# Looking for a Yo-Yo for "newbie" **URL:** \ **Category:** Looking for Help/Recommendation\ **Created:** [August 26, 2012, 3:05pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/looking-for-a-yo-yo-for-newbie/41902 "2012-08-26T15:05:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![diego.roscetti](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/diego.roscetti/32/1190_2.png) [@diego.roscetti](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/diego.roscetti)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2012, 3:05pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/looking-for-a-yo-yo-for-newbie/41902/1 "2012-08-26T15:05:39Z")
Hello Everyone. I just recently came across this site. I love it. I used to play with a yo-yo as a kid and just recently purchased one again. I am a relative beginner as far as tricks are concerned. I know how to do the sleeper, walk the dog, and loop. I am wondering if you guys could help me out. I need some advice on what you guys think is a good Yo-Yo for me to purchase. I just bought the Yomega Radier from TRU and was looking at getting something better. All of you help is much appreciated. Thank you in advance. ---
**Author:** ![anonyo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8baadc/32.png) [@anonyo](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/anonyo)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2012, 3:33pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/looking-for-a-yo-yo-for-newbie/41902/2 "2012-08-26T15:33:53Z")
. ---
**Author:** ![diego.roscetti](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/diego.roscetti/32/1190_2.png) [@diego.roscetti](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/diego.roscetti)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2012, 3:48pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/looking-for-a-yo-yo-for-newbie/41902/3 "2012-08-26T15:48:20Z")
Thank you very much for the suggestions. Stupid question…what does “play unresponsive” mean? Sorry for the newbie question. ---
**Author:** ![BanjoSpins](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/banjospins/32/704_2.png) [@BanjoSpins](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/BanjoSpins)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2012, 3:52pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/looking-for-a-yo-yo-for-newbie/41902/4 "2012-08-26T15:52:09Z")
Questions such as yours can be tricky to answer as there are so many choices where not one is better than the next. If you have purchased a Raider at TRU you may wish to go back and see if they have a Dash or Maverick. They usually have Duncan throws such as Freehands which are not a bad place to start. So much depends on what type of play you are interested in. For me when I got back into throwing I wanted to get into 1A straight away. You will probably have a frustrating experience if you have a go at that with your Raider. Your going to want to look into a yoyo typically referred as a butterfly or wing shape and that’s the direction I’m now going to be pointing. YoYoExpert is my favorite place to shop and they have so much to offer. YoYoJam has reasonably priced yoyos such as the Legacy and Lyn Fury. If you are going to work your way through the tutorials here you’ll find André using a Dark Magic. (and why not, it’s got his name right on the side of it.) I own two Dark Magics and I recommend them highly. I go back to them again and again when learning something new. I have a soft spot in my heart for Duncan. Their Raptor is a fantastic yoyo as is something like an Echo. There are such a myriad of choices I hesitate to mention too many more names because so many are equally valid. I do wish to throw out this advice, you don’t need to invest large amounts of cash upfront. Products such as the afore mentioned yoyos like the Dark Magic II or throws like Protostar and Northstar from YoYo Factory are fantastic throws that a capable of doing anything you wish to try with a yoyo. Once you are more established and confident this is truly a pass time you enjoy you can shop for higher end throws. Good luck and welcome to our little fraternity. ---
**Author:** ![Shadowz143](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/shadowz143/32/952_2.png) [@Shadowz143](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Shadowz143)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2012, 3:55pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/looking-for-a-yo-yo-for-newbie/41902/5 "2012-08-26T15:55:11Z")
> [@diego.roscetti](#): > > Thank you very much for the suggestions. > > Stupid question…what does “play unresponsive” mean? Sorry for the newbie question. It’s okay! I had no clue what it meant when I started. This video teaches what "Unresponsive and responsive means. [![](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/uploads/yoyoexpert1/original/4X/1/b/0/1b0a3252856c8bc008d79230037d171a26ce847e.jpeg "Wilson Van Gundy 2012") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gJ5DK5pq9M) Also, a suggestion for a yoyo. [Dark Magic II.](http://shop.yoyoexpert.com/product/4/YYJ-Dark-magic-II) (It’s clickable) Also, when you move on to unresponsive play, you have to learn this to get the yoyo to come back up to your hand: [![](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/uploads/yoyoexpert1/original/4X/1/b/0/1b0a3252856c8bc008d79230037d171a26ce847e.jpeg "Wilson Van Gundy 2012") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gJ5DK5pq9M) But, before learning to play unresponsive, I would suggest to learn all of the tricks before the Bind, in the learn section of this website. ---
