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Author Topic: Rocket  (Read 33668 times)

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Rocket
« on: January 09, 2015, 01:58:46 PM »
Features: - Color: Orange/Black Pearl
- Coverstock: R2S Hybrid Reactive
- Core: Booster for 14-16# & Modified Centripetal for 12-13#
- Finish: 1500-grit Polished
- Fragrance: Citrus Grove
- Recommended Oil Conditions: Medium Oil
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LouisN

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Storm Rocket Review by Staff Member Louis Narvaez Jr.
« Reply #16 on: March 29, 2015, 11:16:56 PM »
  Layout: 65 x 5 x 35
 Surface: OOB and 3000 Grit Sanded

 The Storm Rocket, what can I say about this ball. Proven R2S hybrid reactive cover wrapped around a new block. This ball is one of the most versatile balls to date from Storm. House shot or Sport pattern this ball has a place on the rack.

 When I drilled this ball I was looking at something along the lines of the HyRoad but stronger. The rocket is very forgiving with plenty of back end reaction. I liked this ball so much I drilled a second one Pin Below the bridge with a 30 degree kick to help control the back end reaction a little bit more. This ended up being a great one two punch for almost any conditions you could imagine.

 With the OOB surface on the house shot I had no real problems at all. Anytime my first Rocket was too long or sharp I went to the pin down rocket and I was good to go.

 On heavier volume patterns I found that the OOB surface needed to be altered a bit. Nothing major but I hit them with a 3000 pad and it made all the difference in the world. I would say to anyone who first drills one of these and finds that it doesn't pick up like they want to just hit this ball with 2000 or 3000. Once you do this watch the ball come to life.

 Overall both of these have made it into my arsenal for every day league and tournaments.

 See my Rocket Video by clicking on the link below:

Louis Narvaez Jr.
Storm/Roto Grip Pro Shop Staff
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sk8shorty01

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Re: Rocket
« Reply #17 on: March 30, 2015, 11:56:22 AM »
Lane Conditions: Medium Oil
Typical Conditions: Variety of Shots
Type of Lane: All Synthetic
What part of the lane did you play? Second Arrow
Did the ball track out? Normal
Weight of bowling ball: 15
Surface of bowling ball: Factory/Box
What grit was the surface of the ball? 1500
Likes: - Easily pushes through the fronts. - Stores energy well. - Colors make it easy to read transition
Dislikes:

The Storm Rocket features the all new Booster Core, wrapped with the most successful cover on the PBA Tour, the R2S (Pearl). I decided to drill my Rocket to accentuate the length the cover and core already provided and gave it an identical layout to my Punch Out which I have had success with over the last year (70x5x30). This layout gave me exactly what I was looking for, length and a quick transition once the ball hit friction down lane.

I can definitely see myself throwing this ball on a variety of patterns and keeping myself in play. At this point I have used it on Shark, Scorpion, Viper, and a Typical House Pattern and found a good look on each rather quickly. With a surface change (used both 2000 and 3000 to date) I was able to get the ball to blend the pattern but still retain energy enough to clear corners without much of an issue. I think higher speed players are going to find more success by knocking the polish off the surface of the Rocket, while matched and slightly rev dominant players are probably going to see the most success with the box surface.

Overall, I think the Rocket has definitely lived up to the high expectations from being the newest release in the Thunder Line, and handled it quite well. From my experience with this ball I personally feel this is the best ball I have had in my bag in a long time, and I plan to keep it there for as long as possible. I can see players building an arsenal around the Rocket (or two!).


Michael Bauer
Storm Amateur Staff Member
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BowlersMart Pro Shop Manager
PBA Member
Bowlers Journal Top 100 Coach - 2014
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GutterLine

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Rocket review - Mark Tarkington
« Reply #18 on: March 31, 2015, 10:22:13 AM »
Right Handed
Ball weight:  15
Rev Rate:  378
Ball Speed:  18.2
Axis Tilt:  in flux
Axis Rotation:  in flux
PAP:  3 9/16 horizontal, 1 3/8 up
Layout:  2 x 3 (pin to pap, cg to pap)

As one of the many fans of the Hy-Road, I was a bit skeptical about the Rocket.  I can’t imagine any ball being in the same category.  I had been reading plenty of reviews and everything I had seen was really positive.

