BallReviews
Reviews => Storm => Topic started by: BallReviews-scodaddy21 on May 17, 2024, 08:39:41 AM
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The Storm Lightning Blackout bowling ball, a tribute to classic style and top-notch performance that loyal Storm enthusiasts will adore. This modernized Lightning maintains the legacy of its predecessor, delivering remarkable length, power, and control with every roll. Its symmetric design ensures easy drilling and smooth gameplay. Crafted with the Warp A.I. Core, the Lightning Blackout boasts a flare potential akin to the esteemed !Q Tour, offering forgiveness and seamless transitions between skidding, hooking, and rolling. With medium-low differential cores that don't migrate too swiftly, you can expect enhanced forgiveness and extended transition zones on the lane. A standout feature of this bowling ball is its benchmark coverstock—the renowned ReX Pearl in captivating black obsidian pearl. Not only does it catch the eye on the lane, but it also provides instant visual feedback and exceptional performance. The ReX Pearl effortlessly clears the front part of the lane and maintains remarkable consistency through the heads, allowing for precise and reliable shots every time.
Color: Obsidian
All colors do vary somewhat from the picture shown
Core: Warp A.I. Core
Coverstock: ReX Pearl Reactive
Finish: Reacta Gloss
RG: 2.53 (15# ball)
Differential: 0.029 (15# ball)
Recommended Lane Condition: Light to Medium Oil
Fragrance: Pineapple Cherry Delight
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Storm Lightning Blackout – WWRD 5/17/2024
Cover: ReX Pearl Reactive
Core: Warp A.I. Core
RG: 2.53
RG. Diff.: 0.029
Finish: Reacta Gloss
Fragrance: Pineapple Cherry Delight
Storm’s new Lightning Blackout is a Pearl Symmetric Piece. This piece is good for Medium-Light Volume Patterns. PAP is 5 5/16 R 1 3/16 Up. Rev Rate: 400. Speed: 16.5. Drilled this piece with the Pin Up between the Fingers and the CG kicked out 1” from the palm. Burned up 43’ house pattern, Out of Box ball motion was clean through the fronts with a sharp backend reaction. I compared this piece to the The Road (2-2 Left). This piece fits between the The Road and the Original Hy-Road. This is a Versatile piece that fits all styles of bowlers.
Check out the Ball motion Video on my YouTube Page:
https://youtu.be/fVnG3uYYE_Y
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The Lightning Blackout will instantly become a fan favorite for most bowlers arsenals. The perfect transition ball for a multitude of situations from step down off the super strong and medium strength balls; the Blackout will easily clear the fronts and give plenty of continuation down lane. I see the Blackout as a weaker version of the UC2 and with the Hy-Road pearl discontinued this ball will perfectly fit that slot for clean and angular when the heads hook early. Also, for those who fear it may be too weak I saw plenty of grab when I did miss in and the Blackout still read the lane properly and hooked where I needed it to. I did not see over sensitivity to either friction or oil which blended out the lane real nicely for me.
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Storm Lightning Blackout Review
Layout
VLS 4.75x4x1.5
Dual Angle 48x4.75x23
Storm Lightning Blackout uses a brand new core called Warp with AI technology wrapped with REX pearl coverstock.
The Lightning Blackout is very clean through the fronts with a power and control.The lightning blackout will offer a later transistion ball motion so it will be great when length is needed but still continue on the backend.
I was very surprised on how strong the backend motion it has but thats why the core and coverstock combination is very important.
The Lightning Blackout is going to be a great compliment to The Road and IQ tour so when i feel those 2 balls aren't strong enough on the backend the Lightning is going to be perfect.
I can also see it complimenting the Virtual Energy Blackout when its too strong so the lightning will be a great stepdown.
I can also see adding surface to the Lightning and it will be a stronger IQ tour solid.
https://youtu.be/-yB3DGQLw9o?si=Ant0JWAs7WYhU15y
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Storm Lighting Blackout:
REX coverstock and finished at 2000ab with reacta shine.
