BallReviews
Reviews => Roto Grip => Topic started by: BallReviews-scodaddy21 on October 08, 2021, 03:21:21 PM
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Following the success of the RST X-1 Roto Grip took the same core and wrapped it in the proven eTrax pearl reactive coverstock with some modifications to create the Roto Grip RST X-2. The combination of the RST core and the eTrax PLUS Pearl Reactive coverstock creates a big footprint the length of the lane and maintains its reaction to friction on the backend. This big hooking ball is ideal on medium to medium/heavy oil.
Color: Tanzanite
All colors do vary somewhat from the picture shown
Core: RST Core (Roto Star Tour Core)
Coverstock: eTrax PLUS Pearl Reactive
Finish: 1500-grit Polished
RG: 2.53 (for 15# ball)
Differential: 0.053 (for 15# ball)
Recommended Lane Condition: Medium – Medium/Heavy Oil
Hook Potential: High
Length: Late
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LANE CONDITION
Length: 41 ft
Volume: Medium
Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc): THS
COMMENTS
60 x 4 1/2 x 30 on the layout
Axis point is 4 7/16 over and 3/8 up. Revrate in the upper 300s, ball speed between 15 and 16 mph. I typically like to start at 15 on a typical house shot and migrate in from there.
Initial reaction...Roto has been doing a great job with color combos. The color of this ball pops off the shelf and looks very nice going down the lane!
On to the review:
I drilled a UFO Alert with a weaker/smoother layout, which works really well for me on the fresh at my home center but once the snow starts flying, I needed something with similar length but just a touch sharper off the spot. This ball does exactly that! Starting with the UFO Alert at 15 board at the arrows, it was laboring entering the pocket. I switched to this bad boy and I was ripping the 10 out time after time. Going left, it just seemed to pick up more and more steam! Sometimes, getting too far left with pearls leads to over/under looks but I was able to use this for 3 straight games during league with zero lack of performance.
If you are looking for something to get around the corner a little harder, this ball will certainly do the trick. Go out and drill one today!
PICTURES AND/OR VIDEOS
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Roto Grip RST X-2…not just a pretty ball!
Bowlers Info: RH tweener, PAP 4-1/2 x 7/8 up, 365 RPM, 17* of Axis tilt, 60* of Axis Rotation
Ball Layout: 40 x 5 x 50
Finish: OOB
Given the popularity of the X-1 it was inevitable that the pearl version was going to come out with the X-2. I used my usual pin over bridge, CG kicked right layout to see how this would complement not only my X-1, but see how different it was to the Rubicon UC2. For me, the X-2 and UC2 are very similar but with some distinct differences. The UC2, for me, is more angular and faster off the spot and has more of the hockey stick motion. The X-2 is earlier and stronger with a bit more control with great continuation. I decided to hit the X-2 with some surface just to widen the gap a bit and now I feel I have it dialed in when transition requires me to move in but still need something to read the mid-lanes sooner than the UC2. Go check out the Roto Grip X-2 as I believe you will really enjoy this house shot killer!
Chris Martinez
Storm Amateur Staff
www.stormbowling.com
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Lane Condition
Length: 40
Volume: Medium
Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc): THS
Comments
The RST X-2 is the newest asymmetrical pearl from Roto Grip. For me, this ball gives me the strong reaction of the RST X-1, just further down lane because of the clean cover. The RST X-2 is similar to the Dark Code and Rubicon UC2, but gets down lane further before starting to hook, and is more angular than both of these balls. In my YouTube ball review, you will see that the RST X-2 pops harder off the spot than the Rubicon UC2.
When I first saw the RST X-2 I thought it looked like a Hy-Road Pearl. This ball will be really good when you want to open the lane up and still get hook in the back. It has been really good for me already in this league season!
YouTube Review
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGHdbXnxu74&t=20s
Social Media
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Bowler Stats
Trevor Roberts
2016 PBA Southern Regional Rookie Of The Year
Storm Products / Turbo 2n1 Grips / Bowlifi Staff Member
Right Handed
Rev Rate: 400
Speed: 16
PAP: 5 1/2 up 13/16
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Style – stroker
Speed – 14 MPH
Layout – 5.5 x 3.5 x 2.75
PAP 5 7/8 over and 3/8 up
Condition – house patterns
Surfaces – HPL and Pro Lane
A great deal of anticipation for this release from my end. Had a tremendous amount of success with the RST X1. Loved the shape the cover and core provided on the X1. The same core added to the eTrax Pearl cover provides another super continuous shape for my ball roll. The ball for me is receptive to hand position changes and should appeal to a wide range of bowling styles on multiple patterns.
