Ball NPS Score: 100.00
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Storm has brought back the Catalyst Core in the Storm Crux Prime high performance bowling ball. This popular core has been known for its unmatched power, increased entry angle, as well as allowing more room for error due to dynamic asymmetrical design and vertical cavity technology. The SPEC coverstock used in this ball stands for Storm Performance Enhanced Coverstock. This special coverstock was specifically designed to endure the friction and oil a bowling ball goes through each time it is thrown down the lane. The SPEC Solid Reactive coverstock used on the Crux Prime is best used on heavier oil conditions and really shines when the lanes start to transition. No matter what lane condition this ball faces it will consistantly read the midlane and store energy for the backend.

Color: Red/White/Purple
All colors do vary somewhat from the picture shown
Core: Catalyst (Asymmetrical)
Coverstock: SPEC Solid Reactive
Finish: 2000-grit Abralon
RG: 2.50
Differential: 0.052
** RG and Diff are based off of 15 lb. balls
Recommended Lane Condition: Heavy Oil
Fragrance: Poemgranate Cider

I had the opportunity to test out 2 different layouts with the new Crux Prime; one pin down and one pin up. The layout for the pin down is 50 x 3 3/4 x 75 and the pin up is 45 x 4 x 30.

I really liked both layouts on these balls as it will provide added versatility to my arsenal. I tried the pin down first as that will be my benchmark layout on the fresh oil patterns. This provided a very early controllable read of the lane to help blend out the pattern. Thereafter, I went to the pin up when I needed the ball to save energy and kind of float a little bit through the fronts and provide energy and angle down lane. You can see the comparison of how energy is spent by watching the video and comparisons between the shots.

Another component that I really liked about this ball is how long I was able to stay in it without making a ball change. Typically, I use asymmetrical balls for the first game or 2 then ball down to something weaker and more angular. With the Crux Prime I will be able to stay in it a lot longer than 2 games. This is attributed to the new coverstock, SPEC, which is designed to maintain energy down lane without burning up too early.

For those who loved the original Crux's or is looking for their next strong asymmetrical solid the Crux Prime will be an excellent choice to add to your bag.

Video:

https://youtu.be/UPi6nK4X0V4

LANE CONDITION

Length: 45'

Volume: 29mls

Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc): Sport


COMMENTS
My experience with this ball has been mainly on a 45’ sport pattern and some house shot usage.  A quick look at my layout [45x5x25] this would give the impression the ball would start up a little early, give some length, hit the breakpoint and jerk left. That was not the case! I got the length, come off the end of the pattern and with a hook motion that was very readable and what I felt was the big like of the ball was the hit. The Crux gave me great carry with light hits by keeping the pins low and dancing while flush hits didn’t give you stone 9. I like the colors as they show your rotation while others may not appreciate the flash this ball offers. On the house pattern I felt myself making small moves during the first few games I used it to keep it in play but eventually, I had to put it down due to a lot of transition causing my angles to be too open for my comfort
Likes: versatility, continuation

#stormnation

Dislikes:


PICTURES AND/OR VIDEOS

Ball:  Storm Crux Prime
Layout:  15x5.5x45
Surface:  Box
Lane Condition:  THS mediumvolume
Lane Surface:  Brunswick Anvilane

Tester:  Sabrina
Average:  220
Dexterity:  Right
PAP:  4 9/16>, 3/8U

I drilled up a Crux Prime for our fresh league shot. I chose this layout because of my high axis tilt and need a ball to help me read the fresh oil better.   I have one more that will be drilled that will be used for tournaments. So far I am really liking what this ball gives me down the lane. I am able move my feet left during the 4 game set without losing carry.   I used this ball during our Wednesday scratch league and had a good look the first game and a half when playing just inside 2nd arrow out to 7/8.  As the lanes transitioned I moved into my “weak 10 zone” that I see with some of my other equipment.  This is where the Crux Prime really shined!  I continued to carry the deeper I got, which for me is not that usual.

Overall, I am liking what this ball is giving me to start the night and end the night. It is not jerky down lane when it hits the dry.  It is smooth in the front part of the lanes and gives a good back end motion down the lane. I can’t wait to see what this ball will give me with tournaments!

