BallReviews
Equipment Boards => Storm => Topic started by: JS on April 23, 2015, 05:02:55 PM
-
I'm trying to get a feel for how Storm's cover relate to each other regarding strength.
I know that Reactor is now used in the Tropical series balls and the Ride. Per Storm's FAQ's R2S was a stronger version of Reactor and R2X was a stronger version of R2S.
R2Sâ„¢
This coverstock was a chemically-enhanced material that originated from one our most famous coverstocks, Reactorâ„¢. It was introduced originally in the Special Agentâ„¢ in 2007.
R2Xâ„¢
First introduced in the Gravity Shiftâ„¢ in February of 2008, the R2Xâ„¢ coverstock was derived from the R2Sâ„¢ cover but with new chemical additives that created more friction.
Where does ERG fit in the mix? Is that stronger than R2X? If you had a Crux and Crux pearl, what would be a good dropdown from there?
-
I believe storm says its NRG without the additives/particle. I wonder this myself, r2s is r2x without additives, erg is NRG without the additives. R3s is R3x without the additives. I assume its 3 different covers, I think ERG is reverse engineering the NRG cover tweaking it to make it THS friendly.
I have the crux being the strongest iteration of the ERG...the rest of the erg's I have owned...lucid, zero, byte were all fairly weak IMO.
-
Bill, do you feel the Lucid was more surface based in relation to the core strength?
-
The core was pretty strong in the vivid and lucid, I also had 2 azo area checks (same core). It was as strong as any other high end balls from storm...I just feel that the blend is different in the crux and that puppy is strong!
-
Plus u got many saying the crux pearl is awfully weak....another weaker erg, which in all honesty is what u need! Just saying the erg is not stronger than the r2x, and of all of the erg releases the crux is the closest to r2x
-
Explains why I like the ERG cover so much. I love my Byte and Lucid! I have a 300 with the Lucid and I feel like one will come with the Byte. So the Crux Pearl is weaker than the Optimus and the Marvel Pearl?
-
Idk...I know thatcontradicts what I said but, I know I would be able to throw a byte longer within a set longer than I could a optimus/marvel pearl. I think there is an additive in the r2x to get it to bite the lane, where as there is an additive in the erg for length. That's what I have noticed after drilling all of these releases.
-
To be fair, my Marvel Pearl has a very strong layout. It is the most aggressive ball I have ever th t own so far. I'm scared to see what a Virtual Gravity with a good layout would do in my hands. How does the VG stack up to a Cruz assuming both are fresh?
-
The virtual gravity just worked...it was a great cover/core combo. Like they were both designed for each other. Everything else kinda seems priced together. It wasn't overly strong it was strong enough to be playable on most heavy conditions, while being the strong ball on the market. It also helped that it looked great, very forgiving, carried well, and was easy revving for most bowlers.
Its comparable to how awesome the original marvel was, everything else just doesn't compare. Like how bad did the modern marvel and the original IQ solid (no tour) do?
In terms of the crux I feel they're very similar with different hook shapes...the VG was just better. I wouldn't be surprised if hats their collector 30 Anni ball that's coming.
-
Sounds like the Dream On could be close to the VG from what I've heard. I wonder if that is similar to R2X.
-
Sounds like the Dream On could be close to the VG from what I've heard. I wonder if that is similar to R2X.
More importantly that optimus solid coming out has the r2x on it. I will be getting it for sure. The VG was money as was the marvel solid. So I'm getting the big and the Opti-solid
-
Can you compare them when you do?
-
As has already been mentioned, it is all about core shell matchups. That is what made the VG and the Marvel Pearl such great balls. Also someone mentioned the core in the Lucids, which originally made its debut in the AZO Area. Area was a tremendous tournament condition ball for me. That core didn't work in the Vivid for as many people, but when they wrapped a pearl shell around it in the Lucid, I again found a great tournament condition ball. Likewise the core of the Marvel is horrible for me with solid shell, but teamed with the Pearl it made that ball something special.
