First Impressions
At this point Im thinking bowlers who’ve experienced the Ion Pro in some form will kind of know what they are getting, with a mild twist

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Tamer Elbaga (Lefty)
Style: Tweener
RPM: 365 rpm
PAP: 5 1/8 & 3/8 up
Average Speed: 18.5 mph (at release)
Axis tilt: low
Axis rotation: medium/high
Test Equipment: 14 Pounds
Layout: 50 x 5 x 45

Tyler Church (Righty)
Style: Power Player
RPM: 425 rpm
PAP: 5 1/2 & 1/2 up
Average Speed: 19 mph (at release)
Axis tilt: low
Axis rotation: medium
Test Equipment: 14 Pounds
Layout: 50 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: 50 x 4.75 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: TBD

Specs
The Storm Ion Pro Pearl uses the Element™ Tour A.I. Asymmetric Core core inside the NRG Pearl coverstock.

15 pound = RG of 2.47, diff of .035, mb of .014
14 pound = RG of 2.51, diff of .036, mb of .010
Coverstock finish: 400 abralon

Tweener’s Take
I’ll start off by giving the most important delta between this Ion Pro Pearl and previous versions of the Ion Pro. The previous versions used the TX-16 cover from the Phaze II. The new Pearl uses the NRG Pearl. I was kind of expecting the ball to do what the previous balls did. Initially, the Ion Pro was like a magic ball. Can throw it from anywhere. But if you have experience with the TX-16, it settles after 20 games or so. When it settled on the Phaze II, it made it the magic ball. When it settled on the Ion Pro, it was a lot weaker than I expected. The OG and Solid are balls higher rev bowlers and 2-handers probably loved once they calmed down. As a one-hander, I couldn’t carry with it. I don’t expect the Ion Pro Pearl to behave that way with the NRG Pearl. So i felt like it was what you expect as a one-hander. As a one-hander, it was a simple benchmark pearl type of look. It is finished at 4000 so you don’t get that unnecessary extra skid. Makes the turn in the midlane. I think the ball kind of sits somewhere between mid control and mid late, meaning it can sit in the benchmark part of the bag but also one step down when you need a little cleaner look, especially as it lane shines or polished.

As a 2-hander, I was in for a bit of a shock. I had just come off of bowling on a 43 ft heavier volume sport shot where i can get a reactive ball down lane without an intense effort. I started around 18, where I stopped as a 1-hander and immediately I was roh-ro. This was going to be way stronger than I thought. I eventually got past 4th arrow to find the pocket. Not what I was expecting or hoping if I’m honest. I was kind of thinking as the past, this would be just a step up from say an IQ Tour Sapphire and it is but maybe a bigger gap than I expected. My speed is starting to pick up as I get more used to it so a bowler with more speed will have a different feeling probably. Here are some shots with the IQ Tour Sapphire which I am loving as a 2-hander. Very forgiving, less board coverage. There is just a big gap between the control of the IQT and the slightly bigger on paper Ion Pro.

Power Player’s Perspective

Stroker’s Stance