BallReviews

Reviews => Storm => Topic started by: admin on December 31, 1969, 06:00:00 PM

Title: Hot Wire
Post by: admin on December 31, 1969, 06:00:00 PM
Specifications:
Line Hot
Color Red/Blue
Coverstock Reactive
Core 2-piece
RG 2.56
Differential 0.033
Factory finish Matte
Weights 10 thru 16lbs
Title: Re: Hot Wire
Post by: Mike Austin on July 18, 2003, 02:50:49 AM
I have now bowled 8 games in league with this ball, and am very happy with the Hot Wire.

My Hot Wire is 15lbs 3oz before drilling, 2.96 top weight with about a 3 1/2 inch pin.  I shined the ball with Storm #2, and Storm #3 before drilling.  I used a little different layout for this ball, but it does just what I wanted, maybe even better.

The pin is 5 9/16" from my PAP and the cg is 3 1/2" from my PAP.  The pin is below and left of my middle finger with cg at a 3:30 to 4:00 position to the right of the grip.  About a 60 degree layout with the 5 9/16" pin to PAP.  This layout put the mass bias over by the verticle axis line, about 1 1/2 below my PAP.

It's a little funny looking, but it works really well for me.  I really like to use this layout with early rolling balls.  The pin distance from PAP makes the weight block lope a little and save energy for down the lane.  Have used this layout with Trauma Response, El Nino Xit, El Nino 2000, and Super Power with success.  Response was great like this.  X it was very smooth.  With my soft speed, I get a decent mid lane read, with plenty of back end.  Varies with what I do with my hand.

This ball is very clean through the front, as the shell is shiny and resin.  The Hot Rod weight block seemed to rev up really fast for me, but this ball has a different personality.  This Hot Wire doesn't read the dry abruptly, but because the ball is saving energy, has plenty to recover on shots missed wide right.  Finished very strong through the pins.

I would like to give warning before trying this layout.  It is release sensitive for me.  If I miss it, or try to lay off with my hand, this ball goes really long, giving me lots of tug room left.  If I catch a little too much of it and got it to the dry too quick, it would jump up really hard.  If I caught it good and missed wide right late, man the ball would come back really well, giving me lots of room to both sides of my target.  Just had to be consistent with my hand position.

I will try and drill another one of these balls soon, with another layout that I can compare to other balls that I own.

As of right now, this ball is great!  987 and 940+ for my two 4 game league sets in two different houses.  One league on fresh, the other after a shift had already bowled.  Front 9 first game right out of the box.

The crankers will like this ball for mediums to dry with the right surface adjustment.  Straighties will only use this ball on dry lanes with a shine.  There might be better balls for the straighties on fresh.  Tweeners will probably like this ball better on medium/dry also.  Should be a great entry level ball.

Hot Wire isn't as much ball as the Erase It or Ultra Hot.  Much better control at/of the break point.  No particles/Mica makes it cleaner up front than the Ultra Hot.  Weaker weight block makes it more controllable than Erase It.  I think this ball will be very versatile, like the Blue Wicked and Vortex II Blue Solid.  As of right now I don't think it will handle oil as well, but with the correct box surface, I could be wrong.

Versatility, Contol, good price point, ugly color, no smell, I really like this ball.  

More later....
--------------------
Mike Austin
Mike Austin's Precision Pro Shop
Houston, TX
strikes4days@sbcglobal.net

Onward through the Storm!!!!
Coming Soon!!  www.bowlingthunder.com
Title: Re: Hot Wire
Post by: D McLaughlin on July 18, 2003, 04:47:07 PM
Just got this ball before league last night.  3-3/8 max setup....polished with Storm 1 and then Xtra Shine.  Ball rolled very clean overall.  Cleared the heads with no problem and still provided some punch on the backend.  The thing I liked most was as the night drew on and the heads dried up, the HotWire never started hooking early.  It was a very nice surprise.  If you are looking for something you can tighten up on the medium conditions or wheel it a bit on the drier patterns, this is certainly the ball.  Versatile and affordable.....pretty solid combination.
--------------------
On the PBA Show, you saw, I saw, they all saw, NO BUZZSAW.  Go figure!
Title: Re: Hot Wire
Post by: bowler0821 on September 24, 2003, 08:18:57 PM
Specs
#15.1
Top: 2.86
Pin: 3.5-4

