Post by: admin on December 31, 1969, 06:00:00 PM
Weight Block: Multi-Density with Power Ball Technology
Ball Color: Midnight Blue / Gold
Ball Finish: 1500-grit Polish - Can be Sanded
Radius of Gyration: 2.539 (Medium-Low)
Differential: .050 (High)
Durometer: 76-78 Rex D-scale
Track Flare: High (6" plus)
Fragrance: Lemonade
Weights: 10-16 lbs.
Post by: N_Smith on May 27, 2003, 05:17:51 AM
Onward,
15lb 3oz
3-4" pin
Layout was a 5x5 length drilling, pin above fingers. From what I saw, the ball reads the midlane well thanks to the particle pearl. Backend reaction was so-so, he just had to get the ball rolling early to get it to drive through the pocket. Go figure though, it is Storm. Hitting power was good, maybe I'll post a review after 30 games to confirm that, it may just be NewBallitis. I just wanted to make sure the ball drillers know how bad the ball smells when drilling. (To the point where customers were complaining) LOL
Cheers
--------------------
Nick Smith ... A.K.A. Les Badder
Greater Los Angeles Jr. All Stars (http://"http://www.glajas.org")
"The Highest Jr. Travel League in the Nation."
Post by: Tex on May 27, 2003, 12:43:53 PM
Post by: Mike Austin on May 28, 2003, 01:57:54 AM
#1 was drilled with a regional in San Antonio in mind. We bowled at Astro Bowl, and this place has very burned up wood lanes. I was banking on Pattern E which would put us playing out by the gutter (like last year). The layout goes like this: Pin over/left of my middle finger, about 5 1/4 inches from my PAP. CG is swung very sharply to the right, in about a 35 degree manner. The pin was out about 4 1/2 inches from the CG with 3.40 top weight. I had to use an X hole, about 6" over and 1" down.
For me, this layout gives me very good length, with a hook-stop motion to it. Works pretty well playing out, using the outside angle to create your strike angle. Also works okay on a wet/dry, but I like to try to simulate a roll out with this type drill. Also, I can really try and catch it, and it won't over react at the break point.
The ball did exactly as advertised, but actually went a little too long for the tournament. They used a little more oil than I expected, and the ball wouldn't turn the corner. (Ended up throwing a box dullish Shock Trauma drilled with the pin about 3 inches from my axis and the mass bias in my track. Surface got the read on the midlane, and controlled the break point, 1-2 boards were scorching. Layout got me some continuation through the pocket. Bowled very poorly though, 121 over for 14 games, ended up 18th, missing match play by 10. My ball reaction was super, but my spare game was terrible. Missed about 9 spares. Uggghhh)
EPP #2. Used my present default layout, pin between my fingers (4 7/8 from my PAP) and CG swung out slightly with no X hole. Mass bias would be to the right of my thumb or about 75 degrees. This is just a good all around drill for me, have used it alot over the last 2 years. Super Power (2), Trauma ER, Core Power HRG, and Eraser Blaze. Gives me a good read on what the lane is doing. Is fairly responsive to hand position changes, but doesn't kill me if I throw it bad. The pin is out about 4 inches from the CG and had about 3.50 top weight. Normally, I like a little less top weight, but drilled all the fingers deep.
Great fresh oil ball. Very versatile, good recovery when I want to hook it, has plenty of power when I want to be soft with my hand motion. I think I would like this ball on about 70% of lane conditions. There would be better balls for heavy oil, and dry lanes. Goes too long for heavy oil, better choices here. Reads too quick for dry lanes, resin would be better here.
Tweeners will LOVE this ball, use it on just about everything but scorch. Twisters will like it on fresh, very predictable, sets up nice in the midlane, and can still have plenty of back end. Straighties will like it on mediums to some dry lanes, depending on ball speed. Shell reminds me of the Nino 2000, probably a little more particle, not quite as clean through the front. Roll reminds me a little of the Nino X It, except with much better back end and hit.
Hope this helps ya.....
