- Gladiator Solid

First Impressions
The Visionary Gladiator Solid, which first saw the light of the bowling world in February 2008, presents itself as a rugged and dependable option for oilier lane conditions. Visually, the ball stands out with its light blue base color, shot through with red, blue, and plum-colored swirls. At the heart of this model sits the asymmetric Mohawk core. It is a two-piece design with a dense center and a lighter outer shell. What makes this core special is its shape, which is reminiscent of a candy wrapper and has been fitted with the namesake Mohawk to create a mild mass bias. With a radius of gyration of 2.51 and a differential of 0.044, the core belongs to those designs that rotate relatively early and initiate a steady roll phase. The cover is the reactive Galea Solid material. Out of the box, the surface is dulled with a 2000 grit Abralon pad. This rough preparation should ensure that the ball builds traction in the oil early and does not slide uncontrolled through the heads. The interplay of the dull cover and the slightly asymmetric core aims at maintaining a very predictable, continuous arc without the ball reacting abruptly or extremely angularly at the breakpoint.
Comparison
Drawing a comparison to the established Storm Phaze II reveals interesting structural similarities and conceptual differences. The Storm Phaze II relies on a very strong, strictly symmetrical core combined with an extremely tacky, dull solid surface. On the Phaze II, this results in very early engagement in the oil and an extremely round, gentle motion that spreads evenly across the entire lane. The Visionary Gladiator Solid behaves very similarly in the heads, since its dull Galea Solid cover likewise looks for friction early. The decisive difference, however, lies in the core architecture. While the symmetrical Storm Phaze II can tend to shed its rotational energy early as the oil volume drops off and hit the pins flatter, the Visionary Gladiator Solid takes advantage of the asymmetric properties of its Mohawk core. That mild mass bias means the ball stores somewhat more torque for the midlane and the backend after passing through the heads. When both balls hit friction at the end of the oil pattern, the Gladiator Solid produces a slightly more defined and sharper arc toward the pocket than the consistently round Phaze II. Even so, the Gladiator Solid is not a radical asymmetric monster; its 2000 finish keeps it very controllable and forgiving of small inaccuracies at the release.
On the Lanes
The primary application for the Visionary Gladiator Solid is on medium to heavy oil volumes as well as on fresh house shots. Thanks to the dull surface combined with the rev-friendly core, it is an excellent choice when control and a strong midlane read are the top priorities. If you have a lower rev rate, you benefit enormously from the tacky Galea Solid cover, because the ball grabs early enough to develop a reliable hook without requiring extreme wrist work. If you throw the ball fast, the dense center of the core offers enough stability to prevent uncontrolled sliding through heavily oiled tracks. When transition sets in over the course of a tournament and oil gets carried into the front part of the lane, the ball shows its true strengths. The asymmetric core effectively helps bring the ball back safely across more boards even from deeper angles, while the dull cover prevents sudden overreaction. Another key performance trait is the excellent carry. The early roll should ensure that the ball carries a lot of forward energy into the pin deck, which noticeably minimizes the risk of leaving corner pins. All in all, the ball is a versatile and durable tool for tournament players and league bowlers looking for a strong, consistent reaction on fresh or lightly played lanes.