BallReviews

Equipment Boards => Visionary => Topic started by: Strider on March 23, 2007, 08:09:33 AM

Title: B/G Centaur Bought
Post by: Strider on March 23, 2007, 08:09:33 AM: I want to buy a new 15# Blue/Green Centaur, but very few online shops seems to carry Visionary. I only found them at one or two places, but not shops I'm familiar with. I just started dealing with a new pro shop and he doesn't have a distributer that sells them. I want to get one before they are gone. Can any one recommend a shop that carries Visionary?

Triggerman, Allstarbowling, Doug?

Edited title since I bought the ball; looking for drilling advice.
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Special thanks to Dynothane, Visionary, and Lane#1 for donations to the Ballreviews Get Together.

Ron Clifton's Bowling Tip Archive (http://"http://www.bowl4fun.com/ron/roncarchive.htm")

Edited on 4/19/2007 10:25 AM
Title: Re: B/G Centaur Bought
Post by: Rock77 on March 23, 2007, 04:20:07 PM: www.maysbowlingandbilliards.com
http://www.bowlinggods.com/default.asp
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The best ball is the one that knocks down all of the pins!

Edited on 3/23/2007 4:20 PM
Title: Re: B/G Centaur Bought
Post by: Strider on March 23, 2007, 04:33:26 PM: Thanks Rock. Are these places you've purchased from before? I found http://www.bowlersdream.com/index.html, but didn't know of their reputation. Bowlinggods seems to have quite a good selection.
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Penn State Proud

Special thanks to Dynothane, Visionary, and Lane#1 for donations to the Ballreviews Get Together.

Ron Clifton's Bowling Tip Archive (http://"http://www.bowl4fun.com/ron/roncarchive.htm")
Title: Re: B/G Centaur Bought
Post by: shelley on March 23, 2007, 04:33:59 PM: Buddies carries Visionary, though they don't list the B/G Centaur anymore. You might be able to get it if you called them directly, but that particular ball is not on the website.

SH
Title: Re: B/G Centaur Bought
Post by: MI 2 AZ on March 23, 2007, 06:17:54 PM: That link to Mays is Frankie Mays who is running the USBC Nationals booth for Visionary at Reno. I posted a topic about the Visionary Booth in Reno at this USBC link (http://"http://www.ballreviews.com/Forum/Replies.asp?TopicID=158521&ForumID=79&CategoryID=5"). You could call Frankie at (610) 780-6251 and ask him about pricing.

I will repost that topic in this forum along with some other info.

Edited to add:

Strider, I recently purchased a ball from bowlersdream and had no problems whatsoever. Received the specs I requested and they shipped promptly.
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________________________________________

I am the SGT Schultz of bowling.
"I know nothing! I see nothing! NOTHING!"
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I just want 2C was'zzub.

BR FAQ (http://"http://www.ballreviews.com/Forum/Replies.asp?TopicID=74110&ForumID=16&CategoryID=5")

Edited on 3/23/2007 6:33 PM
Title: Re: B/G Centaur Bought
Post by: Litespeed on March 23, 2007, 06:31:12 PM: I bought an Ogre from www.10pinsdownbowling.com and will be picking up an Immortal Pearl tommorrow. I'm very happy with the work they performed and pretty impressed with their knowledge.

EDIT: Forgot to add they have a huge selection of Visionary in stock.

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Current line-up: Hammer Pain, Hammer Tuff, RotoGrip Epic Battle, Columbia Wrath, Columbia PowerDrive (drilled leftie), Visionary Ogre, Dynothane NE10, Dynothane Threshold, AMF Orbit Extreme, Brunswick Radical Inferno...more added weekly. :-)
High Score: 279 with the Epic Battle
High Series: N/A

Edited on 3/23/2007 6:31 PM
Title: Re: B/G Centaur Bought
Post by: charlest on March 23, 2007, 10:25:29 PM: quote:
I want to buy a new 15# Blue/Green Centaur, but very few online shops seems to carry Visionary. .... I want to get one before they are gone. Can any one recommend a shop that carries Visionary?

Triggerman, Allstarbowling, Doug?

Geoff,

I recently bought a 2nd B/G Centaur from Buddies. Even if it's not on the website, they can get it. The Centaur line is not being discontinued, only the Gargoyle line.

