This is the original. It was out in 2006 - prior to the buyout(Feb 2007). I believe it is a pearl cover.
After the buyout, during the 900G startup, I believe they continued to make the original, and also released the
Sky Blue. Same core as the original, just a different color, and solid cover. That would have been sometime in late 2007 (maybe September?). The Sky Blue reportedly had a little earlier roll to it.
The newer ones have a stronger cover and higher RG core. They came out in 2008, and they also changed the logo:
Blue/WhiteBlue/CopperNow, here is where it gets confusing:
According to
USBC approved ball list, these are the approved dates:
Orbit Xtreme: July 06
Orbit Xtreme - Sky Blue: Aug 07
Orbit Xtreme Pearl: Jun 08
Orbit Extreme Pearl Copper/Blue: July 08
I'm assuming the Orbit Xtreme Pearl from June 08 is the Blue/White one, although I'm not sure why the spelling is different.
I've had the original (Red/Purple/Gold) since Dec 06, and it's a great all around ball. I recently checked my arsenal and was disappointed to see that the bridge had cracked. I'll still use it, but I'll also use it as an excuse to finally pick up one of the newer ones!
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