BallReviews

Equipment Boards => Roto Grip => Topic started by: Stormroto22 on January 22, 2016, 06:51:56 PM

Title: Need help choosing next ball, ordering tomorrow
Post by: Stormroto22 on January 22, 2016, 06:51:56 PM
I'm trying to decide between the lock, hyper cell skid, eternal cell or maybe a critical? I currently have a haywire and a motiv graffiti tag, the haywire is a good strong ball but I'm considering something stronger or something that will compliment it.
Title: Re: Need help choosing next ball, ordering tomorrow
Post by: WOWZERS on January 22, 2016, 08:18:18 PM
The Haywire has the Microbite (NRG) cover which makes it the earliest rolling ball out of everything you are looking at. So as for stronger, if you want something stronger EARLY, you need to look at something that has a stronger cover or same cover with a stronger core. You named the Lock (Hybrid), and Critical (Hybrid I believe) the Eternal (solid resin) and Skid (pearl). None of those will be stronger earlier in the lane. All should be stronger in the backend of the lane. I do not have a Critical but everyone has said great things about the ball. Almost everyone loves the Cell core which is in the Hyper Skid and Eternal Cell. The Lock is a complete new ball (cover and core). Personally, I think the Skid and Lock will be stronger than something you are looking for in a good compliment for the Haywire and Tag. I would go with the Critical or Eternal out of your choices.

Just one opinion
Title: Re: Need help choosing next ball, ordering tomorrow
Post by: Stormroto22 on January 22, 2016, 09:09:44 PM
I appreciate the response! I've read great reviews about every ball and figured maybe the skid or lock would be for later in the lane. The haywire is great and early. Just looking to get something else to compliment.
Title: Re: Need help choosing next ball, ordering tomorrow
Post by: lbss831 on January 23, 2016, 04:00:59 AM
The Eternal or critical would be good choice  I have them both
Title: Re: Need help choosing next ball, ordering tomorrow
Post by: Stormroto22 on January 23, 2016, 06:45:20 AM
Which is stronger?
Title: Re: Need help choosing next ball, ordering tomorrow
Post by: Stormroto22 on January 23, 2016, 07:45:55 AM
Anyone else?
Title: Re: Need help choosing next ball, ordering tomorrow
Post by: Metal_rules on January 23, 2016, 08:30:03 AM
I have had the Lock since it was released. This ball is currently my best rolling, hitting ball I have (see profile). This ball saves it's energy for the pin deck. I do not have allot of revs, so with this core it helps me get a few more. Now the ball oob did not work for me, but I  have only used it for THS. I changed the cover to 2k and added polish, then this ball just came alive. Now if you bowl on heavier conditions the cover change probably would not have been needed. Since I have a Hyper Cell, the Lock compliments that perfectly. I do not have a Critical, so my observation between the Lock/Critical is ( depending on layout/cover) is the Lock will have a smoother, strong roll, and the Critical is more angular at the pin deck, so it depends what reaction you want. Both balls are a great choice. Its too bad you can't go to a matchmaker and roll both first. I may get a Critical in the future, but since my Lock has been so good, I don't need another ball, yet. I hope this helps?
Title: Re: Need help choosing next ball, ordering tomorrow
Post by: Stormroto22 on January 23, 2016, 09:04:59 AM
Yes that helps metal! My haywire is strong but not too strong where it's uncomfortable. I've been reading great things on the lock and the critical. I'm leaning away from the critical just because I can't imagine it would be that much different than the haywire to justify buying it. The skid and eternal cell are in my options as well.
Title: Re: Need help choosing next ball, ordering tomorrow
Post by: mattypizon on January 23, 2016, 09:34:22 AM
I have my Lock, Critical, and Skid all drilled the same (50x4.5x70). The Lock is my fav. It is strong rolling, very versatile, and not as jumpy off friction as the Skid but still has great downlane reaction. I have shot more 7s with the Lock than any other ball mentioned. The Skid is money when on the right conditions and would be more in the middle of your other 2 balls though. I did not match up as well to the Critical as anticipated. It is rather benchmarky for my game. I drilled the EC very strong (30x4x40) so it's not as versatile for me as the others.