Style
RH,Stroker
Avg revs
MHP-15-17

I drilled one of these about 2 weeks ago and I am very happy with this ball I wanted a ball that would arc hard so we drilled it up with pin at 2 o'clock and cg kicked into the center grip above my thumb.

This ball has great length to it and then makes a nice start to the pocket with a nice hard arc and smashes the pins every where. Great med oil ball but when the oil dries up you need to either move or put it back into the bag.
Solid ball from storm but where is the smell lol. I give it a solid 9.5-10 keep it up Storm.
--------------------
Mike

Not sure what to drill, drill a Storm there is no better.
Title: Re: Hot Wire
Post by: V12 on November 09, 2003, 03:09:13 PM
stroker-tweener 14-15mph med-high revs

this balls is great, i have it drilled super agressive in the backend
cg kicked out - have it polished


this ball is by far one of the hardest hitting storms, hits as hard if not harder than the x factor in my opinion. This ball is great for fresh lanes with clean backends, i would belive this ball in the factory finsih drilled teh correct way would be good for med-heavy oil....this ball isnt great over compete oil you need some dry to turn it over
Title: Re: Hot Wire
Post by: jasbowl2003 on November 13, 2003, 01:57:42 AM
WOW!!!! What a ball..It has 2.5 top weight and 4.5 in pin..I have it drilled so that it goes very smooth through the heads when they get burned up.It also has enough guts to get through the carry down.I have also found that it is prett good on fresh conditions as well.This is a very versitale ball..It also doesn't over react and is a ball for all types of players..

Way to go Storm!!,

Jas
Title: Re: Hot Wire
Post by: BrianN on November 16, 2003, 10:50:36 AM
Doug Sterner built this ball for me. This was my first try at using a remote driller, and he did a great job, better than I could have expected. Told him to keep a drill card on file.

Started life at 15#4, 2 1/4" pin, 2.74 top weight, pin right of the ring, at the 10:30 position relative to the CG, CG out about 1 1/2" toward the PAP from stacked and above the centerline. So, mass bias strong on the VAL. This is about a 4.5 x 3, which is working well for me this season. Ending statics are 5/8 side, 5/8 finger, 1/2 thumb weight. 3/4" weight hole in front of my PAP on the centerline.

For my money, Accu-Tread is the best solid resin coverstock made right now. With the same skin at 1000 grit and a lower-flaring core, I thought Wire would sit beneath my Tour Power. Totally wrong; this is much stronger ball than I expected. Don't believe the Storm ball chart that says this is less ball than the Boost either. Of everything I've seen and used, it reminds me of a slightly softer Wicked - long, big backend and a big hitter.

I lined up every Storm ball I could put my hands on - Wire, Tour Power, Thunder Flash, Deuce and Too Hot for a side-by-side test-fest. Here's my taxonomy, mildest to strongest:

1) Too Hot (same layout) - long and almost dangerously skid/flip
2) Tour Power (same layout) - medium everything
3) Thunder Flash (similar layout) - medium+, more in the heads and mids, softer move on the back
4) Hot Wire - about 80% of the way to the Deuce with a lot of the Too Hot's flippiness. You really sense that both the core and the cover contribute to it equally.
5) Deuce (pin under ring, CG out) - a monster, crusher

- Wire is clean through the heads (almost a Storm trademark), can't really call it loping or revving (makes sense with the med-high RG). Tends to skate on longer oil. A surprisingly long ball, several feet longer than the Deuce, also somewhat longer than TP (of course). I'd rate it second in length, behind the Too Hot.