The flare potential of the Warp A.I. Core falls under the same rating as the immortal !Q™ Tour. Medium-low differential cores don’t migrate as fast which produces more forgiveness and longer transition zones between skid, hook, and roll. A.I. Core technology is now offered across all weights so the benefit of “Amplified Inertia” can be experienced no matter what weight you use.
Layout: 5 x 4 x 4
My updated specs: Ball speed: average 15.5 mph. - Rev Rate: 425 – Axle tilt: 16 degrees – Axis rotation 70 degrees
The new Storm Lighting Blackout, known now to me as LBO, the second release in the Blackout series that started with the very popular and versatile Virtual Energy Blackout, aka VEBO, the LBO is a next generation of Storm ball released with the A.I outer core.
The first thing I noticed right after drilling the ball, it was not very kind to me on fresh, and after several days of practicing and using it, I came to the realization that this ball is not the “first out of the bag” type of ball. After talking with other staffers, I started to pay even closer attention to the reaction of the ball after games 3-6 during practice along with my current fresh lane balls the Roto Grip X-Ray and The Road, which is the ball I used in my YouTube video as a comparison ball to the LBO. As I used the X-Ray or The Road for games 1 and 2, especially with the X-Ray which I feel is my best house pattern ball in a very, very long, as soon as I see the carry going away or see the X-Ray slow down in response in the backend, I jump immediately to the LBO and I pick up where I left off when it comes to carry and scoring pace. Very sleek looking and very snappy in the backend and can stay with the LBO through the first and second transitions on the lanes. I just simply LOVE this ball and I have a TON of confidence in the ball once the X-Ray slows down and my carry is reduced. Don’t hesitate to try an LBO out when the Storm Matchmaker events come to a bowling center near you.
My link to my YouTube video is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5epjpUL7luQ
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The Lightning Blackout is Storms newest signature line ball. The Lightning Blackout (LB) features the low differential, mid RG Warp AI core wrapped in REX pearl. This produces a stable, low flaring control option for lighter volume conditions. I see myself using the LB on lighter volume house shots or later in tournament blocks. The LB fits right on between an IQ Tour Ruby and Xponent Pearl.
Review Video: https://youtu.be/m8kwJp5QHzIsi=A96eiZNmzPZPD5-I
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TESTING ENVIRONMENT
Length:43
Volume:Med-High
Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc):THS 12:1 Ratio
BALL:
Coverstock: : ReX™ Pearl Reactive
Core: : Warp™ A.I. Core
Finish: Reacta Gloss
RG: 2.53 (15lb)
Differential: .029 (15 lb)
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 Up 4 1/2 X 4 3/8 X 2 3/8 VLS
Storm has added a new ball to the signature line called the Lightning Blackout. This modernized version of the classic storm ball features the ReX Pearl cover that has been so successful of releases like Dark Code and Virtual Energy Blackout. To drive the reaction the new Warp Core with A.I. Technology puts a lower flaring core with the powerful cover to make a unique shape in the line, in the vein of balls like the Zero Gravity.
I tested the Lightning Blackout for the first time in league. Our house pattern is long and heavy, but the front panels have a lot of built in friction and they transition a ton over the course of 3 games. My idea was for the lightning blackout to be my game 3 ball when the fronts really go. I noticed right away that the cover, despite its polished finish just saw too much of the front of the lane. Even when I got way left the ball just wanted to tip a little too early. This isn't unique to this ball, game 3 has been the toughest for me as I'm always looking for a ball that will clear the fronts in this house.
