Layout: 45 x 4.5 x 25
Surface: Box surface (2000 Abralon)

The Gem is exactly as advertised, hook in a box!  The Defiant LRG core is back giving this ball a really low RG rating of 2.47 and high differential of 0.053 and 0.016 intermediate differential in 15lbs with the MicroTrax Solid coverstock.  As with current balls, I was able to test this on my typical 44ft house shot with 25ml and a 40ft 25ml sport pattern.

On the house pattern, I had to play in the highest volume of oil in order to get a consistent reaction.  If I got the ball closer to the friction it blended the backend more but didn't give as strong as a motion downlane due to the heavy up front hook.  Keeping my angles in front of me gave the best ball reaction and lead to a lot of strikes.  This ball definitely needs oil in the front part of the lane to have the most success.

On the 40ft sport pattern, it played very similar to the house pattern but gave me more overall motion on the lane due to more head oil.  I had no problem throwing the ball from 15 at the arrows to 5 downlane and seeing plenty of recovery.  When I got the ball around the 10 board from the same spot, it read the lane nicely and still continued through the pin deck well.  I still feel that this ball will yield best results with straighter angles.  The strong and smooth overall motion will help blend the toughest of lane conditions and heavier volumes of oil.

Adam Chase
Strom Staff