The Visionary Midnight Scorcher Particle Urethane

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Nord
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The Visionary Midnight Scorcher Particle Urethane

Post by Nord »

Hello All,

The Moderator of this forum was super kind to me and hooked me up with a Visionary Midnight Scorcher Particle Urethane ball!

I have done some research since I got the ball and learned some interesting things about its construction and performance.

The Midnight Scorcher is a super strong Particle Urethane ball made by Visionary Bowling. The specs of the DC core are: a high RG of 2.63 but also a very high Differential of .069. The ball is actually a weak asymmetric with an intermediate differential of .006.
I laid this ball out as a symmetric, which is ok to do because of the weak asymmetry.
The ball is drilled with a strong Full Roller layout with pin at 3 3/8”.

These core specs, combined with the super strong cover, make the ball very smooth and controllable with a very heavy roll.

According to Visionary Bowling the particles in the ball are a very tough, but soft Polybutadiene compound, somewhat similar to the rubber used in tires. The particles have the ability to absorb small amounts of oil and expand slightly to create even more traction in the oil, and that is why the ball feels like it has beard stubble once it gets some oil on it. The Particles act like tire treads and allow the Scorcher to hook in even the heaviest oils.

The stock grit is 320 wet sand, but this was way, way, way too strong for me on a house shot regardless of the density of the oil volume. After experimentation, I settled on 1500 grit. This suits my slower ball speed and full roll. Remember, when changing the surface of this ball, only use Scotch-Brite pads or you will sand down the particles and lose the reaction.

In the test video below, I am bowing on the Big Ben pattern and the lane surface is the very slick Brunswick Anvilane. This particular lane is very, very smooth as it never gets league play and has not been tracked in. Compared to the same pattern on the league lanes, this lane has 6 boards less hook for me with this ball, so I had to stand more right and go down and in.

Please feel free to comment with more technical information on this unique ball which seems specially made for my vintage style of play.

Here is a photo which allows you to see the particles which shine like stars in the midnight sky.
The Midnight Scorcher Forum.jpg
Enjoy the heavy rolling, hard hitting Midnight Scorcher which I have dubbed: “The Dragon!”

Best viewed in fullscreen 1080p HD on youtube:

[youtube][/youtube]
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Last edited by Nord on July 5th, 2017, 11:31 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Rev rate: 145
Ball speed: 13 mph at launch
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High Game: 269 bowled with Pitch Black.
High Series: 683 clean using the DV8 Poison Solid.
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Re: The Visionary Midnight Scorcher Particle Urethane

Post by MegaMav »

Im glad to have contributed to someone getting more enjoyment out of the game even if its not with a Radical ball.

Im happy you have some use for it, it was just collecting dust at the house.
I use a Brunswick Mammoth for my particle ball.

Enjoy.

-Eric
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Re: The Visionary Midnight Scorcher Particle Urethane

Post by Nord »

MegaMav wrote:I'm glad to have contributed to someone getting more enjoyment out of the game, even if it's not with a Radical ball.
-Eric
I am eternally grateful. I love this ball!
Full Roller
Axis Rotation: 90
Axis Tilt: 0
PAP: 6 3/16 x 2 5/8
Rev rate: 145
Ball speed: 13 mph at launch
Composite Average: 180
High Game: 269 bowled with Pitch Black.
High Series: 683 clean using the DV8 Poison Solid.
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Re: The Visionary Midnight Scorcher Particle Urethane

Post by mrbean »

my first particle ball was a weapon of mass bias from morich. it was really strong but didn't come back as much as my reactive resin.
If I had 6 hours to chop down a tree I would spend the first 4 sharpening the axe.

-Honest Abe
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Medium Oil Ball: DV8 Poison
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Re: The Visionary Midnight Scorcher Particle Urethane

Post by Nord »

I just wanted to express that I continue to be amazed by the Midnight Scorcher.
This ball is seemingly magical.

