Do YOU remember the #Synergy from the 1990's?  Don't you wish you could throw it again?  Join Lane Side Reviews own The Bearded Beast as takes a look at the new Track #CYPHER, the spiritual and LITERAL successor to the #TrackSynergy.

TESTING ENVIRONMENT:

Length:43

Volume:Med-High

Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc):THS 12:1 Ratio

BALL:
Coverstock: : VTC Solid Reactive
Core: : Hustle Core
Finish: 4000-grit Abralon
RG: 2.53 (15lb)
Differential: .030 (15 lb)

ME:
Right-Handed Tweener
Speed: 12-13 mph
Rev Rate: 315
Axis Tilt: 14°
Axis Rotation: 74°
PAP: 5 1/8 R 7/8 Up

Ball Layout: Pin over Ring 4 1/2 X 4 1/2 X 2 1/2 VLS

I've been a huge fan of the Hustle line from the beginning. I've always felt that Roto Grips HP1 line is the best in the industry for outperforming their price point and the new Hustle X-Ray continues that trend. The X-Ray features the same VTC Reactive cover featured on the Hustle RIP and the Hustle Core that has made this line what it is. The X-Ray features a different surface prep and a very cool new color scheme.


The Hustle RIP has been my go to when I'm looking for a ball that will give me predictable continuous motion on lighter oil or broken down house patterns. If there has been a hole in the Hustle line it's been a ball that I feel like I can get into right away and stay with through the transition. The Hustle USA hooked plenty to handle oil but as you had to cover more boards it tended to flatten out down-lane and have trouble getting the corners out. The RIP was a little too clean for a fresh pattern. The X-Ray seems to fit perfectly in that gap. You obviously have to keep straighter angles and play closer to the friction to start but works great for that and retains energy down-lane a little better than the USA did.

I tested the X-Ray on our high volume high ratio house pattern. The first week I took it out it looked great in practice but the other bowlers on the pair used some shinier stuff and they carried down so I transitioned into a stronger ball pretty quickly. The next week we caught a pair closer to the wall and it worked beautifully. It really gave me an advantage to be able to stay in the ball so long as everyone else fought the fast transition. I also added a bit of surface the next time I was closer to the middle of the house. At 2000 it was every bit as good on a little tighter pair. The core/cover combo is very versatile and takes well to both surface adjustments and release adjustments.

I would recommend the X-Ray for rev-dominant and speed challenged bowlers and for anyone who is dealing with more hook in the upcoming summer months as I know many of us do. I think it will also be a very handy ball on sport conditions as it will allow you to stay closer to friction longer on flatter patterns.

Check out my full ball reaction video on Youtube: https://youtu.be/0Mg8rDAG2mk?si=P0IJCchYDYKVB9m2

Lonnie Pemberton
Storm Pro Shop Staff
Vise Pro Shop Staff
Revolutions Pro Shop

Youtube Channel: https://youtube.com/@k1ngsizepapa

Balls you're using?  Conditions?  Approximate rev rate?  Speed?

My first blind guess would be that at 68 your speed and rev rate aren't what they used to be but your ball is hooking about the same amount so the ball has lost a lot of hit.  Depending on the surface that could be weaker covers or stronger covers drilled weaker.  Really need to make sure your ball is coming off the friction strong and you are lining up high flush, not just lining up to hit the pocket.

It's hard to tell from your post but it sounds like you're using a "standardized" PAP rather than your actually measured PAP?

If you're leaving a lot of corner pins then you need to increase your entry angle into the pocket.

Right Handed
PAP - 3 7/8 up 1 1/2
RPM - 400
MPH  - 16-17
Tilt   -  17

Emerson Lanes Parkersburg WV
42 House Shot
44 Kegel Lithium

The new addition to the Storm Premier Line is the Absolute Power. The Power is the Solid version of the original Absolute.  To be honest I had a hard time matching up with the original Absolute.  But with the solid cover (R2S Deep Solid) this to me was a totally different ball. I drilled mine 4 1/4 x 4 x 2 pin up. The Absolute Power is a Home Run to me! The power just reads the pattern the correct way. It the most motion I've seen downlane out of a Asymmetrical Solid in a long time.  The Power really excelled on the longer patterns like the Kegel Lithium pattern that I bowled on.
I have drilled 3-4 for customers at the shop from 2 handers, strokers, crankers. The Absolute Power rolled great for all the different styles! I think it is a must have in bowlers arsenals!

Bowl up a Storm!












the Absolute Power.