Post by: riggs on November 03, 2008, 11:59:26 AM
VIRTUAL GRAVITY review
VIRTUAL GRAVITY 6 pin to PAP, 4 7/8 key to PAP, 5 1/2 pin buffer
After speaking with Storm's Ernest Goedicke and my doubles partner and Roto staffer Steve Richter, I was almost scared of the VIRTUAL. They cautioned me that I needed to drill it weak or it would be too much for my game on all but very heavily oiled conditions.
So I drilled mine with the pin above and left of my middle finger, the CG about in my grip center and the key to the right of my thumb. I left it box finish (4,000).
I bowled over the weekend in a 2-day tournament at a house with Pro Anvilanes. The pattern was a modified house shot. Based on my ball reaction, my feeling was that the oil was piled up in the front with not much in the midlane as there was little hold when going straight but a lot of squirt if you got in and sent it right. Yet the dry to the right was pronounced enough for overreaction on shots sent too wide too quick.
I used the VIRTUAL for the first seven frames and went back to it for a couple of shots in game two. Even with the weak drilling it still was reading too hard off the dry boards. I struck on five of the first seven shots but the two that didn't were a weak 10 that I got too wide for instant rollout and a 4-pin that went very hard off the breakpoint on a shot I grabbed and got in. Despite my weak drilling, the VIRTUAL made a very strong move at the breakpoint and was noticeably slowing down as it got close to the pindeck, indicating how hard it was grabbing the lane.
I probably could have made the cut using it for much of the 8-game block but knew I had balls that would give me better reaction and put it away. The lanes were hooking more on Sunday so I left the VIRTUAL in my bag.
As advertised, I would say the VIRTUAL is a few boards stronger than the DIMENSION. I was 4 and 2 different between the two. The big difference – obviously since they share the same coverstock – is the asymmetrical core of the VIRTUAL, which gives it much more of a dynamic revving action and movement.
Since this pattern was what I would consider middling in oil volume, I am certain I'll have plenty of opportunities to use the VIRTUAL.
And I think it will be an awesome ball for those who are speed dominant and/or rev challenged. If you throw it hard and are searching for a ball that will read the lane quickly and strongly on heavy oil, the VIRTUAL should be your ticket.
The VIRTUAL's movement through the pins was what I like – rolling and generally keeping the pins low. I don't generate many messengers so I'm not looking for a ball that splashes messengers all over.
I have another VIRTUAL that I am thinking I will drill with pin under the middle finger and the CG kicked directly to the right. Another weak drilling, but with a different look.
HY-ROAD review
HY-ROAD 5 pin to PAP, 5 7/8 "MB" to PAP, 3 7/8 pin buffer ("MB" = point 6 3/4 from pin through CG) I left it box finish shiny.
After watching Norm Duke win the World Championship with the HY-ROAD I couldn't wait to drill mine. Talent difference aside, my reaction was very similar to what Norm's roll pattern looked like on that TV show.
One of my favorite balls is a T-ROAD PEARL with the pin over the bridge and the CG in my grip center so I did my HY-ROAD the same way. (I tried a couple of T-ROAD SOLIDs but never got a lot of use for them as box finish they were close to my SPECIAL AGENTs and I preferred the SPECIALS and shiny they were close to the T-ROAD PEARL but with slightly less carry, although I did use one shiny for an 800 series.)
I used my HY-ROAD much of last weekend's 2-day tournament mentioned in the VIRTUAL GRAVITY review above. In Saturday's qualifying I went to it after my RAPID FIRE PEARL began burning up too early – the RFP, by the way, continues to amaze me for its strength in oil despite being a pearl.
The HY-ROAD was the perfect move from the RFP as it rolled strongly but got down the lane easier. It also was the choice for most of Sunday's finals when the lanes hooked more.
The best way I can describe the HY-ROAD is that it's a T-ROAD PEARL that rolls rather than skids and flips. The TR PEARL makes a quick and strong move at the break point that is awesome for playing deep inside on burned up conditions, especially Sport shots. On too much oil, it is a tough ball for me to control. However, the HY-ROAD's strong but rolling nature is perfect for playing hooking conditions with more skid. It still make a strong move at the break point but it's more of a rolling motion than a flip move.
