Toquinha1977
Regular
Just got all my stuff from Lightake (two separate orders) so I can make a somewhat informed review. Videos to be posted.
A5
http://lightake.com/detail.do/sku.3x3x3_Type_A_Magic_Cube_DIY_Kit_5th_Gen_White-25262
A note on design: Shapes of the indvidiual cubies is pretty unique. Looking at where the slices intersect on each face, it appears that each center, edge, and corner has a part shaved off to help with corner cutting and minimize lockups. Even the center caps are slightly recessed to minimize catching on things. Holds together well without having to resort to glue or pieces of paper.
Looking at the edge pieces, they aren't sealed, but have a raised grid-like pattern (can't think of the right words here...and I'm a writer) to minimize surface contact. Corners are standard (caps are internal). Haven't had a problem with it catching.
It also has a "crisp" feel to it and it is a noisier cube.
Corner cutting and lockups: Pretty good, although I still have to tweak the tension a bit. R is still possible if U is at a little less than 45 degrees.
Stickers: Out of the box, pretty good. They are slightly smaller than standard, but haven't shown any signs of wear after 2 weeks of use.
Dayan GuHong
http://lightake.com/detail.do/sku.30597
Design notes: Instead of edge/corner caps, edges are made of symmetrical halves, while corners are made of equal thirds. Hence, all of the seams are external to the mechanism (ie: they don't make contact with each other). The cube is essentially unpoppable.
Similarly to the A5, the corners, edges, and centers appear to be shaved off as well. Cube also has a "crisp" feel to it, although very fast.
Assembly notes: Upon recommendation, I attempted to lubricate the individual pieces prior to assembly using Jig-A-Loo. This was a frightening experience as I forgot that certain components in Jig-A-Loo can act as a solvent on some plastics, which meant that individual pieces got stuck to the paper towel as the surface was slightly dissolved. I ended up having to sand the faces down slightly to even them out. For my next one (I bought the white and black one), I'll likely spray it into the mechanism and work it all in.
Speed and smoothness: This cube is incredible. This may largely be due to the tension settings. Regardless, for OH it is great. It can corner cut at 45 degrees, reverse corner cut at 33 degrees.
Stickers: Pretty decent, although not Cubesmith quality (ie: yellows don't show up particularly brightly against a black cube).
Type FII
(tested out both black and white versions)
Design notes: All edge and corner caps are external (ie: do not make contact within the faces). However, they may need to be secured, depending on the quality of your cube. Violently slamming it down on a stackmat will likely result in several caps falling out. For corners and edges, a permanent solution is fine, although you may wish to stick with paper for the centers.
Assembly notes: n/a. Please note that review is based on the out of the box impressions, no adjustments, no added lube. The cube is prelubricated, though.
Speed and smoothness: With the number of postive reviews I see on the Type FIIs, I can see why. I've seen the cube described as "buttery", which might explain why it is a lot quieter than some of the other cubes. Corner cutting is good, although I wasn't able to get the reverse corner cutting that I've experienced on the GuHong.
Very similar in feel to the Ghost Hand mk2 (see review below), but no pops.
Stickers: The most common complaint about the Type FII. After a few solves, all of the faces are starting to show signs of wear, consistent with stickers that are ink printed with no lamination. Even looking inside the box, there are blue ink stains. Given that most people will be replacing the stickers anyway, it's a small complaint in comparison. But, as we all know, standard 3x3x3 Cubesmiths won't fit, so you'll need to buy the ones specifically for Type Fs. But, if you have other stickers lying around somewhere, the ones that come with the Type A5 will fit (and are actually smaller than the ones that come with the Type F).
Ghost Hand mark 2
Design notes: similarly to the FII, all corner and edge pieces are external, although they appear to be more securely attached. Edge pieces also have a washboard like texture to them, presumably to reduce surface area contact.
Assembly notes: n/a (cube is preassembled).
Notes on feel: the cube has a "smooth" feel to it, although out of the box, feels a little bit loose. Looks like it's about to pop as the centers have quite a bit of clearance from the core, so adjustments are probably necessary. Also fairly lightweight.
Corner cutting and lockups: Claims to not pop (as written on the box), although I managed to do exactly that when I was testing out the corner cutting capabilities. I've been previously able to cut corners at 30% and up, but I had a pop that caused several pieces to eject.
