win a ball from Bowling.com

Author Topic: Centaur  (Read 16713 times)

admin

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1241
Centaur
« on: December 31, 1969, 06:00:00 PM »
By combining a modified version of our DC core, a new fully adjustable reactive coverstock, and a price that's easy on the wallet, we have created a ball that is a must have for league bowlers. The Green/Blue CENTAUR was designed to easily get through the heads, start revving up in the midlane, and make a strong but controllable and predictable backend move.

Finish: 1000 Matte (Gray Pad)
Hardness: 75-77
RG: Med (2.61")
Flare: Low (.015" differential)
Length (1-100): 66
Back end (1-100): 81
Hook (1-100): 67 (oil) - 81 (dry)
Avail. Wts: 13-16# (Centaur core)
10-12# (on request - light wt. core)
Lane Conditions: Medium Conditions

 

bwlrjmp

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 23
Re: Centaur
« Reply #16 on: April 28, 2006, 05:47:12 PM »
Ball Specs: 15LBS
Drilled: Pin beside ring w/ the CG 1/4" to the right and the MB about 1/8" to the left
Pin: 3"
Cover: 800 Wet Sand

Went in knowing that this ball is supposed to be weak.  Wanted this ball for up the boards.  Not quite the what I was looking for.  But, I am still very pleased with this ball.  The coloring is great.  I get a very good mid line read with an aggressive, but controlled backend move.  The cover is strong and with the very low differential I fined that I can play a wide array of lines.  The only down side is that if there is alittle oil on the outside the ball just will not make the turn.  Great ball for when the lane dry up or when there is a wet/dry condition.
--------------------
J. Pedersen
Visionary Test Staffer

Juggernaut

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6498
  • Former good bowler, now 3 games a week house hack.
Re: Centaur
« Reply #17 on: September 01, 2006, 01:35:03 PM »
Haven't posted a review in a while, but here goes.

Ball weight-15lbs
Pin out-  2-3
Topweight- Unknown

  I got this ball used from a stroker who had it drilled for nationals.  Got it home and it wasn't enough ball for him. I needed a lower flaring ball, so I traded for it, and am I ever glad.

  The ball is set up with the pin directly over the ring finger, the cg on the grip centerline above the midline, and the m.b. is touching the left side of the thumbhole ( I am a righty). This gives me about a 4 X 5 drill. I also polished the cover with finesse-it.

  This ball clears all but the driest of heads with surprising ease. Even when my other balls tell me the track is burning out, the Centaur still gets through clean. The odd thins is, even though it gets through the burned out heads, it still reads the breakpoint great!  Haven't figured out just how it ignores the dry heads and reads the dry breakpoint, but I don't really care how as long as it does!

  Ball picks up a strong roll pattern without all that "snap/flip" you see from some other ball, and finishes strong enough to get out the corners on a VERY regular basis.

  After bowling several sets to get used to it, my three series in league have been:
1. (278-246-205=729)
2. (277-248-268=793)
3. (185-254-258=697)
Averaging 246.55 and that's not counting the last two practice sessions with it where I shot 739 and 756!

  If you need a lower flare, control type ball for drier shots or wet/dry control, give this thing a serious look.  I did and it has more than paid for itself in high pots and brackets!



--------------------
"The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits."
Albert Einstein

Learn to laugh, and love, and smile, cause we’re only here for a little while.

jockeyjoe

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 5
Re: Centaur
« Reply #18 on: March 29, 2007, 04:14:53 PM »
I have the blue/green for about 2 weeks. The drill is a weak one at 1:30. I am throwing left handed. The pin is to the left of my ring finger,CG is in the center of the grip line,MB is to the right and below the thumb. I am thriled with the results I get with this ball. My target is the 5/6 board and that is the hardest thing I do because the ball does the rest. My high series 591-193,181,217. The other day practising 159,232-391. The 232 is my high game with my left hand.

dukeofearl

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 29
Re: Centaur
« Reply #19 on: September 17, 2007, 08:16:23 PM »
Drilled up 16# with 3" pin, pin right of and above ring finger. CG is just right of grip center, and AMB is even with and just right of thumb hole. House shot is medium top hat. Took a little;e time to get the line up right, but when I found it the pins just flew off the deck. The ball rolled in the midlane, and made a smooth and strong move to the pocket. I played from the oil line (at 10) and swung to the 8 board at the 24 foot mark. Last game carrydown began to be a problem, but a move to 12 and swing to 8 at the 24 foot mark got a bigger move on the back end and put me back in the carry. On medium conditions this ball was superb. I will try a deeper shot on a dryer conditions later this week.
--------------------
there are no magic balls, only MAGIC bowlers!

Moose Nugget

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 290
Re: Centaur
« Reply #20 on: September 26, 2007, 10:32:37 AM »
I've had this ball for a few weeks now and have logged roughly 25 games with it on several different house and sport conditions.  Thanks for another great deal Tekneek!

