I was able to visit the RotoGrip facility last week and while there Mr. Boomershine kindly drilled up a new Rush for me. I had popped by the factory to say hello to a few old friends and to hopefully get a bit of coaching on my game. What a super treat to go home with the new Roto ball as well.
My Rush is a 15 pounder with a Pro-Pin of about 6". Drill pattern is pin over bridge, cg down around the thumb with an X-hole just off the thumb. This layout will obviously produce a strong hook stop type reaction - very controllable and great for certain patterns. I've used this drill on a few balls and generally like the layout.
To try the ball out, I threw on the two CATS equipped lanes in the factory. As we were driving cross country I had along only my Silver Streak Particle and a Sonic X solid for comparison. The conditioner pattern du jour was too much for the solid X, but the particle Streak, as usual, had no problem with the conditioner and once I lined up it just crushed racks.
Switching to the Rush from the Streak, I had to move a few right with my feet to line up. The new pellet is quite good indeed. It is strong, rolls very evenly and starts up earlier than the Streaks. The Rush is a bit of a new look for Roto, less angular at the break and an earlier roll. Hitting power is never an issue with Roto balls and the Rush is no exception.
Since this review is meant to be a quick "first look" at the Rush, I'll pass along that my immediate reaction is the Rush is going to be a favorite of people that enjoyed balls like the better Zones and more recently the V2 solid. My gut reaction is that this ball will be a success for players of various styles and one that proshops can easily put folks into without any worries.
It should be fun to read other Rush reviews here in the coming weeks and if first impressions hold true, it won't be long before I drill up Rush #2 with a different drilling and so I can play with coverstock prep.
Take home message - Take a hard look at the new Rotogrip Rush. It's a good one.
Cheers,
Mark Curran