Ball was super clean through the fronts on a worn HPL surface with a big puddle in the middle. As the night progressed, I had to get out of that portion of the lane and didn’t have enough hand to stay in the puddle and get it around the corner. I don’t think higher rev rates would have any trouble getting it to turn the corner.
On the newer Pro Lane surface, it was nice on the fresh until carry-down hit. While I could still get the ball to the pocket, I left several 10 pins. Again, my rev rate wasn’t enough to get it through the pins.
For houses with lower volume patterns, I think pretty much anyone could use this ball. Higher volume houses you’d need to wait until the lanes transition before getting into this ball. Lower rev rate players might have issues getting it to pick up and higher rev players might have issues controlling the break point on fresh conditions.
As with all bowling balls there is a time and place to use each one of them. For me, it’s just going to be after the lanes transition some. But this ball is versatile enough to keep you in play for longer windows and should be a nice addition to any bowlers bag.
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The Roto Grip RST X-2 is one of the latest additions to the HP4 line at Roto Grip. After the X-1 was released with it’s hybrid coverstock and new Roto Star Tour core, our wizards in Utah crated a very similar ball with an update pearl coverstock (e-Trax) in the X-2. With an RG coming in at 2.53 and differential at .053, the X-2 is a perfect compliment to the X-1, UFO Alert, and Reality. I’ve found a lot of success when using the X-2 after lanes transition and patterns stretch. The X-2 has become a staple in my bag and is a perfect ball to use when needing more entry angle and a faster response time.
I’ve drilled one X-2 so far and think it rolls great. I mapped it as 5 x 4.5 x 80. This puts the pin above my bridge and the mass bias just to the right of my thumb. Also, I lightly scratched the surface with a 3000 pad to take some of the box-shine off. With still having an asymmetrical core, it still fights through oil in the middle of the lane but provides a quicker response time off friction down lane. I’ve seen multiple types of players have success with the X-2 and it should be the next ball you drill to compliment your UFO Alert or Reality!
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Layout: 4.5 x 4 x 2.5 (pin up)
Review: This ball goes with me everywhere! Some balls hit the pocket with a thud and some balls crunch the pocket. This ball is a cruncher! Super easy down the lane and a hard but controllable move on the backend. When this thing hits the pins they just disappear into the back of the pit with a head turning audible vengeance. I drilled the X-2 with the same layout as my Dark Code, UC2 and UFO Alert. The X-2 cover is cleaner than the UC2 and UFO Alert with more continuation and angularity than both of those. The X-2 just runs over the 5 pin and keeps trucking like it wasn’t even there. When compared to the dark Code, the X-2 has the ability to play from anywhere on the lane. Even when I have to move deep inside, the X-2 kicks the corner pins out easily when the others wanted to go a little more forward off the spot. Although I can’t use the X-2 the first game, I have used it 4 times in the 3rd game of each set. 300, 268, 258, 300. Every style bowler can use this ball. Whether you throw the ball up the first arrow or the 5th arrow, the X-2 carries everything. If you don’t have one of these, I’m not sure what you’re waiting for. I drilled a 2nd one today.
Ron D’Ambrosio
Storm Amateur Staff
#StormNation #SquadRG #900Global
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LANE CONDITION
Length: 43'
Volume: 21.5 mLs
Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc): THS
I had a lot of success with the X1. For me I kind of saw the X1 as an asymmetrical Phaze2. Similarly I kind of see the RST-X2 as an Asymmetrical Phaze3. I see this ball being cleaner than any other asymmetrical pearl across the brands with strong/controllable movement down lane. I actually wasn’t a huge fan of this ball out of the box, BUT when I cracked the cover with a 3000 pad, this ball came to life. The straight pearl cover with no additives on the X2 is great for higher friction surfaces like wood or HPL’s.
Layout- 50x5x30 or 5x4x2
Balls that are currently in the bag:
Zen- 50x4.25x65
UFO Alert-50x5x65
Dark Code- 50x4.25x65
Trend 2- 50x5x30
COMMENTS
Likes: Great on high friction surfaces
Dislikes: Too clean at times
PICTURES AND/OR VIDEOS
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RST X-2. The perfect compliment to the popular RTS X-1. Featuring the new eTrax PLUS Pearl cover wrapped around the RST Core, the RST X-2 gives you extra length with a more angular entry to the pocket. This is the perfect ball for when the front part of the lane isn’t fresh, or you are looking to move left as the lanes break down while still needing overall hook and a strong ball. The RST X-2 is very strong when it makes it’s transition down lane, so its better suited for patterns and conditions that have slightly more oil or length of oil on the lane.
