# HELP! Ideas for First YoYo’s for My Sons? 🤷‍♂️ **URL:** \ **Category:** Looking for Help/Recommendation\ **Created:** [July 16, 2022, 4:51pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/help-ideas-for-first-yoyo-s-for-my-sons/359928 "2022-07-16T16:51:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![FullSpectrumDad](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/fullspectrumdad/32/172949_2.png) [@FullSpectrumDad](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/FullSpectrumDad)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2022, 4:51pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/help-ideas-for-first-yoyo-s-for-my-sons/359928/1 "2022-07-16T16:51:46Z")
**Hello all you beautiful people!** Yes—_YOU_—the beautiful, wonderful humans, taking the time to read a father’s cry for help. But, not like a “cry”, cry, and far more in line with the dreaded _“dad growl,”_ we’re all still scarred from. I tip my hat to you, sirs and sir-ettes! (“Madams” sounds so dusty, and hoaky don’t-cha-think?) As the title suggests, I have sons. I’ve also hit a bit of a wall in terms of figuring out which yoyo to get for us. I have been throwing on and off for a few years, and both my oldest have shown an interest in learning. **My oldest, oldest, wants to jump straight to binds.** **My middle is still working on his throw.** I thought it would be a cool thing to do to get us all the same yoyo to practice with together—same model, but they can pick their own colors. Partly because kids have this annoying quality, where they will easily attribute dad’s ability to do a trick to “…you have a better yoyo than I do!” **It couldn’t possibly be because I practice!** :joy: _I’m also leaning toward a metal one, because neither of them have one of their own yet, and **there is just something special about your first metal throw.** _ I’m not totally against plastic/polycarbonate, and if you have kids, you know that a metal yoyo can very quickly become the weapon used in an attempted fratricide because, “It’s my turn on the Xbox!” 🤦‍♂️ I have three in total, and **at a times feel like I’m living** _ **Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome** _ **My Critera:** **1)** Able to switch between responsive and unresponsive. **2)** Max cost $60, though cheaper is better. **3)** Slightly undersized would be nice, but not a hard rule. **4)** Durable **5)** Metal is what I’m leaning toward, but poly/plastic definitely has it’s pros in this case. **Models I Am Aware of:** **1)** RCS Gamer Lite **2)** YFF DV888 **3)** MagicYoYo T9 Rock **4)** YoYo King Ghost **5)** YoTricks Oracle (plastic) **6)** YYF Replay (plastic) **I now open the floor to you!** Do you know of a model that I don’t, and you feel fits the bill perfectly? Is one of the models listed particularly near, and dear to your heart and you feel it deserves a closer look? Let’s do this! ---
**Author:** ![zslane](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/zslane/32/19816_2.png) [@zslane](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/zslane)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2022, 5:10pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/help-ideas-for-first-yoyo-s-for-my-sons/359928/2 "2022-07-16T17:10:30Z")
Not many metal yoyos are played both responsive and unresponsive, so I’d recommend sticking with plastic yoyos for that. My choice would be the **iYoYo Shooting Star**. I have two: one that I leave in responsive mode and the other I leave in unresponsive mode, and they play great in both modes. They are available here and in quite a number of colors. > **[SHOOTiNG STAR](https://shop.yoyoexpert.com/collections/15-to-35-yo-yos-by-price-range/products/shooting-star-yoyo-by-iyoyo?variant=38078556963006)** > > This new model from iYoYo is based off of their popular iCEBERG design - The SHOOTiNG STAR! The SHOOTiNG STAR is a full plastic version of the iCEBERG. It has the same stepped h-shape profile you know and love from the iCEBERG with a completely... For a first metal yoyo, I would suggest the **TopYo Colossus VI**. It is inexpensive, comes in a lot of fun colors, and plays _way_ above its price range. I have a few of these in different colors and you really can’t go wrong with this one, IMO. > **[Colossus VI](https://shop.yoyoexpert.com/collections/15-to-35-yo-yos-by-price-range/products/colossus-vi-yoyo-by-top-yo?variant=39636958347454)** > > The new generation of Colossus has arrived! The rounded shape of Colossus 6 is redesigned based on the fifth generation. It has all the familiar design elements while the proportions and lines have been reconstructed for an improved hand feel and... Honorable mention goes to the **C3Design CyberCrash** and the new **YYF Edge FS**. Both are in the $30 price tier, and both are fantastic, but the color selections aren’t as big as the Colossus VI. ---
**Author:** ![TryCatchThrow](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/trycatchthrow/32/171307_2.png) [@TryCatchThrow](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/TryCatchThrow)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2022, 5:19pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/help-ideas-for-first-yoyo-s-for-my-sons/359928/3 "2022-07-16T17:19:38Z")
I haven’t played the Shooting Star as a responsive, but highly second the recommendation. It’s a very solid plastic. ---
