I have a Tropical Heat Hybrid that I'm beginning to like. I was wondering how it compared to a ball (what I assume to be) just a notch stronger: either the CrossRoad or the Hy-Road.

I know the R2S cover is slightly stronger than the Reactor cover on the Tropical Heat series and the Road series has just slightly more differential but a similar RG.

So, for those who have thrown both or seen both thrown, how much more oil do the Road Hybrids handle than the TH and how much more does it hook, in general.

Very well put, Tommy. Thank you.

I honestly don't pay a ton of attention to how others may have their equipment drilled unless there is a specific reaction I need that I don't have as of this point.  But, I can give you comparisons on what I use and how everything matches up.

My arsenal typically sees a 4x4x1, 4x4x2, or 3-1/2x5x3 layout.  My Hy-Road, 919C, and Vital Energy are all based off 4x4x2 with some slight differences.  My Vital Energy (below the Hy-Road) has the pin completely drilled out along with CG/Mass Bias kicked out to give it a skid/snap reaction.  The 919C and Hy-Road both have pin above ring layouts with the exception that the 919C is asymmetrical and that the Hy-Road pin is shifted to the right of my ring finger instead slightly of directly above on the 919C. 

Now, even with the similar layouts, my 919C will be strongest out of all 3 balls because of the cover/core.  It will pick up the mids the earliest and still gives me a controlled hard arc reaction. 

My Hy-Road is similar but maybe 1-3 boards weaker depending on the condition.  Big difference is that I get more length but still get the ball into a heavy roll on the backend.

My Vital Energy is drilled similar,  minimal difference in boards but gets extra length on top of the Hy-Road.  The other big difference is that the pearl cover gives me max backend while still giving more of a heavy rolling nature at the same time.  All of these are with the idea in mind where I love playing outside the most and only have to make minimal moves to work with these.  However, if I have to open the lane up at any time, I can do so still with minimal moves with any of these 3 balls.

It is true that different drillings will make them react differently.  However keep in mind that similar layouts with different cores/cover types/surface grit will also produce differences as well.  The same 3 balls in my arsenal with similar layouts find the 919C at 3000AB for a solid cover, the Vital Energy at 3000AB for a pearl cover which still gets more length, and my Hy-Road at 1500 polished for a hybrid.  Even though the layouts are based off the same 4x4x2 that I like, they're not the exact same on those balls.  I still get 3 different ball reactions while keeping some similarities to make moving between them easier.

Now comparing to my Hammer Brick (uses a weaker 4x4x1 drilling with polish), the Hy-Road is easily about 6 boards stronger and has more backend.  Keep in mind that I drilled the Brick to be weaker with a flare reducing weight hole (P1), which makes it similar to a Tropical Heat since I tend to match with asymmetrical cores better.  In most other cases, the Brick would be very similar to the Hy-Road in strength and reaction.

I have a Tropical Heat Hybrid that I'm beginning to like. I was wondering how it compared to a ball (what I assume to be) just a notch stronger: either the CrossRoad or the Hy-Road.

I know the R2S cover is slightly stronger than the Reactor cover on the Tropical Heat series and the Road series has just slightly more differential but a similar RG.

So, for those who have thrown both or seen both thrown, how much more oil do the Road Hybrids handle than the TH and how much more does it hook, in general.

I've started throwing the Tropical Heat Hybrid Black /Purple which is supposedly 4000 grit OOB.  It actually rolls like it has 2000 on it.  It has a very consistent reaction at the exit point with a pretty strong move on the backend.  Compared to the Hy-Road, it is only a couple of boards weaker.  The Hy-Road is 1500-grit polished though.  I have it very lightly polished so it's very close to 4000 abralon.  The Hy-Road has a very different overall reaction.  It's a booming backend ball with pretty clean fronts.  It's cleaner than the Tropical Heat Hybrid for me actually.  The Hy-Road smoothly makes a move that appears to just get stronger whereas the Trop Heat makes a strong move but not quite that booming, rounded, very continuous reaction.

The Crossroad, it's cleaner than both, but covers less boards than both.  It has a slightly higher RG than the Hy-Road so plays a bit longer, although it's shape is similarly smooth.

To me, in terms of strength, I would say Hy-Road, Trop Heat Hybrid, then Crossroad.  That's because the Trop Heat plays like a 2000 surface while the Crossroad comes at 1500 grit polished.