V cube 3 - release the potential

[JHB]

I am a big fan of V Cubes so this is not a criticism of their outstanding work. The factory assembled V3 has a simple design error which leads to constant lock-ups. I have thoroughly tested these cubes and my findings have been confirmed by PestVic.

The problem:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1L9TzIQWFvk

The modifications:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGkkvW1faZo&feature=endscreen&NR=1

The unboxing:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzqKd7C2OZ8

I still intend to purchase the DIY V3 as they are meant to be awesome.

 

[Tim Major]

Jono
You should make more videos like this, they're great.

 

[JHB]

Jono
You should make more videos like this, they're great.

Thanks buddy- I don't normally have too much to say I hope that no one thinks that I'm bagging V Cubes. I have contacted them directly about it and am awaiting their response. I will probably post it here.

 

[ExoVampire]

I'll stay away from the V-Cube 3, but it looks like you've come up with a good modification! Looks good Jono

 

[pelley]

Glad you noticed this, too. Actually I don't know how anybody could NOT notice it... It was there the moment I started twisting out of the box. On mine the blue and green faces when solved have each of the recessed corners pointing inward. So the blue and green faces turn noticeably smoother than the others. As soon as you scramble this effect disappears, to varying degree. I think a popular mod will be to putty these areas in or something. If they wanted to "brand" their cube this way, they should've just had recessed letters, not an entire recessed cap. Or a nice simple recessed "V" maybe.

One other side effect is that the cube never appears aligned properly when it's solved. The corners hug the adjacent edge more on the face with the recess, creating a subtly lopsided alignment.

The cube has a lot of nice points-- the amazing thing is that it works so well without any lube. But overall I'm slower on this cube-- in part because of the goofy corners.

Chris

 

[JHB]

I'll stay away from the V-Cube 3, but it looks like you've come up with a good modification! Looks good Jono

To be honest mate, I feel it has a lot of potential. I don't like to compare it to other cubes, but it certainly shares a lot of similarities with Edison Cubes. I guess we have been spoilt by so many great cubes that when another one comes along it's so easy to see the tiny thing that's wrong with it instead of applauding the fact that it is awesome. Sorry!

Glad you noticed this, too. Actually I don't know how anybody could NOT notice it...

Well there are others out there who don't appreciate the sentiment. Youtube's MonkeyDude1313, for example, thought my response was too "hasty," thinking I was attacking the V3 (he really is worth subscribing to). My standpoint is this: The cube is awesome but....Why is that raised corner lip there when it leads to so much locking? If you compare the V3 to cubes which have similar corner caps, like an Edison Cube, then you will notice that they meet up perfectly; as if they were a single cast. I'm not disappointed that I bought it and I am now going to purchase the DIY versions as word of mouth is very good.

 

[radmin]

I have a white DIY V-3.

It does require a lot of mods to be good.
But lets be fair. I have modded most of my Dayan cubes. 48 point edge mod ring a bell?

I put the corner caps in with the v-cube logo facing in. It still locked like a mother.
I took the torpedoes out and it improved significantly. If the edges are glued I'd recommend breaking them off.
I also did a corner rounding mod on the corners and centers. Like we used to do for the Alpha V.

It's pretty good now. Instead of locking and distorting it simply catches a little, about the same amount as my LunHui.

I think the mods are worth it, the cube has a unique feel that I'm liking. I also love the fact that the plastic is so white. I never realized how off-white the Dayans are until this cube came along. It makes a difference to me.

I'll be trying your mod on the corner tips. If it still catches I'll go ahead and round the edges too.

If modding isn't your thing, this isn't the cube for you.

Well there are others out there who don't appreciate the sentiment. Youtube's MonkeyDude1313, for example, thought my response was too "hasty," thinking I was attacking the V3. My standpoint is this: The cube is awesome but....Why is that raised corner lip there when it leads to so much locking? If you compare the V3 to cubes which have similar corner caps, like an Edison Cube, then you will notice that they meet up perfectly; as if they were a single cast. I'm not disappointed that I bought it and I am now going to purchase the DIY versions as word of mouth is very good.

I had an Edison once, the corner caps were not flush, they were raised up. I always thought it caused locking so I got rid of it.

 

[JHB]

I think you've hit the nail on the head mate. Christian Cuber, I can't wait to see your progress. Can you post some videos of what you have described?

I always enjoy the challenge of modding cubes and this one doesn't need that much work really. I mean, filing down 2 raised lips per corner piece isn't too much work really, compared to the kind of mods, say Lubix Cube, would do to a Da Yan. I have talked to Lubix Cube about the potential for mods on the V3 as I, naively, thought there would be a market for this. I can appreciate their response, but I wish they would reconsider:

"Donovan got his V3 in the mail yesterday, and I honestly think the cube is not up to the standards of todays cubes. There is no way to change the tensions, Donovans edge pieces were fused together and 2 pieces were missing the "torpedos" and it locked up every other turn.
V3 cubes aren't anything we are impressed with, and will not be taking the time to modify."

It would be pretty expensive huh!?

In hindsight, I wish I could re-name the video that I opened this thread with as it would now be titled: "V Cube 3x3x3- release the potential," because simple modifications make this cube amazing, and many would say that it already is. One of the things that makes it especially good is the clever design of the internals which fit together and interact really well (except for the aforementioned). I can't wait to try some of the mods mentioned by Radmin.

EDIT: Thanks to whomever changed the title for me, as I don't know how to do this

 

[JHB]

Response from Verdes Innovations regarding V3 lock-ups.

Update (14/2/12): The first thing I did before making my videos was contact Verdes Innovations with a respectful letter detailing the corner cap lock-up situation and the missing parts. On February 11th I received an reply email and they seemed interested in what I had to say so, at their request, I sent a private youtube video link with numerous examples of lockups and the reason for them. According to my video counter they have watched it 4 times so far and today I received a short response; part of which said,
"Thank you for the information. We will fix these soon."
I don't know any more than that, but it's nice that they are taking this seriously, if not humouring me