Jason Hollingsworth
#StormNation
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The Roto Grip RST X-2 features a brand new ETRAX Plus Pearl reactive coverstock with the Roto Star Asymmetric Core. The X-2 has a medium RG of 2.53 a high differential of 0.053 and a low intermediate differential of 0.016. To bring this all together, the eTrax coverstock is the most responsive coverstock down lane created to date by Roto Grip combined with the Roto Star core gives you a more aggressive and responsive than the Rubicon UC2 or the Idol Synergy. The X-2 is going to give you a true reactive response on a variety of conditions by easily clearing the front of the lane while responding to the friction downlane.
The layout chosen was a 15 x 3 3/4 by 45 which will give the ball a smooth reaction shape which changes direction the least, best when controlling the pocket and on wet/dry patterns we see on house shots or sport when they become cliffed.
I did a ball comparison to the Roto Grip RST X-1, Storm Dark Code and 900 Global Zen on a 42 ft house shot pattern at Pin Station Lanes.
First up is the Roto Grip RST X-1. The RST X-1 with the same core but with the Microtrax hybrid coverstock gives you that blend of continuous smooth motion through the midlane then you see how the Roto Star Tour asymmetric core comes together with a very round shape dowlane. The X-2 compared to the X-1 you will see its more continuous through the midlane but has more pop on the backend then the X-1. So basically when you start leaving the flat 10 switch to the RST X-2 to get the 10 out.
Next is the Storm Dark Code, the Dark Code has REX Coverstock which is a combination of the NEX with R2S. The Storm Dark Code is very smooth and continuous through the heads and midlane and saves all of its energy for the backend. The RST X-2 is stronger than the dark code by several boards.
The last ball in the comparison portion of the video is the 900 Global Zen. The 900 Global Zen featuring the Meditate core is is continuous and smooth through the fronts but when its sees friction it takes off. You will see here I kept on moving 4 and 2 left to see which ball out hooks the other and the Zen won once I got really deep inside. But this comparison shows you just how strong and versatile both balls are.
In my bag, Zen, RST X-1, the X-2, the Storm Dark Code, then the Hyroad Pearl.
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This ball is a great combination of clean and controllable. It's really clean down the line but isn't snappy or unpredictable. This compliments the RST-X1 very well while still being very strong, and is a great option for leagues or tournaments.
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RST X-2 • High Performance • HP4
Coverstock • e-Trax PLUS Pearl Reactive • Finish 1500-grit, Polished
Core • RST (Roto Star Tour Core) Asymmetric
Weight 15lb• RG • 2.53 Differential • 0.053 Int. Differential •.016
Layout • 45 x 4.25 x 40
Tester PAP = 4 ½ R x 3/8 D • Tester Axis Tilt = 12° •Testers Rev Rate = 325
Test pattern = 42' THS (Typical House Shot) • Modified, Kegel Stone Street
The new RST X-2 from Roto Grip really piqued my curiosity, and I was excited to see how it would perform for me. It has the proven RST (Roto Star Core) found in the RST-X1 combined with an all-new eTrax Plus Pearl Reactive coverstock. This combination delivered some exciting results. So let's take a closer look at how it performed on a THS.
The RST core found in the RST X-2 is a strong asymmetric without being too overbearing. I like this core's ability to take the force off your hand and turn it into a strong, hard rolling powerhouse down the lane. Some asymmetric cores tend to be lazy and lose their luster when turning off the pattern, but the RST core stands up briskly and rolls with a firm authority that you can count on. Further, the RST core gave me confidence with its ability to explode at the pins without much deflection. Finally, I like how this core continued its rugged rolling toughness until it was through the deck!
At first, the new eTrax Plus Pearl reactive cover was a bit of a struggle for me. It has a very clean look to it and gets further down the lane than the RST X-1. But, on fresh oil, with my low-rev style, I found it a bit of a struggle getting the eTrax cover to react to my liking. So, having too much skid and not enough roll, I decided to cut this cover with a 2000-grit Abralon without polish. Again, for my high-speed/low-rev style, this adjustment made the eTrax cover much easier to control on fresh oil.
As the pattern broke down later in the night, I found that the 2000 grit alteration made this cover dynamite! By late night, I was able to move in with confidence and control. The eTrax Pearl reactive cover makes the RST X-2 an excellent choice when conditions change, and the shim line forces you to move deep inside.
As for surface adjustments with the RST X-2, I strongly suggest tweaking the surface to dial in the exact motion you want. This cover leaves plenty of room for a variety of bowlers and comes alive with surface adjustments.
