BallReviews
Reviews => Brunswick => Topic started by: Ballreviews on June 26, 2012, 11:54:32 AM
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- Color: Navy All colors do vary somewhat from the picture shown.
- Core Type: Medium RG Performance Core
- Coverstock: Urethane Solid
- Finish: 500; 1,000 Siaair Micro Pad
- RG Max: 2.567
- RG Min: 2.527
- RG Differential: 0.040
- RG Average: 4.9 (center heavy 1 - cover heavy 10)
- Hook Potential: 60 (low 10 - high 175)
- Length: 170 (early 25 - long 235)
- Breakpoint Shape: 40 Smooth Arc (smooth 10 - angular 100)
- Description:
The navy solid Karma Urethane is designed for extra smooth and predictable motion on light oil lane conditions. Combining the medium RG light bulb core shape with a retro urethane coverstock allows bowlers to play the traditional “down the boards†line to the pocket.
The Karma Navy Solid uses a retro Urethane coverstock. Designed for extra length and a smooth predictable ball motion the Karma Urethane is designed for lighter amounts of oil and a more “down the boards†line to the pocket.
CORE: The Karma Urethane incorporates a familiar light bulb shape Medium RG Performance core that provides easy length through the heads, mid-lane stability while maintaining axis rotation for a strong continuous backend motion.
BALL MOTION: With its 1500 grit Siaair Micro Pad finish, the Karma Urethane will still provide good length through the heads with a very smooth predictable breakpoint. The Karma Urethane is great ball for rev dominant and slower ball speed players on light oil conditions.
REACTION SETUP: The Karma Urethane be drilled using the standard drilling techniques developed for symmetric bowling balls.
LIGHTWEIGHT ENGINEERING: At Brunswick, the unique core shape of each individual ball is used for weights from 12 to 16 pounds. This approach to lightweight ball engineering provides bowlers with consistent ball reaction characteristics across this weight range.
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Ball Reviewing Layout Used
Karma Urethane 12 o’clock Stack
Ball Surface Oil Pattern Reviewed On
Factory Finish with Polish Added Fresh THS
The ball flared about 3†and gave me a reaction I relate to very early reactive. Very clean through the front, strong arc in the mid-lane with a lot of predictability. The ball went through the pins very well.
I compared this against a Orange Slingshot drilled 105x2x30. The Karma went about 3-5’ longer and was 5-3 less aggressive.
This ball will fill the low end void.
I would rate this a 9 out of 10
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BALL SPECS
Pin Length: 3-4"
Ball Weight: 14lb 4oz
DRILL PATTERN
Dual Angle: 55 deg x 4-1/4" x 55 deg
X Hole (if there is one): down val 3-1/4" from pap
BOWLER STYLE
Rev Rate: 300
Ball Speed: 16+ at monitor
PAP/Track: 4-5/8"> x 13/16"^ 11-1/4" across track
SURFACE PREP
Grit: 2000 abralon
Type: (Matte, Polish, Sanded): polished
LANE CONDITION
Length: 40'
Volume: medium
Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc): Modified Stone St.
BALL REACTION
Length: Easy length with the polish added
Overall Hook: Light Oil condition ball
Breakpoint Shape: Smooth Arc
COMMENTS
Likes: This ball is all about control and doesn't jump or flip when it reads the drier boards. When the lanes start to break down and you have to start makes big moves left. Just get out the Karma Urethane and move right or stay where you were. I was standing 27 with my feet and playing 3rd arrow out to 10 with the Maxxed Out. I was able to stand 22 and play up 10 with the Karma Urethane! Ball had a really nice arc at the breakpoint and had good carry. I actually left back to back 9 pins and had to move another board left after about 7 or 8 shots around 2nd arrow! I actually moved right and rolled the ball further right to the lighter oil and the ball just had a stronger arc back and was a little high pocket hit, which left a 4-9 split. This ball doesn't give you a skid/flip reaction even with the polished, but it added length and gave a bit more movement at the breakpoint! This is going to be a great ball when the lanes dry out or for shorter oil patterns!
