BallReviews
Equipment Boards => Storm => Topic started by: lefty50 on February 25, 2017, 03:37:05 PM
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I'll be the first to admit that there appear to be a LOT of good balls out there right now, making the value choice enough tougher than normal. Phaze II looks good on paper for my game. I would guess it's a step down from Alpha Crux and/or No Rules, with a strong back end (that's what I'm looking for). I need to change from early and smooth to later and stronger, like the Vandal I just picked up (nice ball). However, although I like what I hear, I bowled against another lefty with a Phaze and felt sorry for the poor guy wasting his money on that piece of junk. It's scared me away from the Phaze II right now, but should it? I'll take positive feedback of course, but really looking for the negative feedback, cuz I'm not hearing any...
Thoughts on it's value for a low rev lefty straight up the boards and/or minimal bend, and/or compared to original Vandal are appreciated!
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Just my .02 here, but I bowled next to a lefty the other night that was using the Phaze, bowled straight up with low revs identicle to what you say your looking for. He bowled a nice set with that ball. Not all those are garbage balls.
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Its a nice piece, I got mine drilled 4" pin. Ball is strong, one of the stronger balls I have thrown in a while. With this drill it reads the lane thru out for me, but has a nice continuos backend. I have seen longer pin balls change direction on the backend quicker than mine.
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The best way I can describe the Phaze II is a cleaner Marvel S, or a ball up from the IQ Tour (with a bit more punch).
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I was
I'll be the first to admit that there appear to be a LOT of good balls out there right now, making the value choice enough tougher than normal. Phaze II looks good on paper for my game. I would guess it's a step down from Alpha Crux and/or No Rules, with a strong back end (that's what I'm looking for). I need to change from early and smooth to later and stronger, like the Vandal I just picked up (nice ball). However, although I like what I hear, I bowled against another lefty with a Phaze and felt sorry for the poor guy wasting his money on that piece of junk. It's scared me away from the Phaze II right now, but should it? I'll take positive feedback of course, but really looking for the negative feedback, cuz I'm not hearing any...
Thoughts on it's value for a low rev lefty straight up the boards and/or minimal bend, and/or compared to original Vandal are appreciated!
As a somewhat rev challenged speed dominant lefty, the top end of the bag is an Alpha Crux and the Phaze II. I picked up the Phaze II because there was a big hole between that and the Code Black. I was hesitant as I had a first batch Phaze that was less than awesome. I am glad I did not let that turn me away as the Phaze II is my go to ball at the moment. It's super versatile for me as I can use it on both house and sport shots (Alpha is a no go on THS - pukes even for a low rev guy like me on house). I'm glad I put one in my bag.
It's definitely a strong solid that has backend punch (even with some surface). It's the best symmetrical solid i've ever thrown.
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Thanks to all for the comments. I'm comfortable now. Lefty, you had more guts than I would have going with a Phaze II after your experience with the original, but glad to hear it worked out. I see one in my future now ahead of the Alpha Crux.Lefty, your game sounds just like mine. I have a follow up question.. Can you tell me your rough layout and are you up the boards or bending it?
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Going as straight and as fast as possible is my A game - somewhat like where Parker Bohn is at right now - with a rev rate maybe 50 rpm lower than him - in the 275-300 range (and obviously no where near the versatility he has).
Layout on the Phaze II is very aggressive. In terms of dual angles the Phaze II is XX x 4 x 30 with a p3-ish hole. The small VAL angle gives it a very quick response and transition from hook to roll. I also have changed the surface - I keep it at 2000 for house shots and 1000 for sport shots. I am very pleased with how it has worked out so far.
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Got it, thanks! Small VAL is what I use currently also. Looking forward to this one now.
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How does the Phaze II compare to the Optimus Solid?
If I have an Optimus Solid would the Phaze II simply be redundant (but with a more delicious scent)?
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How does the Phaze II compare to the Optimus Solid?
If I have an Optimus Solid would the Phaze II simply be redundant (but with a more delicious scent)?
IMO, Phaze II looks infinitely better than the Optimus Solid. Less early motion and better continuation downland.
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I had to post this as the visual is easier to support. This is a strong ball and has no characteristics I can recall with the initial Phaze. This cover seems to do wonders showing off the core's strength. It has a lot of motion down lane. Not sure it's an obvious step down Alpha Crux or No Rules. I would consider it more of a very strong symmetric option so if you want a different more continuous, consistent shape when the Alpha or No Rules are rolling out. So it may cover very similar boards, but with a bit of a different shape.
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I had to post this as the visual is easier to support. This is a strong ball and has no characteristics I can recall with the initial Phaze. This cover seems to do wonders showing off the core's strength. It has a lot of motion down lane. Not sure it's an obvious step down Alpha Crux or No Rules. I would consider it more of a very strong symmetric option so if you want a different more continuous, consistent shape when the Alpha or No Rules are rolling out. So it may cover very similar boards, but with a bit of a different shape.
