We review the new ball “X-CELL” from ROTOGRIP.
Ball Performance
The specs are as follows:
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Coverstock | eTrax™ Ultra Solid Reactive |
| Core | Nucleus™ + A.I. Core |
| RG | 2.500 (15lbs) |
| Differential | 0.056 (15lbs) |
| Mass Bias Diff | 0.019 (15lbs) |
| Flare | High |
| Hardness | 73-75 |
| Color | Turquoise + Navy + Black |
| Surface Finish | 2000 Grit Abralon |
| Available Weights | 12-16 lbs |
The eTrax Ultra Solid is a new cover. The weight block combines the Nucleus core with the A.I. core. The ball finish is 2000 grit, the RG is 2.500, the delta RG is 0.056, and the mass bias is 0.019. It’s been a while since we’ve seen a Cell ball. The new eTrax Ultra Solid cover is a very strong solid cover, possibly the strongest among the eTrax Ultra Solid covers.
Impression During Throw
The core and cover are very powerful, resulting in a strong hook. Even with a 5.5-inch layout, the flare is large. It catches the lane very well with no slide at all. This ball is strong in oil. While the GEM series is also strong in oil, the X-CELL seems to progress even further. It rolls strongly and catches the oil well. This ball is a real ally in heavy oil conditions. It hooks strongly and catches the oil effectively. Among recent solid oil-strong balls, this might be the strongest. I haven’t seen a ball that catches and hooks this much recently. It hooks even when thrown from the outside. It might be stronger than the GEM series.
Comparison with Other Balls
Comparison with MAGIC GEM
I compared it with the MAGIC GEM. The GEM core is very powerful and is considered one of the best in the ROTO lineup, with a strong hybrid cover. The X-CELL has an even stronger catch feeling. While the GEM core provides a smooth rolling image, the X-CELL has a very strong catch feeling.
| Item | X-CELL | MAGIC GEM |
|---|---|---|
| Coverstock | eTrax™ Ultra Solid Reactive | MicroTrax™ Hybrid Reactive |
| Core | Nucleus™ + A.I. Core | Defiant™ LRG Core |
| RG | 2.500 (15lbs) | 2.470 (15lbs) |
| Differential | 0.056 (15lbs) | 0.053 (15lbs) |
| Mass Bias Diff | 0.019 (15lbs) | 0.016 (15lbs) |
| Flare | High | High |
| Hardness | 73-75 | 73-75 |
| Color | Turquoise + Navy + Black | Citrine + Rhodonite + Jet |
| Surface Finish | 2000 Grit Abralon | 2000 Grit Abralon |
| Available Weights | 12-16 lbs | 12-16 lbs |
Overall Evaluation
The core is very powerful with a large delta RG, and the coverstock is also very strong. It catches well from the front and moves strongly in the backend, making it feel stronger compared to the GEM. This ball is a strong ally in heavy oil conditions. It’s ideal for those who struggle with hooking in heavy oil conditions.