I like to spin the ball more with the TR PEARL to match what it likes to do and works best on, and the HY-ROAD I rolled harder when I used it over the weekend for the same reason.
I would imagine the HY-ROAD would be a great ball for playing up the outside on VIPER and CHEETAH types of patterns, just the way Duke did playing out on the World Championship pattern.
This was another ball that rolled through the pins, which I like. The one thing it tended to do was rollout for weak 10s when I got it too wide to the dry boards so I think it would carry best staying in the oil. This was hard to do on this pattern as you had to cut it right with no hold in the midlane.
If I ranked them by hook, I would say RFP has a couple boards more than the HY-ROAD which has a couple boards more than the TR PEARL.
I think bowlers of all styles can use the HY-ROAD.
As always, I will add thoughts as I get more use of these balls.
Edited on 11/17/2008 9:14 PM
Post by: dougb on November 04, 2008, 07:02:41 AM
The Hy-Road sounds like a great ball!
--------------------
Complete ball arsenal:
Storm Gravity Shift
Storm T-Road Pearl
Lane #1 Bullet
Hammer Cherry Vibe
Brunswick BVP Wizard
Columbia 300 White Dot - Blue Pearl
Post by: al_g on November 04, 2008, 09:35:16 AM
Post by: riggs on November 04, 2008, 10:26:36 AM
Post by: riggs on November 05, 2008, 09:24:52 AM
Post by: Comet790 on November 05, 2008, 01:09:18 PM
Thanks...Scott
Post by: riggs on November 05, 2008, 07:08:39 PM
I would say a T-ROAD PEARL or a shined up SPECIAL AGENT might be as close as you can get without finding another DOMINATION.
Post by: Comet790 on November 06, 2008, 05:52:39 AM
Post by: riggs on November 17, 2008, 08:14:24 PM
I have not had much chance to throw the VIRTUAL as I've been bowling mostly on fairly hooking house or challenge/sport conditions. But at the Iowa Open over the weekend the VIRTUAL completely proved its value to me.
The Iowa Open awards a U.S. Open spot to the winner and it is bowled on the flat, 40-foot U.S. Open pattern. I won a regional at the site, May City Bowl in Cedar Rapids, about 15 years ago when it had wood it now has newer Brunswick synthetics.
The house was almost filled with 72 entries, mostly 5 to a pair. So with 8 games of qualifying I knew there'd be some major shimwrecking going on as the flat pattern made the wind-ups jump deep inside. Since my creaky wrist isn't likely to be able to strike much from that deep, I tried out in practice. My box DIMENSION, a 1,000 ab SPECIAL and a 500 ab VERTIGO all pretty much punched the 3-pin in the face no matter how I rolled them.
The VIRTUAL, on the other hand, jumped off 5 board with no hesitation. I was basically square to 5 board and if I got it right of 4 I absolutely missed the head-pin every time. But I had a chance at 4, was in the pocket at 5 and could get it to 6 and even 7 depending how well and firm I threw it. Keep in mind that this was just box finish 4,000 with some lane shine and the pin is weak (see drilling below). I think that is why I had a touch of hold if thrown well. My only swing thought was to stay as behind the ball as possible so as to limit side rotation.
After three games I was plus 56 and in second with pretty close reaction pair to pair. Very few other players were out but many were not that far left of where I was so I figured I might not be able to stay out there all 8 games. Game 4 the left lane had no skid and I split 3 times for 168. Game 5 was 181 with a bad shot and a spare miss. But game 6 was still OK outside and my 204 should have been more with a high flush 7 pin between strikes and a solid 9 on a strike. Game 7 was when I got forced inside, salvaging a 170 that left me 11 under the match play cut at minus 21. The last game with a FIRED UP about 25 board I spare the first 9 frames, most in the pocket. The 10th I went deeper and firmer and roped two flush strikes and a 4-pin for 198 and minus 23 to hopefully stay inside the cash cut. Thinking I had no chance at the finals I took my equipment out to the car, only to have to bring it back in when I grabbed the 10th and last spot.
