Author Topic: Gladiator Pearl (Read 11697 times)

admin · « **on:** December 31, 1969, 06:00:00 PM »

Ball NPS Score: 100.00
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# RG: 2.51
# Diff: .044
# Lane Conditions: Medium - Dry
# Coverstock: Pearl Reactive
# Core: Mohawk

Brian Green · « **Reply #1 on:** July 18, 2008, 11:56:31 AM »

Ball specs:

pin 2-3
top 2-3

Bowler specs in profile:

ball mapping: 4 x 1 pin under ring finger cg on center line with x hole on pap to take sideweight to 0......

Test results:

I have thrown this ball on 2 different patterns, one being a medium ths the other beeing a 39 ft flat pattern with 40ml oil gutter to gutter.......

on both patterns the gladiator pearl is the truest rolling pearl ball i have ever thrown...... on the THS this ball leaves a lot of flat 7pins (i'm lefty) i think its due to the way i drilled it to pick up a roll early......

on the 39 ft flat pattern i have been struggling with very inconsistant backends so i wanted a ball to promote a consistant arc off the dry......

The gladiator pearl does just that, very clean thru the heads with a strong pickup in the midlane and a nice arc off the dry into the pocket. The one drawback i see to this ball and i think it could be the way i drilled it is that the more axis tilt i give it, pin carry goes down, if i keep my hand behind the ball, it drives right thru the pins..

Definately a solid release From visionary, its a good complement to the solid gladiator, the pearl goes longer when the solid starts to check up early.......
--------------------
"USAbowlersmart.com - only the best Survive"

olererack · « **Reply #2 on:** July 31, 2008, 12:51:00 AM »

Visionary Gladiator Pearl Bowling Ball
RG: 2.51
Diff: .044
Lane Conditions: Medium - Dry
Cover stock: Pearl Reactive
Core: Mohawk

Gladiator Pearl is:
Definitely a solid release From visionary, its a good complement to the solid Gladiator, the pearl goes longer when the solid starts to check up an little earlier.

The polished Galea Pearl cover stock allows the Gladiator Pearl to get through the heads easier than the solid version and ends with a sharper break (sharper arc - not snap). The low RG allows this ball to get into a roll earlier
The GLADIATOR line is equipped with an asymmetrical, dense center core design with a lighter wrap.
For a quicker revving ball that Rolls in the midlane while keeping a controllable continuous arc reaction on the backend. The "MOHAWK" on the core creates a mild mass bias for fine tuning.

The Gladiator Pearl is great on Medium-Dry oil condition.
Or when you need step down to a less reacting Ball,
I had a bit of trouble with corners when the lanes,
Start Drying up.
The explosiveness of the ball in the pocket just doesn't carry 10 when the lanes get carry down,
In comparison to my Gladiator Solid the Gladiator Pearl is strong
but Gladiator Solid is stronger.
The Gladiator Pearl is a great compliment to the GLADIATOR Family. when the Solid begin rolling up a little to much, the Gladiator Pearl would fall right into place.
A great Addition

Member of Buddies Pro Shop Staff

rad254 · « **Reply #3 on:** August 26, 2008, 11:29:04 PM »

This ball is a great one! It is a great ball for medium to light oil. It doesn't have much of a backend because it starts to roll early. This helps control and elimination of over-under in the backend. This ball hits hard. I threw the ball and after it hit the pocket the pins exploded! Over-all hook compared to the centaur brown pearl is about the same but gives a different look and break point than the pearl.

bowling_aj · « **Reply #4 on:** August 28, 2008, 07:40:25 PM »

pin 6" from PAP x CG 5.5" from PAP
3" pin
factory finish

let me say this much first, this ball hits hard. but all of my visionary balls do. with the layout on this ball, i am getting 30-33' of skid before the ball even attempts to turn. but once it starts turning, it doesn't stop. i'll bet, if i had 10 more feet to play on, this ball would still be turning right off the left side of the lane. and then to couple this ball with the Gladiator Solid, what a one two punch. i have been using my Solid to set up the line and then jumping quickly to the pearl, because it rolls the entire lane with no thought of jumping. well, that is as long as there is some oil out there. when it is dry, that strong pearl finish and weight block are a little much. but here in Arkansas, when the lanes dry out, plastic will move 15 or more boards.

just go and get one, make things simple. get two and lay them out opposite each other. either way it goes, you are going to love what Visionary thought up when they designed the Gladiator Pearl. clean through the heads, strong arching of the backend, and nothing but power when it comes in contact with the pins.

