BallReviews

Reviews => Columbia 300 => Topic started by: admin on December 31, 1969, 06:00:00 PM

Title: Icon 300
Post by: admin on December 31, 1969, 06:00:00 PM
Core: Dense Polymer Core Dense Energy Block

Coverstock: Muscle Plus

Hardness: 75-78

Color:Purple/Red/Orange with Gold Sparkle Engraving

Finish: 1200 Grit Fine Finish

Track Flare: 3-5


Total Hook: 55

Hook Potentail: 35
Title: Re: Icon 300
Post by: Charlie Lacy on February 04, 2003, 09:24:02 AM
Columbia's ICON 300 is a nice compliment to the first two ICONs.
The 300 breaks earlier and a few boards more and squares up on
the pocket better. With a good shine ball reacts stronger at the
back end. Mine was drilled 3 3/8 by 3 3/8. I tend to use it more when
I can go up the boards on heavier oil and have enough finish to
carry.
Title: Re: Icon 300
Post by: Cynistir on February 07, 2003, 06:34:28 PM
Ball digs into even the heaviest and longest patterns. Hit's like a truck. Polish it and delay the hook for maximum carrying potential.
Title: Re: Icon 300
Post by: tommylamb on February 17, 2003, 11:06:46 AM
The New Icon 300 is by far the most aggressive in the Columbia Line. It plows through even the heaviest oil. This ball in the out of the box configuration rips through the pins as well as any I have rolled. Polishing the ball delays the hook, and results in a devastating back end reation with great carry potential.
Title: Re: Icon 300
Post by: arm300 on February 21, 2003, 01:04:36 PM
Just got this ball a week ago, because I got the 1st ICON and I was satisfied with it to an extent. I use mostly Columbia equipment, with my favorite being the ROCK-ON. I practiced only 2 games with this ball before taking it into league play, something I usually never do.

The hits were beautiful and powerful. If you think this  ball is not coming back from the outside, believe me - you're wrong.
So far on 2 different lane conditions - heavy and medium oil. I was hitting a lot better on the heavy condition, shooting  706 . On medium condition, I shot 665 (I have a combined average of 197). If you like the Columbia Line, this is a good one. After two nights of league play, it's already paid for.
Title: Re: Icon 300
Post by: Jeff Mop on February 21, 2003, 09:19:30 PM
Drilled this ball at the ABC Masters.  The lanes were too much for its box dull, so I had to shine it up a bit.  Shiny, the ball gets through the heads very well, rolls up nice in the midline, and explodes with a powerful but controllable backend.  It's not a skid/snap and it wasn't arc.  It was the perfect middle of the two.

When I got home I put a 600 scotch brite pad to the ball to get it back to dull, as the house conditions here tend to be very wet-dry with a bunch of oil in the middle.  The ball reacts much the same way, just earlier and more even.  It's a very powerful ball at the pin deck, throwing wood everywhere.

It is drilled with the pin above and to the right of the ring finger (4 3/4 X 4).  

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==========================================

Jeff Mop

When life gives you lemons, don't complain because hey, they're free lemons.

Title: Re: Icon 300
Post by: Nolimitz1090 on February 23, 2003, 03:35:16 PM
Just got the ball after a major back order problem. This ball is an exciting piece of equipment. Let me stress this YOU NEED OIL IN THE HEADS. Ok, shot with it out of the box with a leverage weight drill, weight hole drilled out just above my axis point for a little bit more on the back end. My first three games in practice were 254 245 239 for a 738 series. Strike or nine count for 36 straight frames. Now just as the reports have said strong arching backend, but it is not a strong over powering backend it is a steady arch with no loss in speed or energy. Bowled in my Monday night league with it and shot 555 (I had a really hard time tripping out 10 pins, two 4-9's, and a missed bucket doesn't help). My league condition has tripled oil heads because they are so worn out, we would have no oil with a regular pattern. But even with all that oil the ball still came back strong and hard. I recommed this ball to anybody who is comfortable swinging it. Straight up players might have a hard time controlling it without the proper drill. By far the best in the ICON series to date.
Title: Re: Icon 300
Post by: Mongo on May 11, 2003, 12:17:58 AM
UPDATE:

The review below was on a super fresh league pattern (I later found out) with waaay much more oil up front than usual.

