Cypher

The Cypher is a great benchmark ball! The shape is more round and continuous. It also rolls well through the pins without having a sharp a reaction on the backend. Good for when the oil gets “cliffed” too. Must have ball for medium house condition.

Cypher - House Patterns and USBC Open Team, Doubles and Singles

Cypher is very smooth and rolls heavy, I had two different layouts one short pin (3 inches from the PAP) and the other pin above the ring finger CG a little to the right of the ring finger nothing fancy. The first layout was mainly for Open Championship try to get out the first game and still stay with the team strategy. I was impressed how well the Cypher read the full lane. It would start up a bit early like a urethane ball then mellow out. However, at the point of attack it drove through the pins nicely. That was impressive to see, so job well done. The other layout I was able to have some fun on a few house patterns. I can open the lane up or play straighter, the Cypher didn’t show much quit. I didn’t think a ball could roll just as heavy through the pins as the Archetype I was so wrong. the Cypher wants to hit the spot and continue through the pins no matter what angle your playing. If you want reliability and an easy-to-read ball motion the Cypher is going to be that ball you might want to use as the benchmark piece.

Recently, I had a chance to punch up two Track Cyphers. The Track Cypher brings back an updated version of the symmetrical Synergy core from the mid 90's wrapped by an MR-8 solid coverstock (HK-22 base) colored in black, dark green and lime. Factory box finish is 2000 Siaair. I did one with my favorite pin down layout-60x5x70. I did drill a second one with a stronger pin up layout. I tried them on the USBC Nationals team pattern...I have also tried them on a leftover THS.

The factory intent was to match a little higher RG/higher diff with a stronger cover to create a benchmark type of reaction. I have truly liked the Track Theorem having won in Bayside with one as well as the Track Stealth so I was interested in seeing what the Cypher would bring. The Cypher has already made a couple of TV shows at the WSOB. I think the Cypher hits the mark in terms of being one of the first balls out of the bag to begin to read the pattern. At first, on the Nationals pattern which is flat and higher in volume, I found the Cypher to be a bit "touchy" and sensitive and thus would have preferred a ball with a little smoother and slower response. After 2-3 games, I found the Cypher to be at its very best as the front had dried out a bit and the pattern had blended out. I would describe the motion as a little quicker and continuous. Thus, from what I see, the Cypher is a good first option out of the bag to evaluate the pattern. It will be a great piece on fresh medium volume patterns on a variety of pattern distances. I think the Cypher will also excel as a "ball down" option from a stronger asymmetric or symmetric piece when the lanes go through transition. At box surface, I think the key for the Cypher is not so much pattern distance but the volume. On the right volume, the Cypher rolls sweet. Plus, it just looks cool going down the lane.

The Track Cypher is readily available- see your local pro shop for more information.

The track Cypher tracks newest benchmark ball. I was able to get good reading off of this ball when using it to start, the motion was very predictable. Everything I like in a benchmark ball. It responds very well to surface change.