BallReviews
Equipment Boards => DV8 => Topic started by: toneoak1 on March 06, 2014, 11:34:25 AM
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I'm a left-handed tweener. Currently averaging 229 between two different leagues in two very different houses. My ball speed is usually around 16.5. My revs are more than most typical lefties although I don't know the exact number. I typically play farther right than most lefties. I do consider versatility a strength of mine. I am most consistent when I can swing the ball a bit.
Here is my issue...
Last season I bought a DV8 Reckless just to give the company a try. We drilled it with the pin down and left of my ring finger. I would have to double check exact angles. It was based off my PAP. When the lanes condition matches, this ball scores very well. Trouble is, it rarely matches. In order to carry, I have to play down and in. There is no bellying this ball at all. I decided to knock the shine off of it and it does roll better. It gets into a more defined roll but I am still not able to belly this ball at all. Corner pins beyond belief. First game usually goes well. When the lane transitions this ball will still find the pocket but carry declines. The big plus on this ball is that It rarely leaves messes. I've left a couple buckets recently when I try to move in a little and swing it. It hits horribly. I've tried shine, I've tried surface. Nothing changes except for the pronounce in the roll. Duller has been routinely better. Even on easy shots where I swing every other ball in my bag, this one has to go straight. I have NO choice.
Now for the flip side that presents a real conundrum. In two different houses over my last 4 sets I have shot 723, 724, 684 (lanes broke down very strangely 684 was high in the league) and 727. I shouldn't complain about this stretch but with how this ball has been entering the pocket and the fact that I have been "on" recently, these 4 sets could very easily have been in the 750 range. It's been like there is a glass ceiling that I can hit and not break. When I get a line burned in, my shot usually improves being left handed. I can move in a little and swing it a little and scores usually go up. NOT SO WITH THE RECKLESS. It seems I have to have a CLEAN 200-215 game in there somewhere (where 7-pins and 6-pins show up with devastating regularity regardless of what moves I make) with 2 big games to really spoil a BIG night.
If this makes any sense, these 720's have been frustrating. (I feel weird saying that.) This ball finds the pocket like it has a GPS in it and looks great going in, but unless it gets to stay in it's "happy place", it carries like a wet paper bag with $75 dollars worth of groceries in it. I've looked at the core of this ball and it doesn't seem very dynamic like a light bulb core is. (I love light bulb reactions)
What I am really asking for here is advice on a DV8 Ball that is as strong if not stronger and has a bigger back-end move so that I can make a jump right, belly the ball when the Reckless is in a bad mood, and not lose hit, drive, or carry. I have struggled with the last few asymmetric core balls that I have owned so I prefer symmetric.
I don't have another ball in my bag that hits this hard and has ZERO deflection from an extreme outside angle so I want to keep it for that sake but If I could find a complimentary ball that I can belly 8-10 boards but will still enter the pocket like the reckless will... My competition would be in SERIOUS trouble!!!
Any advice would be appreciated.
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Yeah, we definitely bowl in a new and scary time when we are unsatisfied with 680-720 week to week. Still, I know what you're getting at. I didn't get a true understanding of your arsenal to know what you are trying to use to compliment the Reckless. What I can tell you is that DV8 is all about length and back end from what I've seen/experienced, so it really shouldn't be that difficult to find a ball in their line that allows you to move in more. The Brutal Nightmare, Endless Nightmare, and Ruckus Feud all have a lot of back end; it really just depends on the amount of oil you are bowling on because those balls tend to be for medium to heavier. The Divas offer a ton of back end for lighter, but I think they may be weaker than the Reckless - I'm not a DV8 line expert - so I'm not sure on that one. In any case, it seems as if the Reckless is serving as a good benchmark ball for you, which is great for tournaments, but it doesn't always serve you well on house shots. As such, I agree with your assessment. Keep the Reckless for when you need stability and control, and get something like the Brutal Nightmare, Endless Nightmare, or Ruckus Feud for when you want more on the back.
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Ruckus Feud. This ball is a monster truck.
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Yeah, we definitely bowl in a new and scary time when we are unsatisfied with 680-720 week to week. Still, I know what you're getting at. I didn't get a true understanding of your arsenal to know what you are trying to use to compliment the Reckless. What I can tell you is that DV8 is all about length and back end from what I've seen/experienced, so it really shouldn't be that difficult to find a ball in their line that allows you to move in more. The Brutal Nightmare, Endless Nightmare, and Ruckus Feud all have a lot of back end; it really just depends on the amount of oil you are bowling on because those balls tend to be for medium to heavier. The Divas offer a ton of back end for lighter, but I think they may be weaker than the Reckless - I'm not a DV8 line expert - so I'm not sure on that one. In any case, it seems as if the Reckless is serving as a good benchmark ball for you, which is great for tournaments, but it doesn't always serve you well on house shots. As such, I agree with your assessment. Keep the Reckless for when you need stability and control, and get something like the Brutal Nightmare, Endless Nightmare, or Ruckus Feud for when you want more on the back.
I guess I never did mention other equipment.
Hammer original Blue and Cherry Vibe (slightly weak but still love 'em)
Ebonite Pursuit S with surface. (nice arc on med/heavy oil)
Storm Modern Marvel (good ball. little longer on med/heavy oil)
Used to have a Storm Victory Road and Hyroad (angular on house shot)
This is what I'm looking to replace with a similar DV8 if I can find one with
this shape except with DV8 hit.
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Sorry, but it there really somebody complaining about shooting 720?
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Dv8 makes heavy oil balls that are extremely strong but it seems you are looking for something angular . I would get the diva pearl with a strong drill .