I've ordered from Triggerman and AllStar, both will come through; sometimes time is needed.
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"None are so blind as those who will not see."
Title: Re: B/G Centaur Bought
Post by: Strider on March 23, 2007, 11:18:33 PM: Thanks Jeff. I'll probably wait a few days as others have suggested and see what Triggerman or Joe can do. I'd prefer to buy from someone on here if I can't get it local. I didn't see the B/G listed on several places, so I thought maybe it was being discontinued. I'm not in a big hurry; just thought it would be a good ball for Reno when the oil gets on the light side.

How do you have yours drilled? I was thinking about putting the pin below my ring finger (4-4.5" from PAP) with a short pin and the CG just enough right to add a weight hole to tweak the reaction if necessary. The ball already has a high RG and I want smooth not flip, so the low pin position seems like a good choice?
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Penn State Proud

Special thanks to Dynothane, Visionary, and Lane#1 for donations to the Ballreviews Get Together.

Ron Clifton's Bowling Tip Archive (http://"http://www.bowl4fun.com/ron/roncarchive.htm")
Title: Re: B/G Centaur Bought
Post by: charlest on March 24, 2007, 05:30:57 AM: quote:
Thanks Jeff. ... I'm not in a big hurry; just thought it would be a good ball for Reno when the oil gets on the light side.

I think it's a great ball for Reno and for Nationals in general. I used it for all 9 games in COrpus Christi and for 5 of 6 games this year.

quote:

How do you have yours drilled? I was thinking about putting the pin below my ring finger (4-4.5" from PAP) with a short pin and the CG just enough right to add a weight hole to tweak the reaction if necessary. The ball already has a high RG and I want smooth not flip, so the low pin position seems like a good choice?
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Penn State Proud

Weight hole is useless because the core has less RG differential than a pancake core. The ball already, as you say, has a high RG so putting it above the fingers doesn't do much. I have 2, one has pin under ring finger and on has pin immediately to the right of the ring finger. One if polished, the other has surface changed from stock 1000 grit to 2000 grit. 1000 grit is still very early.

The core is a Mass Bias one, though probably of small amount. There is tiny grey or lead colored dot, about 1/4" in diameter that marks the MB (it's 6 3/4" thru the CG. I put it under my thumb in both cases.

2000 grit handles light to medium-light oil; polish (600 grit sand plus strong application of Storm's Xtra Shine) handles even lighter oil. Polish gives it a stronger breakpoint but still arc-like. Great hitting ball; if it's not hitting, you're using it on too much oil. Cover is very adaptable. If the track on mine is 1" wide, that's extreme. Clean it regularly.

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"None are so blind as those who will not see."
Title: Re: B/G Centaur Bought
Post by: charlee323 on March 25, 2007, 09:48:09 AM: If your shop doesn't have a dist. that sells visionary then they can order directly from visionary. Have them call Betsy and give them all the info.
Title: Re: B/G Centaur Bought
Post by: triggerman on March 29, 2007, 07:49:59 AM: Strider, I will call visionary to see if they still have them, they are discountiunued so current stock is limited to what they have on hand, the last one i got for Charlest was one of the very last ones according to my rep. that being said, Frankie May had some at the booth in Reno, as I spent a great deal of time in there looking around (having an ogre punched up) and he said they had took supply of them
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www.bowlingballexchange.com

Triggerman

F.O.S Loud, F.O.S. Proud

Lane #1 Baby
Title: Re: B/G Centaur Bought
Post by: hjk246 on April 06, 2007, 04:25:08 AM: try buddiesproshop.com,bowlersdream.com,allstarbowling.com and cheapbowlingballs.com.they were the online sights that i found that have visionary equipment the cheapest and they carry the ball that you are looking for.
Title: Re: B/G Centaur Bought
Post by: hjk246 on April 06, 2007, 04:28:22 AM: turquiseboi i agree with you on the track equip.i have a mean machine and it was the worst $140.00 i ever spent.ball was great at first but in less than a month the ball is dead already.its a particle ball and my roto-grip horizon hooks more than that ball does.pretty sad.thats why i am getting rid of all i have and going to all visionary equipment before the start up of the fall leagues again.
Title: Re: B/G Centaur Bought
Post by: Strider on April 18, 2007, 08:09:37 AM: Received mine yesterday. I love the bright yet dark colors that Visionary uses. A lot of eye appeal. I'm leaning on putting the pin 4.5-5" from axis (over ring finger/bridge) and the MB in the arc (left of the thumb) position. Might be a while until I get it drilled. My old driller was forced to retire for health reasons. The guy who took over (has two other shops in the area, but this will be his main one now) was highly recommended, but this drill press is different and he hasn't drilled oval fingers yet. He says he'll learn and doesn't want me to bring him the ball until he's got it down. Plus he has a large back up of jobs since the former owner missed so much time.
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Penn State Proud

