First Impressions
The Turbulent core is back, with a vengeance!

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Tamer Elbaga (Lefty)
Style: Tweener
RPM: 375 rpm
PAP: 5 & 3/8 up
Average Speed: 18.5 mph (at release)
Axis tilt: low
Axis rotation: medium/high
Test Equipment: 15 Pounds
Layout: 4 x 30

Sean Jensen (Righty)
Style: Power player
RPM: 475 rpm
PAP: 5 1/2 & 1/4 up
Average Speed: 18.5 mph (at release)
Axis tilt: low
Axis rotation: medium
Test Equipment: 15 Pounds
Layout: 5 x 50

“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: 40ft, 23ml
Sport: TBD

Specs
The Motiv Trident Odyssey uses the Turbulent™ Symmetric core inside the Coercion™ FYS Solid Reactive coverstock.

15 pound = RG of 2.49, diff of .054, mb of .017
14 pound = RG of 2.51, diff of .054, mb of .017
Coverstock finish: 2000 lss

Overall
I have to admit that I have generally been more enamored by the Turbulent core from the original Trident over the Sidewinder core in a couple of the recent Trident balls. So I was excited to see it back. The OG really was a ball that I could trust on a lot of conditions with backend motion. The Odyssey brings another solid cover into the Trident family. Last one was the Abyss and I felt that cover was so strong, it used up too much energy up front on typical house conditions. Too much cover on a too strong a core wasn’t a synergistic outcome. But with the Odyssey and this latest Coercion solid cover, no such issues. This ball looks really good. I mean, yes, this is the reaction I remember in terms of the strong transition downlane from the OG. As you can see from the video, I ease in about a board each throw. It worked just about from everywhere is the short version. The ball has great balance of cover strength, lane read, transition, and roll. Honestly it almost felt like the perfect balance of the 3 phases for good carry. You need the right amount of length, transition and roll for consistent carry. From straight around the 2nd arrow, I reduce my axis rotation and it just blends that high friction outside and bam. Look at the way the ball transitions from the 3rd arrow. And deeper still and it bends downlane. Yes, there is obviously a limit to the ball and bowler. But somewhere just right of the 3rd arrow is ideal for the Odyssey for me. This ball looks like it could be a great strong defined ball. I guess the question will be if it’s strong enough for the heaviest conditions but it looks versatile enough to be in that slot as opposed to being a one-trick pony.

Here is my test 2-handed and I really enjoyed this ball here as well. That same really nice blend of the 3 phases looks just as good 2-handed. Well really it has more downlane pop 2-handed which makes sense when you consider the rev dominance. I’m using the oil in the middle of the lane to get the length and then the ball revs up and almost explodes downlane. Not in the pearl way because the ball is still trying to read a bit in the transition but the core definitely has juice so it is very continuous.

A Power Player’s Perspective
TBD

A Stroker’s Perspective
Bryan tests the Motiv Trident Odyssey. Like me, he loved the original Trident. It worked. Strongish hybrid cover, torquey motor that churns and really goes. So like me, he was also happy to hear the Turbulent core is back. But also the natural expectation is that the Odyssey will be stronger overall and earlier. So how will that be in terms of carry? Well in terms of ball reaction first, it is basically what we expected. It’s definitely strong. It wasn’t more obvious than when you throw it into the heavier side of the wall downlane and it clobbers the pocket. Many balls tend to deflect from inside, not the Trident Odyssey. It reminds me of a trick in terms of playing house shots where I would actually target just inside where the heavy oil is with a big piece that can manage the pattern and carry. The Odyssey is somewhere between the Ghost and Legacy in terms of length and downlane motion. Not quite as long and angular as the Ghost and not quite as early as the Legacy. Obviously they are all strong balls so this is a relatively small window. It was kind of 50/50 in terms of carry. The shape looked great but it is ultimately too strong for the pattern so at times there would be the 10 pin leave. But it was in the pocket quite easily and in a way, that’s a benefit. It blends pretty well so makes you feel like the pocket is wide open. So at the end of the day, while the Odyssey isn’t the original, it has its place in the strong defined slot. It may be a little too strong for this pattern for Bryan but if he uses it inside in the heavy oil, there is a great shot. In the track, the pocket is easy. The shape is predictable and torquey in the back half of the lane. I guess time will tell if buyers will find it complimenting or cannibalizing Jackal sales…

Sport Shot
TBD

Final Thoughts
I really enjoyed throwing the Motiv Trident Odyssey. This ball has a legit chance to land in my strong defined slot in the bag. It just does the business with a great balance. When I say balance, I don’t mean it’s banana even. I mean that it’s the right amount of length, transition, and roll to yield strong backend and very good carry. This really feels like the solid version of the original Trident I always wished existed.

Thanks for watching.