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Author Topic: Activator vs Powerkoil (old school versions)?  (Read 19009 times)

BowlingForDonuts

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Activator vs Powerkoil (old school versions)?
« on: December 05, 2018, 01:57:50 PM »
Long story short the only reactive ball I had that survived my last long bowling layoff was a BVP Rampage that I still use and absolutely love (put up zip codes with it).  Still oh so viable on modern conditions with some surface.  Love that Powerkoil 18 cover inverted bell core combo so much that I picked up a used BVP Nemesis to pair with it.  I know the BVPs were basically entry level balls and aren't spoken in reverent tones like the Infernos but curious which people like more as far as Powerkoil vs activator back in the day.  Went with what I know and like but see some old Infernos on ebay.  I can say from experience that the Powerkoil 18 is fairly low maintenance, and doesn't fade with use and is built like a tank (Storm Shift I had to next to it in bag cracked all the way around in the years the two stored to together in garage).  Do the infernos hold up well as well?  Thanks.
« Last Edit: December 05, 2018, 02:10:47 PM by BowlingForDonuts »
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Jesse James

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Re: Activator vs Powerkoil (old school versions)?
« Reply #31 on: January 28, 2019, 11:59:00 PM »
I love the PK18 stuff! I'm a collector of sorts!

I still have 2 Red Alert SE's; 2 original Infernos; An Absolute Inferno and an Ultimate!! I also have a Demolition Zone which was one of their more underrated medium pieces!

I just fell in love with that early roll and its durability!
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BowlingForDonuts

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Re: Activator vs Powerkoil (old school versions)?
« Reply #32 on: January 29, 2019, 07:19:34 PM »
Just curious if anyone has ever compared the Danger Zone remake Brunswick made in Mexico back in 2006/2007 time frame with the original Danger Zone?  Seen conflicting information both ways.  The one edge to the Mexican DZ is less likely to have the core separate even if do lose a little hit.  Also the Danger Zone remake was never made in the US correct? (all Made in US Danger Zones were made before 2001)  Just curious.  Thanks.
« Last Edit: January 29, 2019, 07:33:11 PM by BowlingForDonuts »
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avabob

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Re: Activator vs Powerkoil (old school versions)?
« Reply #33 on: January 29, 2019, 08:13:15 PM »
I made a lot of money with the original DZ.  I thought the remake was junk

bowling4burgers

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Re: Activator vs Powerkoil (old school versions)?
« Reply #34 on: February 26, 2019, 09:19:22 PM »
Redrilled the Combat Zone finally. I almost want to say it's going to be money on my house shot, but didn't have many actual quality shots because the thumb isn't right yet.

Remind me not to drill balls on league night  :P
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comy24

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Re: Activator vs Powerkoil (old school versions)?
« Reply #35 on: March 17, 2019, 10:31:51 AM »
Hi, I know that this is an older post but wanted to let you know that I have a NIB BVP Wizard 15lb. 2oz 1-2" pin I would sell you if interested?

BowlingForDonuts

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Re: Activator vs Powerkoil (old school versions)?
« Reply #36 on: March 17, 2019, 11:09:41 AM »
Hi, I know that this is an older post but wanted to let you know that I have a NIB BVP Wizard 15lb. 2oz 1-2" pin I would sell you if interested?

Someone should jump on this. Already have a Nemesis and DZ remake myself.  PK18 is the bomb.  That said trying to get big b other coverstock n’control to work for league at dry house.
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BowlingForDonuts

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Re: Activator vs Powerkoil (old school versions)?
« Reply #37 on: April 02, 2019, 02:41:30 PM »
Saw an Absolute Inferno in nearly mint condition couldn't pass up.  Wow am I glad I did.  That ball is a monster.  Way more continuous than my Vapor Zone and for whatever reason (drilling perhaps) stronger overall as well (was standing about as far left as I ever do).  Ball would recover from nearly anywhere and read the midlane about as well as any ball I have.  Easy to see why its many peoples favorite ball of all time.
« Last Edit: April 02, 2019, 03:07:32 PM by BowlingForDonuts »
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Geigs

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Re: Activator vs Powerkoil (old school versions)?
« Reply #38 on: April 02, 2019, 04:46:07 PM »
Had a Brunswick wildcard few years back. One of my favorites of all time. I could use that ball on anything. Anyone know what cover was on that? I emailed Brunswick and asked what ball today would replace the wildcard? Ryan mouw from Brunswick responded wth method solid. Said it has a strong solid cover, and core just like the wildcard did of years past. Been looking for a new old stock wildcard all over, nowhere to be found. May have to take a shot at the method.

