Author Topic: Centaur use (Read 4722 times)

roaddogg · « **on:** May 18, 2004, 07:49:12 AM »

Has anybody used the new Centaur yet and what is your thoughts of it

D McLaughlin · « **Reply #16 on:** May 27, 2004, 09:52:09 AM »

The length on this ball was surprising considering its core and coverstock appearance. I polished mine up a little just to cover my bases. As far as comparison to the PGR, it is MUCH more of an arc look, but later arc in the backends..if that makes sense. The main thing I have noticed with this ball so far is that it tends to (for me at least) offer a good margin of error if you cut it short aka tug it aka yank it aka snatch it....etc. Not so much for recovering if you miss wide a little, but certainly holds tugged shots better than I expected. Will be drilling my 2nd one (leaving it box finish) a little more aggressively to see just how different the look will be. Will post here once I have thrown it a bit next week.
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Umm....Walter Ray....its customary to hand over your wallet AFTER I beat you. Its not like we haven't been through this a hundred times.

TheDude · « **Reply #17 on:** May 27, 2004, 12:49:30 PM »

Htotheizzo, i just recieved testers for the new brunswick Zone Classic and it also has a asymetrical core, and it mentions not placing the mass bias locator pin in the track/negative side of the ball.

by any chance did you do that with your centaur?
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I am Canadian Dude! GOO BIG FIN!!! MIKA K ALL THE WAY!

MI 2 AZ · « **Reply #18 on:** June 01, 2004, 11:49:31 PM »

This is from a message I sent to A_P_K, others may find it useful (or not):

I finally got my Centaur drilled up and had a chance to use it for two games. Went right after work expecting to find dry lanes but they had just oiled and had the THS out.

Ball before drilling - 15.15#, 3.04 top (love how they go to the hundreds) and 3 inch pin. From reading a couple of the reviews posted and from the drill chart provided, I decided to try a 4x3 drilling.

After drilling - My PAP is 4-3/8 over, 5/8 up. 4x3. Ended up with 14 lbs, 15-3/4 oz, 3/8 top, 3/4 side, and 3/8 finger. Left the surface at factory 1000. No wt hole. Pin ended up above the ring finger, slightly right of center of it.

On the THS - Not the condition I was hoping to try it on, but I started out and bowled the first game with a Vendetta (5x1) which I had brought to try out also on the expected drier conditions. The Vendetta played tighter than the balls I would normally use on the THS, played a slight swing out to 2nd arrow.

For the 2nd game, I pulled out the Centaur and tried playing the same line that I had used with the Vendetta, but it barely hit the headpin. Ok, tried moving my feet right and playing 2nd arrow - not too good. Tried moving left and swinging the ball out to a drier area, not enough recovery. Ended up after five frames moving everything right. Off the ditch (second board) and the ball had too much movement so I moved to first arrow and played it straight up. That proved to be a good line for the ball on those conditions. Hitting the pocket with that line had a high strike percentage and the pin action on those hits was very good. Pins seemed to keep low and tumble (if that makes any sense).

I used the Centaur for all the 2nd game and most of the 3rd. While Visionary says the ball is for medium condions, I probably could use it on the THS but I want to try it on a lighter or drier condition and see how it does. My track flare was only about 1 to 1-1/2 inches, much less than normal for me. The ball had a gentle arc and was easy to figure out how to adjust for. I didnt notice any carrydown so cant comment on that.

I have found some balls work better for me only if I change my release and have a higher track. With the Centaur, I used my normal release.

This mini review is probably not up to your usual standards (LOL) but is all I have for now.

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I just want 2C was'zzub.
____________________________________

I am the SGT Schultz of bowling.
"I know nothing!"

MI 2 AZ · « **Reply #19 on:** June 01, 2004, 11:56:14 PM »

Ok, here is a follow-up. Went to the lanes today (Monday). They did not oil before I got there but there was some oil on the lanes already. Since they were closed yesterday (Sunday), it must have been remains from Saturday. I could tell that there had been some games bowled on them by the drop marks and tracks in the oil but didnt look like a lot of games. Synthetic Brunswick Anvillane 2?

Broke out my Blue Sparkle Gryphon as a comparison and used it the first game.

When I went to the Centaur in the 2nd game, I found it played tighter than the Gryphon.

