BallReviews
Equipment Boards => Storm => Topic started by: EL3MCNEIL on July 02, 2014, 09:46:21 AM
-
This is just an observation and I needed a forum to vent/ask a question, but in all 3 leagues I bowl I see that they are ALL flooded with the IQ (or some variant of the ball). I understand that people flock to a good ball, but damn is that the best ball out on the market or something? I am satisfied with what I have, but the sheer amount of people bowling with it makes me ask myself am I throwing the wrong ball lol. Nothing against the ball(s), the company, or the bowlers, but I'm trying to figure out why is everyone throwing these balls.
-
I drilled up a Fusion recently based on the observation you made, basically thinking that no ball gets that popular for no reason. Because of the popularity, I found myself not wanting to like it, but it's one of my favorites already. Consistent, forgiving, good carry. Just one of those that fit a lot of different styles I think. The cover is strong enough to help the guys without a lot of hand, but the diff is low enough to make it really playable for the high rev rates too.
-
My IQ Tour Pearl at 2000 is, without question, my go-to ball in the bag. Whether it be a THS or Sport Pattern, I almost always find a look with it. It DOES need some oil up front though.
I'm not sure if I'm simply matched up (I hesitate to say it's "the ball") but it is almost always in my hand.
-
In no particular order:
1. Rolls well for multiple styles
2. Good price point
3. Versatile enough to handle all mediums, in other words, majority of house shots
4. Clear choices available to step up to when the ball needs to start sooner (Byte/Sync, etc) or step down to if you are on the burn (ie easy to build an arsenal around)
If everythign about this ball was identical but had an Ebonite logo or any other manufacturer than Storm, I don't know if any of the models are as near as popular as they are today. Granted the above is why so many use the product, but name recognition with Storm puts the ball on more bowler's radars than a good piece that is nearly identical from a different manufacturer.
3835
-
Believe it or not I am yet to get an iq ball. However on the contrary, I will most likely be getting a fusion.
-
I have all 3 and like them all, but the IQ Tour Solid is one of the best balls I've ever thrown and I've been bowling for long time. I can pretty much use it on any condition and play any part of the lane with it. Extremely versatile.
I'm guessing it will be in production as long as the Hy-road.
-
I want the solid in all reality, but the hype is about the fusion right now.
-
I have all 3 and like them all, but the IQ Tour Solid is one of the best balls I've ever thrown and I've been bowling for long time. I can pretty much use it on any condition and play any part of the lane with it. Extremely versatile.
I'm guessing it will be in production as long as the Hy-road.
I have all 3 and like them all, but the IQ Tour Solid is one of the best balls I've ever thrown and I've been bowling for long time. I can pretty much use it on any condition and play any part of the lane with it. Extremely versatile.
I'm guessing it will be in production as long as the Hy-road.
My question is.....what can you not do with the Fusion that you can with the Solid? Are they both drilled the same way?
Thanks
-
I have all 3 and like them all, but the IQ Tour Solid is one of the best balls I've ever thrown and I've been bowling for long time. I can pretty much use it on any condition and play any part of the lane with it. Extremely versatile.
I'm guessing it will be in production as long as the Hy-road.
Can't wait for the fall leagues to start so I can throw all 3 of mines.
-
I have all 3 and like them all, but the IQ Tour Solid is one of the best balls I've ever thrown and I've been bowling for long time. I can pretty much use it on any condition and play any part of the lane with it. Extremely versatile.
I'm guessing it will be in production as long as the Hy-road.
I have all 3 and like them all, but the IQ Tour Solid is one of the best balls I've ever thrown and I've been bowling for long time. I can pretty much use it on any condition and play any part of the lane with it. Extremely versatile.
I'm guessing it will be in production as long as the Hy-road.
My question is.....what can you not do with the Fusion that you can with the Solid? Are they both drilled the same way?
Thanks
For me the Fusion gets down the lane a bit better because of the polish, but it's a lot more aggressive on the back. It is more condition specific for me.
They are both drilled the same.
-
Completely agree, Strapper. The Solid is so versatile it is scary. I can use mine on patterns from 35 to 43 ft.
-
So the Tour Solid is really the most versatile? Fusion a liittle over-hyped? I kinda felt that it was more condition specific. Not to say it isn't a great ball. I just feel that it was unnecessary for me to get another shiny hybrid with less differential.
-
To address the Fusion/Peark vs Solid difference, for ME, my style has always been subject to squirt from pearls. The added slip agaents that comes in a pearl shell or hybrid cause me to have issues as I get over-under like crazy because of my high track low tilt style. Sniff oil and it skids, touch dry for a second and its brooklyn. Particle helped smooth out a pearl's reaction but I still prefer solids to this day.
I believe I can adjust a surface on a solid easier and changes surfaces easier that trying to play with a peral or hybrid cover. Maybe its mental for me, maybe not, but I still like the idea of changing a solid's cover rather than trying to mess with a pearl or hybrid cover and deal with any slip agents that I would not find in a solid's cover. I think Strapper summed it up by stating the Fusion is more condition specific...and I agree.
