The Dreaded (and long-anticipated) Short List

[rv driver]

So, after a long and painstaking process of star-chart consulting, coin-flipping, dice-casting, tea leaf reading, and some research thrown in for good measure, I've got a short list of ball possibilities. (I'm sure I've completely over-thought the whole affair, which seems to be par for the course for me). Here it is (drum roll):

1) Motiv Ascent pink/purple Rg 2.62/diff .038
2) DV8 Misfit red/orange Rg 2.57/diff .040
3) Columbia Freeze Hybrid Rg 2.60/diff .039

I'm new to the reactive game -- experienced in bowling, though. I'm older, a stroker, low rev, and slower ball speed. Will be throwing mainly on a THS. Bearing all that in mind:

I dismissed the Wrecker because, at 12#, its differential was non-existent, so little hook -- same for the Tropical Breeze; I dismissed the Storm Lights Out because, at 12#, its differential makes it a little too long maybe; I dismissed the Pyramid Path Rising because of a lack of 3rd party knowledge/endorsement.

The Ascent uses the same core in the 12# as in the 15#. The Misfit uses a more generic "light bulb" core in its 12#, but its numbers are actually a little stronger than the 15#. The Columbia uses a smaller version of the core in the 15#.

At this point (unless I'm very mistaken), it looks as though the choice is basically cosmetic, since the numbers of the three are very, very close. I'm really, really impressed with Motiv's customer service thus far, and impressed also with DV8 (perhaps not quiiiite as much as Motiv -- but it's a coin toss). I'm fairly disenchanted with Columbia's accessibility and willingness to converse.

Are there any details I'm overlooking -- anything I should know about each ball/company (and I understand that DV8 is owned by Brunswick) that might make one a "better choice" than the others? Because right now, it's coming down to a couple of minor factors for me: core, customer service, and color. Unless someone can come up with some reason to the contrary, I think that Motiv is going to win my business, although it's really a toss up between the pink/purple and the red/orange for me as it stands.

Comments? Help? Suggestions? Opinions? Preferences? Insights?

[Aslan]

I dismissed the Wrecker because, at 12#, its differential was non-existent, so little hook -- same for the Tropical Breeze; I dismissed the Storm Lights Out because, at 12#, its differential makes it a little too long maybe

Throwing a 12lb ball!?? I take back my Wrecker endorsement and now endorse the Tropical Breeze, the Columbia WD, the 900Global Vixen, or the DV8 Diva since those are all girl balls and only girls, seniors with crippling arthritis, and 8-year old boys throw 12lb balls.

[rv driver]

Throwing a 12lb ball!?? I take back my Wrecker endorsement and now endorse the Tropical Breeze, the Columbia WD, the 900Global Vixen, or the DV8 Diva since those are all girl balls and only girls, seniors with crippling arthritis, and 8-year old boys throw 12lb balls.

Well... I AM a senior with bursitis in my right shoulder, arthritis in my hip, and a chipped thoracic vertebra. Does that fit your criteria? ;-) Otherwise, I'd still be throwing 14#...

[RobLV1]

Al: Shut this down, it's out of control.

[rv driver]

Al: Shut this down, it's out of control.

????

[Aslan]

Well... I AM a senior with bursitis in my right shoulder, arthritis in my hip, and a chipped thoracic vertebra. Does that fit your criteria? ;-) Otherwise, I'd still be throwing 14#...

Actually….YES. For some reason I thought you were a young man. This dang inter web. Funny how we picture someone one way and then they turn out to be completely different.

But yes. Sorry. I was joking thinking you were some kid. Yes, bursitis is a *****…so the lighter ball might help. And anything that keeps a senior on the lanes I'm 110% for. Old people are far less annoying than young people.

[rv driver]

Actually….YES. For some reason I thought you were a young man. This dang inter web. Funny how we picture someone one way and then they turn out to be completely different.

But yes. Sorry. I was joking thinking you were some kid. Yes, bursitis is a *****…so the lighter ball might help. And anything that keeps a senior on the lanes I'm 110% for. Old people are far less annoying than young people.

Old enough to remember watching the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show. Old enough to know where I was when Kennedy was shot. Old enough to remember when Mark Roth was squeaky-new. Old enough to be bowling seriously when Earl Anthony was on the tour. Old enough to know disco sucks... from the FIRST time around. Old enough to have watched the Gemini missions on our black-and-white TV. Old enough to have watched the original airings of the original Star Trek. Old enough to remember that the first new TV I saw that had a remote control actually turned the dials on the front of the TV set. Old enough to be long out of college when the internet started. Old enough for an AARP card and free coffee at McDonald's.

However: I'm not a curmudgeon.

[Stormed1]

You may also may want to look at the Ascent Apex. It's a stronger version of the Apex pearl, also the purple/greed and red/black Ascents are a little stronger the the purple/pink. Also in 12# you might also still be able to find an Ascent solid which has been discontinued

[rv driver]

You may also may want to look at the Ascent Apex. It's a stronger version of the Apex pearl, also the purple/greed and red/black Ascents are a little stronger the the purple/pink. Also in 12# you might also still be able to find an Ascent solid which has been discontinued

With a low ball speed, I'm not sure I want a solid. Especially if the ball has a stronger hook. whaddya think?