# Performance difference between 5a counterweights **URL:** \ **Category:** General Yo-Yo\ **Created:** [May 10, 2019, 11:26pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/performance-difference-between-5a-counterweights/302199 "2019-05-10T23:26:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![smileypants707](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/smileypants707/32/19045_2.png) [@smileypants707](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/smileypants707)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2019, 11:26pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/performance-difference-between-5a-counterweights/302199/1 "2019-05-10T23:26:40Z")
Is there a big performance difference between your very basic and bearing(ed) counterweights? Bonus Question: When does the Duncan patent expire on these? In other words, when would they be able to be legally manufactured for sale by other people/companies? ---
**Author:** ![TheThrowingGnome](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/thethrowinggnome/32/14231_2.png) [@TheThrowingGnome](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/TheThrowingGnome)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2019, 11:33pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/performance-difference-between-5a-counterweights/302199/2 "2019-05-10T23:33:25Z")
Biggest difference I’ve noticed is with a bearing type or others that are free spinning is you don’t have to adjust string tension (which is a big plus) because the string is not connected to a fixed point. Otherwise I just try to match appropriately weighted counterweights to the weight of the throw. I’m still a super novice at 5a though. ---
**Author:** ![smileypants707](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/smileypants707/32/19045_2.png) [@smileypants707](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/smileypants707)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2019, 11:35pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/performance-difference-between-5a-counterweights/302199/3 "2019-05-10T23:35:31Z")
> [@TheThrowingGnome](#): > > Otherwise I just try to match appropriately weighted counterweights to the weight of the throw. I’m still a super novice at 5a though. Is there an official ratio for this? ---
**Author:** ![MarkD](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/markd/32/40845_2.png) [@MarkD](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/MarkD)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2019, 11:38pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/performance-difference-between-5a-counterweights/302199/4 "2019-05-10T23:38:50Z")
> [@smileypants707](#): > > Is there an official ratio for this? somewhere around 1/6 I think, so most counterweights are in the 10-12g range. It affects the proportion of string you have on either side when you grab it to do tricks where both the CW and Yoyo move independently. ---
**Author:** ![vegabomb](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/vegabomb/32/199_2.png) [@vegabomb](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/vegabomb)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2019, 1:12am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/performance-difference-between-5a-counterweights/302199/5 "2019-05-11T01:12:10Z")
> [@smileypants707](#): > > When does the Duncan patent expire on these? [http://www.5ayoyo.com/](http://www.5ayoyo.com/) ---
**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:** [May 11, 2019, 1:13am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/performance-difference-between-5a-counterweights/302199/6 "2019-05-11T01:13:49Z")
Here is an awesome link from the past > [@Counterweight Weights](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/counterweight-weights/2585): > > Just in case anyone was wondering, here are the weights of the Duncan Counterweights in order from lightest to heaviest. Blue Die - 10.5 grams Yellow Die - 10.6 grams Clear Die - 10.6 grams Blue Bouncy Ball - 10.7 grams Red Die - 10.9 grams Red Bouncy Ball - 10.9 grams Squirrel Head - 11.5 grams Panda Head - 11.6 grams Monkey Head - 11.75 grams Duncan Man Head - 11.75 grams Skull Head - 11.75 grams Steve Brown Head - 11.8 grams Mean Red Die (a.k.a. Dieguy) - 12 grams Yellow Bouncy … ---
**Author:** ![codinghorror](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/codinghorror/32/8052_2.png) [@codinghorror](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/codinghorror)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2019, 1:15am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/performance-difference-between-5a-counterweights/302199/7 "2019-05-11T01:15:29Z")
There’s also [the double-dice counterweight](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/new-counterweights-from-duncan/289325/2) (which is like having two distinct counterweights, I think, for slightly different tricks?) and that new adjustable weight counterweight. ---
**Author:** ![SpyseaRice](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/spysearice/32/82121_2.png) [@SpyseaRice](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/SpyseaRice)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2019, 1:26am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/performance-difference-between-5a-counterweights/302199/8 "2019-05-11T01:26:22Z")
That’s amazing. How long has this website been up? ---
**Author:** ![vegabomb](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/vegabomb/32/199_2.png) [@vegabomb](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/vegabomb)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2019, 1:51am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/performance-difference-between-5a-counterweights/302199/9 "2019-05-11T01:51:11Z")
I’m not certain. At least a few years. ---