Stickers: textured, but not the best you can get. You won't feel too bad for replacing them, but they won't wear out like the ones on a Type FII.
A5
http://lightake.com/detail.do/sku.3x3x3_Type_A_Magic_Cube_DIY_Kit_5th_Gen_White-25262
A note on design: Shapes of the indvidiual cubies is pretty unique. Looking at where the slices intersect on each face, it appears that each center, edge, and corner has a part shaved off to help with corner cutting and minimize lockups. Even the center caps are slightly recessed to minimize catching on things. Holds together well without having to resort to glue or pieces of paper.
Looking at the edge pieces, they aren't sealed, but have a raised grid-like pattern (can't think of the right words here...and I'm a writer) to minimize surface contact. Corners are standard (caps are internal). Haven't had a problem with it catching.
It also has a "crisp" feel to it and it is a noisier cube.
Corner cutting and lockups: Pretty good, although I still have to tweak the tension a bit. R is still possible if U is at a little less than 45 degrees.
Stickers: Out of the box, pretty good. They are slightly smaller than standard, but haven't shown any signs of wear after 2 weeks of use.
Dayan GuHong
http://lightake.com/detail.do/sku.30597
Design notes: Instead of edge/corner caps, edges are made of symmetrical halves, while corners are made of equal thirds. Hence, all of the seams are external to the mechanism (ie: they don't make contact with each other). The cube is essentially unpoppable.
Similarly to the A5, the corners, edges, and centers appear to be shaved off as well. Cube also has a "crisp" feel to it, although very fast.
Assembly notes: Upon recommendation, I attempted to lubricate the individual pieces prior to assembly using Jig-A-Loo. This was a frightening experience as I forgot that certain components in Jig-A-Loo can act as a solvent on some plastics, which meant that individual pieces got stuck to the paper towel as the surface was slightly dissolved. I ended up having to sand the faces down slightly to even them out. For my next one (I bought the white and black one), I'll likely spray it into the mechanism and work it all in.
Speed and smoothness: This cube is incredible. This may largely be due to the tension settings. Regardless, for OH it is great. It can corner cut at 45 degrees, reverse corner cut at 33 degrees.
Stickers: Pretty decent, although not Cubesmith quality (ie: yellows don't show up particularly brightly against a black cube).
Type FII
(tested out both black and white versions)
Design notes: All edge and corner caps are external (ie: do not make contact within the faces). However, they may need to be secured, depending on the quality of your cube. Violently slamming it down on a stackmat will likely result in several caps falling out. For corners and edges, a permanent solution is fine, although you may wish to stick with paper for the centers.
Assembly notes: n/a. Please note that review is based on the out of the box impressions, no adjustments, no added lube. The cube is prelubricated, though.
Speed and smoothness: With the number of postive reviews I see on the Type FIIs, I can see why. I've seen the cube described as "buttery", which might explain why it is a lot quieter than some of the other cubes. Corner cutting is good, although I wasn't able to get the reverse corner cutting that I've experienced on the GuHong.
Very similar in feel to the Ghost Hand mk2 (see review below), but no pops.
Stickers: The most common complaint about the Type FII. After a few solves, all of the faces are starting to show signs of wear, consistent with stickers that are ink printed with no lamination. Even looking inside the box, there are blue ink stains. Given that most people will be replacing the stickers anyway, it's a small complaint in comparison. But, as we all know, standard 3x3x3 Cubesmiths won't fit, so you'll need to buy the ones specifically for Type Fs. But, if you have other stickers lying around somewhere, the ones that come with the Type A5 will fit (and are actually smaller than the ones that come with the Type F).
Ghost Hand mark 2
Design notes: similarly to the FII, all corner and edge pieces are external, although they appear to be more securely attached. Edge pieces also have a washboard like texture to them, presumably to reduce surface area contact.
Assembly notes: n/a (cube is preassembled).
Notes on feel: the cube has a "smooth" feel to it, although out of the box, feels a little bit loose. Looks like it's about to pop as the centers have quite a bit of clearance from the core, so adjustments are probably necessary. Also fairly lightweight.
Corner cutting and lockups: Claims to not pop (as written on the box), although I managed to do exactly that when I was testing out the corner cutting capabilities. I've been previously able to cut corners at 30% and up, but I had a pop that caused several pieces to eject.
Stickers: textured, but not the best you can get. You won't feel too bad for replacing them, but they won't wear out like the ones on a Type FII.
