BallReviews
Equipment Boards => Elite => Topic started by: Juggernaut on April 14, 2014, 10:53:18 AM
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Been throwing Elite almost exclusively this year, except for a stretch where the oiling machine fouled up, and the shot was too dry for me to throw anything reactive.
I have been truly impressed with the ones that I have tried, with the ECHO being the one making the biggest impression. From a highly polished surface on drier conditions, to a scuffed surface on longer/heavier conditions, this ball has delivered.
The Espionage, while being a decent ball, seemed a bit condition specific to me. It gave the the nice roll characteristic I like to see, but wasn't really a big recovery ball to play deep with. If I had enough volume to play up the boards, or a small swing, it was really good, but not when I needed to get deep. The smoothness of the reaction didn't really play well with the "move deep and wheel it" mindset. I did, however, get it into a good one-two punch combo with the ECHO, by adding a flare increasing x-hole and some polish. With it like this, I could play almost the same shot as the ECHO, but on more volume. When the ECHO didn't want to finish up quite right, The Espionage would.
The Treason, having a slightly stronger cover and same weight block as the Espionage, gave me more of what I was expecting. While still not being a big "wheel and deal" type ball, the stronger cover did allow it to have more recovery than the Espionage, and the carry on this one seemed really nice, due to that rolly natured weight block. This ball just seemed to push the pins backwards off the pin deck.
I really feel that either the Espionage, or the Treason, would be the perfect candidate for the "Motion hole" drilling.
When summer gets here, I am pretty sure I am going to get one of the new "Z" models for the lighter shot we seem to see here every summer.
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No one throws Elite. No one.
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No one throws Elite. No one.
Well, I guess I am no one.
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You won't be disappointed with the Z those balls are great peices.
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No one throws Elite. No one.
I'm using the Echo regularly just like Juggernaut.
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The Espionage is usually the first ball out of my bag. I usually won't use it on short patterns, such as 38 feet, but 40 plus it is a great ball to use. Second to that, I am either pulling the Pegasus out of the bag, or the Z. Definitely some great equipment.
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Ever since I started doing videos for them, I've been throwing their stuff a ton. Since you like the Echo, I recommend you give the Pegasus a shot. It's a little longer down lane than the Echo, but still has a similar shape. If you want something a little weaker than the Espionage but stronger than the Echo, the Traitor is ridiculously good as well.
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No one throws Elite. No one.
You are entitled to your opinion. Somebody must be using it, because no company can stay in business losing money, and they've been around for a few years now.
As a bowling enthusiast, and an overall curious person, I am always looking at what is out there. I learned a long time ago not to write off the small guy, because necessity is the mother of invention, and some of the bigger things have come from the smaller companies.
A small company named Faball once, almost singlehandedly, popularized what has become the industry standard, the two piece ball construction. And, they also had the first REALLY popular asymmetric ball, the violet 3-D offset.
And I also recall a small company out west, in Utah I believe, named HSP. They had a small product line to begin with, but designed a higher performance ball, and named it the Teal Storm. The ball was so popular that it created an entire line of equipment, and then became the flagship name of the company itself! They are now possibly the most popular ball company in the industry.
Has Elite hit the jackpot yet? I don't know, but they could. It wouldn't be the first time a small company did, but if nobody gives them a chance, what good would it do?
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BowlersParadise/Elite, is located in my area. I know several bowlers in different houses around town (and outside of town) who carry/use elite products. The Bowling population isn't just in BR....
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I too remember when storm was the little guys on the lanes. Crazy to think that they were ever a small company.
I just picked up an Echo. Pretty excited to see what I have! If any thing it's pretty!
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In all my years, I've never seen anyone throwing anything Elite. I remember those PBA conditon pieces they came out with, which, in all honesty, seemed like a decent idea, but I think overall those were a flop.
