First Impressions
The 900 Global Portal feels like an asym version of an IQ Tour Ruby
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Tamer Elbaga (Lefty)
Style: Tweener
RPM: 365 rpm
PAP: 5 1/8 & 3/8 up
Average Speed: 18.5 mph (at release)
Axis tilt: low
Axis rotation: medium/high
Test Equipment: 14 Pounds
Layout: 50 x 5 x 45
Tyler Church (Righty)
Style: Power Player
RPM: 425 rpm
PAP: 5 1/2 & 1/2 up
Average Speed: 19 mph (at release)
Axis tilt: low
Axis rotation: medium
Test Equipment: 14 Pounds
Layout: 50 x 5 x 45
Bryan Hoffman (Righty)
Style: Stroker
RPM: 280 rpm
PAP: 4 1/2 & 1 1/2 up
Average Speed: 18.5 mph (at release)
Axis tilt: high
Axis rotation: medium
Test Equipment: 14 Pounds
Layout: 50 x 4.75 x 45
“Keep in mind that coverstock accounts for 70% of ball reaction, but the core creates the dynamic shape of the reaction. Your driller will alter the shape to suit your game.”
ExploreSports Gear
Pattern
THS: 44ft, 25.8ml, 12:1 ratio
Sport: TBD
Specs
The 900 Global Portal uses the Conduit AI Asymmetric Core core inside the RB92 Solid coverstock.
15 pound = RG of 2.59, diff of .050, mb of .019
14 pound = RG of 2.61, diff of .049, mb of .018
Coverstock finish: Power Edge
Power Player’s Perspective
I kind of gave away the quick hit from what the Portal is about. It is a solid cover so a little different from the IQ Tour Ruby but when a finish is the same at Power Edge, you can expect to get the same length. The Portal is a High RG clean look with a strong asymmetry. The IQ Tour has it’s shape with a low RG, low Diff, clean cover. We do get a clean and long motion with strong downlane motion. Kind of reminds me of the Nebula from Motiv in purpose. There are some interesting things with these type of balls depending on the bowler and style so let’s get into it.
For Tyler this was a fun ball. It’s definitely clean and pops downlane. With his slightly rev dominant style, the thing gets down the lane and just makes the turn hard. That’s the real difference between the Portal and the IQ Tour Ruby. The Ruby gets length but has a rounder continuous motion at the end of the pattern due to the lower RG symmetric core. The Portal is a bit sharper and a touch more forward. So if you want that harder turn with a clean ball, the Portal gives that option.
Tweener’s Take
As a one-hander, this is where the ball looks a bit different. It is clean for sure but doesn’t pop hard.I’m rev/speed matched but it almost rolls like I’m speed dominant. The backend is much smoother than you would think. I think part of the challenge here is the 5″ pin with a very high RG with a very high track, so the core is loping quite a bit and never really gets going in a way you might think. I really had to get the ball rolling sooner with my hand but this is where these kind of motions can actually offer more control than you would think for certain styles. However, personally, I like a ball that does this with a lower RG as I get a more consistent reaction. A ball like the Motiv Nebula or IQ Tour Ruby will fill that for me.
Now as a 2-hander, the Portal was something completely different. I thought, oh this type of control will be awesome for my 2-hand rev dominant style. Instead, I immediately saw the skid/flip nature of the Portal pop. I was shocked and it took me a bit to figure out how deep I needed to be. Once I got past the 4th arrow, the motion was really nice. But now you see my motion be more akin to what Tyler saw.
Stroker’s Stance
For Bryan, he found a line somewhere 15 to 10 and the Portal looked really nice. I was actually more square than he was. I was trying to bounce the friction to get it going. Bryan was somewhat able to get it going earlier than I was but again, I think this is a response to the combination of a tall Pin and very high track for me. But back to Bryan, he did see the length and really nice punch through the lanes. I think the extra stored energy made this ball look quite different for him than most shiny asyms. So maybe he found a little trick with the high RG core here.
Ultimately, the 900 Global Portal is essentially a Mid Late ball. It needs some friction to behave. It’s really when you need a ball to clear and have punch downlane which is exactly what Mid Late ball should be. Now, the IQ Tour Ruby, Sapphire, Motiv Nebula fit in there but with a different approach to the same type of motion. So you’ll have to decide if you need both.