I decided to drill it for versatility instead of a specific look/pattern.  The Rocket matched up to my game really well.  I have about 15 games on it and it continues to impress.  I’ve used it on fresh and I love how sharp it is at the end of the pattern.  I’ve used it for a second shift and it doesn’t burn up and still has continuation.  That said, my best use for this ball has been as a ball down from the Crux Pearl.  I happened to fall into this when the Crux Pearl has started flat 10ing me on a THS.  I pulled out the Rocket and was able to replicate the look, but no flat 10s.  As a 1, 2 punch, this is my favorite option right now.  I know for a fact, if I can start with the Crux Pearl, as soon as I have to migrate too far left, the Rocket is the perfect ball down/lateral.

It reads the pattern much like the Hy-Road, may be a bit sharper, but I really don’t want to keep comparing it to a legend.  This ball can stand on it’s own.  I am yet to see a THS that won’t allow me to use this one, and I haven’t tried rolling it on any sport patterns.

I can see this ball quickly becoming a favorite and would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone.
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Mark Tarkington
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tommygn

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Re: Rocket
« Reply #19 on: March 31, 2015, 03:06:34 PM »
The Rocket is the latest release in the Thunder line from Storm, the Bowler’s Company. The Rocket uses the R2S hybrid reactive cover that was used on the HyRoad. The core is a new core called Booster and has an Rg of 2.54 and a differential of 0.046 in 15lb balls. The orange and black pearl cover with citrus grove fragrance has been polished to 1500 grit.
I drilled my Rocket  4 ¾ x 5 x 2 ½. This is the same layout that is used on the HyRoad and the Frantic that I will be comparing it with. The Rocket reads the lane earlier than my HyRoad and a touch later than my Frantic. It fits right in the middle of those two bowling balls, if anything reminding me of closer to the Frantic shape, than the HyRoad shape, on the lane. The Rocket doesn’t push as far on oil, or react as strong off the dry boards as does the HyRoad. I have so far only used the Rocket on USBC white pattern and our house shot. As I stated earlier, the Rocket has a shape closer to that of the Frantic, but allows me to have a touch more hold than the Frantic. The Higher Rg pushes to the spot a little easier. It definitely is a middle of the road kind of ball for me. The Rocket is also a good step up ball from the Punch Out and Lights Out. Having a stronger core (lower Rg and more differential than the Turbine cored balls), makes the transition from the hot line to the master line a little more seamless. The Rocket has been able to replace both my now tired Frantic and Lights Out, in the tournament bag. I would have to carry both of those balls, as I would use the Frantic for more oil when playing the lanes straighter, and go to the Lights Out as they broke down and I had to curve it; but the Rocket seems to give me the ability to play straighter like the Frantic, but still get the core to fall over when I have to move in, with a hand adjustment, which is when I would’ve switched to the Lights Out previously.
As I stated earlier, the Rocket for me is truly a middle of the road ball. Medium length patterns with medium volumes of oil, and moderate ratios of left to right and front to back tapers will give the Rocket a home on most all lane surfaces. The R2S hybrid cover has always taken surface adjustments well, so being able to find the right surface for your particular style of play shouldn’t be a problem. Thank you for taking the time to read my review of the new rocket from Storm.
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Bigmike

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Re: Rocket
« Reply #20 on: April 06, 2015, 08:51:52 AM »
Lay Out: 5.25" from PAP at 75* PAP angle and 25* VAL angle. Dual angle measurement would be 75/5.25/25. No weight hole.

Surface: Box which is 1500 Reacta-Shine.

Purpose: I wanted a piece to fill the gap I have between my IQ Fusion and Punch Out. I had an original HyRoad and might have been the only person in the Storm universe to just have no look with it and whatever surface/lay out put in it.

Observations: The Rocket reminds me of the Frantic from a couple of years ago. You couldn't bowl a better league in central Ohio without seeing the Frantics come out the minute they started to hook. The numbers are very similar. So to compare apples to apples, I threw this side by side with the IQ Tour Fusion and Punch Out. The Fusion is stronger in the back for me but I have also knocked the factory shine of it and keep it close to 4000. The Punch Out is still factory shined and gets down the lane without much adjustment from me. The Rocket is fitting in perfectly between the two. In fact I think I am getting a second Rocket and doing a pin under lay out with 3000 on it to get another one with a more even reaction. This current Rocket is very long and strong out of the box and might need hit lightly with 4000.