My Lock definitely revs up in the earlier part of the mids than my Haywire did. Haywire is obviously a cover dominant ball. I slapped my favorite sym layout on it and was completely dismayed at how much I didn't like the reaction. I think it points more to my preference of some core strength on the stronger covers.

I can tell you from studying the reviews of the 2 major publications the Lock, Critical, and EC are fairly close in terms of overall hook with the Lock and Critical being the earliest. The thing I love about my Lock with the pin down layout is the way the core revs in the mids even tho it starts reading the lane earlier than most others.

It is difficult to pick but they are all great balls!

Title: Re: Need help choosing next ball, ordering tomorrow
Post by: Stormroto22 on January 23, 2016, 09:55:27 AM
What conditions is the skid the best on?
Title: Re: Need help choosing next ball, ordering tomorrow
Post by: mattypizon on January 23, 2016, 10:01:36 AM
For me house shots and usually after game 1. It can be very strong downlane on fresh backends. 2 of my friends put a little surface on theirs because it was too much for them to control.
Title: Re: Need help choosing next ball, ordering tomorrow
Post by: Metal_rules on January 23, 2016, 10:07:04 AM
IMO the Skid is better for when the lanes break down. If there is too much head oil , it will Skid to far before it gets into a roll.
Title: Re: Need help choosing next ball, ordering tomorrow
Post by: Stormroto22 on January 23, 2016, 10:09:31 AM
What would be a better compliment to what I currently have, skid, eternal or lock?
Title: Re: Need help choosing next ball, ordering tomorrow
Post by: Metal_rules on January 23, 2016, 10:18:11 AM
I would go Lock only because I know how good it is for me. In other words the Lock is very predictable. It has been my "go to" ball because I can TRUST it! But it fits my style, which is more down/in. Every once in a while you just get that ball that matches up. I match up up very well with it. Hopefully you will,if that is the ball you pick.  Again its too bad you can't do a matchmaker, that may help you decide?
Title: Re: Need help choosing next ball, ordering tomorrow
Post by: mattypizon on January 23, 2016, 10:22:17 AM
I would go Lock only because I know how good it is for me. In other words the Lock is very predictable. It has been my "go to" ball because I can TRUST it! But it fits my style, which is more down/in. Every once in a while you just get that ball that matches up. I match up up very well with it. Hopefully you will,if that is the ball you pick.  Again its too bad you can't do a matchmaker, that may help you decide?

+1
Title: Re: Need help choosing next ball, ordering tomorrow
Post by: Stormroto22 on January 23, 2016, 10:30:21 AM
There aren't any matchmakers near me :( it sucks
Title: Re: Need help choosing next ball, ordering tomorrow
Post by: Metal_rules on January 23, 2016, 10:38:32 AM
Why do you have to make a decision by tomorrow. I would give it some more thought, do some more research. Also see what your ball driller suggests. He knows your style and should be able to tell you what would be the better choice.
Title: Re: Need help choosing next ball, ordering tomorrow
Post by: Stormroto22 on January 23, 2016, 10:41:04 AM
Actually I'm going down today to talk to him and order something. I posted this thread last night which is why it says tomorrow lol. I'm trying to make a decision soon because my.driller won't be around for this up coming week and I don't want to wait another week if I don't have to lol. I guess I'll use your advise and see what he says and go from there!
Title: Re: Need help choosing next ball, ordering tomorrow
Post by: Metal_rules on January 23, 2016, 10:47:23 AM
Sounds good, the only other thing I will say is if he gives you an option of both will be fine, then go with your gut. Let us know what you do, and good  luck!
Title: Re: Need help choosing next ball, ordering tomorrow
Post by: Stormroto22 on January 23, 2016, 11:05:48 AM
Will do. Thanks!
Title: Re: Need help choosing next ball, ordering tomorrow
Post by: lbss831 on January 23, 2016, 11:57:34 AM
The Critical is stronger,even though  it's supposed be a weaker cover it's stronger in midlane and alot of backend,I like the Eternal more than the Skid,it's cleaner smoother and about the same backend, my skid is too much over and under and jumpy at times