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I also have thrown a pin down Reckless and it was one of the most even, slowest response balls that DV8 has made. I agree that I like it for playing down/in, but it doesn't have the backend to shred racks from inside.
The Diva Pearl will be longer and more angular which would be a nice compliment to the Reckless for when you want to playi in.
If you want to replace the Reckless with something that will pop a little more look at the Diva Solid and try going pin up
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Sorry, but it there really somebody complaining about shooting 720?
It sounds strange but lately (not always) I've had this reckless entering the pocket extraordinarily well. Here's an example of a frustrating 237 game... You strike in the first, leave a corner pin in the second and spare it, the you double, then stone a 9 pin and spare it, then double, then stone an 8 pin and spare it, strike in the ninth, double and corner pin in the tenth. It's 237 but could have and probably Should have been higher. Do that for three games and you've shot a 711. I'm very happy with that but with those breaks, you are inches from 740-750.
And yes, the house shot in this center is FAR too open. In a league of 55 bowlers we have 5 230+ averages. It's not right, it's just relative.
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I also have thrown a pin down Reckless and it was one of the most even, slowest response balls that DV8 has made. I agree that I like it for playing down/in, but it doesn't have the backend to shred racks from inside.
The Diva Pearl will be longer and more angular which would be a nice compliment to the Reckless for when you want to playi in.
If you want to replace the Reckless with something that will pop a little more look at the Diva Solid and try going pin up
O.K. How big of a difference is there between the solid and pearl.
Sounds like a basic question but there are not a lot of DV8's in our area to watch.
Thanks for this info.
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How does the Diva Solid compare to the Dude?
They seem pretty similar.
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The Diva, solid black / pink cover, has a strong midlane roll. With the box surface, it would work best on medium oil conditions, and is a good benchmark ball. I have used the diva on many house and sport conditions and has a smoother arc type of roll on the lane. The Diva Pearl, silver / pink cover, is a good compliment that has the typical skid / snap reaction. The Diva Pearl can handle medium oil and broken down patterns when you need to move deeper and still has a strong backend reaction. I have used the Diva to start. Then when the lanes break down, I switch to the Diva Pearl when I need to get deep and throw it to the friction.
The Dude has a smoother reaction than the Diva and is good for medium oil conditions. The Dude has a slower response to friction compared to the Diva. The surface can be adjusted to get a stronger reaction.
Another Symmetrical ball that would be a little stronger than the Reckless is the Marauder Madness. It also takes well to surface changes to get the desired reaction.
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Exactly what I needed to hear.
You are a fine person.
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If you are having trouble with asymmetric balls try mo's layout recommendations on radical bowling.com They have helped me out a lot.
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Dude goes longer but still retains and strong smooth move. Not wet dry sensitive either . The diva is a little earlier and stronger overall. Similar to the reaction of the hr terror . You honestly could use drilling and surface changes to make the diva and dude react very similar . For wat you are saying I would keep the ball you are using and add a diva Pearl.pin up with a strong back end
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I should not surf bowling sites bored.
Diva ordered.
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Sounds like the problem I was having with the Nightmare.. The balls cover stock seems strong but it lack strong quick response when it hit friction... Had to change the surface to 15k with polish and now we have the response I was hoping for...
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It happened again...
Another set with the Reckless and another good set that could have been great.
Last night I shot 710 with one open (split), 3 six-pins, and 7 seven-pins.
Over my last 5 league sets in two different houses, I'm averaging 238 and have left 28 seven pins!!! Basically 2 per game. Many of these have been on doubles or strings of strikes where they cost me as much as possible.
I've really liked the advice I've got on here and am really looking at the Diva's now.
Thanks to those who have added their 2 cents.
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I've got my Diva in my lap right now. LOL.
Probably going with a control drill like 45 x 4 1/2 x 60 (should put pin under the bridge). Will leave with box finish and try that, but figure I'll probably knock the shine off it.
Will have some reviews up soon enough.
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I've got my Diva in my lap right now. LOL.
Probably going with a control drill like 45 x 4 1/2 x 60 (should put pin under the bridge). Will leave with box finish and try that, but figure I'll probably knock the shine off it.
Will have some reviews up soon enough.
Are you left handed? Do you have any other DV8 equipment? If so, please post on here how you like your Diva and how it compares to other balls you have.
Thanks
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Here are a few options from Radical (Sister company of DV8 and Brunswick):
Grease Monkey (since you said you liked the HyRoad).
Yeti Unleashed
Torrid Affair
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Follow Up....
I took the advice of some of you on here and shined the surface of my ball hoping it would retain energy a little longer into the evening.
It did. I shot 727 and only left 2 seven pins in three games, and one of them I felt as soon as I let the ball go. My fault, No hand.
Big surprise, polish did not change the over all shape all that much. It responded a little quicker to the friction, so even though the change of direction was less pronounced, it actually seemed to be a touch earlier. I didn't see that coming and it still doesn't make complete sense to me but that is what seemed to happen. I could stand in the same spot as when it was at 1000 with no polish and the ball would still get to the pocket.
The only thing I can think up is that the core is not as aggressive as other cores making surface is less sensitive to change? Has anyone else had this experience?
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For now, I'm still using a Roto Grip Horizon Solid (http://www.rotogrip.com/ancestry/horizon-solid) as my benchmark.
My question is (and this will take some brain mining), what current DV8 ball does that come closest to? I'm probably talking more motion shape than overall hook, but if there's something similar in both, I'll take it.
The general shape is a good midlane read with an arc backend.
Pin under ring 4" from PAP
MB 3" from VAL
2000 Abralon
I wouldn't mind more continuation/a little more pop downlane either, but you get the idea.
One more thing.....as I stated earlier, I've got an undrilled Diva in the floor and now there's a Marauder Madness on the way.