Dislikes:
PICTURES AND/OR VIDEOS
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Brunswick Karma Urethane
Bowler Stats:
Right handed
PAP: 4 ¾†right
Speed: 18-18.5 mph
Rev Rate: 450 rpm
Axis rotation: 20-45 degrees
Axis Tilt: 15 degrees
Ball 1 Layout:
40* by 5†by 45*
Ball 2 Layout:
30* by 4.5†by 80*
Hole through cg
Purpose:
There are two reasons to love urethane balls like this Karma. 1) They provide the most consistent reaction you can possibly have, save for plastic. 2) They give you a look on drier and/or shorter patterns that many other bowlers will not be able to have. Between the two Karmas I drilled, I’m confident that on patterns from 33’ to 38’ I will have a great look and a smooth reaction that basically no one will be able to match with reactive equipment. While Ball #1 will be smooth, Ball #2 will be slightly stronger and even smoother
Observations:
On fresh THS, I was surprised of the overall movement out of these two balls. I was able to play closer to the friction, anywhere from 2nd arrow to 3rd arrow, very comfortably. Just seeing what all the ball could do, I took Ball #2 and really really hit it at the bottom and had a shockingly good look slow hooking 4th arrow. In comparison to the retired Urethane Avalanche, I’d say that the new Karma Urethane hooks about 1-2 boards more overall and is even smoother. This ball doesn’t know what overreaction is. So smooth and so forgiving, you can’t expect to find a more controllable ball. This ball is all about a smooth arc through the whole lane and you know what this ball is going to do as soon as you set it down. Those of us with higher rev rates might require sanding the surface up to 3000 or so to get the ball a little further downlane. I haven’t touched the surface on either of these yet because I want to first see how they react on short sport patterns, as is. Even on Scorpion, I could throw both of these up 9-10 and have a predictable look to the pocket. No doubt, this is a look that only urethane can provide.
Final thoughts:
The Karma Urethane is ideal for short sport patterns and scooting closer to the friction on house shots. Bowlers with high rev rates and/or slower speeds will find this to be more truthful and that a ball like this can really create predictability and confidence on the lane. There’s nothing like the feeling of knowing exactly what to expect out of a ball and how consistent that ball is going to react time and time again. If you need a smooth ball for the lower end of your arsenal (and possibly to double as a spare ball), the Karma Urethane is the ball for you.
If you have any questions regarding the Karma Urethane or any other Brunswick or DV8 equipment, don’t hesitate to send me a message. Thanks for reading. Good luck and good bowling!
The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer and not of Brunswick Corporation.
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BALL SPECS
Pin Length: 4.5
Starting Top Weight: 2.1 oz
Ball Weight: 15 lbs 5 oz
DRILL PATTERN
Ball: 75 x 5 x 30
X Hole (if there is one): No Hole
BOWLER STYLE
Rev Rate: 375 rpms
Ball Speed:17.5 mph
PAP/Track: 4 3/4 over 3/4 up
SURFACE PREP
Grit: Shiny
Type: (Matte, Polish, Sanded): Polished
LANE CONDITION
Lengths of patterns: 41
Volumes: higher side of moderate
Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc): house
BALL REACTION
Length: early and smooth
Back End: very little.....smooth roll in the middle of the lane
Overall Hook: Low
Midlane Read: strong
Breakpoint Shape: hook and set
COMMENTS
Likes: The low hook potential and smooth roll allow me to stay closer to the dry
Dislikes: Was a little strong out of the box
Today's tournament lane conditions can be very wet/dry at times and bowling balls are getting stronger as time goes by. The Karma Urethane gives that vintage urethane look that smooths the wet/dry reaction out and allows me to play a little closer to the dry without sacrificing carry. I found this ball a little strong out of the box an so I ended up smoothing the surface out some and then polishing it. Once it was polished, the ball lived up to my expectations and allowed me to add a little rotation while playing right up the dry portion of the house shot. It also provided a significant amount of miss left as the ball just slid right to the pocket. I believe this ball will be a real winner when faced with conditions where you need to square up and you don't need the ball to hook much. Compared to the previous Avalance Urethane I find this ball to read the lane a little sooner and hook about 2 more boards. This ball would be a great option for a beginner bowler looking to learn the game and also looks to be a good option for those heavier handed individuals that need a lesser aggressive ball. If you are looking for a ball to smooth out drier conditions look no further than the Karma Urethane.
