Ascent Apex - Mountain Blue Pearl

When I first began throwing MOTIV exclusively, the original Ascent Solid was one of the first balls added to my bag. Any competitive bowler can testify and confirm that a light-oil ball is a must for any tournament bag. Naturally, the Ascent found a home within my bag. Unfortunately, the Ascent Solid and I could never match up on the lanes. Despite coming across a beat up and worn down pattern, the slightest deviation in angle would lead to lack of down lane reaction. Just when I thought the Ascent line was just not for my game, MOTIV had one final word, enter the Ascent Apex. My concerns with backend angle and reaction with a light-oil ball were no more with the introduction of the Fusion XL Pearl Reactive cover stock. On several occasions I have been able to revert to the Ascent Apex to provide me with a very predictable, controllable but yet powerful backend response down lane. A reaction that is priceless when you can almost see sparks as the ball rolls down the lane from the friction! With this amount of friction in mind, don’t be fooled into believing that is only one line\angle that can be played with the Ascent Apex. On the very same lane conditions, I had the choice keeping the shot simple and playing straight up the boards with a slight swing, say a lay down of 7 and allowing the ball to reach the 5th board at about 40 and watch the ball roll right into the pocket high flush. As the heads begin to become troublesome around that starting lay down, I could simply keep the break point the same and move my lay down to say 13, maybe even 15 and still receive a very manageable backend response and carry percentage. Whenever I’m constructing my bag for an upcoming tournament where I know it may very well turn into a marathon or the pattern is going be of the shorter category, the Ascent Apex and earned its right to be one of the first balls of choice in my bag. Ryan Wyandt MOTIV Staff Member West Lawn, PA rwyandt869@gmail.com Follow me on Twitter: @rwyandt869

The Ascent Apex handles more oil than it was advertised for in my opinion. It offers more angularity and total hook than it's brothers in the line up. I opted to drill it to complement a favorite Covert Revolt of mine. I did an 80 x 2 x 20 with an extra hole on my PAP. I also removed all of the polish and scuffed it to 1000 grit by hand. This ball because of the core being so weak and having such a clean shell. I can lean on it with surface and it will never go bonkers or do something erratic. I also attribute this to core dynamics. I will use this ball as a ball down off of my Revolt which is a pretty big gap so I may need to add a piece between those two. I will use the Apex when I want to play the gutter on flatter patterns but cannot use a big ball to do it. I feel that many bowlers can drill all of the Fusion shell ball and have a very nice sequence to go through for transition. Especially if one routinely bowls on a lot of friction. Primal Rage, Tribal, and Ascent Apex. They look really good on the local THS I see so I'm happy to have 3 pieces with that shell. I personally was a big fan of the Orange Recon RX1. This Apex is very reminiscent to that reaction shape for me. Just a little more motion overall. I am quite impressed with this piece considering where it fits in relation to our other equipment. Darren Andretta MOTIV Staff Vise Inserts Staff www.motivbowling.com www.viseinserts.com

