Roto Grip Idol Helios is honor scores in a box!

Bowlers Info: RH tweener, PAP 4-1/2 x 7/8 up, 365 RPM, 17* of Axis tilt, 60* of Axis Rotation

Ball Layout: 55 x 5 x 45

Finish: OOB

The return of the very popular Idol comes in the bright orange Helios!!  This ball, before was even released, was putting up honor scores including a 900!  I drilled mine similar to my original Idol, pin up above bridge and left OOB.  Compared to the original, this one is definitely cleaner, strong, with more of an arc than the original Idol.  Earlier than the Phaze II so it fits between Zen Master and Phaze II.  I will say the more oil shine that gets into the ball, the more I like the reaction.  If you liked the original Idol, you’ll like this one as a refresh.  Honor scores are waiting for ya to grab!!!


Chris Martinez
Storm Amateur Staff
www.stormbowling.com

LANE CONDITION

Length: 43'

Volume: 22.5 mLs

Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc): THS


COMMENTS

Likes: That familiar Idol roll

Dislikes: gets pretty dirty...

This new ORANGE Idol has a familiar shape to it.  Having loved the all the other idols in the series, I was hoping this ball was slot right in to that benchmark motion category out of the box…but, I was wrong about that.  I actually wasn’t a fan of the Helios out of the box.  I changed surfaces a couple  before I got the best potion out of putting Step 2 compound on it.  Once I did that, I found the best motion for me.  The ball rolls more like Idol did with some lane shine.  Thats the motion that I loved most. 

While the new XtremeTrax surface, to me, seems a little cleaner than the original Idol, It doesn’t boom down lane.  Its more of a continuous/controlled motion that you would imagine from it. 

My layout was 4x5x2

Other balls getting a lot of play:
Dark Code-4.5x4.25.3.75
UFO Alert-4.5x5x3.75
Altered Reality-4.25x5.25x2
Wolverine-4.25x5.25x2



PICTURES AND/OR VIDEOS

The Roto Grip Idol Helios is the latest addition to the Idol series that has been a favorite for a few years now. This edition has a new cover, Xtremetrax, which is earlier than the original magenta Idol cover, but still has plenty of shape down the lane which gives it a pretty unique reaction. I drilled mine 70x5x40 and on fresh conditions it's hard to beat. It's not as smooth front to back as my Zen Master and definitely wants me to play a little more angle up front. I'm able to keep moving left with it as long as the mids don't completely burn up and force me into something weaker and shinier. What I notice the most about this ball is the long continuation window. It just keeps going which greatly improves my carry percentage, rather than getting too forward and losing direction. Another versatile piece that can work for multiple styles!

Roto Grip Idol Helios
Cover: XtremeTrax Solid Reactive
Core: Ikon
Layout: 60 x 4 5/8 x 35

I had a lot of success with the original Idol. It is still in my bag, but we now have an upgrade in the Helios. The core remains the Ikon but the upgraded cover is the XtremeTrax Solid Reactive, which I see as a bit cleaner/sharper. This ball flat out strikes. I see it as similar overall strength to the original Idol, Zen Master, and Phaze 2. The difference between the balls is really where they hook and how they react at the end of the pattern. I see the new Helios as the sharpest off the spot with the OG Idol having similar traits (my Idol with a lot of games is simply a bit more forward off the spot). The Zen Master is the earliest/most round and the Phaze 2 is the most clean and long in this family of comparison balls. If you ever wanted an OG Idol and missed the boat, don’t miss out on the Helios. If you want a replacement for the OG Idol, this is a great upgrade.

