BallReviews

Equipment Boards => Roto Grip => Topic started by: StormAndrew on November 22, 2020, 06:02:16 AM

Title: Idol Synergy Review
Post by: StormAndrew on November 22, 2020, 06:02:16 AM
The hybrid version of the Idol series has arrived with the Idol Synergy. The Ikon core teamed up with the eTrax cover provides that in-between option within the Idol series.
I found this ball to be clean through the fronts yet controllable off the backend with plenty of continuation through the pins. This ball will be excellent for a multitude of patterns from house to sport as this hybrid provides plenty of versatility.
Title: Idol Synergy Review
Post by: addynyr on November 23, 2020, 02:05:48 PM
The new Idol Synergy brings back the Ikon core with the E-Trax Hybrid coverstock.  I was a big fan of both the Idol and Idol Pearl because of its continuous nature and versatility.  I was very excited to receive this ball as a staffer.  The Synergy fits perfectly between the Idol and the Idol Pearl by giving a cleaner reaction then the Idol but a more controllable shape compared to the Idol pearl.  I can see myself using this one a lot on medium conditions and house patterns where control is still needed but the lane surface has some hook to it.  Don't be afraid to add some surface to this ball to give it a more controlled reaction which will increase its versatility even more.   

Adam Chase
Storm Staff
Title: Idol Synergy…the best of both Idol worlds!
Post by: C-MartStorm on November 30, 2020, 07:33:20 AM
Bowlers Info: RH tweener, PAP 4-1/2 x 7/8 up, 365 RPM, 17* of Axis tilt, 60* of Axis Rotation

Ball Layout: 50 x 4 x 25

Finish: OOB

Since the introduction of the Idol and the Idol Pearl, it was only inevitable that RG would release a hybrid version.  Ta da!!!!!  This ball is exactly what we Idol enthusiasts were hoping for.  In comparison to the Phaze 3, this ball is smaller, cleaner, later with an aggressive backend. I drilled my Synergy with a strong 4” pin position placing it up and right of the ring finger.  As with all polished finishes, I lightly hit this ball with 3000 to get it to read the mids earlier.  I felt I can really open up a lane where there is still a bit of oil in the fronts but need bigger pop on the backend where a pearl is just to clean creating over/under. This is going to be another house killer and is a lot of fun to throw!  So if the Idol was too early or Phaze 3 is too big, then this will definitely fill that gap where you need a strong symmetrical hybrid to run up the score!

Chris Martinez
Storm Amateur Staff
www.stormbowling.com
Title: Re: Idol Synergy Review
Post by: damron801 on November 30, 2020, 01:30:02 PM
Layout: 75 x 4.5 x 35 (pin up, over ring finger)

Best of Idols yet!
How do you take two of the best bowling balls ever made and make one better? By putting the 2 together. There’s a reason the top tour players in the world have Idols in their bags. The smooth and controllable solid magenta Idol is absolute money on tricky conditions while the pearl Amethyst Idol is best on slightly beat up conditions. The blend of the two covers produces exactly what you need. Easy skid thru the front half of the lane, great read in the middle part of the lane, and a smooth but punchier backend reaction.  The versatility of this ball is what makes it stand out. The polished box finish gives you plenty of skid up front and backend down lane, while putting a little surface on this ball makes it read the mid-lane and arc more without having to force it. Easy and playable on all your medium lane conditions and mostly all your typical house shots but versatile enough to alter the surface and use on challenge/sport shots. Total versatility and playability for a wide range of player styles.

Ron D’Ambrosio
Storm Amateur Staff
#StormNation #SquadRG #Rdamballreviews
Title: Re: Idol Synergy Review
Post by: Onefrombills on December 08, 2020, 01:56:02 PM
The Stats ….
Coverstock Name   eTrax
Coverstock Style   Hybrid
Coverstock Type   Reactive
Weight Block   Ikonâ„¢ Core (Symmetrical)
Color   Amethyst Pearl / Magenta Solid
Finish   1500-grit Polished
Finish Method   Can be Sanded Durometer   73-75 on D-Scale Flare Potential   Medium - High
BOWLER STYLE: RH - Power Stroker Rev Rate: 320 Ball Speed: 15mph.
PAP : 4 ⅞ - ⅜ UP

