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Author Topic: Fanatic BTU  (Read 24635 times)

BallReviews-scodaddy21

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Fanatic BTU
« on: August 24, 2016, 03:54:35 PM »
The Brunswick Fanatic BTU bowling ball combines the Low Differential I-Block Symmetric core with the BTU (Better Than Urethane) coverstock to offer a "urethane" ball reaction with better consistency and bigger hitting power on lane conditions with higher friction. Get the smoothness of urethane but with more!

Color: Steel All colors do vary somewhat from the picture shown.
Coverstock: BTU (Better Than Urethane)
Core: Low Differential I-Block Symmetric (14-16#)
Finish: 500, 1500 Siaair
Hook Potential: Medium 125 (scale: 10-250)
Length: Middle 100 (scale: 25-235)
Breakpoint Shape: Smooth Arc 40 (scale: 10-150)
RG: 2.601 (for 15# ball)
Differential: 0.030 (for 15# ball)
Recommended Lane Condition: Medium to Light Oil

 

fatman_FUBAR

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Re: Fanatic BTU
« Reply #16 on: October 03, 2016, 02:40:49 PM »
You asked and they delivered (and then some)! Find out how Brunswick Bowling took your wish of performance #Urethane to the next level creating something that was #BetterThanUrethane as Lane Side Reviews takes the new #FanaticBTU to the lanes in our latest episode!
#TeamBrunswick #TeamLSR #TeamLogoInfusion #TurboGrips #bowling #burn #sportbowling #shortpattern #wetdry #fanatic

RadicalJim

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Re: Fanatic BTU
« Reply #17 on: October 07, 2016, 10:06:53 PM »
Brunswick Fanatic BTU – Drilled 35 x 3.5 x 35 – Weight Hole in P3
When I first heard of the BTU, I was skeptical that Brunswick was able to make a low load reactive ball that emulated urethane. Not only did Brunswick accomplish this, they have really set the bar with the BTU. This ball is the ultimate get out of jail free card for me.  Whether it is shot patterns or just something flat out ugly, the BTU does not over read the front part of the lane and delivers a little “kick” on the back that is indicative of reactive. The name Better Than Urethane was because it carries a traditional urethane initial reaction but hits and drives through the pocket. Usually when I throw urethane, the ball hits flat going into the pocket. The BTU has energy left in the tank and thus why it is called the BTU.

Brunswick_fan_BrandonH

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Re: Fanatic BTU
« Reply #18 on: October 18, 2016, 05:09:27 PM »
BALL SPECS

Ball Weight: 16 lbs


DRILL PATTERN

Dual Angle Layout: 45 x 4" x 65

X Hole (if there is one): P3


BOWLER STYLE

Rev Rate: Higher, between 370 and 410 rpm, aka Cranker

Ball Speed: 16.50 mph

PAP/Track: 5 3/8" over and 7/8" up with a high track


SURFACE PREP

Grit: Box - 500 Siaair, 1500 Siaair

Type: (Matte, Polish, Sanded): Sanded


LANE CONDITION

Length: Multiple

Volume: Multiple

Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc): Multiple


BALL REACTION

Length: 7 / 10

Back End: 6 / 10

Overall Hook: 6 / 10

Midlane Read: 6 / 10

Breakpoint Shape: Urethane like with continuation


COMMENTS

Likes: Great ball for shorter or lighter oil patterns

Dislikes: None

The Fanatic BTU has a lower differential I-Block core with a Urethane coverstock that actually absorbs a little oil and has a urethane like smooth reaction. The Fanatic BTU will not create the traditional carry down effect of most urethane coverstock bowling balls making you move right after every shot. This ball allows me to play straighter angles and farther right even with my higher rev rate. As I keep moving left on the lane, it doesn't lose reaction downlane and will keep driving through the pocket. It is great for shorter oil patterns or on a house shot to stay right of everyone and not create the carry down at the breakpoint. I really like how it doesn't read the lane early even with a first angle of 45 degrees. Also, it is great to go to when a reactive resin ball is hooking early. This ball was named correctly as BTU because it is Better Than Urethane!


