The subsequent release of the pearlized HYPER CELL SKID provided an option in the HP4 to help with some of those issues.  It’s pearl cover for sure creates more length and a strong (though sometimes too sharply strong) back end move that can sometimes create control issues especially on flatter patterns.

Roto Grip’s newly released ETERNAL CELL bridges the gap between its two predecessors and provides more versatility than either of them.  It features the same strong rolling asymmetrical Nucleus^TM core as the rest of the Cell line but is wrapped with a weaker solid coverstock than HYPER CELL.   Compare a grit rating of 75 on the original ETERNAL CELL and to a grit rating on the HYPER of 80.  At first glance, this situates the ETERNAL more in the neighborhood of the solid cover of the MENACE.  It is similar in composition.  However, the ETERNAL CELL comes at a 1500-grit factory polished finish that makes it see the lane completely differently.   It produces cleaner and easier length through the front and midlane than the HYPER or the MENACE or the SINISTER and stronger motion down lane than any of them as well.  Compared to the SKID the ETERNAL CELL is still strong but produces more controllable shape off the breakpoint.   

I chose to go with a favorite, no-nonsense pin up drilling on my ETERNAL CELL.   The specs on my layout come out to 55 x 5.5 x 45.

My first few excursions with the ETERNAL CELL have been in league here in the STL – typical wet/dry – in a center that tends to have a little more volume in the middle than most and where it’s always difficult to get the ball to go through the pins well.  Even with its polished finish, the ETERNAL had no problem negotiating volume.  It rolled true without ever skidding out or “squirting” like some polished covers do in heavier oil for me.  On the wet side of the wet/dry in this center the ETERNAL allowed a little more margin for error than any other shiny ball would have – it produced flat tens instead of two-pin combos.   Typically, in this particular center, any shot that goes even a smidge beyond exactly the right distance down lane or that goes a hair too wide of the break point before making a move to the pocket results in an automatic ring ten.  Until the dry side of the wet/dry got extreme, the ETERNAL also created a little more forgiveness than most other balls high performance balls front to back at the break point.  The ETERNAL’s motion is a very strong, rolling and arcing hook.  I wouldn’t at all call it skid/flip.

Since the release of the ETERNAL, our STL Sport League’s fall session this quarter has been bowling on WTBA London (44 ft. and 26.5 mL).  The host center for this league has original pro-anvilane and no matter what pattern is put down it automatically plays a few feet longer and a good deal tighter than it otherwise should.  The ETERNAL CELL gave me a moderately good look but my speed control had to be perfect or it was in two-ten, four-six jail.  In this instance, Roto Grip’s new hybrid CRITICAL at box surface has been a far better choice for me than the polished solid ETERNAL.  I haven’t had chance or any real reason to try to manipulate the surface on the ETERNAL yet, so I can’t say how amenable to that it would be or how satisfactory the performance results would be.

Given what I have seen so far, the ETERNAL CELL as designed is showing itself to be a lot more versatile than the other Cells for me.  It could well end up being my favorite in the series.