SPI Preview: Zen 25, Level!

[@jessnicholascenterfireecon8382]

Well-done explanation. The Level looks almost like a copy of the Tank Yellowjacket to me -- higher RG, low diff, Duramax additive. Even the shot shape in the Storm in-house video reminds me of what the Yellowjacket looks like for me. I think it will be a good addition to Storm's lineup but I wonder if it will see any use on tour. The Yellowjacket almost never shows up there.

[@LukeRosdahl]

Considering the other option the SPI pros have for urethane . . I think it'll get some looks.

[@homerlex]

Great job as always Luke

[@jimk9290]

Microcell polymer is a friction-adjustable chemical compound, with just a wide range of friction variety. I bet this is a fast-absorbing MCP with lower friction, but with traction from its hopefully-stable surface grit. The other end of the spectrum could be even more magical, with high-friction fast-absorbing covers with surface grit durability. If that can be done successfully, we'll definitely be able to separate cover shine from carry-down. I personally am of the opinion that our current concept of carry-down is actually more about cover shine than anything else. Anyway, if they reach really fast absorption, carry-down related to these balls will be less of an issue for everybody who uses these. Then again, I could be totally on the wrong track, but that's my personal speculation, right or wrong.

[@ssandman007]

The dream of an AI Crux Prime might finally be alive!

[@kenport101]

Good luck getting them to use SPEC again

[@Dolphhhh]

@@kenport101 they arent legally allowed thats why

[@LukeRosdahl]

Actually they stopped using it because they could no longer get the materials they needed to make it. That's why the Sun Storm was a limited edition, they just made as many of them as they could with the materials they had left.

[@RyanLandreneau]

@@kenport101I have a crux prime and pro motion in my bag. Using abralon on them is so weird. My promotion just bleeds blue into my pads gunking them up. Never had a different cover do that.

[@rb8999]

Definitely gives the feeling of an evolution of the SPEC cover. Probably look pretty good on the left side and hit/miss on the right side

[@LukeRosdahl]

I was thinking that too, but SPEC was very slow absorbing and this is on the other end of the spectrum there, the reaction looks very SPEC like tho.

[@rb8999]

@@LukeRosdahl that's why I was thinking evolution. Definitely the opposite side since SPEC was supposed to be slow absorbing

[@LukeRosdahl]

Yep I get it, definitely looks like spec type reaction.

[@josephbutler3577]

​@LukeRosdahl I like when you said iq tour like for the level.i think they want to give people a occupation to the iq.

[@LukeRosdahl]

That's not what I was meaning, the differential is similar but the RG is wildly different, so the ball itself isn't like the IQ Tour at all. I was just using it as an example for the flare potential only, it should flare very similarly to the IQ.

[@aydenyepez6566]

I’m definitely seeing a SPEC evolution but since the absorption rate is supposedly way faster I assume it is a just a more reactive SPEC cover. I don’t think this is revolutionary technology but definitely a nice shape to see. At the same time however I see the cover being too similar too spec and kind of feel like it was just updated and rebranded. I know the SPEC covers were misjudged because of how slow they were but it also didn’t help that big cores were put in them. I think that RPM will be almost the same since they decided to finally go with a high rag and low dif, probably what SPEC needed to stay alive!

[@brettrobbins2707]

im all for the Lab category, i get it's a company and releasing sure fire selling balls is best for business but random out of the box balls is exciting and who knows the mystique could throw sales their way. I have only bought roto grip for a long time and I'm grabbing a Level day one

[@Slimzyjoe]

Storm marketing went full send on this one. Lol. They got people thinking this is some massive game changer.

[@lfish21.]

Just a similar ball that motivs been making for years.

[@LukeRosdahl]

All I'm seeing is a Zen/U that might hold surface longer from all the videos. I have a couple of those left so I might have to get one and do some testing OR give one to Zach to have him figure it out

[@michaeljamrozy4299]

I noticed internationally there's a Marvel Pearl AI... that sounds amazing. I probably would prefer that over this Zen, but it does sound/look good

[@Tenpinmaster]

very curious about the zen 25.. threw the original zen from a friend and loved it.. its going to be either the new zen 25 or the origin which looks super interesting because the shape reminds me of the zen but a lot stronger.. because i like throwing shiny stuff when i can but most of the time when im throwing it from too far left the ball just slides and never picks up in the oil.. but has too much response from the friction outside.. so mostly over under.. which is not plesant.. i guess ill wait and see what you have to say about the new zen if it compares to the original.. i think it will be cleaner than the original zen but earlier then the zen gold label..

