Roto Grip Exotic Gem
Cover: MicroTrax Pearl Reactive
Core: Defiant LRG Core
RG . Diff. 2.47
Finish: Reacta Gloss

Roto Grip’s new Exotic Gem is an Asymmetrical Pearl piece that is good for Heavy conditions.  PAP is 5 5/16 R 1 3/16 Up. Rev Rate: 400.  Drilled this piece with the Pin up between the fingers and CG kicked out 1” from the palm and 1” Left of the Mass Bias.   Out of Box ball motion is clean through the fronts, starts in the Midlane with a smooth motion on the backend.  I didn’t throw the Original Gem.  I compared this to the Storm Proton PhysiX which is 3-4 stronger, 900 Global Reality 3-4 stronger, and Reality Check 4-5 stronger than the Exotic Gem.  For me, this piece will be good to start off a block.  This piece is good for all types of styles that are looking for an Asym pearl.

LANE CONDITION

Length: 40ft

Volume: Med

Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc): THS


COMMENTS

Likes: One of the cleanest and strongest Pearl balls since the Altered Reality. This ball gets down the lane and makes a left turn. Just as good as the original, great 1-2 punch on a THS or pattern. This ball will be in the bag for a long time. So good I might drill 2.

Dislikes: None


PICTURES AND/OR VIDEOS

The new Exotic Gem is my discovery of the year !! With is clean reacta gloss finish, it's pass easily the first part of the lane. However, like the 900 Global Zen,with its matte color, it makes this ball really controllable. The Exotic don't give a too much hit when it's arrive on the back end like many pearl balls. It just give the right hit at the end of the lane with a big continuous motion between the pins. I can play many lines with; more straight in front of me or go to the left to pass across the lanes. It's will be the perfect house shot ball but for sure, in my bag on all tournaments that I will play this year. It's a no brainer ball ! You need it one on you bag, trust me !!! #ownit"

https://123bowl.com/bowling-balls/roto-grip/roto-grip-exotic-gem-bowling-ball/

This ball is a monster to be honest. This is one of the strongest pearl balls that I have thrown. The first few times I threw it I liked it but wasn't in love with it until I figured out that I had to get deeper than I was. I was trying to play to straight in the beginning until I figured out that the Exotic Gem definitely likes oil. As soon as I Read more about review stating Strong and a Monster
moved deep enough, I was able to open the lane up quite a bit and was able to create some area. The Exotic will allow you to start deeper from the beginning and allow you to stay away from mid set traffic on the track area. This will fit nicely in my bag for when we have a few more lefties on the pair or in a tournament so I can start and stay deep and not have to move or make so many ball changes. The Exotic Gem is a weapon that will be firmly planted in my arsenal, and it hits like a tank. Very powerful ball and looking forward to throwing the Exotic more.

Check out the video
https://youtu.be/ZRMLvEYecH0

As an experienced bowler who has had the opportunity to test a wide range of bowling balls, I can say without hesitation that the Exotic Gem Bowling Ball from Roto Grip is a must-have for any serious competitor. In fact, this ball is the first one out of my tournament bag.
The MicroTrax Pearl Coverstock and the Defiant LRG Core work together perfectly for me, as I have been able to use the Exotic Gem on a variety of different lane conditions. The ball has been very easy for me to use because it has a very predictable motion. The Exotic Gem has reacted well for me whether I was playing the 4th arrow or the 7 board.
In a few events, I have started with the pearl asymmetric Exotic Gem and then transitioned to the TNT, which has a Solid Cover and symmetrical weight block. That is an interesting combo for me.
In short, I can't recommend the Exotic Gem highly enough. This is truly a great ball, and I will drill a number of them over the coming months and years.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqjkUDUcOKY&t=7s

Roto Grip Exotic Gem Ball Review by PJ Haggerty

One of the latest additions to the HP4 line at Roto Grip is the Exotic Gem.  From a shelf appeal standpoint, this ball is loud and flashy.   From a performance standpoint, it strikes a TON!  I’ve been very impressed with the Exotic Gem thus far and continue to take it with me to all types of events.  Similar to the original Gem, the engine inside is the Defiant LRG core, but the biggest difference with the Exotic is the coverstock.  Big Schlem and the minds in Utah created a pearl version of the MicroTrax coverstock and wrapped the Exotic Gem with it.

