We all have read how good the Venus is and maybe one of the best values available. But we haven't heard much about the Neptune...
yet.
I'm still learning this ball but it's been a pleasant but confusing experience (now that I know its relationship to the Venus). After reading BTMs review, and also having had an Ultra Sonic (similar numbers, same cover), I really thought this ball wouldn't see much use locally since most shots are pretty fresh. The Ultra just needed too much friction and was very sensitive to the oil downlane. A drop of oil and it was plaque 10. Lots of over/under. Definitely could tell that it was a high RG ball.
The Neptune is strange...but in a good way. It doesn't really squirt when it hits oil but it still gets down the lane. It reacts as though the RGs are lower. Hard to explain unless you've seen it react. I never threw a Sonic X but had a few friends that threw them often, and I could never understand some of the conditions they threw it on. They would throw them on heavier volumes than I probably would have but they matched up well. Length, with smooth but controllable reaction downlane with plenty of carry. The Neptune has a similar look.
I don't know if the Sure Grip cover has been tweaked since the Ultra, or the Orbiter core is the difference, but it's a different reacting ball. My 2nd one is about 2-3 less than the Venus but with a completely different look. The other surprise is the hit. Carry seems to be a tad better than the Venus, but that's probably because of the little extra angle I get due to the resin cover.
It's been a long time since I had multiple light-oil options but I look forward to some upcoming TNBA tournaments where these two will see plenty of action.
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Anthony Chapman
Roto Staff 2007Videos coming soon...As soon as my son can hold the camera 
Edited on 3/15/2007 7:00 AM