Example from last night in league:
At Parkway bowl I started in warm up with my Dark Legend solid at 1000 grit.
It simply would not grip the lane.
I found this very hard to believe.
When play started I was standing right foot on 12 and rolling up 9, slowly, down and in, and it still would not grip.
After 2 poor frames I put the Legend back in the bag with a disbelieving shake of my head and for the next frame picked up the Scorcher.
I was doubtful, very doubtful.
I mean if a super strong ball like the Dark Legend Solid was little more than a spare ball, how could a urethane ball hope to grip.
I stood in the exact same spot and rolled over the same target.
Total destruction!
The Scorcher gladly rolled and drove through the pins like a freight train.
There were some beautiful high flush shots that blasted the pins harder than I have ever struck before.
I did not have to move an inch for the rest of the night and easily exceeded my average.
How does this ball do it?
It is not just that it grips and rolls, it is that it provides pin point control of that roll too, never overreacting.
Every time I made a good shot and was in the pocket, it was a strike.
On the last frame of the 10th, in second game I pulled out the Dark Legend and made the same shot I had been doing for two games with my Scorcher.
I wanted to see if it would grip now.
The Legend still would not grip or roll, it twirled slowly all the way to the pins and hit the 3-6.
I put the poor Legend back in the bag and had a great third game with the Scorcher.

Anyway, that is all I really had to say.
I still can't believe what this ball can do.
Power and Control in perfect combination.

One word of warning though, even at 800 grit this ball needs oil!
On house shots that start to dry up this ball is far, far too strong and loses all its hitting power.
If you hit high flush and leave a corner or an 8 pin, quickly put it back in the bag!
I have had this happen and tried to keep going and bowled some of the lowest series I have in some time.
Just because this ball does not hook the lane, do not underestimate how super strong it is and how quickly it can roll out...
Full Roller
Axis Rotation: 90
Axis Tilt: 0
PAP: 6 3/16 x 2 5/8
Rev rate: 145
Ball speed: 13 mph at launch
Composite Average: 180
High Game: 269 bowled with Pitch Black.
High Series: 683 clean using the DV8 Poison Solid.
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Re: The Visionary Midnight Scorcher Particle Urethane

Post by ICURNVS »

The Raven is also a light load particle ball from Visionary.

1 thing I have learned with that ball.. to freshen up the surface just use a green scotch brite pad by hand. As you found the particles are very soft and if you use a normal pad on a spinner it does something funky to the particle load.

Loved mine out of the box, but once I touched up the surface on the spinner it was not the same ball.. Talked to Jason and he suggested the scotch brite by hand. Made a world of difference in reaction.

Not a true flooded heavy ball, but med-heavy / heavy it works just fine.

Here is the Video I did for it... If I was going to change anything I would change the layout a little bit.
[youtube][/youtube]
** UPDATED STATS AS OF 6-06-19 **
Right Hand
PAP 4 1/2-> 3/4 up
ROTATION 20 - 30
TILT 11.5*
MPH 14.5-15.2 MONITOR
RPM 350-375
RIP Visionary Bowling Products.....
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Heavy Oil Ball: Visionary Midnight Scorcher Particle Urethane
Medium Oil Ball: DV8 Poison
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Re: The Visionary Midnight Scorcher Particle Urethane

Post by Nord »

Well you definitely have a million times more revs than me!
That ball really rolls back hard from way out there.
You look like you have almost no tilt so that ball is rolling like crazy.
Very brutal reaction.
I of course could never play the Scorcher out there or it would die out the instant it crossed right of second arrow.
And you are right, only use Scotch-Brites on the particle balls so the particles don't get sanded down.
Full Roller
Axis Rotation: 90
Axis Tilt: 0
PAP: 6 3/16 x 2 5/8
Rev rate: 145
Ball speed: 13 mph at launch
Composite Average: 180
High Game: 269 bowled with Pitch Black.
High Series: 683 clean using the DV8 Poison Solid.
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Light Oil Ball: anything that works
Preferred Company: lane #1
Location: cincinnati, OH

Re: The Visionary Midnight Scorcher Particle Urethane

Post by mrbean »

how would the midnight scorcher compare to my weapon of mass bias as they are both strong particle balls?
here is a layout picture (the red circle is the asymmetric pin)
ball.JPG
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If I had 6 hours to chop down a tree I would spend the first 4 sharpening the axe.

