), and a good deal of target forgiveness.
Compared to the NS, the Cell gave me more room left and right, as wide a pocket and slightly less carry power, all of which surprised me. It was totally unexpected. This puts the Cell very high up on the scale of "I want it" rating. Compared to the NS2, I also got more area but the NS2 is a stronger ball. I had to stand 3-5 boards deeper.
The NS balls, being particles require sooner moves when the lanes dry out, but they handle carrydown slightly better for the same reason. I can stay with the Cell longer and make smaller moves with less dramatic ball reaction when the lane changes - a major bonus.
Another major feature:I got so comfortable with the Cell's reactions and abilities so quickly that it made it even easier to use than I expected. That is one of the major benefits of my NS, one of all time favorite balls. I am so comfortable because it is so predictable, in almost every drilling and every surface I have tired. So far the Cell is just that way.
I have to get a 2d to play with other drillings and other surfaces. What more can I say but that?
--------------------
"None are so blind as those who will not see." Unofficial Ballreviews.com FAQ
