LANE CONDITION

Length:42 ft and 36 ft

Volume:Medium Heavy and Medium

Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc):THS


COMMENTS

Likes:
Based on the numbers, I hoped this ball would be similar to a HyRoad or a milder Optimus.  Given my rev rate of 325 and PAP of only 3 3/4 over and 1/2 down, I used a layout similar to my Optimus, 3 1/2 x 4 1/2 x 2. Hoped for the best.

Well I can't say enough good things about this ball. Reaction wise, it is like a milder version of the Optimus, about 3 less overall. Clean early, consistent late mid-lane roll and, most impressively, ability to kick out corners from various angles.

This piece fits nicely as a complimentary ball to my Punch Out in the "go to" or "step down" from the Hyper Cell Skid and Optimus. I may drill another one 5 x 5 and take it down to 1000 to see what it does. I believe this ball will react well with a variety of layouts due to its mid-lane smoothness.

I would give it an early B+ with the chance to actually go up based on tournament performance.

Dislikes:
Early on, none.


PICTURES AND/OR VIDEOS

Conditions: THS 38', THS 40'
Layout: 50x5x35
Surface: Box

The Rocket is the ultimate house shot killer.  Imagine a Hyroad that is cleaner through the fronts and sharper at the breakpoint.  The Rocket has the same R2S cover as the Hyroad with a more aggressive core.  It is a ball you can get a handful of at the bottom, watch it glide through the fronts, rev in the mids, and make a clean, strong move on the backend.  The versatility is unreal, you can play anywhere on the lane with it, and as the lanes break down, simple adjustments is all it takes to put the ball back in the pocket.  It cuts through carry down well, and is smooth and strong off the dry.  The Rocket is extremely controllable, and it hits noticeably harder than most other balls in its price range.  This is one of those special balls you need to order extra of to stash a few in the closet, however, like the Hyroad before it, I wouldn't be surprised to see it produced for several years to come.  No doubt about it, the Rocket is a ball everyone needs to have at least one of in their bag. 

Luke Rosdahl
In The Zone Pro Shop
Storm Advisory Staff

Rocket review by Storm staffer Tony Marino

Over the years, Storm’s Thunder Line has proven to be one of the best in the industry. The Rocket is building on that success. The Rocket uses the same R2S Hybrid coverstock as the Hyroad, but utilizes the brand new Booster core. The Booster core has a lower RG value than the Inverted Fe2 in the Hyroad. I drilled my Rocket very similarly to my IQ Nano with a 4.5” pin and 3” pin buffer, no weight hole.
 
I have thrown the Rocket against the Hyroad and IQ Tour because that is where I see it fitting in my bag. Sometimes the Hyroad is just too strong off the breakpoint or picks up the lane transition too late. That is really where the Rocket shines. It picks up the end of the pattern easier and gets into a predictable roll that falls right in line. For me, the down lane shapes between the Hyroad and the Rocket are similar, but the reaction to oil down lane is where I saw the biggest difference. The Hyroad is great at storing energy and making a strong move down lane (HUGE understatement). The Rocket blends that ability, with the benefit of a slightly stronger, smoother and more predictable motion. I see this ball being a staple in tournament players’ bags. I was able to play up the lane as well as get in on transitioning lanes with the Rocket. 

I can’t wait to use it on some flatter tournament oil patterns I’ve got coming up. The Rocket is a great fit between the IQ Tour and the Hyroad.

Want to see what I am talking about? Click this link to see my video which compares the Storm ball mentioned in this review.

761 first 3 games out of the box last night. 

My only complaint is the smell.  The fake grapefruit/citrus smell is one of the worst scented balls.

Length: THS and 43' Chameleon


COMMENTS

Likes:
I like how clean it is through the front part of the lane and the strength of the ball downlane.


The quickest and easiest way I can describe the Rocket is "a stronger hyroad".  I used one of my favorite layouts on my Rocket, 55x5x40 (which I also had on my hyroad) and I quickly noticed that the Rocket was about 3-4 more boards more hook than the Hyroad.  One of the bigger differences between the two that I noticed, the hyroad is more (I am a right handed bowler) of a right to left motion and doesn't like to cut through the oil in the middle of the lane.  The Rocket however, will roll through the middle part of the lane, especially on house patterns.  I think people with higher ball speed or people who have a very low rev rate will enjoy this ball in their bag.  For me, I see this ball fitting in when the lanes begin to transition on medium to longer patterns.

When I used this ball on chameleon I thought it was perfect.  I could get further left and the Rocket would continue to come back and kick the ten out.  I consider myself a tweener with medium ball speed. When I get inside sometimes I have the issue of leaving flat 10s.  Well, with the rocket that was the last of my issues.  Tournament bowlers in particular are going to love this ball because of the Rocket's ability to hook back.

Kevin M. Donovan
#STORMNation

LANE CONDITION

Length:

Volume:

Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc):


COMMENTS

Likes:

Dislikes:


PICTURES AND/OR VIDEOS

Storm Rocket Review

Introducing the latest ball in the thunder line, the Rocket! Storm wanted to give bowlers another ball that could be a great compliment to fit in between the Master and Hot line. The Rocket uses the infamous R2S coverstock which was also used in the Hy-road which is Storm's most selling/successful ball to date which is also still available. It uses a new core, Booster Core. With this new core compared to the Hy-road, it will give the ball a more mid-lane read.

I drilled my Rocket with a Pin up Layout 5" x 5". This is my standard layout that I use on symmetrical balls based on my PAP. My first impression of this ball was astonishing! I saw the perfect amount of skid through the heads while reading the mid-lanes without sacrificing retention of energy and hit power through the pins. I slightly adjusted my surface to a hand sand 3k finish to get the ball to match up to my game better. I have a higher ball speed, so I needed the ball to pick up a little sooner when it started to push past the breakpoint.

The Rocket is a very good benchmark ball. I has a very median hook rating but still has amazing hit power. I could use this ball on THS and on Medium-Low volume sport shots. This ball will also come in very handy when my IQ Tour or Hy-road solid starts to hook to early; I can easily ball change to this ball and can count on it getting to the pocket. You can always count on the Rocket to glide through the heads while still reading the mid-lane without it over-hooking.

I love the ball motion and reaction of this ball; I will grade it an "A+." Based off the cosmetics of the ball, I will give it a "A." The black and orange makes the ball stand out along with the air freshening citrus grove scent. I fell in love with this ball since I took it out of box. From the looks to the scent of the ball, it was a winner in my books. Everyone needs to soar to new heights with a Rocket in their bag!

Thanks for reading this blog and hope you stay tuned for future blogs,

Joshua Tajiri

BowlersDeals.com Technician

Storm/Roto Amateur Staff