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Author Topic: Spartan Review  (Read 2396 times)

I_Bowl4Money

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Spartan Review
« on: November 14, 2010, 09:05:27 PM »
LAYOUT
Pin Placement = Under Ring Finger
Pin > PAP = 4 1/8
CG > PAP = 3 1/2
DUAL ANGLE = 60 x 70

CONDITIONS
Broken Down House Shot
Feet = 33-34 board
Mark = 16 @ the arrows
BreakPoint = 10

REVIEW
The Spartan is a boost to the Gladiator line.  The MoHawk core gives the ball the ability to get through the front part of the lane fairly easy without tweaking the coverstock too much.  The coverstock is stronger which allows the ball to have a heavier, more continuous roll than the Gladiator.

I bowled with this ball on a slightly broken down house shot.  I bumped up the surface to a 2000 Abralon with the hopes that I would be able to use the ball longer on a normal house shot and not see such a fast transition.

The Spartan rolled fantastic.  The 2000 Abralon surface cleared the front part of the lane with ease.  The layout allowed the ball to react strongly at the midlane and backend, but also allowed for that reaction to be much more controllable than a pin up type reaction.

In my opinion this ball is very comparable to a 900 Global Break Out.
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Stephen Hahn

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Stephen Hahn
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I_Bowl4Money

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Re: Spartan Review
« Reply #1 on: November 16, 2010, 04:45:05 AM »
I will have the opportunity to throw this ball during league tonight so I will follow up with a post in the morning with my review of this ball on the fresh.
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Stephen Hahn

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Stephen Hahn
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I_Bowl4Money

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Re: Spartan Review
« Reply #2 on: November 17, 2010, 06:45:22 AM »
CONDITIONS
House Shot (med-heavy oil)
Feet = 24
Mark = 12 @ the arrows
BreakPoint = 10

REVIEW
The oil pattern had this ball at 2000 going a little cleaner through the front than I would have liked, making speed and rotation a little more important (meaning too fast or not enough turn and it went a little too long).  What made the ball standout on this pattern was its ability to maintain its continuation through the pocket as the oil transitioned down the lane and the shot got smoother.

Because outside of 10 was being heavily played, I focused on maintaining a fairly tight line to the pocket. I finished playing the lanes with my feet on 30 and playing 15 @ the arrows to about 10 at the breakpoint.  

The Spartan at 1000 Abralon would have provided a little more room to operate in the oil.  As I mentioned earlier in comparison to the Break Out, this ball is a couple boards less on total reaction and gets through the fronts a little easier.

I believe Jason and the folks at Visionary did a great job with this ball.  Those of you looking for that Executioner replacement, I think this is pretty close both color and reaction!
--------------------
Stephen Hahn

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Edited on 11/17/2010 7:47 AM
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Stephen Hahn
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scotts33

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Re: Spartan Review
« Reply #3 on: November 17, 2010, 06:57:00 AM »
quote:
I believe Jason and the folks at Visionary did a great job with this ball. Those of you looking for that Executioner replacement, I think this is pretty close both color and reaction!


Stephen,

Are you saying the Spartan is a close replacement for the Charcoal Executioner?  How much difference on equally laid out Gladiator Solid to the Spartan?

On your feet is that standing or sliding?
--------------------
Scott



Edited on 11/17/2010 7:57 AM
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Scott

I_Bowl4Money

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Re: Spartan Review
« Reply #4 on: November 17, 2010, 08:14:16 AM »
quote:
Are you saying the Spartan is a close replacement for the Charcoal Executioner? How much difference on equally laid out Gladiator Solid to the Spartan?

On your feet is that standing or sliding?


It is my belief that the Spartan is a close replacement to the Charcoal and it might have been Visionary''s idea to do that, I can''t speak on their behalf.

As for the reaction of an equally drilled Gladiator, I would have to say that the Spartan would be a touch sooner picking up a roll and definitely would hook more overall by a few boards.

The key with the SPARTAN is the continuation.  Even when I didn''t get around the ball it still was pretty continuous.