One of the lanes played like it was more broken down than the other. I didnt start writing down any notes until the 3rd game, so I dont remember how I played the looser lane with the Gryphon but I do have notes for the Centaur.

With the Centaur on the tighter lane, I stood at 22 and targeted 10 at the arrows (15 ft) with the ball held waist high (normal position for me). On the looser lane, had to move to 25 and targeted 10 at the breakpoint arrow (40 ft) with the ball held about chest-high (bit more speed). Otherwise the ball wanted to turn up too early (in the midlane).

One of the games I used the Gryphon on the tighter lane and the Centaur on the looser lane. My notes on that: On that tighter lane, I was using the Gryphon and standing at 25 targeting the 10 board at the breakpoint, waist high.

I did notice today that the Centaur seems to be a ball that reads the lanes well. I could tell immediately the difference between the two lanes with that ball and if I made an error, I knew right away. If my speed slowed a bit, I could tell and if I missed my target, I knew it - kind of like playing on a sport shot. On most shots, the Centaur kept the pins mixing low, kind of slow-motion, but if I tried to help the ball, more turn, I would leave a 10 pin with the 6 going up and around the 10. This ball will be good for me to learn with.

With the drill pattern I have, 4x3, I might not be able to use it the way I intended on drier lanes. I probably should have had it drilled 4x5 for more length. I think I will be able to use this on a THS (medium) and a second shift shot. Just have to find out how it handles carry-down. The lanes today were not as dry as I have seen them before so I will have to wait and see how deep I will be able to go with this ball and still have it recover for me. I do not plan on changing the surface yet (polishing), I want to see it on more conditions in its out of box surface first.

So far, I think it is a keeper and well worth getting. I am pleased with the strike percentage for pocket hits. Higher than a lot of my balls.

Hope this helps.

For those who know what I mean, my personal number is 8. (Subtract 8 from where I stand and that should be the ball lay-down point).

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I just want 2C was'zzub.
____________________________________

I am the SGT Schultz of bowling.
"I know nothing!"

TheDude · « **Reply #20 on:** June 02, 2004, 08:58:15 AM »

Thanks MI

Going to maybe drill mine tonight, with something a little stronger, pin below my ring finger, and use 4x3 like you. The High rg has me worried with my higher speed that it will slide too long.
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I am Canadian Dude! GOO BIG FIN!!! MIKA K ALL THE WAY!

MI 2 AZ · « **Reply #21 on:** June 10, 2004, 04:00:35 PM »

TheDude, did you ever get yours drilled up?
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I just want 2C was'zzub.
____________________________________

I am the SGT Schultz of bowling.
"I know nothing!"

TheDude · « **Reply #22 on:** June 11, 2004, 01:53:25 PM »

hey, Mi thanks for reminding me lol. i kept putting it off.
but after seeing the summer pattern for my house i am in need for a control ball now. screaming backends and light oil have made things painful lol.

go from 732(original house shot, with a black executioner) to a 580 with the black exe on the lighter oil condition,

i do have a crimison sitting around still that i might slug my thumb and try out again. first time i used it, it always seemed to skid too long for me, and it just might work instead.

I am going to be playing in a provincal games, tournament in late july, and i am bowling in the late squads for all of the days, and it always gets really dry so the centaur will most definately be in my bag by then.

i am also going to be playing on the pba patterns this summer, and i am wondering if the centaur would be anygood on pattern E? sort of like what mika K used to shoot his 300, with a stinger low flare with his cg in the negative side of his palm.

How is your centaur? anymore thoughts?

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I am Canadian Dude! GOO BIG FIN!!! MIKA K ALL THE WAY!

MI 2 AZ · « **Reply #23 on:** June 11, 2004, 08:24:37 PM »

quote:
How is your centaur? anymore thoughts?

Havent had the chance to use it again, my truck was in the shop for a week. I might be able to use it this weekend at a tournament. Will see.
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I just want 2C was'zzub.
____________________________________

I am the SGT Schultz of bowling.
"I know nothing!"

MI 2 AZ · « **Reply #24 on:** July 08, 2004, 04:43:36 PM »

Did not see the right conditions to try it in the tournament. After that, I had lessons from Ron C and have been using mainly my Blue Gryphon or my Blue Dot. I will post more when I get the chance to use it again.
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I just want 2C was'zzub.
____________________________________

I am the SGT Schultz of bowling.
"I know nothing!"

