- Jackal LE

First Impressions
The Motiv Jackal LE, released in late fall 2016, marks the triumphant return of the legendary Jackal series with a reworked, legal design. Visually, the ball shows up in a somber "Black & Dark Grey Solid" mix accented by red logos, which underscores its aggressive intent. Inside works the newly developed Predator V2 core. This asymmetric core was modified to comply with USBC regulations, but with an extremely low 2.47 RG and a high 0.054 differential (at 15 lbs) it still delivers brutal numbers. This powerhouse is wrapped in the Coercion HVS (High Volume Solid) coverstock, which comes out of the box with a 3000 grit LSS finish (Laser Scan Sanded). This combination of a coarse solid cover and an extremely early-rolling core sends an unmistakable signal: this ball wants to see oil and generate massive traction.
Comparison
Compared directly to the Motiv Trident, which was released shortly before, the Jackal LE plays noticeably earlier and stronger throughout the entire lane. While the Trident's hybrid character still allows a certain amount of length, the Jackal LE digs into the lane surface right away. Compared to the (discontinued) original Jackal Carnage, the LE offers an almost identical "heavy roll" characteristic, but feels a touch more continuous and less abrupt on the backend. Against a heavy-oil market standard like the Storm Alpha Crux, the Jackal LE often shows even more bite in the midlane and isn't impressed by a flood of oil (carrydown), where other balls start to founder.
On the Lanes
The Jackal LE is a pure specialty tool for heavy oil and long, high-volume sport patterns. It's the ultimate "snowplow" option: it absolutely needs plenty of oil in the heads and through the midlane so it doesn't burn up its energy immediately. If you throw the ball fast ("speed dominant"), it's a dream, because it generates the time and friction needed to turn safely into the pocket. On house shots or drier lanes, however, it is usually out of place, since it hooks too early there (roll-out) and arrives at the pins without power. Its job is to carve a line into the oil that can be played later with shinier balls.