Centaur came in with 3.5 pin and 3.33 top. Layed out 4 x 135* basic label drill with no weight hole.

This is my third Visionary Ball and it's another great product.  This ball is so predictable and provides a great read on the lane.  It's the best med-light oil ball I've thrown and really shines on short to med length patterns.  I know exactly when to move or put it away.  Carry down will cause you to move right as the Centaur will wiggle downlane and not quite finish which should be expected with a weaker solid reactive.  The cover adjusts easily and reacts well to hand position changes, rev rate adjustments, and never over-reacts to friction.  Overall the Centaur is an outstanding ball on its intended conditions.

Visionary is a solid ball company and really deserves a look if you are searching for ball with predictable motion and long lasting coverstocks.  I have found the Frankie May is one of the best balls on the market.  The Centaur is another great ball for its intended conditions.
--------------------
Todd
Redline Bowling Services
Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota

dukeofearl

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 29
Re: Centaur
« Reply #21 on: October 18, 2007, 10:15:17 PM »
Finally got to try this ball on dryer lanes. I thought I might need to move in deep, and was worried it might not come back. Tried my usual line at this house and got early read and went left of head pin. Put on a little more speed and got to the pocket, but weak hit. Added some side rotation and got the reaction I was looking for. Late in third game had to move in, but release and speed kept the ball in the pocket and got great carry. This ball seems to work from medium heavy oil all the way to burnt heads, just adjust speed and release a little bit. This ball is as versatile as you are.
--------------------
there are no magic balls, only MAGIC bowlers!

Jturley46

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 10
Re: Centaur
« Reply #22 on: November 20, 2007, 07:45:33 PM »
Information about the tester:
15-17 MPH
300-325 RPM
tweener
PAP – 5 1/8” over, 1” up

Visionary Green/Blue Centaur
Pin – 3”
Top Weight – 3 oz.
Surface – 1500 polished

Drilled – 4.5” PIN to PAP, PIN above ring finger, MB left of thumb, CG on grip center

Tested on a 38' THS. Ok I figured since this ball was such a low flaring ball that this would be a fairly weak drill. I intended to use this ball for light oil/spares, wrong. This ball hooks way more than I anticipated it to hook. It goes fairly long and has a fast, strong snap. I was playing 15 at the arrows to 5 at the break point on FRESH oil, although its not what I intended it for, it makes a great medium oil ball. Im going to try and sand it up to a high grit like 4000 abralon, and then apply polish to see if I can get rid of the snap, but if your going to drill it for light oil than be careful not to drill it too strong.
--------------------
Visionary Test Staff 2005-07

d bowler

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 4
Re: Centaur
« Reply #23 on: February 24, 2008, 10:55:51 PM »
Wanted something for when they start burning up. Drilled this one pin just above ring finger, cg just below and to the right of ring finger mb directly below just right of thumb. Took surface up to 4000 abralon. Ball was working ok for what i wanted but not quite, added an x hole and now its just what the doctor ordered. Ball clears the heads good when they start burning up and doesn't over react down lane. Ball fits in well with my other Visionary equipment.
--------------------
STATE CHAMPION
      state of confusion.. that is

tommymo

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 821
Re: Centaur
« Reply #24 on: July 20, 2008, 05:41:21 PM »
The VBP Centaur is one of my favorite balls.  The "Booger" as my teammates have come to call it is drilled 1:30 label.  After reading reviews I didn't want to go too strong and have it be overlapping my other equipment.  What I liked most about this ball is the fact that control is what it's all about.  This ball reminded me of my beloved Tour Power in it's overall reaction characteristics.  Nothing fancy but the scores are what it's about, not impressive, cover everyboard hook monster.  I started using this ball in my scratch league to play further outside of the guys with their more aggressive pieces.  I might have gotten a little bit of harrassment from them before the "lights came on" but they weren't saying much when I was still scoring deep into the second and third games without huge moves or changing equipment.
--------------------
Becoming a father isn''t difficult, But it''s very difficult to be a father.

10/21/05 Kaitlyn Emily and  02/01/07 Meghan Alexis, Daddy''s little girls!

R.I.P Kevin Trombley 11/26/05 You were taken too soon!

Visionary Test Staff Member 07/08
Frankie May Gryphon
Immortal Pearl
Ogre Pearl
B/G Centaur

Tom M.

jefftaker2002

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 124
Re: Centaur
« Reply #25 on: August 18, 2008, 07:16:47 PM »
Ball 1:
6in Pin To PAP
Surface taken to 4000 ab then polished.

Ball 2:
3 1/2in Pin To PAP
Surface light polish

Both ball did just what they were design to do. The Polish on both was simply to delay the roll due to the high amount of friction i would be using them on. Carry was explosive to say the least. only thing i noticed was with the way i had both balls set up is that with my release these balls had trouble coming back when lanes broke down and made me move in to middle of lane or deeper due to burning up.

