Author Topic: Storm Optimus and Hy Road Solid Videos (Read 15453 times)

TamerBowling · « **on:** May 22, 2014, 10:18:38 PM »

In case it gets buried in the long debate about releases, I've posted these vids separately to discuss ball reaction.

http://tamerbowling.com/index.php/new-storm-equipment-optimus-hy-road-solid/

We tested the Optimus and Hy Road on a heavier volume THS and Scorpion.

The Optimus rolls so much like the Marvel Pearl. I would imagine we are going to see lots of pros throwing this ball. I'm not much for all those swirly colors but if you can manage to get past that or really like it, there it is. I personally prefer the darker colors of the Marvel Pearl. Nevertheless, low RG core that helps the ball get into a roll as well as a fairly aggressive coverstock makes this a controllable but strong ball. The R2X is smoother than the previous generation reactor covers since it seems to have a bit more surface friction.

With the Hy Road Solid, we compared it to the original Hy Road which everyone seems to still have. It's exactly as you would expect. Recognizable reaction that reads the midlane a little better which smoothes out the backend and makes it very continuous and controlled, but less boomy.

Our tester is Jeremy Overdier of Pure It Pro Shop in Lebanon PA. He's about 400 revs and averages around 225.

Let me know what you think.

freak761 · « **Reply #31 on:** May 27, 2014, 09:34:58 AM »

Agreed. Our sport isn't what it used to be or what it should be, and I just don't want the folks doing these videos to get discouraged. They are a positive thing, and we need all the positives we can get.

Gizmo823 · « **Reply #32 on:** May 27, 2014, 11:17:36 AM »

Ball choices for that first shot would have been much heavier oil balls. Think Sync. Polished balls (Optimus) generally don't work well on heavy oil conditions with no backend reaction. Hyroad Solid just doesn't have enough teeth. Plus that angle inside isn't helping things.

Quote from: amyers2002 on May 27, 2014, 09:30:44 AM

I was just wondering what balls to you think would work best on the conditions they were throwing on in the first video? I would have thought these would have been two of the better choices from Storm for conditions like those or is it mainly the ball setup and line that has everyone talking?

Gizmo823 · « **Reply #33 on:** May 27, 2014, 11:19:23 AM »

Yes but it's only a positive if it's accurate . . we have several "youth coaches" around here, and we'd be MUCH better off if they would quit and/or leave. Normally you'd say you want all the help with that you can get, but these people are terrible, actually a detriment.

Quote from: freak761 on May 27, 2014, 09:34:58 AM

Agreed. Our sport isn't what it used to be or what it should be, and I just don't want the folks doing these videos to get discouraged. They are a positive thing, and we need all the positives we can get.

amyers2002 · « **Reply #34 on:** May 27, 2014, 11:28:33 AM »

Quote from: Gizmo823 on May 27, 2014, 11:17:36 AM

Ball choices for that first shot would have been much heavier oil balls. Think Sync. Polished balls (Optimus) generally don't work well on heavy oil conditions with no backend reaction. Hyroad Solid just doesn't have enough teeth. Plus that angle inside isn't helping things.

Thanks for the answer Gizmo I guess the Hyroad Solid isn't quite as strong as I expected.

Quote from: amyers2002 on May 27, 2014, 09:30:44 AM
I was just wondering what balls to you think would work best on the conditions they were throwing on in the first video? I would have thought these would have been two of the better choices from Storm for conditions like those or is it mainly the ball setup and line that has everyone talking?

ccrider · « **Reply #35 on:** May 27, 2014, 12:08:16 PM »

Tamerbowling has done a very good job with its videos. I got more out of the first set of videos than I did out of the last set.

What was the last "new release" that a legit 220 plus bowler couldn't make hook the lane and strike on a walled up shot.

I personally prefer seeing how the balls react on more difficult conditions, whether they be wet, dry or carry down.

I hope that in the future Tamerbowling presents balls, as it did in this case, based on its objective assessment of how the balls performed when put to the test. I don't care to see how a ball rolls under perfect conditions on a walled up house shot. I can figure that out for myself.

Gizmo823 · « **Reply #36 on:** May 27, 2014, 03:55:52 PM »

Well yes I understand that, but you also have to remember the general consumer isn't as learned or understanding . . You may show other things too, but you have to show the ball on the condition it was intended for to give them the best idea how it's going to react. If you throw a ball on a condition it wasn't intended for, it's hard to gauge sometimes what it will really do.

I agree though, I can pretty well look at a ball and tell you what it's going to do without ever seeing it roll on a house shot. BUT there's reason to be used here too. If a ball doesn't work well on a condition it wasn't intended for, can you really hold that against it? Yeah some balls are more versatile than others, but there's gotta be some very clear cut comments to that effect to make sure people understand what they're watching.

Quote from: ccrider on May 27, 2014, 12:08:16 PM

Tamerbowling has done a very good job with its videos. I got more out of the first set of videos than I did out of the last set.

What was the last "new release" that a legit 220 plus bowler couldn't make hook the lane and strike on a walled up shot.

I personally prefer seeing how the balls react on more difficult conditions, whether they be wet, dry or carry down.

