[Review] DaYan ZhanChi 3x3x3

[Username]

I bought it from a us seller on eBay.

It was bought in the first week of December 2012.

It came very loose and popped a lot but now it is tensioned and lubed and it's very fast. I voted above average because it can pop a lot and the overall feel isn't of one that I prefer (like a guhong)

Have you got the torpedoes in it? Mine pops maybe once every 100 solves o.O

 

[Kattenvriendin]

Mine never has unless I force it like crazy (which one doesn't do while solving).

 

[Username]

Mine never has unless I force it like crazy (which one doesn't do while solving).

The only reason mine pops, is because i have it set really loose.

 

[elrog]

I bought a white dayan zanchi and bought textured tiles for it. It is an excellent cube. I love it and I've never had it pop yet. The only cube comparable to it (I think) is the dayan guhong with torpedos in it.

 

[guythatlikesOH]

I voted above average. No matter what, I always end up going back to my Guhong V2. I still use a 55mm for OH though because it's the only cube that's 55mm. If only they could make a 55mm Guhong...

 

[Poke2000]

Black Zhanchi

Where: Taobao
When: January 2012

An excellent puzzle. I use it as my main (3x3) speedcube.

 

[somerandomkidmike]

Where the puzzle was purchased:
I think I got this from speedcubeshop.com
Not sure though.

When the puzzle was purchased:
Summer last year

Thoughts on the puzzle:
Good speed and good corner cutting. I hate the feel, so I don't use it. I have the stickerless version.

Edit: I can guarantee that this is an awesome cube, but I can't guarantee it will be your main.

 

[cubesonfire]

Version of cube : 57 mm White
Where it was bought : FastTech
When it was bought : Ordered late May 2013, arrived 9 June 2013.
Thoughts on puzzle
The cube was AWESOME out of the box. I just couldn't control it at first as my previous main was a broken in Rubik's Brand and a YongJun. After a few days, I could control it better but even now I just cant match its speed. I used to average 44 with my Rubik's brand and 46 with my YongJun, and the ZhanChi got my average down to 31 after a few days of practice.Surprisingly, the tensioning was PERFECT by FastTech. I still haven't lubed it and still it can cut 40-45 degrees easily. The reverse cutting is pretty much good too, but I could do with better reverse cutting as I'm a rough cuber. It pops rarely, and has popped only once in my solves.Otherwise it only pops when I practice really fast algorithms and triggers continuously. Never explodes. I consider it as the best speedcube in the world, definetely better than the PanShi. The only cubes with a calibre CLOSE to the ZhanChi are the DaYan GuHong V2 and FangShi ShuangRen.Overall, it is an excellent cube.

 

[giorgi]

First time i bought Dayan Zhanchi stickerless it was amazing for me after very bad cube (17 september). My average was about 1 minute and 25 seconds(5-10 september), then i get about 45 seconds(20 september) and was getting better and better than i bought dayan zhanchi black(20 november) and i was getting better and better it was too cheap so i broked it about 4 months later my PB last time was 16 seconds(10 january) i already new fridirich very well. Then i bought Dayan Zhanchi again but this time white for competition in Edinburgh open 2013 27 January and i get my Georgian NR 20.56 (you can see in youtube).For now i am cubing with this white zhanchi my PB is 9.73(25 may) and AVG is 13.33(28 may). i like zhanchi it is the best for me

 

[kaixax555]

Where: Cubeworkz @ NEX (Singapore)
When: 18 July 2013
Thoughts: Older generation cuber (started way back in 2008 and stopped a year after), using older models like original Rubik's Cubes, Type E-II and Type D with Type A core. Having seen many videos of the Dayan series and how people praise these for its performance, I decided to take the plunge. Though it costs more than all my 3 previous cubes combined, I have to say I buy the hype for these. It has none of the weakness of the first 3 cubes I have. It is not prone to lockups (like my Type E), it cuts corners really well (unlike me Type D and Rubik's cube), and hasn't popped so far (unlike my pop-prone type D). Maybe one little nitpick is that it does not feel as "effortless" as say the Type D, but it is very close to become the perfect cube.

 

[GV2]

This is the cube to have. The closest thing to the perfect cube. This thing is simply the best cube on the market. Its smooth day an plastic and design make this the best feeling and most enjoyable cube to solve. Corner cutting and m slices are effortless. This cube is fast smooth but click and is just pure awesomeness. No one can go wrong with this cube. This cube is be far the #1 cube. Buy now!

