Shinwoo ZEN3

here i have with me, yes, ZEN3, from Shine too of course.

u've seen pictures of the ZEN2, now see ZEN3, local guys have been showing interest yea?

 

 

so so so... the ZEN3's got a totally different shape. well yes, the 3 ZENs all got different shape.
first look reminds me of the Kamui. i'm personally not a fan of this shape for 1A play, but its not that bad after some getting use to.
feels fresh holding it,  not exactly a unique shape now i would say... there's so many new shapes coming out, but i haven't try holding one like this, uh, shape wise, yes Kamui, but its huge, this is like normal?

so ok, like all new Shinwoos, the ZEN3 comes with the rubber pads, reversible ones, funny thing is... this one comes with just one side with the rubber resposne, the other side, a silicone pad, hinting Shinwoo's next possible new response?
the tester comes with clear ano(how nice if it came color anoed), same thing, grind doesn't really work for me, as in, it 'climbs', again, not stay. it depends on what you're looking for in a grind. this does not have the 'stacks' system, but uses the same axle system, and similar hub like the ZEN. now, unlike the ZEN2, this feels like a normal metal yoyo, probably because it doesn't have the 'stack' pole/bearing system.

Stability wise, for now, think its pretty stable, for me... note i've not play very long enough, just receive it like 3 days? few hours each. i think for now that its more stable than the ZEN2, i personally thinks the lubrication affects, this ZEN3 does not come as heavily lubed as the ZEN2, and of course most probably due to the shape, its almost H-profile too, its pretty obvious eh?
it look like it can handle side style pretty well, but i don't know, i could be wrong since i'm not one who do side styles, but you guys can try it out.
so here's my input so far for the Shinwoo ZEN3, would add on if i think of any.
uh... although the ZEN2 seems rather heavily lubed, i still prefer it to the ZEN3. same old thing, its probably just me.
 but i kinda enjoy doing front style with this yoyo, i still haven't figure out why.

*updates  12march2010
woke up, first thing, seriously, before leaving my room to brush my teeth, i took the ZEN3 and give it some throw... i immediately wanna update this post.
this thing is light, FAST, and it in a way reminds me of the HSpin CUT during play, it feels like it. really. the HSpin CUT is also FAST and light, probably feel slightly more solid. my ZEN2 is pretty much broken in already, i NOW feel that the ZEN2 is more stable than the ZEN3. no kidding. i initially prefer the ZEN2 shape, now i've grown to like both equally! still switching both every now and then to get more feel of it.
 go Flickr for larger pictures!

Shinwoo ZEN2

yes, the long awaited ZEN2.

since the Shinwoo Hi-Power Zen, everyone look forward to the ZEN2 and 3.

here i have with me, a ZEN2 sample from Shine.

pictures first...

first look reminds me of the YYP Big Bang, after holding it, it feels more like a YYF SuperStar.
but of course, its just the feel when u hold it. not the play. this one come prelubed, its not tug responsive, but not exactly dead unresponsive. i took apart the yoyo and see lubrication on the bearing seat, this thing needs to be break in. comes with the standard rubber pads. large bearing.

i don't like it at first, but start to enjoy it after that. it could be due to the warm weather, or this thing just need some getting use to. my 2nd day using is was nice. it doesn't feel like most metal yoyo, probably due to the way they fitted the hub spinning pole(talk abt it later). i assume the bearing is heavily lubed cause a throw doesn't last me very long, but after breaking in, its alright. but its a quiet yoyo considering its got 'stacks'. shape wise, i prefer this to the ZEN3(up later), it feels more comfortable in the hand, but just too much lube for my preference. probably gonna like it even more after cleaning the bearing, but won't be doing so for time being, i'll let u guys try out the stock version(yes, same thing, come find me in meeting if u wanna try it).
grindability... i don't know, it doesn't work for me. we're talking about no gloves.
no beadblast, just ano, its unlike the ZEN  which got the line thingy, sorry still have no idea if there's a term for that in yoyo... but then again, it could be just me. alright the grind don't stay, it climbs, u know, it doesn't stay and grind at one spot smoothly, it 'climbs'... lol, i'm actually direct translating the term from mandarin, we describe it as climb, u get it.... forgot to add that, this yoyo is more of a normal size yoyo, slightly smaller than yoyos like the YYF SuperStar. also, it could be due to the lube, or just me, i personally think the stability is not as stable as the ZEN. maybe i need more time to test this out.
now....

Notice ZEN2 has this side spinning hub thingy, like what many will call a "hubstack", but, note, there is no stacks. instead, its some kind of pole being fitted into this large size bearing.

instead of using the outer race of the bearing for gripping, Shinwoo used the inner race.

the bearing cannot be remove, alright, maybe u can with some force, but whether u'll damage the system, i'm not very sure. this makes the hub bearing unable to be cleaned. the 'stacks' aren't exactly smooth, mine atleast, the pole feels like its not fitted straight, it 'wobble', the pole, not the yoyo... but its not at all noisy. its quiet. very quiet.

but but but, since the 'stack' bearing cannot be remove... u gotta be careful with it. for YYF hubstacked yoyos, if the bearing die on u, u can just get a replacement and there u have a new smooth hubstack, but the ZEN2? if it die on u, it die on u. but u can still play with it though... just no 'stack' play...
ah yes... this thing is rather fast.

so yea, there u go, my thoughts about the Shinwoo ZEN2.

larger pics at Flickr!

Shinwoo Zen 2 & Zen 3

YoYoSkills shows pictures of the finalized Zen 2 & 3!

going for maybe like 45-50-ish USD?

Shinwoo Zen 2

Shinwoo Zen 2.

more at YoYoSkills!

if i ever get one, i'll take close up photos for u guys, and videos of it. and of cause, let u try it!

Shinwoo Hi-Power ZEN

finally, the video featuring the Shinwoo Zen.