Here is a video of me throwing the Fanatic BTU:
Vise Staff Member

jpeery13

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Re: Fanatic BTU
« Reply #19 on: October 20, 2016, 09:43:29 AM »
I am amazed with the BTU.  Looks like a urethane but doesn't hook and act like urethane.  Throwing this ball the first couple of times and having to move my feet right (I'm left handed) and leaving some unbelievable smash 8-pins, this ball hits like a truck.  Another wonderful smooth ball by Brunswick.  The Fanatic BTU is very smooth down the lane and has surprisingly strong power and drive through the pins, not like typical urethane.  Similar to urethane through the front part of the lane but a WOW factor on the back end.  It has versatility in playing multiple shot angles.  I can throw straight up 10 with speed and it still reacts with power on the back to drive through the pocket.  I can move right and play more of the lane and the BTU stores enough energy to drive right back through the pins, great recovery and not characteristic of ordinary urethane, guess that's where the BTU comes from.  I am a fan and so are my "looking over my shoulder" friends as well.

Jmiller88

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Re: Fanatic BTU
« Reply #20 on: October 25, 2016, 02:53:48 PM »
Original purpose of drilling this ball was strictly for short patterns and spares. however, after drilling, I quickly realized this ball is MORE than a normal urethane piece. The way the Fanatic BTU rolls in comparison to other urethanes is truly amazing. When first testing this ball, I was expecting this piece to roll and stand up like traditional urethane balls. When I expected this piece to start its roll, it continued to retain its energy. The BTU glides through the spot where I expected it to hook, and retain energy for another 3-4ft down lane before it started a gently arcing motion into the pocket. Once the ball reached the pocket, it definitely didn't hit like a traditional urethane ball. This ball hits like a reactive resin ball, and sounds like it too. No dull sound when going through the pins like I had in the past.

For anyone who is fighting shorter house shot patterns, or patterns with a lot of over/under conditions where you need to control the break point, this is definitely the ball of choice. 
James Miller
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DV8nWyo

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Fanatic BTU
« Reply #21 on: October 28, 2016, 09:40:58 AM »
LANE CONDITION

Length:

Volume:

Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc):


COMMENTS

Likes: With the BTU I get a very smooth controllable ball reaction. A urethane roll with a stronger backend, It blends out a wet dry house pattern perfectly. My layout 60 x 4 1/2 x 35 with a P3. What surprises me with this ball is how much right I can stand on house shot and have a great reaction. Currently on our house shot every ball I have except this one is over/under and makes bowling frustrating, however I just pull out the BTU and blend everything out and am no longer fighting the condition anymore. I'm finding that I can just follow the transition by moving left and throwing it right, and not have the ball over react on the backend. This ball is like a get out of jail free card a must have for every bowler

Dislikes: None


PICTURES AND/OR VIDEOS

Maine Man

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Re: Fanatic BTU
« Reply #22 on: November 02, 2016, 09:54:06 AM »
Brunswick Fanatic BTU Review
James Goulding
Brunswick Staff
Speed: 17.0 – 17.5
Rev rate: 350
PAP: 4 5/8” x 0”
Drill Pattern: 60 x 4” x 30 (no x-hole)


Typical House Shot:

I drilled the Fanatic BTU to be in my tournament bag but have found that as the lanes transition on two different house shots that I bowl on, it performs quite well there too. I tried it at a few surfaces: box finish, which I found to be a little too early of a roll for my liking, though I may go back to that on a shorter and heavier sport pattern, 4000 polished, which was WAY too sensitive to any sort of wet/dry on the lane, and then I took it to a 3000 sanded finish and that is where it really shined on the house shot. I bowled a 36 frame clean set with it last week, going games of 217, 228, 236 for a nice 681 series. I only had to move 3-4 boards all night, playing a more direct line to the pocket, but the pin carry and hit in the pocket was incredible. If you are looking for a ball that hits like resin, but has that nice heavy roll of a urethane ball, the Brunswick Fanatic BTU is for you!

PBA Wolf:

I was excited to see how the Fanatic BTU would perform here, and I was NOT disappointed. I took the cover down to 2000 sanded for my best reaction, playing 7-8 at the arrows, going to 3-4 at my break point. The line held up very well over five games, my low game was only 192, and my average for the day was 210. I was very consistent all day and the ball kept me “in play” which is what I want out of ANY tournament ball in my bag. Leave makeable spares and stay clean, getting strikes when you can, and this ball keeps me around the pocket better than any ball in my bag on tough tournament conditions. This ball is a real winner from the R & D department at Brunswick bowling. DO NOT hesitate to get this ball, just put your favorite layout on it and enjoy!