I can stay with it for quite a while. But when it goes, it goes all at once, without much warning and never comes back to you. I've had Too Hot work, then go away, then come back to me again as the track opened up. Not this one.

- Wire has a very torque-y backend with a pronounced flip, which is the primary family resemblance to the Hot line. For backend, I'd rate it second strongest behind the Deuce. It _will_ make a left turn if you let off on it or get it out too quickly. When the backends mellow out a little bit, I've  had sporadic success on a 37' flat sport pattern and PBA C. Leave this one for the league bag - I would pick a different sport ball.

- Wire's hit is very strong but different from the others. Deuce is a battering ram, Tour Power is silent but deadly, Too Hot has a thin, springy hit. Wire has a softer, particle quality to it. Carries the wall shot well. When I have some swing area and clean enough backends to get it turned, Wire cannot be outcarried.

You will not need to drill a lot of length, strength or especially flip into it, but a little control would be advisable. I bought it hoping for a control ball, and I definitely did not get that. It seems to cry out for a short pin in a little 1:30, pin under ring, CG in grip center, mass bias in the track, to soften those backends.

Like the other Hot-series and the Thunder cores, this one seems to love the soft sweeping release without a lot of hit at the bottom. Good practice with any modern ball, but necessary to score with this one. It really comes alive when put it on its side a little bit.

Best feature is carry, hook and raw power for the money. BTMs assessment - "What we like most is its ability to dominate the league shot... Could be our first choice on medium oil." is generally true. It surprises me that so many people in my house hold it in complete contempt, when I would take it over one of the high-end hook monsters any day.

Ratings: 8.5. A powerful league shot ball and a compelling vaulue. Like others in the Hot line, a little condition-specific, but fortunately this one's condition is pretty common. I do not think anything at any price can outcarry it at its best.  

Control: 8. Good points are that you can stay with it longer than you'd think, and it's very consistent in the heads and midlanes. Downside on certan conditions is that the backend is crazy. Excellent on a shot with some swing when you can put it out and trust it. I am not enough of a machine to play it on a sport condition.

Hit and Carry: 9.5. My carry in and around the pocket has been tremendous so far.

Versatility: 8. Really wants medium length, medium oil, clean backends. Too short and it checks up, too long and it skates. Not as good as it could be on carrydown.

Title: Re: Hot Wire
Post by: Disturbed on November 20, 2003, 08:21:48 PM
15lbs, 4oz, 3.54 Top, 3-3.5 Pin.  Drilled stacked leverage.  13/16ths weight hole drilled 2 inches below and right of pap and 1 inch deep for added flare.  I'm a high tracker, generally around 18 mph and 300 revs.  Box finish.  Typical top hat condition, synthetics, oiled 23 feet and buffed to 36.  The best attribute so far seems to be controllable hook.  It hooks when and where I wanted it to.  I would have liked a little more overall hook in both these areas from the box finish, but I'm very pleased with what I have.  It's been a while since I've drilled a Storm ball, and after hearing the rave reviews on this particular ball, I'm highly satisfied.  

Area of the lane on this shot is immense.  Reacted just as well from 6th arrow as it did from just outside 2nd.  The wall is a little too strong to move any further right.  I could ride 7 to the breakpoint, I could bump 5 and get a strong move from 2nd arrow, then move straight to 5th arrow where the same reaction at the breakpoint is a hand position change away.  A little more around the side, and it works very well.  Where my Detonator sometimes rolls out or doesn't pull up, this ball keeps coming.  I have a much weaker drill on the Detonator, and although the hook potential of both balls is about the same (as I have them drilled, not on the charts, of course), the Hot Wire revs a little sooner and is a little smoother.  While I'm not going to say it outhits any other ball on the market, it definitely keeps up with the harder hitting ones.  Excellent ball, 9.5.
--------------------
Right=Correct
Left=WRONG

Any questions?
Title: Re: Hot Wire
Post by: Hammerifick on December 04, 2003, 09:54:33 PM
Punched one up today...

