Ball Review


Track: 714C Hook 51 • Length 14.5 • Breakpoint Shape 14.5


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“When we designed the 714C, we were looking for something that would complement our two previous releases, the 706A [August 2012] and 716T [March 2012],” says Track’s brand manager, Rich Hanson. “Our R&D team quickly determined that by modifying a successful core from the past and wrapping it with a brand new cover, they would be able to accomplish the task at hand.” Core Design: The modifi ed Robot


2.0 is born from attributes of the cores found in the 718A (February 2011) and 716T balls. The RG is medium at 2.52 and the diff erential is hefty at .052. The PSA of .014 solidifi es this asymmetric design. We saw up to 6 inches of fl are with stronger layouts. Coverstock: The hybrid Gen XC cov-


erstock formula is a new mix from Track. The factory surface is sanded with 800, 1000, 2000 and 3000 grits. The coloring is a blend of blue, black and gold pearl. Response time off friction is quick in drier areas and average in oil. The Ra measures 2.70 and the average surface grit reading is 4750.


Test Results: The 714C is destined to be viewed as a benchmark-rolling asymmetric. The roll was very even and smooth in the midlane, and there was no sign of an angular


breakpoint motion. The 714C has a slightly earlier and more rounded down-lane motion than a like-drilled 811C/T (December 2012). The total hook was similar on lighter patterns, and about a board more on the heavier stuff . Pin carry and usability were above average with


both products for our low and medium rev rate testers. When to Use: With the 7 series Gen XC


hybrid cover, we found we had our best looks were on light-medium to medium oil volumes. On heavier volumes or when we encountered longer patterns, we felt sanding the surface helped us create the stronger midlane needed to overcome such patterns. Our higher rev guy did not need to adjust the surface when facing such conditions, but the rest of us did. Another interesting thing we found was the Robot 2.0 core always found its way to the pocket on our more demanding Sport-type oil patterns. We simply needed to feed the ball near our target and watch the core take over.


TIPS AND TRICKS TO MAKE YOU A BETTER BOWLER


Ebonite: Exceed Hook 51.5 • Length 14.5 • Breakpoint Shape 15


////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// Manufacturer’s Intent:


“The Ebonite Exceed is a great heavy oil ball com- plement to the Inno- vate [June 2012],” says Ed Gallagher, Ebonite’s brand manager. “We have wrapped the all-new HTR- 3.0 Hybrid cover over the Verve Asymmetric core design. Our testers re- ported the Exceed was an outstanding product across all testing environ- ments with medium to heavy oil.”


Core Design: The Exceed shares the same mild PSA core found in the Warning Sign (December 2011) and Innovate. The RG is low at 2.49, the diff erential moderate at .046 and the PSA conservative at .009. Some drillers may treat this as a symmetrical when choosing a layout, while others may treat it as an asymmetric. The fl are measures nearly 5.5 inches with stron- ger layouts. Coverstock: The HTR 3.0 hybrid


formula is factory sanded with 800, 1000, 2000 and 3000 Abralon grits. This produces a 2.90 Ra reading and a 4800 average surface grit reading. Col- ors are a youthful mix of red, navy and


yellow. This cover produces a quick response off friction areas and an average response in the oil. Test Results: Ebonite has a


long history of producing some of the best performing mid- to upper mid-priced products avail- able. The Exceed continues this tra- dition as the hybrid cover has a rather wide range of usability. At box fi nish, the ball is best suited for medium or medium-heavy oil environments. When sanded to 500/1000, it will handle the vast


majority of heavier oil patterns. High polishing will naturally lessen oil traction and increase down-lane response, which generally is great on lighter oil volumes. The low RG core adds to the versatility as it encourages fast revs with a controlled move near the pins. When to Use: When we test a ball with


the versatility of the Exceed, it becomes more diffi cult to describe its ideal envi- ronments. The Exceed can be used on quite an array of patterns, and by almost all player styles. The core/cover combina- tion will provide good looks on all but the driest and oiliest patterns that most of us typically would encounter. On all the rest, the Exceed will create adequate oil trac- tion and a controllable down-lane move with above-average pin carry.


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