Post by: admin on December 31, 1969, 06:00:00 PM
Roto-Grip®
“Sonic Xâ€â„¢
The Sonic X™ is Roto Grip’s newest addition into the mid-priced market. It uses the all new Sonic “Boom†Core™ with a new pearlized coverstock.
This High RG core with low Differential gives you more length with an arcing breakpoint. The Sonic X gives you a smooth transition from oil to dry allowing you to control the breakpoint.
Sure Grip Pearlâ„¢ reactive surrounds this core creating a stiffer coverstock for those dry lane condition.
Technical Data:
Factory Finish- 1500 polished
Radius of Gyration- 2.60 (High)
Differential- .020 (Low)
Hook Potential- 15 (25 scale)
Track Flare Potential- 2 Inches
Length- 8 (10 scale)
Backend- 6 (10 scale)
Cover Stock- Sure Gripâ„¢ Reactive Pearl
Weight Block- Sonic “Boomâ€â„¢ core
Color- Ocean Blue/ and Sunset Red
D-Scale- 75-78
Available Weights- 12-16 Pounds
Logos- Roto Grip, Sonic X, “4 Prong Star†Center of Gravity, Roto Grip Star
Post by: Wilbert on November 21, 2002, 04:52:21 PM
Length is a 7 or 8 and Backend is a 3-4. A lot less backend than the 7 posted on this website. I would rate it 3 on oil, 6.5 on medium and 8.5 dry.
I throw medium to medium slow speed with medium to medium low rev. Rev rate matches my speed.
I had a person with hand and speed throw the ball. The span was short for him. On a medium/medium heavy house shot he hit the pocket using his Storm LRG Core Power going 11-12 at the arrows going out to 7-8. Using the Sonic X on the same line he hit a 10 pin. Going straight down 7-8, the ball hit the 3-6 pins. The ball did not snap.
Post by: Sniper206 on January 28, 2003, 04:01:49 PM
This ball will flat out SKID!! I love this ball. It is very controlable, and will only be seen on the driest of conditions. The core in this ball is very strong and gives this ball all it's power. There will not be a condition too dry to throw this ball on. It it's extremely hard for a low-end ball, and I feel like this should honestly already voted as ball of the year in the low-end catergory. This ball will probably be a sleeper and don't let the price tag fool you. I paid $100 for it. And I got much more than what I paid for. Pick up a sonic X for the driest of shots and score like no other
hook- 7
control- 10
versaility- 7
sonic X gets 1 7.5 only because it won't see alot of action on 1st or 2nd shift shots. Big game tournaments, and even regionals would be a good spot for this ball when everything hooks too hard, too early.
thanks for reading and hope this helps your next selection.
Post by: Michael W Walls on February 01, 2003, 01:01:10 AM
Post by: rotostar on February 02, 2003, 02:35:23 PM
Post by: Stitch on February 08, 2003, 09:57:59 AM
Post by: Deadbait on February 14, 2003, 01:04:26 AM
Post by: rotomike on February 17, 2003, 03:50:11 PM
This ball works great in my chain infested market where the lane maintenance is low priority budget issue. Won't over-hook if it hits the crispies early.
I drilled mine label leverage. I kept on squaring up my line. My baseline Silver Streak was giving me a bloody nose from all the face shots. The Sonic X gave me a look like I was on a tight wall. No need to force this ball down the lane. It gets there quite well with hardly any effort. But WOW what hitting power. I was used to having to give up some punch for distance but not with this ball. This ball makes a Scout Reactive look like a marshmallow. Twisters will like this ball also.
Post by: K_Korner on February 19, 2003, 06:17:53 AM
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The Perfect Fit Pro Shop
www.theperfectfitproshop.com
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Post by: MWS on February 19, 2003, 08:15:46 PM
One final thing: when I have to stand 35 and play 15 I can grab the Sonic X and play a 4 board belly over 12 and slam the pocket. You will be surprised by the hit this ball produces on dry lanes if you throw it right!!!!!