-
I would go with a ball like the IQ Tour or the Hy-Road to ball down from a Crux
-
Good conversation so far. We/I need a "Justin Wi" for Storm to create a matrix of balls/covers like Justin did for Motiv.
I believe storm says its NRG without the additives/particle. I wonder this myself, r2s is r2x without additives, erg is NRG without the additives. R3s is R3x without the additives. I assume its 3 different covers, I think ERG is reverse engineering the NRG cover tweaking it to make it THS friendly.
I have the crux being the strongest iteration of the ERG...the rest of the erg's I have owned...lucid, zero, byte were all fairly weak IMO.
Bill, while looking at the description for the Marvel pearl I saw that the ETM additive was taken out of the R2X in the Marvel pearl. This is from the description:
The Prodigy's pearl R2X material included enhanced traction mica (ETM) and a 4000-grit Abralon texture to help control the midlane with reading as early as the 2000-grit solid Marvel. So, taking the ETM out of shell and reducing the surface roughness with a 1500-grit polish, created more of a skid-flip reaction that bowlers love.
I would go with a ball like the IQ Tour or the Hy-Road to ball down from a Crux
2Handed - that's what I was thinking, either a Hy-Road or a Rocket. I was thinking that the Rocket may be too sharp on the back tho. Or I could just wait for the Sky Rocket?
-
I would go with a ball like the IQ Tour or the Hy-Road to ball down from a Crux
2Handed - that's what I was thinking, either a Hy-Road or a Rocket. I was thinking that the Rocket may be too sharp on the back tho. Or I could just wait for the Sky Rocket?
John,
The Rocket is a hybrid (like the Hy-Road) while the Sky Rocket is a pearl. I'd think the Sky would be more angular than the Rocket.
-
Good conversation so far. We/I need a "Justin Wi" for Storm to create a matrix of balls/covers like Justin did for Motiv.
I believe storm says its NRG without the additives/particle. I wonder this myself, r2s is r2x without additives, erg is NRG without the additives. R3s is R3x without the additives. I assume its 3 different covers, I think ERG is reverse engineering the NRG cover tweaking it to make it THS friendly.
I have the crux being the strongest iteration of the ERG...the rest of the erg's I have owned...lucid, zero, byte were all fairly weak IMO.
Bill, while looking at the description for the Marvel pearl I saw that the ETM additive was taken out of the R2X in the Marvel pearl. This is from the description:
The Prodigy's pearl R2X material included enhanced traction mica (ETM) and a 4000-grit Abralon texture to help control the midlane with reading as early as the 2000-grit solid Marvel. So, taking the ETM out of shell and reducing the surface roughness with a 1500-grit polish, created more of a skid-flip reaction that bowlers love.
I would go with a ball like the IQ Tour or the Hy-Road to ball down from a Crux
2Handed - that's what I was thinking, either a Hy-Road or a Rocket. I was thinking that the Rocket may be too sharp on the back tho. Or I could just wait for the Sky Rocket?
The R2x with etm only existed on the 2nd dimension and the prodigy it wasn't the same as the solid r2x. The r2x with the etm is a particle pearl....
-
This is a fantastic thread - great information.
I've thrown a handful of Storm balls in my day, many with similar layouts. So far, the stronger cover I've ever had from storm is the one on the original IQ Solid (non-tour) - the PFT Solid (as per Storm website). After that, I think it's R2X, NRG, ERG, R2S, then Reactor.
R2X - Original VG, Gravity Shift, and Marvel Pearl have all been early-ish reading and very smooth but continuous off the spot
NRG - VG Nano, VG Nano Pearl, and IQ Tour Nano both get down the lane a touch longer than my original R2X gear did. Note: I had identical drillings on both versions of the VG and the original was just a touch earlier rolling. My IQ Tour Nano is like butter when there's enough head oil. I like this coverstock a LOT - a lot lot.
