Ball: Brunswick Nexus f(P)
(or “Nexus Pearl”)
Layout:
Pin 5” from PAP above fingers
60-degree locator line angle
(Dual-angle: 60 by 5” by 30)
Initial Surface Preparation:
Box finish
Purpose:
To complement the C-(System) ulti-max and Massive Damage for medium to medium-dry conditions, particularly when there is wet-dry from side to side. The Massive is great on blends where I can play direct or use a tight swing, but it doesn’t always make the corner when I need to get further inside. The ulti-max corners well, but can give me some over-under when the lanes are in transition.
Observations:
I chose a Nexus Pearl with a 3 ¼” pin-to-CG distance, and used a layout with pin 5” from my PAP, above the fingers, and a 60-degree locator line angle.
I took the Pearl with me to league, at a center with SPL lanes that are about a year old. I started practice with a Massive Damage, and after a few shots, I switched to the Nexus Pearl, and had to make a two-and-one move to the left to get it into the pocket. The Pearl wasn’t nearly as straight through the front as I thought it would be, nor was the downlane reaction as abrupt as that of the C-(System) ulti-max. The change of direction was more continuous from the initial break all the way to and through the pin deck.
I used the Pearl for about a game and a half. While the ball showed no signs of burning up in the dry, it did start to get a bit skittish down lane when the fronts started to go away. By the last game, the track had broken down, so I took the Pearl out of the bag again. I found that I could move left and send the ball into the dry, and it would recover and carry the corners.
I’ve also thrown the Nexus Pearl on Pro Anvilanes, both in league and tournament play. On this surface, I did find that I had to make sure the ball would see friction down lane. When playing on a condition with more volume, the Pearl wouldn’t always make enough of a move in back to generate the angle that I needed for carry. However, when I did get the ball to the dry, it didn’t over-read the friction; with its continuous break, it rolled up to the pocket without a hint of a bounce.
Conclusions:
On conditions with at least some defined friction, the Nexus Pearl has certainly met my expectations so far. It is clean through the front part of the lane without over-skidding at the end of the pattern, and will have a change of direction that is strong, yet predictable. The Pearl also continues in the C-(System) tradition of superior pin deck presence and pin carry. The Pearl has been particularly adept at carrying those half-pocket hits that so often result in flat 10s.
I will say this, though: the Nexus Pearl does not like oil. For me, it is not the ball of choice when I need to ride the oil line, or play a fallback shot to the pocket. However, there is nothing better in the current line-up for when I need to stand further left and bank the ball off of the friction. I fully expect that this ball will keep me competitive in those “carry contest” tournaments where pocket hits have to result in strikes.
NOTE: The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer and not of Brunswick Corporation.