--------------------
Mike Austin
Mike Austin's Precision Pro Shop
Houston, TX
strikes4days@sbcglobal.net
Coming Soon!! www.bowlingthunder.com
Post by: bigdave300 on June 04, 2003, 03:36:38 PM
i bought this ball,drilled it with the warm front
drilling,my first series with it,on a fresh oil shot
was 300-226-256=782
i'm very impressed so far with this ball
it reacted well,
david
--------------------
BIGDAVE300
Post by: Los300 on June 10, 2003, 06:12:46 PM
Post by: Pat Patterson on July 17, 2003, 04:16:12 AM
Post by: jwsmith01 on July 25, 2003, 01:54:19 AM
Dislikes: Abundance of Dry in the heads will cause it to turn up too soon.
16 pounds
Top Weight: 2.82 oz
Pin out: 2.5-3 inches
Ebonite Quick Sand
I was pretty surprised when I drilled this one up. I drilled my Eraser Particle Pearl 5" control. This put my pin underneath my ring finger and the cg kicked out towards my pap. I had to take a small hole out to take it down to a 1/2 positive. I rolled a few games on a tracked out house shot, the ball rolled very true but I saw that it was getting alittle bit too much length than I was looking for. I took it down with Ebonite Quick Sand, and wow did I find a keeper in my bag. With the quick sand surface, I am able to feed the ball right enough but yet have the tires on the backend to get back to the pocket. I took it out on some sport conditions and this was the ball to use. I was able to make miss room for myself, when everyone else was getting crossed up trying to get to the pocket. The ball opened up about 3-4 boards at the breakpoint for me to play with when everyone else had about 1-2. But like every particle ball there is a weakness...dry heads will be a factor. I just can't feed it far enough right with even a sniff of dry in the heads. Also I have found if I miss my mark outside I leave a few flat 10's. But, for anyone looking for a that special magic ball on those tricky sport shots, this is the one for you. If you have any other questions feel free to email me.....Good Luck and Good Bowling.
Post by: ih8stupid10pins on August 11, 2003, 06:17:40 PM
I decided on the Eraser P/P over the Charge due to me only having only one other particle ball in the arsenal ...
I laid this ball out with the pin adjacent to my ring finger, CG stacked below it. (3.5" pin) Basically a skid-flip type reaction for me..
This ball KILLS on the synthetics. Bowling on 2 different house patterns on AMF HPL 9000's I'm scoring just as well if not better than I was on the wood. Including my longest string of 17 strikes in a row (last 10 front 7) with this ball.
Great ball for shots with alot of backend.... doesn't like oil OR carrydown.
Definately a great condition/surface specific ball, but I wouldn't recommend it as being versatile.
An 8 out of 10.
--------------------
~Matt
----------------------------
Junior Coordinator
AMF Sayville Lanes
Long Island, NY
Msulzer300@aol.com
Post by: MerkinMan on August 30, 2003, 09:46:07 AM
Ball is easy to get through the heads, pretty good length(i throw it around 18mph, mild cranker) and a very controlled backend reaction. It's not as herky jerky as the original ERASER, but muchb more smooth and readable.
Definatly not a hook monster, but a good choice for 1st ball out of the bag.
I rate it 4.75 out of 5 stars
Post by: John Figueroa on September 02, 2003, 02:31:23 PM
Ball specs:
15-pounds with a 2-3 inch, sorry still a beginner in reguards to ball layouts.
Results:
This ball reminds me of the Eraser (the first one)but with a pearlized particle coverstock.
This ball has a nice push thru the heads with a great mid-lane roll, and reads the breakpoint nicely.
Overall i purchased this ball in NIB condition, and this is still the feeling out phase, But i have made arrangements for the purchase of a second one.
I will follow this review up once i put some more games of actual use.
John
Post by: bowler0821 on September 24, 2003, 08:27:03 PM
#15.4
Top: 3.26
Pin: 3-3.5
Style
RH,Stroker
Avg revs
MHP-15-17
Well drilled this ball up with pin over the right grip and cg kicked right a bit. Well this is a great ball I had the orig. eraser and I have to say that they made a nice replacement. The only difference from this ball is it is not as snappy as the eraser is on the backend but better on the oil. This ball is great gets out and makes a nice mid lane rev and comes back really smooth and hits like a truck great ball. If you had the first eraser you need to try this ball you will not be disappointed great ball. Solid 9.5-10.
Great job storm.
--------------------
Mike
Not sure what to drill, drill a Storm there is no better.
Post by: MrSparkle on November 29, 2003, 05:27:52 AM
pin 4 and 1/2 45 degrees, hole 3" from grip center on midline
storm 1 finish
I am a tweener with about 375 - 400 rpms and 18mph ball speed.