ERG - I have a Zero Gravity that's a lot weaker than I thought it would be. I got it drilled identical to a Gravity Shift I still use, and it's just really wonky reacting. It works well on less oil than I thought, and has trouble cornering in carrydown. I use it intermittently at best. My dad owns a Byte, and there's almost no hook phase...the ball seems to go into a roll almost immediately after reading the dry. And from what I've seen out of the Crux line, it's more of the same. This cover seems to be for guys with lots of hand, or lots of end-over-end roll.
R2S - I throw 2 IQ Tours, IQ Tour Fusion, and I used to throw a 2Fast and an old school T-Road Pearl. All of these balls have worked wonderfully for me. For me, this cover has more length than the R2X/NRG/ERG, and it also has the most motion downlane. The R2S solid on the IQT is EASILY my favorite cover from Storm. A Wipe Out is easily in my future, lol.
Reactor - I never threw this cover. I saw a Tropical Breeze work for a guy with about 12000 RPMS (ok, maybe 450), and realized I don't have enough hand for a ball with Reactor on it.
-
This is a fantastic thread - great information.
I've thrown a handful of Storm balls in my day, many with similar layouts. So far, the stronger cover I've ever had from storm is the one on the original IQ Solid (non-tour) - the PFT Solid (as per Storm website). After that, I think it's R2X, NRG, ERG, R2S, then Reactor.
R2X - Original VG, Gravity Shift, and Marvel Pearl have all been early-ish reading and very smooth but continuous off the spot
NRG - VG Nano, VG Nano Pearl, and IQ Tour Nano both get down the lane a touch longer than my original R2X gear did. Note: I had identical drillings on both versions of the VG and the original was just a touch earlier rolling. My IQ Tour Nano is like butter when there's enough head oil. I like this coverstock a LOT - a lot lot.
ERG - I have a Zero Gravity that's a lot weaker than I thought it would be. I got it drilled identical to a Gravity Shift I still use, and it's just really wonky reacting. It works well on less oil than I thought, and has trouble cornering in carrydown. I use it intermittently at best. My dad owns a Byte, and there's almost no hook phase...the ball seems to go into a roll almost immediately after reading the dry. And from what I've seen out of the Crux line, it's more of the same. This cover seems to be for guys with lots of hand, or lots of end-over-end roll.
R2S - I throw 2 IQ Tours, IQ Tour Fusion, and I used to throw a 2Fast and an old school T-Road Pearl. All of these balls have worked wonderfully for me. For me, this cover has more length than the R2X/NRG/ERG, and it also has the most motion downlane. The R2S solid on the IQT is EASILY my favorite cover from Storm. A Wipe Out is easily in my future, lol.
Reactor - I never threw this cover. I saw a Tropical Breeze work for a guy with about 12000 RPMS (ok, maybe 450), and realized I don't have enough hand for a ball with Reactor on it.
If not mistaken, Storm Domination (LOVED THIS BALL!!!) had the Reactor cover
-
I don't think that is a fair comparison. The Tropical Breeze has less flare potential than the pancake weight block.
-
Spot on Bob. Lucid is still a good tournament ball for me. It is a little too strong at the main center I bowl league at but I can throw it at the one place that uses the Ice oil. I even shined it a little to bowl in a longer pattern on older wood tournament. It was like drilling a brand new ball up to throw.
Vivid didn't seem like a good mix of core and cover, but we can't all hit home runs every time up can we?
As has already been mentioned, it is all about core shell matchups. That is what made the VG and the Marvel Pearl such great balls. Also someone mentioned the core in the Lucids, which originally made its debut in the AZO Area. Area was a tremendous tournament condition ball for me. That core didn't work in the Vivid for as many people, but when they wrapped a pearl shell around it in the Lucid, I again found a great tournament condition ball. Likewise the core of the Marvel is horrible for me with solid shell, but teamed with the Pearl it made that ball something special.
