Nomad Pearl

[msherman]

Pin: 2.5 Inches
Top: 2.5 Oz

The Layout:

***Special*** Pin 2 Inches below the bottom of the Thumbhole with the CG in the thumb itself. There is a weight hole (3/4 Inch, down 2 inches) 2 inches below the pin

The reason this layout was chosen was to have a pearl ball read the midlane and still have that continuous pop on the back end due to the cover. It reverses the flare to the bottom of the ball which is why you need to pin 2 inches below the thumb because this is where the bow tie will be located.

The Motion:

This ball does exactly what I wanted it to do and more. It hits like a truck just like the Solid Nomad due to the fact that the ball itself is all Cover and Core (No filler), and it is remnant of the Silver Streak Pearl in so many ways but has a stronger, more versatile coverstock. This ball has a strong read on the midlane but still clears the heads with ease, even with the early rolling layout because of the pearl cover. I have used this ball on a variety of PBA patterns and THS’s, I can say it is a great ball out of the bag to read what the lane is doing. Overall, it can be used at any time. Off the break point, on a fresher pattern, it will fly because of the pearl cover. It really has an angular backend. Once oil carries down further the reaction smooths out but still has a great pearl reaction off the breakpoint.

Thoughts:

Not only is this ball a winner but this layout is as well. I am thinking of doing a similar layout to a Nomad Solid and possibly a Rogue!!!

[tonybowler]

For those that are looking for a big backend, look no further. Roto Grip Nomad Pearl delivers all the backend that is needed for today’s look. I will admit that it does need some dry boards for this look. But if there is oil, there are other balls in the Roto Grip line that delivers better in the oil. I drilled this ball as the same as my Nomad solid. I drilled it with a 4.5” pin and a 50 degree layout. The pin to VAL is 3”. I threw this ball with the out of box cover. I found this ball fitted me better from a deeper angle on the lane. This ball complemented the solid very well. I would not recommend changing the surface on this ball. It really retains the energy till it finds the dry boards then look out because hook is an understatement.

[pbacanuck]

When I drilled the Nomad Pearl I set it up the same as my Cell Pearl, with the pin 4 ½ from my axis and about 1 ½ above my finger holes. The pin was only out 2" on the ball so the cg ended up just to the right of my ring finger. I placed the weight hole through the CG, 4" from the center of my grip to prevent the ball from flaring over it. My plan was to have a ball with the same length as my Cell Pearl but with a more controllable backend. It worked exactly as I planned, with the only surprise being the backend was stronger and more continuous than I expected. To be honest if I didn't have both balls to roll back to back I would probably not even be able to discern the difference. As a Pro Shop owner if I have a customer that wants the reaction of a high end ball but can't afford it, the Nomad Pearl is an excellent choice.

[cmsubowler]

First ball out of my bag on all lane surfaces and patterns I have faced. Slight surface changes and your favorite layout will allow this ball to play on all lane patterns Including Shark and Cheetah. Drilling pattern is 4 and 5/8 pin to PAP with short 3/4 inch pin, 4 inches off PAP in the Thumb Positive quadrant inline with the thumb hole. Best surface is by far the 1000 abralon surface to help handle the heavier oil in the middle on a house pattern and to help smooth out how incredibly angular this ball really is. Nearly too good to be true out of my hand and directly out of the box. I have had favorites to write about on here and a staple of mine has been the Cell since it came out, but I have to say that if I don't have more than 2 of these in my bag by the end of the year I will shortly there after with possibly one in reserve. Keep up the great work Rotogrip. Keep this one around for a while guys.

[Mr Scary]

Drill angle – 70 Deg., Angle to VAL – 30 Deg., PIN to PAP distance – 4 ¼”. 15 lb, box finish

This ball is more skid flippy than the solid, but it does not give you much over-under reaction when it hits the dry. Similar to the Silver Streak Pearl, but again, slightly stronger. Another ball I really liked. I play a little straighter with this ball. Despite the pearl cover stock, it does not jump off the dry. The transition from oil to dry is very strong, yet forgiving and predictable. It wasn’t too long ago, I took the Silver Streaks out of my bag, now it fells like I have them back. Great job Roto Grip!!

[L.Hoffman]

I believe this Nomad Pearl will out shine the great Silver Streak pearl. With the same core as old Silver, but with the updated Ultra Vision Pearl Reactive I have found nothing was lost after the break point & the carry to the pocket was super. My drilling with a 3 inch pin…has the pin 1-½ inch above & left of ring finger...CG is out another inch w/ X-hole..My lst 4 games of practice was on a modified house-sport shot w 42 feet oil. As ta 70 plus LH stroker, I went up 1st arrow & the ball had a strong flip on back-end. High games of the 4 were 245-252.Last Thursday night I subbed on a house shot with 2 of my sons at Fremont Lanes, Michigan before going to AZ. for the winter.. With hand behind ball, I went 12 to 7-8 for 300 1st game & front 9- 278 2nd game..The boys had not seen Dad punch out a 300 before, so it was a special night for me.My Nomad games have all been out of the box…(Photo of Layout on Roto-Grip Web Reviews)...Larry Hoffman, Roto Grip Advisory Staff

[PaulMc]

I liked my Nomad Pearl from the first time I threw it. I have the pin over the fingers with the CG kicked out a little and the ball goes long pretty easily with a strong back end (much more so than I expected).

The first time I threw the ball in competition was in a six game sweeper here in Houston. Since it was a new ball, and I always have new ball fever that gets me in trouble, I put the ball up after a couple of shots. After the start of the 4th game, when I was out of the cash, I decided to try it again. I struck from the 3rd frame of the 5th game through the 7th frame of the 6th game where I left a solid 9. A seventeen bagger that took me from out of the cash to 3rd place. Pretty Cool!

I really like the easy length with this ball and the really strong back ends I get. The ball also really hits hard..

[BShep]

I drilled my Nomad Pearl 4 1/2 x 3 pin under ring finger. I did this because I wanted to compare with the Silver Streak SE drilled the same. For me, the Nomad Pearl is slightly longer with similar backend motion as the SS SE. I'd recommend this ball for use on medium/light to medium lanes.
I also compared this to an original Illusion and found similar length with 4-5 more boards of pop on the backend.
With this layout, the Nomad Pearl is slightly longer and not quite as strong in the backend as compared to my Nomad solid.

If you're looking for a high performance pearl at a lower than expected price point, you cannot go wrong with the Nomad Pearl.

[Rotomike]

Layout:
Pin: 4 1/2" from pap
Pin over fingers
CG: 4" from pap
no extra hole
surface: Box finish
On the House pattern I found that I could move in as much as I wanted and the Nomad Pearl would SCREAM back from the dry. The change of direction was very strong and definately loosened up my swing.
On the shorter PBA conditions I found the Nomad Pearl was very strong when the lanes were fresh and I found my best look when the fronts had broken down a bit and I was forced to open up my angle of attack. Confidant change of direction.
On the longer PBA patterns I found my best look at the very end of a block when the fronts really dried up and I wanted to keep my angles a little tighted.
Compared to the Illusion the Nomad Pearl I much cleaner through the fronts and is more angular.
I will report back when I play with the surface a bit.