Older cubers discussions

[newtonbase]

4 days before WSM Open so perhaps birthday drinks gents!?

Well I wouldn't normally drink on a competition weekend and I think @Shaky Hands is the same but I'm sure we can manage a half for your birthday

 

[pglewis]

I have catching up to do with the videos but that's actually nice, I get a mini-binge session coming up.

IMHO it's all part of the same recognition. I recognize the overall pattern, rather than CP first. Of course when you spot a block next to an adjacent or opposite corner colour, you are effectively recognising CP. Distinguishing V perm or A perm from the two sides with the block is a good example. If one of the blocks is next to an adjacent colour corner, it's an A perm; but I dont find myself thinking "hey the CP is an adjacent corner swap, what do I see next?"

I certainly hope it becomes so fully automatic it "just happens" at some point. I do have enough solves under my belt that I've noticed I occasionally don't even know how I recognized the PLL, some instinct building from pure repetition that I can't always analyze. If I'm lucky, one day that'll be 100%.

 

[Shaky Hands]

Well I wouldn't normally drink on a competition weekend and I think @Shaky Hands is the same but I'm sure we can manage a half for your birthday

Classic.

 

[Selkie]

@mark49152 - You know what, that was also my very first though and instantly reminded me of an incident where all the orientations were the same I think for a Mascow attempt. Took about 6 seconds to think, erm heh wait...

 

[Logiqx]

Talking about PLL recognition, I added some notes on my algs site some time back.

Click the images for more information - http://cubing.mikeg.me.uk/algs/2spll.html

The grid view isn't a bad way to test yourself either.

Just hover the mouse pointer over the image to see the case name.

 

[newtonbase]

Talking about PLL recognition, I added some notes on my algs site some time back.

Click the images for more information - http://cubing.mikeg.me.uk/algs/2spll.html

The grid view isn't a bad way to test yourself either.

Just hover the mouse pointer over the image to see the case name.

Very nice. Thanks

 

[Jason Green]

Talking about PLL recognition, I added some notes on my algs site some time back.

Click the images for more information - http://cubing.mikeg.me.uk/algs/2spll.html

The grid view isn't a bad way to test yourself either.

Just hover the mouse pointer over the image to see the case name.

That's nice. Could you make it where a long press on mobile pops up the alg on grid view?

 

[mafergut]

I received this week two of my latest acquisitions. Lanlan Face-Turning Octahedron and Calvin / TomZ Constrained Cube Ultimate. Both nice solves but easier than I thought.



Have you guys heard anything about the new Aosu GTS M 4x4 by Moyu? Not that I'm thinking on buying it but, just out of curiosity. The ones I wanted to get were the Yuexiao Pro M and the QiYi WuXia M but I cannot justify to myself buying any more speed 2x2 and 3x3 when I'm, well, not getting any faster for the last year or two I prefer to spend the money on new non-WCA puzzles like some cuboids or similar.

 

[mark49152]

UKC BLD part 3. Official PB by 43 seconds!

 

[h2f]

UKC BLD part 3. Official PB by 43 seconds!

Impressive jump.

 

[Selkie]

UKC BLD part 3. Official PB by 43 seconds!

Great work mate!

 

[phreaker]

Update from me:

Using GANS SMs as mains right now.

PB: 34.274 (OH, full step.) (I have a 35.xx with a mini valk also... that's a nice cube, and I may have to try to mag one up, but I like my SM right now...)

My OH times are now faster than my 2H, and I'm suffering from some 2H amnesia, time to time.

4x4: Some progress, but not much... Still ~4m.
5x5: ~6:20 expected.. but can get down to ~5:20.
6x6: 11:XX is where I should be if I can get the solve to go smooth.

BLD: Practicing more, I need to setup my second SM for BLD/2H. My current setup isn't there... But I like a stiffer cube for 2H vs. OH. I'm working on converting from PAO -> standard word list. Working on pure corner memo right now. I have an alternative edge memo I may stick with, or if my wordlist gets better... I may use it. Not even doing full attempts right now.

 

[JohnnyReggae]

Using GANS SMs as mains right now.

I've just gotten myself the GAN SM as the cube company hosting our latest competition was having a special on. I'm struggling with the shades as the red is so similar to the bright fluro orange on the original Air. Also I thought it was supposed to be quieter than the original Air, but I'm not convinced. My current Air is a fair amount quieter, although it does have a few thousand solves on it.

As for the cube, I've swapped to the Purple GES nuts which I've been using in my standard AIR and the cube performs well. The magnets are a great strength for me. The original price is not worth it IMO, but at the discount I got it for at the comp it was worth it. I don't like it for OH though, it still flexes to much. It will be my 2H main.

 

[JohnnyReggae]

Just finished up my first solo Delegate competition yesterday, Speedcubes Cape Town 2017. The competition went very well, although a little smaller in numbers than previous competitions. A few of the faster guys were not in attendance mostly because of end-year school exams in progress ATM. This did give a few of the faster fringe guys a chance to get into the podium positions which IMO does well for encouraging them to continue trying harder.