Special thanks to Dynothane, Visionary, and Lane#1 for donations to the Ballreviews Get Together.

Ron Clifton's Bowling Tip Archive (http://"http://www.bowl4fun.com/ron/roncarchive.htm")
Title: Re: B/G Centaur Bought
Post by: charlest on April 18, 2007, 09:15:31 AM: Strider,

Just remember the RG is already over 2.6 and the differential is all but non existent. So moving the pin up or down and left or right makes little difference. There's the tiny MB marker that you've already found; I suspect it does affect the roll & ball reaction; so on my 3 BGCs I've kept it within 1/2" of the thumb hole, left or right.

Coverstock manipulation can make a HUGE differenc ein this ball's reaction. The stock 1000 grit can be early on light oil but useful of medium or just lighter than medium oil. I've tried polish, 2000 grit and 4000 grit and all have proved useful and DIFFERENT from one another.
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"None are so blind as those who will not see."
Title: Re: B/G Centaur Bought
Post by: Strider on April 18, 2007, 11:36:17 AM: Yeah, I know the RG is super high and the differential is very low, but the sucker has a core in it. I'm just going by the drilling instructions that came in the box. If it wasn't at least moderately important, they wouldn't be there.

I doubt it, but I'd like to be able to get it drilled while Ron is still putting out the Reno shot now and then so I'll be able to get a gerneral idea of the cover stock strength. I threw on it once, but he's tweaked it since it played pretty dry even when fresh, and the people who've been there indicate that it's got more volume than we're seeing.
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Penn State Proud

Special thanks to Dynothane, Visionary, and Lane#1 for donations to the Ballreviews Get Together.

Ron Clifton's Bowling Tip Archive (http://"http://www.bowl4fun.com/ron/roncarchive.htm")
Title: Re: B/G Centaur Bought
Post by: charlest on April 18, 2007, 09:28:30 PM: I wasn't able to use mine (2000 grit) during team, which was fresh oil. Needed a much stronger ball.

Never saw a ball that didn't have drilling instructions. Everything is relative.
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"None are so blind as those who will not see."

Edited on 4/18/2007 9:28 PM
Title: Re: B/G Centaur Bought
Post by: Strider on April 18, 2007, 09:44:52 PM: Well, with an asymmetric core, the instructions tend to be a little more important. Since the shop I'll probably use isn't familiar with Visionary, I'll either stick with the drill sheet or email someone at Visionary. I wasn't looking to use it on the fresh anyway. I wanted it more for doubles and singles or 3rd game of team after the lanes get beat up some. I was planning on taking a MoRich WMB for the fresh/heavy, Tsunami as the medium benchmark, XXXL for spares and either the Centaur or my trusty M2 for the med/light.

I did get to practice on the "modified" Reno shot. Of course I haven't been yet, but the tweak made the lanes play much more like I expect. I threw 6 games using the M2, Tsunami, WMB, Tsunami, Tsunami/WMB, and WMB and averaged 196 with no practice. We didn't get enough games in to simulate what the end of D/S might look like, so I never went back to the M2. Surprisingly, the M2 performed well around the 7 board on the fresh; I don't know how the Centaur would have been. I need to call the pro shop and see if he's caught up and has had time to practice drilling oval fingers.
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Penn State Proud

Special thanks to Dynothane, Visionary, and Lane#1 for donations to the Ballreviews Get Together.

Ron Clifton's Bowling Tip Archive (http://"http://www.bowl4fun.com/ron/roncarchive.htm")
Title: Re: B/G Centaur Bought
Post by: Strider on May 18, 2007, 07:11:35 AM: Well, looks like I'll finally be getting this drilled. For the time being, I've given up on the shop that was recommended to me since he's still back logged. I started my PBA experience league last night, and the shop there looks they can do what I want. It also helps that this guy worked with the same guy who drilled all of my recent stuff and both trained under the same driller. I'm sure the B/G Centaur will get plenty of use on the PBA shots.
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Penn State Proud

Special thanks to Dynothane, Visionary, and Lane#1 for donations to the Ballreviews Get Together.