After a re-oil I found basically the same reaction and my start in match play was 223-255-245. I then stayed between 192 and 225 and ended up 7 wins and 2 losses to move up to second going into the position round against Brett Lobdell, who was the only other player playing outside. Brett is very hard and straight. In the position round I had 8 of the front 9 and won the tournament with a 245 after a meaningless 10th frame open.
I repeat: without the VIRTUAL I would have had no chance of winning this event as no other ball in my bag would roll up from the outside with any consistency. The VIRTUAL rolled up hard but controllably and absolutely punished the pins. My main taps were hard rolling hits like four solid 9s and a flush 7 and a flush 10 – not ringing 10s where the ball breaks late and sharp. I do not know what amazed me more – that the VIRTUAL hooked back from out or that it also gave me some hold.
With much less play in the match play I was able to parallel in as the 10 games wore on and even leak it right a little and get it back on some lanes. I also could go around it a touch instead of just dead rolling it. In the position round I was going around 9 at the arrows to about 6-7 for a breakpoint on one lane and firing it straight up 10-11 on the other lane.
If you saw the PBA Tour on Sunday where Mike Machuga switched to his VIRTUAL and suddenly had swing and some hold for a game or two then you know the kind of reaction I had at this point. Mine was more skid and less swing, but the shape difference with the VIRTUAL compared to other stuff was similar to Machuga's.
The other fascinating thing about this ball is that I could not pick up any oil rings with it – by the time the ball came back they were gone. And I was getting some rings with other balls. Lane shine was minimal – my hook was the same at the end of the day as the beginning. I had maybe 3-4 games on the VIRTUAL starting the day.
I am thinking that I may even be able to drill a second VIRTUAL with a high pin but closer to my PAP – perhaps over the bridge so it’s about 5 inches – and shine it up and have something to wheel the lane on an easier shot.
There is no question this is the most dynamic and powerful ball Storm has ever made. And for my taste of favoring balls that roll through the pins, rather than break sharply and scatter them, it is perfect.
The one caveat I have is that if you bowl in a house where there is a pronounced dry area on the lane, the VIRTUAL is going to read that area wickedly hard and you may leave a lot of weak 10s if you have moderate speed and decent revs. KEEP IT IN THE OIL! If you have decent speed fire away!
Edited on 11/17/2008 9:15 PM
Post by: 230-n-up-or-bust on November 17, 2008, 08:44:56 PM
--------------------
Return with your shield or on it. Strength and honor.
"I'd give my right arm to be ambidextrous."-Nick Faldo
Me (http://"http://www.myspace.com/root4d20car")
MTIXE
Post by: VideoBallReviews on November 17, 2008, 08:51:52 PM
--------------------
Britton (formerly bar5003)
Owner/Operator of Videoballreviews.com (http://"http://www.videoballreviews.com")
Official Sponsors
VISE (http://"http://www.viseinserts.com")
3G Shoes (http://"http://www.900global.com")
Buddiesproshop.com (http://"http://www.buddiesproshop.com")
Virtualtournaments.com (http://"http://www.virtualtournaments.com")
Valentino Bowling...click here for 5% off your next order! (http://"http://valentinobowling.com/vbr.html")
Post by: twister on November 17, 2008, 11:08:39 PM
--------------------
Post by: Monster Pike on November 18, 2008, 06:21:52 AM
--------------------
"The last time I saw a mouth like that, it had a hook in it." Rodney Dangerfield
Post by: Jorge300 on November 18, 2008, 06:30:45 AM
--------------------
Jorge300
Post by: riggs on November 18, 2008, 06:46:02 AM
Post by: Z Jellsey on November 18, 2008, 11:13:24 AM
--------------------
I'm a Rev-O-Tronic pinky tucking machine
Post by: Dan Belcher on November 18, 2008, 12:28:28 PM
Post by: riggs on November 18, 2008, 01:13:09 PM
And sorry if I offended you dude. Journalist by trade so just putting all the facts out there.
And I would write up whatever happened no matter what happened - actually should have been an 11th or 12th place mere cash and would have written the same stuff.
I've suffered enough grand successes AND spectacular failures to know exactly how good I am AND how good I am NOT. And I don't try to pretend I am anything else. I have won a ton of stuff but I also got my teeth kicked in pretty much for two years on Tour so I never pretend to be at the level of the best out there and better than I am.
