Small angle differences can (potentially) have a big impact on feel/play in regards to string friction against the inner wall. A few degrees can make all the difference.
Putting that aside, cuz I don’t do horizontal play either, I will strongly disagree that flat vs. grooved makes no physical difference. The difference in behavior, just with precession alone, between a flat bearing and a grooved bearing was profound enough that I have made it personal policy to put grooved bearings in every One Drop I buy. And I am not the only person who has witnessed a dramatic difference the moment a flat bearing was swapped out with a centering bearing (grooved or otherwise).
You can claim that there is no appreciable physics-based difference between the two, but empirical evidence indicates otherwise. The only explanation I can come up with is that there is an element (in the physics of yoyo play) that the “collective widsom” in the community is simply unaware of.
I appreciate your response. Empirical evidence may show a trend to swapping out bearings and a percieved difference. Again I am by know means arguing that fact. I just believe that that evidence is still subjective. That is why we all like different yoyos. If everyone had objective data and acting in response to it there would be only one yoyo that we would all buy and use. Competitions would be more boring. Everyone with the same yoyo and same routine. Because we would eventually determine the only objective routine that would win. I only wanted to show that when pulled off center to an extreme the string made the same contact with the same point on the yoyo. It’s not scientific by any means.
There is certainely a difference. Thats the same reason I tend to like them. I think we also need to recognize that a percieved difference, may or not be an actual difference. But a percieved difference or expected difference could make us feel differently and play better.
Precession is the only real reason to use a centering bearing. The whole spin time thing (not related to precession) is negligible. High level competition players are going to have their string under above-average tension the whole time, and that higher tension will exacerbate precession. Personally I value the feel of not having friction on string wraps and it seems like @Jhonaker does also
Edit- I should clarify that I mean tension in traditional physics terminology (think pulling on the string), not related to the “twist” or torsion of the string
Not being a jackbut here.
Empirical evidence is the information received by means of the senses, particularly by observation and documentation of patterns and behavior through experimentation.
So the trend of bimetals being the perfomance oriented throw as well as “v” shaped competition throws. So that pattern would indicate that he would need one that meets that criteria to win worlds.
That’s the wrong example. Shutter WA is as rim weighted as an average bimetal.
You can compete with flats and do perfectly fine if you’re a good player, and flat bearings are fun to play with.
But most competitors prefer centering bearings because the stabilize the yoyo and have a noticeable impact on play.
I actually mentioned you guys in another thread as occupying a unique spot in the market. You make a lot of yo-yos that don’t overlap completely with a lot of the design trends right now (bimetal, extra wide v/slight w shapes with huge catch zones around 54-56mm) but they aren’t so niche that they don’t appeal to a lot of people like a lot of the old H-Spin and SPYY stuff.
I think this is why you appeal so much to the average yoyoer who isn’t necessarily focused on competitive elements as much as they are each yo-yo being a slightly unique experience to throw.
A trend only gives you an insight into a general direction that yoyo choices are (or have been) heading in. It does not accurately predict (or dictate) what an elite player is capable of doing with a particular yoyo.
The thing with precession is that it’s only apparent in a sleeper that you just let hang there. During play the forces are different and it’s getting correct and moved around on the axis anyway.
Except that I witnessed precession occurring as my yoyo was traveling in space around my fingers into various mounts. I was puzzled as to why I was having so much trouble keeping the (heavily rim-weighted) yoyo from tilting on me while it was “in flight”. This phenomenon disappeared as soon as I installed centering bearings.
That is quite impressive. What centering were you using. A center trac would really only have any impact if and only if the string drifted far enough to the side of the bearing that it was pushed back. Then the precession effect would be greater on the center trac bearing setup at that point.
Edit: I would also tend to beleive the thrower and string position and skill would have a greater impact. There is not enough force that close to the center of rotation from a string in motion to have that great of an effect.
Not saying you are wrong I did not witness it and can not comment on it.
I would guess that maybe flats are more sensitive the input that causes tilt. Newer players are often putting that input inadvertently. So perhaps this is case for centering being good for new players. Anyone I’ve seen who’s played a certain amount of time, doesn’t get tilt from a flat bearing.
All I know is when I can justify it and I have the other current stuff I’m looking at I’m definitely buying a One Drop just based on @da5id ‘s courteous and professional interactions with people on the forum. I know other brand reps that could learn from him.
Yes, yes, and yes. I was (and still am) a new player. Centering bearings have been an absolute godsend for me. They are a major reason I didn’t just give up on yoyoing in frustration early on.