[@mattvongruben]

Not gonna lie. I'm gonna buy this new Zen 25 on day 1 and not even wait for reviews and stuff. Stoked is an understatement.

[@HaroldJackson]

So what is the hardness of the LEVEL?

[@LukeRosdahl]

It was displayed in the technical specifications starting at 3:32, 73-75 on the durometer, so typical reactive ball hardness. It's not urethane, so it won't have to meet the PBA urethane spec.

[@鄭貴騰-d4y]

@@LukeRosdahlstorm Nu

[@sheesh3k719]

Zen gpt?

[@snikab]

Wasn’t SPEC cover supposed to be this also? Low maintenance, slow oil absorption?

[@LukeRosdahl]

Low maintenance because of slow oil absorption yes, but this one has very high/fast oil absorption, opposite end of the spectrum there.

[@connorduncan5201]

Level Cover = Microcell Polymer?

[@andrewweltlich9065]

This ball gives me pro-motion vibes.

[@Monk-Amani.]

Tough act to follow.

[@LukeRosdahl]

Yeah the cover definitely looks like SPEC, just quite a bit weaker core and faster absorbing rather than slower . . so we'll see . .

[@mofiaman83]

The level is gonna be like a 2.0 promotion. Id be shocked if you didnt get one luke tbh

[@LukeRosdahl]

Eh, quite a bit weaker core in the Level, and since I don't bowl on much tough stuff, I'm on the fence since I can throw the Purple now. If this would be viable on a house shot, sure, I'm just not sure it will be.

[@justinkolodziej5695]

It could also be a Sun Storm 3.0 😖

[@markkonopatzki5097]

Am I the only one getting a 70/30 Infused vibe?

[@andrewweltlich9065]

Hey I have one of those! Basically any Badger is a good ball.

[@Cartel336]

They should have put this on the tour dynam X

[@LukeRosdahl]

Yeah I think so. TDX just didn't have a strong enough cover.

[@the_bait_shop]

yeah. they found something with the NUBlue???? cause it was so great NO ONE uses that ball anymore. within 2 weeks from the NU Blue being released the entire staff jumped to the Black Pearl Urethane ball. . I put my NU Blue in the trash can after a few weeks. good thing I got it for free, cause it was useless.

[@LukeRosdahl]

"but Hammer did find something somewhat unique with the Nu Blue" Never said anything about it being good lol. Shined up on house it looked pretty good, but it didn't really fit what they were shooting for. Sanded it was really close but it got too clean and flippy shiny and it shined too quickly, it WAS unique tho! The Black Pearl just fit what everyone wants when they think urethane. Nu Blue didn't really have a home, kind of like the Zen/U. Too fast to be urethane, too slow to be reactive.

[@brettrobbins2707]

didn't this ball shoot a 900?

[@LukeRosdahl]

Well a person shot 900 with one but . . yes lol.

[@maximilianrobespierre2814]

I can’t get motiv to work for me at all and have been trying for years so I just don’t care for them

[@LukeRosdahl]

Definitely some people they just don't fit for. Very heavy rolling and smoother stuff for the most part, even their skid snap stuff isn't really that snappy.

[@Jason_P]

The NU cover was a good first attempt, but it needed iteration and it needed a bigger core. As is, the NU is as you explain in the video. It looks fantastic for half a game, good for the rest of that game, then it's 100% DEAD. A bigger engine would help, but the cover formula needs more teeth. I am pretty shocked that Brunswick has not fixed this with a 2.0 version yet. I don't like to buy Storm equipment, but I will absolutely buy a Level if it is what they say it is. The whole "Labs" experiment is what I have been ranting about for YEARS. The sport of bowling needs INNOVATION, and all ball manufacturers should do better. They parrot the same marketing over and over and over again, and we get balls that look different but do just about the same thing year after year. I was so glad when Hammer released the NU cover and am equally upset that they seemed to have lost interest in fixing what could have been a really innovative product. Though I am not a Storm fan, I am glad they seem to have stepped up here. I hope this trend continues.