Chris Garrett
Upstate Pro Shop
Greenville, SC 864-248-4737
Upstateproshop@charter.net
PBA Member
Brunswick Regional Staff
Vise Regional Staff
The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer and not of Brunswick Corporation.
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LANE CONDITION
Length: 40 ft.
Volume: 20 ml
Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc): THS - Kegel Wall Street
COMMENTS
Likes: Extremely predictable read for light oil. Straighter lines and slow speeds for light oil are where it excels. Not an everyday ball for me, but when used at the right time it can really save the day.
Dislikes: Keep the cover wiped off. Slightly dull from factory, but easily tweaked. Due to tame back-end, don't open up angles too much or you'd be better served with a reactive cover ball.
PICTURES AND/OR VIDEOS
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The new Karma Urethane replaces the Avalanche Urethane. The Karma picks up where the Avalanche left off but better. The Avalanche was a little over/under. The Karma is not this way. Does it slide further in oil, yes but not as bad as the Avalanche did. The cover is a solid urethane finished at 1500.
I drilled mine with a 60x6x40 layout. I wanted this to allow me to get against the friction when bowling on short patterns. This is exactly what happened. My first time throwing this I bowled on Kegel Boardwalk pattern. I was able to be the furthest right I have ever been on a short pattern and able to go up the lane. What surprised me the most is how this ball goes through the pins. There is not alot of deflection and actually gets messengers going.
If you are looking for a new urethane ball that goes though the pins, look no further than the Karma Urethane.
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LANE CONDITION
Pattern:
41ft Kegel Main Street (THS)
COMMENTS
Overall 8/10
The Karma Urethane is Brunswick’s latest urethane offering. Recall the Avalanche urethane from a couple of years ago was a pearl. It offered a little more length. The Karma is a solid version which has a more traditional early move for the urethane, adding a ton of control in the midlane. When the lanes are very dry or you need to point the ball, the Karma Urethane offers something virtually no reactive balls offer.
For complete review, video, and Digitrax Analysis, check it out at:
http://tamerbowling.com/index.php/brunswick-karma-urethane-review-with-digitrax-analysis/
PICTURES AND/OR VIDEOS
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BALL SPECS
Pin Length: 3-4
Starting Top Weight: 3.0 top
Ball Weight: 15
DRILL PATTERN
Pin to PAP: 5" (pin up over bridge), CG right of grip center
X Hole: None
BOWLER STYLE
Tweener
PAP/Track: 5 1/8, 1 up
SURFACE PREP
Grit:Box finish
Type: (Matte, Polish, Sanded):
LANE CONDITION
Length: 33 feet
Volume: N/A
Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc): WTBA Sydney on THS
BALL REACTION
Length: Clean through heads, good Length
Back End: Controlled
Overall Hook: Medium to light
Mid lane Read: Clean slow response to friction
Breakpoint Shape: Smooth arch
COMMENTS
Likes:
This ball will work well for a tournament player looking for something to throw on short patterns or the late block burn. There was not a ton of flare on the ball but, it does create more angle in the back than I recall from any other urethane ball I've ever thrown. I attirbute that to the core and the weaker layout. What I like about the Karma Urethane is you stay out of trouble with it. Shot to shot the reaction is consistent. It's exactly what I'm looking for when there is a lot of friction on the lane. As compared to my slingshot with the same layout, I prefer the Karma Urethane becuase of the even roll front to back on the lane.
Dislikes:
None
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16# 2-3 pin top weight 3
Pin ended up under my ring finger with the cg kicked out with a small hole on my axis.
This ball is a high rev rate bowlers dream. I've been waiting for something like this for a long time. I've always seemed to struggle on shorter patterns or patterns with low volume. I've used other urethanes and always drilling medium or weaker balls with weak layouts with not alot of success.
