Roto Grip Idol Cosmos
Layout: 45 x 4 ½ x 45

The Idol Cosmos, despite it having a pearl coverstock, has become my current benchmark ball. With the stronger composition of the cover, and the 4k-fast finishing process, this ball is in a different universe of ball reaction than that of the previous Idol Pearl.  The Cosmos has enough midlane traction to handle medium-heavy oil patterns, though it is also clean enough to be used on medium to medium-dry conditions. I would categorize the ball reaction as being smooth but with some backend kick. It is one of the most versatile pieces that I have seen in quite some time.

Mike LeViner

Orientation:  Right Handed
Rev Rate:  400 RPM
Speed:  16-17 MPH
PAP:  4 ½ over and ½ up

Location:  Enterprise Park Lanes, Springfield MO
Pattern:  High Volume THS
VLS Layout: 
Layout 2:  4 ½ x 4 x 4 1/8 (pin below bridge)

The Idol Cosmos is an updated version of the Idol Pearl.  It’s got more additive in the cover and rolls earlier while maintaining the shape on the backend.   The Idol Pearl got a little “squirty” in oil and the Idol Cosmos solves this issue with the stronger cover.  It never wants to miss the midlane so I feel I can use it earlier in a block.  This one is simple, if you like the Idols, this is another great one!

Ball Review Idol Cosmos, RG: 2.49 Dif: .052 Cover: ExtremeTrax Pearl 4K Finish
PAP 5 1/8 over ¾ UP, Medium/Ball Speed Rev Rate 275-325 Layout: 4 x 4 x 1 ¾

The return of a Pearl addition to the Idol lineup and definitely a nice surprise. The Cosmos is a great addition to the pearl line up. It has the performance that bowlers expect from the idol line. It’s smooth and rounded shape is very predictable. It has a strong backend motion with good continuation from the pins. The Cosmos with the ExtremeTrax Pear cover at 4k finish responds hard off the friction but doesn’t seem to overreact. The Cosmos picks up down lane and holds its energy well. The Cosmos will fit most play styles and conditions. I definitely recommend this ball if you are looking for a new smooth ball with a strong backend pearl.

Idol Cosmos – I have not previously been a fan of the Idol balls, but this one is awesome! It’s nice and clean through the front of the lane, but it doesn’t over hook on the back part of the lane. I have used it as my benchmark ball since I drilled it, and I have used it on many different conditions. It is very versatile, which is a big thing I look for in a new ball. I recommend getting one for your bag for sure!

Roto Grip Idol Cosmos Ball Review



Rev Rate: 375

Ball Speed: 15-16 mph

PAP: 5 inches over, 1/2 inch up

Layout: 60x5x30



The Idol Cosmos is the fifth installment in the Idol series stateside. In testing this ball, I found it to be buttery smooth and very deliberate with its downlane motion. I was very surprised at this because I had envisioned it doing something else…like more of the Idol Pearl than a bigger version of the !Q Tour. But I love it! Its almost like OG Idol meets a touch of the Idol Helios…the smoothness of the OG with a sprinkle of the slow strong nature of the Helios. It’s another piece of versatility that’s on my “bowling rack” to add to my bag for leagues and tournaments.



Another popular Idol to bang out high scores!



Jamaal Oliver

Chad’s Pro Shop

Andy B’s - Bartlett

Memphis, TN

LANE CONDITION

Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc): Multiple (Sport and Recreational)

COMMENTS

The all new Roto Grip Idol Cosmos bowling ball features the Ikon Core and the pearlized XtremeTrax coverstock, which should result in a cleaner motion through the front of the lane while providing stronger reaction down lane. I have seen so many different Idol bowling balls roll very well for wide variety of bowlers.

Personally, I haven’t had much success with the Idol series. I have tried several layouts on different Idol’s and just couldn’t seem to find the sweet spot. I drilled my Idol Cosmos with my usual pin-up layout: 65 x 5 x 30. I expected this ball to flare a good amount and, due to cleaner coverstock, I thought it could be a good transition ball when stronger asymmetrical bowling balls start be too much.

The Idol Cosmos is a very “rolly” and “forward” to me. I was expecting a little more response in the friction out of this ball. For my ball roll and the layout I chose for this ball, it seems to be “in between” – too much flare to keep it online, to “forward” to open up the lane. I did find a decent use out of this ball on shorter patterns, where I really needed to slow down the backend motion. I can see this ball being pretty good on shorter “house-shots” as well. I would, perhaps, drill another Idol Cosmos with a pin-down layout and use it as a “specialty” ball for shorter oil patterns.

PICTURES AND/OR VIDEOS

Want to see me throwing the Idol Cosmos? Watch my video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/xJqCCp1SxlE

Roto Grip Idol Cosmos
Coverstock: XtremeTrax Pearl
Core: Ikon
Layout: 5 x 3 x 2.5

I did some of my best bowling last season with the Idol Helios. The Helios has a solid version of the Cosmos cover. Out of the box, I found the Cosmos very smooth and round. That would be fine for sport patterns but going into league season, smooth and round did not look good in my home center. To make it more immediately useful, I applied Storm Step 2 for a polished, cleaner look. With this slight surface tweak, I find this ball to be a first game of league type ball. It handles the buildup of volume inside quite well and the round nature of the cover/core allows for some blending action when I miss right. I have had quite a few league nights so far this year where I was able to throw this Cosmos all 3 games just paralleling my eyes and feet left. As always, you can’t go wrong with an Idol!

Roto Grip Idol Cosmos Ball Review

Bowler Stats:
Speed: 15.5 MPH
Rev Rate: 300
Tilt: 3-5 degrees
Axis Rotation: 60 degrees

I have drilled 4 releases in the Idol line and the only one I liked the reaction of was the Idol Pearl. So when Roto decided to release another with the nano pearl cover I wanted to see if I matched up with it. The Helios was too slow for my eyes and I was hoping for a quicker response pearl like the original Idol Pearl. With the stronger covers I drilled the Cosmos with a 5 X 4 X2 ¾ VLS layout to help the ball have length but recover down the lane. Out of the box the reaction was continuous and not too quick on our normal house shot. I scratched the ball with 2000 abralon to give it some teeth in the dry but the cover is too strong and not as responsive as I would have liked it on the house shot.

I am bowling the PBA 50 tour this year and did have success using the Idol Cosmos on the Mike Aulby 39’ pattern. For me this is a stronger pearl I can use to play the track area on the fresh. I have a lower rev rate and a high amount of axis rotation so this is a controllable option on older lane surfaces.


Pete Dohan
Storm Amateur Staff
#stormnation