**Author:** ![FullSpectrumDad](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/fullspectrumdad/32/172949_2.png) [@FullSpectrumDad](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/FullSpectrumDad)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2022, 5:45pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/help-ideas-for-first-yoyo-s-for-my-sons/359928/4 "2022-07-16T17:45:06Z")
You actually brought up a good point about metals that I hadn’t thought of, which is likely why I’ve been having such a hard time finding ones other than what I listed. I’ve never used either the Shooting Star, or any of the Colossus line. But I’ve heard nothing but great things about iYoYo, and the IceBerg has been on my wishlist a while. The Shooting Star being very closely related is very intriguing. My oldest would lose his mind over some of the splashes and awesome color combos the Colossus offers, though. Obviously there is only one way forward: Dad buys one of everything recommended here “to test” :joy:. My oldest is kinda in that “too cool for school,” phase. So a translucent, single color yo-yo called “Shooting Star” is kind of a hard sell. I think. He’s a very mysterious and mercurial creature at this age. **What about an iYoYo Passion?** Slightly undersized, metal, under $60, switchable bearing. Anyone familiar with that particular iYoYo model? **Solid recommendations though, and I’ll add them to the list. Thank you!** ---
**Author:** ![mable](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/mable/32/194074_2.png) [@mable](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/mable)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2022, 5:49pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/help-ideas-for-first-yoyo-s-for-my-sons/359928/5 "2022-07-16T17:49:34Z")
> **[Speedaholic XX](https://shop.yoyoexpert.com/products/speedaholic-xx-yoyo-by-c3yoyodesign?variant=41499465613502)** > > The original C3 Speedaholic changed the way we looked at plastic yo-yos. It was one of the best performing yo-yos for the price, and the latest version takes that standard to the next level - This is the Speedaholic XX! The Speedaholic XX is an... I’m basically just agreeing with what the previous posts have said, that a plastic yoyo in the ~30 dollar range is your best option. You can’t go wrong with the Shooting Star, but if this might appeal to your oldest, the Speedaholic XX is a very comparable option that might seem “cooler.” Just note that the only one that comes with a responsive bearing is the white model listed specifically with a responsive bearing in the drop down box. ---
**Author:** ![zslane](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/zslane/32/19816_2.png) [@zslane](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/zslane)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2022, 5:49pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/help-ideas-for-first-yoyo-s-for-my-sons/359928/6 "2022-07-16T17:49:40Z")
For anyone who is hard to please when trying to choose for them, you might consider giving them a budget and letting them shop for themselves. ---
**Author:** ![FullSpectrumDad](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/fullspectrumdad/32/172949_2.png) [@FullSpectrumDad](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/FullSpectrumDad)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2022, 6:01pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/help-ideas-for-first-yoyo-s-for-my-sons/359928/7 "2022-07-16T18:01:58Z")
@zslane It may come down to that, which brings it’s own inter-minion…I mean, “inter-child”, problems. Clearly there are far more options out there than I was even remotely aware of, so keeping this a surprise may still be possible. @mable Do you happen to know if any Speedaholic XX can accept and work with a slim? I have a couple spares. If I could remove the standard C, and put in a half-SPEC or something…? Google was not forthcoming with answers to that. ---
**Author:** ![mable](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/mable/32/194074_2.png) [@mable](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/mable)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2022, 6:11pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/help-ideas-for-first-yoyo-s-for-my-sons/359928/8 "2022-07-16T18:11:08Z")
Yeah, any Speedaholic XX can be made responsive, it just requires an axle swap. For unresponsive you use a 12mm axle, and for responsive slim bearings you use a 10mm axle. If you buy a generic 10mm axle with your order, you could throw that and a slim bearing into one that you already have. Worth noting though is that the responsive white Speedaholic XX comes with thicker 19mm pads than what are the standard, so it’ll be more responsive without the need for extra lube. But when you want to make it unresponsive you’d have to swap the pads too. It’s more something that you’re supposed to start out with as responsive, and “upgrade” fully to unresponsive when you’re ready. The Shooting Star makes more sense if you planned on regularly swapping back. I just figured that recommendation might have more of a cool factor. > **[YoYoFactory Axles](https://shop.yoyoexpert.com/products/yoyofactory-yoyo-axle?variant=18870708164)** > > These are replacement axles for your YoYoFactory yo-yos.Flea: Mighty Flea, Big Deal8mm MVP, BOSS, SuperNova LITE, SuperNova, Proton, New SuperStar, Space Cowboy, Horizon, Aviator 2, Too Hot10mm 44, 44 Special, 2010-2012 Superstar, Skyline, DNA,... ---
