Author Topic: Should I bother with the Odyssey? (Read 4925 times)

Lemonade · « **on:** June 05, 2007, 03:28:05 PM »

Hey all, new member here!

First of all I want to say that I have been browsing these forums for a while and finally made a profile.

Ok, back to the topic at hand...

I'm generally new to bowling. Well, I've done a bit of bowling before in the past but this is my first venture into my own ball collection. I'm a no thumb bowler because I mainly just played with house balls and I could never find a good fit (obviously

), but I'm interested in learning how to use my thumb. I've been looking towards some medium-heavy to heavy oil balls because the league I just joined up in lays down some pretty thick coats before matches.

I've been browsing around looking at what my best options would be and I honestly can't seem to make up my mind. My friend has a Domination that I've practiced with and I need something that handles the oil a little better because I can't get much of a reaction from it. And before I get ridiculed on layouts remember that I'm pretty new and only know from what I've read on here, but I can't remember the exact layout he has on his ball so I don't know if it was weak or strong.

Ok, sorry for the long intro, but I've lowered my choices down to the Odyssey, Total NV, Mystic, or the Terminator. I have pretty fast ball speed and get quite a few revs on the ball so I've been thinking the Odyssey might help eat up some oil on the lane. My original choice was gonna be the NV but I've heard some horror stories from some (even at the local pro-shop) that even with maintenance the ball just gradually slips into a stage of reaction loss so it's made me weary of that choice. I'm just looking for a little bit of insight from the knowledgable minds on these forums to help me choose a ball that would perform well on heavier conditions, last long amounts of time since my current job isn't the best paying, and would be somewhat forgiving since I'll be working out the kinks with a new ball.

Thanks in advance,
Jason.

Edited on 6/5/2007 11:27 PM

Laybzz74 · « **Reply #16 on:** June 08, 2007, 07:27:41 AM »

Interesting ... I'm tracking this post to see what threads are inserted.
--------------------
**** Official "L/LM" ball "junkie" ****
Man, I LOVE this game; I love it even more now that I'm using LEGENDS/Lane Masters equipment !!!
"Master the Lanes with Legendary hitting power" !!!

Robb in O'Fallon, IL 62269 (near Scott AFB)
LAYBZZ74@AOL.COM (Email and PayPal addy)

Mustang Guy · « **Reply #17 on:** June 08, 2007, 09:59:09 AM »

Aww I can't be biased in the roto forum?

Lemonade - Not sure, but I thought I read some where you throw the ball extremely fast. I just looked back over your posts and don't see it anywhere. My mistake. 17mph at the pin deck is still around 19mph off your hand. You would be better off going with a ball that hooked a touch soon than a ball that hooked a touch late. I'd rather shine equipment if necessary than sand it any day.

I did just say in the Roto Grip lineup that the Horizon Solid was my suggestion. I think it is fair to say I'm not going to recommend a legends or lane masters ball, wouldn't you? Maybe my following sentence didn't support a ton of evindence from personal experience...but flat at out a lower rg ball like the horizon solid with a strong cover is as good a choice as any. The terminator has a particle loaded coverstock, but I've seen particle higher rg balls not roll as well as a low rg solid reactive ball.

Feel free to jab at me

as I'll continue to post on this site no matter what. Just remember I'm out to help bowlers make good equipment choices from our product line (Roto / Storm), not any other. I've never tried to come off any other way.
--------------------
Roger Noordhoek
Vice President
Business Development
Roto Grip, Inc.
888-450-6920
RogerN@rotogrip.com
www.rotogrip.com

For all your Roto Grip Logo Merchandise please visit www.rotogear.com

Laybzz74 · « **Reply #18 on:** June 08, 2007, 12:37:22 PM »

Good reply, Roger ... we've spoken on the phone before and I still consider you a "class act" !!! (BTW, I'm a Legends/Lane Masters fanatic and very brand loyal and I took no offense to what you stated because I BELIEVE that I understood what you were implying).
--------------------
**** Official "L/LM" ball "junkie" ****
Man, I LOVE this game; I love it even more now that I'm using LEGENDS/Lane Masters equipment !!!
"Master the Lanes with Legendary hitting power" !!!

Robb in O'Fallon, IL 62269 (near Scott AFB)
LAYBZZ74@AOL.COM (Email and PayPal addy)

shelley · « **Reply #19 on:** June 08, 2007, 12:55:24 PM »

quote:
Aww I can't be biased in the roto forum?

This just in: Roto-grip vice president recommends against using competitor's equipment. Next thing you know, he'll recommend buying a couple of SD-73s.

SH

Lemonade · « **Reply #20 on:** June 08, 2007, 07:46:03 PM »

quote:

I am just being nosey but where did your choices of: Odyssey, Total NV, Mystic, or the Terminator come from?

