Awesome ball reviews man. Honest and concise, your commentary is invaluable. I had a chance to throw a couple of these (two-handed approach) and was pretty lukewarm on the reaction pin-up, really over/under on a 42' light volume sport shot. Then I tried one that was pin-down and it was a complete 180. That ball looked fantastic. Keep up the great reviews!
Thanks! 2 handers are going to love this ball, I hope I balanced my commentary well enough. It's not as versatile a ball as most others, but I don't think that was the intent. It's going to be really good for a select amount of styles, and that's what the design intent is, so I think they really nailed what they were going after. They had a specific reaction in mind and executed well. It looks really good for two handed bowlers.
Luke Rosdahl - Storm Amateur Staff I tried another one last night and it was good. You're spot-on though, not the most versatile piece IMO, but a weapon on the right condition. In the market for more of a benchmark reaction, I'm looking at Rocketship based on your review lol. Your commentary is what sets your reviews apart from others 👍
Cool. Don't sleep on the Torrent though, depends on what you're after though. Torrent is a bit earlier, a bit smoother and a bit stronger, but either one of those balls is a GREAT benchmark option.
I heard the same about the ball if drilled improperly. However, if the core hooks from the tall side and not side to side, it's much better overall. Plus, the pin carry is unreal!
Luke Rosdahl - Nice video! much better length :) thanks for getting back to me about the Storm Tropical.i will be picking one up in the next few weeks & i agree with you that it will be very good for a THS. also the reason why i am getting back to you on this review & not the Wreck Em is because your site page wont take my feedback on the Wreck Em page? thanks again for getting back to me & keep up the great videos...
Sure thing! I may have been editing the video at the moment or the RU-vids may be freaking out . . I've found though that if you go to the video straight from your notifications and try to post, it won't work, but if you go to the channel and then to the video you want to comment on, then it works for some reason. Torrent video inbound very soon too!
good review pal, kept it real and honest. not every ball is made for everyone. everyone has a different game and style. I like how you kept that in perspective. unlike the other videos for Bowling balls, they only show making strikes shot after shot, giving the illusion that the ball is a great and a must buy.
Thanks! I don't like just singing the praises of every ball that comes out . . now, bad balls don't really get released any more, so I can't exactly take a heavy oil ball and use it on light oil and then complain that it sucks, that's not really fair, but at the same time like you said, you can't just say every ball that gets released is a must have for every single person, that's just not true. I see it as my responsibility to be fair and keep things in perspective, but tell the truth at the same time. Appreciate the comment!
A lot of it comes down to specialized niche ball for particular players / patterns, vs general ball made for wide range. For me a Pitch Blue is great on sport shots and on dryer house patterns. But most 1-handers can't efficiently throw that on a THS - it doesn't match player & conditions. As you say they're all high quality these days.
+ArsenalBowler I have the Dare Devil stronger everywhere in comparison to the Marvel Pearl, but others may see differently. Probably the closest ball we've seen since the MP was out
Um . . . yes and no. Shapes are a bit different, and I'd agree with silver, it's stronger throughout. I think the Code Black is very similar as far as shape goes, but it's SEVERAL boards stronger than the Marvel Pearl. Drill a Daredevil with a 20 degree weaker drill angle, a 3/4" weaker pin and a 10 degree weaker val angle, and I think you'd be really close. So if your Marvel Pearl was say 60 x 4.25 x 50, go 80 x 5 x 60 with a Daredevil and you're going to be close, or at least as close as you're gonna get with what's on the market right now.
What Storm/Roto Grip ball would you recommend for a higher speed lower rev player like my dad. The best ball reaction I've seen him get out of a ball was the Storm Furious.
There's a couple coming out in a couple weeks, the Sure Lock and the Daredevil Trick. Both of those are going to be GREAT for higher speeds or lower revs. I'll have videos for both out sometime this weekend.
hope your still looking at comments, I'm in touch with Chad and Alex a bit but I want another opinion so I get the variety haha, already ordered mine, I would like your prediction, I'm going with a 4x4x2 layout (I know it's a stupidly strong layout) my Rev rate is around 500, average ball speed is bout 18, your prediction good sir?
Yeah I'm still trying to keep up haha. Sometimes stupidly strong layouts keep the reaction smoother overall, so may not be a bad idea. You have a high rev rate but high ball speed too, and the Timeless flares a lot, but it has a high RG too, so it doesn't really rev much. I put a stupidly strong layout on my Code Black and loved it, even though the core is really strong. Kept it smooth and controllable. I think you'll be just fine with that layout, I like the idea.
Hey Luke. Being in two entirely different house conditions, one a wet/dry THS and the other a sports league that changes every few weeks, I'm running low on ball choices. On Viper, I've switched between the old Byte and the newer Ride. For me, my weakest ball is the Hy Road Pearl. I do love the symmetrical, and only take out my trust Crux when the oil pattern is longer with volume. The ball I've been targeting for the sports patterns is the Phase II. How would this match up between the Code Black, Timeless, down to the Rocket ship?