I hope that in the future Tamerbowling presents balls, as it did in this case, based on its objective assessment of how the balls performed when put to the test. I don't care to see how a ball rolls under perfect conditions on a walled up house shot. I can figure that out for myself.

ccrider · « **Reply #37 on:** May 27, 2014, 05:06:33 PM »

Gizmo,
I am not sure how you decide what condition the two balls were intended for, or whether the conditions depicted meet the bill. I say the conditions were within the range of intended use. I guess you are saying they were not.

Philosophically, I guess the question is whether Tamerrbowling's intent is to sell balls to the general consumer, or to show true ball reaction.

TamerBowling · « **Reply #38 on:** May 27, 2014, 10:02:54 PM »

Good thing I don't actually sell equipment

Seriously though, I think you will now have the opportunity to see these balls on 3 different conditions.
Medium THS 41ft
Heavy THS 41ft
Sport (Scorpion - old 41 ft)

Just like BTM would test the ball on each pattern and tell you which one is the preferred pattern, that's what we tried to do. Since I am not selling magazines or subscriptions or anything, I can't quite afford to test every ball we get on 3 different patterns. That simply won't be the norm.

Nevertheless, in this case here's my take:
Optimus - (4 of 10) On the heavier pattern, it wasn't the ideal ball in the OOB finish. I didn't mess around with the surface to see if it would better handle it. We simply found the best line for the ball in its OOB configuration. And to be fair, it carried well. I wouldn't say it backed up like some have pleasantly described but it didn't have the teeth to make it up the hill with more strength.
On the Medium THS (8.5 of 10), it was basically at home. Decent amount of forgiveness and the right match up of strength of ball and lane condition.
On the Sport (7 of 10), it seemed to match up fairly well, but would probably react a touch better if the surface was taken down a bit on a fresh shot. In the OOB, a bit broken down would be a better match up.

Hy Road Solid - On the heavier pattern, it was a decent match. Maybe a 7.5 out of 10. It had way more teeth than the Optimus. However, it was too much from more direct lines and not quite as much as you would like from inside. Still a decent match up as that rolly midlane gave a nice move. Only a few balls would have enough teeth AND angularity to get around the corner from inside on this pattern and you're probably looking at a Hyper Cell or something of that nature.
On the Medium pattern (6 of 10). In OOB, it was simply too strong so read the midlane too early. It burned up too much energy to yield a strong backend if you got in a bit.
On the Sport pattern (8.5 of 10). It really shined on this pattern. Had plenty of strength to get even deeper than the Optimus and had a strong backend move with the squeaky clean backends of the sport pattern.

All of this is to say you have to consider our tester and his tilt, rotation, rev rate as well. You also have to consider surface changes as an option.

There's simply no way for us to test every "configuration" possible. But we add information in the written reviews to help provide as much information as possible to supplement the videos.

Hope that helps.

Gizmo823 · « **Reply #39 on:** May 28, 2014, 08:58:42 AM »

You go by what the manufacturer says . . where it says "medium-heavy oil" or "medium oil." Now those are pretty nebulous terms, but judging by the ball reaction, it was definitely too wet for the Optimus, a bit too wet for the Hyroad.

Showing true ball reaction is great, but you wouldn't try to sell a set of racing slicks to somebody by showing them how they perform in snow and rain, or I would say the customer wouldn't care, because if they wanted something that gave them traction in snow and rain, they wouldn't be looking at racing slicks in the first place. Snow tires are made for snow, so showing how they work in snow would make sense, wouldn't it?

So following the same logic, I don't care how the Optimus reacts in a flood, because I'd throw one shot, put it back in the bag, and pull out something designed for those conditions, like a Sync.

Quote from: ccrider on May 27, 2014, 05:06:33 PM

Gizmo,
I am not sure how you decide what condition the two balls were intended for, or whether the conditions depicted meet the bill. I say the conditions were within the range of intended use. I guess you are saying they were not.

Philosophically, I guess the question is whether Tamerrbowling's intent is to sell balls to the general consumer, or to show true ball reaction.

MrNickRo · « **Reply #40 on:** May 28, 2014, 09:42:14 AM »

I'm curious, because you have talked about the Venom Shock being stronger than advertised. Shouldn't we only be describing how it reacts on the condition it was 'designed' for?

I understand that a ball being stronger than advertised isn't a bad thing, but it's a little bit hypocritical in my opinion.

Regardless, I'm anxious to see some higher rev/power players on upcoming videos for these two balls.

Quote from: Gizmo823 on May 28, 2014, 08:58:42 AM

You go by what the manufacturer says . . where it says "medium-heavy oil" or "medium oil." Now those are pretty nebulous terms, but judging by the ball reaction, it was definitely too wet for the Optimus, a bit too wet for the Hyroad.

Showing true ball reaction is great, but you wouldn't try to sell a set of racing slicks to somebody by showing them how they perform in snow and rain, or I would say the customer wouldn't care, because if they wanted something that gave them traction in snow and rain, they wouldn't be looking at racing slicks in the first place. Snow tires are made for snow, so showing how they work in snow would make sense, wouldn't it?