___________________      *= Pin
_________*_________       %= CG
____0_0____________       0/O= Fingerholes and Thumbhole
___________________
________%__________
___________________
_____O_____________

3-3.5 oz top weight...16 lbs...2.5-3 in. pin

This ball really suprised me to say the least. I threw the first game from the 20 board out to about 10-5 and it would pick up into a heavy roll midlane and start to get a really strong flip thereafter. Went 6 games without a ball change and after the 2nd game Greg (Lane Mechanic) oiled the lanes for Thursday night leagues and I did not have to move at all. Excellent ball
P.S.- The color is wrong on this site...it is sky blue and red... not teal and orange

*****  Five out of Five Stars  *****
--------------------
Bowling is the greatest sport of all time...you can drink beer, eat food and still have success!
Title: Re: Hot Wire
Post by: dennytim on December 15, 2003, 05:41:50 AM
I just bought the HOT WIRE ball a week ago and I love it.  I've only been bowling for about 4 months now, so this is my first ball.  It's a 15-pounder and I had it drilled as a finger-tip ball.  I throw about 15 mphs, but I have no idea what my revs is.  

Before picking up this ball, I've was using this 12 pound house ball at this bowling center I frequently visited.  It was a finger-tip ball and I used it every time I bowled there.  I'd throw the ball perfectly straight over the 2nd arrow and it would curve just enough to reach the pocket.  The lane usually had heavy oil at this center.  

Now that I have the HOT WIRE, I start about 5 boards more to the left and aim 1-2 boards right of the 3rd arrow (Much different than my set up with the 12-pound plastic house ball).  My HOT WIRE hooks wonderfully and I bowled my first 200+ game with it. Now my average is between 180-200, up from my old 120 average (seriously). The lane conditions at the center I bowl at now are medium oil.  

In my opinion, the ball is easy to control and use.  I've found that I'm more consistent with the ball (i.e. more strikes), but now I'm having trouble trying to reach the 10-pin for the spare.  If you're a beginner with a nice, shallow curve and you're looking for your first bowling ball, then I'd recommend this ball for you.

As for my second ball, I think I'm going to need a ball that tracks staighter, like for dry-conditions or 10-pin spares. (Maybe something like the HOT SHOT.)  Does anyone have any suggestions for me?
Title: Re: Hot Wire
Post by: ih8stupid10pins on January 15, 2004, 06:14:09 PM
I drilled a HotWire to complement my SuperCharge, as well as replace my Hot Rod.  

I put the pin just off my midline over my fingers, and the CG below and maybe 1/4" to the right of the pin.  I opted not to use a hole to decrease the flare and keep the ball very even.

I LOVE IT.  I have been bowling well with it, the ball rolls very even dull out of the box.  But just to take some reaction out I hit it with a very light coat of Reactashine.  Will see what it does this weekend.


--------------------
~Matt
----------------------------
MSulzer5710@aol.com
Sportstop Bowler's Shop
Long Island, NY
Title: Re: Hot Wire
Post by: Breakpoint on February 25, 2004, 07:35:02 PM
The HotWire is a great ball. The one i have is 15 pounds with the pin set to the right of the finger (right handed). The Hotwire is very easy to control at the breakpoint. It is a good ball  for medium oil- heavy oil. Its also a very heavy hitting ball when it hits the pocket nothing will stand in its way of the perfect strike. Just recently i bowled 277 with it so i would recommend the hotwire to any bowler looking for a ball to compete with.
Title: Re: Hot Wire
Post by: laxbowler02 on March 03, 2004, 02:50:32 PM
The Hot Wire huh.....well....i have had this ball for about 2 months.  I has about 60 games on it and seems to hook more and more each time i throw it.  This ball is one of the most fearsome balls i have ever SEEN!  It is very easily controls at the break point and hits like a train.  I had mine drilled to be a mild hooker.  And its suppose to be.  Not even close....you may find this strange but other then the fear factor that is on its way here...the hot wire is the biggest hooking ball i have.  I would highly suggest this ball to anyone looking for a nice reaction and a LOW PRICE.  you definately get what you pay for!!  Overall...9 out of 10!!
--------------------
Get caught up in the Storm.  STORM'S #!
Title: Re: Hot Wire
Post by: hotwire13 on March 08, 2004, 08:09:03 PM
this is the most powerful ball i throw right now.  ill be throwing a deuce very soon, but this hot wire is unlike any ball ive thrown before.  i have it drilled tame, like all my equipment, and i still get over 20 boards of hook on it over medium conditions.  it is consistent, easy to control, and rolls through the pocket better than most high-performance balls do.  i leave more and more stone 8's and 9's because it hits so hard; its the first ball ive had that i actually like hitting light in the pocket.  along with the barbed wire, this is a must for any storm bowler.  it is good for any type of line, and has proved to handle any type of condition.  what a bargain.
--------------------
Erik Olsen - e13ez85@hotmail.com
Title: Re: Hot Wire
Post by: davidellisonispcom on April 06, 2004, 05:24:29 PM
15-16mph med revs, Right Handed
Old house, little oil, dirty but has been better lately.

