Storm Virtual Energy Bowling Balls $139.99 FREE SHIPPING Product ID: 7056 - bowlingball.com, Helping Bowlers Make Better Bowling Decisions

Virtual Energy Specs

Product ID: 7056

Release Date: 06/29/2009

Perfect Scale: 218.7

Performance: Pro Performance(10)

RG: 2.48

Differential: .052

Mass Bias Diff: 0.020

Flare Potential: 6"+ (High)

Durometer: 73-75

Lane Condition: Heavy

Finish: Polished

Coverstock: Hybrid Reactive

Coverstock Name: R2X Hybrid Reactive

Factory Finish: 1500-grit Polish

Fragrance: Pear Berry

Color: Emerald / Olympic Gold / Black

Core Type: Asymmetric

Core Name: Shape-Lock HD asymmetrical core

Quality: First Quality

Mfg Part #: TVE

Storm Product Line: Premier

Your Price: $139.99
MSRP: $269.99
You Save: $130.00

Customer Reviews Average: 4.9Write a Review Read all 115 reviews

I Love It

93% (107 of 115)

I Like It

5% (6 of 115)

It's Ok

1% (1 of 115)

I Don't Like It

1% (1 of 115)

I Hate It

0% ( of 115)

Storm Virtual Energy Reviewed by: bowlingball.com reviews 06/18/2009 11:37

1287 of 1288 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

Virtual Energy, The perfect compliment to Storm's Premier line of bowling balls.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5 1/4" above ring finger
Mass Bias Position - 4" from PAP right of thumb
CG Placement - center of grip
Balance Hole - none

Surface Preparation - Out of Box (1500 grit Polish)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
This is the identical layout I used on one of my favorite Storm balls ever, The Gravity Shift. Since the Virtual series kind of came from the Shift series I thought it was an appropriate layout to use on this awesome looking pearlized Virtual Energy.

The layout normally allows me to play a variety of shots from up the boards to as deep as I want to get on a typical house shot. As you will see from our ball reaction video this ball allows me to cover as many boards as I want and still gets through the pins as good as any other Storm ball.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Just like in anything else there are hot streaks, right now Storm is on the hottest ball streak i think I have ever seen. I do not care what ball shape, what performance level, what color the ball is, if it has a lightning bolt on it - IT ROLLS GREAT!!

Storm has not missed a release in quite some time and the Virtual Energy is no exception. I have seen some of the best ball motions ever after watching my Virtual Gravity and Virtual Energy go down the lane. The Energy allows me to get a little more skid through the front part of the lane, compared to my Gravity with just as much if not a little more recovery on the back. Really, I could not miss far enough right to make this ball not get back to the pocket.

My Virtual Gravity was drilled differently but it still recovered well. The Virtual Energy just offered me a different look which may hold up longer on a typical house shot. All that says to me is that I get to play anywhere I want for a longer period of time.

Whether you have a Virtual Gravity or not you will be impressed with every single part of what the Virtual Energy offers.

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Storm Virtual Energy Reviewed by: bowlingball.com reviews by Brian Halstrom 06/29/2009 16:44

540 of 541 people found this review helpful.

About the Bowler
Bowling Hand		Right Handed
League Average		220
Ball Speed		Medium
Style		Cranker
PAP		4 1/2" x 1/2" Up

Click Layout Image to Enlarge

The new Virtual Energyâ„¢ : Our intent with the Virtual Energy is to utilize the early revving motion and explosive back-end characteristics of the Shape-Lockâ„¢ HD core, along with the performance proven R2Xâ„¢ coverstock. The coverstock is the key element to this equation and engineering the right blend of solids and pearls to create the perfect compliment to its predecessors.

Pin to PAP(4 1/2" over 1/2" up) - 4 1/2"
Mass Bias Position - 2" right of Center Line
Balance Hole - None

Surface Preparation - Left at Box Finish

What I was looking for in this layout: Coming off the success of the Virtual Gravity, I decided to drill this one to give me a cleaner look through the fronts with even more reaction on the backend. With the pearlized coverstock, I knew this ball and layout would compliment my Virtual Gravity well.

