One Drop Y Factor
Reviewed by Chris Rhoads and Brett Grimes
May 14, 2010
Introduction
Long before there was a low cost FundaMetal line there was One Drop Yo-Yos, a company that almost single handedly redefined what to expect from a low priced metal yo-yo. One Drop’s business philosophy is as simple as the drum beat that they are named after, they want to provide the highest quality product with the most amount of soul. They worry more about making a well-designed product and less about making a profit. Today we see the release of One Drop’s seventh release, the Y Factor. The name was derived from the fact that Shawn and David took the y-factors, the best known parts from their previous designs and have implemented them into this new product. They shied away from the x-factors, the unknown and experimental, the result is a culmination of all of their past ideas in one small, $75 package. Now is the time when we look to see if playing it safe has paid off or is they should have shaken things up a bit.
SPECIAL NOTE: This review is going to take on a different format then our other reviews. Normally, a single reviewer will take on a product and Brett Grimes never reviews a One Drop product due to him being sponsored by the company. In this rare instance Brett and I are going to tackle the Y Factor together. Each section will be broken up into my comments and Brett’s comments with a label for each. While this will make for a longer than normal review, it should also give more detail and opinion than one reviewer can offer. Also, since I wrote up my review without reading Brett’s it will be fun to see if we agree on the Y Factor.
Specs
- Weight: 66.40 grams
- Width: 41.30mm
- Diameter: 50.40mm
- Gap Width: 4.70mm
- Bearing Size: One Drop 10 Ball Bearing
- Response: Flow Groove
Construction
Chris’ Thoughts:
At first glance, the Y Factor looks extremely familiar, almost too familiar. I have heard people say that it looks too much like the Project line. I agree and disagree with this assessment, let me explain. It isn’t another step in the Project line; that much is obvious and it would be a disservice to call it the Project 3. There are similarities because this is an evolution of what One Drop set out to do almost two years ago with the original Project, remember it is made up of all those familiar y-factors. At the same time it has its own unique shape and feature set that tells the world this is a brand spanking new product. The catch zone is a much more dramatic v-shape than previous designs with rims that angle into the gap instead of lay flat. The rims themselves are quite a bit beefier giving much more rim weight. One design that did make its return is the smaller grooves from the original Project and I could not be happier about this. I have preferred the tactile feel of those smaller grooves to the wider grooves on the Project 2. In the cup we see the familiar press fit brass nut from the M1 and Dingo, but we also get something relatively new to a One Drop yo-yo. We finally have a well-implemented IGR. Last time we saw a One Drop IGR it was a feature of their $170 titanium beast, the Sovereign. I am a little torn on the visual aesthetics of the cups. While mine is a preproduction run without the logo I have seen a finished Y Factor with stamped logo and I am finding the cups to be a little plain looking. They need something to jazz them up a bit, something like the grooves of the original Project, the old nut capture of the Project 2, or an additional logo below the Y Factor logo, anything to make use of the negative space.
Brett’s Thoughts:
From the beginning One Drop has always been one of my favorite companies. One of the things that made me love them was the construction everything seems so accurate. Even so, they still retain this homegrown feel to them. The Y Factor is no different. Not a single flaw can be seen on my prototype version, it is smooth and solid, everything I have come to expect from David and Shawn. When examining the yo-yo, the first thing I noticed was the IGR, most of One Drop’s yo-yos have lacked this feature, the Y Factor has a wonderfully deep IRG. Second thing I noticed was the angle on the rims, which produce a nice subtle H shape. The Y Factor has taken everything One Drop has learned in their designs and mashes it all up into a monster yoyo. The grooves are reminiscent of the original Project, The rim face is rounded like the M1, and it uses the round nut like the Dingo and newer M1’s. This is where the similarities end. This yoyo, although it may hint of One Drops of the past, is a totally new yoyo and once you throw it you will realize this is an incredible yo-yo.
From Left to Right: Y Factor, Project 2, Project
Weight
Chris’ Thoughts:
One Drop is known for making a very solid yo-yo with a definite thunk at the bottom of the string. Even their diminutive Dingo has a nice solid hit to it when it reaches the end of its leash. While the Y Factor is no exception, it just does not have as intense of a thunk as previous One Drops. To be honest the Y Factor has some float to it. I have not experienced this slightly floaty sensation from a One Drop product since the original Project. I was recently asked to explain “floaty” to a friend and here is my definition when it pertains to a yo-yo. I consider floaty to be that it moves a little more effortlessly and “feels” lighter when moving on the string. It isn’t necessarily due to a lighter weight, heavy yo-yos can float; it is just a redistribution of the weight giving it different feel. On a final note, those thick rims I mentioned earlier are thoroughly effective in giving the Y Factor some great spin times.