I have thrown this on a variety of conditions now, and I am beyond impressed with this ball. It is the benchmark ball that storm lost when they discontinued the Tour Power. Now don't get me wrong, it's in no way a Tour Power, but it's the midlane rolling solid reactive ball that I think storm has been missing for a while.
This ball has an extremely smooth breakpoint move, it just gets started pretty early. This isn't a hook monster, but at the same time has to have some heads to be effective. Great all around ball though......
Post by: laner7pin on January 13, 2004, 05:11:48 PM
Ball: 15lbs
Pin: 3"
Top 3oz approx.
Drilling: 5 x 4 I believe (have to double check the sheet)
Pin is above the bridge, cg swung outside the palm, weight hole placed below the cg. Ball set up for backend. Threw it without the balance hole at firt and it seemed to give me over/under. Put one in and the ball had a lot more control and made a much more consistent move to the pocket. First night in league shot 720 with it, havent come close since. Ball as polished early in the year, but has been taken down to 600 sanded to combat the "winter flood" the center decided to put down. Ball skids through the heads, gets into a roll then immediately makes it move. Not a huge move, but a big enough move to allow me to stuff some solid 8 pins. Playing a little 10-5 swing on a 39 foot wall 8-8 spread, have put up some good scores with it. For me, right now it seems to be more of a condition specific ball, but if needed too I could find some kind of line with it. For the most part, the EPP stays in my bag early and when they start to open up on the good ol' left side, I can pull it out and put up some numbers as long as carry is still good. Great ball from Storm, starting to miss my Eraser though....
--------------------
Whats that made of?
14 Karat Gold.
Really??? Looks like rubber!
No the ring, not the hand....
Post by: StormLefty on March 12, 2004, 10:24:48 AM
Bowler specs...medium speed stroker, medium revs
I have had this ball for a couple weeks now and feel I can say this is one of the most underrated and ignored good balls out there. Due to its summer release, and rehash of the Eraser name, even similar colors as the original, it seems to be over looked. But this is one strong ball! The lemon scent is strong too, maybe too strong, but it will wear off...
I have had two Erasers, and love my present one, which is my medium/main ball. The Pearl Particle takes the same core, same specs, same base Accu-Tread cover, and adds a light load of particles. This season I have been struggling lately on shots where the lanes don't seem as crisp on the back as they used to be, and the mids are heavier (new oils, new machines)...leaving me with weak 7's and buckets. Wanting something a bit stronger, and liking the Eraser reaction, I went with a Pearl Particle.
The EPP is 4-5 boards with the feet stronger than my original, with both polished about 1500. When the Eraser is laboring on the oily/flat shots, I can pull out the EPP, give it a couple more boards room, and go. The ball glides through the mids, digs in, and turns hard to the pocket. Very hard hit. If the heads/mids start to dry up, you have to move quick....if the heads are dry, put it away.
For a medium speed player like me, it will work great on oil, probably not a flood due to the pearl, but you can dull it for that. For a high speed (18+) player, it would be a good medium ball with backends. Lots of recovery due to the particles, length due to the pearl, power due to the power ball core.
If you liked the Eraser and are looking for a stronger mid priced ball for those conditions with a bit more oil, don't overlook the Eraser Pearl Particle.
Post by: LuckyLefty on May 20, 2004, 12:17:27 PM
So far my favorites were the Riot Zone(still like) and the Shock Zone from Brunswick. I also have some affinity for the Columbia Spirit II.
In general this class of ball has sort of been an occassional fit for my game.
But I kept going back to reactives and solid particles when I really wanted to do some damage and feel certain of what I thought was gonna happen.
Now this beauty. Ball specs. 3 inch pin out purchased from Todd Sipes righty.
Due to some old ball plug laying around I butchered up this ball but on the side opposite my track. But I couldn't wait had clean track and drilled.
Drilled 4 1/4 X 3 1/2 pin next to ring and cg slightly out and down. 7/8 weighthole down about 1 1/2 inches from PAP on VAL on a line from grip center to VAL thru CG.
I's seen this ball and thought it would be a beautiful fit and it is! Left out of box 1000 with polish! Shot's around here are all overreactive on the backend.