WTBA Paris:

I tried the Fanatic BTU on the longer, 47 ft. Paris oil pattern, and found that the reaction wasn’t too bad at all. I had to take the cover down to 1000 sanded to get it to pick up the mid lane better, but once I did that, it rolled great through the pins. I had games of 189 and 193 before the surface change, and games of 211, 235, 221, 238 after the surface change. Anytime I can shoot games like that on a tough sport pattern I will take it! Once again, the hitting power of this ball is incredible, and do not be fooled by how smooth it is, it retains more than enough on the back end to carry the corner pins you may leave with other “urethane type” of balls. They don’t call it “better than urethane” for nothing, it’s legit.

In closing, I am really impressed with the Brunswick Fanatic BTU. I have never been a huge fan of the traditional urethane ball roll, but since this was “better than urethane” I decided to give it a try. I am SO glad I did! This ball does not leave my bag, especially for tournaments. If you have an oil pattern that is blotchy, or you just can’t match up with some of your regular stuff, just tighten up the line a little bit, pull out the Brunswick Fanatic BTU, and waste your competition. You will not be disappointed in this ball, make sure you get to your local pro shop and pick one up today, you’ll be glad you did! Thank you for reading my review, and thank you for considering Brunswick for your next purchase. Good luck and good bowling everyone!
James Goulding
Bowler Builders Pro Shops
Radical Staff
F.D.D.S. Tournament Director

BigBPride

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Re: Fanatic BTU
« Reply #23 on: November 05, 2016, 07:30:57 PM »
BALL SPECS

Ball Weight: 15 lbs


DRILL PATTERN

Dual Angle: 30 x 4 3/4 x 70

X Hole (if there is one): Yes


BOWLER STYLE

Rev Rate: Medium , between 250-275 rpm

Ball Speed: 17-18 mph

PAP/Track: 5 1/2" over and 1/2" down


SURFACE PREP

Grit: Box Finish

Type: (Matte, Polish, Sanded): Sanded


COMMENTS
Brunswick Fanatic BTU is way BETTER THAN URETHANE.  This ball is absolutely a must in everyone bag if you are looking for a ball that is clean through the fronts and read a little in the midlane and have a slow urethane reaction to the pocket.  I laid mine out to blend more of the midlane and rolls into the pocket on more wet/dry conditions.  The Fanatic BTU, get it or you will struggle on these dry house shot conditions. 



Charles Withers II
Brunswick Advisory Staff




Brian Green

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Re: Fanatic BTU
« Reply #24 on: November 09, 2016, 10:28:17 PM »
Bowler Specs:

left handed
PAP 5 over 3/4 up
rev rate  425-450 rpm
ball speed  17-18mph

Ball specs:
Pin 3-4
top 2-3

drill pattern 45x4 1/2x65  dual angle

The Fanatic BTU is a ball that really only sees the lanes on tournament conditions that aren't a house shot.   The BTU loves the shorter patterns where there is a lot of friction.  The BTU truly is better than old school urethane, It gives you the consistency and reaction of urethane with the hitting power of a reactive bowling ball.

If the Fanatic BTU is used on the proper conditions, there wont be any dislikes about this ball....  On shorter sport shots or high friction patterns this ball will keep you in the pocket and strike a lot.   it will struggle on the longer  heavier patterns but it wasn't mean for those patterns.

If you're trying to find a ball for your arsenal that will excel on the higher friction stuff do not Hesitate to put a Brunswick Fanatic BTU in your Bag

Striking Effects Pro Shop - Simply the Best

 PBA East region member

Brunswick Advisory Staff 2016

wally

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Re: Fanatic BTU
« Reply #25 on: January 11, 2017, 08:43:54 PM »

Right Handed
Ball Speed 17-18
Rev Rate 450
PAP 4 3/4 right 1 5/8 up

Ball Specs
2-3 pin
Top Weight
2 3/4 ozs

Lay out I kept simple pin above bridge cg 1/2 inch right of the center of span. Pin is about 4 1/2 from my pap. Very impressed with this ball. It is super clean through the fronts with a similar ball motion to a urethane ball but it has a way better entry angle. For it being such a smooth rolling bowling I was fascinated with how much hitting power this ball has.  I use this ball when the lanes get dirty or when I need that smoother ball motion on shorter patterns when other balls get to angular. I don't use plastic for spares so this ball is a multi purpose for me as I use it for spares and have a smoother rolling ball in my bag everywhere. 

