What do you look for in a speed-solving puzzle?

M

McubeS

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Jul 12, 2017
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Hey.

So I know this is kind of implied in this area, but I'd like to get some insight about what you guys like to look for in a puzzle.

If you have a criteria, what takes priority here?

Grip?
Stability?
Corner-cutting?
Anything unique?

I'm making this not just for learning all possible attributes for a puzzle, but to also obtain life-experiences with choices you've made.

Thanks, and please take your time.
 
Mostly just that it feels nice. For me I would define it as smooth with corner cutting that doesn't really feel like you're forcing it to cut. Overlubed feeling is nice
too.

So I like cubes like the weilong gts v1 or the gts M though gans cubes are quite nice for me too. I really don't like the valk or MF3RS though as they feel more clack and don't cut as nicely (though it might be something to do with how light they feel too as I like heavier cubes).

As an addendum I don't really care it the puzzle doesn't cut 45 degrees or something as long as it cuts to a reasonable level (maybe 20 forward, 10 back) which doesn't feel like it is cutting.
 
shadowslice e said:
Mostly just that it feels nice. For me I would define it as smooth with corner cutting that doesn't really feel like you're forcing it to cut. Overlubed feeling is nice
too.

So I like cubes like the weilong gts v1 or the gts M though gans cubes are quite nice for me too. I really don't like the valk or MF3RS though as they feel more clack and don't cut as nicely (though it might be something to do with how light they feel too as I like heavier cubes).

As an addendum I don't really care it the puzzle doesn't cut 45 degrees or something as long as it cuts to a reasonable level (maybe 20 forward, 10 back) which doesn't feel like it is cutting.
Click to expand...

Yeah, smooth puzzles are the way to go imo. Why do other prefer having bumps?
 
McubeS said:
Yeah, smooth puzzles are the way to go imo. Why do other prefer having bumps?
Click to expand...
I think it has to do with each bump helping the solver to feel where they are in a turn. At least that's how it used to work for me. I thought that this was kind of silly when I first heard it, and then I switched from my bumpy YAN3 to the smoother GTS2 and not having the bump was very disorienting at first.

In general, I look for a cube that's flows really nicely, which for me means that it corner cuts without needing much force, and doesn't catch or lock up. I also really like cubes that are slower, stable, and smooth.

The way a cube sounds also matters to me a lot, haha.
 
In terms of performance I look for a balance between speed and stability. I then set up the cube so it is just loose enough to make small to moderate cuts effortlessly.

In terms of feel there are three main styles I enjoy. I really like the hard/dense/silky smooth feel of the Valk 3. It feels reliable and stable in the hand, and it makes you feel like you got your money's worth. The other feel I enjoy is the Gans Air. I never thought I would main a Gans puzzle but I love the combination of light and open balanced with the stability of medium springs and magnets. Still main a UM, getting the SM soon. And as an oddball I always loved the Tanglong's buttery plastic combined with great flow despite its blockiness.

As with the above poster, sound matters a lot to me as well. I like the clack of a Valk or Aolong's hard plastic. For lighter puzzles it has to have a quiet clack or swish; I can't stand a hollow sound - it feels too cheap. I mained the Yuexiao for a while but I could never get over the awful sound it had.
 
McubeS said:
Hey.

So I know this is kind of implied in this area, but I'd like to get some insight about what you guys like to look for in a puzzle.
Click to expand...

What do I want?

3x3 OH (my main event): The cube should flow, it should corner cut with little to no effort, turning should be easy, and the cube should be stable. For me this means a magnetic cube. Right now I use a Gan Air SM. (Green Springs)

3x3 2H: Much like OH, but I value stability even more, and want tighter springs. I use a Gan AIR SM. (Clear Springs)

4x4+: I want cubes that do not want to pop and can handle somewhat rough turning and misalignment. Magnets help here, clearly.
 
Wow... This is interesting stuff guys...

What about the size of a puzzle? I found that smaller puzzles tend to be better for handling.

What do you all think?
 
phreaker said:
3x3 OH (my main event): The cube should flow, it should corner cut with little to no effort, turning should be easy, and the cube should be stable. For me this means a magnetic cube. Right now I use a Gan Air SM. (Green Springs)

3x3 2H: Much like OH, but I value stability even more, and want tighter springs. I use a Gan AIR SM. (Clear Springs)
Click to expand...
Do you have 2 SMs or do you just switch springs when you want to do oh?
 
For me
Cube HAS to be 56mm or under (54-55.5) OH (50)
Corner cutting on par
Fast cube, not sluggish, but not as fast as MF2S out of box
Feel must be smooth and slightly scratchy, Crunchyness immediately eliminates it from becoming my main.

Stability, pop control, minimal catching and lockups has to be amazing, one of the best if not THE BEST on the market.

I'm very picky, and have weird preferences
 
The Pocket Cuber said:
For me
Cube HAS to be 56mm or under (54-55.5) OH (50)
Corner cutting on par
Fast cube, not sluggish, but not as fast as MF2S out of box
Feel must be smooth and slightly scratchy, Crunchyness immediately eliminates it from becoming my main.

Stability, pop control, minimal catching and lockups has to be amazing, one of the best if not THE BEST on the market.

I'm very picky, and have weird preferences
Click to expand...
A bit weird, but for me:
1. 55/6/7 is OK OH is 40mm(lol)
2.Doesn't matter, 5 degrees either way is fine for me.(Rubiks brands)
3.AS FAST AS POSSIBLE
4. Must be smooth
5. Don't care about stability, but MUST be unpoppable and no lockups
Main: GAN 356 Air tensioned as loose as possible before I can easily take out edge pieces.
 
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