Layout: 5.5 x 3 x 3
Surface:  Reacta Gloss

The new Roto Grip Duo is the newest HP3 pearl/angular ball in the lineup.  What is great about this ball is the relationship between the Shefanie Duo of Stephanie Johnson and Shannon O'Keefe as well as the relationship between Roto Grip and Big Brothers, Big Sisters!  5% of all domestic sales of the ball goes towards Big Brothers, Big Sisters which is great!! 
The Duo brings an all-new core called Mentor which brings core specs, Roto Grip has not seen in quite some time.  At a 2.49 RG and a 0.046 Differential, you will see an earlier rolling and medium strength ball reaction which makes it weaker than the current Idol Cosmos.  The weaker core allows for more length and a more angular backend motion as a result.  The Microtrax Pearl coverstock is brought back from the Exotic Gem.  The Microtrax Pearl coverstock is a little stronger in nature than some of the other pearl coverstocks.  As a result, that will provide more overall hook and will be able to handle more volumes of oil more consistently.

I was able to test the Duo on two different oil patterns, a 43ft 32ml sport pattern and the typical house pattern. 
On the house pattern, I saw a lot of length and a very angular backend motion.  I was pretty surprised how angular the motion was.  The core was clean enough for me to play straighter on the fresh and then continue to open up the lane as the oil started to go away.  Compared to the Idol Cosmos, I saw about 2 more feet of length with a more angular backend.  The Cosmos is better on the fresh as it controls the front part of the lane more giving me more area down the lane to the pocket.  As the lanes broke down, I was able to go to the Dup very simply.  It gave me the shape that I am looking for: length and strong backend.  The Duo is going to be a very good ball for game 2 and 3 of typical league.  If your lanes have less oil than typical, this could be a good ball for the fresh as well.
On the 43ft Sport pattern, the reaction I had was pretty typical for an angular ball.  It was tough to control on the fresh due to its quick response and was harder to go up the lane more early on.  On the fresh, I had to use a stronger asymmetrical control ball in the Storm DNA to get to the pocket consistently.  As the DNA, started getting too slow in response, I was able to go to the Duo.  The Duo actually presented stronger on the sport pattern than the house pattern.  It felt a little stronger overall than what the core specs said it would be.  This was very helpful for me as it read the higher volumes of oil much better while still giving me enough backend motion.  Due to my higher rev rate, I was actually able to open the lane up more to the right than I would have expected with this Duo. 

I can see this ball being a great tournament and house pattern ball for multiple styles.  Not only does the ball pop off the shelf, but it gives great overall ball motion and it rolls as expected for an angular HP3 ball.  It is a nice step down from the Exotic Gem and a more angular version of the Idol Cosmos.

Adam Chase
Storm Staff