Rev Rate:420 Axis Tilt:20 Axis Rotation: 45 Ball Speed:17 PAP Measurements: 4 1/8 Layout: 60/4/30 http://i552.photobucket.com/albums/jj344/TheSuperHitMan/20140624_2309351.jpg http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5NcLFUvxlY Description: The cover provides more length on high friction lane conditions giving the bowler more angularity at the backend, the Fusion XL Pearl Reactive cover combines technology and the high RG Recon core. The Fusion XL (Xtra Length) Pearl Reactive cover technology utilized on the Ascent Apex is a modified version of the original Fusion shell first used on the Primal Rage, which provided a shockingly strong backend motion. Out of box surface: 1500 Polished Reaction: The difference between the original Ascent and the Apex is the backend reaction, the Apex is stronger and covers more boards preferred to the original. I was able to play further left and create more entry angle to the pocket. The Ascent Apex is more of a skid snap reaction whereas the original Ascent has a skid roll reaction to it. Conditions THS (40 feet): On THS I found myself playing straighter standing 15 targeting 10, because of surface being at box (1500 polished) I played in the track area using the friction to my advantage whereas others gravitated away from it. I have thrown the Apex Ascent on light patterns, burnt patterns, and late night rock and bowl patterns and the length remains the same, the response to friction is fast but remarkably controllable. Tokyo Pattern (43 feet): I played this pattern standing 10 from the left targeting 15 to the right, there was a lot a friction and the Apex did not disappoint one bit. The ball really showed off its angularity talent as I was able to utilize the entire lane with no fear of the ball not recovering or checking to early off the pattern. Summary: It was love at first bowl when I threw the Orange Recon, I loved everything about that ball as it was ideal for medium to medium short patterns. The Apex is the ball to go to when you need a clean reaction through the fronts with controllable backend reaction once the fronts are gone. If you want to use the Apex Ascent on heavier patterns I recommend a bigger surface and a stronger layout, or you can pick up your Covert Revolt/Raptor Talon. I encourage any bowler that is looking for an entry level ball to pick up the Ascent Apex, this ball with give you a clean look with a surprising backend reaction. Become an Apex predator today.

Layout: 65 x 4 ¾ x 35 The Motiv Ascent Apex is a ball built for you to take advantage of those challenging condition late in the day when the lanes are dry and you need something with length and backend pop. The proven Recon core (2.59 RG, .025 Diff) has been paired up with the newest member of the reliable Fusion cover family, Fusion XL. Finished at 1500 grit + polish, this new cover provides length to get through the early burn while still keeping some teeth on it to take advantage of the friction on the backend. My expectation for this ball was to have something on the lower end with a quick response time to friction but be stronger than the original Apex and the Ascent has filled every bit of that. I have had no issues with this ball getting down the lane easily and then making a strong motion back to the pocket. I typically save this ball for later in the day, but if you’re a high rev player who has difficulties with throwing stronger equipment at the beginning on house shots, this will be good for you because of its energy retention and power through the pins. Overall I have found this ball to be a delight to throw when I’ve needed to get ahead of that second oil transition and stay on top of the scoreboard. Trent Overbey In the Zone Pro Shop Motiv Staff www.motivbowling.com

The Ascent Apex continues the entry level line of bowling balls offered by MOTIV. The Apex features the Recon core and the new Fusion XL Reactive cover. The Fusion XL cover gives the Apex more angular movement off the back of the lane pattern compared to the previously released Ascent balls. My Apex is drilled 70x4x40 with no weight hole, putting the pin above my ring finger. The Apex is the ball I use late in a block or game 3 of league when the track area has opened up. Moving left and hooking the lane isn't my game so the Apex allows me to stay right of transition. The Ascent Pearl gives me a few more feet of length compared to the Apex which created an over/under look for me. In summary, the Apex is an excellent addition to the MOTIV line up for dry lanes and shorter patterns. The Apex is much smoother down lane and makes a more pronounced move to the pins compared to the other Ascents. For the entry level price, this ball is a must for any style bowler. Carl Breaman MOTIV Staff Member www.motivbowling.com

The Ascent Apex is priced as an “entry level” ball, but it is high performance through and through. It has the Recon core, which is a High RG 2.59, Low Differential 0.25, with a modified version of the strong pearl cover first featured on MOTIV’s landmark ball the Primal Rage. I have long been a fan of the Recon core from way back on the RX1, which was my first MOTIV ball. I have had a lot of success with the RX1 and the original Ascent balls, particularly on short oil patterns. For me, the new Ascent Apex is about 3 or 4 boards stronger than the original Ascent on the back-end, and has about 3 or 4 boards less overall hook than the Primal Rage, so it fits that sweet spot perfectly. This ball is an excellent choice on short to medium short oil patterns when the heads break down a little bit, and you need a ball that’s clean through the fronts with good back-end kick. I also bowl a league at a house that has a house shot with low volume, and the Apex does the trick. Here is a ball reaction video that I did featuring the Apex. In the video I compare the ball motion to the Original Ascent, Venom Shock, Primal Rage & Cruel Intent. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-kHpZAQlOM This is a key piece of equipment for me to bring to every tournament. Even on longer patterns, the later it gets into the block, the more likely that it’s coming out of my bag. It doesn’t do crazy tricks down-lane – it does just what it needs to do to kick out that 10 pin, and that’s all I need it to do. --Kevin Gallagher— PBA Member MOTIV Staff