--------------------
Glenmore Bowl employee
About 350 RMPs ( Guestimate )
High Track- (* Dont Know My PAP *)
17 MPH ( Guestimate )

wishy

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 2
Re: Centaur
« Reply #26 on: October 31, 2008, 05:00:55 PM »
this ball has a smooth out of the box roll but it wanted to start up a little early.i took it up to 4000 and it was better. i put a polish on it and it was a lot more forgiving. it clears the heads well has a controllable move to the hole.it also hits really well. good choice for dry conditions.

Mr Old School

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 175
Re: Centaur
« Reply #27 on: August 05, 2010, 10:50:43 AM »
O.K. i bought this ball on a whim, I needed a ball that goes longer than the ogre s.s., and has more pop than the urethane! This was a 15.3 pounder with a top of 3.5oz, and a pin of 3 3/4 inches! I told my local pro, that i wanted this ball longer the the ss, and more backend than the urethane, man I wasn't disappointed! On a fried lane condition, bowled on all day, with the ogre ss, I was playing 32 over 3rd arrow, and trying not to hit the head, or crossing over! I took out the centaur moved 12 left with my feet and tossed it out 8 out to 5, and again,BLAMMO , it crushed the pocket! I'm really surprised by how this ball was so laid back, then charged at the pocket! This ball made me feel like walter ray, or norm duke! straighter up the board, then a violent turn to the pocket! This ball help me from rolling bad games. This is one of those speciality balls that everyone needs in there bag! Thank's Visionary
--------------------


Mr. Old School
If you can''t swing it, Your probally throwing brunswick!

Visionary test staff






Jshick001

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 3
Re: Centaur
« Reply #28 on: January 11, 2011, 02:15:39 PM »
LANE CONDITION






Length: Best on Medium to Short Oil  

 

Volume: Best on Medium to Dry


Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc): Great for any pattern especially after the lanes have broken down


 



COMMENTS





Likes: I got this ball drilled over the label with the pin at 12 o'clock (over the fingers).  I have found that it is a smooth rolling ball, that doesn't jump hard on the backend.  This ball needs plenty of dry boards to turn, but is great for late blocks in leagues or tournaments, or for short oil.  I have also found that the hitting power and carry is tremendous when the ball has a chance to pick up a roll.


Dislikes: My only dislike is that I can't find a ball that reads the lanes like this in heavy oil.


 


PICTURES AND/OR VIDEOS

 

 

 

mroldschool

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 16
  • If ya can't swing it, YOUR throwing A crappy ball!
Re: Centaur
« Reply #29 on: June 06, 2013, 02:50:00 AM »
LANE CONDITION

Length:40' or so!

Volume:not enough

Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc): ths...with less oil!


COMMENTS
I bought this ball from eBay new, it was a blem or so it said! A 15 pound with a 3 and a half inch pin, and a top of 3.2 oz. It was drilled with the pin under the fingers closer to my imperial finger, with the cg kicked out to the right! I thought that this ball was not going to be any good unless on dry lanes! But to my surprise on a slicker lane condition playing the 1st arrow the ball smoothly got to the breakpoint, and rolled up hard on the backend to destroy the pocket! Again this held true when I entered the bluegrass state game this past year! I rolled on some tuff conditions that day. I bowled in t he handicap singles, the other ball screamed in the backend...I lost out, then it's the regular singles, in which I won last year! Moving left and using the blue/green centaur i rolled games of 227,246, and 235 for a 708 series. and best of all, I defended my singles crown! What a great ball.....

Likes:Never tried it in box condition, used a 2000 grit abralon pad and ebonite's factory finish! Watching it glide, then making it's turn to the pocket!

Dislikes: your kidding,...right :o


PICTURES AND/OR VIDEOS

batbowler

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1860
Re: Centaur
« Reply #30 on: May 15, 2014, 07:18:25 PM »
LANE CONDITION

Length:41'

Volume:24 units

Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc):modified stone street


COMMENTS
This has to be one of my favorite light/drier lane balls. The layout is 45deg x 3-3/8" x 30deg, which places the pin above and right of my ring finger. I have a weight hole above my pap on the val. I can play straighter lines with this ball when I have to start moving left, I just get this ball out. The hit is classic Visionary that hits hard with great carry. If you loved the old Faball/Hammer, then you'll love Visionary.

Likes: It should be Loves! This is one of the best balls ever sold for lighter oil or short patterns.

Dislikes: I only have one!


PICTURES AND/OR VIDEOS
Bruce Campbell
Coaches aren't born, they are made!
USBC Silver Certified Coach
          
www.rotogrip.com
www.stormbowling.com
www.radicalbowling.com
www.damngoodbowling.com

Changing bowling, one bowler at a time!