Conclusions: The Rocket fills that gap between the IQ Fusion and Punch Out perfectly for me. I do not have a Hyroad Pearl or hybrid to compare it with. From a general standpoint, I would imagine it is earlier than both just based off core numbers compared in box finishes. If you want something to get you length with good motion, give the Rocket a try.
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live2bowlgr8t

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Re: Rocket
« Reply #21 on: April 08, 2015, 01:26:03 PM »
LANE CONDITION

Length:41ft

Volume:medium

Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc):THS


COMMENTS

Likes: I love everything about this ball!!! It is a very good go to ball when the lanes start to transition in the middle of a block. I can play straight, I can move in with it. I went with a 45*5.5*40 layout with an extra hole on my midline. The Rocket for me isn't too angular down lane like the Hyroad pearl but also doesn't read the lanes as early as the reg hyroad does, it fits perfectly between this 2 and that is very good for my game. IT responds very well to surface adjustments.

Dislikes:none


PICTURES AND/OR VIDEOS
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ZackyT

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Re: Rocket
« Reply #22 on: April 29, 2015, 04:31:31 PM »
BALL SPECS

Pin Length: 3"

Starting Top Weight: 3oz.

Ball Weight: 15.3lbs.


DRILL PATTERN

Pin to PAP: 5.25"

PSA to PAP: 5"

X Hole (if there is one): No Hole


BOWLER STYLE

Rev Rate: 430rpm

Ball Speed: 17mph

PAP/Track: 4 3/4" x 1" up


SURFACE PREP

Grit: Box Finish compared to 2000


LANE CONDITION

Length: 38ft.

Volume: Medium/Heavy

Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc): THS



COMMENTS

Likes: I was very eager to drill a Rocket for various reasons. The hype and talk of this ball amongst advanced/tournament/tour players made this a very attractive piece for me personally but that is not to say that this is strictly a "tour" ball. Given the success of the Hyroad, one can not help but to immediately compare it to the Rocket. However, this is no Hyroad. The core revs up more easily and really reads the mids well. It's definitely a more dynamic and more powerful core. The pin carry certainly shows and the corners get snapped out with ease. On the fresh, it was absolutely solid by every aspect. Length was easy, read was strong, finish was powerful. The 1500 Grit Polish box finish gives the ball some nice angle off the spot. Where I was most impressed was the cover's ability to be tweaked. When hitting the ball with 2000 the arc definitely increased and the midlane roll was showcased very well without sacrificing energy. Haven't smoothed and shined the surface yet but I would think that it would, again, respond well. The smoother 2000 grit finish works great for me on a number of medium/heavy patterns and this has proved to be an extremely versatile weapon that will most definitely be in my bag for The Open in El Paso.




« Last Edit: April 29, 2015, 04:47:42 PM by ZackyT »
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StoRoto2013

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Re: Rocket
« Reply #23 on: May 01, 2015, 09:17:29 AM »
LANE CONDITION

Length: Short and Medium

Volume: Various Volumes

Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc): THS and Sport


The February release into the Storm Thunder Line is the Rocket.  The Rocket has a R2S hybrid reactive shell wrapped around the Booster Core.  The combination of the Booster core and the R2S Hybrid reactive shell is mid lane control with a strong continuation on the backend of the lane.  I went with my favorite layout which is pin over the fingers with No Extra Hole or 45 X 5 ½ X 80 for the dual angle people.  My specs are: PAP 5 5/8 by ¾, Rev Rate around 300, more up the back release and my balls speed is around 15mph.  I like to go straighter if possible.

I was able to toss the Rocket on a short house pattern and also medium sport like condition.  On the short pattern, I used the HyRoad Pearl and the Rocket.  The first thing that I noticed right off the bat was the Rocket was stronger and more readable at my break point than the HyRoad Pearl.  I was able to go straighter with the HyRoad Pearl but the Rocket blended the pattern out pretty good.  The over under reactive I usually get was almost eliminated by using the Rocket.  I was extremely impressed by the midlane reaction being readable.  The medium pattern, I used the HyRoad Solid and the Rocket.  This time I noticed that HyRoad Solid was smoother and was a touch earlier than the Rocket.  The biggest difference was the hitting power of the Rocket… it was extremely impressive and had a ton of continuation through the pin deck.  The Rocket reminded me of another ball, the Frantic, but with more Power on the back but with more control where you need it!!!!

