daniel0731ex
Veteran
- Joined
- Dec 10, 2008
- Messages
- 2,294
So there are some people who says that many of the cube qualities (i.e. corner-cutting, lock-ups, etc) could depend on the tension of the cube. Although this is partly true, some cubes may (for example) cut corners better than the other at the same tension. So we still need a standard to grade the cubes.
First off i would like to introduce the rating qualities for a DIY cube:
Speed
Smoothness: usually depends on the molding quality of the cube. (this is different from "feel". A cube could be both smooth and crispy at the same time)
Tolerance: basically cornea-cutting
Variability: tension range
Durability: how long cube stays at its peak performance range before detoriated noticably
Stability: popping frequency/tendency
Solidness: lock-up tendency
Reliability: how crazy you can turn without lock-up or pops
Quality (breaking in): need breaking in or not? How long?
Handling: is this cube easy to control? does the size fit you well?
Feel: crispy, creamy, etc
Overall: what you think of this cube. This is very important, because there may be many other things about the cube that cannot be expressed by the qualities above.
NOTE: the qualities are placed in order from objective to subjective.
Now the blue text means that it could be rated qualitatively, and red text means that it cannot be rated qualitatively. Orange means it can be both expressed qualitativly and quantitavly
To make the rating of individual people more accurate, all cubes should be set at the "Minimum Standard Tension", or MST. MST is basically the loosest tension you could get without starting to pop every several solves; you should be able to use the cube consistantly. Of course, the MST of each person depends on their turning style, but i think this should be able to get most of the ratings close enough. One thing that i also need to remind you is that besides MST, there is also OT, or Optimal Tension. Optimal Tension is NOT a particular "best setting", as it depends on the cuber's personal preferance. Optimal Tension is any tension that is within the "Optimal Tension Range". The Optimal Tension Range is basically the range of tension setting in which the cube is at its fastest speed without locking-up or popping easily. Again, the range differs slightly for each cuber, but it should be fairly close. (Please note that OT is not usually the cuber's preferred tension. A lot of cubers likes their cubes' tension set outside the Optimal Tension Range)
First off i would like to introduce the rating qualities for a DIY cube:
Speed
Smoothness: usually depends on the molding quality of the cube. (this is different from "feel". A cube could be both smooth and crispy at the same time)
Tolerance: basically cornea-cutting
Variability: tension range
Durability: how long cube stays at its peak performance range before detoriated noticably
Stability: popping frequency/tendency
Solidness: lock-up tendency
Reliability: how crazy you can turn without lock-up or pops
Quality (breaking in): need breaking in or not? How long?
Handling: is this cube easy to control? does the size fit you well?
Feel: crispy, creamy, etc
Overall: what you think of this cube. This is very important, because there may be many other things about the cube that cannot be expressed by the qualities above.
NOTE: the qualities are placed in order from objective to subjective.
Now the blue text means that it could be rated qualitatively, and red text means that it cannot be rated qualitatively. Orange means it can be both expressed qualitativly and quantitavly
To make the rating of individual people more accurate, all cubes should be set at the "Minimum Standard Tension", or MST. MST is basically the loosest tension you could get without starting to pop every several solves; you should be able to use the cube consistantly. Of course, the MST of each person depends on their turning style, but i think this should be able to get most of the ratings close enough. One thing that i also need to remind you is that besides MST, there is also OT, or Optimal Tension. Optimal Tension is NOT a particular "best setting", as it depends on the cuber's personal preferance. Optimal Tension is any tension that is within the "Optimal Tension Range". The Optimal Tension Range is basically the range of tension setting in which the cube is at its fastest speed without locking-up or popping easily. Again, the range differs slightly for each cuber, but it should be fairly close. (Please note that OT is not usually the cuber's preferred tension. A lot of cubers likes their cubes' tension set outside the Optimal Tension Range)
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