- The Thing Returns

First Impressions
The Dyno-Thane Thing Returns is the logical evolution of the original The Thing and aims to deliver more length and a considerably sharper angle off the backend. Visually, the ball comes in an eye-catching color combination of Solar Flare Orange and Plasmic Purple. Inside works a modified two-piece core with a higher RG system than the previous model. With a 2.560 RG and a 0.045 differential, the core is designed to store rotational energy noticeably longer and release it only in the late roll phase. The coverstock is Pearl Soaker Resin, a pure pearl version of the original Soaker technology. The surface ships from the factory with a polished finish. This combination of the higher-RG core, the polished pearl cover and the moderate differential should make the ball glide through the heads extremely easily and save its energy for an explosive reaction at the end of the oil pattern. The technical setup positions the Dyno-Thane Thing Returns as a classic specialty piece for medium to lightly oily lane conditions where a very clean ball path through the front third of the lane is a must.
Comparison Comparing the Dyno-Thane Thing Returns to its predecessor, the Dyno-Thane The Thing, reveals significant differences in ball motion that trace directly back to the revised core and shell design. While the original The Thing, with its hybrid cover and lower 2.530 RG, read the lane earlier and described a rounder arc, the Dyno-Thane Thing Returns should generate noticeably more length. The transition from skid into hook happens more abruptly and more angularly with the Thing Returns. Bringing in the Storm X-Factor as an additional comparison, which was considered the benchmark for angular pearl balls in the same era, the Dyno-Thane Thing Returns shows similarly clean glide through the heads, but should respond a bit more definitely to the onset of friction at the breakpoint. On many patterns the Storm X-Factor is often a little more flippy in the final phase, whereas the Dyno-Thane Thing Returns builds a clear, angular move toward the pocket. On wetter conditions, balls with dull solid covers such as the Storm Phaze II grab much earlier, as expected, which means the Dyno-Thane Thing Returns can tend to slide on heavily oiled lanes by direct comparison. It reaches its full potential exactly when earlier-reading balls are already losing too much energy.
On the Lanes In practical use, the Dyno-Thane Thing Returns is built for medium lane conditions as well as situations where the heads are already played off and dry. If you have to move further inside over the course of a set and cross more boards, the pearl cover should provide enough length to keep the ball from burning up too early. Once the ball reaches the dry backend, the stored energy should be released in a very pronounced and powerful hook. That makes this model especially interesting if you prefer an angular reaction to maximize entry angle. An optimal angle should also noticeably improve carry in the pocket, which reduces the chance of leaving corner pins. On heavy oil or on very fresh, long patterns, however, the polished pearl material reaches its limits, because here the ball does not find the necessary friction early enough for a reliable transition. The reaction can also get skiddy with extremely uneven carrydown. In such cases it makes sense to scuff the surface lightly with a sanding pad to increase traction a bit. For league play on typical house shots, though, this ball is an excellent tool once the lanes dry up as the night goes on and a dependable backend move is required.