LIGHTNING BLACKOUT

Feeling nostalgic? We’re bringing back a favorite and giving it a major upgrade!  The Lightning Blackout throws it back to classic style and performance that long-time fans of Storm can appreciate. Just as the original did, this modernized Lightning carries on the same reputation across length, power, and control. Utilizing a pearl version of the ReX coverstock in black obsidian pearl, along with the performance proven A.I. Core Technology, this bowling ball is designed to stand out on the lanes.

Release Date: May 17th, 2024

Fragrance: Pineapple Cherry Delight

This kit contains:

Technical Specifications

  • 12 lbs.
    Radius of Gyration

    2.64

    Differential

    0.037

  • 13 lbs.
    Radius of Gyration

    2.58

    Differential

    0.047

  • 14 lbs.
    Radius of Gyration

    2.55

    Differential

    0.029

  • 15 lbs.
    Radius of Gyration

    2.53

    Differential

    0.029

  • 16 lbs.
    Radius of Gyration

    2.51

    Differential

    0.029


MORE FORGIVENESS

The flare potential of the Warp A.I. Core falls under the same rating as the immortal !Q™ Tour. Medium-low differential cores don’t migrate as fast which produces more forgiveness and longer transition zones between skid, hook, and roll. A.I. Core technology is now offered across all weights so the benefit of “Amplified Inertia” can be experienced no matter what weight you use.

UNPRECEDENTED MOVEMENT ON THE BACKEND

The always dependable ReX Pearl cast in black obsidian pearl provides instant visual feedback and helps the ball stand out. ReX is renowned for clearing the front part of the lane with a major flip on the back. The consistency of this shell through the heads is something to be marveled.

Ball Reaction Section

Lightning Blackout Ball Reaction

SHOCK THE COMPETITION

Watch Video

FLARE POTENTIAL

FLARE

Low

Medium

High

BALL SHAPE

SHAPE

Smooth

Angular

HOOK LENGTH

HOOK

Early

Mid-Lane

Late

OIL VOLUME

VOLUME

Light

Medium

Heavy

PATTERN LENGTH

LENGTH

Short

Medium

Long

LANE CONDITION

CONDITION

Fresh

Transition

Burn

Product Reviews
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Mike Craig - SPI Amateur Staff
August 14, 2024
Lightning Blackout Ball Review
I drilled up my LIGHTNING BLACKOUT (LIBO) with my standard 4.5 x 4 x 2 layout that I use on lower diff balls. I have tweaked the surface at 1500 to 3000.

The LIBO is a good piece for the center that I bowl at with their 20+ year old synthetic panels. With the 1500 surface, the LIBO is just under my THE ROAD & it might have just a little more pick up than my IQ TOUR RUBY. The LIBO is one that I can keep in front of me and still get good roll off the medium/dryer patterns when they get a little wet/dry. I can also ball up to THE ROAD when I get pushed left or ball down to the IQ RUBY when I need to open up the lane to the right.

Put this one in your bag if you are bowling on worn surfaces and your IQ Ruby is still not enough off the spot to carry with.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.
GLENN WENDEL
June 23, 2024
Lightning Blackout Review
Ball Specs:
Storm Lightning Blackout
ReX Pearl Polished Cover
Reacta Gloss Polished
Warp A.I. Core (Symmetric)
Layout 4.5 x 4.5 with 2” Pin Buffer

Bowler Specs:
Right Hand. PAP 5” Over 1/2 up
Rev Rate 300. Tilt 20. Rotation 50.
Speed at release 17

Review:
I read the info and was a bit confused as to what I would see on the lanes with this ball. The REX cover and some ball info alluded to an angular ball. The core numbers and other information made me think control and smooth. I love black bowling balls and the scent of this ball is very nice. To find out how it would roll, I drilled one up and went to my regular practice house. I first tested this ball on a house shot and the Lightning Blackout was weaker than I expected. This was not a bad thing since most of the latest releases have been very strong. I had my best look keeping my speed up and playing far outside with this ball on house conditions. I sub at another house that has a flatter dry pattern and the LBO was a much better fit on this pattern for me. I was able to move pretty far left and swing the ball a pretty good amount. As long as I was consistent with my ball speed the ball read the lane well and hit good. I had a couple pretty good games so far with this ball but have not really found it to be as forgiving as I wanted on what I bowl on. I would put the Lightning Blackout between my Surge Pearl and The Road in total hook. I am not seeing a big difference in hit from the A.I. core in this ball as I do in some other balls. I have drilled this ball for folks with slower speeds or who bowl on higher friction lane beds and this seems to match up very well.

Summary:
The LBO seems to be a good choice on dryer conditions.
The color and scent of this ball are very nice.
Slower speeds and higher rev rates seem to benefit from this ball.

Glenn Wendel
Storm Pro Shop Staff

gwendel@comcast.net
www.stormbowling.com
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.
Roto Grip Rick
May 26, 2024
LBO by Roto Grip Rick
Storm Lighting Blackout:

REX coverstock and finished at 2000ab with reacta shine.

The flare potential of the Warp A.I. Core falls under the same rating as the immortal !Q™ Tour. Medium-low differential cores don’t migrate as fast which produces more forgiveness and longer transition zones between skid, hook, and roll. A.I. Core technology is now offered across all weights so the benefit of “Amplified Inertia” can be experienced no matter what weight you use.

Layout: 5 x 4 x 4

My updated specs: Ball speed: average 15.5 mph. - Rev Rate: 425 – Axle tilt: 16 degrees – Axis rotation 70 degrees

The new Storm Lighting Blackout, known now to me as LBO, the second release in the Blackout series that started with the very popular and versatile Virtual Energy Blackout, aka VEBO, the LBO is a next generation of Storm ball released with the A.I outer core.

The first thing I noticed right after drilling the ball, it was not very kind to me on fresh, and after several days of practicing and using it, I came to the realization that this ball is not the “first out of the bag” type of ball. After talking with other staffers, I started to pay even closer attention to the reaction of the ball after games 3-6 during practice along with my current fresh lane balls the Roto Grip X-Ray and The Road, which is the ball I used in my YouTube video as a comparison ball to the LBO. As I used the X-Ray or The Road for games 1 and 2, especially with the X-Ray which I feel is my best house pattern ball in a very, very long, as soon as I see the carry going away or see the X-Ray slow down in response in the backend, I jump immediately to the LBO and I pick up where I left off when it comes to carry and scoring pace. Very sleek looking and very snappy in the backend and can stay with the LBO through the first and second transitions on the lanes. I just simply LOVE this ball and I have a TON of confidence in the ball once the X-Ray slows down and my carry is reduced. Don’t hesitate to try an LBO out when the Storm Matchmaker events come to a bowling center near you.

My link to my YouTube video is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5epjpUL7luQ
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.