BallReviews
Reviews => Roto Grip => Topic started by: BallReviews-scodaddy21 on March 07, 2018, 05:17:42 PM
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The Roto Grip Idol bowling ball begins the next generation of upper mid-performance bowling balls. This ball introduces the Ikon core which helps provide good backend by pushing the limits of a symmetrical core. This ball also introduces the MicroTrax-S18 Solid Reactive coverstock. This cover uses Nano technology and provides more traction and is more aggressive than previous coverstocks in this line. This ball is ideally used on medium to heavy oil conditions. *There will be some variance in color due to the Nano material. This is due to "phasing". Some of the balls with phasing have a white color in them and some may appear to have water spots. There may be a variety of hues of the Magenta/Purplish color.
Color: Magenta
Core: Ikon
Coverstock: MicroTrax-S18 Solid Reactive
Finish: 2000-grit Pad
RG: 2.49 (for 15# ball)
Differential: 0.052 (for 15# ball)
Recommended Lane Condition: Medium to Heavy Oil
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The release of the NEW Roto Grip Idol was welcomed with open arms. I was a HUGE fan of the original Haywire, and when that ball was taken out of the line, it was a very sad day. Now we have its modern day replacement, The Idol! The Ikon core wrapped with the MicroTrax-S18 cover takes me back to when I first threw my haywire. The very heavy continuous roll you get out of the Idol will replicate the motion of the haywire almost to the tee. I highly recommend this ball for tougher flatter conditions, due to how well it blends the back part of the lane down. I drilled my Idol with a 60X4 1/8X70 with no hole, which is the exact layout I had on my favorite Haywire. Go Out and get your Idol Today! #SquadRG
Erik Ramos
SIB Pro Shop Manager
Storm/Roto Grip Staff
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The Idol features new everything, new core in the super aggressive symmetric Ikon core, and Micro Trax-18, their strongest Nano cover to date. This is easily the strongest ball Roto has released in the HP3 line, stronger than the Haywire even by a couple boards, and challenges the GB3 for the most hook in a symmetric ball and at that price point on the market. The result is a very smooth, even, controllable, and naturally strong ball that due to the characteristics of the Nano cover is more versatile than most balls that strong, as well as very continuous and great at blending wet/dry transition without jerking or burning energy on friction. The Idol should be a serious consideration for sport tournament bowlers and especially collegiate bowlers looking for a strong symmetric 1 ball.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_7qQzDPw4A&t=14s
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LANE CONDITION
Length: 41'
Volume: Heavy
Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc): THS
COMMENTS
ROTO GRIP IDOL
Well, when I first heard of the Haywire being discontinued I was upset. It is one of my favorites. Now that I have the Idol there is absolutely no disappointment here anymore. I am very impressed with the new Idol. On a fresh 40’ house shot it was easy to get the Idol through the fronts with a GREAT mid lane read and strong continuation through the pins. One of the biggest thing I have noticed with the Idol is when throwing it with more traffic, I could make smaller moves left than most normal moves with several on the pair. The more I have bowled with my Idol as it now as a littles lane shine, it just gets better and better. With the little bit of lane shine my Idol has it is so clean and strong off of the spot. I know with my Idol at box finish it’ll tackle all heavier oiled oil patterns. I have a few friends with the Idol that has it shiny, and it is super clean and real angular down lane. The Idol is sure to fit in all bowlers arsenals. Great job!!
Likes: Clean through the fronts. Strong backend.
Dislikes: Drier lanes.
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I drilled my IDOL 60/4.5/40 which is my standard drilling for a ball to read early plus I have a DAREDEVIL TRICK with the same lay out. I put a 7/8"-2" deep weight hole 5" straight across my center line. I left this one box finish which is 2000 abralon.
I have used this one on a couple of different THS, a modified house pattern on the longer side, and a 45 Kegel Challenge Pattern. This ball is a good look for me in my bag and replaces a HAYWIRE that had gotten dated and losing it's pop after a few years.