Heck, I once went 672 UNDER for 18 games in a PBA Tour stop (and finished 142nd out of 160 guys - there were many WDs but I think I did beat a couple of guys - this was a place where about half the house I had literally giant slopes in the lanes from a sinkhole or something - hope they won that lawsuit!).
All that matters to me is that my posts provide dependable reviews that help people make the right decision in buying balls.
Post by: Z Jellsey on November 18, 2008, 01:20:02 PM
Sensitive little babies on here. Keep stroking each others egos on here and I'll try to ignore your FIGJAM posts! I don't need to post "what I've done, or how many of this or how many of that I have". I do not FIGJAM!
Riggs took it just fine. He didn't get all bent out of shape like you clones are!
230 n up,
Nice screen name for somebody that blasts cake house shots.
--------------------
I'm a Rev-O-Tronic pinky tucking machine
Post by: Z Jellsey on November 18, 2008, 01:26:11 PM
I'm just poking some fun at you, and you took it quite well. Your accomplishments speak for themselves.
You do have the most informative ball reviews that I have read.
You just gotta calm your followers down, they are way too easy!
--------------------
I'm a Rev-O-Tronic pinky tucking machine
Post by: Z Jellsey on November 18, 2008, 01:37:04 PM
I blast all over 1 of MY BEST FRIENDS who also posts ball reviews on here and FIGJAMs himself to death! Don't worry, it's not personal. Riggs seemed to know that!
--------------------
I'm a Rev-O-Tronic pinky tucking machine
Post by: Z Jellsey on November 18, 2008, 01:38:27 PM
--------------------
I'm a Rev-O-Tronic pinky tucking machine
Post by: 230-n-up-or-bust on November 18, 2008, 01:43:28 PM
quote:
....and I won't have to mention a score or tournament victory once!
--------------------
I'm a Rev-O-Tronic pinky tucking machine
However, since this is a site that is meant to review bowling balls, doesn't the review carry a little more merit if it's from a respected member of the bowling community that's had a little success with the product? There's a few people 'round these parts that are entitled to some FIGJAM, especially when they've got the goods to back up the talk. I'm fairly certain most of us are wise enough to know what's usable information vs. self-glorification, don't you?
--------------------
Return with your shield or on it. Strength and honor.
"I'd give my right arm to be ambidextrous."-Nick Faldo
Me (http://"http://www.myspace.com/root4d20car")
MTIXE
Post by: Dan Belcher on November 18, 2008, 01:45:37 PM
That being said, I do get your point to a degree. Yes, there's a difference between posting scores as part of a review and saying "OMG, I SHOT 750 WITH THIS BALL, YOU ALL SUCK, BOW BEFORE MY TALENT!!!" or something. But that's not at all what I hear when I read Jeff recount his adventures in tournaments during his reviews. (Some other people, not so much, but still, looking at this particular example)
Granted, reading you complain about someone posting a FIGJAM is probably just as annoying as the original post itself, so why am I even bothering to reply to you?
Post by: Z Jellsey on November 18, 2008, 01:48:50 PM
Absolutely! I agree 100%
Doesn't mean I won't give that person some crap for it!
--------------------
I'm a Rev-O-Tronic pinky tucking machine
Edited on 11/18/2008 2:52 PM
Post by: Z Jellsey on November 18, 2008, 01:52:03 PM
Cuz I'm sure you can tell I'm not really bothered by it, I just give people a hard time. Nobody is exempt from the Anti-FIGJAM wrath of me!!!
--------------------
I'm a Rev-O-Tronic pinky tucking machine
Post by: 230-n-up-or-bust on November 18, 2008, 01:55:09 PM
quote:
230 n up,
Absolutely! I agree 100%
Doesn't mean I won't give that person some crap for it!
--------------------
I'm a Rev-O-Tronic pinky tucking machine
Edited on 11/18/2008 2:52 PM
You'd better pray to whatever God you pray to that I never shoot 900 or I'm coming right to this site and braggin' my backside all about it!
--------------------
Return with your shield or on it. Strength and honor.
