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I'm a beginner with a few 1.5" acrylics, and a 3" orange sil-X. I'm trying to focus on single ball isolations and illusions right now (like the enigma) and I find that the small acrylics are too small and the sil-x has that center ridge and nipple that sometimes breaks the illusion.

I figured it's time to buy a larger clear acrylic but I can't decide which size. I kind of like 3-inch but I've never really handled a 3.25, 3.5, or 4 inch acrylic. Is there a generally recommended "best" size for beginners iso work, or is it just whatever feels best to the individual?

Cheers for any advice!
OcT

100mm shiney stage ball in your favorite color would be a good start. i recommend babache stageballs.. they are super grippy against skin and roll amazingly well.

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rofl.... I'm laughing knowing what kind of debate this could spark Discussions on balls to learn isolations are definitely one of the bigger disagreements here. That said... I'll offer my thoughts on it. A large acrylic will make them much easier to look smooth quickly. Don't get one. Seriously, it will spoil you because of its ease, and you won't be able to do isolations with anything else. Honestly, your 3" silx is fine for learning, you're just trying to get where the ball isn't moving, which you can do with that. The illusion of true isolating being lost because of being able to see the ball turning isn't an issue for learning, that's just a show thing. There are some isolations though that are much easier with an acrylic though, such as greg's grip, where the friction from a stage ball can make it hard. I'd recommend sticking with a smaller acrylic though, such as a 3". Using a smaller lighter sphere will force you to fine tune your movements and tweak the isolation much farther, since it is not as forgiving due to less inertia as a larger heavier sphere. Get smooth with a small one, and you'll have good isolations no matter what you use.

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It's not about rules... its about play

I can't actually do any isolations with 100mm acrylics. stage ball is much easier.

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With fushigi, Contact juggling gravitates like an Ungody Sphereplay nose fight inside a post box full of oranges

Agreed with Colin. There is very little in my recent video (2 Dots) that I could even manage doing with 100mm acrylic balls.
Sure, they rock a solid palm circle and roll a lot slower and nicer than a 3" acrylics, but in the game of learning cool tricks and actually developing your skills, nothing beats a 100mm stageball.

Save the acrylic ball for when you get a bit more practice under your belt, and then go for the 100mm acrylic once you've gotten used to the 100mm stageball. The change in weight will take a while to get used to, but your stuff will be a lot smoother and you won't learn all the bad habits that come from learning techniques with an acrylic ball. Plus you won't destroy things... 100mm acrylics are HEAVY

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www.ryanmellors.com
www.ministryofmanipulation.com
www.piryokopi.net

Agreed. Stage ball is fine. Get a pink one for manly points.

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DREAM, CREATE, INSPIRE

Thanks for the advice all. I especially like the idea of sticking with smaller balls to fine tune the movements.

One other question... NeonHusky.com lists 3" as the "industry standard" but then goes on to say 3.25" is an "excellent size for most beginners". May I ask what difference that extra 0.25 inch makes?

OcT

I think they were just thinking of something to write in the description box. Go with 3" , that way when/if you want to move to multiball you can buy a few more 3". I can imagine holding 4 3.25 inch balls is where that extra .25 would really make a difference.

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"Giving me a new idea is like handing a cretin a loaded gun, but I do thank you anyhow, bang, bang."
- Philip K. Dick

Isolations = Bigger is better.

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I learned Iso's on a 3" acrylic but I really got them down with a 3.5" acrylic. The 3.5" was nice for me because I would do a wandering show for 2 hours and Iso's with a 4" got really tiring. Now I prefer the 4" but that was after 6 months of using a 3.5"

I agree with CBJ that a 3" acrylic would be a good start to perfecting the movements....In this case you already have a stage ball that size. If I were you I would upgrade to a 3.5 or 4 inch.

Look!_This_Chaynges! I agree about bigger is better for isos....except that I am having a hard time performing certain Isos with the 120mm, I might just need to work out more for that

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O right, I guess winter is here now.

http://www.sphereocity.com/

I've been learning the enigma and other iso's with my 4" sil-x. Up close the illusion is broken from the seam and plug, but if you stand a little ways away from a mirror it is barely noticeable.

Well, you could truly isolate with anything... But the illusion I would say looks better with an acrylic.

I love my 90mm's [3.5"] But I'd say do what works best for you. For Ryans style, I think you need stage balls- If you're just going straight palm isos and enigmas, then maybe an acrylic would work best for you.

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Never underestimate the complexity of buttered toast

One problem with acrylics is the weight. I have a four inch one, and I find some things harder with it than with stage balls, simply because it is heavier. For example, I prefer to do the claw isolation with a fairly delicate grip using the finger tips, but I cannot do with the 4" acrylic as I'd just drop it.