- UFO

First Impressions
The Roto Grip UFO shows up in an eye-catching color combination of deep purple, light blue and neon yellow-green with matching logos. This ball uses the newest and most aggressive version of the MicroTrax-S20 coverstock with a 2000 grit surface treatment out of the box. At its heart is the new asymmetric E.T. Core (Equalizer Technology), which offers identical numbers across all weights from 14 to 16 pounds with a 2.52 RG, a 0.054 differential and a 0.016 intermediate differential. This modern construction was developed with built-in cavities in order to emulate the use of an extra hole, since the USBC classifies those as illegal as of August 2020. The integrated "Equalizer Cavities" should strengthen the midlane motion and the continuation toward the pins.
Comparison
Compared to the Roto Grip Halo, the E.T. Core has a higher RG, a higher differential and a lower intermediate differential than the Centrum Core of the Halo series. These changes inside and out give the UFO more overall traction with an earlier reaction and a smoother backend compared to the Halo. The UFO core creates a somewhat "rounder" motion, while the Centrum Core shows a slightly sharper transition. The E.T. Core is less forward-oriented, which has to do with the sharpness of the core transition, making the UFO a bit easier to use thanks to that smoother transition. Experts describe it as very similar to the Storm Sure Lock, in that it revs up like the Halo but turns nicely rather than sharply off the backend like the Sure Lock. Bowlers who liked the Storm Sure Lock or Storm Physix should find particular enjoyment in this new Roto Grip offering.
On the Lanes
The UFO generated hook effortlessly on every lane tested, which made it best suited to heavy oil patterns. All of the testers got to the pocket without trouble on the fresh, since the UFO had no problem creating traction and turning very hard in the midlane. The simplest description of the UFO is that it is a very strong ball that can travel on a line of oil without sliding away and still tip at the backend and carry the 10, but can also move out into the drier area and come back without burning up and leaving a flat 10. As a perfect ball for medium to heavy oil conditions, its ability to grab and make the turn shows incredible numbers without losing drive through the pocket to send the pins into the pit. For players who have trouble getting the ball to read on heavily oiled lanes, this should be the right ball. The only bowlers who should avoid it are those who constantly play on extremely high-friction lane conditions, such as older centers with wood lanes.