Most things released now are very very good. So what really qualifies as an ‘exceptional’ yoyo these days?
I know this is a very subjective question, but perhaps there is a point where it is less subjective and more objective?.. Not sure. I suppose things like bimetals could be considered more objective?
I realize this thread could be rubbish, but I’m interested to hear what people have to say.
Exceptional play is probably generalized as smooth playing ability, well distributed weight to allow a stable but easily maneuverable yoyo, and a shape that promotes a well-balanced yoyo. Everything else is opinion.
Since I dont hop on board any hype trains, the outstanding throws are the ones that make me go WHOA! when I throw them. Not all of them do.
888 - meh
Glide - ugh, no.
dv888- not for me
2.0 - nice
Stryx- meh
Shutter - kinda hollow-ish
summit - whoa!
7 Summits - Very very nice!
orca - WHOA!
just my 2 cents
looking forward to my first bi-metal
What an exceptional Yoyo is to me as of this time in yoyos
Low walls is a must these days if it has high walls near the response area it’s considered outdated and not exceptional if someone these days is trying to sell a new brand Yoyo but has that as a feature an is not a looping Yoyo not exceptional.
If it’s in the $40-$60 it better be a budget metal or one heck of a plastic Yoyo if it’s in the $40 price range.
Small amounts of vibe, if it has some serious vibe these days and is over $30 it’s not exceptional.
If the Yoyo has good marketing and is a decent Yoyo it’s exceptional. However if it’s like the Duncan butterfly In terms of marketing (not a good Yoyo but great marketing) not exceptional
No caps! If a Yoyo has caps these days and their not the YYJ lateral caps or if they serve a purpose (like YYFs replay pro) it’s not exceptional because caps just make a Yoyo look cheap.
And that’s about if for me to determine what an exceptional Yoyo is to me in today’s standards.
I love highwalls, especially the 888.
High or medium wall also organic shape.
Uniqueness
I totally agree. From an objective standpoint I would say that overall smoothness and weight distribution are key for an exceptional yoyo. But from a subjective standpoint, I would say that if it plays good and I like it, then I will deem it exceptional.
The one enduring feature of an “exceptional” yo-yo is the feeling that one gets on the first or second throw. There is a unique quality to an “exceptional” yo-yo that transcends all reviews, fads and hype. It is the rare moment when the clouds do part; and the angels do sing. The smile that comes with your sudden comprehension of the unique, awesomeness that is at the end of your string, is what defines “exceptional” to me.
Exceptional is really subjective and is somewhat unique to the yoyo player. It’s been proven in this thread already as one mentioned they love their high-walled 888.
For me, an exceptional yoyo is a yoyo that isn’t too floaty but isn’t like throwing a rock. It is one that has a solid feeling but is also nimble. Lastly, something with power and stability. As much as it makes my hand hurt after a while from binding too soon, a yoyo earns its full love from me when it feels like it returns back to my hand with authority rather than pulling off a wimpy climb back up the string.
Here’s a few stand out throws in my collection:
YYF Dream Aluminum and Space Cowboy
Axis Pulsefire
YoYofficer Rave & Quash
CLYW Orca & Puffin 2
Eternal Thow Victory and Elysian
There’s plenty more in my collection but these really seem to have that spot in my collection.
Lately I’m fascinated by extremely light bi-metals. Light stable yoyos in general.
Any yoyo that: is made very well, plays very well, looks very good, feels very good, is very durable and purchasing it doesn’t send you to Bankruptcy Court… Is an Exceptional yoyo…
…there may be conditions to consider.
Exceptional regardless of price? Exceptional considering price/performance factors? Exceptional for other unstated reasons?
A YYR Dazzler costs $600. A YYR Draupnir plays better than the Dazzler for 1/3 the price. The New YYF Nightmare easily plays as well as a Draupnir for half the price of the Draupnir and is easier to obtain. The YYF Cypher plays just about as well as anything… At half the price of the Nightmare.
Each yoyo mentioned could be considered exceptional considering their performance levels are high yet their prices are dramatically different.
Etc…
I think the fact that the Dazzler does not play as well as the Draupnir yet costs almost three time the price makes it exceptional only in terms of exorbitancy.
I think you’ve hit the nail on the head, Doc. It’s looks/construction/performance/cost. An exceptional yoyo is the best balance of all four.
Hardly anything on the market has all of these four. Most neglect at least one of these qualities.
Many yoyos are cheap but don’t look great or perform well. This is not exceptional.
Many yoyos are expensive and perform and look great, but simply cost too much. This is not exceptional either. Why? It is expected that an expensive yoyo has these qualities.
There are also many that look, perform and cost well, but are constructed poorly. This also is not exceptional.
There are only 2 yoyos I know of that have all four:
The Last run of the Yoyofficer Imp
And…
The YYF Golden Galaxy Cypher.
I think that the YYR Sleipnir is still an exceptional yoyo because it’s ~6 years old at this point, yet even today you’ll be hard pressed to find a better performing all-aluminium yoyo.
Can’t argue with a yoyo that has stood the test of time and still come out pretty much on top…
Also, statements like these:
…are no good for my bank account. I had zero interest in the Cypher until this point, and had been holding fire on the Nightmare as well… 
Low wall, wide profile, H shape
An exceptional yoyo is one that is difficult to compare to another model. Too many yoyos feel like “oh, its [some other yoyo] but also [some other stuff].”