The original price points on their equipment was ridiculously high. I think I've seen where they do a buy 1 get 1 thing now, which is great, but I think that's how they should have started. Get your equipment into the hands of bowlers and let them sell themselves. When you charge $275 for 1 ball (or whatever their super high price was), you alienate way too many bowlers. In most cases if someone has a choice between getting 2 pieces from good companies or just one from a company that hasn't proven anything well, the reputable company is usually going to win.
I don't run any bowling companies, but if I did, and I was a new company, I think I would want to do whatever I could to get my stuff out on the lanes, not sitting in a warehouse collecting dust. Just my opinion of course.
I'm glad to see the 6 of you are loving your Elite equipment!
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Your opinion may be what it is, but I can assure you nothing sits in that warehouse collecting dust.
And if you have seen the houses, cars and lifestyle the PBA and Alien balls have paid for you would not think they were a flop.
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I am sort of with Spider on this. No one around here uses Elite. Not sure why.
I find it funny how so many people are pro brick and mortar pro shop yet I have never seen an Elite ball carried by one. You have to get them online and here people are touting them. Maybe I am looking into it too much.
As for me, I will never buy their stuff. They obviously faked reviews on their website and to me, that just puts a bad taste in my mouth. Not saying their stuff is bad, but I won't be involved.
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I won a Z on here in a ball drawing. I chose the red/black/silver one and I have to say it's a beautiful looking ball.
I am a lower revs/speed stroker (225 rpm/13 mph). I went pin over ring stacked and OOB that ball was smooth and predictable. A great THS piece. Carry was very good, too.
Based on my PAP, this was eligible for a MOtion hole, which I have an old AMF Heist Pearl and love. Looking back, I wish I hadn't done it. The ball became flippy on the back end and too strong for me. I think I will resurface it and see how it goes. But it doesn't see any use now.
The Z would be a great entry level and THS ball for most bowlers.
On another note, I found an old Elite R43 on the rack -- single drill -- stuffed some tape in the thumb hole and even without it being fitted for me threw 6 in a row once I got lined up. With that Quantum-like mushroom core, I'm not surprised. I keep meaning to put it up for sale as my Raven Quantum is enough mushroom for me.
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Your opinion may be what it is, but I can assure you nothing sits in that warehouse collecting dust.
And if you have seen the houses, cars and lifestyle the PBA and Alien balls have paid for you would not think they were a flop.
AH...I don't know about the lifestyles..but I sure did like those cars and rigs... :D Too bad I never got to ride in the Merc.... at least I had the honor to sit in one lol ;)
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Regardless of what I say, if it works for you, by all means boo boo do you lol
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xrayjay,
I wasn't talking about me. My house is half the size of my former boss.
And that Merc was bought used.
Go get yourself one. Everyone that's into cars should have the pleasure of driving something that goes through a set of rear tires every 8000 miles. Life's too short to drive a Honda Accord.
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The top bowler in my league uses the Espionage and loves it...He is a lefty and throws hard.
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I won a Z on here in a ball drawing. I chose the red/black/silver one and I have to say it's a beautiful looking ball.
I am a lower revs/speed stroker (225 rpm/13 mph). I went pin over ring stacked and OOB that ball was smooth and predictable. A great THS piece. Carry was very good, too.
Based on my PAP, this was eligible for a MOtion hole, which I have an old AMF Heist Pearl and love. Looking back, I wish I hadn't done it. The ball became flippy on the back end and too strong for me. I think I will resurface it and see how it goes. But it doesn't see any use now.
The Z would be a great entry level and THS ball for most bowlers.
On another note, I found an old Elite R43 on the rack -- single drill -- stuffed some tape in the thumb hole and even without it being fitted for me threw 6 in a row once I got lined up. With that Quantum-like mushroom core, I'm not surprised. I keep meaning to put it up for sale as my Raven Quantum is enough mushroom for me.
just send it to me doug id like to give that R43 a try :)
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I won a Z on here in a ball drawing. I chose the red/black/silver one and I have to say it's a beautiful looking ball.