BowlingForDonuts

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Re: Activator vs Powerkoil (old school versions)?
« Reply #39 on: April 02, 2019, 06:14:43 PM »
Here you go for info.  If see one if remember will give you a hollar.  Not as big on Mexican stuff but did pick up a Karma and a Slingshot from that era. (Avalanche Pearl too but yeah N'Control sure is condition specific)

BJI - WILD CARD
54 Hook • 12 Length • 14.5 Breakpoint Shape
Cover Type: Connexion Solid Reactive
Box Finish: 2000 Micron Pad
RG: 2.510 • RG Differential: 0.045
A very strong arcing solid
for medium to heavier oil

https://www.bowlingball.com/products/bowling-balls/brunswick/7586/wild-card-.html

http://123bowl.com/bowling-balls/brunswick/wild-card/
« Last Edit: April 02, 2019, 06:26:44 PM by BowlingForDonuts »
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Geigs

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Re: Activator vs Powerkoil (old school versions)?
« Reply #40 on: April 02, 2019, 06:36:33 PM »
Great info, thanks donuts.

avabob

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Re: Activator vs Powerkoil (old school versions)?
« Reply #41 on: April 03, 2019, 09:51:34 AM »
PK 18 was introduced on the original DZ in. 1996.  Great ball that spawned a whole series of pk 18 shell balls.  Activator came out about 2003 in the Inferno.  Stronger than pk 18, and the shell was equally low maintenance.   Absolute inferno had a tweaked version of activator and acted stronger yet.  Vapor Zone wad the first asymetric to use activator.   I thought it was the best activator ball ever.

I have always suspected that pearl fury was actually nothing more than a red vapor zone.  The rest of the fury series were collosal flops.  Brunswick was coming up with more cover names back then than were chemically possible in my opinion. 

LuckyLefty

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Re: Activator vs Powerkoil (old school versions)?
« Reply #42 on: April 03, 2019, 09:03:54 PM »
Oh, We have some guys around here that still Love the Fury solid and the Twisted Furys!

As to the PKs though I sort of liked the Red Fuze and LOVED the Demolition Zone from above!  I would love to find another one!  Jesse and I seem to like many of the same great bowling balls.

But many oI f the balls this lefty liked from Brunswick had something that slowed their speed down off breakpoint.  Either a slower reacting lower number PK.  or a particle blend. 

In the slow PK17 versions I've enjoyed the Battle Zone Bullet Long and smooth, and the Sapphire Zone.  I also Have liked the Combat Zone solid and the Walter Ray MVP with think PK15!  smooth!

Of course I have nice success with 3 nice Lefty oriented particles, The Pro Zone Azure, The Deep Violet ProZone(almost tied for 1st of my Favorite all time balls), and the Jade Quantum.  LOVED that thing too!

Those were the days!

Sincerely,

Luckylefty





« Last Edit: April 03, 2019, 10:14:55 PM by LuckyLefty »
It takes Courage to have Faith, and Faith to have Courage.

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BowlingForDonuts

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Re: Activator vs Powerkoil (old school versions)?
« Reply #43 on: April 04, 2019, 02:17:28 AM »
Yeah hard to go wrong with Brunswick balls that say made in the USA on them.  The move to Mexico coincided with their cover stock formulas going to crap imo.  N'Control Powerboost is a real turd imo (over under for days).  To be fair been impressed with my Mexico made Slingshot as PK17 is PK17 and boy does it own dry houses.
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LuckyLefty

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Re: Activator vs Powerkoil (old school versions)?
« Reply #44 on: April 04, 2019, 02:20:37 PM »
Ooops, Ncontrol Powerboost was on one of my favorite balls the Revolution Rebel ECX!

Bring back that smooth powerful solid!  Phenomenal ball@

As to the Ncontrol Powerboost.  I almost think the pearl version was/is on my Control Zone which REALLY gets down the lane both because of the cover and the High RG core for a 2 piece ball!

If I can find enough friction outside I will roll this thing a long way in the dry, then it turns up really hard smooth and stong and smashes!

Let me know, is that N. Control powerboost on that Conrol Zone from a long time ago! 

Sometimes iit is just a wonderful answer!

Sincerely,

Luckylefty
It takes Courage to have Faith, and Faith to have Courage.

James M. McCurley, New Orleans, Louisiana

bowling4burgers

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Re: Activator vs Powerkoil (old school versions)?
« Reply #45 on: April 04, 2019, 02:46:16 PM »
Oddly I hated my Sapphire Pearl Zone that looked great downlane and had zero carry (drilling? too strong for lanes? bad matchup period?), but love my polished Combat Zone that seems to roll identical to what I remember the Sapphire Pearl doing, only actually hit...


...when I can throw it right...something still way wrong where it can completely hang one shot and drop behind me the next  :(
The Future of Bowling: Bowling is a once-popular tavern game played with a heavy ball and ten pins.