LANE CONDITION

Length: 43 ft

Volume: Medium

Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc): Sport Shark Pattern
For my speed and revs (16 mph, 290 revs), it is a very strong ball.
I drilled it 4 x 4 x 2 for the general strong house shot.  Our house tends to have more oil than other houses in the area.

COMMENTS

Likes: It started up in the mid lane and kept going through the pins.  This was very important on this pattern.  I was able to play around the third arrow and move in as it broke down.  The ball kept moving like it was designed to and was everything I hoped it would be.  On the house shot in practice, I am only able to use it for one or two games before it overwhelms the oil pattern.

Dislikes:  Ball does what I want it to.  What is not to like?


PICTURES AND/OR VIDEOS

Optimusâ„¢ Solid
Lbs.
RG
Diff.
Weight Block
16
2.47
0.048

15
2.48
0.048

14
2.53
0.046

13
2.59
0.045

12
2.65
0.035


Coverstock: R2Xâ„¢ Solid Reactive
Weight Block: Tri-Sphereâ„¢ Core
Factory Finish: 2000-grit Pad
Ball Color: Red/Navy/Yellow
Flare Potential: 5” - 6” (High)
Fragrance: Cranberry Craze
Layout: 60 x 3 ½ x 40

THS: 41ft with KEGEL FLEX with Fire and Ice oil on older HPL panels.

I really like that when the ball changes direction, its stronger then a typical solid and sanded ball, I can see the orange pin quite well and when the block stands up and changes directions, it’s amazing. I can play up the track with less hand and just watch the ball enter the pocket at an unusual stronger angle, that I would normally see when I am “hooking” the lane. A much better cover for me than the original Optimus with this core.
Thanks to Shorty at Bowlers Supply and the staff @ Colony Park Lanes.   

My new THS bags consist of this ball, Hysteria, iQ Tour, Unhinged, Sinister, and Outcry.

I hope you like what you read and check my video out for this ball on my facebook page: Roto Grip Rick.

LANE CONDITION

Length: 41'

Volume: Heavy-Medium during competition. Noticed with movement, ball can still be used on dry (however it breaks to no avail)

Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc): THS 41'; USBC Red #2, Amateur Bowlers Tour Pattern #3, US Open 2014 (we set it up via Kegel's site after hours)


COMMENTS

Likes: I'm writing this review with one night of league, one tournament and a few games at a friends house who has a built in 4 lane center in his house.  I will edit/write up longer review after I get the usual 20-30 games on the ball.
First and foremost, my style of play is like Norm Duke and Walter Ray; I don't throw a crazy hook, more of a straight up and in. When my local Pro Shop expert; Eric Kattenhorn returned from Las Vegas (he went for the expo) I told him that I wanted this ball. He informed me that it would be a great ball and we went for it. I throw around 350 rpms at 16.7-17.8 mph so I wanted something that would give me a smooth line through the mids then make the strong turn in the back while retaining strength through the pins. We drilled this ball like my Crux and VG Nano with the pin up but kicked out a bit.
This ball does everything it's supposed to do and then some. When thrown the right way, this ball absolutely destroys the pocket. Pins stay low but scatter; which results in great action. I haven't had a night of clean games yet this summer until this ball came in my arsenal. All 3 games were clean and when I bowled in the tournament this weekend, I came in 4th out of 75 registered and every game was clean. Few 10 pins though, but that's my fault as I have a habit of running through my approach. As the lanes transition from heavy to mid, I just move a board or 2, slow down a hair and still keep going or if need be, then I'll switch to the Crux but I don't plan on having to do that too much.
If you love Storm bowling balls, or even looking for a great first ball when there's puddles on the lanes, this ball is a sure fit. 

Dislikes: A few people that I've talked to about the ball said they don't like dull balls, me on the other hand...I have no complaints. If you want a shiner, get the pearl, but this ball out shines the rest through it's performance.

Rate this ball 10/10.


PICTURES AND/OR VIDEOS

My first thoughts of the Optimus Solid....YES!!

