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Author Topic: Dark Star  (Read 23907 times)

admin

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Dark Star
« on: December 31, 1969, 06:00:00 PM »
Ball NPS Score: 100.00
- Coverstock: Ultimate Vision Pearl Reactive
- Weight Block:Photon Core (14-16)
- Ball Color: Dark Blue/Purple All colors do vary somewhat from the picture shown.
- Ball Finish: 1500 Polished
- Track Flare Potential: 3-4 Inches (Med) on a scale of 1-10 Low-High
- Recommended Lane Conditions: Medium-Light Oil
- A few tiny pit holes in the cover stock of the ball are normal
- Description: Value and Performance have always been synonymous with the Roto Grip® brand, and the all new Dark Star™ stands to continue that tradition. Our first goal was to develop a stronger Shield™ Line ball to fit into the Roto Grip® line. The Team felt that there was too big of a gap between the Nomads and the Planet series balls. The intent was to create more mid-lane read with stronger backend motion, so we developed the Photon™ core with a lower RG value and a higher differential. To enhance this core motion we also added Ultimate Vision™ pearl coverstock to this ball. This performance proven coverstock was found on the EPIC™ and Illusion™ series of balls. It boasts a higher coefficient of friction and surface texture for added traction in the oil and superior backend performance. This combination of core and coverstock was the ideal fit into the line. Our tests showed that it filled the gap between the Nomads and the Planet series balls perfectly. The legacy of value and performance will live on in the new Dark Star™.
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rotogrip_rick

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Re: Dark Star
« Reply #1 on: March 10, 2010, 04:55:28 PM »
Here is my review of the 1st DARK STAR I Drilled:
 4 x 4 extra hole on VAL- Serial# 10RDSB02E186G
     Box finish and tested ball for about 14 games.
Medium to longer length, a wicked back end recovery. kept the pins real low to the deck and no carry issue you would see in a lower cost ball. Very good ball on heavier than normal THS. Practiced on Cheetah with it and it was a little strong off the spot. Thanks to Mike Sinek for layout advice on this ball.

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Rick Mitchell
Roto-Grip Staff Member
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rotogrip_rick

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Re: Dark Star
« Reply #2 on: March 10, 2010, 04:57:14 PM »
This is my review on the 2nd Dark Star I drilled:
30 x 3 1/2 x 60. a medium size hole at P2 position-Serial# 10RDSA19E084G
Box finish and tested ball about 12 games.
Little shorter in length to a break point then the 4 x 4 one above, cleaner and smoother in the back end. We used on Cheetah, it was much smoother off of the gutter going into the pocket, less overreaction then the 4x4 layout. Had a 279 and 275 with this ball so far in league, 275- 8 pin and 10th and used a spare ball for the fill ball for a 7 count. I liked the fact that I can play WAY inside, between 3rd and 4th arrow and the ball "walk" nicely into the pocket.
Thanks to Mike Sinek for the lay out information on these bowling balls.
I hope you this information are useful and helpful.

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Rick Mitchell
Roto-Grip Staff Member
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banisterr

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Re: Dark Star
« Reply #3 on: March 11, 2010, 12:26:47 AM »
Surface: Box Finish

Purpose: Was looking for something with a weaker weigh block and a skid flip reaction.

Lane Condition: The first time I used this ball was in a mixed tournament where the shot was moving alot. Out of the box using the Dark Star on one lane and Riot on the other (lane 7 was hooking about 10 boards more than lane 8) I shot 816. I used this ball on my house shot and man does it send the pins flying.  The Dark Star is very clean through the heads and when it makes it move on the backend it never stops.  What I love the most about this ball is how low it keeps the pins.  

Final Thoughts: If you are looking for a one two punch that doesn't cost you alot the Dark Star and Riot are the balls to get. When the heads are starting to burn up I switch from the Riot to the Dark Star and never move a board!


Roto-Grip Staff Member
Rickie Banister

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Mr Scary

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Re: Dark Star
« Reply #4 on: March 12, 2010, 12:52:25 PM »
Drill angle – 40 Deg., Angle to VAL – 15 Deg., PIN to PAP distance – 3 3/8”, 15 lb, box finish
Very nice looking ball. Gets down the lanes easily.  It takes off quite well off the dry, and has above average hitting power.  This ball play well just below the Nomad line.  For more, check out my video review:
http://www.youtube.com/user/mrchris299#p/a/u/1/tcEzjb4vVds


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Chris Slagter
Roto Grip Amatuer Staff
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Chris Slagter
Roto Grip Amatuer Staff

kblackmer

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Re: Dark Star
« Reply #5 on: March 15, 2010, 12:31:08 AM »
The new release from Roto Grip on the dark star and riot are awesome. The combination that both balls bring to the table are well balanced. From the cover stock to the weight block makes these balls my first choice out the bag.

