Storm PyroWeight = 16lbs
Pin = 3 1/2" inch Pin
Top Weight = 3oz before drill
Layout = Pin under Bridge, cg at 75 degrees, 5 x 4 1/2
Weighthole = 3/4" on PAP
Surface Finish - 1) OOB 2) 2000 abralon 3) 1200 abralon w/Storm Reactashine (mmm...banana)
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Stats
Right
19-20mph of hand
425 rpm
PAP - 5 > 1/2 ^
Axis Rotation - 10*-60* degrees
Axis Tilt - 0*-15* degrees axis tilt
I ordered this ball in order to take to Nationals. From my last experience and talking to those who have been a pin down, particle pearl was the way to go. I had seen the Fired Up and Diablo in action and saw promise in the Reactor and new Twin-V core. The ball ended up being stronger than advertised.
Overview -This ball is meant for mediums, both heavy and light, but can handle a little more oil than medium-heavy. There is no such thing as throwing this ball through the breakpont. The light particle load allows for a firm change of direction, bordering on flippy even with the rolly drilling. As I have seen with the Reactor coverstock fresh the move can be quite angular on fresh backends , but as the mids start to go the ball smoothes out nicely. With the OOB surface the move was almost too much. It forced me to cover too many boards on the fresh but as the carrydown surfaced the Pyro comes alive. This ball will be able to be used deep into tournaments as carrydown is hardly a problem.
At 2000 grit abralon the ball really came to life. I was at least 5 left with my feet but the ball became the essence of smooth. This drill with the slightly rough surface equaled incredible results on shorter patterns and messy broken down conditions.
Hook - A 5" pin above or below fingers is my favorite drilling. It normally fends off the early hook I see sometimes and allows for a sharp controlled move. This drilling on the Pyro creates a fantastic control ball for me, even with the strong move. I don't feel that the ball will overreact with an errant release or speed malfunction. The backend is smooth and continuous with the pin under bridge. I suspect a pin over drilling will get me a ball that will go coast to coast with ease. Again, it is hard to throw this ball through the breakpoint. This is a lot of ball at a medium price point.
Length - The OOB surface gives easy length and the core revs up nicly in the midlane prepping for a good change of direction. At 2000 abralon it picked up about 2 feet earlier and smoothed out the hook.
Control/Readability -Even with the big backend potenial, the light particle deems this a control ball for me. Others have said this ball is too much, but with this drill and surface combo I've found something special.
Patterns played
Regional 3 38' crown
This pattern gives you a fake shot on the gutter, and a more manageable shot up the track. This ball is not as violent on the fresh as many pearls are on this pattern. It allowed me to think I had a shot outside of 5 as lower pin drills work well out there. It gave a good read to start the pattern and a great read in the later games as carrydown arose and we had to move in past 3rd arrom. I was able to keep the speed up, stay a little outside of everyone and still push through the messy backends.
Regional 5 44'
This pattern calls for inside anlges and this drill just doesn't pick up a roll soon enough as a pin abopve bridge drilling will. A pin up Pyro will work wonders as it will have enough on the back and just enough midlane to give you a look on the fresh. The ball will work on heavier patterns with the right surface but this was the wrong drill.
Nationals 38'
The ball was still in OOB condition when I went to Nationals. It was this tournament I drille dthe ball for and was dissapointed because it turned out to be the exact wrong ball. It was waaay too much of a move on the backend on the fresh playing out side, and forced me too deep to play inside with the lower pin drill. My Trifecta and Agent were better siuted to outside and inside respectivly.
Compared to Other Balls in my ArsenalAgent - Pin over bridge, cg @ 70 degrees, no hole.
The Agent is my go to ball and the Pyro gives me a great option above it if I see a little too much oil for the Agent. The Pyro allows me to square up to a pattern better than the Agent as well.
Trifecta - Same drill, bigger hole on PAP, 600 grit abralon
The Trifecta is my soup ball as it will make the corner on anything, as well as a ball for outside shots, and over/under conditions. The Pyro is an easy ball change when the Trifecta starts picking up too early or flattening out in back.
Hot Rod Hybrid - Stacked drill, OOB
Hybrid gets 3 extra feet but stronger and smoother break. The Hybrid is my house shot ball, something that will hold when tugged and hook when leaked right so I can maximize my scoring there. The Pyro can handle much more oil, but I find myself using these balls on similar patterns. Shorte patterns where the breakpoint is out side of 5, and when I have to play straight. These balls will not let me cover too many boards from too deep as the stronger drillings will cause the ball to die if too much lane is covered.
Overall Impressions and Final Thoughts -This ball was a beast OOB. Those will less hand or more speed will appreciate the strong change of direction. This can also be a ball for those that only have a few in their arsenal, it can cover many different oil volumes with surface tweaks. With my drill though the ball has taken the spot of first ball on tougher shots, esp. sport shots. It allows for a strong move from a controlled drilling.
*backswing
PS - Thanks to Ramtart for the use of his review format. Makes it easier than trying to remember to include everyhting.
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*...Got the 5 out clean!
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