BMM

Well I started looking into some balls before I started my summer league last week and the local pro shop owner said a Total NV would work pretty well for me. But then I started the league and noticed that there was a pretty decent amount of oil laid down on them. So that made me come here looking for a ball to handle some medium-heavy but mostly on the heavy side. It made me look into the Odyssey which intrigued me because I've never been familiar with Roto Grip equipment and I noticed a lot of posts about the Mystic (which I now know is made for lighter amounts of oil compared to the Terminator or Odyssey).

I've met some people in the league using Lane Masters equipment and they had many good impressions about their balls and how theirs had lasted a LONG time (which is good considering I can't continue to buy more). So that's where I got the Total NV, Odyssey, Mystic and Terminator.

Wow...that was long. And thank u to everyone else for the comments and suggestions, I'm realizing that this can be a little more complicated then I thought

Edited on 6/8/2007 7:43 PM

Edited on 6/8/2007 7:43 PM

bowlingmytmouse · « **Reply #21 on:** June 08, 2007, 09:26:50 PM »

Ok. Assuming that your ball driller is knowledgable about what he does and has seen you bowl, you might not really need a heavy oil piece. Your on a house shot and house shots have friction. The fact that the driller reccommended a Total NV tells me that there has to be some backend some where. If that is the case, go Mystic because I think that you will find it just a tad more tweakable than the Horizon solid. You can keep the Mystic polished to get a lot of energy retention and a hard move off the dry. But if you see that its moving too much you can take it down to about 2000 Abralon and that will help you even out the shot. Just make sure whatever ball you choose that you are playing the shot correctly and you will be ok

But keep in mind...it don't get no better than roto grip!!

BMM
--------------------
Roto Grip forever!!!! What else is there??

Team Member Of
Hoss Central Inc.

Lemonade · « **Reply #22 on:** June 08, 2007, 10:25:33 PM »

quote:
Ok. Assuming that your ball driller is knowledgable about what he does and has seen you bowl, you might not really need a heavy oil piece. Your on a house shot and house shots have friction. The fact that the driller reccommended a Total NV tells me that there has to be some backend some where. If that is the case, go Mystic because I think that you will find it just a tad more tweakable than the Horizon solid. You can keep the Mystic polished to get a lot of energy retention and a hard move off the dry. But if you see that its moving too much you can take it down to about 2000 Abralon and that will help you even out the shot. Just make sure whatever ball you choose that you are playing the shot correctly and you will be ok But keep in mind...it don't get no better than roto grip!!

Yea, but my pro shop owner hasn't really kept up with the new releases from Lane Masters (which makes me wonder about the Terminator as far as a more reliable and consistent ball) and I don't recall seeing Roto Grip equipment in there when I went in or even have him bring up the name. That's why I came here. Judging from reliability issues people are having with Ebonite balls I honestly don't feel like paying the premium for the Total NV and having to luck out in order for the ball to last. I will honestly choose reliability over performance because I can tweak my game to match up with the new ball a lot easier than affording to buy new balls when I hit trouble in the road. I've pretty much crossed the TNV off my list based on that alone (and yes I know many people have had no problems with them but just the fact that there have been numerous complaints about them has made me look the other way).

And back on topic of the pro shop's recommendations he was only able to go off of what I told him about my playstyle instead of watching me (I don't like their center too much). My league is in a different bowling alley with a different oil layout and I know I need a medium-heavy ball that can handle a nice amount of oil for the first game before I start to make a line on the lane that I can bowl down.

The Horizon Solid seems to handle oil really well from what I've read but I don't know if it will remain pretty consistent for me through the night. I'm kind of leaning towards the Terminator since it seems like it would be able to handle what I need at this time. It seems to me like the Odyssey would turn into too much ball once the oil starting clearing up later into the night, or atleast that seems to be what I'm understanding. Does the Horizon Solid remain consistent and work just as well in medium conditions as it does in heavy? I'm looking for a decently angular ball cause of how I play so would it be a good choice still?

Edited on 6/8/2007 10:25 PM

directdrill · « **Reply #23 on:** June 08, 2007, 10:58:08 PM »

Lemonade,

I think the Horizon Solid is a great ball and you should definitely consider it. Mine is drilled 4-1/2" pin-PAP (over bridge) x 4" CG-PAP. This ball is so smooth off of the break. It will handle a good amount of oil. I was bowling in a house 2 weeks ago that had recently resurfaced the lanes, so they couldn't strip them for 2 weeks (that is what I was told), only reapply more oil. Lots of carrydown. The Horizon Solid did a great job on this shot. I was using my Track Animal (pin under ring, MB towards VAL, 500 Abralon finish), a particle ball, and I couldn't get it to finish. I would imagine you could tweak the cover and the drilling and make it angular, but I like the control drill I have on mine. If you get it, you won't be disappointed.
--------------------
Hook 'em Horns!