Sabrina Groves
Round Holes No Grips Proshop
Storm Advisory Staff
www.stormbowling.com

The Crux Prime features the return of the Catalyst core from the original Crux series, and a new cover called SPEC.  The benefits of SPEC are greatly increased durability and longevity due to a nearly non existent oil absorption rate.  Another feature is an improved friction response, unlike other heavier oil balls that can lose energy and burn up on friction, SPEC actually increases its entry angle on friction, so no matter what kind of condition you’re on, burning up and quitting isn’t something the Prime is going to do.  It IS however very smooth, it blends wet/dry very well and is slower on friction, so it’s very consistent and predictable and seems for me to ignore the pattern more and offer a truer read than other balls, but that’s at the expense of a more typical and familiar long and strong resin reaction.  It is speed sensitive due to the slow response to friction, so higher speed/lower rev combos will likely not get along with it well, and it’s not backend in a box, but personally I’m a huge fan, I haven’t put it down, and I’ve heard nothing but positives from everyone I’ve talked to. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmIcupdox64

LANE CONDITION

Length: 41 feet

Volume: ~22 mL

Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc): THS


COMMENTS

Likes:
- Very strong, continuous, but controllable.
- Despite being a heavy-oil ball, it can hold its own on a wide variety of patterns.

Dislikes:
- None

The Catalyst core was one of my favorite engines that Storm has ever released; the Crux Pearl was a backend monster and the Alpha Crux was a beast on heavy and sport conditions--so much so that I still see a few in tournament bowlers' arsenals three years after its release. Needless to say I was excited to hear that Storm was bringing back this great core.

What's different about this version of the Crux is the new solid cover called SPEC (Storm Performance Enhanced Coverstock). The intent of this cover is to not only create unparalleled "dig" and power as it encounters friction, but is designed for longevity and consistency over time.

Out of the box I immediately noticed the strength of this ball. I used this on a higher-volume, longer house shot than I'm used to, but I was 8 boards left with my feet and 5 boards left at the arrows than I normally start out at on the more dry house pattern that I'm accustomed to. Using this line (4th arrow out to 9 board on the fresh) I had 300 straight out of the box. As the lane started to transition, I was able to keep migrating left without losing any hitting power.

The next day I bowled at my drier house for league. While I did start 3 and 2 further left with a breakpoint of 8, the ball crushed the pocket with a ton of power shot after shot. The lanes really dried up as the night went on, forcing me to get in front of the ball return and get inside 5th arrow. Unlike most solid covers that burn up and leave endless 10-pins from this angle, the 10 was either knocked straight off or slapped silly by the 6 pin, even as the night ended. 751 with it even on tons of friction. So despite being described as a heavy-oil ball, which it is, it can be used on the drier shots as well with striking results.

It's safe to say that Storm really delivered a winner with this beast. Stop by your local Storm pro shop and pick one up today!

Storm Crux Prime


If you know me and my ball reviews, you know I do not like to make blanket statements about bowling balls… BUT… the Crux Prime is THE BEST BOWLING BALL ON THE MARKET. Period! It is “Virtual Gravity” and “Cell” good!

The Prime uses the proven Catalyst Core that has been in all of the Crux ball of the past, and to this day bowlers on the PBA Tour as still throwing the Alpha Crux even though it’s been discontinued for over a year. What makes the Crux Prime really SPECial is the new SPEC coverstock. I don’t know the science behind what makes this cover so good but all I know is that it creates a ball motion that I have never had in my bag before.

I have mine earlier and stronger than a Sure Lock, but it has more shape than a Halo and way stronger than a Code X.

It is the strongest coverstock that Storm makes but somehow doesn’t read at the foul line and quit like you would expect a super strong cover to do. The only thing I don’t like about the Prime is the color scheme (I hate bowling balls with white in them) … but outside of that, this ball continues to give me a look that I cannot get with any other balls in my bag!

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:  50, 5 ¼, 70

I really liked the Crux series, especially the Alpha, so I was ready for the Prime.  For me the Crux Prime is the perfect update in the Crux series.  The Alpha was a little strong and slow for me, I needed something a touch cleaner and more on the backend.  The Crux Prime is PERFECT for that.  The SPEC cover does roll like a solid but it gives me backend and angle I never thought I could get with a solid.  I have no trouble using in during a set.  It’s early smooth enough that I can throw it on the fresh but it’s definitely got enough backend for me to use it later in a league session.  If you’re a fan of the Crux series, this on is a no brainer.