Ball NPS Score: 100.00
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The Roto Grip Idol bowling ball begins the next generation of upper mid-performance bowling balls. This ball introduces the Ikon core which helps provide good backend by pushing the limits of a symmetrical core. This ball also introduces the MicroTrax-S18 Solid Reactive coverstock. This cover uses Nano technology and provides more traction and is more aggressive than previous coverstocks in this line. This ball is ideally used on medium to heavy oil conditions. *There will be some variance in color due to the Nano material. This is due to "phasing". Some of the balls with phasing have a white color in them and some may appear to have water spots. There may be a variety of hues of the Magenta/Purplish color.

Color: Magenta
Core: Ikon
Coverstock: MicroTrax-S18 Solid Reactive
Finish: 2000-grit Pad
RG: 2.49 (for 15# ball)
Differential: 0.052 (for 15# ball)
Recommended Lane Condition: Medium to Heavy Oil

The Idol features new everything, new core in the super aggressive symmetric Ikon core, and Micro Trax-18, their strongest Nano cover to date.  This is easily the strongest ball Roto has released in the HP3 line, stronger than the Haywire even by a couple boards, and challenges the GB3 for the most hook in a symmetric ball and at that price point on the market.  The result is a very smooth, even, controllable, and naturally strong ball that due to the characteristics of the Nano cover is more versatile than most balls that strong, as well as very continuous and great at blending wet/dry transition without jerking or burning energy on friction.  The Idol should be a serious consideration for sport tournament bowlers and especially collegiate bowlers looking for a strong symmetric 1 ball. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_7qQzDPw4A&t=14s

I drilled my IDOL 60/4.5/40 which is my standard drilling for a ball to read early plus I have a DAREDEVIL TRICK with the same lay out. I put a 7/8"-2" deep weight hole 5" straight across my center line. I left this one box finish which is 2000 abralon.

I have used this one on a couple of different THS, a modified house pattern on the longer side, and a 45 Kegel Challenge Pattern. This ball is a good look for me in my bag and replaces a HAYWIRE that had gotten dated and losing it's pop after a few years.

Side by side with a couple of balls like the DAREDEVIL TRICK and NO RULES EXIST in the Roto line. The EXIST is a slightly stronger look downlane. The IDOL grabs but is more of an earlier strong arcing shape while the EXIST is more of a hockey stick reaction on the back. The TRICK had the shape as the IDOL in the early move but was even softer off the spot than the IDOL and would be more in play if the play was to keep the ball in front of you more than with those other 2 ROTO high end pieces. I also put it up against the CODE X. The IDOL was more motion early while the CODE X was more downlane motion and looked a lot like a  softer NO RULES EXIST.

Put this one in your bag if you want a strong ball that reads earlier in the midlane than the stronger cover/stronger engine balls do. Or if you need to replace an worn HAYWIRE or PHAZE II that finally is showing signs of slowing down.

    The Roto Grip Idol is a great addition to the RG line.  I drilled mine 4.5 x 4 x 4.5 pin down no hole.  The IDOL has great shelf appeal with the bright Magenta color, this is some white phasing is some of them.  But I have a lot of good compliments on the color of the IDOL as it is different than a lot of bowling balls.  With the Haywire being discontinued the IDOL is a perfect replacement.  It is a strong symmetrical ball that rolls a little early and smooth downlane. Kinda of like a stronger IQ Solid. It will be a great ball on sport and PBA patterns, and especially at the USBC Open Championships.

Brian Watson
PAP- 3 5/8 up 1/14
RPM - 400
Speed - 16
Tilt - 17

Pro Shop Staff
 

3 testers - 2 patterns

http://tamerbowling.com/roto-grip-idol-bowling-ball-review/

Excerpt:
While thinking about the Roto Grip Idol, I can’t say I instantly thought Haywire. But in a way, it is the smooth, controllable, middle of the road ball that surely will replace the Haywire in the Roto Grip lineup. It’s somewhat cover dominant meaning the strength of the ball comes a bit more from the cover than the core. That makes it a nice step down from the high end balls which use more core dynamics to drive ball motion, especially for lower and mid level rev bowlers. As you go up in rev rate, you really start to see bigger motion the Idol is capable of. That is predominantly because with higher rev rates, asyms show a bit more of that hook set motion while the symmetric is more continuous. The Idol is not necessarily a ball I instantly think, this is a match up to every medium condition. That wasn’t the case with the Haywire either. But I think each bowler will need to consider their style and pattern they typically bowl on and decide if this type of ball reaction, good midlane control for medium to medium-heavy conditions, is what they need in their bag.

Weight:  14 lbs.
Pin Length:  4-1/2 ”
Drilling:  35 x 3 x 25
Pattern Length:  40 ft.
Pattern Volume:  Medium
Pattern Type:  THS
Right Handed

The IDOL has the symmetrical Ikon core weight block in the popular HP3 line, wrapped in the Micro Trax-S18 cover stock, which is a solid reactive core.  The box finish is 2000 grit, but as always, can be polished or changed to suit a variety of lane conditions.  It is an attractive Magenta color.

I have used the IDOL on a 40 ft. kegel house pattern, and The Orleans modified House pattern in Las Vegas.

I tried the IDOL at the 2000 grit box finish, and haven’t done any surface changes, as I’ve found this to be my go-to ball when i need to move inside and deal with the pattern trasitioning.   I find it to be a little too strong on the fresh house pattern I’ve played on, but was a good starting ball on The Orleans modified house pattern.  This ball is more aggressive than i expected it to be.  I find it to have a similar motion shape to the Haywire, with a slightly earlier hook, and  a stronger finish down lane. Being a lower rev player with ball speed around 14 mph, I could migrate in, left of center with the IDOL and still have it face up to the pocket with proper angle for me to carry.
 
If you’re looking for a replacement for the Haywire, and perhaps a bit stronger, this is a great ball to have in your arsenal.  For a mid priced ball, you’re getting the look and hook of a high end ball.  It’s a win, win for me!


Carol Teel
Roto Grip Amateur Staff Member

LANE CONDITION

Length: 40ft

Volume: medium

Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc): THS


COMMENTS

I went with a 70*5*40 layout, pin up above the ring finger with no weight hole. I used the same layout on several other balls. I compared the Idol to my Phaze2 and DareDevil Trick with the Idol being more overall motion than both. Compared to the Phaze2 the Idol is just alittle cleaner through the front part of the lane and much more continuation down lane. Compared to the DareDevil Trick, the Idol picked up in the middle part of the lane much harder and is much stronger. Both the Trick and Idol float through the front part of the lane very well. Once the Idol picked up alittle lane shine after about a game or 2 it really became usable on the hooking pattern cause it didn't pick up quite as fast allowing me to stay in the ball and not have to change balls.

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PICTURES AND/OR VIDEOS

Roto Grip Idol
Layout: 55 x 4.5 x 30
Rev Rate: 300 rpm
Testing information: 41 foot THS (medium volume) – Kegel Machine – Brunswick Anvilane
Test results: The replacement for your Haywire is here. The Idol gives you the same type of motion as your Haywire but just a little more overall hook. If you liked the Haywire, you will love the Idol. The beautiful Magenta color doesn't hurt its shelf appeal either. I am seeing so many Idols on the ball racks in league and at tournaments that its a telling sign.#OwnIt