Comparing this to the avalanche urethane is night and day. The avalance tended to overhook when it saw dry and do nothing in the oil. The Karma blends out the pattern unbelievable. I can use this on something as short as 32 feet or as long as 42, based on volume. It has the surface to handle some volume and is just a great controllable ball. I highly recommend this if youre looking for something on shorter patterns or something that is tough where you dont want to give away the pocket.
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LANE CONDITION
Length: short and medium
Volume: medium
Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc): cheetah, boardwalk, and THS
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
COMMENTS
Likes: Great rolling urethane ball
Dislikes: None
This ball is great for when the lanes get fried or shorter oil patterns. With my higher rev rate, this ball allows me to play right without over reacting to friction. With the karma core, this ball will rev up but still have a smooth motion because of the urethane coverstock. I can still get this ball to flare, but it doesn't take off like a resin ball would when reaching the friction. This ball would be good for somebody with slower ball speed who needs a smoother reaction than a pearlized reactive resin ball. Comparing it to the Avalanche Urethane, it has a smoother reaction and doesn't jerk off the friction.
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The Karma Urethane rolled like a typical Urethane ball. The Karma Urethane rolled very early in the mid-line providing a very controlled and smooth breakpoint. Comparing the Karma Urethane to my Karma Solid it was 4-6 boards right with my feet and 2-3 boards right with my eyes. Obviously with the Urethane I had to play a pretty tight line. I will say the one of the surprising features of this ball was the backend pop it provides. This Urethane ball seems to carry much better than other Urethane balls from our competitors. I’ve even thrown some “scouts†with this Urethane ball.
When I received this ball I was a little scared to drill it. I wasn’t sure how to drill it nor was I sure how it would roll for me. Last Urethane ball I threw was a Teal Rhino Pro when I was 13. I decided to drill this as an old school Urethane ball, like how I remember my Rhino Pro being. From what I can remember this was very similar to my Rhino Pro. Very controllable. Comparing this to my Karma Solid it was an earlier roll and less at the breakpoint so I had to play on Old School straighter line to the pocket.
Strength – Predictability. This will be a great ball on shorter patterns where I need to control the backend. Carry is another strength of this ball. Normally I see flat corners with urethane balls. Not this urethane…..it snaps out the corners with ease!
Weakness – None at this time
Jason Jones
Pin Action Pro Shop
Bloomington, IL
Brunswick Staff
The opinions expressed are soley those of the writer and not of Brunswick Corporation.
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Style- Tweener
Ball Speed- 14.5 MPH
League Average- 217
Medium Revs
Condition- Medium Dry-Very Dry
Surface- 4000 grit Abralon
Likes-
Smooth reaction
Consistent results
Has medium flare
Strong move in the backend
Dislikes-
The ball was too strong out of box for the lanes that I was bowling on.
I bought my Brunswick Karma Urethane when it first came out. I had never thrown a Urethane ball before and it was a hard adjustment for me. I was looking for something to throw on fried lanes and I saw that other users were recommending Urethane so I gave it a shot. Urethane is different because the action happens mid-lane, not so much on the back end. This is where I was mistaken and was unable to throw with this ball with much conviction because of that train of though. I did some research, made the surface adjustment to 4000 grit (instead of the 1500 grit out of box surface) and brought it to the lanes with me tonight. At the house I normally bowl in, they oil the lanes once per day. At this time of year, 5 man high school teams bowl first, then a four man early league rolls, and then us. By the time we bowl the lanes are fried- and sometimes that's an understatement. The first game I bowled a 174 with the Freeze Hybrid. I decided to give the Karma U a try. I moved right 5 boards and played my normal line rolling from about the 15 board out to the 11 board. This ball hit like a bomb. I shot 224 in the second game and 254 in the third game to round out a series of 650 or so. It saved my butt. In fact, a guy on the other team even asked if the ball was legal! Enough said. If you are thinking about this ball or another urethane ball, just keep in mind that you need to know when to use it. Timing is key. Usually, when I'm as far left as I am comfortable going, I pull out my Karma U and it works wonders- now that I know how and when to use it. Needless to say, this ball is coming with me everywhere. I just can't believe I haven't seen anyone else who throws this ball or urethane in general.