Roto Grip Dark Star Bowling Balls
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Dark Star Specs
Value and Performance have always been synonymous with the Roto Grip brand, and the all new Dark Star stands to continue that tradition.
Our first goal was to develop a stronger Shield Line ball to fit into the Roto Grip line. The team felt that there was too big of a gap between the Nomads and the Planet series balls. The intent was to create more mid-lane read with stronger backend motion, so we developed the Photon Core with a lower RG value and a higher differential.
To enhance this core motion we also added the Ultimate Vision pearl coverstock to this ball. This performance proven coverstock found on the Epic and Illusion series of balls. It boasts a higher coefficient of friction and surface texture for added traction in the oil and superior backend performance.
This combination of core and coverstock was the ideal fit into the line. Our tests showed that it filled the gap between the Nomads and the Planet series balls perfectly.
The Perfect Scale™: Helping Bowlers Make Better Decisions. Because each manufacturer uses a different method for indicating a ball's hook potential, bowlingball.com developed a way for the consumer to compare bowling balls across all manufacturers.
See what other people are saying about the Dark Star Bowling Balls by reading customer reviews
Customer Reviews Average: 4.8Write a Review Read all 15 reviews
| I Love It |
|
80% (12 of 15) |
| I Like It | 20% (3 of 15) | |
| It's Ok | 0% ( of 15) | |
| I Don't Like It | 0% ( of 15) | |
| I Hate It | 0% ( of 15) |
Roto Grip Dark Star Reviewed by: bowlingball.com reviews 01/28/2010 10:50
4 of 4 people found this review helpful. 
| About the Bowler | ||
| Bowling Hand | Right Handed | |
| League Average | 215 | |
| Ball Speed | Medium | |
| Style | Tweener | |
| PAP | 5 1/8 right 1/8 up | |
Click Layout Image to Enlarge 
One of the newest additions to Roto Grip's Shield Line.
Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 4 1/2" from PAP
Mass Bias Position - n/a
CG Placement - 1/2" right of center line and 1/2" up from mid line
Balance Hole - none
Surface Preparation - Out of Box
What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
When I opened up the box for this ball I was happy to see a .5-1" pin. The reason is we hear a lot from customers that they received a shorter pin and they were told that it could not be drilled for them.
I will admit your options may be limited with these shorter pins but they are still very usable for almost everyone.
In my case the easiest thing to do was to stack the pin and cg right under my ring finger. This left the pin in a strong position, 4 1/2" from my PAP and I figured that would be a good layout for this type of ball.
Keep in mind when you get a ball with a shorter pin that the most dominant factors in ball reaction are the distance the pin is from your PAP and the coverstock finish. The fact that the cg is closer to the pin does not change how far you can get the pin from your axis.
What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
What I ended up with is one of my favorite ball reactions for a performance line like this. The Dark Star not only reacted great but it had that look that I like. You could not see any logos going down the lane which to me always make the ball look better as it goes down the lane.
This ball gave me a very smooth roll from the time it left my hand to the time it cleared the pin deck. Because I knew what the ball was doing and since it did not ever seem to get jumpy off the friction, I could do almost whatever I wanted with it. With some slight adjustments to my hand position and minor speed changes I could hook the lane or play right up the boards.
I think all bowlers of all skill levels will fall in love with the Dark Star.
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Roto Grip Dark Star Reviewed by: bowlingball.com reviews by Brian Halstrom 02/02/2010 14:12
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
| About the Bowler | ||
| Bowling Hand | Right Handed | |
| League Average | 233 | |
| Ball Speed | Medium | |
| Style | Cranker | |
| PAP | 4 1/2" x 1/2" Up | |
Click Layout Image to Enlarge 
Value and Performance have always been synonymous with the Roto Grip brand, and the all new Dark Star stands to continue that tradition.
Pin to PAP(4 1/2" over 1/2" up) - 3 3/8"
Cg to PAP - 5"
Balance Hole - None
Surface Preparation - Left at Box Finish (1,500 Polished)
What I Was Looking For In This Layout: I decided to do a label layout on this ball and keep the CG on the center line. The pin ended up at 3 3/8" from my PAP which will provide the most reaction I could get from the ball.
What I Ended Up With In This Ball Layout: I don't know why I don't drill more balls like this! The reaction I got was very smooth down the lane and a decent amount of reaction at the breakpoint. This ball allows me to take my line further right than any ball in my bag.
The Ultimate Vision Pearl Reactive coverstock really helps the ball clear the heads. I was able to play in between the first and second arrow and keep the ball straight down the lane. Unlike other pearlized coverstock balls that I've thrown, I did not get any over/under reaction. Just a solid, predictable reaction all the way down the lane.
