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Author Topic: Grand Illusion  (Read 17660 times)

admin

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Grand Illusion
« on: December 31, 1969, 06:00:00 PM »
Ball NPS Score: 100.00
- Color: Cherry Red/Royal Blue
- Core: Helios II Core (14 – 16lb) Modified Helios II core (12 – 13lb)
- Finish: 2000 Polished
- RG Differential: 0.042 (Medium Flare) on a scale of .000-.080 Low Flare-High Flare
- RG Average: 2.53 (Med-Low) on a scale of 2.43-2.80 Very Low-High Break Point
- Recommended Lane Condition: Medium to Light Oil
- A few tiny pit holes in the cover stock of the ball are normal
- Description: Roto Grip''''s newest addition to the Swordâ„¢ Line is the all new Grand Illusionâ„¢. Once again we''''ve created a ball that is a perfect fit within our product line. This medium RG and differential bowling ball falls right between the ever popular Cellâ„¢ and the always consistent Illusionâ„¢. The combination of the Ultimate Visionâ„¢ solid reactive and the Helios IIâ„¢ core delivers added length and strong mid-lane reaction on these medium to lighter volume patterns. The Grand Illusionâ„¢ is extremely versatile, so don''''t deceive your scores by leaving home with out it!

 

nypro

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Re: Grand Illusion
« Reply #1 on: August 20, 2008, 11:38:42 AM »
This ball is AWESOME.  I have 3 Cells, one drilled for maximum early roll, one to go longer and one polished with pin under ring, I still had a void in my arsenal, I had a regular Illusion as well and it just wasn't enough for the middle condition.  Roto Grip did an amazing job picking a ball that fit perfectly in between those 2 balls.  This ball has been the first out of my bag since I got it and haven't had the need to throw anything else.  Great Job Roto!

rotomike

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Re: Grand Illusion
« Reply #2 on: August 20, 2008, 12:53:46 PM »
Pin 4.25" low 40 degree drilling angle low hole on val

***I have not yet made any surface changes to the ball***

I have bowled in 2 PBAX leagues this summer.

I was able to use it on all patterns except Shark.  I could have on Shark if I had worked the cover.

On Scorpion is was the perfect compliment to my Cell when the lanes started to break down.

On Chameleon it allowed me to play squarer than my Cell but will all of the back end I wanted

Cheetah - I was impressed with the continuation and control it gave me.  I was initially worried that the ball might be a bit too strong for the pattern but I was pleased it never gave out at the pin deck.

Viper - It allowed me to attack the lane with no worries.

On THS it was a bit too strong so I have drilled up a second one pin 5.25" high with a 25 degree drill angle.  League starts next week so we shall see how it goes.

To answer some earlier questions:

Is it the step down from the Cell that people are looking for?

Yep!!

Is it too close to the Pluto in reaction?

Nope it has a totally different hook shape and pin deck reaction than the Pluto.  For those of you that remember the Black Silver Streak, I would say this reaction is close to that ball but with a bit more aggressiveness from midlane to pindeck.

I love the colors and after I do some cover tweaks I will let you know how it reacts.

It is a bonifide winner.  Easy length strong reaction great hit!
--------------------
Mike Sinek
Roto Grip Amateur Staff
Kingdom member for life
Mike Sinek
Roto Grip / Storm Staff Manager
Kingdom member for life

rvmark

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Re: Grand Illusion
« Reply #3 on: August 21, 2008, 05:41:35 PM »
I have had this ball and threw it over 3 different series.  I had the ball drilled with the pin above the ring finger with the CG kicked out to 45 degrees.  I have thrown the this ball on both a THS and the Scorpion.  This ball has allowed me to play both up the boards and in on the Scorpion and move left on a broken down THS and follow the oil line.  This is my first Roto Grip ball and I am very impressed.  Bought this ball as a replacement to my Black Widow solid (really liked the BWS, but it is a higher maintenance ball) was drawn to Roto Grip by all of the good reviews on here about the Cell.

Based off the success with my Grand Illusion this definitely won't be my last Roto Grip purchase.