Side by side with a couple of balls like the DAREDEVIL TRICK and NO RULES EXIST in the Roto line. The EXIST is a slightly stronger look downlane. The IDOL grabs but is more of an earlier strong arcing shape while the EXIST is more of a hockey stick reaction on the back. The TRICK had the shape as the IDOL in the early move but was even softer off the spot than the IDOL and would be more in play if the play was to keep the ball in front of you more than with those other 2 ROTO high end pieces. I also put it up against the CODE X. The IDOL was more motion early while the CODE X was more downlane motion and looked a lot like a softer NO RULES EXIST.
Put this one in your bag if you want a strong ball that reads earlier in the midlane than the stronger cover/stronger engine balls do. Or if you need to replace an worn HAYWIRE or PHAZE II that finally is showing signs of slowing down.
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The new Roto Grip HP3 line bowling ball is the Idol. The Idol has the new MicroTrax-S18 coverstock which is the strongest Nano technology the Roto Grip line has used to date. This new cover is wrapped around the new Ikon symmetrical core.
My Idol has a 50 x 5 X 60 layout which I also have on my Storm Hyroad Nano. Fortunately, I have been able to leave it at its box surface (2000 grit). I felt the Idol would likely be more archy with an identical layout to the Hyroad Nano. When the Hyroad Nano isn’t quite adding up in terms of motion, I often find myself searching for something that is similar in overall hook, yet different in motion. Fortunately, the Idol fills that gap. I find that the Idol reads the fronts more and has a less angular breakpoint shape without losing any hitting power. The Idol is perfect on fresh house shots where the friction is a little too much for other balls AND when the same house pattern cliffs up and you need to move your eyes in and basically throw it up the oil. I believe this ball is special and I will be ordering another very soon! I can’t wait to see what it does on some flatter, sport compliant patterns.
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The Roto Grip Idol is a great addition to the RG line. I drilled mine 4.5 x 4 x 4.5 pin down no hole. The IDOL has great shelf appeal with the bright Magenta color, this is some white phasing is some of them. But I have a lot of good compliments on the color of the IDOL as it is different than a lot of bowling balls. With the Haywire being discontinued the IDOL is a perfect replacement. It is a strong symmetrical ball that rolls a little early and smooth downlane. Kinda of like a stronger IQ Solid. It will be a great ball on sport and PBA patterns, and especially at the USBC Open Championships.
Brian Watson
PAP- 3 5/8 up 1/14
RPM - 400
Speed - 16
Tilt - 17
Pro Shop Staff
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Orientation: Right Handed
Rev Rate: 375 RPM
Speed: 16-17 MPH
PAP: 4 5/8 straight across
Location: Enterprise Park Lanes, Springfield MO
Pattern: High Volume THS
Layout: 45, 4 ¾ , 70
The Idol is a great new piece from Roto Grip. I was missing my Haywire, and along comes the Idol. The cover is super strong and the Idol picks up early. And that translates into a very smooth slow motion on the back. Perfect for sport shots or hooking backends. The Idol is the perfect replacement for the Haywire.
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3 testers - 2 patterns
http://tamerbowling.com/roto-grip-idol-bowling-ball-review/
Excerpt:
While thinking about the Roto Grip Idol, I can’t say I instantly thought Haywire. But in a way, it is the smooth, controllable, middle of the road ball that surely will replace the Haywire in the Roto Grip lineup. It’s somewhat cover dominant meaning the strength of the ball comes a bit more from the cover than the core. That makes it a nice step down from the high end balls which use more core dynamics to drive ball motion, especially for lower and mid level rev bowlers. As you go up in rev rate, you really start to see bigger motion the Idol is capable of. That is predominantly because with higher rev rates, asyms show a bit more of that hook set motion while the symmetric is more continuous. The Idol is not necessarily a ball I instantly think, this is a match up to every medium condition. That wasn’t the case with the Haywire either. But I think each bowler will need to consider their style and pattern they typically bowl on and decide if this type of ball reaction, good midlane control for medium to medium-heavy conditions, is what they need in their bag.