What I ended up with in this ball layout: Without a doubt, this ball lives up to the hype and is an amazing piece. I tested the Virtual Energy on a freshly oiled house pattern that had a few more units of oil on the outside than normal. To see what it could do, I stood on the 30th board to start and played around the 20th board at the arrows. I was able to get the ball out to as far as the 7th board at the breakpoint and get it to come back strong. Once again like my Virtual Gravity, this ball seems to defy deflection and carries extraordinarily well.

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Storm Virtual Energy Reviewed by: bowlingball.com reviews by John Congdon 07/01/2009 12:00

54 of 55 people found this review helpful.

About the Bowler
Bowling Hand		Right Handed
League Average		181
Ball Speed		Medium
Style		Tweener
PAP		4 1/2" x 0"

Watch out Virtual Gravity, here comes the Energy.

Surface Preparation:
Out of Box at 1500 grit, polished.

Ball Layout:
I went very similar to my Virtual Gravity, pin up and to the right of my ring finger. Mass Bias about two inches right of thumb.

Overall:
My Virtual Gravity is my favorite "feel" ball in my bowling bag. The Virtual Energy rivals it for the my favorite ball... period.

Ball Motion:
The amount of area I had with this bowling ball was sick. It just seemed to deliver wherever I played on the lane. The pearlized coverstock holds onto the potential energy and releases it with such force at the pins that there seems to be little chance for them to stay standing. Like Brian Halstrom said in his review, the Virtual Energy seems to defy deflection and carries extradonarily well.

What a great compliment to the Virtual Gravity.

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Storm Virtual Energy Reviewed by: Kenny Lawson @ Aloma Bowl Pro Shop 07/18/2009 13:54

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Being a Brunswick Guy I was pleasantly surprised with Storm's Virtual Energy. Although I did not drill one for myself I have drilled a few for customers. It's extremely clean through the front and it is a great compliment to Storm's Virtual Gravity when the lanes start to break down and there is no more head oil. The amount of area my customers had with this bowling ball was incredible. It just seemed to deliver wherever they played on the lane. For my low rev customers I used layouts with pin distances between 4 to 4 Â½ and higher rev players 5 to 5 Â½. If you like to get the ball down the lane with a strong backend reaction, then this is your ball.

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Storm Virtual Energy Reviewed by: Ormond pro shop manager 06/15/2009 19:11

1 of 3 people found this review helpful.

Wow the pre orders on the Storm Virtual Energy are piling up.Almost everyone that comes in the shop want to know when will have the Storm Virtual Energy.THE RELEASE JUNE 25 so hurry in and pre order yours.

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Storm Virtual Energy Reviewed by: backswing_aplenty-st 06/18/2009 12:02

805 of 805 people found this review helpful.

Storm Virtual Energy
Weight = 16lbs
Pin = 3 1/2 inch Pin
Mass Bias = inline

Layout = 5" pin to Pap, 3 1/2" MB to Pap.
Weighthole = None

Surface Finish - OOB.

---P-----
--0---0--
---------
-----*---
---------
---------
----0--MB

Stats
Right
19-20mph off hand
390-450 rpm
PAP - 4 1/2 > 1/2 ^
Axis Rotation - 10*-60* degrees
Axis Tilt - 0*-15* degrees axis tilt

Overview
I resisted getting a Virtual Gravity as my Dimension works just fine as my heavy oil ball, but I have drilled dozens of them and couldn't wait for a pearl (or hybrid) version. I'm looking to replace a Gravity Shift that is real smooth with a pin down layout.

Hook
This ball covers a lot of boards. It's extremely clean through the front and to my eyes produces a smoother roll on the back than the Virtual Gravity. It's the same strong revving core shape but smoother as a result of the hybrid cover. It's not a old-school Storm hockey stick flip on the backend, leave that for the Rapid Fire Pearl or T-Road Pearl. Take the VG add 2 feet of length in the middle of the lane with a more continuous motion through the pins and you've got the Energy.

Length
Better length than my Dimension at 1000, Second Dimension polished, and my 1000 HyRoad. The VE also produces a different shape of hook than anything else I've got with a pronounced mid-lane roll before the backend arc.

Control/Readabillity
This is where the Virtual Energy will shine. Because of the solid part in the hybrid this ball will rarely, if ever, overreact on the backend. It will produce a crisp change of direction but not over hook (barring any brain farts of course.) Playing straighter the VE didn't hook early nor did it cycle out and hit flat, a testament to the strengths of the HD Shape Lock core.

