- The Thing

First Impressions
The Dyno-Thane The Thing is a historically relevant bowling ball that stood out at its release thanks to a striking color combination in Rosewell Red and Extraterrestrial Teal. At the center of this model sits a Multi-Core, also referred to as a Triple Density Core. The technical specifications list an RG of 2.530 and a differential of 0.045. These numbers point to moderate length potential with solid, controllable flare potential. The coverstock is the so-called Soaker Resin, which consists of equal parts solid and pearl material and is therefore classified as a hybrid. Out of the box, the surface carries a 1000-grit polish. This combination of cover and finish should let the ball glide well through the heads and store energy for a pronounced move in the backend. The visual appearance paired with the specific performance numbers positions this ball as a versatile tool for medium oil volumes. The hybrid nature of the Soaker Resin cover should combine the traction of a solid cover with the length of a pearl cover, which should generate balanced ball motion. The technical data place the ball in the symmetrical midrange, which should allow for predictable readability of the lanes.
Comparison Looking at the ball motion of the Dyno-Thane The Thing, a comparison with the Storm Hy-Road suggests itself. Both balls use a hybrid cover and target a similar area of use. The Dyno-Thane The Thing tends to react slightly earlier and more angularly to friction than the more evenly arcing Storm Hy-Road. Due to the lower RG of 2.530 compared to the Storm Hy-Road, the core of the Dyno-Thane The Thing starts rotating marginally earlier, which can result in an earlier transition. Even so, the polished cover should keep it from losing energy too early. In a direct comparison, the Dyno-Thane The Thing shows a more aggressive hook in the backend once it reaches the drier part of the lane. While the Storm Hy-Road often serves as a benchmark ball for smooth transitions, the Dyno-Thane The Thing is designed more to make a more defined change of direction. As oil volume increases, the Storm Hy-Road often shows somewhat more overall motion thanks to its higher differential, while the Dyno-Thane The Thing works with high efficiency on moderate conditions thanks to its specific cover blend and should develop excellent carry in the pocket there. Compared to pure pearl balls from the same manufacturer, this hybrid also behaves more stably when the oil profile changes slightly.
On the Lanes In practice, the Dyno-Thane The Thing is primarily designed for medium to slightly wet lane conditions. When the heads start to dry up and you have to move further inside to cross more boards, the polished hybrid cover should provide enough length not to burn up prematurely. It suits bowlers with a medium to higher rev rate, since the moderate differential should keep the ball from overreacting and instead deliver a controllable but still strong backend reaction. If you throw the ball at lower speed, you can benefit from the length created by the factory 1000-grit polish. With heavy carrydown, however, the cover can slide too much over the oil and miss the pocket. In such cases, a light mechanical adjustment of the surface can help make the transition somewhat smoother and earlier. Once the ball finds sufficient friction, it should build a very direct path to the pin deck, which maximizes the likelihood of high carry. For use in house leagues with a typical block pattern, this ball is a reliable instrument that should combine forgiveness with a good hit rate. Under extreme conditions such as massive oil or completely dried-up lanes, though, the material reaches its limits and makes a switch to appropriately specialized equipment necessary.