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LANE CONDITION
Length:42
Volume: 21.8 mLs
Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc):THS
COMMENTS
Likes: Where do I start. Great motion, Great continuation, Great hitting power. For me, this is a benchmark ball that I can stay with over the course of a 3 game league set.
Dislikes: With my layout, If I jump in too quick it can skid through the spot, leaving bucket's or 2 pins. Other than that, because of the color, It shows the grime from the lanes and machines quite a bit.
My layout on the Idol is 60 x 5 x 55.
This is a new layout for me which puts the pin in the ring finger and the has the CG out enough for me to drop a 7/8" P3 hole. This ball give me a Great benchmark type motion. This is a ball that I can start the night on and just keep chasing it left with. I have read a lot of reviews on the Idol and many say that it is similar to the Haywire but I disagree. I was never a big fan of the Haywire, however I was a big fan of the DareDevil Trick. The motion I have with this Idol is more comparable to the Trick. Even with the new Strong cover (Micro Trax-S18 solid) Its a little cleaner through the front than the Trick and a stronger motion down lane.
To give a little closer look into what I bowl on...We own a 16 lane, wood center, that was built in 1960. We currently use Kegel Prodigy Oil and the house shot is 42' and almost 21mL's.
Casey Mattingly
Storm/RotoGrip Staff
Turbo Grips Staff
PICTURES AND/OR VIDEOS
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Weight: 14 lbs.
Pin Length: 4-1/2 â€
Drilling: 35 x 3 x 25
Pattern Length: 40 ft.
Pattern Volume: Medium
Pattern Type: THS
Right Handed
The IDOL has the symmetrical Ikon core weight block in the popular HP3 line, wrapped in the Micro Trax-S18 cover stock, which is a solid reactive core. The box finish is 2000 grit, but as always, can be polished or changed to suit a variety of lane conditions. It is an attractive Magenta color.
I have used the IDOL on a 40 ft. kegel house pattern, and The Orleans modified House pattern in Las Vegas.
I tried the IDOL at the 2000 grit box finish, and haven’t done any surface changes, as I’ve found this to be my go-to ball when i need to move inside and deal with the pattern trasitioning. I find it to be a little too strong on the fresh house pattern I’ve played on, but was a good starting ball on The Orleans modified house pattern. This ball is more aggressive than i expected it to be. I find it to have a similar motion shape to the Haywire, with a slightly earlier hook, and a stronger finish down lane. Being a lower rev player with ball speed around 14 mph, I could migrate in, left of center with the IDOL and still have it face up to the pocket with proper angle for me to carry.
If you’re looking for a replacement for the Haywire, and perhaps a bit stronger, this is a great ball to have in your arsenal. For a mid priced ball, you’re getting the look and hook of a high end ball. It’s a win, win for me!
Carol Teel
Roto Grip Amateur Staff Member
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I drilled my Idol 5 x 5 x 3 with no extra-hole. I was really excited when this ball was announced to use and all the hype behind it wasn’t a surprise. After the first few shots with it, it instantly became a favorite ball in my bag. For a ball with a RG of 2.48, this ball is super clean through the front part of the lane with a lot of angle in the back. Compared to the Hyper Cell Fused it was just as clean but a little more hook. These 2 ball will make a great 1-2 punch in any bowlers bag & if you were a fan of a Haywire, you’ll defiantly want this ball.