On a personal note I managed single PB's in 2x2 and 3x3 and single and average PB's for OH. Overall I managed a 3rd place for 3x3 and a 1st place for OH in the finals. Despite this I was quite disappointed with my 3x3 and 2x2 showings in general as my times were quite inconsistent.

Looking forward to Delegating at the next competition ... hopefully soon.

 

[Selkie]

I do wish GANS would bring out stickerless. I had the 256 v1 and v2 and liked them a lot but have real recognition issues on stickered cubes now. I do love stickerless cubes but there are a couple of drawbacks . One being the one I have mentioned about not having access to some puzzles that dont come in stickerless and the other is being stuck with the plastic colour. Luckily most manufacturers actually have some nice stickerless colour contrast now.

Some 4x4 today and a PB Ao12:-

Average of 12: 56.74
Times...

Spoiler

1. 54.80 R2 B2 L R' B2 F' f' D' f2 L2 D u2 f' F' U2 u2 f' U' D L2 B R2 u D r R L2 D' L' R2 r' f2 F' R L2 D2 f2 F R2 r2
2. 55.14 U u2 D' f' r u f2 L' F f' U2 L2 r' U' u2 r B r U2 f2 B L2 r2 B' r B D' f' F2 B' r F R2 u2 R F D r D2 B
3. 57.78 F2 u F' u' f' u R F2 f2 r2 R' U' f L' U2 B' L' u2 f2 U' f' D' R' u' D' F' U F2 B L2 U' L' D B u U L' f' r2 B'
4. 56.36 R2 U' f' B F2 r u' D' B u' D2 R' f' B L B' F' D f2 U' L U F' f u2 f' L' F R2 F' D2 R' D F2 D' u2 r D' F' r
5. 57.65 r' B2 L2 D F' u f R' B' D' u F L2 B L' D' U u2 R' U2 L' R2 U f' B' L B' r' R2 f2 r u r' R' f u' r2 U F B2
6. 1:01.45 U' B u U' R' D r' F U2 f' u f B2 F' R u2 r' D2 u R r2 L2 B' u R f2 u' F U' r' f' L' u R2 U F' D' u2 B F2
7. (50.67) r2 F f' U2 u2 r U' B' U F2 U L' u L2 B' u' f2 u U2 D R' U' f u2 U2 R2 U B' R' u' D' U' F R f2 D B' L f' U2
8. (1:08.67) B2 R2 D2 U r' B' F L U r' u2 F' B u2 B' f2 r2 U L' F2 L F2 f2 B' R2 r2 f' u2 B2 R2 u2 r D r2 F' r F' r' f' U2
9. 1:01.34 L' R2 f2 L' r2 F2 R L2 r2 U2 F L2 U' f R2 u' F2 R B u' B' F' D2 B R2 r2 u2 f' r B U2 f2 D' B2 u' U2 f' D u2 B'
10. 54.03 F2 U2 f2 u' f r f' L2 f F' L2 U2 u D2 L u' U2 F' D2 L F' R' F2 R D2 L R' D F' U B r' R' f u U' B2 f' L B
11. 55.52 L' B2 D' F' f B' D' B' U R' B L f L F2 U2 r2 U2 B D2 F f L' f2 B D2 R' u2 L2 r' f' U2 r D' B2 R2 D2 B' F r'
12. 53.37 F2 r D' F U F L2 U2 F' U2 D B2 u R r L u2 D B2 D2 F2 u D2 U2 F D' B2 R' U2 r U' r' B2 R F2 r2 D B' R' U2

 

[mark49152]

@Selkie : I recently bought a stickerless YueXiao Pro by accident. I thought it might be an opportunity to try to adapt to stickerless cubes, but I just can't do it. I find the plastic shades just too insipid compared to stickers with a nice black contrast around them. I'm not sure whether it's the colours themselves or the lack of black framing.

It's funny you mention you have recognition issues the other way around. It never occurred to me that might happen.

 

[phreaker]

I've just gotten myself the GAN SM as the cube company hosting our latest competition was having a special on. I'm struggling with the shades as the red is so similar to the bright fluro orange on the original Air. Also I thought it was supposed to be quieter than the original Air, but I'm not convinced. My current Air is a fair amount quieter, although it does have a few thousand solves on it.

The AIR is quieter IMHO, if you turn accurately. If not, the SM will be quieter.

Also how much noise the SM makes is VERY lube dependent. The SM reacts really strongly to lube as far as I can tell. My two are setup differently... and they show it.

2H: Lubicle 1 on the tracks, DNM-37 on the pieces. - Clear nuts.
OH: 10k + DNM-37 on the tracks. - Green nuts.

The 2H is really quick and crisp. I like it. The OH is a bit gummy and smoother, which I like for OH. I don't like cubes that feel like they are "sticky" like the SM can out of the box.

As for the cube, I've swapped to the Purple GES nuts which I've been using in my standard AIR and the cube performs well. The magnets are a great strength for me. The original price is not worth it IMO, but at the discount I got it for at the comp it was worth it. I don't like it for OH though, it still flexes to much. It will be my 2H main.

