The Optimus is the latest ball in the Master line of Storm products. The Optimus has the R2X pearl cover wrapped around a new weight block called Tri-Sphere. The unusual shape of this core has an Rg of 2.48 and a differential of 0.048 in 15lb balls. The Optimus is red, white and blue, and smells like berries and cream.
I drilled my Optimus 5x5x2. This is the same layout that I have on the comp ball, the Marvel pearl. The Optimus reads the front of the lane almost identically to the Marvel pearl. The middle of the lane is where you start seeing a difference between the two balls. The Optimus rolls about one to two feet longer than the Marvel pearl, and has a more defined change of direction on the backend. The overall board coverage of the Optimus and the Marvel pearl is about the same, but the later move and stronger change of direction from the Optimus, helps this ball have a steeper entry angle into the pocket. The difference of the Optimus and the Marvel pearl is slight on house conditions, but really shows through on flatter sport patterns. The more defined shape is better for me when I bowl on tougher patterns, because I can go straighter to my hook spot with the Optimus, compared to the Marvel pearl. Because of my softer ball speed, I have to give the Marvel pearl a little more head belly, thus throwing it away from the pattern, and this can sometimes get me in trouble when I really want to keep my angles in front of me as much as possible, on flatter patterns. As successful as the Marvel pearl has been so far, I feel the Optimus has potential to be even better.
The Optimus will be a fit for most styles of bowlers, who would be looking for a ball for medium to medium heavy lane conditions, and some heavy oil patterns. To be more specific, speed dominate players would be able to use the Optimus on medium conditions and some medium heavy conditions with the addition of a little surface to the cover. High rev players will like the Optimus on medium heavy conditions, as well as have good success on heavier oiled lanes with the addition of a little surface to the cover. If you see only dry lane conditions, I would suggest trying a different ball other than the Optimus.
The Optimus is a great addition to the already stellar line up that Storm has to offer. As technology evolves with everything, the Optimus is the evolution of a strong pearl bowling ball. See your local VIP pro shop today and optimize your striking potential with the new Storm Optimus.

If you are a fan of the Marvel Pearl this is a great one to put in the bag. This ball gives you the clean skid through the fronts and tons of hook in the back. Just one good all around pearl that gets to see some use at almost every night of league and most tournaments for myself. It picks up and comes off the pattern a little earlier than most of the pearls in the past for me. This works out well in my case having a lower rev rate, a slightly earlier pearl gives me less half pocket hits and ten pin leaves.

If you prefer a strong later reaction this cover reacts great to polish and can also offer you that look.

Overall this is a great stronger pearl that offers versatility in cover changes

Layout:50x4-1/4x75
Ball Speed 16mph
Rev Rate:250-300

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Ball review of the Storm Optimus
 World Wide Release Date: July 1, 2014
 Scent: Berries 'n Cream
 Surface: 1500 polished  (out of box)

 Bowler info: Michelle Crews (female)
 PAP: 5" right and 1 1/2" up
 Ball Speed: 16 mph
 Rev Rate: 250 rpm
 Axis Tilt: 15
 Axis Rotation: 50

 Ball info
 Layout: pin above bridge and cg stack right beneath it in the center of the palm
 Pattern: Various

 I must say that this ball is a home run! Not just a home run but a grand slam. Not only because of the catchy name, but because of the way the core and coverstock compliment each other all around. Being a female with higher ball speed and not a ton of hand, where I struggle with lane play is that when a pattern forces me left I don't always have enough hand for my equipment to make the corner. However, with this ball I can just slow down and let the ball do the work for me and strike all day. We decided to drill this ball neutral (pin above my bridge, CG stack in the middle of the palm), so that we could let the natural characteristics of the ball to take over. I loved it out of box, but I loved it even more when I got on sport patterns and put 2000 on the cover. The Tri-sphere core just revs up in the midlane and then has continuous motion off the breakpoint. I'm expecting to see some big numbers this season from the Optimus. This is a must have for everyone this year! Science fiction is becoming science fact!
 #stormbowling #optimus #smellsgoodtoo #thebowlerscompany

 Michelle Crews
 Storm Amateur Staff
 Boom Apparel Staff
 McCorvey's Bowling World Staff
 NCAA Bowling Head Coach
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I used my standard layout on the Optimus, Pin above middle finger, CG kicked out 45 degrees with a hole on my axis.

The Optimus has quickly become one of my favorite bowling balls.  I love my Marvel Pearl and when I saw the Optimus was coming out, I was hoping it would be a upgraded version of the Marvel Pearl.

The Optimus reminds me of the Agent when it first came out. For a pearl it still handles oil really well and doesn't snap down lane.  I have used the Optimus on a house shot, WTBA London (On syntetic and wood) and the Open CHamp. pattern.

Comparing the Optimus to my Marvel pearl, the optimus has more overall hook.  The Optimus was a little earlier and smoother and was at least 2 boards stronger than the Marvel Pearl.

The optimus was great on the house shot and London when it was fresh.  I could move deeper, but eventually I had a better look going to something more angular like my Hyroad pearl as I got deeper than 5th arrow.  It was still good from deep inside, but had trouble kicking out the flat 10 pins.

The Optimus is one of the few pearls that can handle oil.  Mine had no problem picking up where my Marvel pearl and hyroad pearl would skid too far. 

The optimus will be best used on longer and medium to heavier patterns.  Lower rev rates may be able to use it on shorter patterns. 

Those looking for a strong pearl will love this ball.  This ball will be great on most house patterns and longer/heavier sport/PBA patterns.   

COVERSTOCK: R2Xâ„¢ Pearl Reactive
WEIGHT BLOCK: Tri-Sphereâ„¢ Core
LIGHT WEIGHT BLOCK: Modified Centripetalâ„¢ Core
FACTORY FINISH: 1500-grit Polished
BALL COLOR: Red/White/Blue
DUROMETER: 74-76 Rex D-scale
FLARE POTENTIAL: 5” - 6” (High)
FRAGRANCE: Berries N Cream
WEIGHTS: 12-16 lbs.
SKU: TUT

My layout: 4 x 4 5/8 x 2 1/4
My PAP: 4 1/2 over 1 1/4 up

The Optimus is a pearl ball from Storm. I have both a pin up and a pin down Optimus that roll very well for me. I found like most pearl balls the Optimus has no problem guiding through the fronts. The big difference is the Optimus reads the mid lane better than most pearls without sacrificing the sharp backend reaction. This late power gives the pins little chance when the Optimus comes charging in.

Even though the Optimus rolls very well for it isn’t my go to ball, and it isn’t the first ball out of my bag. The Optimus’s role in my bag is the first step down when my solid is starting to burn up. The fact that is reads the mid lane so well, makes it a good choice for me when I need more length, but still need a strong bowling ball.

I am going to rate the ball an 8, not based on my opinion alone, but watching others throw it, and open up the lane. Even though the ball is now 4 months old now I still see plenty of them being used in my travels. That is usually a sign of a very good ball!  In short I think the Optimus earns the right for many tournament bags even though it may not be the first ball out of the bag especially now that the Crux has hit the market.