After throwing these for a while, I could see they had great potential, just couldn't quite seem to get them dialed in. It always seemed like I was right there, just couldn't get the combination right.
Well, after a couple of surface changes, I think I have found it. The ESPIONAGE is deceptively strong. With the OOB finish, it didn't look like it was burning off too early, but that was wrong. With the low pin 5 X 4 drilling, the OOB finish was reading early enough that the ball didn't seem to hit well. Just added some finesse-it over the OOB finish seems to have made this ball much cleaner, and MUCH more responsive to friction when it finds it. Not a "monster" ball, but a really rolly type ball, even with the polished surface.
Now, that ECHO is another story. Beautiful ball from the time I pulled it out of the box, it had a shiny surface already on it. Right out of the box, it was clean and very responsive on the backends.
The ECHO has a pin up 5 X 4 on it. This ball is really a good choice for ANYONE who likes a responsive skid/flip type reaction on medium lane conditions, and man does this thing move the pins around. More than once, I have had people ask me when I went back up to a 15lb ball, and I tell them I haven't, it is just this thing hitting the pins and blowing them around like that.
After starting out really slowly, I am starting to find my stride I believe, but I may have drilled these balls too strong for our house. This year the shot seems very conducive to the "up the boards" guys. I am thinking about plugging up the ESPIONAGE and going with a short pin-to-pap drilling and polished surface to allow me to play out towards the track area without suffering from such an over/under reaction.
Subbed on Sunday and shot 224-193-236= 653
Tonight in league was able to go 213-220-226= 659
Not astronomical by any means, but this is just the beginning. Hopefully, it only gets better from here.