This balls goes very long and has very good backend. It has the best carry of any ball that I have. I had a few problems the first few weeks until I realized that this ball really works much better when I moved outside. I had tried a tight line in the middle where we actually have a little oil occasionaly with less success than I had hoped for. About 6 weeks ago I moved outside and this ball came alive. I can swing it wide 8 to 3-4 and this ball makes it back easily with an excellent late backend turn. I have had problems shooting spares on the left. Going through oil it tends to skid too long and I chop spares or come up just a little light. This ball carries very strong.

Considering the price, this is one of the best balls I have right now.  

9 out of 10

Title: Re: Hot Wire
Post by: not_enuff_carry203 on June 12, 2004, 07:10:33 PM
15-16mph med. reves

ball specs- pin 3/8" under ring finger CG kicked out a lil with a three inch pin. 2.5 top weight.
0 0
  .
   
    x
      o
 0


thats kinda how it looks..

i wanted this ball primarily for a tamer early ball (something i didn't quite have in my line-up) and when i first threw it i hated it absolutly hated it. then after a couple weeks it turned into my favorite ball. it comes out sooner then my tour power does. it carrys so nice which was my problem i was gettin carry like any one else was but now i am.
Title: Re: Hot Wire
Post by: not_enuff_carry203 on June 12, 2004, 07:11:42 PM
sorry thats not really how it looks below
0 0
..*
...x
.....o
.0

there we hope it works this time
Title: Re: Hot Wire
Post by: Krumpy300 on July 14, 2004, 10:45:11 AM
Picked this ball up from Charlest, ball was in excellent condition. Left it with the original setup, pin over ring and the CG under the middle finger 3"-4" pin. Took a bit of the shine off it with a gray scotch pad. Ball gets through the heads very easily and makes a strong arc to the pocket. What I like best about it is it's versatility. I can pitch it hard to the bank and the ball won't overreact. As long as my feet are deep enough, I can really ope up the lane with it. I can also play deeper into the oil with a little more hand and a slower speed and get the ball to finish. The Hotwire hits very well too. I bowl in a house were the carry is not very good and my average is up 7 pins. Very happy with this ball and would recommend it to anyone.

Ken
Title: Re: Hot Wire
Post by: LuckyLefty on July 29, 2004, 02:45:30 PM
Here's a mini review for me.

Specs, 2 1/2 pin out 3.5 top weight.

Drilled 4 X 4 1/2(stacked for me, weighhole 1/2 inch past my pap 31/32 drill bit.

This ball actually looks really good after I hit it with black magic.
Mine is real attractive being unlike the picture mostly sky blue with a touch of orange.  Looks a lot like the Track Revmaster but maybe better on the lanes.
Longer and more pure backend punch!

Compares very favorable to the Walter Ray MVP that I have reviewed as one of my favorite balls.  As a side roller with medium revs and soft speed I usually get all the hook I want and then some!

