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Author Topic: Alpha Crux  (Read 38123 times)

BallReviews-scodaddy21

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Alpha Crux
« on: February 03, 2016, 12:17:01 PM »
Ball NPS Score: 100.00
Description: Storm is taking the success of the Crux line and continuing it with the Alpha Crux. The asymmetrical Catalyst core is paired with the GI-16 (Game Improvement 2016) solid reactive coverstock which is a follow-up to the GI-15 that was introduced on the Lock bowling ball.  This ball was designed to dominate heavy oil!

Storm Alpha Crux Ball Specs:

- Color: Black/Turquoise/Violet All colors do vary somewhat from the picture shown.
- Core: Catalyst (Asymmetrical)
- Coverstock: GI-16 (Game Improvement 2016)
- Factory Finish: 2000-grit Abralon
- Radius of Gyration (RG): 2.50
- Differential (Diff): 0.052
- ** RG and Diff are based off of 15 lb. balls
- Recommended Lane Condition: Heavy Oil
- Fragrance: Wildberry Cheesecake
- A few tiny pit holes in the cover stock of the ball are normal
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REmarcaBOWL

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Re: Alpha Crux
« Reply #1 on: February 07, 2016, 08:26:42 PM »
LANE CONDITION

Length:
Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc): Various THS


Superb piece from Storm  8)

Likes: Strong, predictable, and versatile

Dislikes: Lane shines fairly quick. Will require surface maintenance to retain the monstrous out of box surface.


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Eoff

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Re: Alpha Crux
« Reply #2 on: February 19, 2016, 03:17:25 AM »
The Crux is probably my all time favorite asymmetrical bowling ball.  When I heard about the Alpha Crux, I was real excited.  I have had some success with the Crux pearl, but really thought I would like a solid version of the Crux. 

I drilled the Alpha Crux identical to the Crux.  I bowled on the kegel Chichen Itza pattern which is a medium length pattern that I have been using my Crux, Lock and Critical on.  The first thing I noticed was how much stronger the Alpha Crux was down lane than the Lock and Critical.  I was five boards deeper than the Critical and two deeper than the Lock.  After game one when the lanes started to transition, the Alpha Crux just got better.  I ended up moving about 5 boards left and it never lost hitting power as I shot 300 in game 3.

I am really impressed with the Alpha Crux as it is a great compliment to the Crux.  It has the same motion as the Crux, but about 2-4 boards stronger.  It is more angular than the Lock and Critical.

The Alpha Crux will best be used on medium to longer patterns with heavier volumes of oil.  This ball digs in and hooks at the breakpoint like no other Storm ball this strong. 
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TamerBowling

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Re: Alpha Crux
« Reply #3 on: February 24, 2016, 11:20:39 AM »
LANE CONDITION

Length: 41ft medium THS


Overall 8.5/10
In the previous Crux balls, we saw smooth but strong motion. The line has always used strong covers combined with this new strong core which makes for a top line ball that is a snow tire with good strong backend motion. The Alpha is definitely the strongest of the bunch. Despite its strength, this ball continues to be usable on more conditions than your typical snow tire. It definitely needs and likes some oil though, don’t get me wrong. When you have lots of hand like our tester, you just get in and find the oil. The ball lays off just right in the midlane to create an extremely heavy rolling motion with excellent consistency.  With less hand, you can definitely play closer to the track and find excellent hit and forgiveness.
I typically lean towards a preference for the Hybrid ball motion in a lineup but to be honest, this solid Alpha really showcases what the Crux line is all about.

Video and more:
http://tamerbowling.com/storm-alpha-crux-bowling-ball-review/
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caseyccg

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Storm Alpha Crux Review by Casey Murphy
« Reply #4 on: February 25, 2016, 02:28:14 PM »
Orientation:  Right Handed
Rev Rate:  375 RPM
Speed:  16-17 MPH
PAP:  4 5/8 straight across

Location:  Enterprise Park Lanes, Springfield MO
Pattern:  High Volume THS
Layout:  45, 5 ½   , 40

The Alpha Crux is easily the best Crux yet!  I have to keep reminding myself it’s a solid because it hooks so much!  The Alpha rolls early for sure, but is clean enough through the midlane that it creates a lot of continuous backend.  This ball is versatile enough to use on sport shots and house shots.  It’s the perfect blend of control in the front, but smooth strong backend.  I could amp up the speed and throw more direct and the Alpha would still face up and sling pins around.  But I could also slow down and jump in and cover boards and know it would still continue through the pins down lane.  The Alpha Crux is the versatile Asymmetrical I’ve been waiting for!
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JohnRubeoJr

