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Author Topic: Exotic Gem Review  (Read 8026 times)

StormAndrew

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Exotic Gem Review
« on: December 09, 2022, 02:24:18 PM »
The Gem, designed for heavy oil, see's its transition counterpart; the Exotic Gem. Similar to the original; the Exotic Gem is designed for those heavier oil conditions. When the stronger solids, such as the Gem, begin to fade, neglecting carry through the pins, the Exotic Gem will be a great option to go to.
The Exotic Gem picks up pretty quick in the mid lane and provides plenty of continuation through the pins. The ball features its strongest cover paired with the earliest hooking RG asymmetric ball in the Roto Grip lineup, which will provide plenty of ball when confronting those heavier conditions of oil.
The Exotic Gem will be a ball I will be taking with me to league and tournaments and will fill the gap either on the fresh or as a transition when I get out of the stronger solids that no longer angle.

 

Kyle.Johnson88

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Re: Exotic Gem Review
« Reply #1 on: December 21, 2022, 03:27:18 PM »
Ball Specs:
Roto Grip Exotic Gem
Coverstock: Reacta Gloss MicroTraxâ„¢ Pearl Reactive
Weight Block: Defiantâ„¢ LRG Core (Asymmetrical)
Color: Citrine/Apatite/Amethyst
Review:
The Exotic Gem truly speaks to its name. It is incredibly clean down the lane with very strong and continuous backend motion. The Defiant core paired with the MicroTrax pearl cover makes this ball probably the strongest pearl on the market in our opinion. Our style: tweener, 350-375 revs, 16.5mph, layout of choice is 4x4x2 (pin is above bridge). It has been a while since we have seen such a strong and powerful 1-2 punch with the Gem and Exotic Gem. Although they are both very strong, the pair is very versatile on fresh. The Exotic Gem provides a step down or if you are seeing a slightly shorter pattern in which the solid Gem is a bit too strong or too early.

Kyle, Joel, & Dean Johnson
Roto Grip Pro Shop Staffers
joel@parklanes.net
kyle@parklanes.net
dean@frontierfuncenter.net
www.RotoGrip.com
#SquadRG

Michael Slatky

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Re: Exotic Gem Review
« Reply #2 on: December 26, 2022, 09:22:18 AM »
Roto Grip
Exotic Gem
Coverstock: Micro Trax Pearl Reactive
Finish: Reacta Gloss
Core: Defiant LRG Core
RG: 2.47
Differential: 0.053
Int Diff: 0.016

Layout: 5 x 4 x 4 - 2LS
Layout Extras:  2 1/8 Finger Depth, "X" - 4 1/2 D and 1 Inch Left
Tester:  PAP 6 1/2 R, 1 1/4 D

Review:
The Exotic Gem features the Micro Trax Pearl Reactive coverstock which makes the Exotic Gem distinctive in the Roto Grip and SPI line of bowling balls. The original Gem is noted as the earliest rolling ball in the current line, now in a pearl version. The pearl additive takes the big core in the Gem and gives the bowler extra length through the front part of the lane in the Exotic Gem.

Anything you desire in a ball to create hook, more hook, oh and can you say "hook!". This one is for you. You should expect a continuous, strong reaction throughout the lane. The best part is the Exotic Gem will not quit and provide continuous lane motion at the back end of the pattern, yet provide great control.

The Exotic Gem achieves some length down lane so the ball design does not "hook at your feet" which would occur with older generation of bowling balls. The Exotic Gem will work best on long, medium and higher volume patterns.  If your desire is to stay left before and as the the lanes transition this ball will not disappoint. If you want the biggest pearl on the market today in your bag, this is the one!  Don't hesitate to try out the Roto Grip Exotic Gem today.

Michael Slatky
900 Global Staff Member
York, PA

jordanmbehunin

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Re: Exotic Gem Review
« Reply #3 on: January 18, 2023, 04:20:06 PM »
The Exotic Gem is the newest high end pearl asym ball from Roto Grip. While the cover is exceptionally clean, this ball is on the slower side when it comes to friction response. This provides a really nice balance of length and control. This ball was very useable on the fresh with a slightly slower speed, and as the lanes opened up it was able to come back from larger angles and still continue through the pins.

hammermike2000

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Re: Exotic Gem Review
« Reply #4 on: January 21, 2023, 12:46:26 PM »
Layout: 65 x 5 3/8 x 40

Talk about midlane and backend hook!! I deliberately drilled this ball weaker than normal after watching other review videos first, and it's still a monster.  I did hit it with a 4000 abralon pad to remove some of the polish, and even at 4000 it can handle all except for the heaviest of oils.  I would put this ball in the category of “new” pearls, as in, they can still handle a good bit of oil. The traditional idea of a pearl coverstock ball is that it loves dry but is allergic to oil, and that certainly is not the case with the Exotic. This ball is 3-4 boards stronger than the most recent high end asym. pearl, the RST X2.

