Ball Review DV8: VANDAL 52.5 Hook 16 Length 16 Breakpoint Shape
Manufacturer’s Intent: “We wanted to create a new price point along with a versatile flip ball motion in the DV8 product line,” says Brunswick’s Bill Orlikowski. “The Vandal has the all-new coverstock called Composite as well. The combination of the new cover and the new Vandal core produces a ball motion never seen before in the DV8 line: versatility and flip rolled into one ball.”
Core: The new Vandal asymmetric core has an RG of 2.499, differential of .055 and intermediate differential of .011. We saw more than 5 inches of flare.
Coverstock: The Vandal’s navy Composite pearl cover is sanded with a 500 grit SiaAir pad and topped with Royal Compound. We
measured an RA value of 3.04 and effective surface grit of 4610.
Overview: This ball takes DV8 to a new level with a more angular back-end reaction than other DV8s we have tested. The Vandal really opened up the lane on all three patterns, providing area left and right. On Stone Street, we crossed 13 or 14 at the arrows out to five- or six-board at the 46-foot breakpoint. On the lighter house pattern, we were able to step left an arrow and really open up the lane to the right. We could go old school with the “swing and bring” shot because the coverstock gave us the push we needed through the fronts to hold our line and easily make it to the breakpoint. We crossed 18 at the arrows and
six-board at the 45/46-foot breakpoint, and still had drive back to the pocket with some authority. We could use the Vandal on the USBC Open pattern playing inside, but would recommend using it later, once the pattern had a chance to open up — especially in game three of team event. We got lined up playing 16 at the arrows out to seven-board at the 44-foot breakpoint. This new DV8 has three or four boards more hook and stronger motion on the backends than the Hooligan Taunt (reviewed next). It really adds a new angle to the DV8 arsenal. Bowlers with lower ball speeds will get the length they need and still get the back-end hook they want. Higher rev players can use the predictability of the strong back-end motion to their advantage.
THE SKINNY ON THE LATEST AND GREATEST
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