# John Ando (YYF) ProtoStar - First Impression Review **URL:** \ **Category:** Yo-Yo Reviews\ **Created:** [May 18, 2010, 3:30am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/john-ando-yyf-protostar-first-impression-review/14532 "2010-05-18T03:30:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![XaGoNiX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/e9a140/32.png) [@XaGoNiX](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/XaGoNiX)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2010, 3:30am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/john-ando-yyf-protostar-first-impression-review/14532/1 "2010-05-18T03:30:54Z")
I just got my ProtoStar today in the mail. Here’s a brief quick review on what it’s like straight out of the box. Note that I am not a very advanced yo-yoer. This is a review based on the opinions and experiences of a lower level yo-yoer. (I bought from YoYoExpert) THE PROTOSTAR - $34.99 ($5 shipping) In The Box … - the ProtoStar (of course) - a green string (not sure if it’s 50/50 or full Polyester. It seems 100% Polyester.) - a small trick list - a YoYoExpert check list for different yo-yo tricks - YoYoExpert sticker - two YoYoExpert trading cards of professional yo-yoers - bubble wrap! - receipt Yo-Yo Specs (from the YoYoExpert shop) Diameter: 55.94 mm / 2.20 inches Width: 43.15 mm / 1.69 inches Gap Width: 4.43 mm / .17 inches Response System: Standard Sized K-Pad Weight: 67.0 grams Bearing Size: Center Trac Bearing by CBC First Throw The ProtoStar feels great in the hand. It has a surprisingly wide gap, and even better, ARROWS on the side of the yo-yo to prevent overtightening! This was one of the best aspects of the yo-yo since I already broke two previous yo-yos from overtightening them. I gave a weak throw to begin with. The results were surprising. The ProtoStar was VERY balanced and smooth. I literally jumped where I was standing. The center trac bearing worked very well in keeping the yo-yo together. I have not yet timed how long a good sleeper on a ProtoStar is, but I have heard it has been around upwards 3 minutes of sleep time? (a straight sleeper, no tricks) Problems/Questions I’ve heard complaints about the sound of the ProtoStar because of its center trac bearing. Bear with me here, since I’ve only had this yo-yo for a day. As of right now, the sound has not bothered me as much. The center trac bearing is easily heard spinning around but it is not a very piercing sound nor very loud. However, I do find that sometimes when I throw a hard sleeper it tends to get loud at times. Anything weird about the ProtoStar yet? One thing I’ve noticed as I played with my ProtoStar is that it pulsates … and with its red color I find this particularly enjoyable to watch. I have seen this happen when it sleeps. By pulsate, I mean that when it is in sleep, every second or so there is a vibration that makes it look like a pulse. Heck, I UFO’d to fix my string and it was interesting to see it pulsate in UFO mode. This may or may not affect some yo-yoers who are bothered by heavy vibrations in the string. How’s the response system? The ProtoStar is a fully UNRESPONSIVE yo-yo. I have not once had it return back to my hand by any other means besides binding. As a beginner yo-yo jumping from a simple Peter Fish Luminator to a ProtoStar, this was definitely a bit difficult to bind at some times. However, through problems and mistakes came improvement. Though frustrating at times, binding with the ProtoStar is quite a fun learning experience. However, it is definitely recommended to know how to bind quite well before getting a ProtoStar (unless you’re willing to learn form it). How are the string tricks? Bear with me once again, as I am not a very advanced yo-yoer (just yet?). In my previous yo-yo, string tricks were incredibly hard due to weight issues, even with a nice butterfly shape. The wide gap of the ProtoStar is VERY helpful. I’ve been landing my trapezes and mounts with much more success with the ProtoStar. The Conclusion I love my new ProtoStar. I have not put it down ever since I got it. This is a plastic yo-yo that definitely plays as well as a metal and really helps out in various string tricks. I’ve noticed that many people have compared the ProtoStar with the Dark Magic. Personally, I think the ProtoStar surpasses the Dark Magic on: - COST: The ProtoStar is $5 cheaper! - STRING TRICKS: The wider gap on the ProtoStar proves to be quite helpful - LOOKS: The Dark Magic looks alright when spinning (with caps on) but the ProtoStar’s built in logos on the sides look like blurry awesomeness when it’s sleeping. - BALANCE: