by Gingie | May 24, 2024 | Reviews
Specs:
- Diameter – 56.95mm
- Width – 43.09mm
- Weight – 63.5g
- Materials – 6061 Alu Body + SS Rims
Another grail of mine, but this one is a more recent grail. I used to think anything with the form factor of the Atomic Crash was generic, boring, etc… even without ever touching it. These days though I’m far more flexible with my yoyo choices and just like that: This yoyo became 10x harder to find in a decent colorway.
Had to trade my beloved Star Trail just to land one.
So how does it play, and how does it play in comparison to its newer counterpart; the Hydrogen Crash?
Well, after A/B’ing this and the Hydrogen Crash, it became much more obvious to me just how far yoyos have come.
In general: the Hydrogen Crash is more consistent and capable. Despite being lighter and a more extreme design, the Hydrogen Crash is more powerful, and controllable, and its width makes it easier to hit tricks on. Hydrogen Crash is also not as uncomfortable on the catch, the rims on the Atomic Crash needed to be filleted. I almost thought the Atomic Crash was anemic because of how it compared to the Hydrogen Crash. It makes sense the modern iteration of a yoyo that’s 6 years old at this point would kinda whip it around so don’t think I’m dragging on this yoyo too hard lol.
On its own; yeah this is great! Crazy fast, a bit uncontrollably so. The power on its own is just fine, and the stability is rad. Even though this yoyo is supposed to be elite for zontals I find it to be weirdly punishing. I love it but its age shows for sure. It made me realize the gap between yoyos from around 2018 and post-pandemic is bigger than I thought.
As such I’m dropping the Flash down to A-tier as well.
Play: Competitive
Power: Average
Speed: Fast
Controllability: Difficult
Stability: Average
Value: Average
Bind: Tight
Sturdiness: Play Hard
by Gingie | May 15, 2024 | Reviews
Specs:
- Diameter – 55.55mm
- Width – 42.35mm
- Weight – 65.1g
- Materials – Polycarbonate Body w/ Alu Rims (6061?)
Pleasantly surprised by this guy. Didn’t think it’d be much but it was rad when someone let me try it at a meet.
It plays fast and is powerful though it lacks stability and spin time. It’s really great. Super fun to thrash with. It’s particularly great and good feeling with speed combos, it’s solid for zontals. Binds are NICE with this.
10000% the rims NEED to be fileted more though. This thing is SHARP. A bit of a bigger diameter would also do this yoyo some wonders.
Play: Everyone
Power: Powerful
Speed: Fast
Controllability: Average
Stability: Gentleness Advised
Value: Bad
Bind: Tight
Sturdiness: Be Gentle
by Gingie | May 6, 2024 | Reviews
Specs:
- Diameter – 56mm
- Width – 43.93mm
- Weight – 63.54g (66.7g w/ Alu Spikes)
- Materials – 6061 Alu
This yoyo has been a grail of mine since day 1 basically. If you go back to my earliest posts on these forums chances are you’ll find my 13-year-old asking for yoyos that are cheap that are similar to the shape of the Terrarian, Code 2, and Edge. I vividly remember fiending after this yoyo as a kid but never being able to get it because it was way outside my price range.
It took me years to find it, and in the end, it wasn’t being able to afford it, but just pure generosity that I’ll always be thankful for.
Real quick, this yoyo has one of those “you only understand when you get it in person” type things; this thing is deceptively organic. It’s not a Beater or Sphere type of organic, but it’s still rounder than some pics may indicate. Blessed be the subtle curves.
So, how does it play?
Well, I tried it out with alu spikes and alu ultralights so that I can tune it in and get closer to what I enjoy, so I’m gonna split this review into two sections, UL’s and Spikes.
Play: Everyone
Ultralights
The Code 2 with ultralights absolutely ■■■■■■■ shreds. It’s an absolute speed demon with ultralights. It go NYOOOOOM with them ultralights.
It’s slightly uncontrollable though, and ever slightly anemic with ultralights. Stability is fine, but I found the issue with UL’s just took away a bit too much power.
Zontals are just fine.
Power: Soft
Speed: Speed Demon
Controllability: Difficult
Stability: Average
Spikes
Code 2 with spikes is a bit more reigned in, but it has too much centerweight, and it’s kinda unstable. The pacing isn’t as speed-demon-y but it’s a bit more wonky. Similar controllability because the pacing is kinda wonky. Adds just enough solidness and power that it doesn’t feel as anemic as the UL’s.
Zontals take a major hit because of the stability nerf with spikes.
Power: Average
Speed: Average
Controllability: Difficult
Stability: Gentleness Advised
I think I need to try this yoyo with some SE’s between the weight of Spikes and UL’s. Maybe Legos or Mini Spikes.
Value: Terrible
Bind: Average
Sturdiness: Average
by Gingie | Apr 18, 2024 | Reviews
Specs:
- Diameter – 56.77mm
- Width – 45.4mm
- Weight – 70.1g (w/ Alu Ultralights)
- Materials – 6061 Alu
This plays how I wish the Peak 2 played. Plus maybe 3-4 grams. Really fun yoyo. Solidly stable and handily powerful. Ribs are a neat aesthetic choice but it’s not exactly for me. Maybe for her pleasure though. Not a speed yoyo at all. Great control. Fatiguing af because of the weight. The profile makes it meh for zontals. The description of it reads:
“Many yo-yos recently, including ones we make, are focused on competition and speed. This is a noble cause and one we’ll continue to pursue because pushing the limits of performance is important and desired.”
And references how the Downbeat is supposed to not be performant. But it’s certainly still performant. To be honest it outperforms some of the stuff in their modern lineup. The power and stability of the Downbeat really carry this thing. Makes it handily capable. Hoping the upcoming ThruLine 11 hits the mark so I don’t gotta hunt down these oldies.
Code 2 next.
Play: Everyone
Power: Horse Kick
Speed: Slow
Controllability: Easy
Stability: Solid
Value: Bad
Bind: Average
Sturdiness: Metal Baseball