**Author:** ![smileypants707](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/smileypants707/32/19045_2.png) [@smileypants707](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/smileypants707)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2019, 2:28am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/performance-difference-between-5a-counterweights/302199/10 "2019-05-11T02:28:28Z")
Wow… that is a very specific and very useful website… ---
**Author:** ![shatterFX](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/shatterfx/32/66476_2.png) [@shatterFX](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/shatterFX)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2019, 2:58am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/performance-difference-between-5a-counterweights/302199/11 "2019-05-11T02:58:25Z")
Do you happen to know what they have a patent on? Is it just that you can’t call it a counterweight (like “yoyo” in Canada) or can you not sell anything that could be used as one? ---
**Author:** ![smileypants707](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/smileypants707/32/19045_2.png) [@smileypants707](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/smileypants707)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2019, 3:19am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/performance-difference-between-5a-counterweights/302199/12 "2019-05-11T03:19:33Z")
@vegabomb or @unklesteve ---
**Author:** ![vegabomb](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/vegabomb/32/199_2.png) [@vegabomb](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/vegabomb)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2019, 4:09am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/performance-difference-between-5a-counterweights/302199/13 "2019-05-11T04:09:59Z")
Patents are very legalese documents. I know the gist of what the patent is but hesitate to describe it for fear of making an error. Steve Brown is the person that submitted the patent so he may chime in if so inclined. ---
**Author:** ![unklesteve](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/unklesteve/32/106934_2.png) [@unklesteve](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/unklesteve)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2019, 12:29pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/performance-difference-between-5a-counterweights/302199/14 "2019-05-20T12:29:15Z")
The patent is YoYo and Method for Using a YoYo. > **[US6371824B1 - Yo-yo and method for using a yo-yo - Google Patents](https://patents.google.com/patent/US6371824B1/en)** > > A yo-yo includes a yo-yo body having first and second halves joined together with an axle. A string is interconnected at one end to the axle and at the opposite end to a solid body. Tricks may be executed using the yo-yo, including selectively... ---
**Author:** ![AaronW](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/aaronw/32/49251_2.png) [@AaronW](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/AaronW)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2019, 2:01pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/performance-difference-between-5a-counterweights/302199/15 "2019-05-20T14:01:53Z")
> [@vegabomb](#): > > [http://www.5ayoyo.com](http://www.5ayoyo.com) I do find it slightly humorous that a year before a patent expires, a certain company decides (after years of essentially doing very little to promote 5A) all of a sudden has a push to try to promote 5A, as if they know the gates are about to be opened and they’re going to have a ton of competition :joy: ---
**Author:** ![YoYoExpertGarrett](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/yoyoexpertgarrett/32/1543_2.png) [@YoYoExpertGarrett](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/YoYoExpertGarrett)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2019, 3:43pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/performance-difference-between-5a-counterweights/302199/16 "2019-05-20T15:43:14Z")
> [@AaronW](#): > > as if they know the gates are about to be opened and they’re going to have a ton of competition :joy: They still remain 100% unreasonable on licensing though, even with just a year left. We’ll have a few new counterweight options available once that countdown strikes zero. 😁 ---
**Author:** ![AaronW](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/aaronw/32/49251_2.png) [@AaronW](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/AaronW)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2019, 3:45pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/performance-difference-between-5a-counterweights/302199/17 "2019-05-20T15:45:38Z")
There is a certain National YoYo Master that I’m highly looking forward to seeing what he’s got up his sleeve. ---
**Author:** ![unklesteve](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/unklesteve/32/106934_2.png) [@unklesteve](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/unklesteve)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2019, 5:41pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/performance-difference-between-5a-counterweights/302199/18 "2019-05-20T17:41:19Z")
You can say many things about me, but you can never say that I don’t have a lot of plans in the works. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![unklesteve](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/unklesteve/32/106934_2.png) [@unklesteve](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/unklesteve)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2019, 5:45pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/performance-difference-between-5a-counterweights/302199/19 "2019-05-20T17:45:34Z")
If you chart their sudden action on 5A on one line, and Bryan’s increased responsibilities and agency on another line, I will bet you those two lines are parallel and identical. Bryan is a good dude and he loves 5A. He’s doing his very best to get them to push and promote it.