Storm may have stumbled in the past, with some coverstocks like the monsoon being sometimes too allergic to oil and just never finding that really great match up. This ball is comparable to an original x factor side by side not only in reaction in some ways but what it means to storm and storm users.
With the introduction of the original x factor it was a leap in technology in core dynamics for storm and ball reaction. a core and coverstock blend that was almost unmatched in the industry. From my own personal stand point i saw that the ball was indeed special, and most that used it and experienced the ball said that the reaction was so good, but could only describe it as the ball carries when others can't and it does exactly what you wanted it to. You could feel so confident in the ball.
I just thought it was some people pulling my chain until i got my hands on an original x factor thanks to a good friend. i drilled the ball on a friday night and practiced with it for a few games, i relaxed that weekend, and bowling was on monday night in a summer league. I used it and shot 257 254 300 for an 811 series and the ball had me totally convinced. So often i hear people say, yah i drilled it and out of the box the ball was incredible and blah blah etc. I'll listen to marketing pitches and sales presentations for the end of time but i will always make my own opinion on things, as i suggest you do as well. The original x factor was storm's best focal point for them. But as with anything that technologically advances so fast there is always someone ahead of the game.
The x factor by some users as still holding on to theres. I am as well. But on newer brunswick oils and slicker formulas the coverstock did not create a big enough footprint in oil. The core was still doing it's job but the cover wasn't strong enough.
So storm seemed to base this idea on the x factor. If you need a good idea go to the past and look at what worked and what didn't and learn from those things.
Taking elements of newer resin formulas from there new suppliers and now with stronger asymmetrical you get a better engine and a more aggressive coverstock that can handle all those additional additives.
As for why it cost more, well oil is the first issue. it effects every element of our lives. Transportation, base resins and raw materials. Not to mention R&D dept that work there b*tts off to make better products. Also i know that if i was storm and i knew i had the next ball of the year under development i would put it in my high end line up.
If i know i have something that everyone will want and want to copy i will put a premiere price on it. Exploit that fact, and profit from it.
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Timothy @Juniors Pro-Shop
Staff Writer 7-10 Split Magazine,EGO Communications
Montreal, Quebec.