Post by: mmings on February 21, 2003, 12:12:13 AM
I am a stroker and like to get the ball down the lane. I shot 222 with this ball after shooting a 209, 218 with my reaction rev, and x factor. Lane conditions where med-light 35' and dry backends. I played 20-13 with very minimal hand. Just let it roll and it will work for you. You must hit your mark because your carry is alright but nothing to scream about, but what do we expect on this type of shot anyways.
Definitely not for anything but when the lanes are starting to get over hook and roll out
Post by: LongTallLefty on March 11, 2003, 11:03:04 AM
Post by: Mr Scary on March 20, 2003, 02:34:55 PM
This is a very true rolling ball. It hits very hard and throws pins all over the deck. Great ball for drier lane conditions, or conditions with flyin’ backends.
Sonic X + Flyin’ backends = many messengers!!!
Post by: wannabebowler on March 28, 2003, 04:02:25 PM
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Just a Wannabebowler
Post by: bowlwbj on April 22, 2003, 11:06:56 AM
Post by: Bob Hanson on May 19, 2003, 05:52:46 PM
Post by: ih8stupid10pins on June 12, 2003, 02:33:33 AM
I was called at 8:29 to sub on an 8:30 league tonight, so I went in cold, no practice. I recalled that the Deuce was wayy too aggressive for this house (short oil, AMF synthetics" so I started off with the X-factor. After an o.k. game, I decided to go way right and play straight up 5 with the Sonic X. This ball went very long, and made a very predictable flip on the backend. After opening with a 192, I finished with 203-183-248, all with the sonic X shooting the 5 board. only moved 1 board left the whole night.
This ball is exactly as advertised. My first Roto-Grip ball, and I'm satisfied.
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~Matt
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Junior Coordinator
AMF Sayville Lanes
Long Island, NY
Msulzer300@aol.com
Post by: BrianN on June 21, 2003, 09:23:41 AM
3 1/2" pin, almost above the bridge, shading slighly toward the ring. CG out 1"+ from the center of the grip. Needed a weight hole about the size and depth of my little finger. Usually, this layout makes for a sharp breakpoint, but not so with this ball. It's still the mildest backend I've ever seen in a resin. No need to drill this one to death.
I could cut all this short and just say that the BTM review is close, but sells it a bit short with an 8/9/8.5 on the dry. As a tweener who can really shade into either, I'd have to bump that at least half a point. I notice they reviewed on 38' of oil on wood, and where Sonix shines is on synthetics with strong backends; I've never seen anything that approaches its performance on this condition. Sonix is the resin for light conditions that crankers and high-trackers have been looking for.
Sonix delivers everything the high-rev bowler needs - length, control, ability to shape the backend, and good pin carry. High RG/low diff usually translates to "squirrelly" for me, but this is so far the most consistent, readable ball in its class I've thrown. Finally, for any bowler who is having trouble with excessive entry angle, this may be the answer.
The natural comparison is to a Too Hot, which was previously the mildest 2-piece resin I was aware of. I have these two in somewhat similar drillings, and can attest that they are very different balls. Sonix is a significantly better ball for me and the conditions I see. It is longer than a Too Hot with a soft arcing move instead of the Too Hot's snap. They are different looks, and it's well worth owning both if you see lots of gradations of dry.
I think Too Hot is more appropriate for the stroker release. I get frustrated with it because the core wants to rev at its own pace rather than mine; otherwise the results are disappointing. Sonix, on the other hand, has that ineffable "sweet roll" (possessed by Illusion and Viper Pearl, for example) for
the cranker and is a better-carrying ball. This core is so nice, sight unseen, I would bet on the Sonix Solid as the sport ball of the year.
My only complaint is that it tracks up like mad. A handful of games on it, and it has more wear than my 2 month old Too Hot.
Summary: An amazing package of length, roll, control and hit on the dry. Where it shines is in the hands of a high-rev player on synthetics with flying backends.
Ratings:
Versatility: 6. Definitely an arsenal ball for many players, but a main ball for a few. Doesn't reach up into the medium conditions like a lot of pearls. Put it away on the carrydown. Far better, for me, on synthetic than wood.
