Trying to Setup Bowling Arsenal, but all the balls react the same.

[bobforsaken]

I have an Ebonite Cyclone (my first ball) with a safe layout (since I didn't have a ball to measure my PAP at the time). Later I got an IQ Tour Fusion and yesterday got an Optimus both with the same layout. (drilled for angular back end, I believe 3 3/8th PIN to PAP). I was previously dismayed that my Cyclone and IQ tour Fusion seemed to perform exactly the same despite the difference in cost and intended purpose. Now I'm really confused because the Optimus also gives me the same as the other two. Is this Normal? I can take the Fusion and find a nice line to the pocket, and the Optimus seems to be able to play that same line. Playing deeper in the Oil or more of the Track area doesn't seem to matter. A few times I've even gotten Turkey's Alternating Balls on the same line to the pocket. I am a new bowling and lower Rev with a High Track (or so I'm told), If that makes a difference.

Is it just me with my lower revs masking the differences in the balls or is this considered normal for the 3 Balls below:

Ebonite Cyclone/Solid GB10.7 Coverstock/2.53RG Diff .053 (Med/Light Oil)

IQ Tour Fusion/R2S Hybrid Coverstock/ 2.49RG Diff .029 (Med/Heavy Oil)

Optimus/ R2X Pearl Coverstock/2.48RG Diff .048 (Med/Heavy Oil)

I have one more ball I'm slated to get next month, but I have no idea how to build my arsenal if the balls keep coming out serving the same role. I was hoping to use the Fusion for a benchmark ball and to play the Track area of our house shot, then as the Track breaks down and I have to move deeper switch to a more angular Optimus. Reserving use the Cyclone with some polish to play up the boards a bit more or Dry Conditions.

[Amyers]

First off welcome to the boards. As to your question yes the lower revs can mask some of the differences between balls and all of your balls have high finishes on them. Cyclone - solid but 4000, tour fusion - hybrid 1500 polished, Optimus - 1500 polished. Add this to the similar Rg's between the balls and you've basically got three balls that on medium conditions are going to give you a very similar look. In addition the Cyclone is stronger than you think on the cover stock.

I would suggest taking the cyclone down to 2000 or 1500, knock the polish off the fusion and put it at 3000, leave the Optimus and I think you might see some separation between the balls.

This is the best solution I can think of partially you may need to do some work to increase your revs also depending on how low low is.

[bobforsaken]

Thanks AMyers. So if I understand you correctly, I would make the Cyclone the most aggressive heavier oil ball, Fusion in the middle, and Optimus for length and more dry conditions? Would a typical ball change strategy be to Start on my most comfortable (track) line with the Optimus, move left as lanes transition and switch to Fusion then to Cyclone as I move deeper? OR Start with Cyclone and as it starts to over react move to Fusion and then to Optimus?

Sorry.. I'm a newbie and trying to understand how best to setup a strategy for making ball changes so that I know what I want out of this Arsenal. To answer your question as to Rev Rate.. On I good day I may be hitting 300.. but usually more in the 200 to 250 range I would guess.

[Amyers]

That was what I was getting at you could also drop the fusion to 2000 leave the Optimus as it is and and polish the cyclone

I believe with both polished you would see the difference between the Optimus and cyclone

The difference you are going to see here is the Optimus will have more of a hockey stick shape to the hook the fusion is going to give you more of a controlled arc

Use whichever gives you a better look that night you could start with either of the fusion or Optimus see which one is working better that night

[bobforsaken]

The difference you are going to see here is the Optimus will have more of a hockey stick shape to the hook the fusion is going to give you more of a controlled arc

Use whichever gives you a better look that night you could start with either of the fusion or Optimus see which one is working better that night

I'm pretty bad at judging the motion of the ball but I'm pretty sure I'm getting that Arc with the Fusion now and the hockey stick with the Optimus now based on their current covers (R2S Hybrid vs R2X Pearl). The perceived issue is that they both seem to start at the same point and get to the same point. However if the difference in entry angles could be helpful, like allowing me to stay on a particular line when I seem to be leaving the 10 Pin over and over, then I may just polish up the Cyclone and keep the fusion OOB.

If that makes sense, the would my next ball be a big heavy oil solid (Zero Gravity, Crux, or Marvel S) , or would there be another suggestion?(besides a spare ball, which I will get) Thx again

[RobLV1]

I was hoping to use the Fusion for a benchmark ball and to play the Track area of our house shot, then as the Track breaks down and I have to move deeper switch to a more angular Optimus. Reserving use the Cyclone with some polish to play up the boards a bit more or Dry Conditions.

First of all, your were "hoping to use the Fusion for a benchmark ball and to play the track area of our house shot." Really? Playing the lanes the way you want to play them is like doing things your way instead of the way your wife tells you to... you lose! The Fusion has the lowest rg which means that it is designed to roll the earliest with the smallest differential which means the least amount of axis migration. The Optimus is slightly higher with a polished surface and a strong cover which means very angular off the spot (depending on the layout), and the Cyclone is an entry level ball. Put a little bit of surface on the Fusion (2000 abralon lightly), and start there. If you can start to move in and throw it out and still get it back, go to the Optimus. If not, stay direct and use the Cyclone. Don't change the surface on the Cyclone - that makes no sense at all.

[bobforsaken]

First of all, your were "hoping to use the Fusion for a benchmark ball and to play the track area of our house shot." Really? Playing the lanes the way you want to play them is like doing things your way instead of the way your wife tells you to... you lose!.

Perhaps I should have rephrased... With my Speed Dominant (lower rev) style, the Fusion works perfectly for me in the Track area, so I was hoping to build my arsenal off of that, with it as my bench mark. Why would changing the surface on the Cyclone not make sense? It currently also works very well on the track for me and despite the difference in coverstocks and differentials between the fusion and cyclone they both are currently reacting the same and not really helping add anything.

[Amyers]

Maybe the question we should ask exactly what are you looking for?

You have a different look between the Optimus and tour hybrid

So I'm guessing your issue is the tour and cyclone are too close together?

[bobforsaken]

Maybe the question we should ask exactly what are you looking for?

You have a different look between the Optimus and tour hybrid

So I'm guessing your issue is the tour and cyclone are too close together?

I think you helped me realize that the difference in shape is enough of a difference between the Fusion and Optimus to be valuable. I was looking only at starting point-->Target--->Endpoint. But if the differences in the Arc vs Hockey Stick motion gives me something like a more subtle change in entry angle that allows me to keep playing the same line a little longer, then I may be OK with the Fusion and Optimus the way they are.

So then I would look for a role for the Cyclone.. Sounds like Polishing it up may give me a closer or very dry condition ball. Sounds like it may be worth a shot.

[Amyers]

Sounds like your getting it with the fusion and Optimus your looking for the different entry angles to give you carry for the corner pins

Polishing the cyclone would make it go slightly longer and hook a little sharper than it currently does