Ascent Apex Looking for that low to medium volume oil piece. Something that gets through the heads and down the lane when everyone else’s equipment is either hooking too early or rolling out down lane? Well look no further the Motiv Ascent Apex is the ball to give you that advantage. This ball gets down lane and retains the energy to hit and continue through the pins late in a block, second shift in league or on high friction surfaces. The incredible angular motion off the back end is possible thanks to the new Fusion XL Reactive Cover technology and the high RG recon core. The ability to stay on a similar line and provide a similar shape is always a bonus late in an 8 game block. Having a piece like this in your bag keeps you in a similar area without having to manipulate your shots by increasing speed or hand position. This ball provides an advantage and high rev players will love it on the fresh on shorter oil patters as well. Don’t be fooled by its low-med volume moniker as this ball is angular off the spot and will definitely be a must have complimentary ball for all! Oh and the PRICE just knocks it out of the park!!!!! Rick Zakrajsek MOTIV Staff www.motivbowling.com

The Blue Mountain Pearl Ascent Apex is an addition to MOTIV’s entry level line. First, this is NOT an additional color and another name slapped on the ball, this is a true upgrade to the Ascent Pearl. The Ascent Apex again contains the Recon Core, but the upgrade on this ball is the coverstock. It has the new Fusion XL coverstock, which is a modified version of the cover used on previous balls such as the Primal Rage, Tribal, Cruel Intent, and Sigma Sting. The ball gets down the lane with ease on any pattern, and I don’t think that will change no matter what your style. I have thrown the Ascent Apex on some very lighter volume/burned patterns thus far and have seen all the length I needed. In addition it has a fast response downlane, but for the amount of friction it encounters is still very controllable. The continuation of the ball resembles the same results that MOTIV has produced all season. Compared to the original Ascent Pearl I actually see more length with the Ascent Apex but, this only provides it with more backend. The total hook potential isn’t much more than the original Ascent, but the backend shape is where they really differ. Overall, this release has allowed me to play deeper, as required on some lighter volume and broken down patterns, but at the same time creating more creating angle. I am recommending the Ascent Apex to anyone who is looking for entry level length with MORE than entry level backend. Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwR0RZ0aGB4 MOTIV Staff Member Mike Magolan

Review: The Ascent Apex is the newest entry level performance bowling ball from Motiv Bowling. The Ascent Apen brings together the high RG recon core along with the new Fusion XL Pearl Reactive cover which is a modified version of original cover found on the Primal Rage. This combination of cover and core provides more length on higher friction conditions, gives it a more angular move on the backend, and the continuation is insane for an entry level performance ball. The Ascent Apex, elevate your performance. INNER CORE Recon COVERSTOCK Fusion XL FINISH 1500 Grit and Polished Comments: What can I say other than straight wow. This ball is a wonderful addition to my bag because being a high rev player, I needed something the third game and this piece definitely fits the bill. What I love about the Ascent Apex is how well it works on higher friction conditions because it gives me great length down lane and then add the Fusion coverstock and I give a nice backend motion with tremendous continuation through the pins. I have thrown a lot of lower end balls in my career especially on house conditions and I will say in my heart of heart that the Ascent Apex in the strongest entry level performance ball I have ever thrown. First time out of the gate with it I felt this ball should easily be a mid to mid-upper level bowling ball. High rev players will love it because it reads well on high fictions conditions and lower rev players will love the length when their comfort zone starts breaking down and don’t fell comfortable moving in a little bit. The Ascent Apex for the price should be a steal for any bowler. I recommend Ascent Apex for all types of bowlers. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jM6-2Aj11X4 Motiv Staff Player, John Robertson www.motivbowling.com