Video Review Link:
https://youtu.be/isSzBMOheYs

The Roto Grip Helios features the new XtremeTrax Solid reactive cover and the Ikon Symmetric Core.  The Helios has a low RG of 2.49 a high differential of 0.052.  To bring this all together, the solid Xtreme traction coverstock will glide through fronts and midlane very smooth like its predecessor the original Idol but you will find the Helios to dig into the lane and corner harder on the backend. 
The layout chosen was a 65 x 4 x 40 which will give you a strong angular arc reaction shape, normal transition time and continuous ball motion.  With this layout the Helios will be great on a variety of patterns such as a medium to long sport or a fresh house shot.  When the lanes get to be too cliffed then an adjustment to the ball surface would need to be done to blend the pattern.
I did a ball comparison to the 900 Global Zen Master, Reality and Zen. 
First up is the 900 Global Zen Master.  The Zen Master features the Solid S77 coverstock with the Mediate core.  The Zen Master is stronger by how much earlier it starts up in the midlane due to its hook set nature but downlane the Helios is stronger on how much more its continuous on the backend.
Next up is the 900 Global Reality.  The Reality features the Solid S84 coverstock with the disturbance core. Yes, the Reality has an asymmetric core and will be stronger than a symmetric core ball in theory but from the videos here the Helios was able to keep with the Reality from the standpoint that both balls have the same characteristics of being able to have nice traction through the midlane and continuous on the back end.
Next is the 900 Global Zen.  The Zen has the S77 Response Pearl cover and Mediate Symmetric core and a great compliment to the Helios.  You will see how the Helios starts up sooner but the Zen will be able the blend the backend and open up your angles when the Helios is hooking to much or becomes over/under.
In my bag, the Helios will be the first out the bag on a house shot, if there is a flood of oil then I can go to the Reality, then Zen Master followed by the Helios, Zen and Hyroad Pearl.

The Idol is back! The original Idol was a staple in almost every tournament bowler's bag for the better part of 2 years. Now, Roto Grip has come out with the latest and greatest Idol, the Idol Helios. The Helios features the same core as the original Idol that we all loved (Ikonâ„¢), wrapped around the all new XtremeTraxâ„¢ coverstock which is chemically charged with nano particles which allows the ball to have the highest response to friction that we have seen from the nano material. The Idol Helios for me seems to be a little cleaner and rounder than the original Idol. I am pleased with what I have seen so far out of this ball and I anticipate seeing this ball used a lot by bowlers across the country on a variety of sport and challenge conditions. Make sure you go out and get yours today!

Roto Grip Idol Helios Coverstock – Xtreme Trax Finish – 2000 grit Abralon Core –  Ikon Core RG – 2.49 Diff- .052 Layout – 45x3 3/8’’x45 PAP 4 ½’’x ½’’ up Speed 17-18mph Rev 425
Roto Grip continues the greatness of the Idol series with Idol Helios. This is the first time for me throwing a ball in the Idol line, but with the success of original Idol and Idol Pearl, I felt the need to have the Idol Helios in my bag. The Idol Helios features the Ikon core, which is found in the original Idol and is wrapped with the new Xtreme Trax coverstock. This new coverstock creates the highest amount of responsiveness to friction, which provides more change in direction then the original Idol. I was very impressed with how versatile the Idol Helios is. The layout I chose was a 45x3 3/8’’x 45. The layout will allow me to blend out a lot of patterns and have a controllable motion. I tested the Idol Helios on the 36’ PBA Viper, the 42’ PBA Scorpion, and a 42’ 12:1 house pattern. I found using the Idol Helios on the Viper very interesting. I normally can’t use stronger equipment on short oil. However, when urethane became trapped, the Idol Helios helped blend the “cliffed” pattern and actually started to open up the pattern. On the 42’ Scorpion, I was able to play around the track area playing 20 at the arrows and 10 at the break point. I Idol Helios had a predicable motion with a lot of down lane pop. On the 42’ house pattern, I could play any line I wanted and had no issues hitting the pocket or having carry issues. The Idol Helios will probably be the first ball out of my bag on most patterns. Stop in your local pro shop and see how the Idol Helios will fit your game.
Sammy Shaffer 900 Global Staff member

The Idol Helios is one of those balls that will not fit into everyone's hand. In the beginning mine was very over under. After a few games there was a new life and this ball just started to hook. Right now I wouldn't say the first ball out of my bag but will be one of them for a specific place and a time when the shape is just right. To me this would look really good on your Typical house shot, its ability to get through the front but now wanting to really bite and turn left where the zen or even the uc2 will just come marching back.