The Dark star- is very smooth and strong in a number of ways that no other entry to medium level ball brings to the lanes. It's Photonâ„¢ Core enables me to just roll the ball and let nature take it's course. The higher R.G. helps me get the ball down the lane even in the drier areas, while the pearl cover stock helps me maintain my skid through the heads while the ball makes it's transition from oil to dry with out a lot of over under reaction. The hitting power I get from this ball comes with great ease and not having to over power the ball just to make the coner and still carry.

I have made a video and I will post the link on here tomorrow.

Kevin Blackmer
Roto Grip-staff
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Kevin Blackmer
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bucko the bowler

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Re: Dark Star
« Reply #6 on: March 15, 2010, 02:20:17 AM »
This ball is made for medium to light oil patterns that are 39 feet or less in length. Out of the box this ball has a skid flip reaction. When it’s in heavier oil I had problems with it skidding too far down the lane. Once it comes out of the oil onto the dry part of the lane it really makes a right hand turn to the pocket. To solve this problem, I changed the surface to 4,000 abralon.  This change made the back end smoother and the ball seemed to read the lanes much better and had a more consistent reaction on wooden and synthetic lanes.   This ball works well on all lanes surfaces.

My layout on this ball is a 4-1/4 x 4-1/2 with a 4 inch buffer dual angle 90x 4-1/4 x 65.  The pin is located under my ring finger.
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BRANDON HARRIS
Amateur Roto Grip Staff

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BRANDON HARRIS
Amateur Roto Grip Staff
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rockteschel

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Re: Dark Star
« Reply #7 on: March 15, 2010, 09:59:17 AM »
“DARK STAR” Review by Cory Rockteschel

Cory’s Statistics:
   Right Handed
   Approx. 425-450 RPM
   Approx. 17 MPH Down lane
   PAP – 5” right
   Span – Middle finger (MF) 4.5”, ring finger (RF) 4.625”
   Pitches – MF .375 left 0 rev, RF .500 right 0 rev, thumb .125 left .375 rev

Review:
   I drilled the Dark Star to have a little less flare so that I had a ball that was good for a shorter sport pattern.  I drilled it 5x3x2.  The ball that I drilled has a 3.25” pin.  This layout put the right above, and to the right of my middle finger.  The Dark Star moved just as I expected.  I was bowling on the Kegel pattern Boardwalk.  I was playing 10th board at the arrows and my break point was around the 3rd board.  I had a little room outside and none inside.  The Dark Star got through the heads easily as expected and made a quick move toward the pocket.  The ball has good hitting power and scattered the pins very nicely.  I shot a 715 1st night out averaged 227.5 in a tournament on the boardwalk pattern which helped to get 2nd place.  
   The Dark Star is going to be a very good choice when you want a ball that is a bit weaker than the Nomad Pearl but stronger than the Neptune.  It is also a very good for those on a tight budget.  You are getting a ball with great performance at a very affordable price.

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Roto Grip Amateur Staff Member
Roto Grip - King of them all

USBC Bronze Coach
USBC Registered Volunteer

cory@tenpincoaching.com
www.tenpincoaching.com



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kblackmer

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Re: Dark Star
« Reply #8 on: March 15, 2010, 05:53:02 PM »
Here is the link to the youtube video of the dark star I promised you guys. enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhSEp5bvdYg

Kevin Blackmer
Roto Grip staff
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Brunswick Regional Pro-Staff
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Strike Nation Proshop - Tomball, Texas

John Brodersen

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Re: Dark Star
« Reply #9 on: March 16, 2010, 10:16:55 PM »
Ball specs – 15 lbs 2 oz, 2.44 top weight, and 3.25 -inch pin.

The polished Dark Star has a very appealing blue pearl and purple pearl color scheme.  

The Dark Star was drilled with a 4.5-inch pin, 30-degree drill angle and a 70-degree VAL angle.  This put the pin about 3/8 of an inch under the ring finger with the CG bumped to the right about three inches.  This layout required an extra hole that was placed on the VAL on a line drawn from the grip center thru the CG to the VAL.  (Approximately a P2 hole)  Ending side weight was ½ positive.  The cover stock was left OOB.

I threw the Dark Star and the Riot on a fresh, softer oil pattern.  The Dark Star provided very easy length down the lane, about two to three feet more than the Riot, with a predictable but strong backend move.  The backend recovery was more than I expected.  Hit and carry also exceeded my expectations for an entry-level piece. Track flare was in the four inch range and the rings were fairly close but not over lapping, similar to the Riot.  First set with the Dark Star was 746.