Ron Clifton's Bowling Tip Archive (http://"http://www.bowl4fun.com/ron/roncarchive.htm")
Title: Re: B/G Centaur Bought
Post by: Strider on May 18, 2007, 09:47:07 PM: Got it drilled tonight. Nice piece. Definitely interesting watching a piece with some surface get down the lane with ease and still not flip hard even when it hits the dry. Most resin balls, even dull, make an aggressive move at the end of the pattern. This should be a real nice ball for Reno and the PBA experience league.

Does the cover change after breaking in? Does it get stronger, weaker, or about the same? So far I like the box surface, but a touch of polish might be a good thing. I'll probably throw it on a few PBA patterns before I change it at all.
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Penn State Proud

Special thanks to Dynothane, Visionary, and Lane#1 for donations to the Ballreviews Get Together.

Ron Clifton's Bowling Tip Archive (http://"http://www.bowl4fun.com/ron/roncarchive.htm")
Title: Re: B/G Centaur Bought
Post by: charlest on May 22, 2007, 07:42:43 AM: At its stock 1000 grit, the BGC is still pretty strong, almost more suitable for medium oil, just not quite. I have 2 right now: one at 2000 grit matte/dull and one at 600 grit PLUS polish. I've found that 1000 grit plus polish was too long.

Great thing about this ball is you can do almost anything to the cover and you'll see the change, anything from 600 grit dull to 4000 grit plus polish (kind of extreme).
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"None are so blind as those who will not see."
Title: Re: B/G Centaur Bought
Post by: clintdaley on May 22, 2007, 08:13:43 AM: I have my original Ogre and Blue Green Centaur both at 4000 abralon, no polish. Ask directdrill what he thinks....he is amazed how the Blue Green just gets down the lane, never makes an abrupt move and just rips the rack....great piece!

Clint
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Title: Re: B/G Centaur Bought
Post by: Strider on May 31, 2007, 09:25:36 PM: I used the Centaur some during Cheetah practice, right down 3. I never knew I could throw it that straight that close to the ditch (thanks again Ron). Took the surface to 2000 grit and used it 3+ out of 4 games at league (Cheetah). 1500 might have been perfect. The last game had enough carry down that it would skid ~5' too long. I liked my look too much to change my line much, so I kept playing with hand positions with slightly better than minimal luck. My wrist really ran out of gas after a lot of bowling over the past few days and a lot of lifting at work today. Anyway, the Centaur gave me a look that nothing I know of could have duplicated. Looks like a winner for short or light flatter patterns.
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Penn State Proud

Special thanks to Dynothane, Visionary, and Lane#1 for donations to the Ballreviews Get Together.

Ron Clifton's Bowling Tip Archive (http://"http://www.bowl4fun.com/ron/roncarchive.htm")
Title: Re: B/G Centaur Bought
Post by: charlest on May 31, 2007, 10:15:26 PM: Geoff,

There is nothing like this ball on the market today and not for a long time. As much as I loved the Storm Bolt Pro as a light oil control ball, this has it beat by miles.
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"None are so blind as those who will not see."
Title: Re: B/G Centaur Bought
Post by: directdrill on May 31, 2007, 10:22:18 PM: quote:
I have my original Ogre and Blue Green Centaur both at 4000 abralon, no polish. Ask directdrill what he thinks....he is amazed how the Blue Green just gets down the lane, never makes an abrupt move and just rips the rack....great piece!

Clint
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Absolutely! The ball hits amazing. It appears to just "lope" down the lane, no abrupt moves. Very nice piece.

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Hook 'em Horns!

Edited on 5/31/2007 10:20 PM
Title: Re: B/G Centaur Bought
Post by: clintdaley on June 01, 2007, 07:35:51 AM: Directdrill,

You and CharlesT have it pegged to a T. Direct was able to see first hand how this ball performed while I was out in St Louis. When everything else was starting early, I was able to move left (I'm a lefty now) and play up the gut and strike all day....amazing ball!

Clint
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