Adapting Pochmann Centers to the 5x5x5

[dChan]

I really like doing Pochmann centers when speedsolving the 4x4x4 and as I have not taken the 5x5x5 seriously until recently, I was wondering if I could get some tips on how to adapt Pochmann centers the the 5x5x5. Currently my adaption of the method looks like this:

1. Solve one complete center face on the bottom.
2. Block-build the first-two-layers of centers.
3. Connect a corner center with its proper center face.
4. Connect a two center cubies together in the U-face.
5. Solve the center face using Pochmann's technique.
6. Repeat steps 3-5 for the the other 2 adjacent and 1 parallel center faces.

Of course, I have found a special case where you cannot do a straightforward solve using steps 3-5. This mainly consists of not being able to connect a center from the F face to the two centers in the U-face properly as it will bring you back to the same situation you started with so you need to connect the centers in a different way. Without an example to give this is kind of hard to explain but I am sure if you use Pochmann centers on the 5x5x5 you will know what I mean.

So I am doing this right so far or do I need to approach it a bit differently? Also, can you tell me if this method is good at all for the 5x5x5 or is it too slow/inefficient?

Thanks,
-dChan

 

[masterofthebass]

My suggestion would to maybe just build the 1x3 block in the U face since once you build the first center it's harder to connect a corner center w/ the appropriate face. I don't think it's really less efficient, as long as you utilize the advantages with the free slices.

 

[dChan]

Ah, you have it right masterofthebass. I use many different techniques. Actually, what you said is what I do. It is kind of hard to explain 5x5x5 centers as there are corener centers and then you have "edge" centers so I forgot about some different things I do. But, anyway, that's my basic outline plus I do use the technique you mentioned.

What should I aim for in terms of moves and time? I average 28 seconds with Pochmann centers on the 4x4x4 so what does that translate to on the 5x5x5? Plus, again, any tips to make this faster or am I already doing it well enough?

 

[masterofthebass]

Well, since I finish 5x5 centers in about the same time you finish 4x4 centers, i don't really know what to compare them to. I tried a couple of solves and got a 50.xx and a 57.xx with the adaptation.

 

[dChan]

Ah, but I assume if you practiced Pochmann centers on the 5x5x5 more you would probably be much faster.

Ha, I did not realize my 4x4x4 center solving was so slow! I know that the records for the 4x4x4 are like 12 seconds average but I didn't know for the 5x5x5 it was below 30. I guess I should have realized that.

 

[Stefan]

I thought about that, too, but never seriously tried it because it's so cumbersome to set up, not like for the 4x4 where it's nice. But I might be wrong, as the common 5x5 centers solving isn't very nice, either.

 

[dChan]

I thought about that, too, but never seriously tried it because it's so cumbersome to set up, not like for the 4x4 where it's nice. But I might be wrong, as the common 5x5 centers solving isn't very nice, either.

Well, it was pretty natural for me to solve the centers using your method because I found many little 1x1x2 blocks popped up after solving the bottom face of centers. So once I paired them all up it was easy to go into a centers solve that was very much like the typical 4x4x4 centers solve.

Of course, I am not the expert here so I could be wrong about this being any good. For now, I really like this method for solving the centers. It is just very... hmmm, "natural" I guess.