Hey Mike,

Thank you for your comment and reading my reviews. After the hype that I had been hearing regarding how much the Invasion was supposed to hook, I decided to use the same drilling layout as I did on my Virtual Gravity. After using this ball in league for one night, I am completely sold on this ball and have nothing but positive feedback on it. Don't get me wrong, I love my Virtual Gravity, but the Invasion may be the best ball I've ever had a chance to test. We just got done releasing our ball reaction video and I have a full review posted here:

http://www.brianhalstrom.com/storm-invasion-bowli...

Let me know if you have any questions Mike, I'd be happy to get back with you.

Thanks

On the original Hammer Black Widow, I've actually never had a chance to throw one. I've seen many people throw them and it's probably one of the best all around balls I've seen. Compared to the Mutant Cell, if you do put the same drilling on it, I would strongly believe that you are going to get more reaction out of the Mutant Cell. The coverstock and core design of the Mutant Cell is designed to give an optimum amount of reaction through the lane.

Hey Nick,

When I shot this video, I tested it with the out of the box surface of 2000 grit Abralon. That surface works well on tighter shots. On medium to lighter conditions, I would probably use a little factory finish polish to store more reaction towards the back end.

Hey Ryan,

I can't wait for the Virtual Energy either. With how good the Virtual Gravity has done, I'm sure this ball will be just as good. The color scheme looks pretty cool as well.

Hi Glenn,

Thanks for your comment. On the Storm Virtual Gravity, I've seen quite a few different layouts work well on this ball. Depending on what you're looking for, you're going to want to bring the pin closer or further away from your PAP to determine where on the lane you want the ball to start hooking. For me, the ball tends to push further down the lane and give me a more angular reaction when the pin is above my fingers. With the pin below, the ball tends to give me a good mid lane read and predictable roll off the break point.

Compared the the Rogue Cell, I feel the Virtual Gravity is going to give you a few more boards of hook. Both are great balls and compliment each other very well. I would have to say that they are two of my favorite balls in my bag.

Hey Ben,

With how good the Virtual Gravity is, I'm going to have to assume that the Virtual Energy is going to be just as good. I'm looking forward to getting this in my bag too, can't wait till it comes out.

That sounds like fun. I'm hoping we can get a tournament together with this format down here in Florida.

Hi Michael,

I have to say that this is the first that I have heard about this particular ball not hooking. There could be a few reasons as to why you may not be seeing your ball hook. First could be the lane condition you're bowling on is causing the ball to hook very early and it is not moving on the back end. If the ball is still at box finish, it may be using its energy too early. Out of the box, it comes at 4000 grit. You can try polish on the surface to get it through the heads and save energy for the back end. If this doesn't work, I would recommend taking the surface to 1000 and adding polish to add additional reaction.

If you would like, I would be happy to take a look at your ball. Feel free to send images of your ball layout to brian@bowlingball.com. I'll see if there is anything that I can tell by looking at your layout.

Thanks Michael

Hi Tom,

Right now, I would have to say that out of the box, the Virtual Gravity would be my pick for heavy oil. It gives me a little just a little more midlane read than the Rogue Cell. I really like to Rogue on medium-heavy to medium shots.

Hi Mitchell & Adam,

I would have to agree with you that the Virtual Gravity is the most aggressive piece I have in my bag. I've been throwing my Rogue Cell more and I'm really liking the reaction I've been getting from it. Both are great balls.