BallReviews
Equipment Boards => Roto Grip => Topic started by: drillbit on November 04, 2012, 01:40:12 AM
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My much prized Darkstar has, unfortunately, bit the dust(may it rest in peace). To be specific, it cracked, about 3.5 inches long, right across my ball track. So, I am looking for a reasonable facsimile of the Darkstar, which, for me, went long, but didn't jump like crazy at the break point. What would be a suitable replacement, either from Roto, or from anyone else. I'll try any company. Thanks.
drillbit
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I have 2 suggestions. The tropical heat pearl and the bandit are very close to the dark star. Using the same layout should give you what you need. On the other hand, the shatter is a really good ball, but it will be a pinch stronger on the back end.
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The Shatter uses the same core with a stronger pearl cover. A weaker layout will yield close to the same reaction. The dark star was a great one but the shatter is a beast when you have friction.
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Not same core as shatter. Dark star used photon core. Dark Star was one of my favorites that I've never found a replacement for.
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Good point forgot its the Rising Star that has the same core.
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You might look on ebay for some older stuff that won't cost a fortune. Older equipment, in general, doesn't hook like today's stuff. Either that, or find a Track 300C. Very controllable light-oil ball. Drill it pretty close to your PAP and you'll have a close replacement.
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Take a look at the Hammer Nail.
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You could pick up one of the Gladiator balls from visionary--some are still available, they will get enough length and not go crazy on the backend.
Brad
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For me the Blue Pearl Hook from 900 Global was very close to my Dark Star with almost identical drills and surface...
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I have a cobalt vibe drilled same as I had my Dark Star. Very different ball. The vibe is way snappier. I really want something less snappy but just as clean. Just very clean but smooth off the dry. I need for when lanes get fried.
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I have a cobalt vibe drilled same as I had my Dark Star. Very different ball. The vibe is way snappier. I really want something less snappy but just as clean. Just very clean but smooth off the dry. I need for when lanes get fried.
Try a 300C, drilled with pin under the bridge area.
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My vote is either of the first posters...rook or righty complex...get something currently in the productline that wont cost an arm and a leg
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Luckybowler.com has Dark Stars for $89.If you liked the Dark Star that much,why not replace it with another?
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Luckybowler.com has Dark Stars for $89.If you liked the Dark Star that much,why not replace it with another?
Is that site currently working...its all 2010 balls..granted id pull the trigger on a few of those..something tells me it hasnt been updated in a while..
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Luckybowler.com has Dark Stars for $89.If you liked the Dark Star that much,why not replace it with another?
Is that site currently working...its all 2010 balls..granted id pull the trigger on a few of those..something tells me it hasnt been updated in a while..
I don't know,I stumbled on that site about a month ago.I haven't ordered anything from them myself.I was thinking about an Onyx Vibe though.If I do decide to place an order,I will certainly post if there are any issues.
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Luckybowler.com has Dark Stars for $89.If you liked the Dark Star that much,why not replace it with another?
Is that site currently working...its all 2010 balls..granted id pull the trigger on a few of those..something tells me it hasnt been updated in a while..
I don't know,I stumbled on that site about a month ago.I haven't ordered anything from them myself.I was thinking about an Onyx Vibe though.If I do decide to place an order,I will certainly post if there are any issues.
Please keep me informed..ill like not pay bills to get my hands on a couple of those peices
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I just fired off an email to them to find out if they are still in operation.I'll let you know if they reply.
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The Rising Star (Hybrid Reactive) might be a good replacement. It has the same core. Should be slightly smoother and it has a strong backend motion!
Also the Scatter would be a great ball which is similiar! Can't go wrong with either.
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The Rising Star (Hybrid Reactive) might be a good replacement. It has the same core. Should be slightly smoother and it has a strong backend motion!
Also the Scatter would be a great ball which is similiar! Can't go wrong with either.
Different cores, actually. The Dark Star's Photon Core had a higher RG and lower differential than the Neutron Core found in the Rising Star, Shooting Star and Shatter. The cores look the same, but with different densities and placements within the ball.
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Any follow up on this subject of the Dark Star.
Any response from Lucky Bowler(I like that name for some reason).??
Also, agreed with last poster. The Photon core in this pearl made for a very rounded and controallable backend. New Neutron core is a little sharper at the break. No knock, just different!
Regards,
Luckylefty
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A few tour guys at the WSOB (named held) mentioned that the upcoming Roto Grip "Wrecker" (and Disturbed) may share the core from the Darkstar.
I'd have to agree with Walking E, the Rising Star (although probably stronger around the corner) is a complimentary step-up (for me). I go between the two, starting with Rising, balling down to DarkStar.
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I had both the rising star and the dark star, both drilled exactly the same and while i thought they would be similar I was wrong. Yes, they were close but I thought the dark star rolled 10 times better that the rising. The dark star seemed to rev easier throughout the lane and make a strong controlled move while the rising seem to have a more skid flip motion.
My ball of choice is the Tropical heat hybrid, black and purple, and add a little surface to it. Ball is amazingly good, it gets good length with a strong smooth motion on the back. I have seen plenty of them with different drills, including mine, and it seems to have the same general characteristics with each different drill and bowlers.
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I semi agree glssmn2001
The surfaced Trop Heat Hybrid or even the blk/slvr... either way you can't really go wrong. Good choices all-around and probably the closets.
The Rising is arguably a stronger engine and cover. But I have used both (Rising/Dark Star) in tandem and seemed to fit a similar slot (for me). With the Dark Star being a good step down if I didn't want to see as much traction that the Rising gave me. They both are slow around the corner (drilling pending).
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I shot them an email on the 6th, and haven't received a reply.I assume that they are no longer in operation.
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The Shatter for me was the perfect replacement for the Darkstar. I have found it to be more versatile than the Darkstar.
In the center I bowl in on Wednesday night there are a lot of Shatters going down the lane. The high average bowlers in both the Men's and Mixed league are throwing Shatters.
The biggest advantage I have found with the Shatter versus the Darkstar is that it gives me the initial look I had with the Darkstar but when I have to go deep I don't lose hit. Not to sould like a FIGJAM but since putting the Shatter in play my average went from 225 to 232. I am a tweener with stroker tendancies so I am proof of how versatile the ball is. i have also been able to stay with the same ball for the whole night almost all of the time.
Hope this helps!
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Guys, a lot of great posts from above! Thank you for all of the information.
My observation of the Darkstar is that was a not very pearly pearl and seemed to have a lot of the properties of a smooth solid(maybe the owners had let get dull). Very rounded and smooth around the break for a pearl.
Any idea of when the Wrecker and Disturbed will be out from Rotogrip and what series they will be in? HP1 or HP 2?
Thanks,
Luckylefty
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RotoMike/Fellow lefty
Tell us a liitle bit about your drilling and the reaction please?
Regards,
Luckylefty
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I've just seen descriptions of the new releases, I don't seem to hear of a Photon core in the Wrecker or Disturbed? Great balls they sound like but....
What happened?
Regards,
Luckylefty