I’ve had better balancing on the string with the ProtoStar. This may or may not be influenced by my improvement with trapezes from using the DM to the ProtoStar. - DURABILITY: With a Dark Magic, you’ll be worried about dinging the metal on the outside. The best part about the ProtoStar is that it’s PLASTIC! Though it’s possible to chip/crack the outside of the ProtoStar, it won’t affect you as much as the gritty, dinged metal outside of the Dark Magic. However, I feel the Dark Magic surpasses the ProtoStar in: - BINDING: I don’t know if it’s just me, the ProtoStar’s center trac bearing, or the DM’s built in response system, but binding is just easier on the DM for me. - GRINDING: I’ve heard many things about how awesome grinding is on the Dark Magic due to its layered inside. The ProtoStar is capable of grinding, but definitely not as well. * * * Feel free to ask questions (though I probably will not be able to answer too many) or point out any mistakes/errors, as well as add your own experiences with the ProtoStar (such as grinds, advanced/master tricks, or more about the yo-yo itself). Each yo-yoer has a different experience with a yo-yo, so feel free to share your experiences! Thanks for reading! ---
**Author:** ![Kristiawan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/kristiawan/32/366_2.png) [@Kristiawan](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Kristiawan)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2010, 3:09pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/john-ando-yyf-protostar-first-impression-review/14532/2 "2010-05-18T15:09:46Z")
nice review. i have a protostar, and it make loud noises now, but not affect play. and about grinding, i think it’s only thing that this yoyo unable to do nicely. ---
**Author:** ![hidas](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/hidas/32/486_2.png) [@hidas](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/hidas)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2010, 4:49pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/john-ando-yyf-protostar-first-impression-review/14532/3 "2010-05-18T16:49:50Z")
I fully agree. The Protostar is my best yoyo. ---
**Author:** ![pickle24](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/pickle24/32/483_2.png) [@pickle24](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/pickle24)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2010, 5:04pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/john-ando-yyf-protostar-first-impression-review/14532/4 "2010-05-18T17:04:08Z")
needs pics ---
**Author:** ![TheOrangeYoYo](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/theorangeyoyo/32/516_2.png) [@TheOrangeYoYo](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/TheOrangeYoYo)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2010, 7:54pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/john-ando-yyf-protostar-first-impression-review/14532/5 "2010-05-18T19:54:18Z")
ugh my protostar comes in the mail today i cant wait to get home from school in like an hour and get it! ---
**Author:** ![swiftduststorm](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/swiftduststorm/32/1460_2.png) [@swiftduststorm](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/swiftduststorm)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2014, 11:29pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/john-ando-yyf-protostar-first-impression-review/14532/6 "2014-01-15T23:29:03Z")
my protostar is awesome but very loud. I also think that this needs a 10 ball bearing. ---
**Author:** ![jbritter3](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/jbritter3/32/1265_2.png) [@jbritter3](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/jbritter3)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2014, 3:33am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/john-ando-yyf-protostar-first-impression-review/14532/7 "2014-01-17T03:33:58Z")
I’ve really liked the protostars I’ve played. I like it better than the rally. ---
**Author:** ![MYNAMEISZen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9bcb4/32.png) [@MYNAMEISZen](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/MYNAMEISZen)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2014, 3:47am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/john-ando-yyf-protostar-first-impression-review/14532/8 "2014-01-17T03:47:46Z")
> [@Kristiawan](#): > > nice review. > i have a protostar, and it make loud noises now, but not affect play. > and about grinding, i think it’s only thing that this yoyo unable to do nicely. New Protostars are blasted and grind great!