Control: 10. Seems to give me some hold on a shot that doesn't afford much. If you have a shot with some swing and not much hold, get ready to slaughter 'em.
Hit: 9.5: Little move, big carry. The move off the dry is so smooth I don't worry about getting it out too early and leaving flat 10s. The bad case is tugging it into the oil.
Post by: Zman on July 12, 2003, 03:39:31 AM
My PAP is 5 1/2 over and 1/2 up, medium speed barely average revs.
Used on typical house 10 to 10 crowned pattern light medium oil wood lanes 34 foot pattern buffed to 39 feet.
Played this in the dry a two board swing to the 1st arrow.
Ball definitely clears the heads with ease and no drastic speed or release changes are needed to get length. Ball arcs very controllably and hits very very well. I have yet to leave a 10 pin in the pocket with this ball.
As soon as you see carry down run screaming to put this ball away unless yuor release strength allows you to keep moving the ball on the back end.
Tried a shot up the ol line at the 2nd arrow just to see what would happen and it looked like I threw my spare ball.
So far a light condition ball that hits. I like it.
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Zman
Cleveland State Vikings.
Post by: pbafire on July 15, 2003, 04:53:04 AM
Ball was a 15# 2.5in pin and about 2in top...I am a heavy handed right handed cranker (see profile)...went with layout #1 (on the drill sheet that came with the ball...but which in a previous post came to find out that it was an older drill sheet and doesn't match what is on their webpage....so I guess on the web page it is closer to A then C.).. Pin is to the right and just under the ring finger (not above like the web drill sheet "A" due to a shorter pin length)....cg is in the center of my grip...
Used this AWESOME ball during a league that normally has a lot of oil, but yesterday took place directly after the GCC Games Trios @ Funland Center in Bahrain...which was 3 to a lane (6 to a pair), 6 games...so before my league there was about 18 games put on the lanes, not counting practice...so the league members weren't happy when they found out they weren't being oiled for league...but I was smiling because I knew I had the Sonic X in my bag..
First game went front 7, then got excited and over muscled the ball 4-10 split, missed, then turkey, 9 on the fill for a nice 263...then games 2 & 3 made some silly mistakes opening up to much, or getting fast with my push away and left some light hit 2 pins...but finished 238 - 207 (missed 10 pin, the only one I left all night and a missed 7 pin)....706...next highest in league was the high average bowler (210)- who shot a 649...I don't think anyone else was over 600...and there are some great bowlers on this league.
All in all I was able to keep this ball in play much easier then most people (who were using aggressive particles trying to over power the lanes and squeezing the heck out of the ball to give it that little extra...don't they know that just makes it worse). I was playing about 25-18 all night...where other people were trying to fire it up the outside or play 4-5 arrow out to 5 and just watching the ball grab the lanes and take off.
This ball would hit the tracked out area about 25-30 ft down, look like it would turn up to get ready to take off, and then just glide to the pocket. I knew it would do this, as I had played with this ball a lot during practice on varying levels of oil, and I could see the core just stand up and then nothing..no more turn...and would leave a lot of flat shots, but that is just proof that this is not an oil ball...it is a GREAT dry lane ball.
I look forward to getting the Sonic X solid, putting a stronger drill pattern on it, and use it for mediums.
Post by: thegame on August 14, 2003, 10:48:35 AM
Post by: jjweb on August 29, 2003, 08:14:06 PM
Update:
After using it on several different conditions I've come to the conclusion, this is way too strong to be used on dry. I thought this would be my dry lane ball in my arsenal, I was wrong! It will flip harder than anything else in my bag on dry. I'm still tinkering with it, but I just think its way too strong for dry. You would need a lot of speed to keep this bad boy in play.
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Josh
When in doubt, Throw it out. Go buy a whole new arsenal!