Lane Conditions
THS 38'-42'

A coast to coast type of ball with enough friction. I can use this out of the gate at my home house where normally I have to use 2000 grit or rougher on most balls (Dimension, HyRoads, T-Road Pearl) to get them to read correctly off the end of the pattern. Shiney pearls usually jump too much or not enough promoting 10's and 7's. The VE reacts in the midlane as if it has some slight surface on it even though it's shiney producing the best roll for the house.

With higher friction houses the ball comes to life with lots of recovery to the right. Shorter house shots might not like misses in as the cover and core is too strong to hold pocket on big misses left.

Viper -
Viper is my favorite PBA pattern as my speed and revs actually are an advantage. I start going up 6-7 out to 4-5 and try to get the ball to be as smooth as possible of the end of the pattern. Normally i'll use pin down equipment with surface 1000-2000 grit, but the VE allowed me to move a few boards left and still get the same smooth midlane i'm looking for. I was covering too many boards to be really effective but this is the reaction you need later in the blocks on Viper.

Scorpion -
I normally have a tough time on Scorpion as I get too much midlane with less reaction on back. The Virtual Energy gave me what I've never had, my typical midlane move while still providing a strong backend. If I throw a strong backend reacting ball I get too much push, and then when I sand that ball down I lose too much on the back. The VE blended everything out and still gave me a lot of hit.

2009 Nationals pattern -
I drilled the VE specifically for Nationals this year. It was intended to fill the space under my 2000 grit Second Dimension and above the T-Road Pearl. It fits perfectly. There wasn't much friction at the house I bowling at so the Second Dimension was the better look, but after the midlane opened up the VE went to town. When the dull stuff (Dimension, 2nd Dimension, HyRoad) started hooking early the VE pushed through and gave me that premium coverstock reaction and hit. If there is more friction like I'm predicting in Vegas I will probably be able to use the VE for most of the 9 games.

Compared to Other Equipment
2nd Dimension - Similar amount of boards covered but the VE delivers more on the backend.
HyRoad - Similar shapes at the breakpoint as a result of the hybrid covers but the VE with a stronger base coverstock and Assymetrical core can cover a higher volume of oil.

Overall Impressions and Final Thoughts
I was really excited about the VE and it didn't dissapoint. It's the first ball out of the bag and is a piece I can stay with longer throughout league and tournaments. The transitions are much more predictable with the amount of midlane the core produces and you still retain energy to come off the pattern with authority.

*backswing

--------------------
Storm Staff 2009

Professional Approach Staff So Cal

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Storm Virtual Energy Reviewed by: actsstorm-66 07/03/2009 15:36

49 of 49 people found this review helpful.

I put a dual angle layout of 45 x 5 x 35 on my Virtual Energy. I wanted to lay my first one out almost identical to my Virtual Gravity. The results were amazing! I got the extra length and stronger backend angle that I was expecting in comparison. The VE is amazingly clean up front and has a smooth reaction in the back and through the pin deck.

I kept the ball at it's original box finish (1500 grit polished). I went through a couple of layouts with the Virtual Gravity trying to find the reaction that I liked. I don't foresee having to do that with this ball.

I originally threw the VE on a 37 foot house pattern and loved the reaction so I was interested to throw it on PBA Shark. What surprised me was not having to amp up my rev rate to get the ball to turn the corner. All I had to do was make a slight change in my ball speed and it was golden. Have an tournament coming up next week that I am excited to throw the VE on. With my Virtual Gravity, Gravity Shift, and Virtual Energy, I have a great high end 1-2-3 punch. Below are pictures and a link to my video of the Virtual Energy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SDLJ9haQeY

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee54/jbuford300/VirtualEnergy45x5x352.jpg

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee54/jbuford300/VirtualEnergy45x5x35.jpg
--------------------
Justin Buford
Brunswick, Georgia
Cliff Barnes Pro Shop- Strike Zone, Brunswick,GA & Gold Cup Russell Parkway, Warner Robins, GA
Storm Amateur Staff Member
http://www.cliffbarnesproshop.com
http://www.myspace.com/wildcat300
http://www.stormbowling.com

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Storm Virtual Energy Reviewed by: 12 Frames 07/11/2009 11:17