This ball has been a real disappointment since I first threw it.  I've tried it dull and shiny on just about any amount of oil you could think of...I have yet to see anything that resembles hook.  It grabs as soon as it hits the lane and that's it...it's done.  

Like the WOW, I'm not a big fan of balls that die before they get halfway down the lane.  If you have any hand at all, avoid this ball like the plague.



Specs:
15 lb.
3" pin
3.75 oz. TW

Drill specs:
Label leverage (CG in positive thumb area, MB under thumb)
3/4 thumb, 1/2 positive side
Box finish

Looks like the third time is the charm for the Icon series.

I picked up this Icon 300 in a trade with BigKG (thanks, Kevin).  I was looking for a big hooker...and I got it.

I've really avoided Columbia particles ever since my Extreme Chaos went through some serious TEC death after 50 games or so.  With the Muscle covers looking better, I figured I would give the boys from San Antonio another shot.

It's early, but for now I'm glad I did.

The Icon 300 delivers a lot of hook, but much like several strong particles today, it's hook you can use on a wide variety of conditions.  As long as you have oil up front, the Icon 300 will turn the corner.  

I tested the Icon 300 along with a Storm LRG with a similar drill on a house shot and the Icon was about 2 feet earlier and 4-6 boards stronger.  Like the LRG, the Icon 300 was responsive to release and speed changes.  

Don't be mistaken, this is a big bowling ball and probably too much for most players on a regular house shot.  However, for tournament players, this ball would definitely find a place in many bags for the slick/long conditions you often come across.


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Watch Captain Donator and his sidekick Spare Change as they begin one of their most difficult assignments in the city of sin...Las Vegas

Waiting for our heroes are two of their most evil of foes...High Roller and his shorter strongman Mini Eliminator

Title: Re: Icon 300
Post by: Waialae_House_Bowler on August 17, 2003, 12:25:20 AM
This is a tale of 2 balls...

I got this ball 2nd hand from my uncle who hated it.  The pin is above the fingers; cg stacked below, right of center and under the midline (the pin is long). I got it rather dull and I absolutely hated it with a fiery vengeance!!!  It started to roll around 15 feet and had rolled out by the time it hit 40 feet.  I was leaving nickels (with company) on every shot. I had to check the label to make sure it didn't say "Zone".  ;-)

The next day I highly polished it (20 minutes in the machine) and it was like a totally different ball.  It actually got an extra 6 or 7 feet of length and didn't roll out but rather got into a very strong continous arc.  The carry was tremendous whether light or high.

Though it hits, the ball is not versatile at all.  It won't cross that many boards (i.e. doesn't recover well when you swing it) because it rolls too hard.  It requires you to play fairly direct to the pocket (for us guys without hand) yet the ball's tendency is to check up early so it's as if the ball minimizes the hold you have to the pocket (for me anyway).

Overall I'm not very impressed.  I think if you want heavy roll for heavy oil Brunswicks, Buzzsaws, and Ebonites would be a better choice.  I've become very dissapointed with Columbia lately.  I loved the Bosses, Surges, and Rocks but the Reaction line and Icon line have produced balls that IMO are too condition-specific.  This Icon 300 is no different.

If there's heavy oil and the shot is direct this ball will work well but as soon as the lane opens up even a little, put this thing away.  Also you need to keep it shiny because when its dull it gave me the worst ball reaction I've ever gotten from a bowling ball.
Title: Re: Icon 300
Post by: Da Truth on September 30, 2003, 02:15:42 PM
It's been a while, but I'm back. I bougth my 15 lb. Icon 300 about 2 weeks ago. I have it drilled with a Stacked Leverage layout. This is with the pin
3-3/8 x 3-3/8 with the CG. I have a balance hole about an inch under my axis.