Interesting... I think the Blues are supposed to be the strength of the old purples? The nuts cover a wider range than they used to. And yes, I got a pretty good discount on mine... I also know I like Gan cubes in general.

As far as flex, for OH: I haven't found it that flexy, once I got the lube + springs right. But realize my previous main was a GTS2M (self done magnets.).

I do wish GANS would bring out stickerless. I had the 256 v1 and v2 and liked them a lot but have real recognition issues on stickered cubes now. I do love stickerless cubes but there are a couple of drawbacks . One being the one I have mentioned about not having access to some puzzles that dont come in stickerless and the other is being stuck with the plastic colour. Luckily most manufacturers actually have some nice stickerless colour contrast now.

It took me a bit to get my times on SM. But the recognition came... It just took me a bit before my brain clicked across to using stickers again. I have all stickerless big cubes, so I now practice with both.

 

[Selkie]

@mark49152 - The green plastic is the stickerless YueXiao is awful, far too close to the yellow in my opinion. Moyu and Qiyi have good shades though.

@mark49152 & @phreaker - I think it is down to what you get used to. Spend some time on the other and the recognition will come. That said I never got used to white cube stickered but perhaps I did not give it enough time.

I do know I just prefer everything on stickerless now and the benefits outweigh the drawbacks for me. Would still like a new GANS though though it would have to be very good to replace my Cubicle Labs GTS2M

The cubes I really want are the 6x6M and 7x7M. The 4x4 and 5x5 gave me an instant reduction in times.

 

[JohnnyReggae]

The AIR is quieter IMHO, if you turn accurately. If not, the SM will be quieter.

Also how much noise the SM makes is VERY lube dependent. The SM reacts really strongly to lube as far as I can tell. My two are setup differently... and they show it.

2H: Lubicle 1 on the tracks, DNM-37 on the pieces. - Clear nuts.
OH: 10k + DNM-37 on the tracks. - Green nuts.
...

As far as flex, for OH: I haven't found it that flexy, once I got the lube + springs right. But realize my previous main was a GTS2M (self done magnets.).

The Air SM came fairly lubed which I want to work through before I start with my standard lube which is Silk and DNM37. I'm going to do a couple hundred solves before I clean it out and give it a good lube. Will see how it is then compared to my original Air.

My OH cube happens to be a stickerless GTS2 with my own DIY magnets. I used N38 5x1.5mm which are a fair amount stronger than what is generally used in the factory M cubes and the Cubicle Strong cubes. The cube holds it's shape nicely when doing OH.

@mark49152 - The green plastic is the stickerless YueXiao is awful, far too close to the yellow in my opinion. Moyu and Qiyi have good shades though.
...
I do know I just prefer everything on stickerless now and the benefits outweigh the drawbacks for me. Would still like a new GANS though though it would have to be very good to replace my Cubicle Labs GTS2M

The cubes I really want are the 6x6M and 7x7M. The 4x4 and 5x5 gave me an instant reduction in times.

I'd agree with the stickerless green on the YueXiao. It's terrible .... not sure what the shades on the Pro are like but I hope they have changed from the original YueXiao. Waiting for mine to arrive.

I'd love GAN to do a stickerless 3x3, I think I'd swap to it quickly. I love the GAN puzzles, but I've started to like stickerless puzzles more these days. Waiting for my stickerless 4x4, 5x5, and 6x6 to arrive. Although I do have a stickerless WuQue which I'm not much of a fan of, even with magnets.

 

[phreaker]

The Air SM came fairly lubed which I want to work through before I start with my standard lube which is Silk and DNM37. I'm going to do a couple hundred solves before I clean it out and give it a good lube. Will see how it is then compared to my original Air.

I've got some Silk... How would you describe it? I'm wanting to figure out what to mix it with to produce feel I like.

My OH cube happens to be a stickerless GTS2 with my own DIY magnets. I used N38 5x1.5mm which are a fair amount stronger than what is generally used in the factory M cubes and the Cubicle Strong cubes. The cube holds it's shape nicely when doing OH.

I used to use a GTS2M (magnets similar to yours) with Valk springs. (I really recommend Valk springs in a GTS2M for OH... The cube can full cut OH, no problem. I'm still not sold I've made the right choice going to the SM... But I want to give the SM a good try before I go try the GTS2M again.)

I'd agree with the stickerless green on the YueXiao. It's terrible .... not sure what the shades on the Pro are like but I hope they have changed from the original YueXiao. Waiting for mine to arrive.

The original YueXiao shades were horrific... ugh.

I'd love GAN to do a stickerless 3x3, I think I'd swap to it quickly. I love the GAN puzzles, but I've started to like stickerless puzzles more these days. Waiting for my stickerless 4x4, 5x5, and 6x6 to arrive. Although I do have a stickerless WuQue which I'm not much of a fan of, even with magnets.

I'd love a stickerless gan... Almost tempted to look into modding one, to see if it can be done without making too big a mess... But I haven't had time. And besides learning stickered recognition again is nice.