If you're just getting into bowling and want to learn how to hook a ball, this is a great place to start. If you're more advanced and need something for when the lanes break down, you're going to want this piece in your bag.
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Roto Grip Dark Star Reviewed by: Ormond pro shop manager 03/03/2010 19:08
Ormond Pro Shop Manager
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Roto Grip Dark Star Reviewed by: John Brodersen 03/16/2010 21:25
The polished Dark Star has a very appealing blue pearl and purple pearl color scheme.
The Dark Star was drilled with a 4.5-inch pin, 30-degree drill angle and a 70-degree VAL angle. This put the pin about 3/8 of an inch under the ring finger with the CG bumped to the right about three inches. This layout required an extra hole that was placed on the VAL on a line drawn from the grip center thru the CG to the VAL. (Approximately a P2 hole) Ending side weight was ½ positive. The cover stock was left OOB.
I threw the Dark Star and the Riot on a fresh, softer oil pattern. The Dark Star provided very easy length down the lane, about two to three feet more than the Riot, with a predictable but strong backend move. The backend recovery was more than I expected. Hit and carry also exceeded my expectations for an entry-level piece. Track flare was in the four inch range and the rings were fairly close but not over lapping, similar to the Riot. First set with the Dark Star was 746.
Using an existing cover stock with the new Photon core (.040 differential) allows the Dark Star (and Riot) to fill the gap nicely between the stronger Nomads and the weaker Planet series balls. The Dark Star will make a nice addition to anyone’s arsenal.
John Brodersen
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Roto Grip Dark Star Reviewed by: Rockteschel 03/15/2010 10:35
| About the Bowler | ||
| Bowling Hand | Right Handed | |
| League Average | 225 | |
| Sport Shot Average | 210 | |
| Ball Speed | Fast | |
| Style | Cranker | |
| PAP | 5 right | |
Cory’s Statistics:
Right Handed
Approx. 425-450 RPM
Approx. 17 MPH Down lane
PAP – 5” right
Span – Middle finger (MF) 4.5”, ring finger (RF) 4.625”
Pitches – MF .375 left 0 rev, RF .500 right 0 rev, thumb .125 left .375 rev
Review:
I drilled the Dark Star to have a little less flare so that I had a ball that was good for a shorter sport pattern. I drilled it 5x3x2. The ball that I drilled has a 3.25” pin. This layout put the right above, and to the right of my middle finger. The Dark Star moved just as I expected. I was bowling on the Kegel pattern Boardwalk. I was playing 10th board at the arrows and my break point was around the 3rd board. I had a little room outside and none inside. The Dark Star got through the heads easily as expected and made a quick move toward the pocket. The ball has good hitting power and scattered the pins very nicely. I shot a 715 1st night out averaged 227.5 in a tournament on the boardwalk pattern which helped to get 2nd place.
The Dark Star is going to be a very good choice when you want a ball that is a bit weaker than the Nomad Pearl but stronger than the Neptune. It is also a very good for those on a tight budget. You are getting a ball with great performance at a very affordable price.
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Roto Grip Dark Star Reviewed by: BUCKO THE BOWLER 03/15/2010 00:59
| About the Bowler | ||
| Bowling Hand | Left Handed | |
| League Average | 230 | |
| Sport Shot Average | 200 | |
| Ball Speed | Fast | |
| Style | Cranker | |
| PAP | not set | |
My layout on this ball is a 4-1/4 x 4-1/2 with a 4 inch buffer dual angle 90x 4-1/4 x 65.
*************************
BRANDON HARRIS
Amateur Roto Grip Staff
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Roto Grip Dark Star Reviewed by: musictool462 03/13/2010 13:08
Roto Grip Dark Star Reviewed by: Mr Scary 03/12/2010 12:58
| About the Bowler | ||
| Bowling Hand | Right Handed | |
| League Average | 225 | |
| Ball Speed | Medium | |
| PAP | 4 3/4 X 5/8 up | |
Very nice looking ball. Gets down the lanes easily. It takes off quite well off the dry, and has above average hitting power. This ball play well just below the Nomad line. For more, check out my video review:
http://www.youtube.com/user/mrchris299#p/a/u/1/tcEzjb4vVds
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Roto Grip Dark Star Reviewed by: OUMonson 03/11/2010 22:43
| About the Bowler | ||
| Bowling Hand | Right Handed | |
| League Average | 204 | |
| Ball Speed | Medium | |
| Style | Cranker | |
Read all 15 reviews
