Post by: lhooker on February 09, 2012, 05:02:26 AM
Over the last two months I was a bit unimpressed with the 716c. I ended up working with a new driller and went with an Outlaw followed up by a Bandit. I love both balls and of course the Roto brand now. I feel that I can tackle the vast majority of THS conditions with the Outlaw/Bandit pair.
What's next? I use the Outlaw for longe/heavier or squirtier patterns and the Bandit covers the rest. I have that urge to purchase something new and am wondering what would fill a gap? I need something for toast dry lanes, will prob. look outside Roto and grab a Slingshot or Tropical Heat/Breeze.
I have seen the Shooting Star in action but seems to be too similar to the Outlaw, same with the Rising Star/Bandit. As silly as this sounds, I just want some new equipment to give me a diff look basically, my current lineup is fine.
As far as specs/style, I still haven't gotten my PAP from my driller but I know my speed varies between 18-19mph. Rev rate would be between a tweener and a cranker, def. can't make an estimate rpm wise. Let me know what you think, just trying to spark some roto discussion....
Post by: wldthng047 on February 09, 2012, 01:08:32 PM
If you wanted to stick with RotoGrip, i'd suggest teh Critical Theory. It will give you a strong Pearl Assymetrical ball that will roll easiily through the heads, and allow you to play tighter angles if you so desire.
Right Handed
Power Stroker (400+ revs)
18-19 MPH
Post by: ithinkican on February 09, 2012, 02:56:09 PM
tropical heat is a monster for a lower end ball
Post by: northface28 on February 09, 2012, 03:29:38 PM
”Im a really good bowler, ask Ron”
Post by: Jesse James on February 09, 2012, 06:48:25 PM
On my four man team I was the only one throwing RG equipment. Anchorman was throwing Columbia, the lone female throws Ebonite, and the other male throws Hammer. I now have both the guys throwing RG stuff. Anchor now throws a Neptune and Cell. The other male has been throwing a Defiant for the last three weeks, and his sets have been 676, 642, and 702. That ball is a beast! Hard-arcing and continuous through the pocket!
Just waiting for the female to wake up and smell the STAR!
From what I have seen, I'd pick up a Dark Star for the toast, and that Defiant for the long stuff!
Let me ask you this.....is the cover of your Outlaw in OOB condition, or did you polish it up? I polished mine and drilled it pin down and this ball still flat out moves on the backend!
Duct tape is like 'The Force'. It has a light side and a dark side, but it still holds the universe together.
Some days you're the bug; some days you're the windshield.
Post by: lhooker on February 09, 2012, 08:22:11 PM
Have a similar story to yours. My friend bought a Raptor P7 and VG Nano, struggled with these two, didn't fit. Per a recommendation, found a top notch driller and was recommended a bandit. After killing leagues with that, he bought a mutant cell pearl, shooting star and defiant, all within the last 3-4 months, making roughly 10to1 on the money with each ball within a week or two. After seeing his bandit in action and struggling with a newly bought 716c, I went to the same driller and he recommended the Outlaw since I had two pearls already. Roto grip has fit our games so much better than our previous equipment it's unbelievable.
I keep my Outlaw in the OOB condition because I like to keep my Bandit polished and use that when i need more length and clearance through the heads/midlane. Don't get me wrong though, even with the dull surface, the Outlaw makes a very sharp move on the back and clears the rack no problem, keeps the pins low too, I don't see a lot of ringing 10's or solid 9's. The Bandit just flat out moves on the backend, it is an amazing piece also.
I want a Defiant but I don't see enough oil to really warrant buying that. As crazy as it sounds the $100 shooting star seems to be close to the Defiant on THS volumes. I could go on and on about what i've seen from the RG lineup. A dark star may be in my future, like I said, i'll talk with my pro shop guy and see what he thinks. He throws everything with different drills at diff. tour events, he gives great suggestions when it comes to ball selection/drill, etc.
Edited by lhooker on 2/9/2012 at 9:23 PM
Post by: Jesse James on February 10, 2012, 01:52:09 PM
Good luck with your selection! Too funny.....and strangely too similar, I too have a brand new 716C, that I cannot use. I struggle with it mightily! It is just too strong for most THS patterns, around here.
Duct tape is like 'The Force'. It has a light side and a dark side, but it still holds the universe together.
Some days you're the bug; some days you're the windshield.
Post by: lhooker on February 10, 2012, 02:00:21 PM
Post by: Walking E on February 10, 2012, 03:48:15 PM
Official Member of the BrunsTrackColumStormHammEboRotoBuzzAMF Nation!
Also a member of ROB STONE NATION
Post by: tommyboy74 on February 13, 2012, 06:36:50 PM
The Critical Theory or the Defiant are both good pieces for heavier oil. You'd probably have some more flexibility with the Critical.
The Shooting Star actually is a dark horse pick here. There are people that have been able to throw this ball in heavier conditions. I love the Neutron core in it (have the Rising Star) and this gives an earlier read in the midlane. You could probably drill it strong and get a ton of ball for not a ton of money.
The Rising Star will give you a ton of ball for the money as well, with flexibility of using it from the dry all the way to standard medium volumes. That ball surprised me with the amount of backend that I can get.
My arsenal
Heavy Oil: Storm Virtual Gravity Nano: 2000 AB
Medium-Heavy Oil: Storm Anarchy: 1500 polished
Medium-Heavy Oil: Track 919C: 3000 AB
Medium-Heavy Oil: Ebonite Vital Energy: 4000 AB
Medium Oil: Roto Grip Nomad Dagger: 1500 polished
Medium-Heavy Oil: Storm Anarchy: 1500 polished
Medium-Heavy Oil: Track 919C: 3000 AB
Medium-Heavy Oil: Ebonite Vital Energy: 4000 AB
Medium Oil: Roto Grip Nomad Dagger: 1500 polished
Medium-Light Oil: Roto Grip Rising Star: 1500 polished
Post by: bautch24 on February 14, 2012, 09:56:12 AM
If you can find a Mars, that was a great ball.
Post by: lhooker on February 14, 2012, 08:08:46 PM
Currently traveling, but when I get a chance to get back to Metro Detroit, i'm definitely going to hook up with my proshop guy and try to track down a dark star.
I have a friend who swears by the Shooting Star out of the entire lineup to the point where he has bought one just to store it lol. I may eventually grab one of those if I get any extra cash.
Forgot to add, from what i've seen, the Shooting Star can handle medium-medium heavy conditions very well for high rev players, even those with great speed. It is a lot of ball backend and surface wise for it's very low price point.
Edited by lhooker on 2/14/2012 at 11:57 PM
Post by: kmetz14 on February 19, 2012, 08:19:59 PM
if you can find a dark star get one i LOVE mine to this day i still have 2. But the tropical breese would be a great option.