JMartin27407

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Re: Grand Illusion
« Reply #4 on: August 22, 2008, 01:26:39 PM »
Layout:  5 x 3 1/2
         3 1/2" buffer (puts the pin just under my middle)
         no hole
         surface changed to 2000 w/o polish

When I laid this ball out I was looking for something to fit in between my Cell and my Illusions.  What a great compliment this ball is!  Much cleaner than my Cell and reads the mids better than my Illusions.  I had been keeping a Illusion at 500 abralon to fill this gap and the Grand Illusion fills it so much better. I have drilled a few of these for other people now and it seems like a ball that can fit somewhere in almost anyones game. Definitely one of the best balls I have seen in a long time.

Jimmy Martin
Roto-Grip Amateur Staff




Mikelj

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Re: Grand Illusion
« Reply #5 on: August 28, 2008, 08:34:43 PM »
I received this ball in time for summer league.  What a great addition to the product line.  I kept the box finish and had this drilled with the pin above the fingers.  This ball works great on medium and light oil.  

I am a low rev stroker and love to see the reaction of the ball as it bounces off the friction and makes its move to the pocket.  This ball provide the backend I needed compared to the Illusion.

Last night I used this ball in the last game of league and added 20 pins to my last game when others were struggling as the heads were drying out and everyone was getting overreaction from the more powerful equipment.

You will be surprise with the performance of this ball.  I got a lot more than I expected.

Another success from Roto Grip.



--------------------
Mike Johnston
Roto Grip Advisory Staff

TBS1

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Re: Grand Illusion
« Reply #6 on: August 28, 2008, 08:54:34 PM »
First impression on the looks of the ball is impressive


Layout- 5 x 3  pin buffer 3"

For me the ball is cleaner through the heads and a very strong arc.  The ball fits in very nice between the Cell and the Illusion.

I love it because I can get tighter angles without fear of over reaction.

Great job Roto Grip!



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James McCarter
Co-Owner/Operator
The Bowlers Solution INC
Roto Grip Amateur Staff

rotogrip300

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Re: Grand Illusion
« Reply #7 on: August 28, 2008, 10:44:43 PM »
Great midlane reaction. With good continuation threw the pins. The rolls awesome through the pins. Finished second in regional last week end mostly because of the Grand Illusion. Very smooth of the hook spot with no over reaction. GREAT PIECE OF EQUIPMENT.

I have two of them. 3X3, and 5X3 with hole down, and both have 4000 abrolon.
5X3 Hooked a lot. Even was a little to much on the 37 Foot pattern.

MoonsLefty

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Re: Grand Illusion
« Reply #8 on: August 31, 2008, 04:13:15 PM »
I drilled my Grand Illusion with 50 x 4" x 70, which puts the pin just below my ring finger, with a small hole down on the VAL. I have 2 Cells, one with a 50 x 5" x 40 drilling, and the other with a 50 x 5" x 70 drilling. The grand Illusion fits in between the 2 Cells. I am very impressed with this ball so far. I needed something a little stronger off the spot than my Cells, and this ball is just that.

The Grand Illusion works well in medium to medium heavy oil. I haven't changed the surface and don't think I will.

A great compliment to the Cell and the Illusion. I can't wait to see what Hank has coming next.
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Rob Haverstock
 Roto Grip Pro Shop Staff

PaulMc

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Re: Grand Illusion
« Reply #9 on: August 31, 2008, 06:40:34 PM »
I drilled my first Grand Illusion with the pin 4.5 inches from the PAP.  What a great reacting ball.  The ball goes long yet has strong back ends.  It is really a great even rolling ball.  The ball also really reacts strong off the dry on a wet / dry condition that allows me to create area left of my target (I am a lefty!).  The easy length also can give me some hold area.  The hitting power is pretty impressive.  I have had two 300’s with it in league and a couple 2nd place finishes in SASBA (senior) tournaments with it.

I drilled a second one with a longer pin 5.5 inches from my PAP.  At first it was either a flat seven or a six pin.  After putting some surface on it I was able to move outside the oil line and “pipe it”.  The ball struck forever and gave me a completely different look.


