Storm IQ Tour Sapphire Bowling Ball

The !Q Tour Sapphire is super clean through the fronts with a smooth, controlled move downlane. It gives me more length than the original !Q Tour without being too sharp off the spot. This will be a great ball for medium conditions or when the lanes start transitioning. Definitely a ball I can see staying in my bag!

Storm IQ Tour Sapphire Pearl Storm has brought back Iq tour Pearl to the lineup It uses the orginal c3 core wrapped with the proven rs2 Pearl coverstock It will create a clean motion through heads with that IQ predictable backend motion The Sapphire RG-2.49 Diff-.029 Core-symmetrical Finish-power edge polish I drilled mine 4.5x4x1.75 using the VLS Layout system which gives clean motion through the fronts with a good continuous motion on the backend. The sapphire will compliment the iq tour solid with more length and a stronger backend I also compared it to my Phaze 2 Pearl and Iq Tour AI The Phaze 2 will read the midlane earlier so it will handle more oil The AI will be also earlier than sapphire but sapphire will have more backend. For me IQ tour Pearl sapphire will be a great transition piece on medium lane conditions once the lane has opened up and I need more backend

[b]Storm !Q Tour Sapphire [/b] Right-handed | 300 RPM | 16 mph | 16° tilt | 73.5° rotation | PAP: 5¼" right × 7/8" up Layout: 5¼ x 4¼ x 2¼ What we are saying: The !Q Tour Sapphire is another great example of why the !Q name has remained one of Storm's most recognizable benchmark shapes. This version combines the proven C3 Centripetal Control Core with R2S Pearl Reactive, giving the Sapphire a much cleaner look through the front of the lane than a typical solid benchmark ball while maintaining the controlled motion that bowlers expect from the !Q family. For my game at my age 64+ lol, I prefer to play up the boards or the track area (7-12 board). That's exactly where the !Q Tour Sapphire fits, just like the Ruby only smoother. Transition pearl option or higher friction house shots would be the best time to use if you have a matched game (rev-rate/ball speed). My layout gives me the maximum control. The first thing I noticed with the Sapphire was how easily it clears the front of the lane and the response isn't uncontrollable. The R2S Pearl cover gives me considerably more push through the heads than a traditional !Q Tour solid-type reaction. That allows me to get the ball farther downlane before it starts making its move. The !Q Sapphire is smoother than the Ruby but more responsive than the Emerald. Visit a Storm VIP Proshop for yours. #stormnation

I drilled my SAPPHIRE !Q TOUR at 4.5 x 4 x 2 (VLS). This is my go-to for shiny, lower diff balls to help get them started a little sooner. I threw it at box first, then hit it lightly with 4000, then 3000, then 2000. My experience with !Q TOUR's have been smooth and rolly predictable motion. The SAPPHIRE !Q TOUR (IQT) is in that same category. I put it out beside some of my longer pieces and a couple of goodies that I like when the lanes start to get "torchy". The SAPPHIRE IQT compared to my CONCEPT was a good compliment. When the CONCEPT got to slow to respond or I had moved to far to get good angle, the SAPPHIRE IQT came in out of the bullpen and picked up and let me keep moving left slowly without giving up too much angle. This is where I started to touch the factory shined cover with 4000, then 3000, then 2000. At 2000, it became early like a NEXT LEVEL that I had put that surface on and very close to the same spot but with slower motion in the back. Taking it back to 3000, put it in next ball from the NEXT LEVEL spot without getting too far left on the approach. Grabbing my RST HYPDERDRIVE PEARL and there was no comparison. The SAPPHIRE IQT was about 5-8 boards of angle too weak, and it made more sense to get that NEXT LEVEL in off the bench at that point. Put this one in your bag if you need something to get you thru until you have to get the weaker balls out or want to stay outside longer before getting more angle and a bigger ball out to swing it more.

Storm keeps the jewels coming… The IQ Tour Sapphire features the tried and true, highly successful C3 Centripetal Control symmetric core wrapped in the R2S Pearl reactive coverstock. The 15 pound Sapphire has a RG of 2.49 and a differential of .029. I drilled my Sapphire with my favorite layout: 5 x 4 x2. I’m not sure there is a better line of balls that are more predictable, controllable, and successful than the IQ’s. On tough sport shots, burnt up house shots, and everything else, you know what the IQ is going to do. The pearl coverstock provides the clean push through the front part of the lane, the low differential keeps the ball on line through the midlane and provides a smooth, controlled arcing backend to the pocket and through the pins. When comparing the Sapphire to the IQ solid, the Sapphire goes about 3 feet longer with a more continuous backend motion. For me the Sapphire is about 3 boards overall less hook than the solid. If you had the IQ Tour Ruby, it’s time for you to get the Sapphire!

