The Light’s Out is the latest release in the Hot Line of bowling balls. The Light’s Out uses the Turbine core that debuted on the original Street Rod solid and pearl bowling balls. It has been used with a few different cover variations, and also name changes. It is no surprise to see the R2S hybrid cover combined with this core. I have been waiting for this combination ever since the Fast and the Furious had the R2S pearl and solid (respectfully) covers on them. The Light’s Out has a kind of “stealth†appearance with its midnight solid and charcoal pearl color combination. The ball comes out of the box finished with a 1500 polished surface and has an Apple Fritter fragrance.
I drilled my Light’s Out with the pin over the ring, and the CG on my grip line. For any of you that have followed my reviews over the years, you would know that this is my favorite layout. I don’t have to use an extra hole and the layout gives me a nice compliment of backend reaction and hook, and allows for me to adjust the cover as needed, for extra traction. This is the same layout that I have on a black and Silver Tropical Heat Hybrid which will be the comparison ball.
The light’s out picks up on the lane a little earlier than the Tropical Hybrid. Even with the same drilling, the cover reads friction earlier, and creates more change of direction than the hybrid. As the front part of the lane goes away, I need to move in faster with the Light’s out than I do with my hybrid. The black silver hybrid had a tendency to either hook too soon on the dry, but not enough in the oil. The Light’s Out doesn’t seem to have that problem when moving into the oil.
I used the Light’s Out on a few different patterns so far, and to my surprise, It seemed to perform on longer patterns as well as medium patterns. One would think that with the nature of the core, that the ball wouldn’t like a 42 foot pattern, but to my surprise, it rolled quit well on a 42 foot USBC white pattern. I started at around second arrow, and just kept my speed a little slower, and allowed the ball time to recover down lane. Pulled shots in held pocket, as well as shots pitched out, recovered. The Light’s Out has no problem covering the backend boards for me. This core shape has always given me a big backend move, as there isn’t a lot of differential to get the ball to spin up and slow down too fast.
The “Light’s Out will be a fit ball for me. It won’t be the first ball out of the bag, but when I need it, I know I have it, and it will get the job done. This will be a good ball for players that don’t want to spend the money on a high end ball, but would still like versatility with the cover stock. This hybrid cover is the same cover that was used on some very successful balls in Storm’s history, including the HyRoad and the Frantic.
If you are looking for a ball with a modest price point, but find the looks of the Frantic to be a bit “flashyâ€, drill a Light’s Out. You won’t be disappointed.