I next took the Lightning Blackout with me for our annual State tournament. Most years the lanes tend to hook a alot so I thought a lower flaring option could be helpful. I was surprised to find a good amount of oil on the lanes to start our doubles and singles sets, unfortunately the players I crossed with didn't break them down well so when i had to move inside of the track, I really lost my reaction. I tried to move just left and my ball wanted to over-read. I tried to ball down and move left and when the ball cleared the front it didn't want to save enough energy to get back and go through the pins. After fighting the lanes a few games without figuring much out I started paying attention to the other players on the pair and realized they were now right of me, but able to play closer to the track because they had more ball speed. I decided to go back to the lightning blackout that I had put away after trying to play left of everyone with it, and just throw it as hard as I could up the friction. Immediately I had a look. This is far from my A game but the Lightning Blackout responded beautifully and I managed to put together a 240 game to close out the day.
I have since experimented with the lightning blackout in varying states of transition and have found it to be constant that it is the best ball I have thrown when I need to stay on the same line after my other equipment will not let me play there. I've also observed players with more ball speed and the ball seems to be much more versatile for them as the strength of the cover is a little more easily negated with their ball speed.
I would recommend this ball for speed dominant players and matched players who have more speed and revs especially. It work pretty well as a niche ball for players like myself when they want to stay closer to the friction and can add a little to their normal ball speed.
Check out my full ball reaction video on Youtube: https://youtu.be/lqUlkevcgKk?si=irmPCaH66BkNnioI
Lonnie Pemberton
Storm Pro Shop Staff
Vise Pro Shop Staff
Revolutions Pro Shop
Youtube Channel: https://youtube.com/@k1ngsizepapa
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LANE CONDITION
Storm
Lightning Blackout
Coverstock: ReX Pearl Reactive
Finish: Reacta Gloss
Core: Warp A.I.
(14 pd)
RG: 2.55
Differential: 0.029
Layout: 5 x 4 x 3 1/2 - 2LS
Layout Extras: 2 1/8 Finger Depth, "X" - 4 1/2 D and 1 Inch Left
Tester: PAP 6 1/2 R, 1 1/4 D
Review:
The Lightning Blackout (LBO) features the newer Amplfied Inertia (A.I.) core technology. This core as you would expect will help the Lightning Blackout in providing a predictable shape at the end of the pattern. As A.I. core technology has been previously tested that means a few extra percentage points of carry can be anticipated.
For my review I compared the LBO to the the Hy-Road Max. I must note here that these categories of bowling balls allow you to keep in your spot on the lane longer and help avoid steeper angles that can get a lot of players in trouble on many conditions. The Hy-Road Max in concept was a great idea on paper, but did not quite have what I was looking for as the lanes transition. The LBO coverstock combination is much more suited for today's environment. Both of these balls try to fill in the players arsenal where straighter is greater but as the front part of the lane starts to go. These balls will shine when getting steeper is tricky.
The LBO coverstock at box finish is a tad clean for me so I recommend a 2K to 3K finish on this ball. This recommended surface adjustment should allow you to feel the ball is not getting away from you down the lane. If more angle is your flavor I'd say The Road is a better option for you over the LBO. Do not sleep on these type of bowling balls where you want to play up the boards for better scoring. The A.I. part of the equation will kick in as well where close hits will have a better tendency to carry.
I recommend the the Storm Lightning Blackout for the player seeking straighter angles longer as lanes transition. I'm definitely excited about this ball from Storm. Please be sure to visit your favorite pro shop today or https://youtube.com/channel/UC1VA-MgFBo9mIZde-G3T11A for my occasional ball videos. Be sure to grab you Storm Lightning Blackout today!
Michael Slatky
900 Global Staff Member
York, PA
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Volume:
Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc):
COMMENTS
Likes:
Dislikes:
PICTURES AND/OR VIDEOS
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Introducing The Lightning Blackout! Featuring a unique low differential A.I. Core and the proven REX Pearl cover, this ball provides a smooth, continuous motion complimentary to that of the IQ Ruby, but with a stronger cover formula that can handle more oil. If you like the IQ Ruby but need a shell up from that piece, or if you found that the Ruby was too clean or too over/under for your house condition, Lightning Blackout will fill that spot in the bag with a unique a new take on an old favorite!