I took this ball out to our local lefty killer house (high series I've seen by a lefty is 688 in 10 weeks). The overreaction is amazing. Usually I have ended up using polished solid reactives drilled hook set for this lefty jump shot the best stuff has good healthy flare potential but the flip drilled out. Pearls are exciting but will leave splits in this house real quick!!
But one needs head clearance! I saw this EPP in another's hands and I thought that might be a fit. Boy is it!
This ball clears the heads almost like a reactive and then flares smoothly and drives hard but never jumps. I remember my exciting Eraser pearl reactive how that would go down the lane and then flip jump at the pocket. Great when you needed that but often too exciting. This ball on the other hand rounds all that movement off slightly.
I put this ball up next to my Ego, a best of breed middle condition reactive and next to my lower flaring Spirit II and this ball fit right in the middle.
Great clearance, strong smooth midlane and then a beautiful smooth powerful move to the hole. Every game was easily in the 200s on a very difficult guick grabby heads jumpy shot!!
In comparison to the really great in it's day Riot Zone this ball has more clearance in the heads and touch more reactive drive in the back(lighter load).
In comparison to the Shock zone which really got down the lane this has more control of the midlane. Basically I'd always thought that in this class of balls if I could just get a lower rg particle that reacted right in between the Riot and the Shock I'd be really happy. I'm really happy.
I don't know if this ball is better than the X Reloaded but I don't know how a ball for this intended purpose could be better!
For great head clearance, strong midlane and the ability to play inside with a lot of control and hit! This has got to be the one!
I may be the lefty who can beat this house now!
REgards,
Luckylefty
PS I like it so much I may pick up a couple others and drill a touch weaker. Oh for the moderate handed I would drill medium strong to weak. Oh to get this ball to hook set one does not need to kick it way out. My ball is drilled about 60 degrees. This ball has a lot of core!
Post by: dizzyfugu on July 08, 2004, 05:55:17 AM
About me:
Style = Stroker/mild Tweener, right-handed
Speed = 13,5-14,5 mph
PAP = 5" & 7/8"^
Axis tilt = 18,7°
Revs = 250-300 RPM at release
For more details, check out my profile, please.
Ball setup:
Ball is a 4" pin-out. Pin to PAP is about 4 1/2". Pin was positioned high, 1" up at 1 o‘clock above my ring finger hole for god length. Mass bias is at ~60° from PAP, so that the CG ended up 2" to the right of grip center. Small X-hole (1" wide, 2" deep) was added on PAP to compensate and make ball legal. Silicone oval finger grips and a urethane thumb slug completed the job. Surface remained in OOB 1.500 grit polished.
=====*=====
==o=o======
===========
======#==x=
===========
===O=======
* = Pin
# = CG
x = X-hole
Ball picture: http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=3473647
The testing program:
On light to medium conditions, my EPP shows a clearly defined break point at 39-41' down the lane. With my drilling it shows a strong, continous back end move. Not jumpy, but with a sharp reaction. I can stand on 24th board with my right shoe tip and play over 12th board, stand at 28th and aim for 3rd arrows or even go to 40th board, playing over 18th board, and have it break on 6th board, 42' feet down the lane - it will still hit the pocket and clean the deck!
I found much potential in this ball on a sport pattern when the oil fades away and strong pure pearl reactives become erratic. A fresh, oily sport shot is just too much for it, though. With the Pro-Thane LT coverstock, which is based on the Accu-Tread pearl coverstock used on the original Eraser or the Trauma, I still get enough length and the particles smooth out possible over/under reactions. The medium-strong core is by far enough to create very good ball movement on this condition - rather rolly by nature. The Power Ball core generates lots of rotation and converts revs nicely into a forward roll. VERY controllable, a good core/coverstock match IMHO.
The EPP hits very well with a low thumping noise, a typical Storm particle ball sound. The pin mix is very good, too. In order to find the pocket or pick spares, I simply adjust my address position. I can take out anything except a single 10-pin with it, just by a change of hand and foot positions. It is easy to control, I tribute much of this to the light particle load.
I like this ball VERY much, an inconspicuous winner. BUT there is a weak point to it, as always... The EPP is quite oil- and carrydown-sensitive, what surprises me for a particle ball. If there is somehow oil in the back end, carrydown or simply a (too) long oil pattern, it will slide forever, never reaching its breakpoint. I guess the particle load is truly very light and that the particles used in the coverstock are not the spike/carbide type like in Brunswick's balls to make it grip in the oil, but rather soft ones which simply increase lane contact area. This works great on dry boards, but NOT on/in long oil.
