Storm Equinox Hybrid Ball Review by Jeff Ussery

Layout: 60 degrees x 5" x 40 degrees

RG: 2.49"

Differential: .053"

M/b: .018"

Surface: 1500 Grit w/ Power Edge Polish

Core shape: Asymmetric

Manufacturer's Intent: The EquinoX Hybrid was developed with one goal in mind: to be the most usable big ball in bowling. As the latest evolution of the EquinoX series, it combines the strengths of both predecessors into the most balanced release yet. The A2S Hybrid cover is the star of the story, blending solid and pearl components to deliver a more reliable grip through the heart of the lane. Paired with the legendary Solarion Asymmetric Core, the EquinoX Hybrid gives you the confidence to attack more frames and more games across the patterns you bowl on most.

Storm's introducing the Equinox Hybrid as a new option that can be used on an incredibly wide range of lane conditions, and I'll tend to agree with that given what I've seen so far from this ball. This ball has gotten the most use by me this league season so far, because it simply matches up better to what I'm bowling on at Royal Crest Lanes versus other balls in the bag right now. I drilled this ball with a 5" pin to positive axis point distance, and my typical drill and VAL angles. The expectation here with the Power Edge polished surface was a ball that would clear the front and continuously arc down lane. That's exactly where I ended up with the Equinox Hybrid.

The pattern at Royal Crest hasn't been slick enough all year to test this ball's ability to handle heavier oil. I simply haven't seen that type of volume in the first month of the season, so I'll give that end of the spectrum and incomplete for me. But on anything medium to drier pattern volume, the Equinox Hybrid has looked like a solid addition by Storm. The Equinox Hybrid revs quickly off the lane with the low radius of gyration core shape Storm is using (2.49"). The polished surface clears the front easily on everything I've seen so far. That combination yields a ball that mid-lane revs and gets into transition later than most fast-revving balls for my game.

I do wish that I had drilled my usual 5 1/2" pin distance on this ball, versus the 5" pin distance pictured above. I feel like this piece might pop just a touch more in the backend if the transition were slightly delayed a little furter down the lane. The patterns I've seen so far are dry enough that the launch angles end up fairly big, and the lane is asking for a lot of backend late in the night. Equinox Hybrid has the potential to be this ball for a lot of our customers.

If you're a Storm/Roto Grip/900 Global loyalist, you can expect this piece to replace some of your older shiny asymmetric balls. This one fits the mold of the traditional Storm polished ball, and you can certainly add it to your bag with confidence.

Storm's new Equinox Hybrid is available now at Total Bowling Gear, and in-stock in 12#-15# weights!