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LANE CONDITION
Length: 40ft
Volume: medium
Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc): THS
COMMENTS
I went with a 70*5*40 layout, pin up above the ring finger with no weight hole. I used the same layout on several other balls. I compared the Idol to my Phaze2 and DareDevil Trick with the Idol being more overall motion than both. Compared to the Phaze2 the Idol is just alittle cleaner through the front part of the lane and much more continuation down lane. Compared to the DareDevil Trick, the Idol picked up in the middle part of the lane much harder and is much stronger. Both the Trick and Idol float through the front part of the lane very well. Once the Idol picked up alittle lane shine after about a game or 2 it really became usable on the hooking pattern cause it didn't pick up quite as fast allowing me to stay in the ball and not have to change balls.
Likes:
Dislikes:
PICTURES AND/OR VIDEOS
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Idol
Like many, I was extremely unhappy to see the Haywire go away in the Roto lineup (I still have a couple in the closet for a rainy day), so I felt a huge relief when I threw my Idol for the first time. Even though the Idol has a brand new Ikon core and Micro Trax-18 cover, it has that same strong, predictable, even rolling, shape that so many loved from the Haywire. The Idol is the strongest ball in the HP3 line. The Idol is that strong smooth shape that most serious players look for in their bag. I see myself drilling MANY of these in the future.
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Roto Grip Idol
Layout: 55 x 4.5 x 30
Rev Rate: 300 rpm
Testing information: 41 foot THS (medium volume) – Kegel Machine – Brunswick Anvilane
Test results: The replacement for your Haywire is here. The Idol gives you the same type of motion as your Haywire but just a little more overall hook. If you liked the Haywire, you will love the Idol. The beautiful Magenta color doesn't hurt its shelf appeal either. I am seeing so many Idols on the ball racks in league and at tournaments that its a telling sign.#OwnIt
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LANE CONDITION
Length:40
Volume:Med-High
Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc): THS
COMMENTS
Cover: MicroTrax-S18Ââ„¢
Weightblock: Ikonâ„¢ Core (Symmetrical)
Finish: 2000
RG: 2.49
Differential: 0.052
Me:
Right-Handed Tweener
Speed: 12-13 mph
Rev Rate: 315
PAP: 4 7/8 Right 3/8 Up
The new Roto Grip Idol continues Roto Grip's envelope pushing release record with what I personally feel is the best, strongest symmetric ball on the market. This cover/core combo is unbeatable and the evidence is apparent as you see so many of them going down the lane at all levels of competition.
The haywire was one of the most solid releases in recent years in both price and performance. It seems to be a hallmark of Roto releases to give great value and I would put the Idol up against any other company's high performance releases. Imagine the same great mid-lane performance with more pop and more continuation and you have the Idol.
I tested the Idol on a high volume typical house pattern that can take alot of mid-range releases out of play. The heavy mid-lane oil makes it easy for weaker balls to skate past the break-point when you miss in, and roll/stop when you get the ball too far right. The way the Idol blends out this super wet dry with its strong mid-lane read and continuation when the ball has to recover to the right it unmatched.
I also had the opportunity to throw the Idol on the 2017 USBC Open Championships doubles and singles pattern. I had great success with it on the fresh pattern. The specific topography of the house I bowled in seems to exacerbate the flatness of the pattern because of the very dominant track. The Idol gave me a great look right of the track where alot of people felt their ball wouldn't recover consistently enough to give them area. The Idol was perfect on the fresh and I guarantee it will be coming to Syracuse with me.
If you are in a pro shop, this will be your go to ball for anyone who you want to guarantee performance to, which makes it the MVP for those customers who you don't have a solid feel for where they are in their game.