My Thoughts…. As anyone that knows me, I focused the past couple of years on just STORM balls. I am going to be a more influential member of the SPI team. I recently got my first ROTO GRIP ball and you can find the review on the Rubicon on this website. 2021 I will be reviewing both STORM and ROTO GRIP balls. In my area, Storm and RG balls are huge sellers and I get to see many of the Utah balls going down the lane. The one ball that I had my eye on is the Idol’s and with the new 2021, I ordered the RG Idol Synergy. With this ball, I tested it against the Storm Trend as I feel/see the balls are close. The Synergy is as clean but did seem to be stronger off the spot than the Trend. When your first ball out seems to be burning up and you need a ball to hold the line I see the Synergy taking over. The 1500 grit polished ball gives a great skid in the heads and smooth down the lane. Throwing this ball I can see why it’s a preferred ball of the top pros.

#Storm #RotoGrip #VISE
#Logo Infusion Staff Member (coupon code HIRSCH 20% off)
Title: Re: Idol Synergy Review
Post by: MANCSTORM on December 10, 2020, 06:21:04 AM
As with the rest of the Idol line the newest addition is a winner. If you take the original and the pearl and put them together how could it possibly be bad? Super clean for me. It just looks like its going fast. More punch on the backend then I even expected. My best description would be Phaze3 like....... but better

Title: Re: Idol Synergy Review
Post by: rotogrip_rick on December 13, 2020, 08:58:03 PM
Roto Grip Idol Synergy – layout: 70 x 6 x 55
Tech specs: eTrax hybrid – IKON core – 1500 grit polished
Needing to get my symmetric pieces down lane farther, this was the second ball I laid out with a really long pin to pap of 6 inches or more. Taking advice from the great minds at Roto Grip and Storm, I also changed the pitches in my fingers to lessen the amount I get “round” the ball and it truly shows on the lane and my scores recently. The Synergy provided that additional “POP” and angle down lane that the short pin to pap drillings I have used on the new ASYs and also on an Idol and Hustle INK. The Synergy fills in with my current arsenal where the other pearls have been to “flippy”. It still looks like an invisible leg is kicking it to the pocket and has a TON of hitting power. Where the Axiom Pearl was a little too angular for me with 1500 grit polish on it, the Synergy is what I need to keep up a great scoring pace in league and tournaments. This is now my benchmark ball and maybe for a good long time.
Title: Re: Idol Synergy Review
Post by: MSUHoss300 on December 14, 2020, 01:03:49 PM
Roto Grip Idol Synergy
Layout - 55 x 4.75 x 25

This is the most angular skid-flippy ball I've drilled since signing with Storm.  Super clean through the front and all the energy retention and booming back end motion you'd ever want!  What I like so much about this ball is how I can use it shiny and it doesn't miss the window front to back.  The low-RG core never seems to miss it but continues like crazy.  I have it cleaner and longer than my Axiom Pearl and it bridges that gap for me between Axiom Pearl and HyRoad Pearl.  This one is a grand slam! 
Title: Re: Idol Synergy Review
Post by: rodbowler75 on December 18, 2020, 10:53:22 AM


As with the rest of the Idol line the newest addition is keep in my bag. If you take the original and the pearl and put them together how could it possibly be bad? Super clean for me. It just looks like its going fast. More punch on the backend then I expected it to have. Stop by your local pro shop and pick up!
Title: Re: Idol Synergy Review
Post by: wdye89 on December 21, 2020, 08:20:55 PM
Bowler Name: Wes Dye
Style: RH Thumb-in bowler
Rev Rate: 425-450 RPM
Ball Speed: 18mph off the hand, 16.5 mph @ camera (where most speed data in centers come from. 
Axis Rotation: 40-60 degrees on average
Axis Tilt: 10 degrees

