Buying a Cube for a Friend

[thelogicalghost]

So I'm not into this stuff myself, but have a friend who's getting into cubing and I really would like to get her a present. She's not at the point of building her own cubes yet, but the paint on her favorite cube has worn out to white, requiring her to draw on her cube with highlighter. She's bought a new one but it seems to be taking her a very long time to break in: it moves like molasses compared to her old one.

I'd love to buy her a new cube, but after looking through these forums my head is spinning. Could someone recommend a good pre-assembled cube? It doesn't have to be AMAZING (I think she said she still hasn't broken 40 seconds) but as I know little to nothing about cubes any recommendation would be welcome.

Considering her paint problem with the old one I was looking at one of those cubes where the plastic itself is colored, but people on this forum seemed skeptical of them?

I just want to buy her a nice present. Please help!

 

[Andrew Ricci]

The type F2 or type A5. Both rock, and are quite cheap.

 

[teller]

You might just want some replacement stickers:

http://cubesmith.com/3x3x3.htm

These aren't the fastest cubes in the entire universe, but they are pretty good out of the box, don't explode or have caps that fall off all the time, and are low maintenance:

http://www.cubedepotusa.com/apps/webstore/products/show/1325610

or

http://www.cubedepotusa.com/apps/webstore/products/show/1214153

 

[Daniel Wu]

If you're worried about sticker life, don't get the F2.

 

[Ditto64]

Yeah, the color on the F2 stickers wear off very quickly.
I would recommend the A5.

 

[JeffDelucia]

A5 is not a beginner's cube. Definitely ghosthand1.

 

[cincyaviation]

A5 is not a beginner's cube. Definitely ghosthand1.

>_>

 

[oprah62]

A5 is not a beginner's cube. Definitely ghosthand1.

>_>

You disagree?

 

[Joker]

Don't get her a too speedy cube. Maybe a type C. Don't get her worrying bout cube brands just yet.

 

[JeffDelucia]

A5 is not a beginner's cube. Definitely ghosthand1.

>_>

You disagree?

I think it has a crispy unstable feel which can't be appreciated by a beginner.

 

[imaghost]

I'd get the F2 with stickers, just something that will last a while

 

[Andrew Ricci]

A5 is not a beginner's cube. Definitely ghosthand1.

>_>

You disagree?

I think it has a crispy unstable feel which can't be appreciated by a beginner.

I think the A5 is a fine beginners cube. It's fast and feels stable, at least in my hands.

 

[freshcuber]

I think the A-V is a good cube. I went to it straight from my store-bought Rubik's. It feels nice and doesn't lock. I do find myself being a lazy turner sometimes so I go back to my store-bought since it can't cut at all.

 

[Joker]

I'd get the F2 with stickers, just something that will last a while

F2 stickers fail.
Its a great cube, but the stickers fail.

 

[freshcuber]

Maybe a tiled cube? Are tiled 3x3s decent?

 

[Andrew Ricci]

Maybe a tiled cube? Are tiled 3x3s decent?

I'd rather just buy a nice 3x3 with cubesmith tiles.

 

[freshcuber]

We have to keep in mind that he doesn't cube. Applying tiles should be fairly simple to do but we don't wanna throw him in the deep end before he can swim

Are there any pre-tiled 3x3s?

 

[Andrew Ricci]

We have to keep in mind that he doesn't cube. Applying tiles should be fairly simple to do but we don't wanna throw him in the deep end before he can swim

Are there any pre-tiled 3x3s?

Ya. C4Y tiled cube.

Teh link: www.cube4you.us

 

[freshcuber]

http://cube4you.us/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_3&products_id=14

That looks like a good cube for your needs.

 

[cincyaviation]

A5 is not a beginner's cube. Definitely ghosthand1.

>_>

You disagree?

I think it has a crispy unstable feel which can't be appreciated by a beginner.

This isn't wine tasting...