**Author:** ![yomorrow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/278dde/32.png) [@yomorrow](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/yomorrow)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2012, 4:01pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/looking-for-a-yo-yo-for-newbie/41902/6 "2012-08-26T16:01:28Z")
I have to say the most fun yoyo you can get under $30 would be the YYF Grind Machine. It has hub stacks, which allow you to pull start the yoyo and to hold it by the stacks to do cool tricks. Also, it’s a good all-around yoyo. [http://shop.yoyoexpert.com/product/519/YYF-Grind-Machine---Neon-Collection](http://shop.yoyoexpert.com/product/519/YYF-Grind-Machine---Neon-Collection) If you want to get about as cheap as you can for a yoyo that still plays decently, get a YYF One or Whip–probably the One is better for you. [YYF ONE – YoYoExpert](http://shop.yoyoexpert.com/product/368/YYF-ONE) If you prefer to just shop at Toys’R’Us, check out any of the Duncan yoyos with a butterfly shape. It’ll say on the package whether it’s for looping or not. The Raider is a looping yoyo, so you should try a string trick yoyo instead to do other types of tricks. Good luck, and the rest of what you need has basically already been said. Also, consider buying a 100-pack of string if you want to get serious. It should last you well over a year even if you play an hour a day. ---
**Author:** ![DrAwesome](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/drawesome/32/1139_2.png) [@DrAwesome](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/DrAwesome)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2012, 4:37pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/looking-for-a-yo-yo-for-newbie/41902/7 "2012-08-26T16:37:04Z")
> [@Shadowz143](#): > > > [@diego.roscetti](#): > > > > Thank you very much for the suggestions. > > > > Stupid question…what does “play unresponsive” mean? Sorry for the newbie question. > > It’s okay! I had no clue what it meant when I started. > > This video teaches what "Unresponsive and responsive means. > > [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ym6pAwjNV5c&feature=player\_embedded](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ym6pAwjNV5c&feature=player_embedded) > > Also, a suggestion for a yoyo. > > [Dark Magic II.](http://shop.yoyoexpert.com/product/4/YYJ-Dark-magic-II) (It’s clickable) > > Also, when you move on to unresponsive play, you have to learn this to get the yoyo to come back up to your hand: > > [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ym6pAwjNV5c&feature=player\_embedded](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ym6pAwjNV5c&feature=player_embedded) > > But, before learning to play unresponsive, I would suggest to learn all of the tricks before the Bind, in the learn section of this website. I suggest you listen to this guy he has everything right i have to say this is one of the most helpful post ive ever seen ---
**Author:** ![Shadowz143](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/shadowz143/32/952_2.png) [@Shadowz143](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Shadowz143)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2012, 4:44pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/looking-for-a-yo-yo-for-newbie/41902/8 "2012-08-26T16:44:23Z")
> [@DrAwesome](#): > > > [@Shadowz143](#): > > > > > [@diego.roscetti](#): > > > > > > Thank you very much for the suggestions. > > > > > > Stupid question…what does “play unresponsive” mean? Sorry for the newbie question. > > > > It’s okay! I had no clue what it meant when I started. > > > > This video teaches what "Unresponsive and responsive means. > > > > [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ym6pAwjNV5c&feature=player\_embedded](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ym6pAwjNV5c&feature=player_embedded) > > > > Also, a suggestion for a yoyo. > > > > [Dark Magic II.](http://shop.yoyoexpert.com/product/4/YYJ-Dark-magic-II) (It’s clickable) > > > > Also, when you move on to unresponsive play, you have to learn this to get the yoyo to come back up to your hand: > > > > [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ym6pAwjNV5c&feature=player\_embedded](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ym6pAwjNV5c&feature=player_embedded) > > > > But, before learning to play unresponsive, I would suggest to learn all of the tricks before the Bind, in the learn section of this website. > > I suggest you listen to this guy he has everything right i have to say this is one of the most helpful post ive ever seen Why thank you. ---
**Author:** ![diego.roscetti](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/diego.roscetti/32/1190_2.png) [@diego.roscetti](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/diego.roscetti)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2012, 4:55pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/looking-for-a-yo-yo-for-newbie/41902/9 "2012-08-26T16:55:13Z")
Thank you very much everyone for all your help. Shadowz143…your videos were very helpful. They cleared up a lot for me. When I was playing around with my Raider it was unresponsive. I did exactly what the guy in the video said…I thought it was not working properly. I will check out all of the suggestions. I think that I would like to go the unresponsive route. It looks as though there are a lot more tricks I could learn this way. ---
**Author:** ![BanjoSpins](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/banjospins/32/704_2.png) [@BanjoSpins](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/BanjoSpins)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2012, 5:01pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/looking-for-a-yo-yo-for-newbie/41902/10 "2012-08-26T17:01:07Z")
> [@diego.roscetti](#): > > I think that I would like to go the unresponsive route. It looks as though there are a lot more tricks I could learn this way. Yes, you are going to have to eventually if you pursue the sport in earnest. You’ll find so much great advice and solid support right here under the Big Top with the YYE logo on top. ---
