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Author Topic: RST X-2  (Read 12097 times)

BallReviews-scodaddy21

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RST X-2
« on: October 08, 2021, 03:21:21 PM »
Ball NPS Score: 100.00
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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

 

DaveKlaas

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Re: RST X-2
« Reply #1 on: October 11, 2021, 01:04:56 PM »
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

C-MartStorm

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Re: RST X-2
« Reply #2 on: October 13, 2021, 05:19:25 AM »
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

TrevorRoberts

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Roto Grip RST X-2 review by Trevor Roberts
« Reply #3 on: October 16, 2021, 08:36:58 PM »
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

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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

BEger

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Re: RST X-2
« Reply #4 on: October 18, 2021, 01:45:19 PM »
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.

PJ Haggerty

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Re: RST X-2
« Reply #5 on: October 20, 2021, 11:16:00 AM »
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!

damron801

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Re: RST X-2
« Reply #6 on: October 21, 2021, 10:22:05 AM »
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

cmattingly

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Re: RST X-2
« Reply #7 on: October 21, 2021, 10:48:18 AM »
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
Casey Mattingly
Storm/RotoGrip Staff
Turbo Regional Staff
Coach's Corner Pro Shop
Alexandria, IN

JasonHollingsworth

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Re: RST X-2
« Reply #8 on: October 22, 2021, 01:04:07 PM »
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

Chicago972

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Re: RST X-2
« Reply #9 on: October 25, 2021, 02:46:18 PM »
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.

chasev97

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Re: RST X-2
« Reply #10 on: October 25, 2021, 07:14:02 PM »
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.

Rick K

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Re: RST X-2
« Reply #11 on: November 04, 2021, 08:25:00 AM »
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

live2bowlgr8t

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Re: RST X-2
« Reply #12 on: November 10, 2021, 03:55:24 PM »
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

StormRoto

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Roto Grip RST X-2
« Reply #13 on: November 17, 2021, 08:37:10 AM »
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

crasnic2012

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Re: RST X-2
« Reply #14 on: November 17, 2021, 12:02:29 PM »
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.