--------------------
Antoine "AJ" Jones
Visionary Bowling Products
Test Staff Member

PremierBowlersProShop · « **Reply #5 on:** September 12, 2008, 11:52:21 PM »

Gladiator Pearl
Lane Conditions: Medium Oil
Typical Conditions: Variety of Shots
Type of Lane: Combination
What part of the lane did you play? Third Arrow
Did the ball track out? Normal
Weight of bowling ball: 15
Surface of bowling ball: Factory/Box
Likes: Read the back part of the mid lane very well and the break point was very smooth and continuous though out the backend.
Dislikes: Would get into a roll a little to early on the drier lane conditions unless I amped up the speed. On heavier oil it tends to skid past the break point, slower ball speed or altering ball surface with 2000 grit abralon would help with that.

This ball is great for bowlers looking for a control snap at their breakpoint. High rev players will like it because of its predictability, but bowlers who have a higher ball speed 17-18+ mph will definitely need to apply surface unless they are using it strictly on drier lane surfaces. Could work in heavier oil conditions with rev dominate players, or again applying surface.

Weight: 15.1
Top: 2.94
Pin: 3â€
Layout: 3 1/2 X 3 3/4
Side Weight: 7/8 Ounce Positive (No Weight Hole)

Comparing to whatâ€™s in my bag:

Angular One â€“ 3 3/8 X 4 â€“ 4000 Abralon with Ebonite Polish
Gladiator Pearl gets into a roll about 2 feet sooner than my Angular One, but the Angular One is much sharper at the break point overall the Angular One recovers 3-5 boards more in the backend, just 2 feet farther down the lane.

Black Widow Bite - 3 3/8 X 4 â€“ 2000 Abralon
Gladiator Pearl gets 4-5 feet longer down the lane and is much smoother at the break point. I had to step two arrows (10 Boards) left to get back to the pocket with the Black Widow Bite.

--------------------
"Practice doesn''t make perfect, perfect practice makes better."

Krumpy300 · « **Reply #6 on:** September 21, 2008, 04:39:52 PM »

specs:
16.05 lbs
2.5" Pin
3.10 T.W.

drill pattern:
5" Pin to PAP (pin in the ring)
CG 5.25" to PAP
no weight hole

My profile:
Right Handed
RPM 340-370
PAP 5 1/2 and 3/4 up
tilt 4 degrees
rotation 55 degrees

Other balls I am throwing now:
Nighthawk Solid pin under ring at 2000 plus heavy dose of Snake Oil.
Hole Pounder Pearl pin above ring finger stacked. OOB.
Break Solid pin above and right of ring (4x4) at 2000 with Beans Secret Sause.

Lanes:
THS (a little less than true Medium) on AMF synthetics, first shift.

I have a first impression posting on the Visionary board on a leftover shot from the night before. I knew that my Sunday morning league would be able to tell me more about the Glad Pearl.

Lanes 1 and 2. Lane 1 is always cleaner in the backends and bumpier off the dry. Lane 2 always seems to cary down more and the move in the last 15 feet is always more muted. Started standing 24 going 17 to 12 on the left lane and a few boards right of that on Lane 2. Even though the GP has a nice strong roll to it, it does get through the heads nicely. From my recent experience, it sits right between the Ogre Pearl and SS as far as the midlane reaction.

The GP was very good at keeping a readable reaction when moving around the lane to find a different angle. I knew it wasn't going to corner too hard off the bank or skid too far if I moved into the oil line. By the end of the shift I was 8 boards left on both lanes with my feet and 5 boards left at the breakpoint. The transition was very easy to manage with the GP. No surprises.

Best carry angle for me was half pocket. I tend to leave more solid 7's and 9's then solid 10's because I am always looking to put 10 pins in the pit. With the GP, I found a nice line just inside the bank and if I missed right it was a soild strike and if I kept it on line, it was a strong mixer. I had some issues with carry with my Ogre Pearl and I think this was part of the reason. The hit of the Visionary equipment is well above anything else I have thrown. Almost to a fault for me in some cases.

I can see the GP being a great ball on up and in shots. You can open up a few boards of area very easily because of the strong roll and it's ability to not fire off the dry. I liked that I could move deep and knew I wouldn't get stuck way behind the head pin with my angle. The owner of the proshop who doesn't carry any Visionary quickly grabbed me after the set was over to discuss the GP. He was really impressed by the roll of it.

