YoYoFactory Protostar

Protostar

Manufacturer	YoYoFactory
Release date	2009
Shape	Low-edged Step-Straight
Color	Various
Weight	66.6 grams
Dimensions	Diameter: 56mm Width: 43mm
Material	Plastic with anodized aluminum weight rings
Bearing size	Size C Center Trac
Response system	CBC Large Slim Pads

The Protostar by YoYoFactory is a yo-yo first released in 2009. It is the signature series model of John Ando.

Description

To challenge the common belief that metal yo-yos are superior, YoYoFactory started the "Death to Metal" series, a line of high-performance plastic yo-yos that could match or even surpass metal yo-yos in competitions, as well as costing less. The Protostar, the first of these plastic yo-yos, was developed by YoYoFactory in collaboration with 2008 World 1A Yo-Yo Champion John Ando.

The Protostar made its debut at midnight in the 2009 World Yo-Yo Contest, where the first prototypes were showcased and sold. Its low-edged Step Straight design reduced sleep loss to a minimum, and its inset aluminum weight rings along with a Center Trac bearing made it very stable, more-so than even its full-metal competitors. That night at Worlds, the Protostar made an impact in the yo-yo community, and it has been released in many colors since. The Japan Collection version of the Protostar, released in March 2015, featured redesigned weight rings and slightly larger axle hubs.

The yo-yo had also become the basis for certain other yo-yos listed below:

Northstar - Heavier version of the Protostar based on Jensen Kimmitt's personal specifications.
Starlite - All-plastic glow-in-the-dark model.
StarBrite - All-plastic version of the Protostar with side caps instead of weight rings, released in 2011 as part of the Neon Collection.
Divault - Hyper Yo-Yo-exclusive model based mostly on the Northstar, but with the Protostar's rounded side hubs.
POPstar - Undersized aluminum yo-yo based on the Protostar's shape. Features a standard SPEC bearing.
ONEstar - Cost-performance model based on the Protostar's shape and the One's celcon body. Features a standard SPEC bearing.