Storm Ion Max Bowling Ball

The new Ion Max features the all-new Element Max A.I. core and is wrapped in the NRG solid reactive coverstock. At 15 pounds the RG is a low 2.47 with a .055 differential and a .014 intermediate differential. I drilled the Max the exact same as the Ion Pro (4x4x2) which puts the pin above my middle finger. The Max is a hook monster!! This ball reads the lane incredibly early and has a very controlled backend motion. For me, the Max is easily five boards more total hook than the Ion Pro. The Ion Pro is more of an arcing motion on the backend and stores more energy for the back part of the lane. The new Max tends to roll forward much sooner on the back end of the lane which makes this ball harder to use when I need to open up my angles through the front of the lane. That is when the Ion Pro should come out of your bag. This ball is the most aggressive ball I have ever thrown from Storm. If you are looking for a solid asymmetrical ball to handle the very oily lane conditions, look no further than the new Ion Max!

With stronger balls like the 900 Global Harsh Reality and the Roto Grip Gem, I generally will play straighter, they dig into the oil and start hooking early, which gives you a rounder, smoother motion to the pocket without a lot of back end movement. So with the Ion Max I tried playing a little straighter, but was having an extremely difficult time getting a consistent reaction to the pocket. I decided to take a big jump left - sliding on 33, setting the ball down on 28 out to 10 at the breakpoint - and anyone who knows me knows that this is not my “A” game… When I move this deep, it’s a recipe for me to leave flat 10 pins all day long. Needless to say, I was absolutely shocked at how well the Ion Max performed from this deep of an angle. This makes me think that the Ion Max will be far more versatile than other strong balls. I’ll need some more time with the ball on other conditions to see if that holds up. Layout: 5 x 5 x 4 My Specs - Speed - 16 mph, Rev Rate - 315. PAP 5 1/8 x 7/8 Up. Youtube Link: https://youtu.be/grH2jRN1LxQ

Ball Specs: Ion Max Coverstock: NRG Solid, 2000 Grit Core: Element Max A.I. Core, Asymmetric Fragrance: Strawberry Milkshake Review: The Storm Ion Max bowling ball is a standout option for bowlers seeking precision and versatility. Its reactive coverstock and dynamic core design deliver exceptional hook potential, making it ideal for medium to heavy oil conditions. The ball provides a smooth yet aggressive backend reaction, giving players excellent control and pin carry. Whether you're executing straight lines or angular shots, the Ion Max offers a consistent and reliable performance. Its vibrant design also stands out on the lanes. Perfect for intermediate to advanced bowlers, this ball is a game-changer for those looking to elevate their skills. Will Tefft Storm Staff Member will@parklanes.net www.strombowling.com #Stromnation

The Ion Max boasts the NRG solid cover stock with the Element Max core, this ball creates a lot of mid lane read with a more continuous motion throughout the lane than some other asymmetric pieces. This one I compare to my Gem from Roto Grip, the Gem has a more defined hook window than the Ion Max, while picking up in a similar part of the lane. Since the Ion Max has a longer hook window I’m able to use this ball on a wider range of patterns than my Gem. Overall league players who are ball speed dominant will love this ball and sport players looking to have something with a rounder shape with versatility on a variety of patterns this is your ball.

Great first ball out the bag on fresh also good when urethane has been going down the lane as well.

I drilled my ION MAX up with a 65 X 4.5 X 35 layout. I primarily used it with the box finish at 2000 but let it lane shine to approx. 4700. This one to me was comparable to the X-CELL, SUBLIME FOCUS, & GEM. The ION MAX had a much stronger and earlier motion to me than the FOCUS. It was right with the GEM as far as grab and early read on the lanes and at times looked like a carbon copy of the GEM. The X-CELL was slightly longer but mine also was a pin down layout. The color scheme is crazy and was tough to pick up the rotation at times but this one hooks. I will be interested if SPI will put this in a pearl cover or put the ION PRO out in a solid cover since it is a much milder core.

About Me: Joel Donner SPI Pro Shop Staff Member Left Handed: High Rev High Speed Player Layout: 5 X 5 X 2 Pap: - 47/8 +1 Rev Rate: +-500 Speed 17-18mph Ball Video: https://youtu.be/6Sm6aQktH-8 The ION Max has quickly become my favorite solid bowling ball. Its controllability, versatility, and predictability are outstanding. I believe the ION Max will be a go-to option for heavy oil conditions, allowing bowlers to use it for extended periods without needing to reach for another ball. The hitting power of this ball is impressive. I haven't experienced this many messengers in a long time. With the advanced AI technology, it almost feels like using a "cheater" ball. We filmed the ION Max on a 39-foot flat pattern, the ION Max performed exceptionally well, making the lane conditions look as if we were bowling on a house shot. The ION Max is a ball that is going to stay in my bag for a very long time and I will be buying a few more. The ION Max is by far and away the best solid ball that I've ever thrown. If I were you I would run and not walk to your nearest pro shop and get yours today. Joel Donner SPI Pro Shop Staff Member Cedar Rapids, IA #StormNation #StrikingWorldwide #RGSquad #Iambowling

The Storm Ion Pro Max is a true powerhouse. With its NRG Solid coverstock and upgraded AI asymmetrical core, it offers incredible traction, a strong midlane read, and continuous backend motion in heavy oil conditions. The Ion Pro Max thrives on medium to heavy oil while remaining versatile and adaptable to surface adjustments. Perfect for all styles—high-speed, high-rev, or balanced players—this ball delivers exceptional pin action and consistent control. For those seeking maximum hook potential and versatility, the Ion Pro Max stands out as a top-tier choice and is a great addition to my bag!

I was not going to get this ball because I have a lot of hand so I thought this ball was going to be too strong for me and I thought I wouldn’t be able to use it a lot. I WAS WRONG! The first game I bowled with this was a 300! I did put 1000 surface on it before I used it also. The layout I have on this ball is 75x5/8x70. This is a little different than other layouts on my ball because of this ball more strong. This ball has helped me a lot when I need to get through game 1 when the lanes are fresh. I recommend this ball, especially to low-rev bowlers. It is a great first-game ball.

Orientation: Right Handed Rev Rate: 400 RPM Speed: 16-17 MPH PAP: 4 ½ over and 1 1/8 up Location: Enterprise Park Lanes, Springfield MO Pattern: High Volume THS VLS Layout: Layout 1: 4 5/8 x 4 x 2 ½ (Pin above bridge) Layout 2: 4 ¼ x 4 x 4 (pin below bridge) The Ion Max is simply the biggest hooking ball on the market. The Gem USED to be. The Ion Max takes over that spot! They modded the Ion Pro core and made the Max core STRONG. And they put the NRG Solid cover on it, which makes it strong but not too early and slow. NRG is not the strongest cover, but combined with this core it out hooks any ball I’ve thrown. I drilled a pin up and a pin down one and I like them both, the pin down one is the more usable one as it flares less. With the flip block on the bottom of the weight block I saw the Max make a more defined move downlane! Some of the single density weight blocks don’t change direction hard enough for me, and the Max solves that problem. If you want a strong solid with a little pop downlane, the Max is a no brainer!