Roto Grip Exotic Gem Bowling Ball

The new ball in the Roto Grip HP4 line is the Exotic Gem. I am a big fan of the original Gem. So I was pretty excited to see a pearl version. I drilled mine very similar to the Gem, 4.5 x 5 x 2 basically pin above bridge drilling. The Exotic has great colors and is vert noticeable when going down the lane. With the same core as the Gem the Exotic still needs some oil up front. But the Exotic does have a pretty strong midlane and backend motion compared to the original. The exotic has been a little conditional to me with my ball roll. But I have had good success on the longer sport patterns. It's a different motion but when your lined up with it, strikes for days. Very strong Asymmetrical Pearl. Great addition to the RG line! Brian Watson Storm Pro Shop Staff PAP - 3 7/8 up 1 1/8 RPM - 400 MPH - 16-17 Tilt - 17

The Exotic Gem is a House Shot Killer for me. Our house shot typically has quite a large puddle in the middle of the lane and quite a bit of dry to the right. I drilled my exotic pin down with a 3.5 x 5 x 3.25. And this layout for me allows me to play the track area a little longer but still gives me a decent amount of midlane hook. I am a higher speed higher rev rate player so on house shot I like to play as far right for as long as I can and the Exotic allows me to do that perfectly. It is also a great combo with the original Gem and Infinite Physix. If the lanes are a little more puddled up that the Original Gem come out first and then the Exotic. But if they start out a little more crispy down lane then I just start right off the with Exotic and then go to the Infinite if I get forced too far to the left. The Exotic for me does have its limits when I move left but it doesn’t have trouble until I start to encroach 5th arrow but that is the Infinites bread and butter for me. The Exotic is honestly one of the best balls I’ve ever thrown and if you need something a little stronger then this would be my #1 choice for you!

Ball Specs: Roto Grip Exotic Gem Coverstock: Reacta Gloss MicroTrax™ Pearl Reactive Weight Block: Defiant™ LRG Core (Asymmetrical) Color: Citrine/Apatite/Amethyst Review: The Exotic Gem continues the Gem line in a strong way. With the cover/core combo on this ball it is probably the strongest and most versatile pearl available right now. When I see the Gem becoming to much ball for the lane I like to “ball down” to the Exotic Gem. That way I have the same look and reaction from a very similar core/cover combo. These two are always in my bag when traveling for tournaments and the Exotic Gem is typically one of the first balls out of my bag for league night. With it’s great versatility you are able to play just about anywhere on the lane with any style being able to handle this ball. Will Tefft Roto Grip Pro Shop Staff Member will@parklanes.net www.rotogrip.com #SquadRG

Talk about a killer combo…Defiant LRG Core which is the fastest revving asymmetrical core RotoGrip makes PLUS MicroTrax Pearl Coverstock, the earliest and most aggressive pearl cover RotoGrip offers (on any ball currently) is just a SICK combo! Also, when you walk into the pro shop this ball just jumps off the shelf! With as different of a motion as the GEM is, this ball is a great compliment. I really feel like after you can’t get any further left with the gem, the Exotic is right there to keep chasing it left. Even though its a fast revving ball, the thing keeps booming down lane This ball is unique in motion in my bag. It’s more of a tournament ball for me, I like to use it on more modified/sport patterns. Layout is 5.25X4x2 Balls getting a lot of play Infinite Physix: 5x4x2 HyRoad: 4.5x4.25x3.75 IQ Ruby: 5x4x2 Phaze4: 5x4x2 Fate: 5x4x2

Talk about a killer combo…Defiant LRG Core which is the fastest revving asymmetrical core RotoGrip makes PLUS MicroTrax Pearl Coverstock, the earliest and most aggressive pearl cover RotoGrip offers (on any ball currently) is just a SICK combo! Also, when you walk into the pro shop this ball just jumps off the shelf! With as different of a motion as the GEM is, this ball is a great compliment. I really feel like after you can’t get any further left with the gem, the Exotic is right there to keep chasing it left. Even though its a fast revving ball, the thing keeps booming down lane This ball is unique in motion in my bag. It’s more of a tournament ball for me, I like to use it on more modified/sport patterns. Layout is 5.25X4x2 Balls getting a lot of play Infinite Physix: 5x4x2 HyRoad: 4.5x4.25x3.75 IQ Ruby: 5x4x2 Phaze4: 5x4x2 Fate: 5x4x2