I'm very intrigued to see how it compares to the Dare Devil Trick and which has more down lane motion, etc.
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I had to post this as the visual is easier to support. This is a strong ball and has no characteristics I can recall with the initial Phaze. This cover seems to do wonders showing off the core's strength. It has a lot of motion down lane. Not sure it's an obvious step down Alpha Crux or No Rules. I would consider it more of a very strong symmetric option so if you want a different more continuous, consistent shape when the Alpha or No Rules are rolling out. So it may cover very similar boards, but with a bit of a different shape.
I'm very intrigued to see how it compares to the Dare Devil Trick and which has more down lane motion, etc.
We'll be testing the DD Trick soon so we'll know for sure.
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Just drilled up a Phase ll to get a different look than my alpha crux. The crux has a 3 inch pin that I put above the bridge. The result was a ball that was very angular off the break point for a solid. For the Phase II I chose a pin in ball and went down with it below the ring finger. Out of the box this ball is earlier and smoother than the Crux. Very roll . It almost reminds me of some of my old particle zones
Like another poster said my crux always looks good but the carry can be abysmal when I chase the oil in on house shots. Bowled a few games with the Phase on a broken down house shot and seemed to have a better reaction. I was able to go out to the dry with and get stronger continuation.
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Phaze 2 is definitely worth the extra $50....I have heard nothing but positives especially after such an abysmal start with the first phaze.
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Updating this one.... I bought the Phaze II today. For right now to finish league where I am, Phaze II is in the wheel house for my favorite specs numbers wise, and seems to be a good choice for the gap I've got.... We'll find out tomorrow, post results, and then start debating the Sure Lock or No Rules for Nats...
Thanks to all for the feedback in multiple threads. Definitely lots of good options out there and I'm sure more than one will end up refreshing the bag.
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It all depends on how the Phase II lane polishes. I just drilled one, and out of the box it is the earliest heavy rolling ball I have owned. Way stronger than my Alpha Crux which I just de oiled and resurfaced.
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After all the feedback, I thought I'd post an update. I bought the Phaze II Thursday, and threw a few frames with it on the other end of the house before league. PAP 5x1, It's drilled pin above and left of ring (lefty) with Cg swung a little out, and an 1-1/8 thumb positive weight hole. Unfortunate, but necessary....
It was dying out a little, but I figured it needed a little more oil.... Off to league, fresh THS. Used it in practice... it was waking up, but my Gamebreaker II drilled pin above and left of ring with Cg in palm had a better look, so I held off (proud of myself for the restraint...). Game 2 GB II is sliding past. I made all the adjustments, but it was time for a change. Went to the Phaze 2 10th frame of game 2. Game 3... 238. Phaze was earlier, stronger and recovered nicely, with each shot better than the last. Now we see how the next 3-5 games go, and see what the lane shine does to it.
First impression... not bad. I think I would have drilled it differently, but this has potential....
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I drilled my Phase 2 pin below the ring finger. Finally used it in a tournament Sunday on a Viper pattern. First 3 it was a bit touchy and I shot about 580. Next shift I had a real good look at about 8 board and shot 667. Starting to lane polish just a bit, but still early and smooth if I stay behind it.
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hey just wondering the term "lane polish" you used, what's your definition for that term?
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My definition is when a solid matte finish ball starts to get shiny and appears to almost be polished as a few games accumulate. Most solids do this to some degree, but for some it has more extreme impact on the reaction than on others.
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Thanks for the clarification. Simple ball cleaner to bring it back or scuff pads to rough it up?
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I'll wait for Bob to reply, but I was in that exact situation tonight at the lanes... My Phaze II has only 3-4 games on it, and was getting lane shine, so I had to face that same question. Because of the inconsistent results I have with sanding in many cases, I chose to clean it with Hook-it... At least in my case tonight, I could hook the whole lane but it was inconsistent and very speed sensitive. I pulled out a GameBreaker 2 that gave me a much better look for tonight and will continue the experiment over the weekend. This ball just feels like one of those that needs a few games on the cover before settling in. We'll see.... Definitely will scuff it this weekend if there's enough oil to make the experiment worthwhile.
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I have about 20 games on mine now. I haven't seen any taming down in reaction yet.
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Bob, if I'm reading it right, I think his question was more along the lines of the first action to take when you notice lane shine... Scuff or clean? Out of curiosity, are you saying you've seen no difference when it develops lane shine?
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It depends on the ball. There is always some impact. In some cases it is positive. I didn't really like my original virtual gravity until it did shine up due to wear and oil absorption. Similar wit my Lucid which was s pearl but came at a 4000 sheen from the factory. On the other hand my Alpha Crux just kept going longer and longer with a less than ideal move off the breakpoint for me. Resurfacing and oil extraction gave me a very temporary improvement.
I don't do a lot of shell maintenance on balls. I let them transition, and they seem to stay that way for quite awhile. I think the Phase II will will maintain a good reaction and I don't intend to do anything with it.