This ball is exactly what all the reviews say.  This ball is the X factor Deuce played straighter up.  Almost as much contiunuation not quite!

This ball because of the weighthole has good seperation of flare lines and about 3 1/2 inches of flare.

Smooth and straight down the alley near the second arrow and then a nice strong slurve with an extra curl right at the back.  This ball will carry and penetrate the pocket well.  A little later with its breakpoint than the Walter but Walter does not have polish.  Both 1000.

Essentially if you are playing the X factor deuce 15 to 9 and back for a loop.
One will get up and go straight up 10 and see almost the same move at the break!

Nice real nice for an inexpensive piece.

REgards,

Luckylefty
PS drill your weak balls strong and strong balls weak!
PPS yesterdays condition was sort of a mess, not a ton of head oil and then lots of carrydown.  Lots of balls, both pearls which skid too far and Particle solids polished which couldn't break in the nasty carrydown couldn't strike!  This one could!!!
Title: Re: Hot Wire
Post by: LuckyLefty on December 08, 2004, 02:22:29 AM
Well, ever since an initially good first day this orb has been overunder!

Lots of backend but couldn't be played inside the oil line and on the oil line it would always overhook!

Was doing a multi ball ball test today.  Came in after our top area classic league and watched the top lefty in the leaque do well but trail his recent tearin em up pace of 700 plus.

Tonight he used the WMB which looked like it labored but still had a lot backend and surprising carry(i've heard it is a big carry ball).

Also watched one of our top righties have a disastrous last game of 125.  He was experiencing exactly what we lefties usually go thru at this house.  Move outside and the ball bites too early and is tough to hit the pocket.  Inside it wants to go high and if you hit the pocket it was flat 10ing this guy to death.

So I noticed the same thing on our side.  My V2 pearl needed to be swung too much to the outside and then flat 7'd me.  The X factor Deuce same, the Reaction Rip too much flare the Razor Wire was reading the dry too slow.

This pup still drilled the same as previous review was the creme! Difference a lowering of grit and an increase of polish!

Got inside the oil line a touch with the balls new surface of dull green pad(800) and a high gloss Black MAgic burned in shine!  Sliding 21 setting down at 13-14  at eh the foul line and driving hard over the 11 -10 area at the arrows this ball would penetrate out to 5-6 at the 40 foot mark and have all sorts of energy.  You know those strikes where the pins go straight back right all at the same time!!!  Or if you are bowling on the wrong side of the lane strikes like this are straight back and left!

This ball was the one with the energy to make that big move and wipe them off the pin deck!

This house seems to be the area on the right is the third arrow out to 11 to 9.

On the left the shot is always force the ball over 10-11(no hold area in teh middle) a one board miss inside is always instant crossover!  USe good speed and Drive almost to the gutter into some dirt!  Then all you need to have is a ball with a lot of energy to get back and supply the rippin!

This one is it!  Polish er up gooD!  That seemed to make all the difference!

REgards,

Luckylefty
PS around me others were struggling with everything else.  X Factor Ace, Xtreme, Triple X, Full Throttle, Deuce.  Their increased bite in the midlane their failing on this shot!  No one could believe the action this cheap orb was giving me!
Title: Re: Hot Wire
Post by: andysiple on March 13, 2005, 11:03:08 AM
I used this ball for the first time last night in very dry lane conditions. It hooked so much i had trouble with it but the ball is awesome and i would recommend it for anyone.
Title: Re: Hot Wire
Post by: D49r on September 20, 2005, 01:55:55 PM
Got a new thumb slug after it has been sitting idle in my garage.  Averaging 225 through 12 games this season.  For what is considered a low cost ball, this has been my favorite ball.  It hits hard and the way the ball reads the lanes is incredible.  After a 10 yr layoff where i just got back into bowling 2 years ago, I have tried other more expensive equipment without the success of this one.  If anyone wants to add to their arsenal and can find this ball for under $100 (more likely under $80), buy it!