The Exotic Gem is a new piece from Roto Grip that features the MicroTrax Pearl Coverstock. Being a step down from the original Gem, this piece is something you need after those big asymmetric solids like the Gem, Reality and Super Nova. The cover allows the ball to get through the front part of the lane very well with a lot of mid lane control and a lot of pop in the back. If you’re a higher speed dominant player or a straighter player, or just in search of a step down from those big asymmetric’s, this is the ball for you! Ethan Fiore ⭐PBA Member⭐Roto Grip Staff⭐CoolWick Staff⭐Tournament Director⭐ Right 2 Handed Rev Rate: 500 Speed: 17.5 PAP: 4 1/8 up 7/8

The Exotic Gem is almost exactly what I expected out of a pearl version of the Gem, however one surprising takeaway is the sheer midlane strength this core continues to provide, even with the shiny pearl cover. I drilled mine with a 5x4x4 layout for control through the front and a little smoother transition down the lane. It's a perfect combo along with the original Gem! I'm not able to stay right on top of where I begin when I transition out of the Gem (or Reality), but a nice 3/2 or 4/3 move inside gets me exactly where I need to be to continue striking on most conditions. I did adjust the surface to 500/1000/Step 2 polish just based on personal preference as I think I get a little truer read with a bit more teeth under the surface along with the extra traction the compound provides me.

I drilled this one 45x5x45 this is my standard pin layout for a asymmetrical ball. This ball wowed me from the start!! Makes such a great combo with the original Gem. I’ve used this both on our regular house shot as well as on a longer sport pattern 44ft. On a house shot this ball will be very good for those bowlers that don’t throw the ball very hard, or have a lower rev rate but still want that pop off the back end or to kick the 10 pin out the pearl cover stock clears the fronts very very easy playing up the right side can be a no no when those outsides dry out one thing about this ball is when it sees friction its gonna take a that left hand turn. I don’t see this as a first ball out the bag for me but defiantly close 2nd or 3rd when the lanes start to hit that transition and I’m starting to make that move left to open the lanes up. Not to mention the colors going down the lanes how can you now notice this ball!! This one ball i feel I’ll decently see a lot of them going down the lanes. Tarik joyner 900 global staffer 17.5 MPH 400 rev rate

I drilled my Exotic Gem 5 x 3 x 2. I left this one at the box finish to see what it could do but then hit it with a 2000 pad to smooth it out. The early scuttle on this one from other staffers is strong motion. When I hear that I immediately think of putting more surface on it and throwing it when I am getting a flaky reaction on slick patterns with solid covers. I compared it to the INFINITE PHYSIX, GEM, and ABSOLUTE. Compared to the INFINITE, the EXOTIC is a stronger motion down the lane. INFINITE gives me more control, EXOTIC gives more forgiveness if I give the pocket away more. Compared to the original GEM, it is obvious a mismatch as the original GEM is just too much cover/core. It was a nice ball down when I surfaced it and needed to get left and the original GEM was sputtering. The ABSOLUTE was closer especially when both had surface on them. The EXOTIC was sharper down lane while the ABSOLUTE got more length. These two when surfaced the same can play off one another quite well. Drill up a EXOTIC GEM if you want a good house shot killer. It also makes a great compliment to the ABSOLUTE.