 

[Jont828]

Where: Amazon.com (Yeah, I know it's not very popular, but to each his own )
When: July 2013 (I kinda quit for about 4 months after I got it)
Thoughts: This was my first speedcube, and it popped like crazy out of the box, but after I tensioned it and lubed it, it felt amazing. I've never used another speedcube since I'm kinda isolated from the community here in South Carolina, but I do like the turning style and the sound. Unlike many other cubes, the inner pieces look professional and the core doesn't have a cheap looking color to it and the edge pieces have a nice shape and build. Popping isn't really a problem unless you turn very recklessly, and corner cutting is around 45 degrees, though for me it's above and below for turning on certain sides (like yellow/red/blue or white/red/green). Overall, I'd highly recommend this cube. My only complaint was the stickers, but I got some off of Cubesmith and they work fine.

 

[Etkim823]

I just got a 55mm zhanchi and it can not corner cut at all 10 degrees is its max or it just pops or locks up I tried playing around with the tensions but no use any ideas?

 

[QQW]

the ZhanChi is good in every way(except perhaps BAD STICKER QUALITY)

only 2 and a half months since I bought it

just got a 55mm zhanchi and it can not corner cut at all 10 degrees is its max or it just pops or locks up I tried playing around with the tensions but no use any ideas?

Dissassemble your cube completely and look for any imperfections or assymetries(distorted piece or core). If you find one, you can ship your cube back to wherever you bought it and get an exchange or refund.

 

[xsolver]

I just ordered an 55m stickerless Zhanchi, it should come in a month. Ill write something about it once it comes. Cant wait.

 

[carbon131]

I got a dayan 5 zhanchi as a gift. Ever since it has been my main cube. once I get used to it it took me from sub 30 to sub 15. The dayan 5 zhanchi has great corner cutting I mean AMAZING CORNER CUTTING. Also it is very good quality plastic and very good hardware (compared to weilong). now for the cons it does not have a great anti pop mechanisim but can be improved and can be a bit uncontrollable. also it is loud and clicky. That's about it. This is an overall great cube.

I rate it an A-

 

[Archt]

Where : From an online store where I live (I think the shop wouldn't really interest anyone since it's only for the Philippines)
Thoughts on the puzzle: It's a really good cube, out of the box it was already pretty fast but was dry a bit but that really depends so I'm not judging the performance with the lack of lube. It was pretty solid and doesn't overshoot compared to other speedcubes like the Yulong and a bit of the Aolong (Both I have so comparison is inevitable). The corner cutting's great but needs a bit more effort in moderate tensions, and while turning it has this really bubbly and bouncy feel inside which I'm assuming is because of its curvy corner mechanism not fully fitting into the edge so when you do cut a corner it locks inside but then technically doesn't lock haha Overall one of my favorite cubes but not my main. You should get it

 

[tomg]

Where: Amazon.ca
When: August 2014
Thoughts: My first speedcube, and I was really impressed when I first had it. It was a step up from a thrift store Rubik's brand. As soon as I got more into cubing, I became less and less happy with it, as it just didn't feel right for me. I was always undershooting my turns (I know, strange) and although it never popped, it locked up too much for me. I had tried one of my friends WeiLong V2, and it felt a LOT better for my turning style. The ZhanChi was my main for a while, even when I had a WeiLong V2 and GuHong V2 of my own. Don't get me wrong, this is an amazing cube, but it wasn't right for me. The corner cutting is the best I have ever come across straight out of the box. Thank you for reading my thoughts

 

[Ordway Persyn]

Where: TheCubicle
When: august/September 2014
Turning: The cube feels a little crispy out of the box but becomes buttery smooth after some breaking in.
Corner cutting: Easily 45 and up to around 55 with a little bit of force. Reverse is around 2/3 a cubie. 5 of 5
Pops: Pops happen on this cube somewhat often. Accurate turning and tight-medium tensions reduce pops. 3 of 5
stability: catches don't happen often and Lockups don't Happen often either due to that this
cube would Just pop. It also keeps its shape very well 5 of 5
Speed: The speed is medium-fast the way I have it set up. I remember the way i had it before made it really fast. 4 of 5
M-slices: Slice moves are a bit slow but don't catch often and are very controllable. 4 of 5
Control: I have no problems controlling this cube. It is very controllable . 5 of 5
Bonus points: Corner twist don't really happen during solving but the cube has the capacity to do so.
Center caps can come of doing more extreme corner cutting but gluing them on resolves the problem
The hardware isn't great and some of my screws came stripped, however, the springs work fine.
The sticker shades and quality of the stock stickers are awful, they chip easily and are very dark and hard to
recognize while solving. 2 of 5
Total score: 28 of 35 Grade: a- Recommendation: yes
Conclusion: I recommend the Zhanchi to any speed solver who likes a smooth, and controllable cube. Its a good all rounder
and has no major flaws. Its a bit cheaper than other top speed cubes as well.

 

[dannah]

stickerless zhanchis good and does not pop too often as long as it has torpedoes