Post by: Gravy on September 04, 2003, 02:34:56 PM
Post by: A_P_K on October 09, 2003, 04:24:27 PM
This Sonic X complimented it's Solid brother very well. I bowled with the Sonic X on second shift drier lanes and could stay in the track area just outside the oil line without over undering reactions. This was because the pearl was more skid snappy than my Solid was, providing a little extra punch at the backends.
The hit and carry are tremendous just like the Solid, but carrydown will make you leave flat hits, maybe ten pins or nasty splits. (Just like the Solid)
Roto Grip has come up with two of the finest lighter oil equipment on the market, because these two play like top shelf heavy oilers.
Just don't be fooled by the specs, they will hook more if there is too much dry in your ball path. If you have any sort of hand there's no need to drill these to death either...anything simple (weak) will do just fine.
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In the old days people used to cut wood with axes.....................now and days...............they just have Executioners do it for them!
Pin_Krusher IS a serious threat to modern day bowling wood as we know it today.
Post by: Leftyhi-trak on October 31, 2003, 01:58:18 PM
Review: Have had this ball since May. I find the more i use this ball at tournaments with shorter patterns or second shift leagues the more i like it.
I drilled it pin slightly over the edge of the ring finger and cg in grip center. This ball does as advertises and has a nice easy arc to the pocket. For a ball with such a low differential it always seems to have nice continuation at the pins. It carries very well for me and keeps pin low. I used this ball on the ABC shot and wish i had started with it. I used it up the twig the last game of singles for a 215. I currently also use it on a light medium 41ft pattern and either play the track or slight swing to the gutter. Trying to cover too many boards gives me a bit of over/under for me or weak corners. People looking for a light-medium ball or for light spotty condition this ball is sweet. I believe this has been my best investment of a new ball in the last year. Thanks Roger at Roto as i had talked to him a few times to determine correct drill for the gap in my arsenal I was trying to fill.
Qualms: This ball does not get the length i had anticipated even with some polish. Not a true dry lane ball but thats what pearl urethane is for anyway.
Rating: 9 out of 10
Post by: Rdrvgs1 on December 30, 2003, 09:31:53 PM
Drilled 6x4 and extra hole on PAP.
Got this ball because the house I normally bowl in has reduced the amount of oil they are putting out (7 to 7 block) I got this ball because my Silver Streak Pearl was too much ball and was burning out on the dry pattern, this ball is a great compliment to the SS I was able to move 8 boards inside where I normally play and was hitting like a truck. I have used the ball for 10 games now and have not yet seen one 10 pin!!!
Post by: louie on February 15, 2004, 07:11:07 PM
It is rare that I drill up a ball and get exactly the reaction and hit I was hoping for. This ball has met and then exceeded my expectations.
This was a 14 pound ball with a half an inch pin and 2.66 ounces of starting top weight. I'm a no thumber. I drilled this ball without a thumb hole. Cg just right of ring finger and the pin just right of cg. The fingers were drilled deep to leave less than 1 ounce of top or side weight.
The ball glides through the heads and then arcs beautifully into the pocket with very little deflection. I leave the occasional corner on a shot that deserves it, but anything that deserves a strike gets a strike. That leads to confidence! It carries the occasional crappy shot as well.
For me this isn't a dry lane ball. It's more aggressive than my Slate Blue Gargoyle or Barbed Wire. What this ball gives me is area on a wall.
I can send this ball out to the very dry outside boards and it won't over react like almost everything else I throw. It just hooks into the pocket and destroys the pins!
This ball is a crankers dream. For the strokers this is definitely a dry lane ball, but nothing else that hits like this will go this straight.
After my recent disaster with the Dry Heat, this ball really has me smiling.
THANKS ROTO!!!! GREAT BALL!!!!! I SHOULD HAVE BOUGHT THIS FIRST!!!!!!
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Why does everyone laugh when I bowl?
louie
Post by: tonygee on March 01, 2004, 02:21:35 PM
Ball flips to hard on your THS but moves lazily, not enough under the hood and tires are using chains.
The ball covers as much area as my Silver Streak and my Piranha Retro which is alot of area, but again it moves lazily and soft. It was suprising but it shouldn't of been because I knew it used the Silver Streak Pearl coverstock.