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Heavy Oil Ball: Visionary Midnight Scorcher Particle Urethane
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Re: The Visionary Midnight Scorcher Particle Urethane

Post by Nord »

mrbean wrote:how would the midnight scorcher compare to my weapon of mass bias as they are both strong particle balls?
here is a layout picture (the red circle is the asymmetric pin)
ball.JPG
I am not sure really. But here is what Jason of Visionary Bowling said about the Scorcher:

"It was very unique, and as far as I'm concerned, one of the best true heavy oil balls ever created...One of the things that I always said about the Scorcher, was it would keep you in play on the heaviest and most demanding conditions out there. When other people can't get their balls to hook, the Scorcher will, and it may not have huge scores, but when you shoot 200 and everyone else is shooting 150's, it can make you a lot of money."
Full Roller
Axis Rotation: 90
Axis Tilt: 0
PAP: 6 3/16 x 2 5/8
Rev rate: 145
Ball speed: 13 mph at launch
Composite Average: 180
High Game: 269 bowled with Pitch Black.
High Series: 683 clean using the DV8 Poison Solid.
User avatar
Nord
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Posts: 772
Joined: September 8th, 2012, 9:12 am
THS Average: 180
Speed: 12-14 mph at Foul Line
Rev Rate: 120
Axis Tilt: 0
Axis Rotation: 90
Heavy Oil Ball: Visionary Midnight Scorcher Particle Urethane
Medium Oil Ball: DV8 Poison
Light Oil Ball: Brunswick True Motion

Re: The Visionary Midnight Scorcher Particle Urethane

Post by Nord »

Quick Scorcher Update:
I am only using the Scorcher at Parkway bowl which is a heavy house shot.
One man, one ball.
I found 600 Scotch-Brite to be best for these lanes.
Depending on the volume I can sometimes start with right foot on 15 and roll right up second arrow and as the set goes move my target in with my feet and keep the shot going.
This last Monday I did this and bowled my 4th 600 series in my career, a 618.
On game three I had the back 7 and closed for a 246.
The Scorcher rolls so heavy and is so smooth and subtle, but it hits like a tank.
A perfect combination of power and control.
This is just my favorite ball ever.
Full Roller
Axis Rotation: 90
Axis Tilt: 0
PAP: 6 3/16 x 2 5/8
Rev rate: 145
Ball speed: 13 mph at launch
Composite Average: 180
High Game: 269 bowled with Pitch Black.
High Series: 683 clean using the DV8 Poison Solid.
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Re: The Visionary Midnight Scorcher Particle Urethane

Post by bowler100 »

mrbean wrote:how would the midnight scorcher compare to my weapon of mass bias as they are both strong particle balls?
here is a layout picture (the red circle is the asymmetric pin)
ball.JPG
The Midnight Scorcher reads earlier, cuts through floods better, and IMO has a much longer hook phase (smoother) due to the urethane base. The Weapon of Mass Bias (from personal experience and watching others throw it) has a much more defined breakpoint than the Scorcher but it tends to run out of gas quickly if:

1. The bowler does not apply sufficient axis rotation on the ball, grabs the ball too much at the bottom, or has poor ball speed.

2. There is not enough lane oil to carry the WMB to the breakpoint.

3. Too much ball surface and/or a small dual angle sum layout.

Both balls are amazing with the right match up of the bowler's abilities and the proper lane conditions.
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Re: The Visionary Midnight Scorcher Particle Urethane

Post by mrbean »

yeah...i saw a lot of hook and stop with my WMB, probably because of my slow ball speed and strong early layout (bought it used, didn't want to completely plug up so didn't get to pick the layout.)
If I had 6 hours to chop down a tree I would spend the first 4 sharpening the axe.

-Honest Abe
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Re: The Visionary Midnight Scorcher Particle Urethane

Post by bowler100 »

mrbean wrote:yeah...i saw a lot of hook and stop with my WMB, probably because of my slow ball speed and strong early layout (bought it used, didn't want to completely plug up so didn't get to pick the layout.)
It is simply a bad match up to your style. I have a WMB drilled 70x5x70 and I am relatively high rev (400 RPMs), medium speed (16 MPH) bowler and I had the same exact issue as you for a while. What what solved my issue was applying more axis rotation on the ball while getting out of the ball cleaner. That made the ball continue a lot better and I saw a ton more hook.
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