Yoyo factory popstar quick review
http://www.yoyonation.co.uk/images/T/popstarthumb.jpg http://www.euro-yo.com/acatalog/yoyofactory-pop-star-red-p-200.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LxiGvxqdbDA/TOvE4NMoEqI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/r05l1yJlvH0/s1600/5167441394_7a8bf83dab_z.jpg
First thoughts
WOW! just looking inside the box and seeing a yoyo that small is really a sight to behold, especially if you have never seen an undersized yoyo before. And it’s quite a beauty with it’s great anodizing colors and it’s familiar shape resembling the hectic/ protostar.
Specifications
Diameter - 1.73 inches
Width - 1.26 inches
Gap - .19 inches
Mass - 66.5 grams
Response - silicone/ pads
Bearing - size C
Playability
My first few throws were completely pathetic! Before this I have never seen and undersized throw, so getting used to the unstable nature of this yoyo was a disaster until I had thrown it enough times to compensate. Once I was able to keep it straight, I found it’s sleeping ability is just as good as my other full size throws. It’s dense rims provide good momentum on a good throw. Because of it’s small size, getting used to stability is not the only challenge you have to overcome. The small width does not allow for a large catch area, but these are thing you should expect and will ultimately make you a more stable and accurate player. Grinds are a walk in the park. It’s smooth finish provides an amazing surface for finger and palm grinds ( IMO finger grinds work the best). Thumb grinds are a challenge because there is not a very big space for your thumb. Whips are a challenge because of the small width, and slacks because of the lack of stability. But the width makes
It unnoticeable in the pocket… Very comfortable.
For the price
At $26 this is really a bargain. Other yoyos of similar size go for
CLYW campfire - $75
Might flea - $65 + $15 for stacks. So that is how it compares to a few other throws.
Pros
Inexpensive - $26
Smooth
Good sleep time
Improves player stability and accuracy
Good pocket size
Cons
Unstable
Requires more accuracy
Difficult thumb grinds
Final thoughts
All in all this is an amazing yoyo that arouses intrigue from uninformed spectators. And for $26 you can’t bead dead smooth with a high fun factor. IMO it could be a main throw, but I would suppose most won’t. This yoyo is geared toward advanced players, but if you decide to pick one up you won’t be disappointed. It’s one I enjoy a lot of time with.