I don't see much Paradox Pearl love on here. Aside from the handful of reviews I can read am I missing something? I'm looking at picking one up and that's why I ask. Have people just went high grit + polish with the original instead?

My OG polished just doesn't roll the same
I could try and change the underlying grit to something more aggressive and then polish it I suppose

but it comes down to polishing a solid coverstock vs having an actual pearl
I don't have both, but I have heard its a really good option when the solid Paradox is a just a bit much and you need that extra length to stay in the same sopt

For me the Pearl is better, I never really got the look I wanted from the OG (tried different surface and polish). The pearl is good because if you have surface is still hooks, but it reads like a pearl or gives you more backend than the OG.

I know a lot of people that like the pearl better than the OG. Polished it is a beast  on the backend!

I am able to use my Paradox Pearl more then my Paradox Solid (in my area) they are about two boards different maybe more depending on the person and layout of course.  For me I get the smoother roll and not as strong read when the Paradox Solid will give you the earlier roll.  The Paradox Pearl is not a bad buy I have seen more success with leaving the box surface on or cleaning it after every 9-12 games or so.  One thing to remember this is a high performance ball so you will see its true strength depending on the pattern you bowl on.

Comparing it to the Dark Legend myself I have been able to use them both for me and the layout I have on them they are about 3 boards different with the Dark Legend being less then the Paradox Pearl.  I also get a smoother roll with the Dark Legend with the Paradox Pearl it is smooth but the drive was more continuous.

Compared to the Hyper Cell Skid I wasn't able to compare them, a fellow bowler has both of them and we bowled in a tournament when the Paradox Pearl was to early or it was hooking to much in the back the Hyper Cell Skid worked with a two and one board adjustment to the right (Right handed bowler) so the Hyper Cell Skid was less then the Paradox Pearl.  Having the Paradox Pearl and Dark Legend or the Paradox Pearl and the Hyper Cell Skid they both could work well as a one, two punch.