[@LukeRosdahl]

Well they put the NU cover on the Rattler NU a few months ago and it was a quite different story from the Blue, the Rattler works out quite a bit better with that cover, so they did actually do something with it. The problem is that there's really nowhere for ball tech to go. You can only do so much within the rules and the biggest thing is that the space where good ball reaction lives is incredibly small. The other thing is that like I said in the video, people don't really want new anyway, they want more of the same, that's why you can't get interest in something new and unique, but a new Physix or Phaze or Black Widow will sell out in a heartbeat. The Level SOUNDS good on paper, but all I'm really seeing here so far is a Zen/U that won't shine up as fast or "new" SPEC that absorbs faster rather than slower. If they get the balance right it could be really effective and an evolution of something like a Purple Hammer, but the actual difference there isn't something super new or revolutionary, it's just continuing to nip and tuck because even if it's very different on paper, it still has to fit inside the little box where good ball reaction exists.

[@Jason_P]

@@LukeRosdahl I totally get that, but what I am really saying is that we don't need the 10,000th R2S ball. Ball manufacturers make updates to cover formulations all the time, so I expected a NU2 (or 2NU) to come out at some point. It never did. This is disappointing because, as a Lefty, we can't just keep moving and play 5th-6th arrow as the shot dries up. We have a smaller window of play so we need options when things get really gross. Obviously, we're in the minority so we matter less, but that doesn't mean we should not advocate for our cause. "Weaker" balls that still HIT are in high demand on the Left side. The standard model of bowling needs a tweak for the window of play that we have available to us, and we have to often rely on equipment to fill that need. The Purple did that for many, but it went away. The search continues for its replacement.

[@kenfrank7708]

​@@LukeRosdahlWhen I first saw this I immediately started thinking about the NU as I have the Rattler NU and it has bailed me out in league when the lanes get wonky. I use it primarily as my spare ball, but it is getting more lane time the last few weeks. I am bowling in the Pro Am at the US Open so it will be in my bag if my other balls (Piranha and Outer Limits Pearl) aren't hitting.

[@LukeRosdahl]

Well the Blue has only been out for a year lol, usually it doesn't happen that fast. I still think the heck with all this reactive nonsense and let's go back to short oil with weak balls that we can keep in front of us.

[@TraumaER]

The Level spec-wise looks like an IQ Tour with zero creativity on color LOL!

[@LukeRosdahl]

I think they went black to make people think like Pitch Black upgrade . . or think urethane without them actually saying urethane lol.

[@RyanLandreneau]

@@LukeRosdahlmy thought too. Just a weird choice with also having the blackout line having multiple balls in it already out at the same time.

[@KennyGrinols]

We all know the SPEC materials could no longer be sourced. These feels like Storms 2nd attempt with new materials. I guess we'll see, but to me this sounds like SPEC 2.0. Mix in NU or Duramax comparisons, but ultimately I think the goal is to re-create the on-lane success of the SPEC balls, but with better marketing this time around hopefully, so that people aren't mislead and disappointed. The Prime and ProMotion were incredibly popular, although polarizing. Evolve was meh, and I think the SunStorm is absolute garbage, but... Guess time will tell. Just my .02

[@LukeRosdahl]

Yeah, I mean that's what it looks and sounds like, so good points. I think the big problem with spec was the lower oil absorption, if you threw too many shots too quickly with them, they just got slimy and slow. That kind of cover that stays dry and tacky AND dull shot after shot . . I'm on board.

[@KennyGrinols]

@@LukeRosdahl I understand why that's desirable and don't disagree... However I can't recall anytime I've ever had an issue with that, as someone who wipes the ball before every shot. I know you (us all) had some complaints with ReactaGloss, but other than that have you ever had any "slimy" issues anywhere else? I use the Buffalo leather pads, and they soak up oil off the ball like crazy. But I guess a lot of people probably still use the old style shammys, microfiber towels, polishing pads, or even old house rags, so it still matters for them I guess.

[@LukeRosdahl]

I had significant difficulty with it filming especially, no matter how much you wiped or what you used, throwing a shot every 30 seconds was just too fast. In league or a tournament with 4+ bowlers it was fine, but if it was 4 or less on a pair, it was tough because of how slow it absorbed. Pro Motion and Prime were a couple of my favorites ever, Evolve sucked and I have a Sun Storm but I haven't drilled it. Pro Motion lane shined in league still looks great, just quicker moving formats really caused a problem.