So following the same logic, I don't care how the Optimus reacts in a flood, because I'd throw one shot, put it back in the bag, and pull out something designed for those conditions, like a Sync.

Quote from: ccrider on May 27, 2014, 05:06:33 PM
Gizmo,
I am not sure how you decide what condition the two balls were intended for, or whether the conditions depicted meet the bill. I say the conditions were within the range of intended use. I guess you are saying they were not.

Philosophically, I guess the question is whether Tamerrbowling's intent is to sell balls to the general consumer, or to show true ball reaction.

n00dlejester · « **Reply #41 on:** May 28, 2014, 09:50:48 AM »

Some good stuff here. While I understand 3 patterns per ball won't be the norm, this is still a sweet set of vids. I love the two different THS's.

How absolutely similar to the Marvel Pearl is this ball? All things identical, I want to say the Optimus would get an extra few inches length going down the lane.

Gizmo823 · « **Reply #42 on:** May 28, 2014, 10:30:06 AM »

Yeah the Optimus is a bit longer and sharper.

Quote from: n00dlejester on May 28, 2014, 09:50:48 AM

Some good stuff here. While I understand 3 patterns per ball won't be the norm, this is still a sweet set of vids. I love the two different THS's.

How absolutely similar to the Marvel Pearl is this ball? All things identical, I want to say the Optimus would get an extra few inches length going down the lane.

Gizmo823 · « **Reply #43 on:** May 28, 2014, 10:48:13 AM »

How is it hypocritical? That's exactly what I was saying, it was stronger than advertised, hence it's "too strong" for the condition they say it was designed for. But again, in the quote, I say those are rather nebulous terms, and then I go on to say that then judging by ball reaction, the conditions were in actuality too wet for both balls. I was responding to him saying he wasn't sure how you determine what conditions a ball was designed for. That's determined by how the manufacturer labels it. Again, the labels are rather nebulous, but if the manufacturer says it's for medium oil, then you should test it on medium oil. If you get on medium oil and find out it's too strong, like the Venom Shock, you move on to find that ball's sweet spot. The Shock is more of a medium to heavy ball. I would then show it in action where it looks the best and make the note and identify it as such. That's why I've said several times that it IS stronger than advertised, or at least it's on the strong side of how it is advertised.

However, I still would not care how the Shock reacts on a flood, because it wasn't designed for that and I would never try to make it work, there is better equipment for that. Being a little stronger or a little weaker than intended is ok, because again, nebulous terms. Common sense DOES say that just because a ball is designed for one condition doesn't mean it won't work on another, I understand that, but just because you can beat in a nail with a wrench doesn't mean a hammer wouldn't do the job better.

Quote from: MrNickRo on May 28, 2014, 09:42:14 AM

I'm curious, because you have talked about the Venom Shock being stronger than advertised. Shouldn't we only be describing how it reacts on the condition it was 'designed' for?

I understand that a ball being stronger than advertised isn't a bad thing, but it's a little bit hypocritical in my opinion.

Regardless, I'm anxious to see some higher rev/power players on upcoming videos for these two balls.

Quote from: Gizmo823 on May 28, 2014, 08:58:42 AM
You go by what the manufacturer says . . where it says "medium-heavy oil" or "medium oil." Now those are pretty nebulous terms, but judging by the ball reaction, it was definitely too wet for the Optimus, a bit too wet for the Hyroad.

Showing true ball reaction is great, but you wouldn't try to sell a set of racing slicks to somebody by showing them how they perform in snow and rain, or I would say the customer wouldn't care, because if they wanted something that gave them traction in snow and rain, they wouldn't be looking at racing slicks in the first place. Snow tires are made for snow, so showing how they work in snow would make sense, wouldn't it?

So following the same logic, I don't care how the Optimus reacts in a flood, because I'd throw one shot, put it back in the bag, and pull out something designed for those conditions, like a Sync.

Quote from: ccrider on May 27, 2014, 05:06:33 PM
Gizmo,
I am not sure how you decide what condition the two balls were intended for, or whether the conditions depicted meet the bill. I say the conditions were within the range of intended use. I guess you are saying they were not.

Philosophically, I guess the question is whether Tamerrbowling's intent is to sell balls to the general consumer, or to show true ball reaction.

ccrider · « **Reply #44 on:** May 28, 2014, 08:54:44 PM »

Tamerbowling,

Thanks for the objective insight, the videos, and the additional responses.

CC

TamerBowling · « **Reply #45 on:** May 28, 2014, 09:55:00 PM »

My pleasure.

Author Topic: Storm Optimus and Hy Road Solid Videos (Read 15453 times)

TamerBowling

Storm Optimus and Hy Road Solid Videos

freak761

Re: Storm Optimus and Hy Road Solid Videos

Gizmo823

Re: Storm Optimus and Hy Road Solid Videos

Gizmo823

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amyers2002

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ccrider

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Gizmo823

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ccrider

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TamerBowling

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Gizmo823

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MrNickRo

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n00dlejester

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Gizmo823

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Gizmo823

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ccrider

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TamerBowling

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