- Apex Jackal

First Impressions
The Motiv Apex Jackal presents itself as a technological step forward within the established Jackal series and introduces a significant innovation in core design. Visually striking, this ball already sets itself apart from its predecessors on the inside. At its heart sits the newly developed, asymmetric Apex Predator core. This core features a dual-density construction in which a density ring is placed around the actual core body. This patented Power Band technology is meant to optimize energy transfer and increase torque. In the 15-pound version, the ball shows a 2.52 RG and a 0.055 differential, rounded out by a 0.020 intermediate differential. The RG value is therefore higher than in previous Predator cores, which suggests the ball should skid more easily through the front part of the lane. The core is wrapped in the Propulsion MXV Pearl Reactive cover, finished at the factory with a 5000 grit LSS surface. This combination of cover and surface was chosen to strike a balance between traction in the oil and reaction at the end of the pattern. The specifications suggest that while the ball is designed for high oil volume, the pearl cover and the higher RG should generate a certain amount of length before it moves into the hook phase. The physical hardness of the cover is listed at 73, which sits in the middle range and promises adequate durability along with energy absorption.

Comparison
Compared directly with other balls from Motiv, the Apex Jackal positions itself as a specific addition to the lineup, intended to fill gaps between existing models. Against the Nebula, the Apex Jackal tends to show up earlier in the roll phase. While the Nebula is known for generating a lot of length and showing an extremely sharp reaction at the end of the lane, the Apex Jackal moves a bit more roundly and with more control. It should therefore react less sensitively to friction than the Nebula, which makes it more predictable once transition sets in, but it doesn't quite offer the Nebula's extreme explosiveness off the backend. Another relevant point of comparison is the Evoke Hysteria. The Apex Jackal can be viewed as a stronger version of that ball. If the Evoke Hysteria doesn't give you enough total hook on high oil volume, or if you need a more aggressive move into the pocket, the Apex Jackal could be the logical step up. Compared with the older Crimson Jackal, which also carries the Jackal name, the Apex Jackal should handle higher oil volumes better. While the Crimson Jackal was at times perceived as too clean or too weak on heavy oil, the new core/cover combination of the Apex Jackal offers more stability in the oil here without completely losing the typical pearl characteristics. It thus serves as a link for situations in which pure solids roll too early but weaker pearls no longer reliably get the corner ("carry").

On the Lanes
The Motiv Apex Jackal is primarily designed for use on heavy oil, though its real strength is likely to lie in its versatility across various lane conditions. Because of the 5000 grit LSS surface and the pearl cover, however, it may tend to skid a bit too far on extremely fresh, very long oil patterns if you don't experiment with the surface. Adjusting the surface with sanding pads (e.g. 2000 or 3000 grit) may be necessary to achieve the desired earlier reaction on very "wet" lanes. For speed-dominant players, the ball offers the advantage that the pearl cover and asymmetric core store enough energy to still create sufficient angle off the backend even at higher speed, something that is often difficult with traditional solids. Balanced players could use the Apex Jackal as their first pearl ball as soon as the lane begins to break down and the pure solids lose too much energy in the front part of the lane. It needs fewer dry boards than weaker pearls to work effectively. Rev-dominant players should appreciate the ball especially on fresh patterns, where they're looking for an angular move that still remains controllable. Thanks to the option of adjusting the surface, the ball can be tuned for this player type to provide a controlled motion without the risk of burning up too early. The ball motion is generally described as "medium" – not extremely abrupt, but not completely round either, which should make it a good choice for blending wet/dry conditions (house shots). It allows you to play deeper lines and still hit the pocket with enough power and a good entry angle, provided there is enough friction in the backend.