Phaze 2 fits between the Code Black and Timeless, and is basically just a stronger Rocket Ship. It's a little earlier and 4ish boards stronger overall, very very similar reactions.
Interesting, but I'm not your average bowler. Mid speed, low revs, not that accurate sometimes LOL I was thinking about the Phase II as a ballistic Hy Road Pearl. A ball that could get me some length. Somewhat a symmetrical version of the Lock?
There are so many variables that it would be really hard without a lot more information, BUT with slower ball speed, you're probably going to be looking at less aggressive stuff even if you don't have a bunch of hook. The Hyroad is always hard to beat . .
The Gauntlet would be stronger, and the Timeless would be weaker, so it really depends on which one of those reactions you're after. You would most likely have less overlap going with the Timeless, but if you want something stronger than the Tyrant Pearl, the Timeless would definitely not be the choice. Also, the Timeless is a hybrid, but it acts a lot like a pearl for me, so unless pearl equipment fits your game the best, I'd likely consider something with a solid coverstock instead either way you want to go. If you'd like me to clarify or want specific recommendations, just let me know whether you want stronger or weaker than the Tyrant Pearl and I'll be happy to answer!
probably stronger because I joined a league where im gonna be getting a DV8 Devient in the future as part of the price and that seems to be pretty weak. i aslo was thinking of a guru supreme... but the gauntlet looks like a beast, i also heard good things about the "cash" i want a true hook monster i guess
I'd honestly suggest the OG Tyrant then, if you want a true hook monster, that's the ball I've been pointing everyone towards for that. Now once the Sure Lock comes out next month, it may be a different story . .
Hi Luke I enjoy your reviews! I have a question I have a SkyRocket and was looking for a more aggressive ball I can move in (not majorly aggressive about 3-4 more boards for fresh oil 1st game of league) and I wanted to go with the same layout that I have on my skyrocket it's my favorite layout. Do you think the timeless would be ideal? SkyRocket is a little wet dry for me 1st game of league but is ideal 2nd and 3rd game thanks! 2 handed 450 rev rate 18MPH
Yes actually, the Timeless was designed for your type of game. The Timeless is about 3-4 boards stronger than the Sky Rocket, and based on your stats, I think this would definitely be a good choice for you.
A LOT of pros and college guys would go urethane like the Pitch Black. On something short and high volume like that, the last thing you want is something screaming off the end of the pattern or that's going to give you over under. I'd suggest urethane, keeping in mind that it doesn't absorb oil and will create carrydown, so remember that when it comes to your transition and moves, but Pitch Black will most likely be your best option.
Yes and no. This is still a pretty strong ball, you may look at something like the Match Pearl, Hyroad Pearl, etc., unless you bowl on heavy conditions.
Luke Rosdahl - Storm Amateur Staff . Dear Sir. I just ordered the Timeless ball, thinking about a 4×4×2 layout. I am 74 years old medium speed and reviews rate 2nd arrow down and in will this work for me, I sure would appreciate an answer, my email address is madgerman15@yahoo.com A big thanks to you.
would you say this is stronger then the code red also would it make any since at all I have a code red and sure lock that the code red was a little stronger on a heavy ish oil pattern.
cool stuff No, its weaker than the Code Red. I could see the Code Red making a stronger move on the backend than the Sure Lock, but can't see it hooking more overall, something sounds fishy with that
yes, I know that's what I thought it might be the ball cleaner because id cleaned the code red before but not the sure lock I'm not sure if that will make a difference or not. If it does not I will just be confused.
Might be coming, who knows . . I'd bet on a PDW ball before we see a Norm Duke one, or maybe a Liz Johnson ball, but that and the Norm Duke ball would be basically the same thing anyway . .
No, Code Black is still decidedly stronger. Very similar coverstock, but the core on the Code Black is much stronger. However, like I said here, high rev players don't really need any help getting the ball to rev. I think the Code Black is a can't miss ball for anyone, it fits a lot of people on a lot of conditions, but this is definitely a great reaction for heavier hands.
Ah. This ball is stronger on the backend than the Code Black, but I think the Timeless is more sensitive to wet/dry, the Code Black blends that better. Timeless seems to be good if you want to get deep and wheel on it, but I think that was a big part of the design intent.
Sure thing, I'll always answer a question. May take me a few days on occasion, but if you ever have anything else to ask, just ask and I'll get back to you as soon as possible.
Surface is 80-90% of ball reaction, quite often adjusting it to fit your game is the best way to go. Box surface usually isn't the best surface for everyone, however I typically use it. A lot of people will just use a ball as it is, and if they don't like it, they say it sucks or they get rid of it. Way too many things to try to give up on a ball just because it isn't perfect right out of the box.