So far, I am very happy I have it in my lineup.

--------------------
Repetition is everything..

visionarycole · « **Reply #7 on:** January 30, 2009, 01:36:39 PM »

I have two gladiator pearl's. One pin above fingers and the other stacked. I like its reaction, it is much different than the new breed line. Which is good since they don't overlap like so many other companies equipment. Have shot a 762 with the stacked version. Tend to play a big swing with this ball creating lots of area. (22-5) Have not thrown the pin above fingers version much in league. That will change! Recently bowled a buddy heads up after league and shot 298- and 803. I have many people talking about visionary equipment at my house and am starting to see people drag their old stuff out as well as asking me about visionaries current ball lineup.

Cole Martin
Visionary Test Staff Member
Left Handed
Revs (275-450)

mainzer · « **Reply #8 on:** March 10, 2009, 02:43:26 AM »

Nice moves!

SPECS: Pin Under Bridge, MB swung out about 2 1/2 inches, OOB Finish.

T&O LANES: Old school house with over the top returns, but they have Guardian on the heads and Flying backends, How do you counter flying backends with a ball return shoved up your A^&? Grab the GP. Immense control with this piece, Usually start playing about 15 at the arrows and out to about 5-7 at the bp, about 45 feet down lane. ball glides through the heads and makes a controllable SMOOTH move at the backend very easy to read and adjust with. As the night goes I move right instead of left, and usually have pretty good luck until I hit the oil line then it is MoJave time and the GP gets put away.

Super Bowl: Used the GP in league here for the last game of leagues a few times, older synthetics with a fair amount of play on them. In the the Third game when Pure Tactics is way to much a grab GP. usually play around 15 again but stay more inside with it. When the lanes start really jumping this ball gives control where alot of other guys start struggling with it nice ball for the break down if this scenario is present.

HIT/CARRY: Well I gotta say the carry is fantastic, Better than my AZO stuff, for sure. Hits pretty good keeps them low tosses messengers around pretty good when they are needed not a real brawler like Mo's stuff but it hits harder than storms stuff no question.

OVERALL: Great ball one my Favs in the league bag rivals my Pure Tactics in terms amount of usage, GP is better across more conditions than the PT but the PT is snappier and allows me to play deeper in more oil. I bought the GP to replace my HPP, With the same drill pattern GP is 3-5 boards stronger than HPP just a hint earlier and snappier also hits harder. Great ball, Keep up the good work VBP.
--------------------
''''If their is a life after death,
then their is no death,
and if their is no death,
we do not live''''

Progressive Metal Band
EVERGREY

MainzerPower

Visionary 4502 · « **Reply #9 on:** March 27, 2009, 01:59:31 PM »

My specs:

LH
300-425 RPM
Ball speed 16.5 - 18 range..so you can call me medium speed, rev dominant.
Axis: 4 3/4 x 1/2 up
Drill Pattern: 5 x 4 5/8: No weight hole

I purchased the two Gladiators at the beginning of the league season and this is the ball I primarily use between the two houses that I regularly bowl at. I bowl 2 leagues in House #1 and 1 House #2.

House #1: Synthetic (Murray International) 33' buffed to 42' (Kegel Defense-S) in one league: Same pattern but more units on the other league (2 versions of their THS).

House #2: Wood, 41' to the end of the pattern. Unknown what type of oil is used.

House #1: I have used this ball in box condition all year long on both nights. On the lighter volume night I'll stand between 27-30 with a look at 15-17 at the arrows to 7-9 at the breakpoint. This ball is extremely clean through the fronts with a moderate yet decisive tilt on the backend. By no means does this ball jerk on the back, but the ball shape is a nice hard (but still (SMOOTH) arc. The ball features outstanding control and continuity through the pins. I love the fact that this ball keeps pins extremely low can't tell you how many extra strikes I've carried because of this feature. I have only "rapped" two 7 pins with the 4 pin being above the belly of the 7 pin: To me, that is a BEAUTIFUL thing!!!! That's across two leagues!!

On the heavier volume, all I have to do is move 3-5 boards left with my feet and 2-3 at the arrows which enables me to get the same read off of the breakpoint. This house allows me to "strap" the ball, and it's a heck of a lot of fun......mid 230's in both leagues here.