Roto Grip Exotic Gem – Defiant LRG core with e-Trax Pearl reactive cover stock – with Reacta Gloss finish. My specs: Ball speed 15+, Rev rate 425, PAP 4 and up 13/16 Layout: 50 x 2 x 60 used on SPL and HPL lane surfaces with Typical house pattern – both with a BIG cliff on the end of the pattern. Was quite excited when Schlem at Roto Grip decided to bring back one of the best asymmetrical cores back the Defiant LRG core, which means to me the fastest, captivating and STRIKING core Roto Grip has had, then they even made the ball sweeter, by wrapping that alluring cores with the most aggressive pearl cover to date, the e-Trax pearl. To put it in very simple terms for me, the ball was simply a “GEM” in both centers. The Exotic Gem with the strong combination of this cover and core, gives you the angular reaction in backend like a normal pearl, but you don’t have to “wait” to see the motion, and the direction the Exotic GEM goes through the pins is still strong, even though the ball starts up a little sooner, the ball does not QUIT. The Exotic GEM on the HPL lanes was a little bit strong on fresh, but with just changing a little bit in my set up and just use more of the middle part of the pattern, the ball struck A LOT. As the carry down starter, I did not have to change balls like I would normally do to stay inside of the other lefties I was bowling with, I was able to move my eyes down lane and close the angles up a little, and the Exotic GEM did not fail me. The center with SPL, it was the only ball I needed all throughout practice and scoring. By changing my release a little, I can manipulate the weight block to stand of a little bit earlier, to help with getting for end over end roll, which creates more energy down lane and still blow the racks apart. Don’t be afraid to invest in a Exotic GEM, even though it is an asymmetrical ball, it can be the best ball in your bag. Now for longevity of the Reacta Gloss on the Roto Grip demo balls, I usually have to touch up the surfaces with polish after they are used for a few events. I have not touched up the demo balls other than cleaning them with Reacta Foam to get the condition and grime off of the balls. The cover bonds very well with the new Storm Reacta Gloss “polish”. So, maintenance is very light over the course of its life. Thanks to the crew at Bowlers' Supply, Inc, Roto Grip, Colony Park Lanes and Vise Inserts for all the support and assistance! Remember to Bowl Up a Storm! #SquadRG #Coolwick #ViseInserts

The Exotic Gem is one of the latest strong asymmetric pearls from the SPI family under the Roto Grip umbrella. It features the Defiant LRG Core, wrapped with Micro Trax Pearl Cover and finished with Reacta Gloss. The Exotic is a great step down from the original Gem, Proton Physix, Reality, or any other big core, solid cover piece. When you still need enough engine to read the front of the lane properly, but a cleaner/sharper cover to still make the corner, this will be a great option to consider. - Andrew Orf Ray Orf's Pro Shop - St. Louis, Missouri Storm Staffer

This ball is a monster to be honest. This is one of the strongest pearl balls that I have thrown. The first few times I threw it I liked it but wasn't in love with it until I figured out that I had to get deeper than I was. I was trying to play to straight in the beginning until I figured out that the Exotic Gem definitely likes oil. As soon as I Read more about review stating Strong and a Monster moved deep enough, I was able to open the lane up quite a bit and was able to create some area. The Exotic will allow you to start deeper from the beginning and allow you to stay away from mid set traffic on the track area. This will fit nicely in my bag for when we have a few more lefties on the pair or in a tournament so I can start and stay deep and not have to move or make so many ball changes. The Exotic Gem is a weapon that will be firmly planted in my arsenal, and it hits like a tank. Very powerful ball and looking forward to throwing the Exotic more.

The all new Exotic Gem features the same Defiant LRG Core wrapped around the MicroTrax Pearl Reactive coverstock with the Reacta gloss finish. This ball has pleasantly surprised me, I am typically not a fan of the low RG asymmetric pearls, however this ball seems to be something special. This ball gives you the strong controllable motion you saw from the Gem, but the coverstock allows you to open up your angles and strike when the original Gem struggles to get the corner pins out. I have seen some success with this ball already and I fully expect to have this ball in my bag for the foreseeable future. If you have not gotten this ball yet, you need to go out and get yours today! Layout: 40 x 5 ⅜ x 25

The Exotic Gem offers the strongest core in the Storm Products umbrella with a super low 2.47 RG. With that super low RG, the core stands up much earlier than anything else we have but that doesn't mean it rolls out. The core does start revving up much sooner than most in our line but continues to do that as it transitions through the lane, meaning more continuation through the pins! For me however, it does not like too much friction on the lane. It needs the oil so the ball does not start up too early. Great 1st transition ball when there is still oil in the fronts but you need a little less traction. Brian Locke – Storm Amateur Staff Coverstock: MicroTrax Pearl Reactive Core: Defiant LRG RG: 2.47 - Differential: .053 PSA: .016 (15lbs) Layout: 5 x 4 x 4 2LS Pap: 5 1/4 right, 1 5/8 down Rev Rate: +-500 Speed 17-18mph

This ball is a monster to be honest. This is one of the strongest pearl balls that I have thrown. The first few times I threw it I liked it but wasn't in love with it until I figured out that I had to get deeper than I was. I was trying to play to straight in the beginning until I figured out that the Exotic Gem definitely likes oil. As soon as I moved deep enough, I was able to open the lane up quite a bit and was able to create some area. The Exotic will allow you to start deeper from the beginning and allow you to stay away from mid set traffic on the track area. This will fit nicely in my bag for when we have a few more lefties on the pair or in a tournament so I can start and stay deep and not have to move or make so many ball changes. The Exotic Gem is a weapon that will be firmly planted in my arsenal, and it hits like a tank. Very powerful ball and looking forward to throwing the Exotic more.

