First Impressions
Whadaya know, Storm releases a new big asymmetric solid and it rolls like a big strong asymmetric solid.

Tamer Elbaga (Lefty)
Style: Tweener
RPM: 365 rpm
PAP: 5 & 3/8 up
Average Speed: 18.5 mph (at release)
Axis tilt: low
Axis rotation: medium/high
Test Equipment: 14 Pounds
Layout: 45 x 5 x 45

Bryan Hoffman (Righty)
Style: Stroker
RPM: 280 rpm
PAP: 4 1/2 & 1 1/2 up
Average Speed: 18.5 mph (at release)
Axis tilt: high
Axis rotation: medium
Test Equipment: 14 Pounds
Layout: 45 x 4.5 x 40

Tyler Church (Righty)
Style: Power Player
RPM: 425 rpm
PAP: 5 1/2 & 1/2 up
Average Speed: 19 mph (at release)
Axis tilt: med
Axis rotation: medium
Test Equipment: 14 Pounds
Layout: 45 x 5 x 45

“Keep in mind that coverstock accounts for 70% of ball reaction, but the core creates the dynamic shape of the reaction. Your driller will alter the shape to suit your game.”

Pattern
THS: 44ft, 25.8ml, 12:1 ratio
Sport: Kegel Kode 4241: 41ft, 24ml, 3.6:1

Specs
The Storm Equinox Solid uses the Solarion + AI asymmetric core inside the new A2S Solid Reactive coverstock.

15 pound = RG of 2.48, diff of .054, 018
14 pound = RG of 2.49, diff of .053, .017
Coverstock finish: 2000 abralon

Power Player’s Perspective
Let’s start with Tyler. What I can say is that the Equinox Solid is legitimately a big strong asym. It is strong in that it requires oil but it is also capable of covering boards. Compared to the Ion Max for example, which prefers straighter angles, the Equinox with the tri-cylindrical shape seems to be amenable to moving deep. However, the notable characteristic is that this is a pretty forward shape. It is more notable with bowlers that have higher tracks and who will need to cover more boards. For Tyler, he can get deep but you can clearly see the forward nature of the ball. The original Equinox pearl was also pretty forward for Sean, our other high rev tester. It simply is how this core behaves for certain types of ball roll. The Equinox Solid is squarely in the Strong Defined part of the arsenal. Of course the watch out is that a typical house shot may not be enough volume for this ball. For Tyler, it’s way too strong.

Tweener’s Take
For me, I was able to test it on a sport shot, in this case Kegel Kode 4241 which is a 3.6:1 24ml 41ft pattern. This pattern seemed to play with an out of bounds like a clear cliff. So while you could theoretically play direct, it was very tricky. You could move in like I did but you can’t miss in. The reality is that the Equinox was also too strong for this pattern but you can ball up on sport shots to try to control the pattern. And while it worked to some extent, this ball also seems to create a massive trough fairly quickly which just kills the balls axis and it stops driving. We saw it with Tyler as well.

Stroker’s Stance
Back to the house shot for Bryan with the Equinox Solid which on paper is potentially better suited since it’s longer and more volume than the sport pattern I tried. Bryan also saw this as a very strong ball for him as well. Again, it really turned out the pattern volume isn’t quite suitable for this ball’s strength. It is too strong to play as direct as Bryan would want. As he moves in, he can’t leak it to the right or it just straightens out. He found something past the 3rd arrow but you’ll see it’s a narrow window where he has to keep it in downlane but it’s a fine line from carry, 10 pin, or bucket.

Bottom Line
Ultimately, the Equinox Solid is a very strong ball that is also more capable of board coverage than the Ion Max. So when you have those higher volumes and you just want to overpower the lane, this is the ball to pull out.

Thanks for watching.