I have lots of versatility here. I can play anywhere from the gutter to just left of the 4th arrow depending on hand positions and rev rate, and can score from anywhere listed, but for the house shots, what I mentioned above are the sweet spots. It is possible to go to inside 20 by slow rolling but the scoring pace starts going down because the ball starts to finish late from 4th arrow in. Our friends at Visionary have other offerings for those inside angles.

OK....let's go the wood house. This house has been a house of horrors for me over the last couple of years, because the volume is ridiculously light on the left side: I have been throwing plastic in there just to stay around the pocket. Everything I own no matter how it's thrown tends to want to jump at about 25 feet. Out of the box condition.....35-40 right with the feet, 22-24 ish at the arrows and LOTS of speed will allow this ball to glide out to 5-6 at the breakpoint, so long as my hand is super soft at the point of release....any help makes this ball check up in the beginning of the midlane. There was never any "under"....only "over" so I decided to bring the surface to 4000 abralon with Extender polish....

I was able to bring the feet back to the range of 27-35 with more direct shots: anywhere from 15-16 to 7-8 or as straight as 13-10. At least the ball was playable....have a little room for error on release but again...ball speed must be up or the tendency to check up early came into play. The key aspects of the ball shows up again....continuity through the pins and KEEPING THEM LOW, and the smooth yet strong arcing motion. I have tried all sorts of surfacing with EVERY other ball that I own, and NONE of them would show anything different. This ball actually is very playable in this house at 4000/extender. FINALLY!!!

This is the ball I used for our local association tournament (yes, 6 of those games were in house 1)in which I posted 1568 between the two events...paving the way for the Actual doubles (1541..me 802) and Actual All Events (2269). The outstanding charateristics of this ball along with the versatility it has with different surfacing has allowed this to become my benchmark ball (I like to refer to it as my "5 iron"). This is the ball that made my decision very easy to join up to the Visionary test staff.

It's getting to be a rare breed of ball in which can handle multiple hand positions, rev rates, surfaces and still look good despite the changes. This ball is most definitely one of them.

If versatility, control, continuity and extra pinfall are things you like, then this ball will more than fit the bill. A superb offering from Visionary.

Thanks for reading.....hope this helps you.

Glenn LeBlanc
a.k.a "chowda"
Visionary 4502

gsback · « **Reply #10 on:** June 22, 2009, 07:29:46 PM »

Please read my profile to get a little understanding of my style and game preferences.

Not sure on the specs for the Gladiator Pearl as I got this used from a good friend who seems to struggle with Visionary equipment. Not sure why...but I think he needs to buy more so I can get them from him at a reduced price!! LOL!!

Ball is stack drilled with pin to the right of ring and a small weight hole. Itâ€™s almost the same drill as the Gladiator Solid and Ogre Pearl. Weight hole is slightly larger in diameter though.

This ball is one of my favorites, to say the least. I know that Jason and company advertise this ball as a strong pearl to complement the Gladiator Solid, and while it is strong, I think that with a the 2000 polish it has on the ball, itâ€™s a little longer than an OOB ball would be.

Now, I will say that at first, I wasnâ€™t a big fan of the ball and that was primarily because I was expecting a stronger pearl. But taking into account the polish and cover changes and as I got used to the different reaction, this ball blossomed into my favorite ball, without a doubt. What I ended up seeing out of the ball was a consistent smooth arc that does have a good move off the dry, though not over-powering. But, for my style, it does need the dry to bounce off.

What I like about the ball is that itâ€™s usable on most lanes, and on a THS, this ball could easily be thrown all 3 games each and every week. With minor adjustments in hand, speed and feet, there's no reason for me not to only use this one, well, except for heavy oil and the fact that I have 9 other Visionary toys to play with each week!!

With that, the ball allows me to play my A and B games extremely well. With my A game, if the lanes allow, I can also modify and feel comfortable getting the ball out a little more so long as thereâ€™s dry there. Ball then makes a nice strong consistent arc to the left. As lanes transition, I can still play the same line and take a little hand out and increase speed, both allowing me to play the same line for the most part with little to no foot movement.

Shooting my B game, I will play a little speed and hand to keep the ball in check and as the lanes get drier, I will take hand out and watch the ball walk right to the pocket. Consistent speed is a must though as the ball is not coming back if you get too firm with the speed.

Overall, I am very pleased with this ball. I really see me using this ball more and more in leagues for second and third games, depending on the lane conditions. In a lot of way it overlaps my Violet Gargoyle and will compete directly with that ball as it will depend on how badly I need to get through the heads.

