Brunswick Goes Flip…
First Impressions
The Brunswick Fortera Exile is skid…and flip! Not much more to say in terms of first impressions.
Our Testers:
Brandon Hinderer is a PBA Member as well as Brunswick and Vise Staffer.
Power Player: 450 rpm
PAP: 5 3/8 & 7/8 up
Axis tilt: 10-15 degrees
Axis rotation: >45 degrees
Layout: 70 X 5 1/2 X 40
Kerry Smith is a top notch bowler and Brunswick Staffer.
Stroker: 250 rpm
PAP: 5 1/8 & 3/4 up
Axis tilt: 13 degrees
Axis rotation: ~45 degrees
Layout: 30 x 4 1/2 x 40
Jeffrey Smith is a Brunswick and Vise Staffer and Co-Owner of Pure It Pro Shop.
Power Player: 450 rpm
PAP: 5 & 0 up
Axis Tilt: 13 degrees
Axis Rotation: 60 degrees
Layout: 70 x 5 1/2 x 40
Test Patterns:
41ft THS, 12:1, 26ml
41ft THS, 10:1, 24ml
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.
Value 8/10
The Brunswick Fortera Exile is in the Flip line. Cost knocks its value down a bit.
Specs
The core is known as the Fortera Flip with an RG of 2.512 and Diff of .050. The cover is the Fortify Reactive pearl finished with 500 Siaair Micro Pad, Royal Compound, Royal Shine.
Overall
The cover allows for easy length, no question. The medium RG core in this cover makes a very aggressive move off the dry spot. So the Brunswick Fortera Exile reacts quickly to dry boards. So it really stores all of its energy for the backend. That also means that it can be prone to over/under on the wrong condition. It seems a little strong for a medium condition, but usable from medium to medium-heavy.
Starting with Brandon, he was able to throw this ball from many angles showing off its versatility. On this medium pattern, he didn’t have to worry about this one coming back from most anywhere. Again, very clean through the heads and big movement on the backend. The ball just seemed to roll better the deeper he got.
Moving on to Kerry on the medium-heavy pattern, you can easily see the ball go through the skid phase and then really quickly transition through hook to roll. It was extremely obvious seeing it roll after the Melee Cross which is almost the complete opposite in terms of reaction.
Jeff also saw huge backend motion as expected. However, on the heavier pattern, he saw a bit too much over/under reaction. He couldn’t square up as it was too strong but from deeper, the ball would sometimes hydroplane. It was evident right away the the Melee Cross read the lanes where the Fortera Exile just pushed through the same spot.
Bottom line, the Brunswick Fortera Exile is all about easy push and extreme reaction to dry. On the right condition, this ball will simply be lights out. Just make sure as with any skid/flip type ball, you know when to put it away to avoid getting in trouble.
Digitrax Analysis
The track above is for Brandon. Brandon’s “ideal” line on the test line is 19 to 6 at 18.5mph at release. The Fortera Exile simply hooks a ton and very reactive off the dry. The breakpoint was 42 ft, 1 ft longer then the pattern. It generated a whopping 7.5 degrees of entry angle. This is definitely a flippy ball. Biggest risk is the over/under with such an aggressive ball off the dry boards.