In closing, I found the RST X-2 to be a clean, sharp-looking, and hard-rolling ball. The RST X-2 would pair well in any arsenal with an RST X-1, Rubicon, or a strong early-night ball. With the eTrax Plus Pearl cover's flexibility, the RST X-2 is the perfect choice for when you need to dial in that particular motion when nothing else seems to work as the conditions break down. Finally, the RST X-2 is an excellent choice for a classic-style, low rev bowler on a THS. So, ask your local Pro Shop operator today about this Roto Grip RST X-2 and see for yourself why you should "own it!"
Rick Klimowicz
Storm Products Pro Shop Staff
Roll the Ball Pro shop
Penndel, Pa
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LANE CONDITION
Length: 42ft
Volume: medium
Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc): THS
COMMENTS
Likes: EXTREME LIKE!!!!! The RST-X2 is the cleanest and most angular ball in the current lineup from Roto Grip. I put a 70*4.5*35 layout on mine and it just floats up the lane so easily. It creates a ton of angle down lane. As soon as the lanes begin to transition and I need to move in and open the lane up this is one of the first balls i go to. I have no worries about it not recovering. When i compared it to other pearl asym balls like the Dark Code and Nuclear Cell and the Flux Pearl the X2 was/is cleaner and more angular than all of them.
Dislikes:
PICTURES AND/OR VIDEOS
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The new ball in the HP4 Line from Roto Grip is the RST-X2 . The X-1 has been a very good ball and very successful in the bowling market. So Utah came out with the pearl version. I drilled mine 5.25.x5.x4.5 pin down. With the eTrax PLUS Pearl Reactive, man that ball is clean! For an asymmetrical ball X-2 gets down the lane very easily.
With that being said it does store some energy and has a good response to the friction.
But with the RST Core its still controllable motion and not as angular as say a UC2.
So if your backends are pretty clean and the UC2 is a little too sharp then X-2 would be a good ball to use. Roto grip has some very good Asymmetrical's in the line today with each one providing a different shape.
Brian Watson
Pro Shop Staff
PAP - 4 1/8
Speed -16-17
Tilt - 17
RPM - 400
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After the success of the RST-X1, and it personally being one of my favorite balls, I was very excited to try out the pearlized version the RST-X2. For me the X1 was a very strong, smooth rolling ball, but as the lanes start to dry up, it became difficult to move left and still carry the corner pins. That is where the X2 shines, where the X1 would burn up too early, the X2 has no problems getting down the lane, with plenty of down lane motion. For a pearl ball, this was one of the smoother ones I have rolled, but does not sacrifice the backend. This is a great ball to go to once the lanes start to transition, and helps blend out the lane when they might start to cliff.
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Orientation: Right Handed
Rev Rate: 400 RPM
Speed: 16-17 MPH
PAP: 4 ½ over and ½ up
Location: Enterprise Park Lanes, Springfield MO
Pattern: High Volume THS
VLS Layout:
Layout 2: 4 ½ x 4 x 4 1/8 (pin below bridge)
My X1 created a motion I’ve never seen before. I couldn’t throw it a ton though because it was SUPER strong.
My X2 is clean and creates that same reaction on much less volume. That means I can use it a TON more than I was able to use the X1. My X2 is pin down and it creates a LOT of backend motion. I can throw it to the friction for days and it comes off the spot easily and strong. It’s that same X1 motion just 5 feet further down the lane, which makes it much more usable.
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Zach Shoff
900 Global Staff Member
BowlerMAXX Pro Shop Staff Member
Right-Handed
Rev Rate: 350
Speed: 15mph
PAP: 4 Over & 3/4 Up
You need a ball that is strong in the mid-lane but also come off the spot hard. This is how I describe this ball. With my slower ball speed, I must start deep to be able to play with this ball on a standard house shot but when I compete on a challenge/sport shot that is heavy oil this ball is coming with me. It just doesn’t stop turning. For a ball that picks up early it never loses energy down lane when entering the pocket. Also, in my bag there is no ball that throws pins around more than this ball!
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Roto Grip RST X*2 - Layout: 50 x 7 x 50 - 1500 grit polished
Ball test conditions: Practiced on 44ft THS on SPL and 46ft THS on older HPL
The next evolution in ASY cores have gotten a new and exciting addition -- The RST X*2 !!!
After drilling two different laid out RST X*1s, I leaned towards drilling a longer pin to PAP for the X*2. So with that approach to layout, surface of the panels and patterns, I went for my first ever 7 inch P2P layout. Well, the ball retained a huge amount of energy, super clean in the middle and near the end of the pattern and a sweet angle into the pocket with attacking the pattern with open and closed angles. I was skeptical that having a longer than 6 inch pin would cause the ball to not have any recovery, but it was surprisingly strong with a good strong reaction. The roll reminded me of the Hyper Cell with a little weaker reaction. Will be a great replacement for bowlers looking to replace the Hyper Cells, UC2s, or Idol Pearls.