PICTURES AND/OR VIDEOS
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LANE CONDITION
Length: Medium
Volume: Medium
Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc): THS
The Idol is the newest addition to RotoGrip’s HP3 line of bowling balls. The Idol features the Micro Trax S18 Solid Reactive coverstock that surrounds the Ikon Core. What that means is reaction and continuation from foul light to the back of the pit. The Idol is eye catching with a unique Magenta Color off the lanes. While on the lanes the Idol has pin pounding power with mid lane continuation. The way I describe the Idol is a way stronger IQ Tour. The versatility of the Idol will become legendary because whether you polish it or leave it in its natural state of dullness the pins have no chance to survive! I was very fortunate to throw the Idol, IQ Tour and a Daredevil Trick for comparison on a Typical House Pattern. This might not have been a fair comparison because the Idol was about an arrow stronger than the Trick. The IQ Tour did not fare any better against the Idol especially at the breakpoint. The IQ Tour is the most versatile solid bowling ball I have ever thrown and the Idol because of its power might give it a run for the money. The Idol does start up quicker than the IQ Tour but makes up for that with a devastating backend motion. I have a lower rev rate (300ish) and like to play straighter through front part of the lane. During this comparison, I noticed that I was moving left and the Idol continued to motion through the pins with authority while the other two bowling balls were noticeably weaker through the pins. There was no fancy layout with the Idol just Pin down cg kicked out with a hole down just like the other two bowling balls.
It is like a Hysteria and an IQ Tour have a baby! That baby would be the Idol. The mixture of Power and Versatility will make the Idol a mainstay in anyone’s Bowling Bag.
Likes: The versatility and Power
Dislikes:
PICTURES AND/OR VIDEOS
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After getting a chance to drill the new Roto Grip Idol i've been really impressed by what this ball adds to my bag. A very strong ball for the price point and when i need more control than a Fused and when i need more than my Hustle Hyb it's a great fit! This a great ball to build your bag around.
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Roto Grip Idol Ball Review by PJ Haggerty
If you’ve followed the Roto Grip line over the past several years, you’ve probably noticed one thing… bright colors. Our team in Utah is known for making equipment with very noticeable and lively colors. The Idol definitely fits that mold as well. The best thing about the Idol is it strikes a lot and when it does, people know what ball is going down the lane.
I’m a big fan of the Idol and have drilled one so far. My favorite layout the last few years is mapped out as: 5 ½ x 5 with no hole. The Idol reminds me of a Haywire, but a touch cleaner and a touch quicker down lane. I remember the Haywire being a slower response time ball and great for tougher patterns when you need something predictable. I think the Idol is very close to that, but you’re able to open you’re angles up a bit more and create more shape with the Idol.
From a surface standpoint, I’ve just let lane oil shine it up for me and then I used a 2000 pad to smooth it back up. If you need a strong, symmetrical, predictable piece in your bag, the Idol will definitely attract your eyes to it!
#SquadRG
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Idol
Considering Symmetrical Equipment is my favorite to drill this ball is no exception. The NEW MicroTrax–S18 Solid Reactive Cover and Ikon Symmetrical Core work great together. Most people compare this ball to the Haywire. I myself compare it to the Storm IQ only stronger. Since drilling this ball I find myself now using it for my benchmark ball. It gives me great mid-lane and doesn’t quit on the backend. I have been able to use on typical house shots and also works well on longer sport patterns as well.
Bowler Info: PAP 4 9/16 x 1 3/16 up; Ball Speed 18mph; Rev Rate 620 RPM
#rotogrip
#squadrg
Keith DeMaine
Storm/Roto Grip Amateur Staff
Connecticut State & County HOF
www.stormbowling.com
www.rotogrip.com
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LANE CONDITION
Length: 38-44
Volume: 25+
Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc):
House and various Sport
COMMENTS
Likes: pin carry, predictability, read of the lane,
Dislikes:A bit strong for some of the conditions I see.
To me, the Roto Grip Idol is a great 1 or 2 ball in the arsenal. In many cases I cab start with it on the fresh as a ball that reads the midlane strong and a good amount of continuation. With surface, I need a ton of oil in the fronts. Shinier, the ball is a bit more friendly to use. My issue at this kind of surface is that it struggles when the lanes are wet dry. I like to throw more surface when the lanes get like that so i don't hold the responsibility to the ball to bail me out.
PICTURES AND/OR VIDEOS