- Element Au79

First Impressions
The Dyno-Thane Element Au79 shows up in a striking color combination of red and gold pearl that gives it an eye-catching look on the lane. Under the hood works a proven symmetrical two-piece core with a medium RG of 2.540 and a decidedly high differential of 0.058. That high differential points to massive flare potential, which helps the ball to a strong, dynamic motion. This core is wrapped in the company's own Soaker Resin coverstock, which on this model was designed as a special mix of solid and pearl components. This hybrid structure should combine the best of both worlds: reliable traction in the midlane paired with powerful energy storage for the backend. Out of the box, the surface comes with an 800 grit polished finish. This polish makes the ball glide very cleanly and effortlessly through the heads despite its aggressive core construction, before it reacts strongly to the prevailing friction down lane. The direct interplay of the polished cover and the high-flaring core aims to give the bowler pronounced length with a sharp change of direction at the breakpoint.
Comparison Compared directly with other balls in its performance class, the Dyno-Thane Element Au79 shows a very specific motion profile that sets it apart from typical benchmark balls. Put it next to the Storm Hy-Road, for example, which also features a hybrid cover and a polished finish, and it becomes clear that the Dyno-Thane Element Au79, thanks to its considerably higher differential, reacts far more strongly to the friction at the end of the oil pattern. While the Storm Hy-Road is valued for its extremely even and readable arc, the Element Au79 should generate a noticeably more direct and aggressive reaction at the breakpoint. Drawing a comparison to the Ebonite Game Breaker 2, which rolls very early with its dull solid surface, the Dyno-Thane Element Au79 shows a significantly longer skid phase through the heads. The Ebonite Game Breaker 2 controls the midlane through continuous traction, whereas the Dyno-Thane Element Au79 saves more of its energy for the backend and delivers a massive hook there. Another interesting comparison can be drawn to the Brunswick Vintage Danger Zone. Both balls use symmetrical cores, but the polished Soaker Resin of the Dyno-Thane Element Au79 produces a steeper entry angle into the pocket, which makes it a potentially more dynamic choice on breaking-down patterns when a more open angle across more boards is called for.
On the Lanes In practice, the Dyno-Thane Element Au79 is designed primarily for medium-heavy to heavy oil conditions where clean heads are absolutely required to avoid losing energy early. Because of the polished 800 grit cover, this ball is especially suited to bowlers looking for a late but very strong hook off the backend. If you throw at medium to high ball speed, you'll benefit enormously from the pronounced length the ball builds in the front third of the lane. If you play the ball from deeper inside, you'll find that it moves across several boards very well and, thanks to the pearl content in the cover, comes back toward the pocket extremely sharply. On typical house shots the ball should provide excellent carry, since the steep entry angle maximizes pin action and keeps effectiveness high even on less than perfect hits. When the lanes dry up over the course of a game and the transition sets in, the Dyno-Thane Element Au79 can play to its strengths, since it gets through burned-up heads effortlessly. Should the friction at the breakpoint become too intense, however, which can lead to an uncontrollable or overly angular reaction, it's advisable to adjust the surface slightly with a sanding pad to smooth out the motion. For bowlers with a very high rev rate, this model is a strong tool for playing deep lines, while if you have less rotation you can use the smooth surface to generate enough length before the strong core initiates the final change of direction.