30 of 30 people found this review helpful.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 11/16" up) - Pin is 5 1/4" over and directly over the finger bridge
Mass Bias Position - about 4" from PAP and 1 1/2" to the right of the thumb
Balance Hole - none

Surface Prep - Out of Box (1500 grit Polish)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
What I was looking for in this layout and ball was a nice and strong backend without the over/under reaction we tend to see from strong pearlized balls. For me, this layout provides good length and a strong backend reaction.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
What did I get?... I got one of the hardest hitting balls on the market!! Period! The Virtual Energy (VE) allows me to continue to play my favorite line when my Virtual Gravity (VG) is hooking too early. The VE is a great ball with serious hitting power and control. The new hybrid cover is great compliment to the Shape Lock HD core.

The VE gives me more skid through the heads and a more direct line to the breakpoint. Once my VE reads the midlane to the end of the pattern, it starts its move to the pocket. Once the VE hits the dry, it is lights out for the pocket. The VE literally sucks the pins from the deck. No sweeps, no messengers, no ringing tens. Just ten in the pit, baby! LOL!

Compared to my VG, which is drilled similar but with a slightly shorter Pin to PAP distance and balance hole, the VE gets down the lane more and is slightly more angular at the breakpoint. The VG is earlier as suspected but still angular at the breakpoint. The VE is more angular!

The VE can not handle the same amount of oil as the VG. Don't be fooled on this one. The VE does not like a heavily oiled lane. The VE will skid too far when there is too much volume up front and in the midlane. The VE also needs dry backends to be affective. However, you can play with the VE on a higher volume pattern provided that the backends are fresh. But, you better be prepared for that seriously strong backend! LOL! Once the VE hits the dry, it is ON!

As a quick, but unfair comparison, I drilled up a Brunswick Wild Thing the other day, but I have only used it once before I wrote this review. Compared to the Wild Thing (WT) the VE is stronger in the back, but the WT can handle a little more volume of oil. The WT is slightly sooner than the VE, but seems to hit just as strong. I like VE reaction a little more, but the WT is more of and arch type of reaction compared to my VE. In fact, the VE can be called the real "Wild Thang" because its reaction is harder off of the dry.

Speaking of the dry... The VE is not a dry lanes ball. It is too strong for a drier lane. If you choose to use in on the drier shots, I hope you roll the ball with lots of speed because the VE will hook at your feet as soon as it reads the dry boards.

In closing, the VE is a very angular and hard hitting ball. I personally think that it is one of the hardest hitting balls on the market today. And, to top it off, it hits just as hard as its big brother, the VG. Oh, and it smells better, too. LOL! If you like a lot of depth down the lane with a strong backend reaction, then this is your dream ball.

Peace!

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Storm Virtual Energy Reviewed by: grstorm-storm5 07/01/2009 15:37

28 of 28 people found this review helpful.

Hand: Left

Ball Speed: 16-17mph

Ball Weight: 15lbs 4oz

Top: 2.97oz

Pin: 2.5-3

Layout: Pin under ring finger

I have mines drilled pin under my ring finger with the cg kicked out a little and the mass bias a little to the left of the thumb hole. It is a great compliment to the Virtual Gravity when the lanes start to break down and there is no more head oil or when the backend is flying. It goes through the heads just as clean and has the same backend motion as the Virtual Gravity. I call the Virtual Energy a hyroad on steroids because they both have a hybrid coverstock but the Virtual Energy is a lot stronger overall.

I have used it so far on a house shot that I can hardly use on it because it is really strong in the backend that I like but just not for the house shots I bowl on. I bowl in a sport league where we have the kegel shots and it works great on the one I bowled on so far, which is what I drilled it for. I bowled on the beaten path pattern and its really clean and strong in the backend but a little too strong. I had to put it away because I was leaving a lot of 7 pins, which meant it had a lot of angle and power.

Good luck to everyone that grabs their hand on this ball its awesome!

I have a picture of my Virtual Energy drilled in my photo album on myspace! If you have any questions about the Virtual Energy email me at grichardson7716@aol.com.

Garrett Richardson
Storm Staff
Al Louie's Pinole/Diablo Valley Pro Shop
www.myspace.com/grstorm
www.stormbowling.com

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Storm Virtual Energy Drilling Layout 4 - For Full Rollers