I bought this ball a couple of days ago. I bowled 3 games on it. It didn't react the way I thought it would. I was told that it would have a lot of backend, and from what I see is a lot of sliding and very little hook. I'm kind of wandering if I should have purchased the Icon300 instead.

I see others have had the same problem with this ball that I did.  The ball works flawlessly for 30 games or so, then just dies.  I absoluetly loved my Icon2 when I first got it.  Backend hooked like crazy, predictable though.  Then, kapoot.  Bye bye backend.  Had the ball sanded a wee bit, then polished up.  That helped a little, but no where near what I had out of the box at first.  I ended up switching to the Icon 300.  Now there's a strong ball, but that's another review.

good luck,
breezyjr
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Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.  -Ben Franklin

everybody is right the backend dies after like 30 games. I use now just as a medium oil ball right up the 3rd arrow from the middle and it slow comes back

24 yeras old, and a first year bowler, started about this time last year.  Uncle is a great bowler, taught me the basics of the release and proper technique, blah blah blah.  So it's time to get a ball, he says Icon II is the one to get.  So that's what I get.  Struggle for 4-5 months with it, sometimes uncontrollable hook, sometimes better off with a lane ball.  About 2 months ago started in my first league, medium/heavy oil.  Go throug the first 10 weeks with a 168 average.  Nothing spectacular, maybe 1-2 600 series.  All the sudden I start understanding something with my hand, next thing I know I"m playing 3rd board and killing the pocket.  Last 6 weeks with the ball, series of 636, 719, 690, 697, 710, and 699.  Average is up to 192.  Had games of 279/268/257/251 in there.  I don't know what people are talking about with no back end.  Had this ball stripped once, and it hooks more now than when I started.  I love it, best ball I could have purchased.  Already stopped making them from what I've heard. Looking for another comparable ball, any suggestions?
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a flute with no holes is not a flute.  a donut with no hole is a danish - the immortal ty webb

well its been about a month since i sanded it to about 1200. With a top coat of polish this ball has been unbelievable. Compared to the compound finish this ball starts up a little early but i have found the hitting power has increased and i carry alot more on less then perfect shots. The backend is not as much as the first 30 games but thats my fault for not cleaning it.

Value: 10 cuz i won it in a raffle
Hitting power: 9.5 cuz i don't always carry the ten pin
Light oil: 3.0 when you encounter dry this particle is done leave it in the bag
medium oil: 9.0 Great no problems on this condition
Heavy oil: 7.0 the backend is really useless normally you only get an arc which doesn't carry a lot but still you can score if you play down and in
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Intill the day i die, i spill my heart for you

This ball flat out hooks.  It needs oil to perform, and without it, energy is lost and the ball looks bad.  This is an extremely aggressive ball, and Skeglesswonder, unless you're bowling on a frozen pond, your attempt at belittling this ball has made you look bad.

I picked up this ball and an Icon 300 from a bowler who used for a lot of games, had to be at least 300 or more.

Right Handed, 16#, CG in midline of the grip, Pin off to the right of the ring finger

Have no idea why people think the ball dies out after 20-30 games, becasue this ball HOOKS. needs medium to medium-dry lanes, though, ball does not hook in oil at all. It's also pretty versatile. I've been using it for 3 pins, 10 pins, anything on the right side.

Great Ball

Sorry i had to put this one back on the shelf. It got chewed up in a ball return in jr. gold, so i had to get it replaced. I sanded the ball down a lot. This ball went threw the oil with no problem, and once it hit the backend it took off. The ball was amazing. Definetly my heavy oil ball