**Author:** ![DrAwesome](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/drawesome/32/1139_2.png) [@DrAwesome](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/DrAwesome)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2012, 5:12pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/looking-for-a-yo-yo-for-newbie/41902/11 "2012-08-26T17:12:15Z")
> [@diego.roscetti](#): > > Thank you very much everyone for all your help. > > Shadowz143…your videos were very helpful. They cleared up a lot for me. > > When I was playing around with my Raider it was unresponsive. I did exactly what the guy in the video said…I thought it was not working properly. > > I will check out all of the suggestions. I think that I would like to go the unresponsive route. It looks as though there are a lot more tricks I could learn this way. The dark magic would probably be the best thing for you it comes with 2 bearings one that is responsive so you can learn the basic tricks and one that is unresponsive so you can continue to grow ---
**Author:** ![yomorrow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/278dde/32.png) [@yomorrow](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/yomorrow)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2012, 5:25pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/looking-for-a-yo-yo-for-newbie/41902/12 "2012-08-26T17:25:31Z")
I disagree with the necessity of having a semi-responsive yoyo or yoyo with a slim bearing included for a beginner. Binding is not as hard as it’s made out to be. And whether or not you have the patience to learn it right off the bat is a good indicator of whether you’ll want to invest more time/money into the pursuit. I’ve had a total yoyo newbie learn how to bind with an unresponsive yoyo in about 2 hours of dinking around. Why start off crawling when you could be running with just a little patience? ---
**Author:** ![diego.roscetti](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/diego.roscetti/32/1190_2.png) [@diego.roscetti](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/diego.roscetti)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2012, 5:39pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/looking-for-a-yo-yo-for-newbie/41902/13 "2012-08-26T17:39:38Z")
> [@yomorrow](#): > > I disagree with the necessity of having a semi-responsive yoyo or yoyo with a slim bearing included for a beginner. Binding is not as hard as it’s made out to be. And whether or not you have the patience to learn it right off the bat is a good indicator of whether you’ll want to invest more time/money into the pursuit. I’ve had a total yoyo newbie learn how to bind with an unresponsive yoyo in about 2 hours of dinking around. Why start off crawling when you could be running with just a little patience? Makes a lot of sense. I agree with being able to learn to bind and how committed you are. Thanks for the advice. ---
**Author:** ![DrAwesome](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/drawesome/32/1139_2.png) [@DrAwesome](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/DrAwesome)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2012, 5:50pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/looking-for-a-yo-yo-for-newbie/41902/14 "2012-08-26T17:50:35Z")
either way the dark magic is a great yoyo ---
**Author:** ![diego.roscetti](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/diego.roscetti/32/1190_2.png) [@diego.roscetti](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/diego.roscetti)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2012, 6:02pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/looking-for-a-yo-yo-for-newbie/41902/15 "2012-08-27T18:02:10Z")
Thank you everyone for your help and information. I ended up purchasing the Dark Magic II. Thanks again to Shadowz143 for your info. Sure pointed me in the right direction. ---
**Author:** ![Shadowz143](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/shadowz143/32/952_2.png) [@Shadowz143](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Shadowz143)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2012, 7:52pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/looking-for-a-yo-yo-for-newbie/41902/16 "2012-08-27T19:52:19Z")
> [@diego.roscetti](#): > > Thank you everyone for your help and information. > > I ended up purchasing the Dark Magic II. Thanks again to Shadowz143 for your info. Sure pointed me in the right direction. Awesome! You won’t be disappointed. I started with a Dark Magic II ---
**Author:** ![Blazvatan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/blazvatan/32/1200_2.png) [@Blazvatan](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Blazvatan)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2012, 8:55am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/looking-for-a-yo-yo-for-newbie/41902/17 "2012-09-02T08:55:03Z")
I started with an xodus 2 ---
**Author:** ![abby1371](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/abby1371/32/1075_2.png) [@abby1371](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/abby1371)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2012, 1:06pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/looking-for-a-yo-yo-for-newbie/41902/18 "2012-09-02T13:06:48Z")
You know a good beginner Yoyo is the legacy 2 from Yoyo jam has a spec bearing and a wide bearing when your ready for unresponsive play ---
**Author:** ![anonyo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8baadc/32.png) [@anonyo](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/anonyo)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2012, 2:08pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/looking-for-a-yo-yo-for-newbie/41902/19 "2012-09-02T14:08:03Z")
Get the YYF one, it comes with 2 different bearings. One is responsive the other is nonresponsive. ---
**Author:** ![supbreh1234](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/supbreh1234/32/1131_2.png) [@supbreh1234](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/supbreh1234)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2012, 4:54pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/looking-for-a-yo-yo-for-newbie/41902/20 "2012-09-02T16:54:10Z")
the ONE and the legacy 2 are great choices! it comes with 2 bearings, and they can handle advanced tricks. [Next page](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/looking-for-a-yo-yo-for-newbie/41902.md?page=2)