Storm Ion Max Bowling Ball

TESTING ENVIRONMENT Length:43 Volume:Med-High Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc):THS 12:1 Ratio COMMENTS Core: Element Max A.I. Core Asymmetrical (14-16#) Coverstock: NRG Solid Reactive Finish: 2000 RG: 2.47 Differential: 0.055 ME: Right-Handed Tweener Speed: 12-13 mph Rev Rate: 315 Axis Tilt: 14° Axis Rotation: 74° PAP: 5 1/8 R 7/8 Up Ball Layout: Pin In Middle Finger 5 1/2 X 4 3/4 X 3 3/4 VLS Storm's New Hook Monster is the Premier line release called Ion Max. The Ion Pro took benchmark to a new place in the industry and Ion Max is doing the same for High Performance. Adding a weighted disk to the element core featured in the Ion pro substantially raises the differential creating a crazy amount of flare. The paired this new core with the early rolling NRG Solid cover that had been featured on some previous releases like the Vivid. The result of more core and more cover adds up to more ball, and this thing will handle oil with the best of them. I tested the Ion Max on our house pattern in league. I was impressed with the mid-lane dig in practice, and threw the Ion Max game 1. I noticed by about the middle of the first game that the fronts were already starting to go and as soon as I had to cover more boards, the Ion Max wanted to roll out going into the pins. I played with angles and releases trying to get it back before deciding that it was simply too much ball for the worn out front panels here. Before the next week I had resolved to try polishing the ball to see if it would retain energy a bit better. I had essentially the same look game one, with a bit better carry for almost the entire game. Again I noticed that moving left made it difficult to carry. I had noticed that the bigger scores in league seemed to be by the guys who could stay further right. On a whim I moved back a bit right and just tried to jam the ball into the friction with as much speed and as little hand as I could. I immediately saw an improvement in my ball reaction and I managed to stay in the ball all 3 games. I would definitely say this ball will skew to high speed and lower rev bowlers. It is very like the Roto Grip Gem for me. That ball had so much for success for many people but I never felt like I ran into enough volume to warrant keeping it in my bag. That being said I've already seen the Ion Max working exceptionally well for some of the lower rev bowlers in our league and if I bowled on sport conditions more I'd definitely see it being of use more often. It could be useful and a stronger control ball in places where the back-ends are too quick as well.

The Ion Max features the brand new Element Max AI core wrapped in NRG solid. The Ion Max has the same core shape as the Ion Pro but with the addition of a puck on the bottom of the core, the differential is increased substantially. The Ion Max is going to be the perfect heavy oil replacement for anyone that was sad to see the GEM go. The Ion Max is available now for order so stop into any of your local Storm VIP pro shops and buy your own today! Review Video: https://youtu.be/Esm5wpqYxzg?si=XQKzCQWb_WOibgCP

Layout: 4 1/2 x 3 x 2 1/2 Surface: 2000 Abralon I was a big fan of the Ion Pro before this Max came out so it only made sense that I drilled it the same way as my favorite Ion Pro. The new core and coverstock on this ball makes it much stronger than the Ion Pro and pretty unique in terms of versatility. The Element Max AI Core is used on this ball combined with the NRG solid coverstock found on the original Virtual Gravity Nano and IQ Nano series. This coverstock isn't quite as strong as some of the current SPI branded Solid coverstocks so it allows for more usage overall. On my typical 44ft house pattern, there isn't too much oil volume in the front of the lane so big asymmetrical solid balls don't come into play that often. At the box 2000 grit, I saw this to be the case. Read the front of the lane and midlane pretty strong which made it use up most of its energy down lane. I had to keep the ball in front of me as often as possible to get the best results. Doing so did allow me to play further right on the lane than I typically would, but the ball did not like very much angle and was only decent for the fresh game 1. The next week for league, I decided to polish the coverstock with Storm Reacta Shine to see how the ball would work shiny. The polish allowed the ball to get through the fronts easier and created more angle down lane. Pretty much, exactly what I was hoping for. Not only was it cleaner, but it continued much more through the pins and only got better as I got more left with my feet. I was able to change hand positions to give myself more axis rotation as I got to around 30 with my feet to keep up with the continuation down lane. It responded great to my hand changes and rolled really well throughout the entire night. Compared to the Ion Pro, I saw a lot earlier hook (even with the polish) and a much smoother backend. I saw about a 7-board difference overall between the two balls while standing in the same spot. If you are a bowler who has lower rev rates, are speed dominant or just like asymmetrical solid bowling balls, don't pass up on this Ion Max. It is a lot more versatile than some of the other previous and current Asymmetrical balls in the Storm Products Lineup. Certainly don't be afraid to bring up or down the surface to satisfy the ball reaction you are looking for. The Max takes to surface changes really well and should be good for many styles on fresh or oily lane conditions. Adam Chase Storm Staff