thegame

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Re: Grand Illusion
« Reply #10 on: September 01, 2008, 12:15:52 AM »
Got a few days of practice in with my new Grand Illusion, and I'll tell you what I've seen thus far.  Had it drilled rico, and this is my first ball using this layout, so I was very interested to see what all the talk is about.  The ball gets fantastic length, and makes a real nice powerful arc to the pocket.  Not a snap by any means, but juat a hard, controllable arc.  Not sure if this is more due to the layout, or the ball, but it's a great thing to see on the lanes.  I got this out on the lanes at the same time as my new Momentum Swing, and they are a great compliment to one another.  I know Roto Grip says the Grand Illusion fits perfectly in an arsenal under the Cell, and I couldn't disagree with that either.  No overlap whatsoever, but just when the Cell is getting to the point where it's too much ball to use, the Grand Illusion should fit just right.  I've only used this ball on a house pattern, and a very dry house pattern, on the very dry shot, I had to use almost excessive speed to keep it in play, but on the THS, it was a monster.  Roto Grip is a great company to look at right now, because while they don't have a lot of equipment currently on the market right now, what they do have compliments each other very nicely.

IrishMike837

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Re: Grand Illusion
« Reply #11 on: September 03, 2008, 10:12:41 PM »
When I first got my Grand Illusion drilled I didn't have time to practice with it before my PBA Experience League, but after a few successful shots during practice I decided to go ahead and use it for the night.  I made the right decision because I was high series for the night with a 857 (4 games) on the Chameleon pattern and I won over $100 in brackets and high game pots.  The Grand Illusion is so smooth down the lane but once it hits the breakpoint it makes a hard turn for the pocket and the pins don't stand a chance.  I've been able to use the ball successfully on house conditions, PBA conditions, and a variety of other tournament conditions.  Now along with my Cell I feel that I have an unbeatable combination of balls to work with on almost any lane condition.  Even though I normally bring at least 8 balls into the center with  me I haven't been able to get the Grand Illusion out of my hand, it's that good.  If you are looking to improve your arsenal of bowling equipment then get the Grand Illusion, it's a can't miss.
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Mike Keily - Roto Grip Amateur Staff

ROTO GRIP - King Of Them All!

hSDw

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Re: Grand Illusion
« Reply #12 on: September 04, 2008, 11:26:37 AM »
this ball is predictable.  although classified as a solid reactive, it glides through the heads as clean as some pearls.  the grand illusion can cross a lot of boards as you jump into it, but it is fairly smooth in transition making for easy lane adjustments.
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Herb Walsh - Colorado Springs - Valley Bowl
Roto Grip Staff

Tess7654

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Re: Grand Illusion
« Reply #13 on: September 04, 2008, 12:52:06 PM »
I drill my Grand Illusion 5x3 with weight hole on pap. When I first used it (on house shot) I expected it to go fairly long and flip hard because of the shiny factory finish but what I got was good length,lots of midlane read and a strong predictable arc on the backend. 2nd pattern bowled on was in a regional on the chameleon, I used a 2000 abralon by hand and knocked the shine off....this gave me more mid lane and very strong continuous move to the pocket. I must say I have been very very impressed by the versatility of this ball. First night of league last week was 791. Will post another review when I drill my 2nd one.

David Tessman
RotoGrip regional staff.

Los300

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Re: Grand Illusion
« Reply #14 on: September 08, 2008, 07:09:01 PM »
I drilled a Grand Illusion this week and I really like it thus far. I kept the ball in the polished box finish.  With this finish the ball will clear the heads easily, pick up in the late mid lane, and make a sharp move on the backend. The polished, solid reactive coverstock creates a reaction that I can best describe as a solid reactive front with a pearl reactive backend which creates a unique angle and look that will allow you to really open up the lane. I found that I have had my best looks keeping my hand under the ball as any considerable side rotation will make the ball duck hook on the backend and leave some interesting designs. The ball has enough natural, built-in backend that you do not have to do anything to help it finish. In comparison with the great Roto Grip Cell, the Grand Illusion will go about 3-4 feet longer through the heads but will backend about 4-5 more boards. When the Cell burns up a bit too soon and doesn’t have a lot left for the back or is just simply too much ball, then pick up the Grand Illusion. When the Grand Illusion goes too long and won’t pick up on the back or if you run into a longer, heavier volume pattern you can then pick up the Cell. The two balls do have a very similar violent hitting power that throws pins around aggressively. As their ad says, Roto Grip has definitely produced a great 1-2 punch in their product line with the Cell and Grand Illusion that compliment each other perfectly. Once again, if you are looking for a ball that will go easily through the fronts, picks up in the late mid lane, comes back hard for great mix and carry, and is a great compliment to the Cell, then pick up the Grand Illusion.