A_P_K · « **Reply #25 on:** July 09, 2004, 12:30:06 PM »

I've used mine about 10 games or so (a few with Charlest) and don't see anywhere near the aggressiveness you guys mention.

I also placed a crappy drill on it thinking the ball would be stronger, so that could be a reason I'm having a tough time with it. The drill I went with had the pin over the ring with the CG kicked way right to put the MB on the VAL. The ball is 16lbs, 2-3" pin out and 3.2 OZ top weight.

My intentions were to have a ball that rolls early and makes it's move in the midlane on shorter oil conditions that have very aggressive backends. More often than not I have trouble controlling the break point with my other Visionary equipment because of bigger backend movements.

I don't have a ton of hand but have more than your average bowler's I've seen, but this ball skates on the slightest bit of oil. It rolls beautifully once it hits dry, but to make any type of reaction I need excessive amounts of dry, even to the point were it rolls immediately.

So far I've polished the cover with a gritless polish to see if it was burning up in the heads but I really doubt that was the case.

In the situation where I bowled with Charlest, the condition was a lighter to light medium blended crown. The Centaur reacted a meager two to three boards and that was playing straight up the second arrow more or less. In another house which has synthetic heads and wood backends oiling a walled 7-7 pattern the Centaur rolled immediately if I played up the first arrow and skid forever if I played up the second. On the condition I planned on using it in competetion, it seems so far the line I could be successful with is outside the second arrow.

This could turn out to be a good thing for me because I need a ball I can get way outside with, that will not over react but still have the guts to carry once it hits the pocket.

My next step is taking the cover down probably to 800 to see if that will increase the reaction at all. If not I will then probably plug and redrill it somewhat stronger, but may opt for the pinkish red Gargoyle instead and keep the Centaur this way.

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Always Aggie Dun

Pin_Krusher IS a serious threat to modern day bowling wood as we know it today.

TheDude · « **Reply #26 on:** July 09, 2004, 12:44:49 PM »

Um, i can see your choice of drill pattern maybe was not really what this ball is intended for. placing your MB on your val would on a stronger core make the ball react just as you would have hoped, but this core having such low flare and having a high RG. Mid lane is almost non existant on this ball.

This ball is dull, but that doesn't mean huge traction in oil. When listed for medium oil this is likely based on a house shot, playing up around 2nd arrow. This really isn't the type of ball you can swing much.

For people that don't track really high( placing the MB in the track is not a good idea, and it seems placing it too far out is not a good idea either)

with high speed and med-low rev rates, don't expect miracles. This ball is better( IMO) than the slate blue for light oil.

I think the new gargoyle will be a very good seller for them, look for a reaction similar to a Smash/R.

I hate to name this ball's fate too early but it might see the same lack luster success the purple ice got.

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I am Canadian Dude! GOO BIG FIN!!! MIKA K ALL THE WAY!

Edited on 7/9/2004 12:46 PM

MI 2 AZ · « **Reply #27 on:** July 09, 2004, 12:46:04 PM »

I just tried using the Centaur (4x3) on my summer league. Pattern changes every two weeks. Last night was gutter to gutter down to 38 feet, no idea what the amount (units) was but bowlers were struggling on it. It looked like there was a shot inside 10 but no one was conistant using that area of the lanes.

I had good luck using the Blue Gryphon on an outside line, standing about 10 and targeting 2 at the arrows. Personal number is 8. The ball hit the pocket and carried well from there. Tried using the Centaur as a comparison and in order to hit the pocket and carry, I had to move my feet right two boards and keep the same target. I was having some release issues last night but the times I did get out of the ball clean, the Centaur reacted well and carried well. The Centaur seems smoother than the Blue Gryphon and will require more dry to work well.
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I just want 2C was'zzub.
____________________________________

I am the SGT Schultz of bowling.
"I know nothing!"

Author Topic: Centaur use (Read 4722 times)

roaddogg

Centaur use

D McLaughlin

Re: Centaur use

TheDude

Re: Centaur use

MI 2 AZ

Re: Centaur use

MI 2 AZ

Re: Centaur use

TheDude

Re: Centaur use

MI 2 AZ

Re: Centaur use

TheDude

Re: Centaur use

MI 2 AZ

Re: Centaur use

MI 2 AZ

Re: Centaur use

A_P_K

Re: Centaur use

TheDude

Re: Centaur use

MI 2 AZ

Re: Centaur use