The Storm Ion Max features an NRG Solid cover with the Element Max A.I. core, making it a standout choice for bowlers seeking smooth, predictable performance. Drilled 4 x 4.5 x 4, it offers a slightly stronger reaction compared to the X-Cell, providing a versatile shape that's easy to control. Lower rev bowlers will appreciate its effectiveness on house shots, while tournament players will find it reliable on fresh conditions. Overall, the Ion Max is an excellent option for bowlers looking to enhance their versatility and consistency on the lanes.

The Ion Pro was Storm's first asymmetrical benchmark ball and was a big success on the lanes. With the advent of the Element Tour A.I. core, Storm was able to utilize and increase flare potential and come out with its newest design, a 2000 solid reactive, the Ion Max. I decided to go with the same layout as my Ion Pro (45 x 4.5 x 30) Testing it at my home center's 42ft league house shot, and comparing it to my Harsh Reality Solid, I found the Max to be a little stronger in shape with similar down lane motion. Both balls have a strong continuation as it recovers in the oil, creating that smooth down lane motion to the pins. The Ion Pro would be a level below the Max, as it's more cleaner and smoother, with more shape down lane. I would find the Ion Max to be more versatile on higher volume patterns as well as on your typical league house shot depending on surface and mLs. It's colors and strawberry milkshake scent also makes the ball amazing! Be sure to stop by your local pro shop and drill an Ion Max today. You won't be disappointed. Thomas Coco (storm staffer)

Storm Ion Max - Premier Line Coverstock: NRG Solid - 2000 Grit Core: Element Max A.I. RG: 2.47 Differential: .055 PSA: .014 (15 lbs) Fragrance: Strawberry Milkshake Layout: 5.5 x 5 x 3 PAP: 6" Right, 1 3/8" Up Axis Tilt: 16° Rotation: 51° Rev Rate: 450-500 Speed: 17-18 mph Location: Vista Lanes - Yorkville, NY Pattern: Kegel Carbon Lane Surface: HPL The Ion Max was created to generate unprecedented power while maintaining adaptability and consistency on heavy oil patterns. The Max features the NRG solid coverstock with the Element Max A.I. core, which will produce 50% more flare potential than the Ion Pro. The Ion Max was designed to complement and be a step up from the Ion Pro. The Ion Max gave me a great look sliding on 30, looking 18 at the arrows with my breakpoint around 7-8, but if I wanted to play straighter I could get softer with my hand and stay more up the back of the ball. It also looked great further left with more tilt and slower ball speed. When compared to the Ion Pro, the Max was 3-4 boards stronger, a couple feet sooner, and more forward off the end of the pattern. The Ion Max will be my big solid asymmetric that comes out on heavy or long tournament patterns. For bowlers on higher volume league patterns, the Max could be an excellent choice and when you need something cleaner, a switch the Pro will be the way to go. Stop by your local Storm VIP pro shop to check it out! Dave Jecko Storm Amateur Staff Member YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@maximumpotentialbowlerssho7625

The new Storm Ion Max is the new big boy on the block. When we talk a ball that’ll get the oil this is the new choice. The Ion Max features Element max core covered in AI technology and wrapped in the NRG solid cover stock. I used the layout of 45x5x60 on my Ion it allows this ball with my loft to respond more to the friction. Compared to my Ion Pro the Max is smoother and I see more forward motion out of it. Pick up one up at any of the Storm VIP pro shop locations