-Chase Valenzuela
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Sam Cooper. Roto Grip Amateur Staff. Layout 55x4.75x35. The Storm Lightning Blackout features the REX pearl cover which is found on the Virtual Gravity Blackout. I am personally a big fan of REX coverstocks. This ball features the Warp AI Core which is a medium-high RG core with a differential of .029. This core is not as high of an RG as a Hyroad but not a lower RG ball like the IQ Tour. Initial thoughts about where this ball fits in IQ Ruby territory. This ball looks and smells great. I want Storm to make more balls with darker colors and the 3 logos. Just looks so good going through the pins with the logos flipping.
The first testing session with it was burned up house. It allowed me to stay closer to the friction but when I had to move into the soup on the house shot it was too clean. Had to go to a stronger ball but the Lightning Blackout came back around since we bowl a 4 game set on burn. On house it made a quick yet rounded motion. I would not say hockey stick motion and that could be because of the layout. Another notable testing session was the 36ft Del Ballard pattern. I could you play right down the gutter with this and the strength of the cover would get the ball moving strong off the gutter. Or I could move left and slow down throw it at the gutter and it would react nicely to the pocket. This ball would be usable late in blocks or someone that has lower ball speed. I will admit this ball was much cleaner than anticipated some surface prep is required for me anyway.
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It's a BLACK pearl ball!!! Rolls very nice! For myself, I had to hit it with a 3000 pad to tame down the out of the box shine. It just went to long and had the back end snap. To place it between bowling balls, hooks less than the Roto Grip Attention Star, Hook more, reads the lane a little sooner then the Storm Revenant and hooks a little more. Then the 900 Global Xponent Pearl, same, it reads sooner, and almost the same on the back end. I liked the Blackout Lightning a little more deeper (with the surface) and rolls very well on the back end. Its a ball I like in my bag to say the least. It's a very readable bowling ball! Storm did wonders with this ball! Thank you!
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HAND: LEFT (ONE HANDED)
PAP: 4 3/8 OVER / 1/16 UP
BALL SPEED: 16MPH
REV RATE: 420
AXIS TILT: 20
AXIS ROTATION: 50
LAYOUT: 60X4.5X40
The Lightning Blackout has an RG of 2.53 and a differential of .029 putting this ball in similar territory as the IQ Tour but it features a stronger cover stock in ReX giving it a little more traction in the mid lane. This ball has the same layout as my IQ Tour that way I can use them as a good 1-2 punch when I'm able to use them. This ball surprised me a bit with how strong it was, it is cleaner going down lane than the IQ Tour and it has a similar shape off the friction, I'm able to stay in the same spot with my Lightning when the lanes breakdown a bit and my IQ starts up too early. For me this ball makes my tournament bag when I'm trying to keep my angles more in front of me and there is a decent amount off hook in the pattern. Players with a higher rev rate who are looking to control the friction on their house shot will love this ball and the tournament players who are looking for something cleaner with a similar shape to the IQ Tour make sure to go to your local pro shop and pick up a Lightning Blackout.
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Orientation: Right Handed
Rev Rate: 400 RPM
Speed: 16-17 MPH
PAP: 4 ½ over and 1 1/8 up
Location: Enterprise Park Lanes, Springfield MO
Pattern: High Volume THS
VLS Layout:
Layout 1: 4 5/8 x 4 x 2 ½ (Pin above bridge)
Layout 2: 4 ¼ x 4 x 4 (pin below bridge)
The Lightning Blackout is a great HyRoad Pearl replacement. It’s WEAK! But good weak. SOOO clean, and super smooth backend. Part of the reason I think the Hyroad Pearl went away was it was too clean and too sideways off the spot. It always needed a weight hole to slow it down on the back a little. The Lightning Blackout solves that problem. It’s clean clean clean but it doesn’t go SIDEWAYS on the back, which I like a lot. I legit have it below my Hustle RIP but it fits there GREAT. I can literally throw it as slow as I want and it really doesn’t ever get too quick. It’s a staffer’s dream IMO, but the price point may throw some people off! What I can say to that is if you need it, you better have it because it’s a very unique shape!