I am a lower revs/speed stroker (225 rpm/13 mph). I went pin over ring stacked and OOB that ball was smooth and predictable. A great THS piece. Carry was very good, too.
Based on my PAP, this was eligible for a MOtion hole, which I have an old AMF Heist Pearl and love. Looking back, I wish I hadn't done it. The ball became flippy on the back end and too strong for me. I think I will resurface it and see how it goes. But it doesn't see any use now.
The Z would be a great entry level and THS ball for most bowlers.
On another note, I found an old Elite R43 on the rack -- single drill -- stuffed some tape in the thumb hole and even without it being fitted for me threw 6 in a row once I got lined up. With that Quantum-like mushroom core, I'm not surprised. I keep meaning to put it up for sale as my Raven Quantum is enough mushroom for me.
just send it to me doug id like to give that R43 a try :)
Ha ha I will let you know when I decide to sell it!
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Elite makes some great stuff! I'd drilled several of their bowling balls this past year and had two honor scores and won money in tournaments! I drilled several for my high school girls and these first year bowlers made it to the final four at state!
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I have a Treason and an Echo, both sitting here at home undrilled. They are both next on my list to have drilled up. I would kind of like to pick up a Traitor as well so I can have the whole Treason, Traitor, Echo "set".
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My wife got me the sabatoge a few years ago. A nice ball. Drives thru oil well. But starting to get some bad pits on the surface. If my pro shop can not sand them out, then think not well spent money.
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My wife got me the sabatoge a few years ago. A nice ball. Drives thru oil well. But starting to get some bad pits on the surface. If my pro shop can not sand them out, then think not well spent money.
REALLY?
You bought a ball "a few years ago", it is still working well for you, and you think it might not be money well spent?
In reality, if a modern bowling ball works for an entire year without too much maintenance on it, then that would be considered an EXCEPTIONALLY good ball.
Pits on the surface of the ball are most likely caused by bad lanes or improperly adjusted ball returns, and are NOT signs of an inferior product.
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My wife got me the sabatoge a few years ago. A nice ball. Drives thru oil well. But starting to get some bad pits on the surface. If my pro shop can not sand them out, then think not well spent money.
REALLY?
You bought a ball "a few years ago", it is still working well for you, and you think it might not be money well spent?
In reality, if a modern bowling ball works for an entire year without too much maintenance on it, then that would be considered an EXCEPTIONALLY good ball.
Pits on the surface of the ball are most likely caused by bad lanes or improperly adjusted ball returns, and are NOT signs of an inferior product.
+1
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I have a Treason and an Echo, both sitting here at home undrilled. They are both next on my list to have drilled up. I would kind of like to pick up a Traitor as well so I can have the whole Treason, Traitor, Echo "set".
dont forget about the espionage. its a fantastic ball as well.
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My wife got me the sabatoge a few years ago. A nice ball. Drives thru oil well. But starting to get some bad pits on the surface. If my pro shop can not sand them out, then think not well spent money.
REALLY?
You bought a ball "a few years ago", it is still working well for you, and you think it might not be money well spent?
In reality, if a modern bowling ball works for an entire year without too much maintenance on it, then that would be considered an EXCEPTIONALLY good ball.
Pits on the surface of the ball are most likely caused by bad lanes or improperly adjusted ball returns, and are NOT signs of an inferior product.
I guess I am used to my older equipment holding up well. I still have an original teal rhino I throw. It has held up pretty well considering it being close to 20 years old
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For those throwing Elite, how do they hold up against the oil?(over time) do they become oil logged as quick as Utah and EBI? i've heard they are one of the longer lasting brands out there.
I love some of the pieces i've gotten with the other companies, but i'm kind of tired of getting to the point where you really really know the ball just in time for it to start dying out.
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They are like the Energizer bunny!! They keep going and going! Honestly I've drilled some for myself and my bowlers last year. They bowl at least 9+ games a week and they are going strong as day one. The amazing thing they're not the best about cleaning them either. Just my $.02, Bruce