The Storm ION Max features the NRG Solid Reactive cover, Element Max A.I. Core, and comes at 2000-grit. This is the newest ball in the ION series. The core was altered in the Max to increase the differential compared to the ION Pro. First off, this ball is a hook monster. You will need plenty of oil and this ball will sit in the Gem range for traction and hook. I tested it out of box on house and was not unusable for me, but I did throw it on Chromium and couldn’t miss the pocket. Since the Gem got discontinued, I compared it to the Harsh Reality, and I think the Max is a touch stronger and with similar shape down lane. You could really tell the difference when I got left and the Max was able to recover better from those zones. The ION Pro is just at least a ball down from the Max and is much cleaner with more shape down lane. Since I bowl mostly on house, I polished my Max and it looks amazing on house for me. I think this ball will be seen a lot on heavier volume sport patterns. Another home run from Storm! Ball review link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOW-qGeZ42w Tobias Myers #Stormnation

Storm Ion MAX Core: Element™ Max A.I. Core Cover stock: NRG™ Solid Reactive Out of Box condition: 2000-grit Abralon® Layout: 6 ½ x 4 x 3 Conditions of play: Pro-Lane panels with Terrian oil used with a typical house pattern Using on fresh conditions, the Ion Max needed to be used inside of my normal track area to be productive, if I got the ball outside of the last tracer board, the ball would still get the pocket with a good entry, but I would leave a 10 pin constantly, being left-handed, I did not expect this. In 30 clean shots using this area of the lane, I left several 10 pins. Once I got back into heavier part of the lane conditioner, the ball slowed down more and you can see the difference down lane, where the roll looks better and once that happened, no “blower” 10 pins where left. Watching my playback videos, I noticed the 6-pin would wrap around the 10-pin high up. Opening my angles also helped the carry percentage went up, projecting the ball to go across the pattern more really helped the overall reaction. The straighter I played, the less I carried the 10-pin. After 60 quality shots and the Ion Max gain lane shine, the ball just kept on getting better and better. The flare on the Ion Max is much wider than my Ion Pro. I can really see the difference in shot shapes with both balls. I can see why several players I have spoken with have BOTH Ion balls in their bags. I thought it would be one or the other, BUT, which such a BIG difference in performance in all aspects of the 3 stages of the ball motion, I now understand why they have both. If you want to take your game to the MAX, Ion MAX will be the perfect BIG piece you are looking for. Thanks to ABC North for the time on the lanes, Earl Burger at ABC North Lanes for his expertise and guidance, to the pro shop staff at Bowlers’ Supply, Bret and Shorty, for all their help and assistance, SPI and the staff members Travis Celmer, Roto-Schlem, and Mike Sinek for their trust in me to do what I do. Also, to Vise Inserts and Coolwick for always having my back and providing me with top notch products. Check with your local pro shops to see when the next Storm Matchmaker will be in your area. The Ion Pro and Ion Max are BOTH in the demo set and give them a try.

Cover: NRG Solid Reactive Core: Element Max A.I. RG: 2.47 RG. Diff.: 0.055 Finish: 2000-Grit Abralon Fragrance: Strawberry Milkshake Storm’s new Ion Max is a Solid Asymmetric Piece. This piece is good for Medium-Heavy Volume Patterns. PAP is 5 5/16 R 1 3/16 Up. Rev Rate: 400. Speed: 16.5. Drilled this piece with the Pin Up between the Fingers, CG kicked out 1” from the palm, and 1” Left of the Thumb. I threw this on a fresh house pattern. Out of Box ball motion was started early in the mids with continuous backend through the pins. I compared this piece to the Ion Pro and Absolute Power. Ion Pro was 2-2 Right and the Absolute Power was 1-1 right of the Ion Max. My Ion Max was stronger overall than both pieces. This piece will be good to start on the fresh then switch to the Ion Pro. This is a Versatile piece that fits all styles of bowlers. Check out the Ball motion Video on my YouTube Page: https://youtu.be/pspIrR6AI0c