Track
706C/A

Bowler Ratings

PatternStTwCr
Oily:568
Medium:99.59.5
Dry:885
Sport:777

(1-10 in order of Stroker (ST), Tweener (TW), Cranker (CR))

General Ball Info

Coverstock Info
Name:
Gen X C/A Hybrid
Type:
Reactive Hybrid
Box Finish:
500 Abralon / 1500 Abranet Soft / Powerhouse Factory Finish Polish
Color:
Teal/Black/Lime
Core Info
Name:
Helmet
Type:Asymmetrical
RG:2.52
Total Diff:0.053
Int. Diff:0.006

This is the third time the Helmet core has been used to power a 706 release. This time the weight block is surrounded by the new Gen X C/A Hybrid coverstock.

This cover does exactly what the name says, providing a continuous angular motion that was best for us on the medium test pattern. All three testers were able to strike easily on this condition. Cranker liked being able to really circle the lane, having the back end motion of other “A” series balls and the added continuation after the big move at the breakpoint. Tweener liked the reaction as well and was able to strike just as much as Cranker on this pattern. Stroker was not far behind, having a good reaction as well. We kept this ball at the box finish for the entire session on this pattern.

Tweener and Stroker liked this one at the box finish on our dry pattern. Their lower rev rates let them move left with their feet and the hybrid coverstock gave them recovery down lane. Cranker had issues keeping this ball right of the headpin on this drier condition. He removed the box finish by going down to a 1000 Abralon, then a 2000, 3000, and 4000 pad before reapplying a healthy dose of Powerhouse Factory Finish Polish. The higher surface gave the ball a shinier finish and the added length he needed on this pattern.

Cranker was the only tester who could find success on the heavy test pattern with this ball at the box finish. The other two testers needed it to pick up a few feet sooner, so both removed the polish with a 2000 Abralon pad. The extra grit was enough to get them into the pocket.

We had a good reaction on the sport pattern as well. The 706C/A picked up just in the right part of the lane without going sideways when it came out of the pattern.

Performance Ratings

NameValueComments
Torque
(1-10)
7.5
As expected from a ball with the "A" name on it, this ball comes off the spot pretty strongly. Unlike other "A" balls, however, it has added continuation through the pins.
Length
(1-25)
15.5
We have really liked polished covers coming out of Kentucky that are sanded with anything less than a 4000 Abralon pad before they are polished. This keeps them from being too sensitive to oil and sliding past the breakpoint.
Back End
(1-20)
16.5
This ball fits between the previous two 706 releases at the back end. It is not as strong as the 706A down lane, but has more than the 706T.
Total Hook
(1-100)
50
Like many of the other ratings, this new upper mid performance release fits right between the other two balls that share this weight block in the total hook category. The coverstock changes in the three balls make all the difference in reaction.

Strengths: The 706C/A provides a reaction that is less condition specific than other 706 releases. This coverstock is less sensitive to oil than the 706A, while storing energy more easily than the 706T.

Weaknesses: There is little the 706C/A could not do with the proper cover adjustments. At the box finish, it could have some trouble over-skidding on heavier volumes of oil.

Overall Summary: The 706C/A can be one of the first balls out of the bag to find the best line to the pocket. The ball provides the right shape going down the lane to be successful for a number of different styles.