The solid IQ Tour is going to stay around for a while I would assume....if the Hy Road is still rolling and being produced I see no reason why that IQ will not follow suit.
-
I don't think it's over hyped. Tons of people still are using it in my home house...it's just a little squirty for me on certain conditions, but I throw the ball a little over 19 mph.
I always thought the solid was stronger version of the Gamebreaker. Similar motion and the way it goes through the pins. Definitely more versatile.
-
The Fusion isn't over hyped as the Solid is underrated. The Fusion is a great blend piece for when the Solid leaves flat corners and the Pearl is still skittish. But the Solid gets more use as it isn't as jumpy yet is still very continuous. I am 19.5 mph off my hand and 450 rpm. So I tend to like solid pieces more so than pearls or most hybrids. The IQ Tour Solid is a must have in the bag as your go to ball. I am on my 4th one, and not because the other 3 "died." But rather, I love the ball so much I have 2 dull and 2 shiny, a pin up and down on each. I can use them on the USBC Team pattern of 43 ft. all the way to Beijing at 35 ft.
To sum up the IQ Tour line:
Solid is your benchmark piece. It reads the mids, yet can still turn the corner with authority. It can handle some heavier oil volumes, especially at 1500 grit.
Fusion is your blend piece. When the Solid reads the mids too hard and you need to move left and open up the lanes a bit. A controlled flip as opposed to the hockey stick the Pearl offers.
Pearl is your late block piece. It is extremely clean and angular. On fresh THS', it may be a little over under. But when you have to get deep and swing the lane, this ball will finish and carry the corners.
-
The Fusion isn't over hyped as the Solid is underrated. The Fusion is a great blend piece for when the Solid leaves flat corners and the Pearl is still skittish. But the Solid gets more use as it isn't as jumpy yet is still very continuous. I am 19.5 mph off my hand and 450 rpm. So I tend to like solid pieces more so than pearls or most hybrids. The IQ Tour Solid is a must have in the bag as your go to ball. I am on my 4th one, and not because the other 3 "died." But rather, I love the ball so much I have 2 dull and 2 shiny, a pin up and down on each. I can use them on the USBC Team pattern of 43 ft. all the way to Beijing at 35 ft.
To sum up the IQ Tour line:
Solid is your benchmark piece. It reads the mids, yet can still turn the corner with authority. It can handle some heavier oil volumes, especially at 1500 grit.
Fusion is your blend piece. When the Solid reads the mids too hard and you need to move left and open up the lanes a bit. A controlled flip as opposed to the hockey stick the Pearl offers.
Pearl is your late block piece. It is extremely clean and angular. On fresh THS', it may be a little over under. But when you have to get deep and swing the lane, this ball will finish and carry the corners.
By the looks of it (4 solids with 2 different layouts and surfaces) can one not mellow the Fusion to be somewhat as smooth as the Solid with surface adjustments?
-
Believe it or not I am yet to get an iq ball. However on the contrary, I will most likely be getting a fusion.
But with all of the other options (old & new) why would you get the IQ Fusion due to hype?
-
Gom, you can try and trick a Fusion into thinking it's a Solid, but the Hybrid cover will still be longer than the Solid. And if you cut the surface lower to make it read like the Solid, you will eat your mids faster with said surface. Can you make a HyRoad think it is a HyRoad Solid? Not really. Or a Melee into thinking it's a Melee Cross? The answer is no.
-
Gom, you can try and trick a Fusion into thinking it's a Solid, but the Hybrid cover will still be longer than the Solid. And if you cut the surface lower to make it read like the Solid, you will eat your mids faster with said surface. Can you make a HyRoad think it is a HyRoad Solid? Not really. Or a Melee into thinking it's a Melee Cross? The answer is no.
Understood 100%......you shined up your Solid like the new Hysteria to get a different reaction then the OOB 4000 correct?
Was just looking to hear if you can smooth out the Fusion some (of course not as smooth as the IQTour) by adjusting the surface to maybe 3000 no shine?
-
Bingo on the first part. As for the 3000 grit on the Fusion, it would help for sure. The ball will read the mids better and blend the pattern better. It will be smoother than a box finish Fusion. Depending on layout, the ball may transition too quickly though, and "hook set." If you have too crisp of backends, this is my experience with Pearls and Hybrids as I usually lay them out for length and strength anyway.
-
How does the Hyroad Solid compare to the IQ Tour solid? Thinking about getting the Hyroad solid but after reading this might pick up a IQ Tour solid. I have a fusion, IQTP,and Hyroad Pearl. I start with IQTP and go up to Fusion or down to Hyroad Pearl. After reading this ,maybe I will pick up IQ Tour solid and sell my Hyroad pearl. I would have most conditions covered.
-
The thing that is unique about the IQ balls is their for low rg, combined with a very low differential. This makes them much more versatile, on flatter tournament patterns. Pearl is probably the best of the bunch on a house shot
-
this should help explain the true differences in these 3.
note: this is not my video. just something I came across.