The Alpha Crux is the third ball released by Storm in the premier line that has the Catalyst core. What separates the Alpha Crux, from the previous two balls, is the new solid GI-16 cover. This is the first ball released with this solid GI-16 cover. The box finish is 2000 grit Abralon. The black/turquoise/violet color combination reminds me of the X Factor Deuce. The Catalyst Core has an Rg of 2.50, a differential of 0.052, and an intermediate differential of 0.017.
I drilled my Alpha Crux really strong. I went with a 3½ x3⅜ x2⅛ layout. I wanted a ball that was drilled for flooded lanes, knowing that I would only be using it sparingly. What I got, is a ball that I can use more often than I had originally anticipated. The Alpha Crux reads the lane really well on most patterns of a medium, to heavy and long variety, provided I have the surface prepared properly. I used the Alpha Crux at the box finish on PBA Shark pattern, and allowed it to lane shine over the few weeks of league on that pattern. I was able to cover more boards and have great ball motion, even when moving inside of fourth, and as deep as fifth arrow. It was really impressive to see a ball not dart of the spot, but hook through the pin deck, from this far inside on the lane. Now, back to the previously mentioned lane shine; the Alpha Crux didn’t hook too earlier when I would bowl on medium conditions. When I bowl on true heavy oil, I just need to retouch the surface with some fresh abralon, and the ball wakes back up, and gives me that super strong mid-lane read and hook that is needed to get the correct entry angle through the pins. The most crucial aspect of getting this new Alpha Crux to read the lane the correct way, is with the surface preparation. I was also able to use the Alpha Crux on some very demanding sport patterns, because of the controllable hook shape that this combination of cover and core yields.
The Alpha Crux is truly a heavy oil ball, that with surface adjustments, can be used on conditions as far down as medium. This strong cover will eat the oil off the lane, if you have it dull, no question about it; but, with some lane shine, or polish, this ball will also read medium condition patterns really well. Comparing my Alpha Crux to the original Crux, both with the same surface and slightly stronger PSA placement on the Alpha, the Alpha is more controllable off the spot than the original Crux. They work really well together, just using the one that gives me the proper shape through the backend of the lane.
Thank you for taking a few minutes out of your busy day to read my review of the Alpha Crux. Always remember to Bowl up a Storm!