The Rocket is a great combination of Power and Readability.


Likes: The mid lane reaction being readable

Dislikes:


PICTURES AND/OR VIDEOS
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Daniel Schaden
Storm/RotoGrip Pro Shop Staff
Vise Grip Staff Member since 2002
Bowlers Corner Pro Shop since 2002

GRstorm

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Rocket review by Staffer Garrett Richardson
« Reply #24 on: May 21, 2015, 01:20:44 PM »
Hand: Left
Ball Speed: 16-17mph
Ball Weight: 15lbs
PAP: 5 left 7/16 up
Degrees of Tilt: 17
Layout: 3 ¼ x 5 5/8 x 2 3/8

The Storm Rocket to me is almost revolutionary with the technology of now having a modern day weight block compared to its big brother Hyroad that is what I call a core block. The motion I get from the Rocket with the R2S hybrid cover stock and the booster core is unbelievable. In the thunder line with my all-time favorite the orginal Hyroad I have never had this kind of a motion before especially with it being a hybrid. The motion I get with the Rocket length with almost like a snap motion but with more control. For me usually when a ball snaps or skid flips it would be a defined turn down lane; the Rocket gives me that but with a little more smoothness to it which compliments my stronger skid flip look balls great. The pin is directly left of my ring finger and the cg straight down almost like a stacked drilling with no hole and factory finish of 1500 polished.

The best condition I have used it on and had much success with it would be on a medium condition pretty much a house shot at my bowling center. I have not used it much on a more challenging pattern but the time that I did it was not enough which was fine since I mainly wanted it for house conditions. Besides my Hyroad, the Rocket is also one of the balls I can go with using all 3 games in league and just have to move my feet a little depending on break down but I can stay in this ball for a long time like as if it was my Hyroad. The Rocket is great when I need a more back end motion if the original Hyroad starts to flatten out.

Rolling the Rocket and the Hyroad you can drastically see the difference on the motion with the same R2S cover stock and two completely different blocks. I have learned a lot more about weight block technology rolling the two between a more old school block technology that gives more continuation and not so much jerk off the spot down lane which still works great in todays game to a modernized weight block that gives you more forgiveness and room when you miss that competes with any other ball out there. I hate to say it but for the people who know that I love the Hyroad and speak highly of it, the Rocket maybe the next Hyroad for me in the near future.

If you have any questions about the Rocket email me at garrett.richardson@pinolebowlerssupply.com. I have a video on youtube!

Garrett Richardson
Storm/Roto Grip Pro Shop Staff
Vise Inserts Amateur Staff
Pinole Bowler’s Supply
www.facebook.com/grstorm
www.facebook.com/pinolebowlerssupply
www.stormbowling.com
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PJ Haggerty

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Re: Rocket
« Reply #25 on: June 05, 2015, 02:28:17 PM »
Storm Rocket Ball Review by PJ Haggerty

The new Rocket is an addition to the Storm Thunder line.  I have to say I am very impressed thus far.  A lot of initial reactions were the Hyroad and Rocket were very close, but I think they complement each other very well providing different ball motions.  After throwing the Hyroad for several years, I always go to it for a cleaner, smoother type motion.  If you use the Hyroad too soon, it can provide a quicker response time.  I think this is where the new Rocket fits in. 

I’ve drilled two Rocket’s so far and have had some success with them.  The first one I think I drilled a bit weak.  The layout is as follows: 6 x 4 with a small hole two inches under my axis.  After getting some games in and some oil in the cover, it didn’t flare as much as I’d like.   So I made my weight hole bigger with a 63/64 bit and it rolled much better.  The flare rings opened up and the motion it provided was better.  Comparing the Rocket to the Hyroad, I noticed the Rocket picks up earlier and is a touch quicker in the front of the lane.  Down lane, I noticed similar motion to the Hyroad.

The second Rocket I drilled has my favorite layout on it: 4 ½ x 4 with a hole under my axis.  I lightly hit this Rocket with a used 2000 pad, simply to get the factory shine off and create a smoother motion.  Compared to the first one I drilled, this Rocket is a great ball when the lanes start to transition.  I’ve found the Rocket is a little too quick for fresh patterns and looks best when some oil starts to move down lane. 

Overall, I love the Rocket and what it provides.  An earlier, stronger shape compared to the Hyroad, but still different than our IQ and Crux lines.  Go drill one!

#StormNation
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