"The new Exotic Gem is my discovery of the year !! With is clean reacta gloss finish, it's pass easily the first part of the lane. However, like the 900 Global Zen,with its matte color, it makes this ball really controllable. The Exotic don't give a too much hit when it's arrive on the back end like many pearl balls. It just give the right hit at the end of the lane with a big continuous motion between the pins. I can play many lines with; more straight in front of me or go to the left to pass across the lanes. It's will be the perfect house shot ball but for sure, in my bag on all tournaments that I will play this year. It's a no brainer ball ! You need it one on you bag, trust me !!! #ownit"

Likes: One of the cleanest and strongest Pearl balls since the Altered Reality. This ball gets down the lane and makes a left turn. Just as good as the original, great 1-2 punch on a THS or pattern. This ball will be in the bag for a long time. So good I might drill 2. Dislikes: None

The new Roto Grip Exotic GEM is my absolute favorite ball on the market right now. I am higher speed, rev challenged 220-250ish, high tilt, high rotation, and super low track player. The Exotic GEM took me by surprise with its ability to perform. I generally gravitate to balls with fresh surface on a fresh house shot. But, let me tell you this ball has been a game changer and I have been able to start out with it game 1 and use it all the way through game 3. I drilled my Exotic GEM 5x3x2 which is a very strong layout that reads the midlane and comes strong off the spot but yet continuous. This ball hits the pins like a freight train and I love it. I have also used the Exotic GEM as a compliment to my RST X-3 that I generally use game 1/2. The Exotic GEM is just so versatile that I believe everyone could find a spot for it in their arsenal.

I am higher speed, rev challenged 220-250ish, high tilt, high rotation, and super low track player. The Phase 5 has definitely become one of my favorite newer releases. I drilled mine 5x3x2 and my axis point is 3 1/4 right and 7/8 up. The Phase 5 is a perfect addition to my arsenal because it allows me to ball down from my Exotic GEM, stay right, but still provides the same shape and continuation I need. This ball definitely does not disappoint and the Blueberry Crumble scent is amazing! My YouTube video of the ball: https://youtu.be/2exs6p8OAoY #StormNation #SquadRG #sm2proshop

Ball Specs: Ball Name: Roto Grip Exotic Gem Cover Stock: Micro Trax Pearl Weight Block: Defiant LRG Core Color: Citrine/Apatite/Amethyst Finish: Reacta Gloss Layout: 5X4X1.5 Bowler Specs: Right-Handed PAP 4 7/8" Over 3/8 up Rev Rate 300. Speed at release 15 Fragrance: N/A Review: This is the new release the Exotic Gem from Roto Grip. As I am a fan of the original GEM, I was all kind of excited for this release. Throwing them side by side as you would expect I saw the Gem earlier than the Exotic Gem. The reacta gloss that is on these balls for me have the balls going really long and not seeing it read the lane. I have started to scuff these balls with reacta gloss with a 2000 pad to remove the shine and after doing so and getting some oil on the ball I found the Exotic to still be cleaner down lane and have a similar look as it's counterpart the GEM. I do see this ball being used by all from middle average bowlers all the way up to scratch and tournament players. This ball is going to be in the bag for some time. YouTube video of the ball: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQDc-ZzVcLg&t=38s #StormNation #SquadRG #900Global #IamBowling #ViseInserts #BowlersChoiceProShop #SheridanLanes