Color combination on the ball makes for an eye catching ball as well.

Overall, I feel that for most players of average speed and revs (under 300) will find this ball very usable in OOB for light to medium (and maybe a little more than medium) shot depending on where the ball is played. As I mentioned...very usable...and cover is versatile since mine rolls great polished a little more than OOB finish.

--------------------
BR.com.....going down the toilet one nugget at a time!!

g thing is back....with a vengeance!!

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

bowlingpatriot · « **Reply #11 on:** June 28, 2009, 10:47:02 PM »

my visionary gladiator is drill with the cg in the middle of the hand span and the pin kicked to the left just above the fingers.

i loved this out of the four i got this is by far my favorite ball. a very versatily ball i usally bowl on old wood lanes when it startes to break down i throw this ball a very easy rolling very smooth reaction. thumb up on this one.

brett

visionary test staff

dukeofearl · « **Reply #12 on:** July 06, 2009, 10:49:52 PM »

Very versatile ball. Plays wood, synthetic and guardian. Outside up the boards, or inside around the corner. This ball worked for me as long as there was oil in the head area. I even tried it on a heavy oil shot, and as long as I kept the speed steady it went right to the hole. I recommend this ball for everyone. Looks pretty in the rack, and even prettier going down lane to the pocket.
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there are no magic balls, only MAGIC bowlers!

batbowler · « **Reply #13 on:** June 05, 2010, 12:06:12 PM »

If off I used Visionary back in the Crimson Executioner days and Orange Warlock, Warlock DC Tour, etc.... I haven't used Visionary for years and after talking to Willie Wells at the Visionary booth in Reno, I decided I wanted to try their newer releases. I drilled a Gladiator low pin and I wanted something a little stronger to be able to open the shot up. I drilled the GP stacked leverage with the pin just under and right of my ring finger. I had no idea how strong this coverstock was until I used the line I was using for the Gladiator Solid and this ball reads the drier boards a ton harder. All I had to do was move my feet several boards deeper and it has a lot harder move when it encounters friction. It may not be the ball when there's a lot of carrydown, but I believe it can handle some and it's a great compliment to the Gladiator Solid! I have all of the New Breeds coming and now I have to see what we can do with them. Another great ball from the Visionary people and I feel like a kid in a candy store!!! Thanks to Willie Wells, Betsy Faux, and Jason Wonders for all the help the past few weeks, Bruce
--------------------
"Train a child up in the way they should go and when they are old they will "Get MOTIVated, with a Big B cause a Storm''s a brewing and not turn from it.
Bruce Campbell
USBC Bronze Certified Coach
IBPSIA Certified Technician
Originator of the -35deg x 25 leverage drilling!
http://www.motivbowling.com/products/2/
http://visionarybowling.com/?cat=4

batbowler · « **Reply #14 on:** June 09, 2010, 02:58:47 AM »

Update on this ball after being able to use it on the Kegel "Highway to Hell" pattern. We bowl four games in a doubles scratch league and using this ball playing a tight inside line shot 882 or 220 average. My last game the shot was starting to change and I had a split on a high hit for my low game of 185 which killed my set! I really like how hard this ball hits and the pin carry is amazing!
--------------------
"Train a child up in the way they should go and when they are old they will "Get MOTIVated, with a Big B cause a Storm''s a brewing and not turn from it.
Bruce Campbell
USBC Bronze Certified Coach
IBPSIA Certified Technician
Originator of the -35deg x 25 leverage drilling!
http://www.motivbowling.com/products/2/
http://visionarybowling.com/?cat=4

Author Topic: Gladiator Pearl (Read 11697 times)

admin

Gladiator Pearl

Brian Green

Re: Gladiator Pearl

olererack

Re: Gladiator Pearl

rad254

Re: Gladiator Pearl

bowling_aj

Re: Gladiator Pearl

PremierBowlersProShop

Re: Gladiator Pearl

Krumpy300

Re: Gladiator Pearl

visionarycole

Re: Gladiator Pearl

mainzer

Re: Gladiator Pearl

Visionary 4502

Re: Gladiator Pearl

gsback

Re: Gladiator Pearl

bowlingpatriot

Re: Gladiator Pearl

dukeofearl

Re: Gladiator Pearl

batbowler

Re: Gladiator Pearl

batbowler

Re: Gladiator Pearl