By now, you’ve likely seen several versions of the IQ line produced from Storm. It’s been an extremely successful line with all types of shapes and strengths. The latest addition to the IQ series and the Master line at Storm is the IQ Sapphire. One thing that hasn’t changed is the core which is the Centriptel Control Core, but this time, our wizards in Utah wrapped the ball with the R2S Pearl Reactive Coverstock along with Power Edge polish. This gives players more length as well as a faster response time that’s more and more necessary in todays game. I’ve drilled one so far and really like it. It’s mapped out as 5 x 4.5 x 2.5. This puts the pin above my ring finger with a stacked CG. I haven’t touched the surface at all because I really want this ball to compliment my Viking Conquest, Vengeance, and Concept. After using it on multiple patterns and surfaces, the IQ Sapphire fits that gap perfectly. When those balls I mentioned are finished working, the IQ Sapphire is the perfect ball to go to that won’t miss the spot because of the low RG (2.49), but still enough differential (.029) to still go through the pins properly. If you’re looking to add an extremely versatile ball that compliments the line extremely well, and you see friction where you bowl, the IQ Sapphire should be the next ball you drill! #StormNation

Ball Specs: Storm I.Q. Tour Sapphire R2S Pearl Reactive Cover Power Edge Polished C³™ Centripetal Control Core (Symmetric) Layout 4 x 4.5 with 1-1/2 Pin Buffer Bowler Specs: Right Hand. PAP 5” Over 1/2 up Rev Rate 300. Tilt 20. Rotation 50. Speed at release 17 Review: The I.Q. Tour Sapphire may be my favorite I.Q. yet. This is a very good-looking ball that gets down the lane nicely and then unleashes a strong predictable move at the breakpoint. The Sapphire hits very hard! I am not a high rev guy, but the Sapphire threw pins around and dug out the corner pins with ease. This ball will be great on our house shot this fall. Based on my testing I could probably use it for all three games with minor adjustments. I left the box finish on this ball and don’t see a need to alter it. This ball is stronger than my Surge but weaker than my Transform Pearl in total hook. This ball has already been moving well at our shop, and the reviews have been very good. feedback is very positive. Anyone wanting a medium lane ball with good length and a strong back end and hit will be pleased with the Sapphire. I think this will be a versatile ball that will have many applications on the lane and will fit many types of bowling styles. There is a reason Storm keeps producing the I.Q. line. They Work! Summary: The Sapphire Pearl rolls great and hits hard. This may be my favorite I.Q. ball. The ball rolls as good as it looks. Glenn Wendel Storm Pro Shop Staff gwendel@comcast.net www.stormbowling.com