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RST-X2 Ball Review
Hey everyone, I'm back with another ball review, and this time it's for the Roto Grip RST-X2 and in 15 pounds this ball is wrapped in the eTrax PLUS Pearl coverstock and comes at 1500-grit polish with an RG of 2.53, Diff of .053 and A MB of .016 with a layout of 4X4X2
It is very easy to say how pleased I am with this ball. If you had thrown the original RST-X1 the X2 is everything that ball is and with the pearl cover you get that clean motion in the heads. A great ball for that medium to heavy oil condition. The X1 and X2 are a great combo and I can see where both balls will fit within the same bag.
BOWLER STYLE: RH - Power Stroker Rev Rate: 320 Ball Speed: 15-16 PAP: 4 7/8 right 5/8 up.
#Storm #SquadRG #900Global #VISE #BowlersChoiceProShop #BabesAndBallsBowling #LogoInfusion #IAmBowling (coupon code HIRSCH 20% off at checkout)
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVgKzdcnglpcCjAVFMBiVNg
Brian Hirsch
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Ball Specs:
Core: Roto Star Tour
Cover: eTrax Plus Pearl Reactive
RG: 2.53 Diff: .053 PSA: .016
Bowler Specs:
Speed: 15.5 MPH
Rev Rate: 300 RPM
PAP: 5 ⅜ over 1 ¼ up
Video ball review: https://youtu.be/qMsxqpd0RBI
When I decided to add the RST X-2 to the arsenal I wasn’t sure whether to drill it pin up or pin down. I already had a strong Asymmetrical pearl, the Dark Code drilled pin up and with my axis rotation the closest to a pin down drilling I can use without rolling over the thumb is the Reality with pin in the ring. So I decided to go with a dual angle layout of: 40 x 51/2 x40. This gives me a pin down type of reaction. For me this ball does need friction down the lane to help get it to the pocket and with this layout I can stay in the friction longer and have the stronger asymmetrical core help.
The pearl cover on this ball makes it very clean through the heads and very sharp or angular off the dry. With my firmer speed and lower rev rate it shoots past the midlane on most house shots I’ve tried to use it on. For me so far I have had more success using this ball during the later games of a tournament on a 42’ pattern. This will be a ball I have for the tournament bag and not the league bag.
Pete Dohan
Storm Bowling Amateur Staff
#StormNation
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You want to talk about a ball with some serious angle?!?! Roto Grip introducing the brand new RST-X2. The RST-X2 is the newest addition to the RST Line. This time, it’s a asymmetrical pearl. The X2 features the same core found in the RST-X1 only wrapped with the eTrac Pearl Reactive. This ball is very clean throughout the lane and has absolutely ridiculous downlane motion.
For me, the X1 and I didn’t get along very well; so I really didn’t know what to expect from this one. Man, I WAS BLOWN AWAY. This ball is a perfect compliment to my UC2, which I absolutely love! When my UC2 is too clean and not enough donwlane, the X2 gets the job down and has even more backend than the UC2. This is a perfect 1-2 punch when I need bigger/cleaner option for heavier oil patterns from inside.
This ball is also, in my opinion a house shot killer. Stand left (if you’re right handed) and throw right and watch this thing do a U Turn! You don’t want to miss out on this one. Go to your local Storm Vip Pro Shop and get your’s today!
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After instantly falling in love with my RST X-1 it was a no brainer punching up the RST X-2. This is the big asymmetrical pearl i was looking for in the bag. This ball gets through the mids with snap of the spot. Being that it is asymmetrical when you miss a little in the ball still digs in and drives through the pocket. If you're looking for a house shot killer look no further than the RST X-2. Get to your local pro shop and put your favorite layout on this and you will be off to the races.
Anthony Wiegand
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The RST-X1 has been a staple in my current league bag as well as tournament. It’s been lights out on most patterns for me. I’m very happy that they made a Pearl Reactive known as the RST-X2.
Sometimes I have to shy away from asymmetric bowling balls because they tend to get a little to tumbley for me and roll out. This series allows me to stay confident with my shots along with moving left.
The RST-X2 is going to be able to get you farther down lane then the X1 but coming hard off the spot allowing you to still get great carry.
This ball is going to be my house shot killer I can tell you that much. I always start with my X1 so now I can transition to this when the ball picks up a bit to early.