The Optimus Solid comes with a Tri-Sphere Core with the R2X Solid Reactive cover. It has an RG of 2.48 and a Diff of .048.  Historically, on the fresh oil on long patterns I have had a tendency to grind.  I consider myself a tweener but have had issues to get a ball to go through the pins the way I'd like (on longer oil patterns)... until now.  The Optimus Solid gave me a heavy, early hook that is able to cut through that oil and kick the 10-pin out.  The nice part is that in my experience I've been able to stick with this ball even when the lanes break down and it doesn't burn up.  It continues to drive through the pins.  I think this is a ball that a lot of lower rev players (and even high rev) will like on fresh because of the motion this ball has.  If you bowl on a lot of oil, you should get this ball. Period.
#NeverLoseIntensity

Optimus Solid Ball Review by PJ Haggerty

After hearing the Marvel-S was going to be discontinued, I was curious as to what Storm would come out with.  I was a HUGE fan of the Marvel-S and after drilling two Optimus Solids, this is definitely a similar shape.  With a low RG (2.48) and low diff (.48), this Optimus Solid wants to hook early and often.  But with a touch of polish, it has the ability to clear the front part of the lane pretty easily.  The Optimus Solid will definitely read the mid-lane and is one of the strongest balls in my bag!

I have drilled two so far.  The first one I drilled is 5 ¾ x 5.  This puts the pin above my middle finger and the CG in the center of my grip.  I’ve noticed a very forward motion.  I put just a splash of polish on the Optimus Solid and this truly helped it get down the lane easier.  Even though the polish helped it get through the front part of the lane, the response time was still on the slower side, which was nice.  I have been able to use this one on flatter patterns where I still need a cleaner motion with a slower response time. 

The other Optimus Solid I drilled has a rico layout on it.  For anyone who doesn’t know what that is, this puts the pin in the middle of my grip, with a big shift and a 63/64 hole two inches under my PAP.  I knew the shape was going to be forward regardless of how I drilled it, but I wanted a shape that was smooth.  I polished this Optimus Solid as well.  Out of the two I drilled, this one is my favorite.  I’ve used it on harder lane conditions and when the lanes are easy.  It provides a smooth motion when the lanes are flat or cliffed. 

If you are missing a slower responsive piece in your bag, the Optimus Solid will certainly provide that.  Go drill one!!

#StormNation

Luke Rosdahl
Storm Advisory Staff
Lefthanded
PAP - 5 left, 1 up
Rev Rate: 325
Speed: 17mph
Angle of rotation: 45 degrees
Tilt: 7 degrees

The Optimus Solid is a great benchmark ball for heavier conditions.  As far as reaction shape and hook potential, it fits directly in between the Marvel S and IQ Tour Nano.  It's very consistent and predictable, and easy to keep in and around the pocket.  Unfortunately, I don't find myself being able to use it very often because for me it doesn't seem to have a real identity.  It's not as early and rolly as the Marvel S, and it's not as long and strong as the Nano, however that's really the definition of a benchmark ball.  It's a great first ball out of the bag, and if nothing else seems to be working, this is definitely a go-to ball.  If you bowl on heavier conditions and need something that's just going to keep it simple and get to the pocket, this is a great choice. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EocIV1BxBjA

The Optimus solid is the latest release in the Master line of bowling balls from Storm, the bowler’s company. Optimus solid has the same Tri-Sphere core as the first Optimus (Rg of 2.48 and differential of 0.048), but is now wrapped with the solid R2X cover that was on balls like the Marvel solid and Virtual Gravity. This cover has proven itself over time, always offering a reliable predictable ball motion on medium-heavy to heavy oil lane conditions. The match of cover and core allows the ball to rev up and have a nice consistent arch to the pocket.

I used a very strong drilling on my Optimus solid, 3 ¾ x 4 x 2. I drilled the solid Optimus with the idea of using it on very heavy oil up front with clean backends. The Optimus solid has replaced the Marvel S as the new solid covered ball in the master line. The Optimus is cleaner through the front of the lane and has a more even arch on the backend of the lane than the Marvel S. I can start with the Optimus solid on fresh heavy oil; and as I see carry-down, and the Optimus is too soft through the backend of the lane, I will switch to either my Marvel S if I still need lots of traction, or my Crux, if I need more length with backend reaction.

The R2X cover on the Optimus solid can be polished for some additional length, or scuffed to create more traction. I recommend drilling and using the Optimus solid for heavier conditions, as that is what the ball is designed for. I personally like the shape the Optimus solid gives me through the backend of the lane, as it isn’t too jumpy when the ball comes out of the oil. I understand that many bowlers like seeing a strong change of direction, but that isn’t always going to give you the best ball reaction on heavier oil. The Optimus solid might not have that big backend motion as some other balls Storm offers, but definitely is a ball motion that bowlers should have in their arsenal, especially when encountering tougher, heavier patterns. The predictable motion will keep you out of trouble. Also, having the proper angle through the pins is what will allow you to strike more often on those less than perfect shots, and having too much angle can leave splits, while a smooth motion, like the Optimus solid offers, can either strike or have a tendency to leave the bowler a more make-able spare leave.

Thank you for taking the time to read my review of Storm’s Optimus solid. as always, bowl up a STORM!