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Ball Specs:
Storm Lightning Blackout
ReX Pearl Polished Cover
Reacta Gloss Polished
Warp A.I. Core (Symmetric)
Layout 4.5 x 4.5 with 2” Pin Buffer
Bowler Specs:
Right Hand. PAP 5” Over 1/2 up
Rev Rate 300. Tilt 20. Rotation 50.
Speed at release 17
Review:
I read the info and was a bit confused as to what I would see on the lanes with this ball. The REX cover and some ball info alluded to an angular ball. The core numbers and other information made me think control and smooth. I love black bowling balls and the scent of this ball is very nice. To find out how it would roll, I drilled one up and went to my regular practice house. I first tested this ball on a house shot and the Lightning Blackout was weaker than I expected. This was not a bad thing since most of the latest releases have been very strong. I had my best look keeping my speed up and playing far outside with this ball on house conditions. I sub at another house that has a flatter dry pattern and the LBO was a much better fit on this pattern for me. I was able to move pretty far left and swing the ball a pretty good amount. As long as I was consistent with my ball speed the ball read the lane well and hit good. I had a couple pretty good games so far with this ball but have not really found it to be as forgiving as I wanted on what I bowl on. I would put the Lightning Blackout between my Surge Pearl and The Road in total hook. I am not seeing a big difference in hit from the A.I. core in this ball as I do in some other balls. I have drilled this ball for folks with slower speeds or who bowl on higher friction lane beds and this seems to match up very well.
Summary:
The LBO seems to be a good choice on dryer conditions.
The color and scent of this ball are very nice.
Slower speeds and higher rev rates seem to benefit from this ball.
Glenn Wendel
Storm Pro Shop Staff
gwendel@comcast.net
www.stormbowling.com
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Layout: 40 x 4 1/8 x 40
The combination of a low-flaring core with a shiny, high-traction coverstock creates a unique ball reaction that is killer on medium to medium-light oil conditions. The medium-RG core revs up in the midlane stronger than expected and creates a more predictable reaction than a lower differential core would usually possess. Even with the strong REX coverstock, the Lightning Blackout is very clean through the fronts, and as such, will not work very well on heavier oil conditions in its shiny box finish. In the Storm lineup, this ball sits in between balls such as the Summit Peak and Virtual Energy Blackout which are for medium-heavy oil, and balls such as the IQ Tour Ruby or the Electrifies for lighter oil.
Mike LeViner
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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.
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The Storm Lightning Blackout is a piece that I was particularly excited to drill. I primarily bowl on drier house shots, so the symmetric core with .029 differential were things I knew would be a good fit for my game. I have an average speed of 16mph, with a rev rate of 470rpm. Not astronomically high, but enough to where control is always a welcome attribute. I used a 4.5x2x1 layout which was right on the money for what I'm looking for. I love seeing versatility out of my equipment, and this allows me to manipulate the reaction with my hand and play anywhere from 2nd to 5th arrow comfortably. It can be used on fresh conditions, but I feel this ball is most at home once some transition has taken place and there are some dry boards to help it get started. A good pin up layout will afford most players the room needed to open up the lane and have some miss room the last game of league, which is never a bad thing!
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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.
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Bowler Stats:
Speed: 15.5 MPH
Rev Rate: 250 RPM
Tilt: 6.6 degrees
Axis Rotation: 80 degrees
PAP: 4 5/8 over 1 5/8 up
Layout: 41/2 X 41/2 X 2 VLS
Video Ball Review: https://youtu.be/hRbmiQagHhU
I usually don’t drill the weaker symmetrical releases since my rev rate is lower and I would rather drill stronger pieces weaker to fill that gap in the arsenal. With the addition of A.I. technology to the core of this ball I wanted to see if this will help with the core strength or overall ball motion. The REX pearl coverstock is my favorite pearl blend so I decided to give the Lightning Blackout a try.