This is a must have ball in every bowlers bag! Buy with confidence Ball does exactly as it is described.
Team Brunswick! Turbo Driven to Bowl!

piper3595

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Re: Fanatic BTU
« Reply #26 on: January 23, 2017, 12:51:25 PM »
The Fanatic BTU is one of the most unique balls Brunswick has ever launched. It creates a shape that is similar to Urethane but it is a lot more continuous through the pins. This ball is very good when you want to stay to the right and keep your target in front of you. It gives you a classic Urethane shape but transfers a lot more energy through the pins than the old Urethanes did. I use this ball when I’m on a wet dry condition as it blends out the lane very well due to its unique cover. If you looking for that classic Urethane shape with better pin carry you need to have one of these in your bag.

Greg

giddyupddp

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Re: Fanatic BTU
« Reply #27 on: April 14, 2017, 10:19:32 AM »
Honest review here
Nothing special
Not like Urethane
Good Dry Lane Ball
Overpriced dry lane ball compares similar to Freezes, Breezes, etc.
Disappointed

Brandon Riley

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Re: Fanatic BTU
« Reply #28 on: April 25, 2017, 06:33:58 PM »
The BTU has been a polarizing ball for many people as it is not, nor does it react like traditional urethane and when drilled pin up has the potential to cover some backend boards.  My first BTU was drilled pin up and although I had no problem finding the pocket with it, my carry was often suspect.  I recently decided to drill my second Fanatic BTU 50x4x75 (pin below ring) and kept it at box surface.

I've had lot of success in the past with stronger pin down layouts on lower diff cores and since dropping to 15# don't have anything weak + low response other than my old Karma Urethane which fails to shape left of 7 board.  The pin down Fanatic BTU has been an absolute godsend when playing up the boards and has surprisingly carried well.  I've used it on 40' Bourbon Street playing up the track on fresh.  In that particular house the backends were snappy inside, so the BTU let me ride up the 8-9 board and on off hits would send the 5 into the 4-7 just like the seniors who were scoring.  My absolute best look with the pin down BTU has been on 36' Pegasus which is a short pattern in our Challenge league.  I started up 5 for 289 last week and continued to step left until I was crossing just inside 2 arrow swinging to the ditch.  What has impressed me the most about this ball was bowling a 20 game baker tournament this past weekend on a THS.  By the end of the tournament the right side was toast, yet there was a cliff at 5 arrow.  All of my pin ups and pearls would either instahook right or skid when missed left.  I ended up playing 5th arrow to a breakpoint of 12 tilting my hand with the BTU resulting in a very high pocket % (as expected) but with surprisingly good carry.  Urethane would not make the corner, yet all of my other reactives were either too much hook or too flippy.
The BTU is closest in reaction to the Blue Ringer or original Blue Karma but with a more predictable response to wet/dry.  If you own a BTU and can't figure it out, try redrilling it pin down and keep your speed up near the friction.  I highly recommend this ball with a pin down layout for drier house patterns or for anything short.
Brandon Riley
Brunswick Regional Staff

Dave_in_Rio_Rancho

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Re: Fanatic BTU
« Reply #29 on: August 21, 2017, 05:51:16 PM »
LANE CONDITION

Length: 41 feet

Volume: 27ml

Pattern: "THS"

Likes: The ball has a predictable roll; even in a violent hook at the pin rack.

Dislikes: As an over revving speed challenged senior bowler I find that the 13# BTU (with .040 Rg Diff) that I have drilled pin up 5" from PAP, is way too strong on the back end of the lanes.

My mistake - I way under estimated the ball's hooking power. I have tried changing the cover surface but at very dull it is rolling out at the headpin; having rolled over the 25 board to the 5 board and back to the pocket. At 4000 grit polished it out hooks by my 13# Brunswick Python Pearl (same core). About the same amount of hook as my Fuze Eliminator which the BTU has joined on the shelf in the closet:(

Even lofting the ball as far as I can makes this a marginally useful ball.

I don't think I want to buy a second one to drill pin down and I am not fond of the idea of plugging and re-drilling all the holes in the ball.

Better ball for faster ball speed.