Using an existing cover stock with the new Photon core (.040 differential) allows the Dark Star (and Riot) to fill the gap nicely between the stronger Nomads and the weaker Planet series balls.  The Dark Star will make a nice addition to anyone’s arsenal.

John Brodersen
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MoonsLefty

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Re: Dark Star
« Reply #10 on: March 21, 2010, 09:24:22 PM »
I drilled the Dark Star exactly the same as my Riot. 50/5/70.

I wanted to drill the two balls the same to see just how different the Pearl and Solid versions of the Ultimate Vision coverstocks are. I was shocked how different they really were. When using the Riot I still had to play inside the track area, but when I changed to the Dark Star I was able to move left and actually play in the track, which is something I haven't been able to do with any ball I have drilled in a long time. Even though the Dark Star is designed to be a little more skid/flippy in nature, with this pin below the fingers layout, most of the flip was gone. Although it was still evident, it wasn't overly strong off the spot, which I like. I have really struggled with the lower end Roto Grip bowling balls, i.e. the planet series, I have yet to struggle with either the Riot or the Dark Star.

Great job yet again guys.
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Rob Haverstock
 Roto Grip Pro Shop Staff
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Rotoguy300

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Re: Dark Star
« Reply #11 on: March 22, 2010, 06:10:19 PM »
Layout- 4 3/4” from pin to PAP, pin under ring, no hole.

I was surprised by the length that was there in this ball, even with a pin down drilling. What I was even more surprised by was the level of continuation I got. At Seattle city, scores were relatively low this year, but I averaged around 230 once I had the Dark Star in hand, even having to loft gutter caps by the end. This thing not only cornered enough to carry (again, even with a quicker rolling, lower flare layout), it did it better than most anything else being thrown in the tournament. I’ve been able to use this ball on a large variety of conditions, on basically anything but the heaviest of conditions, and been very impressed. This ball has a tremendous amount of value overall and offers tremendous bang for your buck. It is visually stunning and has great shelf appeal. Great work again from Roto Grip!
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cmsubowler

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Re: Dark Star
« Reply #12 on: March 23, 2010, 11:30:52 PM »
Hello everyone and thanks for reading.  First off I would like to thank Rotogrip for coming out with this ball.  Great addition to the arsenal and I will certainly be drilling up at least one more.  Now to the meat and potatoes so to speak.  First I would like to refer you to the video here--> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLAwweAYAkw .  Now you can get the visual and I will tell you what I have found throughout the past couple of weeks.  The ball is drilled with the dual angle layout technique with a drilling pattern of 55 x 4 7/8 x 65.  I drilled it up the same as one of my Nomad Pearls for comparison.  I also filmed the video and settled on a 4000 abralon surface as the best one for me although all surfaces I tried seemed to be excellent.  Very versatile with surface changes.  This ball is very clean through the front part of the lane but does not pick up roll too early as soon as the ball touches friction.  Towards the back part of the lane is where this ball really does well.   It not only makes a strong move on the backend but very continuous as well.  If you come up the back a little more and slow the speed down you can get it to stop at the pocket a little bit but it still maintains excellent hitting power and clears the front very well.   Compared to the Nomad Pearl is tough to tell in the video but with the same drilling pattern after the front starts to break down, I can switch to the Dark Star and keep feet and target the same.  Great hitting power no matter what part of the lane I have been playing.  Overall this is a great ball to go to during lane transition and also will make an excellent start ball for those individuals just starting out with a slightly lower ball speed.
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clashbowler09

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Re: Dark Star
« Reply #13 on: March 24, 2010, 08:46:39 PM »
I found that I my Dark Star fit well into my arsenal.  I also own a Nomad, and I thought that the Dark Star served as a great ball to “ball down to” from the Nomad.  It’s my go to ball when the lanes transition and I need something with more length.  I threw it on both house and sport shot conditions.  It gave me the length I needed to get through the heads and hit hard.  I am happy with its predictability and carry.  GREAT JOB ROTO GRIP!
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Rebekah Diers
2009 Clash of Champions
Amateur Roto Grip Staff
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RG is King

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Re: Dark Star
« Reply #14 on: March 29, 2010, 06:23:12 PM »
For the Dark Star, I took it out on a 39' house shot, using 5th and 6th boards as break point. This ball went longer but was stronger on the backend. I threw several shots with this ball and it gave me more miss room out, but if I missed in it wasn't going to be good. I tried it on a slicker oil pattern, and for me I threw it too firm and don't have enough hand to make it work. This ball will be a great ball for wet dry conditions where you can just throw it right and it will read the mid lane with a strong backend. The Dark Star and Riot are two balls that would be a great fit for any bowler whether a starter or a seasoned bowler. Great job to Hank and everyone at Roto Grip. KING OF THEM ALL!!!
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