Even with the stronger layout this ball does not flare a lot so I need plenty of friction down the lane to have the ball motion I’m comfortable with. On the house shot I can stay to the right in the dry and have a good reaction but when I move into more oil I need to add more surface to help the ball cut through the oil and read the dry the correct way. I always use a 1000 grit abralon on all the REX pearl releases.
With the way lanes transition on patterns I have not needed to use the Lightning Blackout in PBA 50 events. If you bowl on a lower volume house shot or an older lane surface then this ball would be a good choice along with the Hustle line.
Pete Dohan
Storm Bowling Amateur Staff
#StormNation
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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.
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Ball Specs: Lightning Blackout
Color: Obsidian
Coverstock: REX Pearl
Core: Warp AI Symetric
Finish: Reacta Gloss
Fragrance:
Review:
The Lightning Blackout is built around the reliable Warp AI Core, which is known for its stability and control. This symmetrical core offers a smooth and predictable motion, making it an excellent choice for bowlers who prioritize accuracy and consistency over aggressive hooking power. The core’s design allows the ball to rev up smoothly and provides a controlled arc to the pocket, making it a great option for playing straighter lines. While the Lightning Blackout excels on lighter oil patterns, its versatility may be somewhat limited in heavier oil conditions. However, for its intended purpose, it performs admirably, offering bowlers a controlled, consistent reaction that can be easily adjusted with changes in hand position or speed. The Storm Lightning Blackout is a solid choice for bowlers seeking a smooth, controlled reaction on lighter to medium oil conditions. Its Warp AI Core and REX Pearl coverstock work together to create a predictable, even motion that is easy to control, making it an ideal option for bowlers who prioritize accuracy and consistency.
Will Tefft
Storm Staff Member
will@parklanes.net
www.strombowling.com
#Stromnation
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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.
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The Storm Lightning Blackout combines the successful REX pearl reactive coverstock with the new Warp A.I. core. At 15 pounds the RG is a medium 2.53 with a low differential of only .029. I drilled mine with the pin down just to be able to play closer to the friction for longer periods of time. The reaction I get is exactly what I was looking for. This ball provides easy length and a smooth backend motion going through the pins. This ball will be good for me on shorter patterns and lighter patterns. This is not a ball I will be able to throw on medium to heavy conditions. It is definitely more of a condition specific ball but it fills a huge gap in my tournament bag when I need to have something stronger than the entry level balls.
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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
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LANE CONDITION
Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc): Multiple patterns - sport and recreational.
COMMENTS
Storm brought back a classic, but with improved performance. The Lightning Blackout features a lower differential and medium RG Warp A.I. core and a highly successful ReX coverstock. This bowling ball stands out to me because there aren’t too many bowling balls with core numbers like the Lightning Blackout.
Since the Lightning Blackout features a core with lower differential, I drilled this bowling ball with my stronger pin-up layout: 65 x 4 ½ x 35. My first overall impression was very good and I liked how easy it was to keep the Lightning Blackout on the line of play. The bowling ball, with out-of-box finish, felt very clean through the pattern and definitely needed some friction to look good. However, it looked very solid on broken down, blended oil patterns. At times, the Lightning Blackout seemed to respond to friction a little stronger than I expected and skid too long when there wasn’t enough friction, which led me to believe it wouldn’t be the best option for wet/dry conditions.
The Lightning Blackout is a good all-around bowling ball but may require more specific lane conditions to maximize its potential. I have noticed that this bowling ball works well with a pin-down layout and with a little bit more surface, which helps to blend the over/under reaction. I believe that variety of players with multiple styles will find this ball useful when matched with the correct layout and bowling ball surface. I will be bringing this bowling ball with me when I bowl on medium to longer oil patterns on higher friction lane surfaces.
VIDEOS
Watch me throw the Lightning Blackout on “The Bowling Passport” YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFvhyjvcinA&t=5s3
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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.
