BallReviews

Equipment Boards => Columbia 300 => Topic started by: pchee2 on October 19, 2003, 01:31:03 PM

Title: Columbia........does anyone even care about them anymore?
Post by: pchee2 on October 19, 2003, 01:31:03 PM
Is it me or has Columbia just put out some real garbage for the past few years.  I've seen Columbia loyalists go from loving them to hating them in less than one season.  I've noticed that their stuff is just junk.  No real winners nothing outstanding.  I think their last best ball was the Ti Mess pearl black and gold.  After that they just went downhill.  JUNK!


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pchee2<~~~stroking the ball with MANLY revs and spraying the lanes for an average of a buck 62.  This guy is full of STUFF!
Title: Re: Columbia........does anyone even care about them anymore?
Post by: NoNeed4Revs on October 20, 2003, 04:42:22 AM
Actually, I totally disagree. I know that just about everyone out here has either an Icon or Wicked B/R/T in their bag. I also love their blue Wicked and even the blue/gold Scout, which I think hits just as hard as most high-performance balls. As far as reactive and low-load particle stuff goes, they are still my company of choice.

On the other hand, I don't know if anyone is too impressed with their recent high-load particle balls. The Icon 300 and Throttle remind me too much of the old Chaos... picks up a little bit of oil and just starts to die.
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Undoubtedly the best bowler to ever come out of Sequoia Lanes. Maybe that's why they tore it down.
Title: Re: Columbia........does anyone even care about them anymore?
Post by: srlunatic on October 20, 2003, 04:43:27 AM
Let's see..

Flipside Series is pretty strong....

The WOW Pearl is in my humble opinion one of the best balls for the buck out there.....WOW Solid has won me a ton of money with it's versitile surfuce......

Seems the Wicked's are well liked....as are the Wild's....

Messenger Series has been quite successfull....

Haven't tried the Throttles....so can't put an opinion in one that...

So wouldn't agree at all that they haven't put out anything good since the Black Pearl.............


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My personal savior is common sense.
How can being so RIGHT be so very WRONG?
Title: Re: Columbia........does anyone even care about them anymore?
Post by: channel surfer on October 20, 2003, 06:21:28 AM
No, I love my Icon 2, my Messenger Ti, and my Wild.

When people around here do throw columbia, its mostly newer equipment.
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My Bowling Clinic Site: http://channelsurfers.vze.com

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Title: Re: Columbia........does anyone even care about them anymore?
Post by: LuckyLefty on October 20, 2003, 07:39:47 AM
Jeez,

In my area guys are LOVING the Throttle/R(big scores all over the place), enjoying the Throttle quite a bit.

Still used and loved, Icon2, Reaction Rev, Reaction Rip, and Wild.

I liked the Wicked BRT quite a bit also!

REgards,

Luckylefty
Title: Re: Columbia........does anyone even care about them anymore?
Post by: charlest on October 20, 2003, 08:30:38 AM
Peachy, what's going on here? think you're the new Sawbonez??


Yup, I'm afraid, even in NJ, people just love the cheaper Columbias: Wickeds, Messenger Ti, pearl and old polished solid, and even the 2 original Icons, the Icon and the Icon2.

I suppose a little polish on the new Messenger Traction will make it retain enough energy to hit. That core is a killer.

I used to LOVE Columbia balls; the only one I use right now is a Power Surge from 1999 .... probably because it has that titanium nugget.
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"Just because you can do something does not mean you should do it."
Title: Re: Columbia........does anyone even care about them anymore?
Post by: matt smith on October 20, 2003, 08:56:56 AM
I used to be a columbia loyalist. Now i havnt bought one of their balls for 3 years. For mine, they just havnt been putting out the quality stuff, and if they have, it hasnt been well promoted. Here in AUS the only real columbia stuff i have seen thrown is by a guy who is sponsored by them. Apart from that its all stuff like the origional Mess Ti and old chaos's, the odd icon, but i havnt heard rave reviews. I think they may be falling a bit behind....

good luck and high scoring
matt
Title: Re: Columbia........does anyone even care about them anymore?
Post by: Rev_O on October 20, 2003, 09:03:30 AM
the last time I liked Columbia was when I had a Black U Dot in my bag.
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Rev-O

Title: Re: Columbia........does anyone even care about them anymore?
Post by: Brickguy221 on October 20, 2003, 09:09:33 AM
Hey, since Columbia balls don't work well for me, here is my chance to bash Columbia like when Lane 1 gets bashed, but I won't as I refuse to stoop that low to start that against someone elses product..... In sticking with the Topic, where I live in Oklahoma, Columbia is way down here too from what it was 3-4 years ago. It varies from Pro Shop to Pro Shop (there are approx. 6 within 30 miles) as a couple shop owners are old Columbia loyalists and push Columbia, but other than that, Ebonite and Storm rules with Brunswick starting to "get their foot in the door."





