The only criticism of Amulet that I can muster is that it's ugly. It looks like the outcome of an experiment with egg drop soup and banana pudding gone horribly wrong. But I can understand what Visionary was trying to accomplish with limited resources, and it's actually a pretty remarkable feat to cover dry lanes, spare ball and moonlight bowling admirably well in one package.
The reality is that Amulet is a useful spare ball and a fantastic ball for dry lanes. The argument for owning it is that you need to carry a spare ball anyway, so why not spend the extra $30 and get something with a bigtime core that can pound the pins as a main ball? Then you have a huge advantage on a condition where everyone has to go to plastic. With its mild coverstock, it's also a great answer to the extreme wet/dry that can sometimes vex the tweener.
Amulet is a 1500 grit pearlized urethane ball with a 78-81 hardness rating and a powerful core, apparently the basic Gargoyle core with an added spherical wrap. Mine is 3" pinout, 3.36 oz top weight, 15.95#, laid out 5 x 5, with the pin immediately above the ring. We left a positive 1/2 oz side weight.
Visionary rates the Wet/Dry hook rating at 5/8. My experience is that it's a smooth 10 - 12 down the boards on very dry lanes. It isn't much good for me as a primary ball on anything past the lightest oil, though I could imagine how a cranker on these conditions could easily love it.
Amulet is a fairly long ball, probably a couple of feet earlier than a similarly drilled, say, Scout/R, but not as jumpy, with a smooth, but fairly strong arcing reaction on the backend. I would consider drilling it for dry lanes the same way you'd drill mild resin for a fresh shot, so, if I had it to do again, I'd probably do a 5 x 4.
My honest opinion is that just about everyone who likes to turn the ball can benefit from Amulet. There are three compelling things about it. The best thing is how well it hits and carries. Others have mentioned this in their postings and reviews, but you can't overemphasize it. The hit feels like it is limited only by the coverstock. I can imagine what monsters the Gargoyles would be with this weight block in a resin or particle cover. In terms of the balls I own, it hits about as well as a Game, and slightly better than a Thunderflash. It has no problem throwing scouts and messengers around the deck.
Second is its tolerance for dry heads. It literally needs no head oil at all. I threw it much of the season in a house that was a couple of years overdue for resurfacing, and it had no problem getting through the heads at all after two leagues, when everything else was hooking at your feet.
Third is psychological - it lets you play _your_ game without alteration on dry, messy conditions. Extreme dry forces us to make uncomfortable adjustments in release, line or speed. I can take Amulet out after two leagues and several hours of open play and know that I can turn it up right in the middle of the burn just like mild resin on a fresh shot. You have the feeling that you're perfectly equipped for ratty lanes.
I am very favorably disposed toward Visionary based on my experiences with Amulet. It is certainly the best money I have spent on equipment all year. These folks put a lot of thought into Amulet and made it as good as it could possibly be.
I give it an 8 overall, composed of equal weighting to:
Control: 10. Seems to combine the best characteristics of pearl resin and urethane, in that it is extremely tolerant of both fried heads and flying backends.
Versatility: In terms of the range of conditions it covers, I have to give it a 5. This isn't a fair criteria, because the ball's description clearly states that it is intended only for dry lanes and as a spare ball. With no hyperbole intended, I'll come flat out and call it the ultimate fried lanes ball. On
milder conditions, I imagine that crankers would also love it.
Hit & Carry: 8.5 In terms of what I own and know about, a couple of notches below a great-hitting ball like a Ti Messenger Pearl, neck-and-neck with a Game, but a notch above a Thunderflash.