Roto Grip Exotic Gem Coverstock: MicroTrax Pearl Reactive (Reacta Gloss) Core: Defiant LRG core RG: 2.47, Diff: 0.053, PSA: 0.016 (15 lbs) PAP: 5 3/16 over x 5/8 up VLS Layout: 5 x 4 3/8 x 2 3/8 Dual Angle Layout: 55 x 5 x 35 Location: Prairie Lanes, Sun Prairie WI Pattern: Medium volume THS The new Exotic Gem is the pearlized version of the original Gem from Roto Grip. It features the same Defiant LRG core as the solid Gem but is wrapped in the MicroTrax Pearl reactive cover, which bucks the trend of previous pearl releases that use a weaker cover compared to their solid counterpart. But don't be mistaken, even though the Exotic Gem has a pearl cover it's an incredibly strong ball. The layout I used puts the pin above my ring finger and the mass bias slightly right of my thumb. It's a fairly strong layout that gives me a little length up front with plenty of midlane read and a strong continuous backend. I typically scuff shiny balls with a 2000/3000 Abralon pad, but given the strength of the Exotic Gem I decided to leave it at box finish with Reacta Gloss. My first chance to use it was in league on a medium volume THS. Given the strength of the Exotic Gem, I was required to move deeper than I typically would. Often times pearl balls become pretty over/under on league patterns given the amount of oil in the middle and dry to the outsides, but the Exotic was plenty strong enough to dig through the soup in the middle of the lane and still make a strong move off the friction without over-reacting. In fact, the further left I moved as the night went on, the better the Exotic looked as it was able to retain that much more energy – so much so that I was able to pop off 300 in the final game of league. Not bad for the first set out-of-the-box! Compared to the Gem, it's a few feet longer and retains more energy for the back 1/3 of the lane. It's actually a great go-to from the Gem when that ball starts getting lazy and leaving weak hits. The RST-X3 in comparison to the Exotic Gem is a little earlier and a little smoother, likely due in part to the hybrid cover on the X3. Both balls cover about the same number of boards but do it with different shapes. I think the Exotic Gem would slot right between the solid Gem and RST-X3. If you're a high-speed low rev player, or someone that gravitates to bigger hooking bowling balls, the Exotic Gem should be your first consideration. This ball definitely needs oil and seemingly rolls much better the deeper on the lane you get and on longer oil patterns. I'm confident in saying it's the strongest pearl I've ever thrown. Chris Pollentier Storm Products Pro Shop Staff #StormNation #SquadRG

Layout: 65 x 5 3/8 x 40 Talk about midlane and backend hook!! I deliberately drilled this ball weaker than normal after watching other review videos first, and it's still a monster. I did hit it with a 4000 abralon pad to remove some of the polish, and even at 4000 it can handle all except for the heaviest of oils. I would put this ball in the category of "new" pearls, as in, they can still handle a good bit of oil. The traditional idea of a pearl coverstock ball is that it loves dry but is allergic to oil, and that certainly is not the case with the Exotic. This ball is 3-4 boards stronger than the most recent high end asym. pearl, the RST X2.

Ball Specs: Roto Grip Exotic Gem Coverstock: Reacta Gloss MicroTrax™ Pearl Reactive Weight Block: Defiant™ LRG Core (Asymmetrical) Color: Citrine/Apatite/Amethyst Review: The Exotic Gem continues the Gem line in a strong way. With the cover/core combo on this ball it is probably the strongest and most versatile pearl available right now. When I see the Gem becoming to much ball for the lane I like to "ball down" to the Exotic Gem. That way I have the same look and reaction from a very similar core/cover combo. These two are always in my bag when traveling for tournaments and the Exotic Gem is typically one of the first balls out of my bag for league night. With it's great versatility you are able to play just about anywhere on the lane with any style being able to handle this ball. Will Tefft Roto Grip Pro Shop Staff Member will@parklanes.net www.rotogrip.com #SquadRG

The Exotic Gem is the newest high end pearl asym ball from Roto Grip. While the cover is exceptionally clean, this ball is on the slower side when it comes to friction response. This provides a really nice balance of length and control. This ball was very useable on the fresh with a slightly slower speed, and as the lanes opened up it was able to come back from larger angles and still continue through the pins.

Easily the strongest asymmetric pearl on the market, Roto Grip introduces the new Exotic Gem. The Exotic Gem features a core you all are probably very familiar with and a huge fan of, the Defiant Core. Wrapped around that core is the Micro Trax pearl reactive cover stock. This ball by far will be the first asymmetric pearl out of my bag for medium to heavy oil patterns when it comes to the first transition. This ball flat out hooks. It's very strong because of the core and cover combination; so, you all will see this ball get started earlier than most pearls, but not as early as your symmetric solids. It retains more energy in the back but it's still a round and rolly shape. For all you Gem fans out there, this ball is a no brained and you need to get yours at your local storm VIP pro shop.