how do the bearing ones play?
maybe i'll get one of each and sand off some bands around them... fun fun fun.
I got a bearing QS hybrid and a bearing Hornet for my collection:
These are not you father's Spintastics bearing tops. They do spin a long time and are great bearing tops.
The QS bearing is not super smooth so I was surprised when I tested the spin time. It could easily break the 100 complete crazy eights (200 loops) mark. It is up there with the longest-spinning spintops ever.
The Hornet bearing felt smoother (although it has more axial play) and spun a good time but not nearly as much, perhaps because the mass is closer to the axis. It is also a little lighter (but still heavy): 92.1 gr for the Hornet bearing compared to the 103.1 gr for the QS bearing.
The difference between the QS bearing and Hornet bearing reminds me the difference between the Throwback and the Acrobat. The QS is more stable and longer spinning while the Hornet is more responsive to play but spins a little less.
I opened them:
The QSH as we know uses two bearings:
The Hornet uses only one bearing but it has a long shaft tip that seems to be from the dual bearing Tornado (the first Spintastics bearing top). It uses a retainer washer with radial slots (I don't know the technical term). I am not sure how to take out the bearing without risking damaging the washer.
If you play it open you can hold the axle while the top is spinning. Perhaps a modding opportunity?