**Author:** ![FullSpectrumDad](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/fullspectrumdad/32/172949_2.png) [@FullSpectrumDad](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/FullSpectrumDad)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2022, 6:25pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/help-ideas-for-first-yoyo-s-for-my-sons/359928/9 "2022-07-16T18:25:50Z")
Very, very cool! The “issue” is that they want to start in very different places. Which I may have to overrule for the sake of my sanity, and my wallet. I think there are a ton of benefits to starting off responsive, but that’s just me. It’s also way easier to spend time with them when they are into the thing you’re doing. Responsive/Unresponsive is minor as an adult, but a 12/10 year old? It matters **a lot!** So having one throw that can do both is ideal. That’s a good point about swapping back and forth. I’m getting from the way you said that, that the Shooting Star is just a simple bearing swap? My YoTricks Sage is that simple, and I love it. Not a huge fan of how it plays responsive though. At first, it seemed great. After using some others though…it just doesn’t quite hit the mark for me with the slim bearing. My DV888 is great, either way, but like the Speedaholic, it’s a more involved conversation. Different axle, different pads, different bearing. So having the urge to switch after putting in brand new pads is annoying :joy: ---
**Author:** ![Xanadu](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/xanadu/32/84910_2.png) [@Xanadu](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Xanadu)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2022, 6:33pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/help-ideas-for-first-yoyo-s-for-my-sons/359928/10 "2022-07-16T18:33:02Z")
Hey @FullSpectrumDad! Some great suggestions here, I’d also consider the YYF Whip, it’s super affordable (~$8) but also hella durable. I let my 2-year-old play with one! It’s a really capable yo-yo, it comes stock as a responsive, but all you need to do is swap in a standard C bearing and regular 19mm response pads to make it unresponsive. The axle can accommodate either set up. I really enjoy this yo-yo as an unresponsive! It comes in 5 colours, but I think @yyfben2.deactivated should consider doing a new run with more colours. :wink: Edit: [Whip – YoYoExpert](https://shop.yoyoexpert.com/collections/yoyofactory/products/yyf-whip-yoyo?variant=26937503496) ---
**Author:** ![c.yoyo](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/c.yoyo/32/118737_2.png) [@c.yoyo](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/c.yoyo)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2022, 6:33pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/help-ideas-for-first-yoyo-s-for-my-sons/359928/11 "2022-07-16T18:33:03Z")
Have you considered el mijo from zero gravity? I have 2 and they’re amazing bro.m 🤩🤩🤩🤩 I think someone is selling a swapped B grade one here in the forum. ---
**Author:** ![suspense](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/suspense/32/178499_2.png) [@suspense](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/suspense)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2022, 7:06pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/help-ideas-for-first-yoyo-s-for-my-sons/359928/12 "2022-07-16T19:06:40Z")
Plastic Freehand. ---
**Author:** ![Exmime](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/exmime/32/40143_2.png) [@Exmime](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Exmime)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2022, 7:10pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/help-ideas-for-first-yoyo-s-for-my-sons/359928/13 "2022-07-16T19:10:48Z")
Mojo is one of the best values > **[TopYo MOJO](https://shop.yoyoexpert.com/products/mojo-yoyo-by-topyo)** > > After lots of research and plenty of prototypes, TopYo has found the perfect solution to creating a consistent well performing injection molded yo-yo! This is the MOJO! TopYo used high precision CNC machining to create the mold for their latest... And XTs are easy and durable for kids to take apart and walk the dog > **[Duncan Butterfly XT](https://shop.yoyoexpert.com/products/duncan-butterfly-xt-yoyo)** > > Looking for that great beginners yo-yo at price tag that won't break the bank? Look no further then the Butterfly XT! An exceptional way to get started with bearing yo-yos! Great for learning the basic to intermediate tricks, and there's really no... Get both for $20 ---
**Author:** ![Shwa](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/shwa/32/108351_2.png) [@Shwa](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Shwa)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2022, 7:16pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/help-ideas-for-first-yoyo-s-for-my-sons/359928/14 "2022-07-16T19:16:01Z")
I learned on the Sage. Plays great both responsive and unresponsive. ---
