About 3 to 5 years ago I found a yoyofactory GO. I was looking for a trans-axle 2A player. I’m still very happy with it. However, it’s not produced anymore. I selected a trans-axle because I don’t like fidgeting with spacers, response pads and things like that. I like to take the yoyo out of the box and play with it. I’m looking for either a trans-axle or bearing 2A player that maybe, I did say maybe could be used for 1A also. If I only feel like carrying one yoyo in my pocket and want to play both 2A and 1A. It’s not a deal breaker if I need to fidget with things. DO NOT, don’t even think about suggesting the Yomega Raider. Total and complete garbage. I just received one and that thing doesn’t loop! Period! Doesn’t! I would rather chew broken glass, swallow razor blades, wash it down with gasoline and swallow a match.
My yoyos in mind in no rank or order are.
Loop 720, Duncan Hornet, Sunset, Yomega Fire Ball.If I get the loop 720 I will likely get the Sunset spacer and bearing set.
personally I’ve been using c3 seekers recently and they’re amazing for 2a. you won’t be doing 1a with it but it’s great out of the box, starburst response, uses size k looping bearing (things have moved away from transaxle). of the ones you’ve mentioned they should all work well, but the fireball will probably frustrate you like the raider
The hornet is pretty good, but every time I try a 1A trick it snags. I think that those are all pretty nice, but if you really want to do 1A, maybe get a SnapBack and put a greased sealed flat a bearing in it, I have a few of those and they are pretty fun, and can dabble in both. YMMV
I kicked flipped mine a few times, so it’s not a total loss. Looping tho… I still love it lol. Load that bad boy up with some thicc silicone grease and off I go
Sunrise / match is a loop 720 body with a b bearing and spacer set. Pretty solid but they are a tad more responsive with that b bearing than the k bearing that everyone else uses.
Also for your raiders you have tried there are other spacer sets and axles that can tighten the gap on that e bearing to make them play more modern. Yye had some of the Raider mod kits but you had to message @YoYoExpertEric for them not sure if they have any more in stock.
The Duncan hornet is solid but some folks don’t like the shake as it’s more angular and the response is a bit more slipper stock than loop 720.
A solid super cheap pair would be the yoyo formula d3 dragon balls or wind balls those are good enough loop 720 clones but at a lower price. Also the yosa loop space, yozean jager and even the leshare loop y2 if your alright with a bit of rattle. I think there’s a pinto yoyo too that’s in that same vein. All slightly lower quality but good enough and cheaper.
Magic yoyo d3 are also okay. I don’t like the d1 as the are a bit heavier.
Generally I stay away from transaxle at this point as I need to constantly line them to get a good consistent response and I don’t do looping with pads like the loop 360. Don’t get me wrong I have fireballs and oracle but I don’t play 2 a with them just mess with them as a one handed throw about kind of thing.
There are a bunch of other higher end brands I like loop ups and something lp but you don’t need to spend that much on a looper at all
I also would never fault someone for buying yyf especially in countries where they may be the only affordable option. In the end this hobby shouldn’t be gate kept and while I dislike the owner of a brand for the way they acted in the past it doesn’t mean you can’t still Enjoy throwing a yoyo by them if it brings you joy. Not here to yuck anyone’s yum