Ball: Roto-Grip Idol Synergy
Layout: 4.5x4.5x2
Surface Prep: Box

When I drilled the Idol Synergy, I was hoping for something in between the original and the pearl. As someone who did not get to drill an Idol Pro, I was excited for this release.  I loved my original idol, but it was a bit strong for my house shot. It got a lot of use on tougher patterns.  I liked my idol pearl, but when I drilled it, I had not quite nailed down my layouts as I had just come back to the game after a 6-year break.  The idol pearl for me was very niche.  This synergy on the other hand has looked a lot more versatile. For me it is as clean if not cleaner than my idol pearl. This makes since as the layout was stronger and earlier on the idol pearl.  On our house shot, I have not found a night where this ball sees early friction.  It seems to ignore the first 35 feet of the lane and see a slight bit of the midlane.  From there I see a strong boom on the backend.  I do not know if it is the flippiest ball I have ever thrown, but it’s up there.  This ball has really helped me in situations where I have needed to move left and loop the lane quite a bit, but it has also been terrific when I start to see bigger stuff like the RST X1 lose some energy too soon in the lane. This is common for me with my lower tilt.  I have had great success balling down to the synergy from the RST X1 and staying in the same spot.  I think those two compliment each other nicely for league.  In comparison to the Phase III (same layout) I have the synergy 1-2 feet longer and stronger off the break point.  I believe part of this is due to the number of games on my P3. 

I do think this ball can get some play on some tougher conditions, though I have not had the chance to bowl any tournaments with it. I did throw it some on Kegel Abbey Road. My initial thoughts would be to break the shine a bit with a 3000 pad.  This ball is very clean out of box, and for my game and local center it feels too clean for any flatter pattern with decent volume.  Maybe in a longer format where the lanes can really transition, I could use it box, but it feels a bit too “long and strong” for me in my house.  I could see using this ball on some higher friction lane beds much easier.  Like I mentioned earlier, the cover really seems to ignore the first 30-35 feet, and that could be AMAZING in some houses where everything wants to read early. 

Overall, the Synergy looks like a great ball for any bowler in league, as it was designed to take advantage of the high ratio of oil on most league patterns.  I do think naturally rev dominant players and players with low tilts will like this piece as it will help retain energy and create down lane motion.
Title: Re: Idol Synergy Review
Post by: dstewart16 on December 23, 2020, 12:07:14 AM
“Introducing the brand newest addition to the HP3 line Roto Grip Idol Synergy! This ball has the eTrax Hybrid Reactive coverstock wrapped around the Ikon Core that is seen in all the other Idols! Storm and, Roto Grip hit a homerun with this ball as it fits right in between the Idol and, the Idol Pearl! For me this ball has a very similar motion as the Idol Pearl except the Synergy has a little more backend and, comes into play when the lanes start to transition. This ball is going to be my go to ball when I'm looking for my angle to the pocket”
Title: Re: Idol Synergy Review
Post by: cmattingly on January 06, 2021, 11:32:41 AM
The Idol Synergy has Shelf appeal.  It's Purple and blue colors are a throw back to the original Idol and the Idol pearl.  After drilling it I quickly realized that it had the comfortable Idol motion.  I have had many of the Idol series, including multiples of all of them.  This one will be the same case.  The Synergy will give you effortless length (even more than the pearl) coupled with a strong motion down lane.  I actually hit mine with a little surface just to knock the cover down and to get the ball to slow down a bit in the back.  I used a fairly traditional layout for me in 50x5x30 to get the motion I was accustomed to.

Other balls in heavy rotation:
Trend- 50X5x30
Emerald- 50x4/14x 65
Hyroad Pearl- 50x4-1/4x 65
Rubicon-60x5x15
Title: Idol Synergy Review
Post by: yellowdog07 on January 15, 2021, 01:07:06 PM
Weight:  14 lbs.
Pin Length:  4 ”
Drilling:  65 x 3 x 20
Pattern Length:  40 ft.
Pattern Volume:  Light to Medium
Pattern Type:  THS
Right Handed

The IDOL SYNERGY has the proven, symmetrical Ikon core weight block in the popular HP3 line, wrapped in the eTrax cover stock, which is a Hybrid reactive core.  The box finish is 1500 grit polished,  but as always, can be altered to suit a variety of lane conditions.  It is an attractive Magenta/Blue swirl color.

I have used the IDOL SYNERGY on a 40 ft. kegel house pattern, and a modified House tournament pattern.

I’ve thrown the IDOL SYNERGY at the 1500 grit, polished box finish, and haven’t made any surface changes. I’ve found this to be a very good starting ball on fresh back ends.   Once the carry down comes into play, I can migrate outside a bit more and keep the ball playing well, or I pick up my Rubicon, for the earlier roll, and still good finish.
This is a high end ball at a medium price point.  It has earned a spot in my bag every time I shoe up.   It gets through the heads extremely clean and flips pretty hard off the break point.  I highly recommend the SYNERGY, and add a star if you were a fan of the original IDOL  ball.