Brett’s Thoughts:
One of the biggest things One Drop has heard from players was they wanted a more floaty yoyo. Quite a few of the older designs had a heavy feel to them that was fine by me. I personally liked that. When David told me this yoyo had a certain floaty quality I wasn’t sure I would like that, since I have been throwing P2’s and M1’s exclusively and was so used to that. Let me tell you this yoyo is incredible, the weight is perfect, it does float around but it still retains a bit of heft to it. Since receiving this yoyo it has pretty much been the only thing I have thrown, and I believe a lot of that has to do with what I consider to be perfect weight distribution.
Response and Bearing
Chris’ Thoughts:
The Y Factor uses One Drops Flow Groove response system that accepts a custom cut Flow Groove silicone sticker or flowable silicone. The Flow Groove pad is one of the better pads on the market. I like them so much that while I silicone most of my yo-yos that will accept it I have never installed flowable silicone on a Flow Groove One Drop yo-yo.
The bearing used in the Y Factor is One Drop’s incredible 10-Ball bearing. Enough said.
Brett’s Thoughts:
I’m not going to go on a long explanation on the response or bearing. The Y Factor uses a stock 10 Ball bearing and flow groove silicone pads. The 10 ball bearing is one of the best bearings made, it is smooth, quiet, and lasts forever. In truth it has become one of the most desirable bearings on the market. The flow groove response uses silicone pads that I prefer. They provide snappy binds and I can always count on them to play the same each and every time. If you prefer flowable silicone you can take the pads out and replace them. I just never found the need to mess with something new, the old saying “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it” comes to mind.
Playability
Chris’ Thoughts:
And now the part you have all been waiting for. Does it play like a One Drop product? Yes. Does it play like any previous One Drop product? That would be a resounding NO. Anyone who has played multiple One Drop products will have an expectation of stability and smoothness from their products. The Y Factor falls right in line. Where it differs is that I found it to be quicker in play than all previous models with the exception of the original Project. It isn’t blindingly fast like some of the lightweights on the market but it is by no means slow. The angled rims help guide the string into the gap making it even easier to catch whips and slacks. There is a slight high wall to the gap, pushing the weight out to the rims giving more spin time for those complex combos.
Grinding on the Y Factor is a treat. This was my first experience with the recently introduce Pyramatte finish and to be honest I had a hard time telling the difference between it and a Soda Blast finish. The Y Factor gives great spin times on the arm, palm, and finger. The IGRs are perfectly implemented with a recess that just hooks your thumb and does not want to let go.
Brett’s Thoughts:
As I said before this yoyo has instantly become my favorite yoyo of all time, its smooth, its floaty but yet it retains some heft that I love, its agile, it screams to be played and that is exactly what I will do, with the new IRG thumb grinds are a breeze, the new Pyramatte finish allows incredible grinds and feels so silky. This yoyo is just a dream to play, I could go on for ever about how wonderful it is, but its simply one of those you have to try one to see what I am saying.
Now with 100% more IGR.
Final Thoughts
Chris’ Thoughts:
At the end of the day I would have to say that this is the best aluminum yo-yo that One Drop has put out. It is a great combination of the familiar play that you expect from a One Drop while giving a totally new experience at the same time. It is true that this is not a revolutionary new yo-yo but does it really matter? This is a true evolution of all the features that we have come to love in One Drop yo-yos, one could even say it is a perfection of everything that Shawn, David, and Colin set out to achieve back in November of 2008 when they introduced their first yo-yo. That being said, I almost feel sorry for the guys. Now they have no choice but to come out with that next revolutionary design. Great job guys, I can’t wait to see what you come up with next.
Brett’s Thoughts:
Being a die-hard One Drop user, especially of the P2 and M1, I never thought anything would make me put those down but the Y Factor has done just that. They both hold a back seat to the new king of the One Drops. This yoyo is just incredible and I cannot wait to get a Green/Blue one. The Y Factor is a combination of everything David and Shawn have learned and they have created a monster in the Y Factor. This is a MUST HAVE yoyo.
Photo Courtesy of One Drop YoYos
