Storm – Lightning Blackout
14-pounds
Layout 4 x 4 x 1.5
Style – stroker
Ball Speed – 14-15 mph at pins
Condition – house pattern - HPL surface
Surface – box condition

I just recently switched to 14-pound equipment after an injury. This is my second new ball at that weight. Always been a big fan of the REX Pearl cover. I’d drilled a Hustle RIP previously at 15 pounds and really liked that motion. When I started looking at numbers, the Blackout and RIP are very similar with the huge difference being that cover. Decided to go ahead and drill the Blackout instead of another RIP. Glad I did, the window will be a little larger with this ball given the stronger cover.
Very pronounced motion off the end of the pattern for me. Will be a transition ball after some breakdown. Would be way to sharp at the breakpoint on fresh conditions. I wouldn’t want to try and control that motion. This should be a ball that appeals to a wide variety of bowlers.
The price point will be an issue for some. As I said, very similar numbers to a Hustle that you can purchase at a cheaper price. If you really like the REX Pearl cover then spend the extra money and pick one of these up. If you don’t have that strong of an opinion on the cover, then save a few dollars and pick up the RIP. Both are wildly useful pieces that can fill that bottom of the bag, transition piece.

LANE CONDITION

Length: 41'
Volume: Medium
Type (Pattern): After League THS

COMMENTS

The Lightning Blackout is a blast from Storm's past with a new cover wrapped around the AI technology. REX pearl make a low end ball high performance on the right conditions. Built to bail you out when the lanes get scorched in the fronts and the backends are screaming for control for me.

Drilled mine 5 1/2 x 1 1/2 VLS it did give me the length and strong predictable motion I rely on. I needed a ball to replace my trusty 900 Global Boost, I can say it did and then some due to the updated inner core and cover. Floats with ease thru the fronts and hockey sticks off the dry. Off hit strikes are up (AI) which gives all the confidence to use without hesitation.

I see this ball as a crankers dream and stroker/tweener savior. A variety of styles can afford to add this ball to there league and tournament arsenal. Watch some of the youtube videos for styles closer to yours for better comparison. It will make your decision easier to add this ball to your bag.

Visit you VIP Pro-Shop today.

I drilled up my LIGHTNING BLACKOUT (LIBO) with my standard 4.5 x 4 x 2 layout that I use on lower diff balls. I have tweaked the surface at 1500 to 3000.

The LIBO is a good piece for the center that I bowl at with their 20+ year old synthetic panels. With the 1500 surface, the LIBO is just under my THE ROAD & it might have just a little more pick up than my IQ TOUR RUBY. The LIBO is one that I can keep in front of me and still get good roll off the medium/dryer patterns when they get a little wet/dry. I can also ball up to THE ROAD when I get pushed left or ball down to the IQ RUBY when I need to open up the lane to the right.

Put this one in your bag if you are bowling on worn surfaces and your IQ Ruby is still not enough off the spot to carry with.

The Storm Lightning Blackout offers a remarkable blend of power and control. Featuring Storm’s proven Reactor Solid coverstock and the dynamic Lightning core, this ball excels on medium to heavy oil patterns, delivering a strong, controlled motion with impressive backend power. The Blackout’s smooth, consistent reaction helps me confidently tackle various lane conditions, making it a versatile choice for different bowling scenarios. Its robust construction ensures durability and consistent performance, while the sleek, all-black design adds a touch of sophistication to my game. Overall, the Lightning Blackout offers a perfect balance of control and aggressive performance, making it an essential tool for improving my strike rate and handling challenging conditions.

Specs - 55 x 4.5 x 40

The second in the "throwback Blackout" series, and also the second to use the ReX Pearl cover (along with the Virtual Energy Blackout), this is one of the most versatile symmetric balls that I've seen out of SPI in quite a while. The ball has similar core specs to the Hustle series (in 15 pounds), and I find that this one fits very well in between the IQ Ruby and the Hustle M&M. While very clean through the front part of the lane with a sharp backend attack, its low differential (0.029 in 15 pounds) allows for supreme control, especially for a skid-flip ball like this one.

This is a house shot killer! But it is a go-to for me for when the lanes break down, no matter the condition, and you need control more than the "hockey stick" reaction of other burn balls such as The Road.

Todd Sigeti
Storm Amateur Staff

Ben Lapointe
PAP: 4 7/8 over and 1 1/4 up
Layout: 5 1/4 x 4 1/4 x 3

The new Storm Lightning Blackout is the latest, clean, weaker symmetrical ball in the line. I was previously a huge fan of the Storm Fate and while it was just a tad stronger for me, I am seeing a lot of similarities in this Lightning Blackout. It allows me to clear the front part of the lane with ease, without storing too much energy for the back end. It still wants to make its preliminary move in the mid lane and really drives through the pins at an optimal angle.

Lightning Blackout • Storm • Signature Series
Coverstock • ReX Pearl Reactive • Finish Reacta Gloss
Core • Warp A.I. Core
Weight • 15 lbs. RG • 2.53 Differential • .029
Layout • 4 1/2 x 3 5/8 x 2 1/2
Tester PAP • 5” R, 5/8” D Tester Axis Tilt • 9° Testers Rev Rate • 250
Test Pattern • 42’ THS (Typical House Shot) • Modified, Kegel Stone Street

Storm has not only revitalized the classic Lightning Blackout, but they have also brought this black beauty to the next generation with Storm’s A.I. Core Technology. And with their winning combination of proven reliability and groundbreaking Amplified Inertia Technology, the new Lightning Blackout is another striking machine to add to your arsenal! So, let’s break down the lightning Blackout and see what makes it a great choice!

The Warp A.I. Core inside the Lightning Blackout is a very stable core. I found the Warp A.I. Core to be stronger than Storm’s benchmark C3 Centripetal Control Core found in the I.Q. line. Yet, it provided a balanced and predictable motion that gave it a more powerful benchmark-type feel. Further, something I found unique to the Warp A.I. Core was its ability to be a bit slower and more methodical in its rotation, giving the Lightning Blackout a more forgiving motion, especially when I missed right. And with that kind of forgiveness, I could count on the Lightning Blackout to recover well and still retain plenty of power to strike at the pocket. So, for a higher-speed player with low revs, the Warp A.I. Core will fit nicely with your game.
The ReX Pearl with the Reacta Gloss finish was a struggle for me.

So, for my review, I decided to sand my Lightning Blackout with 1500-Grit Abralon and followed it up with Storm’s Rough Edge Polish. And after that surface change, my Black Obsidian ReX Pearl was on fire! I loved how the Lightning Blackout glides effortlessly through the front part of the lane and has a substantial grip in the mid-lane. And although the Lightning Blackout is more of a skid/flip type ball, I was pleased with how the ReX Pearl transitioned off the pattern. I would not recommend the Lightning Blackout for a late-night or broken-down THS. But if you are looking for a bit more angularity with some added roll to your flip on medium conditions, the ReX Pearl is a great choice.

In closing, Storm has done a fine job bringing the Lightning Storm back into their Signature line. And with the correct surface adjustment to fit your game, the Lightning Blackout will fit comfortably in any high-speed-low rev player’s arsenal. And for the bowler looking for that skid/flip with some added roll, the Lightning Blackout will deliver the results you are looking for. So, stop into your local Storm VIP Pro Shop and see where the Lightning Blackout fits in your arsenal. Then, have it ready to roll for your new fall bowling season. The Lightning Blackout is well worth the investment!

Rick Klimowicz
Storm Products Pro Shop Staff
Roll the Ball Pro Shop
Penndel, PA