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In the old days, they used axes to chop up wood...Nowadays, they use "BUZZSAWS".
Title: Re: Columbia........does anyone even care about them anymore?
Post by: s1nger1 on October 20, 2003, 10:31:49 AM
"Yep, you are correct. Columbia is getting ran over by all the other companies. Their stuff is just crap anymore" I dunno know about that in my area the number one ball out of everyones bag is the throttle R. If you offered me 3 new balls from anyone I wouldn't trade you my Throttle R. Since I have had this ball my average is up at least 10 pins as many as 20 in another league. I have made over $4000 in strikepots, doubles pots, brackets, and tournaments. I have only had this ball for 3-4 months. My high set with this ball is 781. Lowest set 605.
Title: Re: Columbia........does anyone even care about them anymore?
Post by: Aristotle on October 20, 2003, 11:41:34 AM
The last C300 ball that I've owned and actually liked had to have been the Blue Aftershock.. and even then, not a lot of people really even liked that ball. At the time, I was pretty much a C300 loyalist. Bought one of the Chaos series (Xtreme) and I absolutely hated that ball as it died after only a few games. Since then, I've pretty much been a Trackhead, and even though their shells are all made by C300, I think what makes them better for me is the cores in the ball.

Edited on 10/20/2003 11:51 AM
Title: Re: Columbia........does anyone even care about them anymore?
Post by: crankncrash on October 20, 2003, 02:17:44 PM
other than messengers... columbia tracks out quick and i hate em.. storm dominates in my area.. personally i am branching out looking for smaller companies.. lane 1, azo, visionary.. ect anyway other than the messenger line i don't even look at columbia anymore
Title: Re: Columbia........does anyone even care about them anymore?
Post by: Belgarion on October 20, 2003, 03:23:55 PM
The icon 300 in my opinion is a good med-heavy ball.  It is a low load particle ball and even drilled aggressive only flares 3 or 4".  It sets up well and seems to retain energy for me into the hole.  

Fluffers on medium should love this ball up 10 as it just rolls and crushes the hole

never did like the icon 2 though and havent had a chance to try any of their other stuff lately
Title: Re: Columbia........does anyone even care about them anymore?
Post by: louie on October 20, 2003, 03:29:08 PM
I think the less expensive Columbia balls are very competitive. The messenger line is very popular in Philly. On the other hand, I don't know anyone who falls in love with their high end Columbias. They use them for a few weeks and don't score with them and then move on to something else. I see a lot of Storm and Brunswick here with some Track and Ebonite thrown in. Roto-Grip is starting to make their presence known as well.
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Why does everyone laugh when I bowl?


louie
Title: Re: Columbia........does anyone even care about them anymore?
Post by: channel surfer on October 20, 2003, 03:55:01 PM
This is such a dumb topic. Its like saying... Montana.. Does anyone care about them anymore??

And.. There are people who love Columbia, and the people who hate em. Like me, i hate storm, and i love columbia. But if youve thrown 1 columbia ball and say columbia sucks, you shouldnt even be posting anything.

Ive thrown Brunswick balls(like em), Storm(dont like em), AMF(dont like em).
All my balls/towels, bag, accesroies(most/progrip) are columbia....
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My Bowling Clinic Site: http://channelsurfers.vze.com

ASK A PRO:http://channelsurfers.vze.com/atp.shtml

www.bowlersdream.com - save an additional $3 off any $100 order by simply typing in CSB into the coupon code area at checkout.
Title: Re: Columbia........does anyone even care about them anymore?
Post by: Strider on October 20, 2003, 04:46:25 PM
I still like my Blue Dot.  
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Penn State Proud
Title: Re: Columbia........does anyone even care about them anymore?
Post by: golfnutFL on October 20, 2003, 06:45:31 PM
I mostly use Lane #1 stuff BUT my Icon300 has been a very effective ball for me on wetter conditions. I really think it's all about what matches up for your game. I see a lot of people enjoying their Throttles also.
Title: Re: Columbia........does anyone even care about them anymore?
Post by: stroker4131975 on October 27, 2003, 04:29:54 AM
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Title: Re: Columbia........does anyone even care about them anymore?
Post by: channel surfer on October 27, 2003, 05:19:35 AM
I like columbia, i get great carry.
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My Bowling Clinic Site: http://channelsurfers.vze.com