Additionally, also beware of dry heads, too. The EPP will grip on dry ground sooner than a shiny reactive, which might be easier to handle in this situation. An option is to loft the ball, though.
Compared with my Trauma, with a pure Accu-Tread pearl shell, the EPP just has a bit more of bite, reacts earlier and has a smoother and more controllable reaction at the breakpoint. Where my Trauma is a bit nervous and has more hook to offer, the EPP shines with its more arcing move, very good back end and hit. Nice and strong for medium-dry to medium conditions.
Conclusions:
I give it a solid 9, even a 10, out of 10 on those medium conditions it was made for. I can hardly imagine anything better, and the EPP has a great price/performance value, too. I can recommend this ball to players of any experience level looking for a powerful, steady and controllable ball for light to medium conditions (around 30-35 feet of oil), just like Storm claims for the EPP in the final catalogue description from 2004.
Lane utility for tested ball (pattern length vs. oil volume):
|S M L
|h e o
|o d n
|r . g
|t
_______
|0 + +| Light volume
|+ X +| Medium volume
|X + 0| Heavy volume
Legend:
X = Best suited with effective control & carry
+ = Fairly suited (works, somehow, but lacks control)
0 = Unsuited (ineffective, either slips or burns up)
The chart concept is borrowed from Storm's 2003 catalogue. Surface prep and drillings may change the results, it is just personal experience with my style
Some side note: Storm made some confusing recommendations about preferrable lane conditions in the past for the EPP. The 2003 catalogue tells about heavy oil, but light/medium oil with clean backend is the turf it obviously was made for, as stated and corrected in the 2004 catalogue.
The coverstock reaction makes it a great ball for fresh THS patterns, when you have dry outside boards to play with but need some good length to get the ball with power down the lane. The ball is strong enough to swing it. But the EPP is a bit condition specific, it is IMHO not an all-round ball. Rather a very good arsenal addition for played-down oily patterns or medium turf. You have to know when to play it, and when to put it away.
PS:
The Eraser Particle Pearl REALLY smells intensively, especially in the summer. Somehow it reminds me of air conditioner used in public toilets, dunno? I wonder how long Storm gives a guarantee on this fragrance...?
PPS (updated 9/29/05):
My EPP still goes strong (and smelly), and it still surprising me with potential. If you are looking for a control ball, look out for Storm's light load particles!
PPPS (updated 5/15/07):
Ball is still in the bag, and has luckily lost some of its fragrance power. Currently it is my go-to ball for my club's summer league: viscous new oil, flatter crowned pattern gutter-to-gutter, about 37' long. When the lane is fresh, this ball has anything one can ask for: clean through the heads, very good mid lane read and roll transition, and once it hits the dry the particle load prevents the ball from jerking around. Sweet piece. Only when the heads break away, depending on the lane traffic, I have to switch to something "longer" like my Sahara or Pure Hammer. Nevertheless, I can hardly imagine to get rid of the EPP. Let's see how long it lasts...?
BTW - it responds well to hot water bath treatments, and with some surface refreshment (1.500 grit + Brunswick's High Gloss polish) the ball has recently increased traction considerably, I can hardly use it on medium-dries! Cool stuff, very user friendly ball
Edited on 26.09.2011 at 7:46 AM
Post by: davidellisonispcom on August 18, 2004, 08:06:10 PM
Lane Conditions: Medium-Heavy Oil
Played 10-5
Weight of bowling ball: 16
Surface of bowling ball: 1500 Polish (Out of box)
Likes: Excellent Length, great backend and great carry. Reasonably forgiving especially if you miss wide (except when flooded)
Dislikes: Heavy oil, reads too late and runs past the breakpoint.
9 out of 10
Post by: BrianCRX90 on July 16, 2005, 03:05:52 PM
It used to be too eratic at times, then would give me under over when I first had it. But after awhile I liked the reaction. It grabs the lane a little harder and turns a little bit sooner then the original Eraser. The backend is the exact same, late hard continuous curve. (love the core). It hits just as hard and just like the original Eraser, the carry gets you strikes that you may not normally carry. Shot back to back 700 series in two league nights and two different houses, including a 299 last night. This is a very good benchmark ball.