One Drop Yelets
Reviewed by Chris Rhoads
March 10, 2013

Introduction

One thing that One Drop has always been known for is creating high quality yo-yos at an affordable price point. Their first yoyo, the Project, retailed for $86 which was considered quite low next to the triple digit price points that most of the metals from 2008 wore on their boxes. Then, in late 2008 One Drop introduced a model that would change everything, the M1. It was a $60 undersized stunner that proved to the world that metal yo-yos were not just for the elite. When it was released it turned quite a few heads and after a couple months it seemed like everyone had an M1. My first metal was a red and grey M1 (Go Bucks!) that wore every battle scar proudly while I learned trick after trick. As time marched on One Drop released newer designs, dabbled in alternate alloys and metals, and introduced the Side effect system, which would go on to, become the signature design element for their high end yo-yos. While the guys in Oregon have revisited the lower M1 price point, first with the Dingo and then again with the Caferacer, they have not released a lower cost Side Effect design. In fact the only double digit Side Effect yo-yo has been the Dietz. This changes with the release of the Yelets, an $85 Side Effect enabled yoyo aimed squarely at the masses. Will this spiritual successor to the M1 capture the public’s attention like the original? Who knows. At this point I am wondering if it will finally replace my Space Bat M1 as my “go to” pocket friendly performer.

Specs

• Diameter: 52.6147mm
• Width: 38.4997mm
• Gap Width: 4.34mm
• Base Weight (two halves, response pad, bearing): 61.5 grams
• Weight with aluminum Ultra Light Side Effects: 64 grams
• Stock Response: Flow Groove
• Bearing Size: One Drop 10 Ball Bearing

Construction

I have to get this out of the way right now… the name. The Yelets was named after a small town in Russia, and no it is not the signature yo-yo for any of One Drop’s Eastern European players. The guys at One Drop get major geek points for taking the diameter and width of the yo-yo, changing them to latitude and longitude, and then plotted them in Google Maps. That being said, the diameter is 52mm and the width is 38mm, giving it proportions similar to the M1. The Yelets profile shows off a set of large, rounded rims, and large catch zone that stops at the response. The profile is reminiscent of a rounded yet smooshed Burnside, a plus in my book since the Burnside is one of my go to yo-yos. One area where the Yelets excels over the Burnside is in the comfort department. The rounded rims have a softer feel in the hand and do not have quite as harsh of an impact with the palm during play. The cup has quite a bit going on, visually speaking. The rim face is rounded and curves up under the lip giving the Yelets an IGR. Near the outer edge of the upturned floor is what appears to be a small stabilizing ring, and in the center is a brand new Side Effect hub design that has only been seen in some of the early Dang prototype shots. Each Yelets comes with a set of color matched Side Effects that are just slightly different in hue thanks to the fact that Side Effects are 7075 alloy while the rest of the yo-yo is 6061 alloy and Pyramatte tumbled. Overall, the Yelets design is exactly what I want in an M1 successor. It is comfortable and fits easily in the pocket of a moderately loose set of jeans, wearers of skinny jeans will still need a holster… sorry.

Weight

Since I am comparing it to the M1 I have to throw this out there. The Yelets may be bigger than the M1 and have Side Effects, but it still clocks in at a full 1 gram less than the M1. At 64 grams, the stock Yelets is quick during play, bouncing like a Super Ball from string to string during tricks. Nice thing about starting with such a light base weight, you can add heavier Side Effects without bogging it down. Some Side Effect enabled yo-yos get sluggish when you add brass due to the heavy base weight. The Yelets does not, it just gets a solid and more determined feel to it, even with the heaviest side effects, RSMs, which adds 9 grams to a stock Yelets.

Response and Bearing

One Drop stuck with the tried and true Flow Groove Pads and 10-Ball bearing for the Yelets. The pads started off grippy like I knew they would and then break in for long lasting and unresponsive play. I was surprised with the inclusion of the 10-Ball. I was expecting the One Drop Value bearing since the Yelets is all about making an inexpensive Side Effect enabled yo-yo.

Playability

Smooth right out of the box, fast and nimble on the string, those are the first things that came to mind when I started the play session for the Yelets. It squeaks by strings during claustrophobic string tricks and reacts quickly to even the slightest change in direction. The Yelets does remind me quite a bit of the play of the M1. I find it to be a great beginner yo-yo since it is going to force precision. The gap isn’t as easy to hit on it as it is on a Cascade, Burnside, or CODE2 so you will have to learn how to control where you move and whip the string. One bit of advice I would give is to pick up a set of brass Ultra Lights or domes if you are a beginner. It will slow down the Yelets making it easier to track while you are learning. Grinds are exactly what you would expect from a yo-yo with a Pyramatte finish. It is smooth to the touch and spins for a good amount of time on the palm, finger, and thumb. The IGR is easy to catch and another welcome addition, considering the first thing that seems to go when reducing cost is the IGR. I have mentioned it above several times but the Side Effects bring quite a bit to the table for this design. One set that shines like the sun on the Yelets is the Stunt Peg Side Effects. The cups are shallow enough that they give extra clearance to the pegs making them easier to catch. I have to admit that I spent a good majority of my time with the Yelets just trying to figure out new ways to get myself into, and subsequently out of, trouble using the pegs. When I didn’t have the Stunt Pegs in I usually kept a set of aluminum spikes in instead. They fleshed out the feel a little more to my liking over the stock set up. Others will love it stock; I certainly had no problems with it. In the end I would say that the play is exactly what you would want from an all around player that you will want to carry with you where ever you may go.

Final Thoughts

Does the Yelets make me want to retire my M1… yes, very much so. This IS the Side Effect M1 we have been waiting for. It also has an added bonus of being a perfect showcase for all types of Side Effects since it seems to react well to all sets. In the end it hits every box for me: great pocket feel, no compromises in play, excellent customizability, and inexpensive. I may need to pick up a second one to keep on my stand at work, retiring the Cascade currently holding the throne.