-
Don't forget the short lived R3X covers from the Invasion and Anarchy. Invasion was early and sort of flat. If it didn't scare you off, the Anarchy was everything the Invasion wasn't.
The Street Rod series from 2008 were Reactor covers also. Those balls were nice on shorter tournament and hooking house patterns. Tropical Heats were also Reactor covers.
And Domination was fantastic on our league shot with a light surface on it. Smooth off the dry but revved enough to get the corners out for me.
This is a fantastic thread - great information.
I've thrown a handful of Storm balls in my day, many with similar layouts. So far, the stronger cover I've ever had from storm is the one on the original IQ Solid (non-tour) - the PFT Solid (as per Storm website). After that, I think it's R2X, NRG, ERG, R2S, then Reactor.
R2X - Original VG, Gravity Shift, and Marvel Pearl have all been early-ish reading and very smooth but continuous off the spot
NRG - VG Nano, VG Nano Pearl, and IQ Tour Nano both get down the lane a touch longer than my original R2X gear did. Note: I had identical drillings on both versions of the VG and the original was just a touch earlier rolling. My IQ Tour Nano is like butter when there's enough head oil. I like this coverstock a LOT - a lot lot.
ERG - I have a Zero Gravity that's a lot weaker than I thought it would be. I got it drilled identical to a Gravity Shift I still use, and it's just really wonky reacting. It works well on less oil than I thought, and has trouble cornering in carrydown. I use it intermittently at best. My dad owns a Byte, and there's almost no hook phase...the ball seems to go into a roll almost immediately after reading the dry. And from what I've seen out of the Crux line, it's more of the same. This cover seems to be for guys with lots of hand, or lots of end-over-end roll.
R2S - I throw 2 IQ Tours, IQ Tour Fusion, and I used to throw a 2Fast and an old school T-Road Pearl. All of these balls have worked wonderfully for me. For me, this cover has more length than the R2X/NRG/ERG, and it also has the most motion downlane. The R2S solid on the IQT is EASILY my favorite cover from Storm. A Wipe Out is easily in my future, lol.
Reactor - I never threw this cover. I saw a Tropical Breeze work for a guy with about 12000 RPMS (ok, maybe 450), and realized I don't have enough hand for a ball with Reactor on it.
If not mistaken, Storm Domination (LOVED THIS BALL!!!) had the Reactor cover
-
I hope they didn't give up on R3X and PFT
-
I hope they didn't give up on R3X and PFT
So agreed! I'd love to see a PFT cover again :D
-
I hope they didn't give up on R3X and PFT
Those covers were just too strong for most bowlers.
So agreed! I'd love to see a PFT cover again :D
-
Great info. Thank you
-
I was thinking about this discussion last night while bowling. Do you guys think that covers remain the same throughout the years? Is the R2X pearl from the original Gravity Shift the same as the one on the Optimus?
I feel like the covers have to be updated now and again. What do you guys think?
-
I dont think so, and I think Phil (new guy) is quoted in saying they're different per release. I think they're named the same so people get an idea of what to expect
-
My Question is: Why can't the manufacturers be more specific about cover strengths? It seems like they would sell more balls to bowlers who want to get the next ball to fit in with their other balls.
We just need to know without $$ trial and error $$ what to buy next for our situation. If its down to trial and error, I won't risk buying a ball that doesn't fit my needs.
-
My Question is: Why can't the manufacturers be more specific about cover strengths? It seems like they would sell more balls to bowlers who want to get the next ball to fit in with their other balls.
We just need to know without $$ trial and error $$ what to buy next for our situation. If its down to trial and error, I won't risk buying a ball that doesn't fit my needs.
I would think that them giving a general idea is as close as you will get to specific. Even though the covers carry the same name, they all are modified slightly to get the "look" that they want it to have without going too far off and just having to call it something different. Plus the name itself brings comfort because it gives them a level a familiarity.
-
R2X has been in the Road line (Fire Road)