Post by: bigsexyhammer on October 24, 2007, 01:44:23 AM
Ok so with all of that out of the way, I want to try one...but I don't know what to get. I am a one ball kind of guy usually in the sense that I like to adjust to lane conditions, and not just pick another ball out of my bag. For me it makes me feel like I am a more competent and flexible bowler. Don't get me wrong, I bring more than one ball to the lanes, but I am not going to just switch to a different one because I am dead set on throwing the same line every shot.
I thought I had it all decided with a Solid Ogre, but Charlest's "more adventures" thread brought up a few (although slight) concerns. So I thought I would just ask...what do you think is the ONE piece you would recommend? The ubiquitous "benchmark" ball so to speak.
Sorry I was so long winded...I got it from my mom, who teaches English and Writing...
Post by: Rock77 on October 24, 2007, 09:48:26 AM
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Post by: Eddie M on October 24, 2007, 09:49:22 AM
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Post by: scotts33 on October 24, 2007, 09:49:39 AM
What are your stats.?
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Scott
Post by: shelley on October 24, 2007, 09:51:11 AM
SH
Post by: pop_1 on October 24, 2007, 09:51:50 AM
Post by: bigsexyhammer on October 24, 2007, 10:11:22 AM
My typical "comfort" shot is 15 to 5 mild swing with low/med revs and a eerily consistent 14.5 mph per Quibica. However I can pick up my revs and swing the ball more if I need to, and I can pipe it straight down and in as well. I play in three different houses that are all drastically different. One is a synthetic that has a seemingly endless long flat pattern, one is wood that is usually a walled THS, and one is a wood that is fairly dry.
So far it seems that my original choice is indeed the overwhelming favorite... And to the last guy, the Immortal Solid was one I had considered highly as well.
Edited on 10/24/2007 10:12 AM
Post by: scotts33 on October 24, 2007, 10:31:12 AM
You've got a wide range of conditions to cover with a "benchmark" ball. Benchmark to me is a medium ball with a medium type layout <ie. pin next to or around the ring depending on speed and revs w/ 60 deg. layout>. This ball would be used first out of bag to the lanes. Some folks don't really know what a "benchmark" ball IMO.
What I want and most do out of a "benchmark" ball is and even reacting ball. The OS is that but with it's built in low differential .029 you may struggle if you can't stay straighter thru the lane. <IMO....a true benchmark ball would have a solid cover of reasonable strength and a differential of around .035 to .045> On the other hand on a wet/dry THS OS will even out that over reaction. I like the OS on this kind of condition.
The Purple Pearl will arc and come off the spot a bit harder because of it's cover which is what most are doing with their OS's....taking them to a higher grit and applying polish or compound polish...so in actuality what they really have is closer to a Purple Pearl Ogre than a Solid sheen/matte Ogre.
In actuality, some old Visionary users would probably agree that right now Visionary doesn't have a great "benchmark" ball. I'd say the Blue Warlock was their best ever "benchmark" ball. Even rolling arcing ball with an adjustable cover. 2nd would be a Char. Ex at 2000 to 4000 abralon. 3rd would be a Red Sorcerer same surface finish.
Hope some of this helps and let us know what you decide and how it works for you.
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Scott
Edited on 10/24/2007 10:31 AM
Post by: MC on October 24, 2007, 10:53:13 AM
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Post by: 42swaff on October 24, 2007, 11:18:32 AM
Post by: scotts33 on October 24, 2007, 11:22:54 AM
The term bench mark originates from the chiseled horizontal marks that surveyors made in stone structures, into which an angle-iron could be placed to form a "bench" for a leveling rod, thus ensuring that a leveling rod could be accurately repositioned in the same place in the future.
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Scott
Post by: darkman on October 24, 2007, 12:15:14 PM
Post by: Mvpbowler on October 24, 2007, 12:40:52 PM
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Post by: charlest on October 24, 2007, 01:17:07 PM
BTW the Immortal solid also is in the same category UNLESS you face a LOT of oil. Otherwise, it needs either a smoother surface or some polishing.
I also like the AMB solid; it may be a more generic ball with its stock surface than either the Ogre solid or the Immortal Solid, but that's no guarantee you'll find its stock surface ideal either.
If you can't or don't make easy surface changes then the Ogre Pearl or the Immortal Pearl are better, safer choices.
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Post by: mrbowlingnut on October 24, 2007, 05:55:00 PM
The great orange pumpkin would be my second choice but it needs oil to even work right, it also does not swing well for most players.
Post by: pnj1967 on October 24, 2007, 06:02:03 PM
quote:
Old one that is still out there the g-3 gryphon hands down the best league condition ball i have from visionary.
The great orange pumpkin would be my second choice but it needs oil to even work right, it also does not swing well for most players.
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Post by: TWOHAND834 on October 24, 2007, 06:15:12 PM
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Post by: Aubin300 on October 24, 2007, 06:37:54 PM
Post by: Eddie M on October 24, 2007, 06:43:12 PM
quote:
The great orange pumpkin would be my second choice but it needs oil to even work right
In OOB condition it is definitely a heavy oil ball. But imho the Ogre reacts much better at 1000 in more oil, and better still at 4000 in med/hvy oil.
quote:
it also does not swing well for most players.
I would edit that to say "does not swing well in OOB". At 600 OOB the Ogre burns alot of energy early, and will hit weak if you swing it too much. However, the higher you take the surface, the more swing room the ball has.
Just my observations from the last 6 months of using this ball.
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Post by: Aubin300 on October 24, 2007, 06:50:00 PM
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Post by: mrbowlingnut on October 24, 2007, 06:50:13 PM
Yes i am sure at 4k or highly polished the pumpkin is much more young gun friendly, old guy's like me cannot swing most stuff anyway. Unless it is an NVS or something like BW Pearl, anybody who is alive and kicking can get those balls to boom out and back.
Post by: charlest on October 24, 2007, 08:58:27 PM
quote:
I have the pumpkin at 1k still not even close to be able to swing and bring it, i let young guns with hand try to and the ball just stops and rolls out.
Yes i am sure at 4k or highly polished the pumpkin is much more young gun friendly, old guy's like me cannot swing most stuff anyway. Unless it is an NVS or something like BW Pearl, anybody who is alive and kicking can get those balls to boom out and back.
I don't know, Barry. Last week I was almost swinging the PS, finished at 4000 grit. 27 at the foul line out to 5 board at breakpoint; can't recall how far down, but my breakpoint is normally 42-46 feet down. And I'm only 2 years from picking up a Social Security check.
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Post by: MI 2 AZ on October 24, 2007, 11:39:39 PM
quote:
I'd say the Blue Warlock was their best ever "benchmark" ball.
Hmmm, sounds like something I would say.
Second-best would have been a Blue Sparkle Gryphon lightly scuffed (for me).
Pearls and strong heavy-oil balls dont work as a benchmark ball for me. I agree with Scott on his opinion of what a benchmark ball should be.
I have been trying out a Solid Ogre and had to change the surface to 1000. Still seems a bit strong, but I need to use it more and only bowling once a week makes that a bit difficult.
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Post by: scotts33 on October 25, 2007, 12:20:48 AM
quote:
quote: I'd say the Blue Warlock was their best ever "benchmark" ball.
Hmmm, sounds like something I would say.
That's cuz we've been around Visionary stuff awhile Gary.
What's happened to some of the old Visionary Test guys?
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Scott
Post by: Messiah on October 25, 2007, 01:15:08 AM