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Re: Alpha Crux
« Reply #5 on: February 29, 2016, 09:47:49 AM »
I can't say enough of how amazed I was with this bowling ball. With my style of no thumb and slow ball speed, asymmetrical solids aren't always my friend. I drilled this bad boy up and went straight to a tournament on a sports shot which had 42 feet and 26ml. This ball did its job. The ball for me picked up but just in the right spot, it was clean just enough for a asymmetrical solid. When the ball picked up, it never stopped!!! This will be a ball that is always in my bag at all times. It amazed me how clean it was and yet so smooth and continuous in the back when it did pick up. The hitting power was something Ive never seen before. EVERYTIME I HIT THE POCKET THE BALL CARRIED. It was the first time in my bowling career I could say my carry percentage on pocket hits was 100%. THIS IS A MUST HAVE IN YOUR BAG....
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JOHN RUBEO JR.
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Wowitsnew

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Re: Alpha Crux
« Reply #6 on: March 01, 2016, 07:51:07 AM »
LANE CONDITION

Length:

Volume:

Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc):THS


COMMENTS

Likes: Clean for a asymmetric solid and hits like a truck.

Dislikes: None I love this ball


PICTURES AND/OR VIDEOS
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kevenwilliams

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Re: Alpha Crux
« Reply #7 on: March 17, 2016, 09:11:41 PM »
Staffer: Keven Williams
Speed: 18 mph
Rev Rate: 450 rpm
Hand: Left Handed
Oil Pattern: Typical House Shot




The Storm Alpha Crux is yet another great piece in the ever popular Crux lineup! Like the Original Crux, the new Alpha is very
early and strong. The Alpha is much smoother than any other Crux in the lineup. The Alpha Crux is great for longer-heavier oil patterns
because of how strong the ball is. I throw it more often on more blended oil patterns. I recommend it to anyone who likes strong
early rolling balls or to those who bowl on a lot of sport patterns.
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rodbowler75

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Re: Alpha Crux
« Reply #8 on: March 24, 2016, 03:09:10 PM »
I used my alpha crux last night for the first time. The ball looked really good on our fresh house shot. Very clean in the fronts and very controllable off the spot. I would recommend this ball for all different skills levels. This a great ball for using on fresh patterns and higher volume shots.

 Compared to my lock this more control off the spot and stores more energy down lane. The layout my alpha crux is 5x4 off my pap with a one inch hole on my pap. This helps to give the ball a smoother motion down lane and really drives through the pins.
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avabob

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Re: Alpha Crux
« Reply #9 on: March 24, 2016, 04:04:35 PM »
LANE CONDITION

Length: 40 ft

Volume:

Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc): THS


COMMENTS

I demoed the Alpha Crux last week along with Fight, Phaze and Pitch Blue.  Didn't even intend to try the Crux because I felt I had that part of my game covered with the Lock and a Paradox.  However the A Crux gave me the kind of rolly look I haven't been able to get from the Lock.  The Alpha acts like it would be much more versatile than the Lock, despite being stronger than the Lock.  It was noted that the shell will polish to the lane quickly.  I think this core shell matchup will actually make the ball better for my game when it does polish up.  Alternatively I might just take it to 4000. 

Bottom line, if you are only playing house shots and have a Lock don't spend your money on the Alpha Crux.  However if you are looking for a piece that will give you a good combination of strength and control on flatter patterns of varying lengths the Alpha Crux looks to me to be a better bet. 

Likes:

Dislikes:


PICTURES AND/OR VIDEOS
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Husker861

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Re: Alpha Crux
« Reply #10 on: March 29, 2016, 02:15:40 PM »
I am going to have to start by saying I was not a fan of the Crux. Hooked a little too early for me and didn’t really see a need for it. Then Storm came out with the Crux Pearl. This was definitely better. It got through the heads better being a pearl, and had some more continuation then the original crux. I was still a little skeptical when the announced the Alpha Crux. Needless to say Storm has hit an incredible homerun with this ball. There is No DOUBT this will be with me when needed.

I have used this pretty much only on lanes with lots of heavy Volume and Longer Length patterns. This ball hooks but is easily the best Asymmetrical balls that Storm had created since I have been with them. The Alpha Crux does need some head oil to work optimally, but when needing to move in, this ball still continues which is the most impressive thing.  I highly recommend this ball for heavier-volume medium patterns and up to the heaviest volume Longer patterns.
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Tim Behrendt
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rotogrip_rick

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Re: Alpha Crux
« Reply #11 on: April 19, 2016, 04:38:08 PM »
Storm Alpha Crux
Layout: 40 x 3 5/8 x50
Coverstock: 2000ab box – tested at 3000ab
Lane conditions: 42 ft. house pattern with 2015 Flex with Fire and Ice conditioner on older HPL installed in early 2000’s.  And newer SPL and HPL using different conditioners and machines from Kegel
Test results: This is the best ball in the PREMIER line from Storm, it takes the GI-16 coverstock and match it the very strong and favorable Catalyst core to make the “perfect” heavy oil ball. I love using this ball on the late shift or as mine transition ball after an oil push has developed on the left side of the lane for me or by me. Not a piece I would recommend to be used on really gritty lane panels or on wood, this ball needs OIL and a boot bit of it. Almost everybody wants a ball to go coast to coast, and this is it, A lot of good motion midlane and downlane, not like the original Crux which hooked for me way too early, and did not have enough energy stored. To me, this ball is like the original Roto Grip Cell, but with some “protein” added to it. This ball worked really well on newer HPL and SPL lane panels with 42-44ft oil pattern using Fire Oil. On the older HPL, it works better with the Fire and Ice oil with the FLEX machine than actual ION with just Ice oil being used. It’s save a punch for the backend unlike other solid reactives that are current on the market from other brands. If you want a ball that will travel thru the THS oil and still pack a strong punch, the Alpha is the ball for you.
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rotostar13