I bowl on brand new Brunswick AnviPro synthetics. The lanes are oiled heavily and the backends are pretty clean. The pattern is a typical house shot, but the wall is out around the 5 fifth board and the middle of the lane is flooded.

This ball definitely bites through the oil which is due to the Muscle Plus coverstock. The layout causes the ball to rev up HARD in the midlane which is a must due to my ball speed. The ball has a continuous roll on the backend and provides extreme HIT.

Great ball for medium to heavy oiled lanes!!
Title: Re: Icon 300
Post by: V12 on October 05, 2003, 06:42:17 PM
have this ball for 3 months now...its still goin'

this ball is great for flooded lanes i would reconmend it to almost anyone

considering it is a ball that moves a lot it is fairly easy to use as long as the oil is there

if you have a lot of hand get this ball scotch brighted like i did
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Vinny - Pround Owner of Only 4 Balls
Title: Re: Icon 300
Post by: Tazz900 on October 07, 2003, 06:01:32 AM
THIS BALL DESTROYS PINS.  I was practicing with my TI Messenger when my pro shop guy finished drilling my ICON.  I threw the first ball on the same line I was already using and took out the 4-7-8.  I made one adjustment and threw the next 16 in a row.  That was 5 months ago.  Last Wednesday I shot 1057 for four.
Like a car needs oil, your ball needs to be kept clean and it will continue to perform.  I can use this ball from medium to heavy oil.  Make a line and slight hand position change and rip racks all night long.  The ball almost isn't fair.
Title: Re: Icon 300
Post by: Phenom88 on November 11, 2003, 02:09:04 AM
This is the biggest piece of crap i have ever had. It does not react the way it is suppose to on my house shot or in heavy oil. In heavy oil, i have to throw it right at the  pocket and little reaction takes place.The best reaction is when the ball is thrown in med to light oil only. This ball i would not have in my bag, and is not one of columbia's best ball created on their line.
Title: Re: Icon 300
Post by: ucantstopme1000 on February 23, 2004, 04:27:08 PM
This ball has two faces. One side is the good side. nice flare, good backend. Any house is good for this ball in oob condition but when you get about 25 games on it, the ball finishs just a bit week just use polish. When i got about 75 games on it the ball stoped hooking. im now playing strait. My Groove more than it. So after you get about 60 games on the ball, SELL IT!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: Icon 300
Post by: wolfcastle on March 01, 2004, 09:00:07 AM
hi,

yesterday i drilled my icon300 and the first game i bowled 256.
this ball carries a lot of power into the pins when you´re on the right conditions.
when the lanes break down, put it back into your bag or it will burn out at 45 feet.
great ball like most other columbia balls.
Title: Re: Icon 300
Post by: Rodney Evans on December 08, 2004, 09:32:19 PM
Hey everyone...

Ive had this ball for over a year. And it is my favorite ball in the bag. I have the ball set with a 2" pin with about 2 1/2 oz. of top weight (its 15lbs), and Box Finish. Pin just below my ring finger and CG set just to the right of my span. 1/4 in balance whole.

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I'm a righty, about 5'6" 145 lbs.. I have a fairly small hand, but I use it alot in my release, I crank the ball med./high revs but like to keep the hook as small as I can to eliminate the possibility of error. My starting position with my shoulder width is a 12 board difference ( stand on 12 to hit 5, 17 to hit 10, etc. )

For me, playing around 15 out to 10 on a fresh pattern was bread and butter when I first got the ball.  It had a great mid lane arc, and doesn't have a sharp backend snap. It was killer right out of the box, but slacked off after about 6 months of play.  I put it on a spinner and resurfaced it back to factory coverstock and it has worked great since, but does not have the back end it did (wont roll up, when i open the lane a little).  I play more down 10 out to about 5 now but it still clears the deck well when you hit flush.  When I flatten my wrist and release the ball, or make a small mistake in the release I will still crush the pocket but I tend to leave the 10 because it doesnt drive in as hard as it used to.  So try and be consistant in your release with this ball once you get a ton of games on it.