**Author:** ![FullSpectrumDad](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/fullspectrumdad/32/172949_2.png) [@FullSpectrumDad](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/FullSpectrumDad)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2022, 7:46pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/help-ideas-for-first-yoyo-s-for-my-sons/359928/15 "2022-07-16T19:46:54Z")
I honestly hadn’t considered El Mijo, and I just recently watched a review about it that said it came a bunch of different bearings and could be played several ways. I’ll have to do some more reading on it. I listed RCS Gamer Lite, which is also a slim-line. I recently bought one second hand from #Buy / Sell / Trade and I love it! However, and this pains me to say, for a beginner wanting to learn binds and string tricks, that slim-line, high walled design is **very** unforgiving. From what I recall, El Mijo is of a similar design. Though it very well may be more “modular” than RCS Gamer Lite. Speaking of modular, I should just say F@$! It!, take out a small loan, **Lathed Back Design Bangarangs for the whole house!!** :joy: My wife totally wouldn’t unalive me in my sleep for that! > **[Bangarang](https://shop.yoyoexpert.com/collections/price-ascending/products/bangarang-yoyo-by-lathed-back-design?variant=40945346019518)** > > Lathed Back Design is a new Canadian company run by a husband/wife duo creating some amazing skill toys and return tops. This is their first yoyo release - The Bangarang! The Bangarang is a mini titanium yoyo designed to utilize titanium to its... @suspense A Freehand isn’t a bad idea! They have some metals, too. I didn’t know they could be responsive. Granted, you can attach a counter weight to any yoyo—one being designed for different play styles may have some added _cool_ factor. @Shwa The Sage is also what I learned on! I’m just not a huge fan of how it plays responsively, now that I’ve used some really good throws of both types. I swapped it over to responsive just the other day. It felt…slow, and sluggish. Which was surprising because it’s one of my favorite plastics to practice with. Maybe it’s my bearing? @Exmime I’ll check both of those out for sure—to be honest, I’ve never really thought much of Duncan Yo-Yos. Maybe because my _very first_ yoyo was an Imperial, and I hated it with a burning passion lol. I just recently looked at a Freehand for myself since I’m trying to learn 5A, and I’ve heard good things about the Orbital GTX. Other than those specific models, I’ve always kinda labeled them as more of a toy manufacturer than a yoyo manufacturer. I have a TopYo Selene, though, and I love it. I’ll definitely check them both out! ---
**Author:** ![yoyodoc](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/yoyodoc/32/48820_2.png) [@yoyodoc](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/yoyodoc)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2022, 7:54pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/help-ideas-for-first-yoyo-s-for-my-sons/359928/16 "2022-07-16T19:54:34Z")
The only problem with that suggestion(in my opinion) is the El Mijo is not really built to take the beating new players may subject it to. Most plastics the guys are suggesting in the $30 dollar range would be good choices. ….If you want a yo-yo that can play both responsive and unresponsive, get New Freehands. If you want unresponsive mode, use thinner string and a clean bearing. If you want responsive, just put in a drop of thin lube and possibly use a thicker string. You have dozens of options… and none are complicated or expensive. ---
**Author:** ![Jae](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/jae/32/168815_2.png) [@Jae](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Jae)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2022, 8:13pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/help-ideas-for-first-yoyo-s-for-my-sons/359928/17 "2022-07-16T20:13:01Z")
Shooting Star, Arrow Elite, or the MagicYoyo K2 Plus Crystal. I relearned all my responsive tricks on the Arrow Elite and then switched the bearing and learned by binds and a ton of unres stuff. Very solid and the yoyo I’m letting my cousin borrow to get back up to speed, then try unres. All of the above are affordable and “convertible” plastic yoyos (in some nice colors) that come with all you need to swap from res to unres easily and quickly. Oh and if the Too Cool kid doesn’t like the bright colors you could help dye it a darker color, sticker bomb it, let loose with paint pens, etc. At their level the “vibe” introduced from any of that will be minimal and no big deal. I wouldn’t bother with El Mijo given the skill levels and delicacy of it. It’s a slimline so it’s not as easy to land string tricks on, etc. ---
**Author:** ![FullSpectrumDad](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/fullspectrumdad/32/172949_2.png) [@FullSpectrumDad](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/FullSpectrumDad)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2022, 8:16pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/help-ideas-for-first-yoyo-s-for-my-sons/359928/18 "2022-07-16T20:16:54Z")
Alas, El Mijo is far too expensive. I super want one, though lol ---
**Author:** ![c.yoyo](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/c.yoyo/32/118737_2.png) [@c.yoyo](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/c.yoyo)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2022, 8:22pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/help-ideas-for-first-yoyo-s-for-my-sons/359928/19 "2022-07-16T20:22:47Z")
Yeah, so true. I forgot that aspect. You don’t want to buy el mijo for new players. Good call! ---
**Author:** ![c.yoyo](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/c.yoyo/32/118737_2.png) [@c.yoyo](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/c.yoyo)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2022, 8:30pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/help-ideas-for-first-yoyo-s-for-my-sons/359928/20 "2022-07-16T20:30:57Z")
It’s a very nice throw bro 🕶 [Next page](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/help-ideas-for-first-yoyo-s-for-my-sons/359928.md?page=2)