ASK A PRO:http://channelsurfers.vze.com/atp.shtml

www.bowlersdream.com - save an additional $3 off any $100 order by simply typing in CSB into the coupon code area at checkout.
Title: Re: Columbia........does anyone even care about them anymore?
Post by: thegame on October 27, 2003, 11:36:56 AM
Columbia has made some good balls that have worked well for me, (Wicked, Reaction Ricochet), but I haven't bought one in over a year, for a couple of different reasons.  I don't know if it's the way the pictures of their weight blocks are drawn, but they all look so similar, even ones that are supposed to be different, have the same look, couple of densities, stacked on one another, and a flip block, or maybe two. I guess their idea is it's a well thought out core, just change the coverstock.  The other thing I'm not crazy about is when you see their ads in BTM, there's very little description about the ball itself.  No core pic, a couple of numbers but mostly just ad hype.  I'm also trying to limit myself to only 2 or 3 companies (possibly Brunswick, Storm, Roto Grip) so that I'll have less options when looking for a new ball, and while I don't agree with bashing a company, I have been disappointed with Columbia's releases lately also.
Title: Re: Columbia........does anyone even care about them anymore?
Post by: pjr300 on October 30, 2003, 12:54:47 PM

I have migrated to the Track products... yes, I know that they and Columbia are related, sharing some technology, but the Mutant weight block is unique and quite nice for the right bowler and conditions.


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pjr
Title: Re: Columbia........does anyone even care about them anymore?
Post by: DonSVO on October 31, 2003, 11:42:15 AM
i started off with a flipside Wild, and i was absolutely unimpressed. i then went with a messenger Ti black/gold and i LOVE that ball. very predictable, and a pocket-crusher with well, messenger pins going everywhere. on the medium lanes its "my ball" for a full series.

i have yet to throw a high-oil ball from columbia that i like. i am using a VS strong to finish the task in that department.
Title: Re: Columbia........does anyone even care about them anymore?
Post by: Rock77 on October 31, 2003, 11:08:25 PM
quote:
I have migrated to the Track products... yes, I know that they and Columbia are related, sharing some technology, but the Mutant weight block is unique and quite nice for the right bowler and conditions.


Actually, Track and Columbia dont share any technology. Track designs their own cores and covers. Maybe on past equipment they shared, but since Del stepped in, no sharing going on. The only sharing is the facility they manufacture the equipment in.

Oh, and to all the ones who bash Peach for knocking Columbia stuff. Shut up and can it. He has his right to an opinion. I also have tried many Columbia balls in the past 2-3 years and thought they were junk too. Maybe we dont match up as well or conditions werent right or it was drilled wrong or MAYBE it was a piece of junk. Everyone is entitled to an opinion. So dont bash people because they choose to share theirs!!
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1-900-TEN-PINS

Edited on 11/1/2003 0:19 AM
Title: Re: Columbia........does anyone even care about them anymore?
Post by: WSUstroker on November 01, 2003, 12:28:01 AM
i'd like to say that there is nothing wrong with columbia's stuff.  i have thrown my only 300 with a c300 rock star.  there is nothing wrong with there stuff.  i'd consider getting c300 now over anything brunswick or ebonite.  been to the demo days, and there just isnt anything really exciting with anyone else.
Title: Re: Columbia........does anyone even care about them anymore?
Post by: RandyO on November 01, 2003, 01:35:01 AM
I used to like them (but at the time I had very limited exposure to other manufacturer's equipment).

C300 Balls I liked and plan on keeping:
Gold Dot - urethane pearl - excellent spare ball - better than plastic.
Spirit - Only because I have one of the original 'good' ones.
Rip - I'm keeping it as a practice ball. My Monster Red/Black has replaced it in the active arsenal.
Wow - It's a decent oily sport shot ball - I'll keep it around in case I need it again someday.
Throttle - Don't know if I like it yet - haven't found enough oil to give it a good test.

C300 Balls I have recently sold or discarded:
Wicked
Wicked BRT
Icon
Icon2
Icon300
Beast Pearl (hated that one).
Spirit II (hated this one too).

What have I / Will I replace them with?
Raging Inferno
Inferno
Time Zone
Bruiser
Monster Red/Black
Quantum Helix
Slay/R on the way
Rhino Pro Teal on the way.

I am also disappointed in Columbia's recent offerings. They may be fine for some bowlers, but they haven't matched up well for me. I suspect I'm not the only one. The last tournament I bowled in looked like a Brunswick Demo Days. We were surrounded by Infernos. That and Factor balls. And a few rich guys with Saws.

Edited on 11/1/2003 2:44 AM