"I'd give my right arm to be ambidextrous."-Nick Faldo
Me (http://"http://www.myspace.com/root4d20car")
MTIXE
Post by: Z Jellsey on November 18, 2008, 01:59:41 PM
I like talking trash, I can take it just as I can dish it!
--------------------
I'm a Rev-O-Tronic pinky tucking machine
Post by: 230-n-up-or-bust on November 18, 2008, 02:03:15 PM
quote:Are you talking about Rovetini?
Blasted 1 of my buddies for doing that too! He shot the 3rd one I believe.
I like talking trash, I can take it just as I can dish it!
--------------------
I'm a Rev-O-Tronic pinky tucking machine
--------------------
Return with your shield or on it. Strength and honor.
"I'd give my right arm to be ambidextrous."-Nick Faldo
Me (http://"http://www.myspace.com/root4d20car")
MTIXE
Post by: riggs on November 18, 2008, 02:05:58 PM
As a journalist by profession, I am acutely aware of credibility issues so when I post my opinion of balls I try to provide maximum context so people know exactly what I am saying and can make what is hopefully a good judgment on a ball considering what an investment most are $$$ wise.
In that aspect FIGJAM is good and so is FIBJAM, which I also post where applicable!
I don't think there is any way someone could read what I have written then buy a VIRTUAL and come back and say, geez this ball hooks so much I can't use it. They also shouldn't be surprised when it chews through whatever oil they see.
And that's what matters.
Edited on 11/18/2008 3:06 PM
Edited on 11/18/2008 3:07 PM
Post by: Z Jellsey on November 18, 2008, 02:08:09 PM
FIBJAM=Me
--------------------
I'm a Rev-O-Tronic pinky tucking machine
Edited on 11/18/2008 3:09 PM
Post by: Use2begood on November 18, 2008, 02:12:44 PM
Friday
Is
Gone
Just
Another
Monday
BTW, nice bowling Riggs......PUP
--------------------
Opinions welcomed, as long as you listen to mine.
Edited on 11/18/2008 3:14 PM
Post by: Z Jellsey on November 18, 2008, 02:14:11 PM
Im
Good
Just
Ask
Me
--------------------
I'm a Rev-O-Tronic pinky tucking machine
Post by: Use2begood on November 18, 2008, 02:18:35 PM
PUP
--------------------
Opinions welcomed, as long as you listen to mine.
Edited on 11/18/2008 3:19 PM
Edited on 11/18/2008 3:20 PM
Post by: Monster Pike on November 18, 2008, 02:27:00 PM
but, for the guy that can't have 50 balls to cover every condition, what would polish do for the Virtual on a house shot for league bowling & using less hand ala Machuga? Just out of curiosity.--------------------
"The last time I saw a mouth like that, it had a hook in it." Rodney Dangerfield
Post by: Z Jellsey on November 18, 2008, 02:32:36 PM
--------------------
I'm a Rev-O-Tronic pinky tucking machine
Post by: riggs on November 18, 2008, 03:34:56 PM
Definitely will skid more but worry about it skid/snapping too much FOR MY GAME.
Again, this ball I think would be absolutely china for a high speed player.
And BTW, when you really read my posts they aren't really FIGJAM so much FTBIGJAM (f, this ball is good, just ask me) as I repeatedly said the ball gave me a reaction I had with nothing else and it was responsible for me winning.
Is FTBIGJAM bad (assuming it's truth)??
Post by: riggs on November 18, 2008, 03:37:19 PM
Post by: Use2begood on November 19, 2008, 08:35:57 AM
Its funny you say they keep hitting it more and more while they make balls that hook more and more.
At least you can still hit the dice as much as you want and never ruin the shim.
--------------------
Opinions welcomed, as long as you listen to mine.
Post by: Comet790 on November 19, 2008, 10:16:44 AM
Sorry Riggs didn't mean to change the subject. Congrats Riggs on your recent Open win...and thanks for all the great reviews.
Post by: riggs on November 19, 2008, 10:22:28 AM
Post by: Use2begood on November 19, 2008, 10:40:13 AM
Thanks Comet, careful could be a FIGJAM.
--------------------
Opinions welcomed, as long as you listen to mine.
Edited on 11/19/2008 11:46 AM