Ive hit loads of high games with this ball including over half a dozen 279 games. That includes 2 back to back 279's which lead to my highest standing series (767). Ive had 16 in a row with it (across 2 games) but I am still yet to hit a 300 .  It's a great ball for ANYONE to add to the bag!!

later

Rodney Evans

(President of the Venture Lanes YABA Youth League)
Title: Re: Icon 300
Post by: billwv68 on February 07, 2005, 02:23:03 PM
first ball i ever bought for myself 15lb 2oz with 3 oz top weight 4 in pin.  drilled for arc.  ball has about 300 games plus on it.  really good ball really very controllable until all oil is gone.  ball does collect alot of dirt and does need cleaning at very least 6 games on it depending where u bowl. very consistent ball. i usually lightly scuff it every time i clean it keeps the life of the ball going. works well in heavy oil and with the arc drilling very easy to collect up ten pins with very nice ball
Title: Re: Icon 300
Post by: johndoe on February 28, 2005, 08:49:46 AM
Drilling- Pin dirctly under middle finger CG in the middle of the grip.

Shot on medium conditions:
     Start on middle dot, throw over board 15, ball hooks at board 10
Comments:
      Great pin action, pretty stong hook, hits like a truck
      Ball needs oil to perform.

Great ball, very predictible hook, dosen't take any turns at the last second.
Title: Re: Icon 300
Post by: ttjakt on May 02, 2005, 11:47:58 AM
This is a good ball. Eats oil with the best of them. Rarely leaves 10 pin. Bowled a 300 game with this one.
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Thank you, TS7299
Title: Re: Icon 300
Post by: sunnydae2008 on April 12, 2009, 12:20:31 AM
Ok, I found a used Icon 300 on ebay and bought it real cheap.  I've used it twice already in a league and I have just one thing to say......MAN I LOVE THIS BALL!!!!!  Never have I had a ball that gives me results like this one!  Tenpins are virtually nonexistent if you hit the pocket.  I said virtually this is not the tenpin eradicator we've all been searching for.....but it's close  My only complaint is that I haven't been able to find a new one anywhere.(If a used one is this good, I'd love to see how a new one performs)  Way to go columbia for making such a superb ball.  One question though......why did you stop making them!!!
Title: Re: Icon 300
Post by: sunnydae2008 on January 06, 2017, 01:35:36 PM
Ok, I found a used Icon 300 on ebay and bought it real cheap.  I've used it twice already in a league and I have just one thing to say......MAN I LOVE THIS BALL!!!!!<img src=../Forum/icon_smile_approve.gif border=0 align=middle>  Never have I had a ball that gives me results like this one!  Tenpins are virtually nonexistent if you hit the pocket.  I said virtually this is not the tenpin eradicator we've all been searching for.....but it's close<img src=../Forum/icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=../Forum/icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=../Forum/icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>  My only complaint is that I haven't been able to find a new one anywhere.(If a used one is this good, I'd love to see how a new one performs)  Way to go columbia for making such a superb ball.  One question though......why did you stop making them!!!<img src=../Forum/icon_smile_angry.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=../Forum/icon_smile_angry.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=../Forum/icon_smile_angry.gif border=0 align=middle>

It's been a while, but I sold my icon 300 to a friend because it died on me (or so I thought).  My bowling game has evolved and I needed a harder hitting ball so I got the icon 300 back from my friend.  I took it out for league play and bowled a 700 series with it.  Needless to say, I was stunned.  Apparently, certain hand positions make the ball seem to die on you, but as my game has evolved I don't use those hand positions that often anymore, and my release now makes the icon 300 a power ball once more.  And in case you're wondering, neither my friend nor I had altered the surface of the ball in any way.  Way to go columbia!!!! Great ball!!!