My feet was where I was standing, I finish 5-6 boards left of that which changes the angle to the mark a little, but not much.
--------------------
Stephen Hahn

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Edited on 11/17/2010 9:14 AM
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Stephen Hahn
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scotts33

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Re: Spartan Review
« Reply #5 on: November 17, 2010, 08:18:57 AM »
quote:
It is my belief that the Spartan is a close replacement to the Charcoal and it might have been Visionary's idea to do that, I can't speak on their behalf.

As for the reaction of an equally drilled Gladiator, I would have to say that it would be a touch sooner picking up a roll and definitely would hook more overall by a few boards.


Interesting...I always thought that the Gladiator Solid and the Charcoal Executioner were much the same with ability to handle the same amount of oil...total hook with the Char Ex slightly later with same surface.  They were close to me.  I agree the Spartan is just a bit sooner but not by much and could even be a comparison of a pin down to a pin up.
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Scott

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Scott

I_Bowl4Money

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Re: Spartan Review
« Reply #6 on: November 17, 2010, 08:49:09 AM »
Just in case anyone was wondering:

246-226-232 = 704

First night of league....yeah me!
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Stephen Hahn

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Stephen Hahn
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getuaload

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Re: Spartan Review
« Reply #7 on: November 17, 2010, 11:09:11 AM »
Nice shooting and good review.
I have seen the same reaction as you, With the factory surface it is a bit touchy with speed and rotation. I think i will go down to 1000 ab , and see what happens.

I did polish mine up for a dryer condition , It takes polish very well. and it will definitly get down the lane before it makes a move, In some cases too far before it moves.

Overall i really like the smooth reaction from it, However right now you can''t pry the crossover out of my hands, by-far one of the best VBP has made.
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TO BE THE MAN, YOU HAVE TO BEAT THE MAN

Edited on 11/17/2010 12:10 PM
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gsback

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Re: Spartan Review
« Reply #8 on: November 18, 2010, 04:36:28 AM »
quote:
It is my belief that the Spartan is a close replacement to the Charcoal and it might have been Visionary''s idea to do that, I can''t speak on their behalf.

and
 
quote:
I always thought that the Gladiator Solid and the Charcoal Executioner were much the same with ability to handle the same amount of oil...total hook with the Char Ex slightly later with same surface. They were close to me.


As with you Stephen, I won't speak for Jason, but I don't believe the intent was to have another ball to replace the Charcoal.  In fact, I think the intent was to compete with whatever the other guys had for 'soakers' but without soaking up the oil like they do or not as much of it.  

I never threw the Charcoal so I can't comment as Scott mentioned.  Hmmmm....I do have that NIB Charcoal just sitting around.  Maybe I should drill it just to see!!  

Sorry Eric, if you do comment, not a 16lb!!
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livespive

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Re: Spartan Review
« Reply #9 on: November 19, 2010, 10:59:19 AM »
quote:
quote:
It is my belief that the Spartan is a close replacement to the Charcoal and it might have been Visionary''s idea to do that, I can''t speak on their behalf.

and
 
quote:
I always thought that the Gladiator Solid and the Charcoal Executioner were much the same with ability to handle the same amount of oil...total hook with the Char Ex slightly later with same surface. They were close to me.


As with you Stephen, I won't speak for Jason, but I don't believe the intent was to have another ball to replace the Charcoal.  In fact, I think the intent was to compete with whatever the other guys had for 'soakers' but without soaking up the oil like they do or not as much of it.  

I never threw the Charcoal so I can't comment as Scott mentioned.  Hmmmm....I do have that NIB Charcoal just sitting around.  Maybe I should drill it just to see!!  

Sorry Eric, if you do comment, not a 16lb!!
--------------------
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g thing is back....with a vengeance!!  

www.visionarybowling.com - Accept no substitute for the very best there is!!


Yes the words Charcoal Executioner was mentioned so I MUST comment lol
Although I have been out of the new ball game for a while the Gladiator, and Spartain do spark my intrest even if just to have one of each to sit next to my undrilled Charcoal (you didn't think I didn't have any did you ).

Reading your review it sound as if I could used the old trusted 315 on this given how you had to attack the lanes.

I might have to find some time to get one of each and trty them.
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Eric T. Spivey, P.E.
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