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Re: Alpha Crux
« Reply #12 on: April 24, 2016, 11:45:52 AM »
Storm Alpha Crux
OOB condition
House pattern 41 ft HPL
Layout-pin above bridge, cg kicked to the right 2 inches
This ball is everything I wanted and expected to be.  This ball is great and the oil and strong off the dry and hit the pins with the fury of a hurricane. This by far my favorite asymmetrical ball that I have.   Although, I didn’t match up well with original Crux, and left me skeptical about The Alpha, but after throwing it is by far the supreme of the line.  It has a very eye appealing color scheme and wildberry cheesecake fragrance.  Overall, this is a must have for your bag.  Go see your local pro shop operator today and pick one of up.  Bowl up a Storm
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Charley Burge
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ericacutler

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Re: Alpha Crux
« Reply #13 on: May 05, 2016, 09:24:35 AM »
My name is Erica Cutler and I am on Storm's Advisory Staff. I am right handed and throw the ball between 15-16mph. On the Alpha Crux the surface I have is out of box surface.  The drilling I have on the Alpha Crux is 50x4.5x25. All I am can say is that this ball really hooks.  I have never had a ball that hooks as much as this ball does.  The Alpha Crux reads the mid lane strong, but the ball still saves energy for the back and has a lot of motion on the back and hits like a truck.  Most balls that are this strong that read the mid lane strong just roll at the back end but not this ball. I have used this ball on 41 foot house shot and I about 6 boards left of my Storm Lock.  This is a ball that you are going to need Oil and also long oil patterns.  If you are on short patterns this ball is not the one you are going to need.  I have also used this ball on our State Tournament at it was 39 feet and I did not start with this ball, but when my Storm Lock was hooking to much and when I went left the Lock was not enough I went to the Alpha Crux and it was perfect. So if you are looking for a really strong Asymmetric Ball that hits extremely hard, then this is the ball that you need in your bag. This ball works really well on Typical House Shots also. So get to your Local Pro Shop and purchase a Alpha Crux. You will not be disappointed! #stormnation #bowlupastorm #stormalphacrux
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StoRoto2013

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Re: Alpha Crux
« Reply #14 on: June 03, 2016, 09:13:58 AM »
LANE CONDITION

Length: Various Lengths

Volume: various Volumes

Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc): Various Patterns


The Alpha Crux is one of the latest releases by Storm Products.  The Alpha Crux uses the catalyst Core that was used by the Crux.  The difference between the Cruxes is the new GI-16 solid reactive that provides extreme traction in the oil and an aggressive move when it hits the dry boards.  The layout I choose for the Alpha Crux was pin in the ring finger with Mass Bias on my VAL with no extra hole or for the dual angle people (40X5X65).  My coordinates are 5 5/8 over and ¾ up for my PAP, Ball speed is medium, Rev Rate around 300 and I am right handed.

I was able to compare the Alpha Crux to the LOCK on a wide range of patterns.  The biggest difference was the Alpha Crux started up quicker and was much smoother at the break point than the LOCK.  I like to go straighter through the front part of the lane… this motion is NOT a negative but a positive.  On the extra over walled up house shots I could play up the oil line and keep the Alpha Crux in play.  Yes on shots that I missed right it would check up quick but for the shots that I missed in the Alpha Crux devastated the pins!  I moved on to medium and heavy sport shot patterns and the Alpha Crux gave me a readable but strong motion in the mid lane.  On the fresh, the Alpha Crux kept me in play and open up the lane for me.  The Alpha Crux and moving left on a flatter pattern is an adventure!  I never lost the pocket but I lost a little hitting power.  So I did an experiment and polished the Alpha Crux.  I am glad I did because the Alpha Crux became the Alpha Ball out of my bag!  The Alpha Crux still rolled smooth but had more energy through the pins.  I could stay with the Alpha Crux and continue to move left and the motion through the pins was fantastic.  The Alpha Crux is a very good compliment to Lock and the Crux Pearl with or without polish!


Likes: Strong Bowling Ball

Dislikes:


PICTURES AND/OR VIDEOS
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Daniel Schaden
Storm/RotoGrip Pro Shop Staff
Vise Grip Staff Member since 2002
Bowlers Corner Pro Shop since 2002
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