Mike LeViner

cpollentier

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Re: Exotic Gem Review
« Reply #5 on: January 22, 2023, 10:30:16 PM »
Roto Grip Exotic Gem
Coverstock: MicroTrax Pearl Reactive (Reacta Gloss)
Core: Defiant LRG core
RG: 2.47, Diff: 0.053, PSA: 0.016 (15 lbs)
PAP: 5 3/16 over x 5/8 up
VLS Layout: 5 x 4 3/8 x 2 3/8
Dual Angle Layout: 55 x 5 x 35
Location: Prairie Lanes, Sun Prairie WI
Pattern: Medium volume THS

The new Exotic Gem is the pearlized version of the original Gem from Roto Grip. It features the same Defiant LRG core as the solid Gem but is wrapped in the MicroTrax Pearl reactive cover, which bucks the trend of previous pearl releases that use a weaker cover compared to their solid counterpart.  But don’t be mistaken, even though the Exotic Gem has a pearl cover it’s an incredibly strong ball. 

The layout I used puts the pin above my ring finger and the mass bias slightly right of my thumb.  It’s a fairly strong layout that gives me a little length up front with plenty of midlane read and a strong continuous backend. I typically scuff shiny balls with a 2000/3000 Abralon pad, but given the strength of the Exotic Gem I decided to leave it at box finish with Reacta Gloss. My first chance to use it was in league on a medium volume THS. Given the strength of the Exotic Gem, I was required to move deeper than I typically would. Often times pearl balls become pretty over/under on league patterns given the amount of oil in the middle and dry to the outsides, but the Exotic was plenty strong enough to dig through the soup in the middle of the lane and still make a strong move off the friction without over-reacting.  In fact, the further left I moved as the night went on, the better the Exotic looked as it was able to retain that much more energy – so much so that I was able to pop off 300 in the final game of league. Not bad for the first set out-of-the-box!

Compared to the Gem, it’s a few feet longer and retains more energy for the back 1/3 of the lane. It’s actually a great go-to from the Gem when that ball starts getting lazy and leaving weak hits. The RST-X3 in comparison to the Exotic Gem is a little earlier and a little smoother, likely due in part to the hybrid cover on the X3. Both balls cover about the same number of boards but do it with different shapes.

I think the Exotic Gem would slot right between the solid Gem and RST-X3. If you’re a high-speed low rev player, or someone that gravitates to bigger hooking bowling balls, the Exotic Gem should be your first consideration. This ball definitely needs oil and seemingly rolls much better the deeper on the lane you get and on longer oil patterns. I’m confident in saying it’s the strongest pearl I’ve ever thrown.

Chris Pollentier
Storm Products Pro Shop Staff
#StormNation
#SquadRG

bowlstorm3

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Re: Exotic Gem Review
« Reply #6 on: January 25, 2023, 07:08:25 AM »
Roto Grip Exotic Gem
Coverstock: MicroTrax Pearl Reactive
Core: Defiant LRG
Factory Finish: Reacta Gloss
Layout: 5 x 5 x 2

Exotic is the right name for Roto Grip’s new shiny hook monster. When I first heard fast revving asymmetrical core with the earliest and most aggressive pearl coverstock currently offered, I found it hard to imagine many situations where it would be useful in the bowling centers I frequent. I waited and watched a few others punch it up and I saw a motion that was very unique and useful. So, I drilled mine with a pin up 5 x 5 x 2 layout and we have a ball that picks up in all the right parts of the lane. As this ball is gliding through the heads, I always have confidence that it is going to slow down at the right spot and make a left turn. I definitely think it may be the strongest shiny pearl asymmetrical ball I have ever thrown. I find it a bit like the 900 Global Altered Reality but the Altered is just a bit cleaner and maybe a bit more round and less aggressive on the backend than the Exotic.

The Exotic will definitely help those that need a strong ball but struggle with the big dull balls retaining energy through the pins.

YouTube: https://youtu.be/1ZGjzoiBe3w

Onefrombills

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Re: Exotic Gem Review
« Reply #7 on: January 27, 2023, 05:26:56 PM »
Ball Specs:
Ball Name: Roto Grip Exotic Gem
Cover Stock: Micro Trax Pearl
Weight Block: Defiant LRG Core
Color: Citrine/Apatite/Amethyst
Finish: Reacta Gloss
Layout: 5X4X1.5 

Bowler Specs:
Right-Handed
PAP 4 7/8" Over 3/8 up
Rev Rate 300.
Speed at release 15
Fragrance: N/A

Review:
This is the new release the Exotic Gem from Roto Grip. As I am a fan of the original GEM, I was all kind of excited for this release. Throwing them side by side as you would expect I saw the Gem earlier than the Exotic Gem. The reacta gloss that is on these balls for me have the balls going really long and not seeing it read the lane. I have started to scuff these balls with reacta gloss with a 2000 pad to remove the shine and after doing so and getting some oil on the ball I found the Exotic to still be cleaner down lane and have a similar look  as it’s counterpart the GEM. I do see this ball being used by all from middle average bowlers all the way up to scratch and tournament players.  This ball is going to be in the bag for some time.
YouTube video of the ball: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQDc-ZzVcLg&t=38s
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