Background:
There are thousands of different yoyo models. Customers shopping online frequently select a model based on its specifications such as width, diameter, shape, gap width, etc. An important determinant of yoyo performance is the amount of inertia and momentum (aka stability and spin time) it has after it has been thrown. These are in part determined by the diameter of the yoyo and the amount of weight distributed at the rims. Current customers shopping online are not able to easily compare the amount of stability/ sleep time one yoyo has relative to another.
Objective:
We propose an additional metric, “Stability/ Spin time” or “S-score” to further enhance the customer’s ability to select a yoyo that most aligns with their desired attributes.
Methods:
Prior to beginning, a benchmark yoyo must be selected to serve as a control. The authors would suggest the YOYOFACTORY Shutter model because it is ubiquitous, inexpensive, and generally considered to be a good performer.
Step 1: the yoyoer would throw 3 sleepers with the Shutter yoyo and take the average of those 3 times.
Step 2: the yoyoer would repeat step 1 with the yoyo model of their choice.
Step 3: the yoyoer would then divide the average spin time of the yoyo of their choice by the average spin time of their Shutter yoyo. This will yield the yoyo of their choice’s S-score.
Step 4: the yoyoer will record this number in the spreadsheet under the yoyo model name. They may repeat steps 2-4 for each yoyo they would like to know the S-score for.
Step 5: An average of the reported S-scores (max of 6) for a particular model will be calculated in the far-right column. Other yoyoers may then access the spreadsheet to review the S-scores of reported models and make future purchasing selections based on this value.
Example: Our average sleeper with a Shutter yoyo is 100 seconds. Our average sleeper with an 888 yoyo is 80 seconds. 80 seconds/ 100 seconds is 0.8. Therefore, the 888 yoyo has an S-score of 0.8 indicating it is less stable than a Shutter or other yoyos with a higher S-value.
Results:
Contribute your S-scores in the spreadsheet below.
Spreadsheet: Yoyo S-scores - Google Sheets
Discussion:
Anticipated limitations of this study: First, not everyone has access to a Shutter yoyo. Second, while the Shutter is ubiquitous, slight updates in the design over the years mean that not every Shutter is identical so it is not an ideal control. Third, when possible, the yoyoer should use the same bearing and string in the Shutter as they do with the yoyo in question when throwing sleepers to rule out a potential confounding variable. However, not all yoyos use the same bearing size making this not always possible. Fourth, differences in player technique may cause variance in individual S-scores. Fifth, a yoyo’s “feel” is very subjective and is not solely determined by its stability/ spin time.
Conclusion:
An S-score is a relatively objective value that can help those looking to purchase a new yoyo model select the one that best fits their desired attributes.