Planning to take the positive out so that it will play nicely in its own realm (the go long/for dry lanes realm).
P.S. When I tried to play the oil it moved a little but left a bunch of soft corners...grrrr BUT MARK MY WORDS IT WILL BE IN MY BAG IF ITS THE LAST THING I DO! to be continued...
Post by: tonygee on March 25, 2004, 04:03:34 PM
basically covers almost the same amount of boards as my more hooking balls: Retro, Silver Streak, but does not have the engine (core) to drive through and create the mix and carry the stronger balls do which sort of makes this ball useless. Left many many corner pins and light hits left 3-7s (lefty) very little mix. On super dry it stays on line better than the hard movers but it still left me with many corners. Do you know how long it takes a manual laborer in China to buy this ball?....MONTHS! How will I explain to my 12 children in Taisan that I spent their hard earned yuans on an investment that doesn't pay dividends...I'm lost for words...<sigh>
I'll try it in some other houses hopefully it'll find a home. If not its home will be the paper box it came in in my basement making itself useful by keeping my house from flying away.
Post by: LuckyLefty on April 07, 2004, 01:30:51 PM
Now substitute the word Rev for sperm.
Anyway this short fluffers delight pattern has left me in an absolute quandry.
Coming in and practicing in the mornings I had been using stuff designed to close to the hole. This same stuff in evening league had made me look like a FOOL! Deeper inside angles with all sorts of swing some splits with a 1 board miss at the breakpoint and lots of 6 pins and back row pins. While 5 rev fluffers and pure spinners are throwing 680s.
Talked to my teacher and she said get some shorter pins, weaker cores and keep the balls high grit but no polish. Yo'all will do just fine!
Reading these weak core specs and Mr. Tony Gees hysterical review and others I was left with a mixed reaction, is this ball too strong or too weak for my goal of playing straight up on this super short pattern? (say 28 feet).
Therefore I split the difference and might have nailed this.
Pin right next to top of ring finger say 4 1/2 pin to pap and cg down 1/4 inch below grip center line at 3 1/4 cg to pap. Yes 4 1/2 X 3 1/4.
This ball is absolutely the bomb! A short pattern delight.
Matched up against a highly polished Fuze Ignitor, Walter Ray 1500 grit no polish, a Bowl America Atomizer(BZ Bullet with PK 18) and a Dull 1500 grit smash/r. This ball was the hit of the session.
Able to play straight down 10 on this hard wet dry, this ball had everything one wants on this pattern. Sanded to 1500 and left unpolished this ball carried everything from 10 to 1, straight down 10, swung to 6. In a total of about 3 games this ball left like 1 7 pin. The fuze ignitor while great and owning the pocket suffered numerous carry deficiencies. The highly polished surface to tame all the differential left 9 pins, 7 pins, while the Sonic X just carried from nearly every conceivable angle.
What impresses about this ball is the midlane it just seems to set this ball up.
To punch. There is even a little curl and the hook shape is just slightly less than the Walter Ray Mvp which has quite a bit more diff. .33 versus this very low .20. Of course looking at the core shape these wider center cores almost always supply midlane.
Now the trick will be to get the weighthole just right to not change reaction.
Just ever so slightly illegal I want to maintain the reaction exactly, and these low diff balls can be tricky.
Most similar to the Blue Pulse in movement(check specs rg is higher, diff the same and core shape similar for midlane) but it handles both oil at the breakpoint better and has slightly more at the back.
This is the short pattern champ! As one of my favorite reviewers Tony Gee notes this is not a dry lane ball as I tried going out to 5 and as he described the ball bounced quick and had nothing left at the back. Set it down along the oil line of your short pattern house and note how easy the lane looks and tally em up! You'll be astounded that this 62.50 ball new is takin everyones cash!
REgards,
Luckylefty
PS for on the right and playing more swing on a short pattern I'm sure it's slightly stronger brother the Sonic Boom is winning answer for those playing inside fanatics!