I’m a big fan of the Exotic Gem and drilled it with the following numbers: 5 x 4 x 2.  This puts the pin above my bridge, a slight shift of the CG, and the mass bias is just to the right of my thumb.  I’ve had the most success when using this ball on medium/longer patterns with heavier volumes.  The Exotic Gem is strong enough in the mid-lane and down-lane to still create shape and go through the pins the right way.  Once my Gem has done it’s job and it’s time to put in the bag, the Exotic Gem is the perfect ball to use. 

I’ve also adjusted the surface for those heavier volume conditions.  By hand, I used a 1000 pad to create a bit of an earlier shape but to slow down the response time a bit too.  If you need a ball that digs, continues, and is a perfect complement to the current lineup, go drill an Exotic Gem!

Exotic Gem • Roto Grip• Hp4 Series
Core • Defiant LRG (Asymmetric Core)
Coverstock • MicroTrax Pearl Reactive Finish • React Gloss
Weight • 15 lbs. RG •2.47 Differential • .053 Intermediate Diff •.016
Layout • 4 x 5 x 2
Tester PAP • 5” R, 5/8” D Tester Axis Tilt • 11° Tester Rev Rate • 300
Test Pattern • 42' THS (Typical House Shot) • Modified, Kegel Stone Street

Roto Grip has taken its Hp4 line to incredible new heights with the release of the Exotic Gem. First, the Defiant LRG core brought a well-defined motion to the original Gem. Then building from the Defiant LRG's success, Roto Grip combined it with the MicroTrax Pearl reactive coverstock. And this proved to be a winning combination making the Exotic Gem a phenomenal new release. So, with its brilliant results, let's take a closer look at why the Exotic Gem belongs in your arsenal!

The Defiant LRG core is a big and beefy asymmetric core. And as down and in player, I like that the Defiant LRG has a robust and decisive motion. But unlike other bulky asymmetric cores that tend to become angry and violent in their motion, the Defiant LRG revs smoothly. And impressively, it has a more methodical attack behind its roll. And when the Defiant LRG stood up and headed to the pocket, I was impressed with its powerful impact as it struck the pocket. And being a low-rev player, I loved the strong and continuous roll I saw with the Defiant LRG, as it makes the Exotic Gem a continuous crushing machine.

The MicroTrax Pearl reactive coverstock delivered success to the Exotic Gem's outstanding potential. I found the MicroTrax Pearl provided biting traction early in the midsection. And although I liked its aggressive nature, I loved how the MicroTrax Pearl was smooth off the pattern. The MicroTrax Pearl reads earlier than you would expect from a pearl, but I liked how it maintained a well-defined motion as it made its way toward the pins. 

Now, being a straighter player, surface is my friend. And for my speed and rev rate, the Reacta Gloss finish needed some tweaking for a THS league night. So, I sanded my Exotic Gem to 1500-Grit Abralon and followed it up with Storm Step 2 finishing compound (320-1500 grit.) And this surface adjustment made the Exotic Gem fun to roll all night long. Early on, I could play my A game - rolling up twelve with a powerful down and in motion. And as the night went on and the lanes transitioned, I thoroughly enjoyed being able to move my angles in and not stress over it. And even with my weak rev rate, the Exotic Gem retained plenty of energy  that exploded at the pins. So, for me, the MicroTrax Pearl reactive coverstock was the missing ingredient to kick out the annoying tens pins I left with the original Gem.

In conclusion, the Exotic Gem is an excellent release from Roto Grip. And for down and in players, the Exotic Gem is smoother and cleaner than the original Gem and retains much more energy. And with the right surface adjustment to fit your speed, style, and rev rate, the Exotic Gem is a powerful weapon to add to your arsenal. So, talk with your local Storm VIP Pro Shop Operator and have your Exotic Gem ready for tonight's league. And be prepared to crush the competition!


Rick Klimowicz
Storm Products Pro Shop Staff
Roll the Ball Pro Shop
Penndel, PA