Tag Team Coaching success story.

bowlingmytmouse · « **Reply #24 on:** June 09, 2007, 10:20:24 AM »

Horizon solid is about as consistent as you can get. The beauty of it is that it allows you to get left when the shot warrants it, whereas some med.-med.-hvy balls just want to roll too soon and you lose hit at the pin deck. I can't speak on the Terminator, I have never thrown it or seen anyone throw it. Just remember the Horizon solid isn't a heavy oil ball by nature so if you are on a true flood, you are going to have to make a surface adjustment, but it takes it easily. I've thrown my from 800 grit to High gloss. And its a monster with every surface.

BMM
--------------------
Roto Grip forever!!!! What else is there??

Team Member Of
Hoss Central Inc.

Lemonade · « **Reply #25 on:** June 09, 2007, 10:52:06 AM »

Yea I was looking into the Horizon Solid more last night before I went to bed and it seems like it will probably be my choice. I'm heading to the pro shop right now to get measured for my spare ball and have that drilled so I'll ask the owner if he knows which drill layout should benefit me the most after he sees me bowl today. I really appreciate the opinions and knowledge of everyone in here...and come next Saturday I'll be a Roto owner

Lemonade · « **Reply #26 on:** June 09, 2007, 05:58:27 PM »

Well...didn't get my spare ball cause he didn't have any left in the store but I did put an $80 deposit down on the Horizon Solid...So come next Saturday after I get my check I will be the proud new owner of a Horizon Solid and Ebonite Maxim!

Maybe in another month I'll look into a Venus or a Saturn incase I play in some drier situations.

bowlingmytmouse · « **Reply #27 on:** June 10, 2007, 10:38:10 AM »

Well congrats, just make sure that he measures your PAP off of your spare ball before he drills the Horizon Solid.

BMM
--------------------
Roto Grip forever!!!! What else is there??

Team Member Of
Hoss Central Inc.

Lemonade · « **Reply #28 on:** June 10, 2007, 02:01:07 PM »

quote:
Well congrats, just make sure that he measures your PAP off of your spare ball before he drills the Horizon Solid.

I couldn't get my spare ball yesterday like I wanted so I'm gonna be getting both balls next Saturday. I'm gonna have him drill up the spare ball first and let me throw a couple of games to get an oil track on the ball so he can measure it from there. But thanks!

charlest · « **Reply #29 on:** June 10, 2007, 04:23:15 PM »

quote:
Hey Charlest this isn't probably your smartest comment either......

quote:
You know darned well that you can take a ball's performance and base it SOLELY on a core's specifiecations

--------------------
The name say's it all

That should have read "can't", not "can". That was a typo.

Mustang Guy was saying the Lanemasters/Legends balls won't hook early enough solely because their core's RGs are high. I was countering that by trying to say you cannot measure a ball's preformance solely based on the core's specs.
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"None are so blind as those who will not see."

Edited on 6/10/2007 4:24 PM

Mustang Guy · « **Reply #30 on:** June 11, 2007, 05:29:20 PM »

Agreed Charlest. I know what vendors they use so I was commenting based on both the cover and core, but didn't share that in my post. I didn't want to devulge too much information. We don't need to go any further on that though.

Have a nice day.
--------------------
Roger Noordhoek
Vice President
Business Development
Roto Grip, Inc.
888-450-6920
RogerN@rotogrip.com
www.rotogrip.com

For all your Roto Grip Logo Merchandise please visit www.rotogear.com

Author Topic: Should I bother with the Odyssey? (Read 4925 times)

Lemonade

Should I bother with the Odyssey?

Laybzz74

Re: Should I bother with the Odyssey?

Mustang Guy

Re: Should I bother with the Odyssey?

Laybzz74

Re: Should I bother with the Odyssey?

shelley

Re: Should I bother with the Odyssey?

Lemonade

Re: Should I bother with the Odyssey?

bowlingmytmouse

Re: Should I bother with the Odyssey?

Lemonade

Re: Should I bother with the Odyssey?

directdrill

Re: Should I bother with the Odyssey?

bowlingmytmouse

Re: Should I bother with the Odyssey?

Lemonade

Re: Should I bother with the Odyssey?

Lemonade

Re: Should I bother with the Odyssey?

bowlingmytmouse

Re: Should I bother with the Odyssey?

Lemonade

Re: Should I bother with the Odyssey?

charlest

Re: Should I bother with the Odyssey?

Mustang Guy

Re: Should I bother with the Odyssey?