First Impressions
We’ve loved the Jackal Ghost and seen many a Primal work well, where does the Primal Ghost fit? Well let’s try to figure that out.
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: 4 x 20
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: 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: med
Axis rotation: medium
Test Equipment: 14 Pounds
Layout: 5 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.”
Pattern
THS: 44ft, 25.8ml, 12:1 ratio
Sport: TBD
Specs
The Motiv Shadow Tank uses the Impulse™ V2 Symmetric core inside the new Coercion™ HFS Reactive coverstock.
15 pound = RG of 2.55, diff of .050
14 pound = RG of 2.56, diff of .054
Coverstock finish: 3000 LSS
Power Player’s Perspective
We last saw the Impulse core in the Primal Shock. That put that core in the Venom Shock cover. I think that essentially created an amped up Venom Shock for tweeners and strokers. Now Motiv wrapped that Impulse core in the cover from the Jackal Ghost. This time, it’s certainly a step down from the Ghost but trying to figure out where exactly it fits. Starting with Tyler, the Coercion HFS cover feels fairly clean with the Impulse core. The cover has some midlane read while the core is a fairly long RG for a strong ball. I find this to mean on paper the cover has the potential to create some level of late midlane read while the core possibly creating some backend angle. We saw both sometimes. So at times, the ball really looked like a mid defined ball, getting good length and then turning over very late midlane creating angle or let’s say, looking highly responsive to friction. Then some shots, the ball looked to read the midlane better and therefore have a predictable smoother but still driving move which might place it in the Mid Control category. While Motiv places it in more in what I consider Mid Control in the arsenal, for Tyler, I’d say it leaned more towards Mid Control Plus, something a bit more angular. This bit of chameleon behavior was a little confusing for us in terms of where we’d want it in the bag. We’ll say it did look solid but didn’t really give us a baby Jackal Ghost vibes. Tyler compared to the Raptor Reign and you can see what a ball does when there truly is some midlane read and with the core churning up, it looks climbing as opposed to just hooking.
Tweener’s Take
Let’s have a look at me throwing the ball. I found a nice home between the 2nd and 3rd arrow. I found pretty easy length and a later motion. At first blush when testing, it felt like it’s possibly less dynamic almost like a lower end ball but when trying something weaker, I was able to see the Primal is dynamic and it was just the way the lanes played. I kind of got locked in and I had a pretty nice look. The lane was playing super slick down the middle which made the balls hydroplane. However, the Primal Ghost carried extremely well from that line as well. What I was trying to figure out is where it would fit in the bag and when I would take it out. I don’t currently have a Jackal Ghost in the bag but I wasn’t instantly thinking this looked like a step down. However, I did toss the Raptor Reign and you can actually see how much midlane friction there was as the Reign just drained so much energy and didn’t hit nearly as well as the Primal.
Stroker’s Stance
Bryan is up next and the Primal Ghost was a decent look. Honestly a pretty straightforward shape for him. He can stay in the typical track area. It was dynamic enough to hit and feel a bit more than a true mid control ball like a venom shock but that also comes with some limitations of not being able to move in too much. In other words, it felt more like a slightly more dynamic Venom Shock type ball than a step down to the much more dynamic Jackal Ghost. Bryan was also between the 2nd and 3rd arrow. Misses in on this pattern really just kind of glided and while they tended to hold pocket, didn’t carry very well. Fairly typical for a house shot but it usually gives you an indication of the core strength. He also compared to the Raptor Reign and that ball simply looked more ball everywhere. More midlane read, more backend. Just way more dynamic and he had to move deeper, which all makes sense.
Bottom Line
The Primal Ghost is definitely a middle of the road strength with a longish but still mildly dynamic core. I prefer a lower RG for the middle of the bag which was my biggest challenge. However, ultimately what Motiv is doing is providing you a different shape in the middle which allows bowlers to pick and choose depending on what you are seeing.
Thanks for watching.