!Q Tour Sapphire • Storm • Master Series Coverstock • R2S Pearl Reactive • Finish Power Edge Core • C3 Central Control Core Weight • 15 lbs. RG • 2.49 Differential • .029 Layout • 4 1/2 x 3 x7/8 x 2 1/8 Tester PAP • 5” R, 5/8” D Tester Axis Tilt • 9° Testers Rev Rate • 300 Test Pattern • 42’ THS (Typical House Shot) • Modified, Kegel Stone Street Storm has once again added another brilliant success to its legendary !Q line with the !Q Sapphire. Built with the ultimate benchmark C3 Centripetal Control Core and the gliding traction of the R2S Pearl Reactive Coverstock, the !Q Sapphire delivers the ultimate benchmark pearl motion you can depend on to keep you in the +(plus), game after game. So, let’s take a closer look at what makes the !Q Sapphire the next !Q Series success! The heart of the !Q Series is the legendary C3 Centripetal Control Core, and inside the !Q Sapphire, the C3 continues to dominate the world of benchmark cores. I found the C3 inside the Sapphire smooth-rolling, with the predictable !Q motion I have relied on since owning my first !Q Tour Solid in 2012. However, as a straighter player, what I loved most about the C3 Core in the !Q Sapphire was its exceptional control coming off the pattern! Regardless of where I played on the lane, the C3 Core rev’d quickly in the mid-lane without sacrificing the forgiveness off the pattern I depend on as a lower-rev player. That forgiveness translates to a relaxed shot off my hand, knowing I don’t have to be perfect; I just need to roll the ball. Because when the !Q Sapphire is rolling, the C3 Core delivers the strong continuation that increases my chances of “ten back” with every shot. The R2S Pearl Reactive coverstock is one of the most reliable and beloved Pearl Reactive coverstocks in Storm’s history. Layered on the !Q Sapphire, the R2S Pearl Reactive coverstock delivers the same adored characteristics the R2S Pearl is known for. The R2S Pearl glides smoothly across the front of the lane, whether on fresh or transitioning conditions. In either case, the R2S’s smooth glide gave the !Q Sapphire time to breathe in the mid-lane without being overly aggressive, creating a predictable mid-lane motion I could depend on. For my lower rev-rate, it was refreshing to watch the R2S Pearl make a crisp, decisive turn off the pattern without the !Q Sapphire getting overly jumpy or squirrely as the pattern started to transition. Even as the conditions continued to burn up later in the night, I loved the smooth traction and control the R2S Pearl gave the !Q Sapphire coming off the pattern. So, if you are a straighter, low-rev player, like me, the R2S Pearl is a great fit on the !Q Sapphire and will deliver results you can depend on. A couple of small bowler caveats I would add to the !Q Sapphire. First, as a straighter player, I found the “blue” coloring adds a smoothness to the !Q Sapphire that you didn’t see on, say, the !Q Ruby. The “Blue” color, for whatever reason, does give you a smoother motion, and that is quite prevalent on the !Q Sapphire. Second, although the R2S Pearl comes with the Power Edge finish, I found the above results flourished when I lightly surfaced the R2S Pearl with a 4000-grit Abralon pad. However, the surface of a ball is as individual as a custom grip is to your hand. The light 4000-grit Abralon worked best for my game, but it may not for yours. So, I suggest starting with the Power Edge finish, then making a fine tweak to get the most out of your !Q Sapphire. In conclusion, Storm has done a fabulous job producing the !Q Sapphire. Combining the C3 (Central Control Core) with the R2S Pearl reactive coverstock makes the !Q Sapphire a perfect fit for the iconic !Q line. Smoother than an !Q Ruby and cleaner than an !Q Emerald, the !Q Sapphire fits virtually any bowler’s arsenal. Lastly, straighter, rev-challenged players like me will love having the !Q Sapphire to keep them in the + (plus), game after game. So, stop into your local Storm VIP Pro Shop today to have your !Q Sapphire ready for your fall season! The !Q Sapphire is the choice that will deliver! Rick Klimowicz Storm Products Pro Shop Staff Roll the Ball Pro Shop Penndel, PA

The pearl IQ Tour is BACK!! Finally, R2S pearl returns on the Centripetal core. No A.I., just a straightforward re-release of the proven classic that we saw most recently in the IQ Tour Ruby. Compared to the Ruby, the Sapphire feels a bit smoother or rounder in terms of overall hook shape. It's a subtle difference though; the overall shape is still clean, smooth, predictable, slightly tippy, and best suited for medium oil. I've found myself slow-hooking this ball as a 2-ball off of stronger stuff, and it's even been an option on the fresh if they are a little crispier to start. Bottom line, if you were expecting a remake of the Ruby, you're going to be really happy with this one. This ball is clean, continuous, and predictable, and it's a great fit in virtually everyone's bag. -Chase Valenzuela

Layout: 4 x 6 x 1½ Surface: Power Edge Rev Rate: 470 Tilt: 13* The IQ Tour pearl is back but this time in its sapphire version. The original Centripital C3 core and R2S pearl coverstock combination is brought back again but this time finished with Power Edge. The difference here is the sapphire color and the Power Edge finish that looks to put this one a step above the previous versions. This one has more backend and is more angular than it's last few predecessors. This made for some really great ball reaction. I was pleasantly surprised about this one. I usually don't use the IQ tour line often as it is generally too weak. As the lane surfaces I bowl on continue to deteriorate, I will be using these balls more often. On a 40ft challenge pattern, I expected to have to be closer to the friction and up the lane more. It ended up being the opposite. I had no problem getting into 25 with my feet and playing a line around 18 to 10 when the lanes were in transition. On the fresh, the power edge finish made it a little too over under. Definitely designed as more of a "burn" ball, expect this to be cleaner and a lot more down lane then the original IQ Tour solid. What sets this one apart again is its angularity. Compared to the IQ Euby, the Sapphire was a touch longer and read stronger off the fraction. I really like this ball as a game 3 in league or a ball to be used in the middle or end of a tournament block. If you've been a fan of the IQ series, this is a good one to have! Adam chase Storm staff