Post by: Jesse James on April 10, 2004, 04:05:36 PM
Been kinda holdin' off giving this review till I could really put this thing thru its paces.
15#
65 degree drill
Pin over the bridge, cg kicked about 1 inch to i.5inches off midline
No wgt hole
I love this ball! Let me repeat...I love this ball!!! I didn't read Tony Gee's profile, so I can't for the life of me figure out why he's leaving corners. I generally use this on the THS and dry or drying conditions. But guess what, I just found out I can play with it on medium conditions as well. I just have to square up, tighten my line by three boards and be more deliberate. Translation...slow down! The ball is sneaky, strong!! A real nice continuous arc to the pocket that carries extremely well. I have mine drilled fairly weak, which is contrary to all the recommendations that I've been reading about, but this ball is money. Am able to hit it, hard, with no jump on the backend....no over/under reactions. Great job by Roto-Grip. I'll have to get another one, and investigate Roto more closely, since this was my first ball from them. Recently shot a 644 with this ball, and had my teammates scratching their heads, trying to figure out "How"?
EDIT: Sorry guys! I meant to post this review under the Sonic X Solid !!
Post by: Mike E on May 30, 2004, 09:03:58 PM
Top weight: 2.68 ozs.
Lane Condition: 33ft.-buffed to 38ft.-oiled 7 to 7- tophat.
Drilling: 5" Pin to Pap- 75 Degree- Pin 4&3/4" above midplane.(Why so high?)
Just my personnel preference. Like pins way above midplane because of the Length it gives me.
Weighthole: Of course-Big one about 2" above pin directly in line with the pin.
Bowler: Slow speed (14 mph) Tweener. 90 degree axis rotation. Stood on 30 targeted 12&1/2 Board.
Reaction: Absolutely great. Ball went long on this short oil pattern then made a very pronounced move to the pocket. Carried everything that was flush (and even some that shouldn't have). Great ball . Even better price. Been looking for a good short oil ball for some time. Gonna get a couple more to have in reserve. Yes it's that good!
Regards,
Mike E
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Did you know that you can't see pigs in a windstorm?
Post by: C-G ProShop-Carl on July 06, 2004, 08:35:57 PM
Lane Conditions: Tried this only on dry....25ft buffed 31 ft, wood lanes
Reaction: Naturally with this ball skid flip. Any signs of oil and it wouldn't move. That is the purpose of this ball though.
Hook: Skid/Flip!!! I think it moved more than I expected on drier conditions, but not much more. In comparison I used the Storm Orange Flame on the same condition and the Sonic/X was a few boards stronger. Rating in terms of hook strength.....6.5
Control: No control in this ball on this pattern. On a house shot it was pretty controllable. Strong breakpoint though....when it found dry. 7.0
Hit: This is where Roto Grip set itself apart from other 3 pc balls. This ball hits harder than any 3 pc I have ever used. In comparison with everything else though it is a touch weaker. 7.5
Readability: Not with this ball. However if you use it and there is oil you will know. 6.5
Overall: Excellent arsenal ball. I would actually see it better used on a dry tournament shot when the lanes start to get fried. Unless you have a ton of hand or throw the ball extremely slow you cannot think of using it when there is oil on the lanes....especially in the backend.
OVERALL RATING: 8.5----taking into consideration the condition it is meant for!
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Owner/Operator
C-G Pro Shop
Post by: tonygee on August 24, 2004, 07:08:57 PM
My other equipment were too sensitive and strong, they moved so hard it was as if there were black hole type magnetic forces in the works. This ball kept a pretty stable line.
I like Storm stuff (they make Roto's stuff), they hit pretty good for me, actually there isn't many balls now that don't but they're all so condition specific. My kids in Taisan may have a white Christmas after all (old joke from an old review), white from the rice they harvest from the patties, there'll be no funds this year from papa yo, daddy needs new FLY Rims for his SUV. EEEYAHH!!!
Post by: bowlerXXL on May 02, 2005, 09:02:35 PM