Carol Teel
Roto Grip Amateur Staff Member
Title: Re: Idol Synergy Review
Post by: StormMan300 on January 19, 2021, 01:44:01 PM
Perfect Idol Blend

The Roto Grip Idol Synergy is the perfect blend of the Idol Solid and Idol Pearl in the HP3 line.  It reads the mid lane decent like the Solid but has more length overall and has the backend of the Pearl.  This is the definition of Hybrid. Its very smooth and controllable and I don’t see it jump off the dry like some pure reactive pearls do.  This ball is really good and I see this in my bag on sport and house. Hitting Power is great like every Roto Grip Ball I’ve thrown. I can play pretty much any line because it recovers smoothly from anywhere and blends the pattern out. My PAP is 5-1/8 and 1/8 up. Usually around 15-16mph, I’d probably be classified between a tweener and a cranker.
Title: Re: Idol Synergy Review
Post by: rcgilmore on January 24, 2021, 04:40:47 PM
Idol Synergy-
RADIUS OF GYRATION 2.49 DIFFERENTIAL 0.052

Type of Bowler: Stroker
PAP: 5 ½ over 1 ½ up
Ball Speed: 16-18 (speed dominate player)
Rev Rate: 285-325

Hello, everyone I am Rodney Gilmore here from Greater Ozark Open Pro Shops in Springfield, MO. It has been a long time since I have thrown Roto Grip equipment. I have recently drilled up and idol and really like the ball and the motion. I was not sure what to expect with the Synergy about watching sever other video ball reviews. I have to say I am pleasantly surprised. I laid the ball out 45x4x30 and left it factory surface out of box 1500 polished. I really like the ball motion this ball with this layout. It is extremely smooth with a lot of backend. I have used the ball on some wet/dry conditions and it really blends out the pattern for me well. I am a straighter play up the boards but now thanks to Storm and Roto grip I can move in and get the balls to turn the corner. The Synergy for me is very predictable and continuous and does not jump off the dry. I like this ball and it will be in the bag for sure. 
Title: Re: Idol Synergy Review
Post by: stormstarSLZ on January 26, 2021, 03:55:52 PM
PAP 4 ½ over and 1 up ball speed 15 rev rate 275
Drilling-60x4x30
Right out of the box The Idol Synergy was calling my name, absolutely beautiful ball. I drilled the Synergy with intent of bridging the gap between my Axiom Pearl and Phaze 3. I have with the same layouts on each. On the medium length oil patterns I am able to start with the Axiom Pearl and when I need to ball down I can go right to the Synergy. With a small adjustment I am able to stay in play and stay in the same area. This really helps me stay to my game plans and see my arsenal much better. The key for me there is using a couple core layouts on different bowling balls to allow me to have better cohesion with in my bag.
Title: Re: Idol Synergy Review
Post by: JoeZibrin on January 26, 2021, 04:06:30 PM
PAP 3 ¾ over 1” up ball speed 17 rev rate 475
Drilling-50x5x50
Well well well, the Idol Synergy off the press looks amazing so far, to me this one really feels like the Axiom Pearl and OG Idol made a baby!!! The Synergy is so clean through the front picks up quick around 30ish feet and is crisp an quick off the spot. Really bridging the gap for me from the Axiom and Phaze 3. Where the Axiom wants to start picking up to quick and the Phaze 3 is to smooth around the corner. The Idol Synergy allows me to stay where I was with the Axiom Pearl and I get another 2 feet of length and really the same amount of overall hook down lane. Quickly becoming my first ball out of the bag!
Title: Re: Idol Synergy Review
Post by: RubrightReviews on January 29, 2021, 03:09:37 PM
Layout: 55 x 4 7/8” x 75
Pattern: 39' Sport Shot (2:1 Ratio)

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIMm14hjy2g&t=3s

The Idol Synergy provided enough length through the fronts and middle part of the lane with a nice strong backend.  Overall, the motion is a 3-1 more aggressive than the Idol Pearl, but provides a better continuation through the pins. 

The Idol Synergy will give the iQ Tour Emerald a run for its money in my bag.  With a slightly higher differential in the Synergy, it have a greater potential of flare and being more angular than the iQ Tour Emerald.

If you wished that the Idol wasn’t as early, provided more length and was more angular, or the Idol Pearl was a touch too clean, then the Idol Synergy is the ball for you.  The Idol Synergy as a whole, is versatile enough that any style of player could throw this ball.