Ball NPS Score: Not Available
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Unleash unparalleled power with the Storm Ion Max bowling ball! Building on the success of the iconic Ion Pro, the Ion Max elevates your game with over 50% more flare potential, making it perfect for heavy oil patterns. The innovative Element Max A.I. Core, enhanced with an additional weighted disk, provides exceptional torque and control, while the low RG asymmetrical design maximizes performance. The NRG Solid coverstock ensures a strong, consistent reaction across all lane conditions, from shiny and smooth to dull and rough. Plus, its bold, eye-catching design makes a striking statement on the lanes. With its advanced technology and versatile performance, the Ion Max is an essential addition to any bowler's toolkit, ready to help you dominate any condition all season long!

Color: Neon Pink/Indigo/White
All colors do vary somewhat from the picture shown
Core: Element Max A.I. Core Asymmetrical (14-16#)
Coverstock: NRG Solid Reactive
Finish: 2000-grit Abralon
RG: 2.47 (based on 15# ball)
Differential: 0.055 (based on 15# ball)
Length: Early
Hook Potential: High
Recommended Lane Condition: Heavy Oil
Fragrance: Strawberry Milkshake

The Storm ION Max brings a smooth yet powerful motion that’s easy to control, especially on medium to heavy oil. What I really like about this ball is how it reads the mid-lane and makes a strong yet predictable move downlane. Compared to something like the Proton Physix, the ION Max isn’t quite as aggressive off the spot, but that’s what makes it versatile and reliable on tougher conditions. The ION Max offers more traction and a stronger finish, making it feel more modern in terms of overall hook potential and continuation through the pins. If you’re looking for a ball that blends power and control, this is a solid choice.

TESTING ENVIRONMENT


Length:43

Volume:Med-High

Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc):THS 12:1 Ratio


COMMENTS

Core: Element Max A.I. Core Asymmetrical (14-16#)
Coverstock: NRG Solid Reactive
Finish: 2000
RG: 2.47
Differential: 0.055

ME:
Right-Handed Tweener
Speed: 12-13 mph
Rev Rate: 315
Axis Tilt: 14°
Axis Rotation: 74°
PAP: 5 1/8 R 7/8 Up

Ball Layout: Pin In Middle Finger 5 1/2 X 4 3/4 X 3 3/4 VLS

Storm's New Hook Monster is the Premier line release called Ion Max. The Ion Pro took benchmark to a new place in the industry and Ion Max is doing the same for High Performance. Adding a weighted disk to the element core featured in the Ion pro substantially raises the differential creating a crazy amount of flare. The paired this new core with the early rolling NRG Solid cover that had been featured on some previous releases like the Vivid. The result of more core and more cover adds up to more ball, and this thing will handle oil with the best of them.

I tested the Ion Max on our house pattern in league. I was impressed with the mid-lane dig in practice, and threw the Ion Max game 1. I noticed by about the middle of the first game that the fronts were already starting to go and as soon as I had to cover more boards, the Ion Max wanted to roll out going into the pins. I played with angles and releases trying to get it back before deciding that it was simply too much ball for the worn out front panels here. Before the next week I had resolved to try polishing the ball to see if it would retain energy a bit better. I had essentially the same look game one, with a bit better carry for almost the entire game. Again I noticed that moving left made it difficult to carry. I had noticed that the bigger scores in league seemed to be by the guys who could stay further right. On a whim I moved back a bit right and just tried to jam the ball into the friction with as much speed and as little hand as I could. I immediately saw an improvement in my ball reaction and I managed to stay in the ball all 3 games.

I would definitely say this ball will skew to high speed and lower rev bowlers. It is very like the Roto Grip Gem for me. That ball had so much for success for many people but I never felt like I ran into enough volume to warrant keeping it in my bag. That being said I've already seen the Ion Max working exceptionally well for some of the lower rev bowlers in our league and if I bowled on sport conditions more I'd definitely see it being of use more often. It could be useful and a stronger control ball in places where the back-ends are too quick as well.


PICTURES AND/OR VIDEOS

LANE CONDITION

Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc): Various sport and recreational patterns.

COMMENTS

The Ion Max enhances the performance that is already available with the Ion Pro. The Ion Max features asymmetrical Element Max A.I. core and a strong NRG Solid coverstock. One thing for sure - this bowling ball is powerful but very controllable.

Knowing that the core of the Ion Max has a lot of flare potential, I drilled mine with my usual pin-down layout that I normally use on strong asymmetrical bowling balls: 55 x 5 x 75. Out of the box, the Ion Max comes very dull, so as anticipated, the first 15 or 20 shots reacted very early and strong. Once the coverstock “lane-shined” and stabilized a little bit, I saw a very smooth and controllable ball motion. The bowling ball gets into the roll phase early and is very “forward” at the end of the lane. I was, however, surprised that the Ion Max responded to my release adjustment quite well, which will allow me to use this bowling ball for a longer time frame – something I couldn’t do with similar bowling balls like Gem or Harsh Reality.

I think a lot of people will find success with the Ion Max as, in my opinion, its range of use is a little wider than let’s say a Gem. I am almost certain that it will become my go to strong, dull asymmetrical bowling ball in my arsenal. I believe the Ion Max matches up great with fresh medium to shorter oil patterns where bowlers need more controlled, slower ball motion down the lane. This ball also looks great on wet/dry conditions as it blends the wet/dry motion very well. Those who are looking for a strong asymmetrical bowling ball should definitely consider the Ion Max.

PICTURES AND/OR VIDEOS

Watch myself and Verity Crawley throw the Ion Max on “The Bowling Passport” YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/qSan0jw3tmw?si=7uCddpGD7KAy2nqn