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Storm Lightning Blackout Ball Review by PJ Haggerty
One of the latest additions to the Signature Line at Storm is the Lightning Blackout. If you remember the original Lightning from the 1990s, it was a huge favorite from Storm, and the guru’s behind the scenes decided to bring it back with a nice upgrade! When it was first announced, a feeling of nostalgia and excitement came to mind because of how successful the original Lightning was. Of course, the game is so much different today than 25+ years ago, but this ball has a spot in my bag and I’ve been impressed so far.
I’ve drilled one and mapped it out with a 5 x 5 x 2.5 layout. This puts the pin above my bridge and I left the surface the way it came out of the box (reacta-gloss factory finish). I’ve had the most success with the Blackout on medium-lighter oil conditions and on older lane surfaces. With an RG of 2.53 and differential of .029, that tells me this ball wants to fly through the front part of the lane and be perfect for those end-of-block games and higher friction lanes.
If you need a ball to-go-to after your Sublime, Ion, and X-Cell have done their jobs, I believe the new Lightning Blackout from Storm should be the next ball you drill!
#StormNation
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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
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Ball Specs:
Storm Lightning Blackout
Coverstock: Reacta Gloss ReX™ Pearl Reactive
Weight Block: Warp™ A.I. Core (Symmetrical)
Color: Obsidian
Review:
The all new Lightning Blackout is an interesting release. We have not really seen anything like this in a while and the reason for that is it is essentially a “specialty” addition to an arsenal. In golf terms it is one of those rescue sort of clubs that you need in certain situations. You may not use it in a tournament, and it may sit in the bag at times for a while, but it sure is a lifesaver when the lanes are burnt up and you need something that gets down the lane and still retains a large amount of energy into the pins. We drilled this ball with our normal layout: tweener, 350-375 revs, 16.5mph, layout of choice is 4x4x2 (pin is above bridge). Again it is hard to completely compare this ball to another current ball in the lineup because it is kind of niche but it does give off Hustle or IQ ruby vibes in a sense that it looks best after the transition. If you are looking for a benchmark or bigger ball to start the block or a new ball on a typical house shot for league this probably isn’t the best option. But if you often find yourself searching through your bag to find that right ball reaction on lanes that are a bit burnt and challenging then this is the piece to pick up.
Kyle, Joel, & Dean Johnson
Storm Pro Shop Staff Members
kyle@parklanes.net
joel@parklanes.net
dean@frontierfuncenter.net
www.stormbowling.com
#StormNation
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About Me
900 Global Staff
Left Handed: High Rev High Speed Player
Layout: 5 X 5 X 2
Pap: - 47/8 +1
Rev Rate: +-500
Speed 17-18mph
Ball Video: N/A
The Storm Lightning Blackout, to me, is like the younger sibling of the Virtual Energy Blackout (VEBO). While my Lightning Blackout has a similar roll to the VEBO, it allows me to play a straighter line and achieve better angles as the lanes begin to dry out. One of the standout features of this ball is its impressive length and predictability. The key difference I’ve noticed compared to the VEBO is that it hooks a bit earlier, which is an advantage when the VEBO tends to get too long, occasionally missing the head pin and leaving corner pins. The Lightning Blackout has become my favorite ball in my arsenal, as it performs consistently over multiple games during tournaments and comfortably lasts through all three games in league play. I plan to purchase a couple more Lightning Blackouts to keep on standby.
Joel Donner
900 Global Staff Member
Cedar Rapids, IA
#StormNation
#StrikingWorldwide
#RGSquad
#Iambowling
#bowlingisfun
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Had a to get a few shots recorded with the Storm Lightning Blackout. Bowling on the burn from the league play from the night before. The Rex pearl really responds to the friction. I used the layout of 40x5x45 and after a few games with it I hit it with a 3,000 pad to knock the shine off. #Coolwick #bowlersmart #ViseInserts #stormnation