[Review] FangCun Freshman 3x3

[2180161]

This cube measures 57mm across, and only comes with a stickerless option. Corner-cutting is decent, about 40 degrees forward and half a cubie reverse. The turning feel changes once all the stock lube is removed. It goes from a smooth and controllable cube, to a crunchy and faster cube. After breaking in, lubing and tensioning the cube, it has a clicky, crunchy, and flexy feel. It has the same corner-cutting before. The feel is entirely differently. It is very crunchy, and feels slightly more controllable. Corner-twisting is next to non-existent. Out of 100 solves, I had no pops.

My thoughts:

Grade: B

Who would I recommend this to: Anyone sub-30

What to do to make it better: Replace stock springs with Maru Soft springs and lube with a mixture of weight 2 lube, Maru Lube, and some kind of valve oil.

 

[AlexMaass]

so, how do the maru soft springs affect the performance?

 

[2180161]

so, how do the maru soft springs affect the performance?

They make the cube faster. The overall feel doesn't change much, it is just the speed.

 

[bluesk1]

Here's my take on this cube:

The cube's pieces are literally exactly the same as the Gans 356, except for a modification which allows stickerless cubes to be made. However, the turning is terrible compared to the 356. Why? Because the internals are terrible. I have already ordered a Gans core and hardware, and I anticipate it will be much better after I Gans-ify it a little bit.

 

[AlexMaass]

Here's my take on this cube:

The cube's pieces are literally exactly the same as the Gans 356, except for a modification which allows stickerless cubes to be made. However, the turning is terrible compared to the 356. Why? Because the internals are terrible. I have already ordered a Gans core and hardware, and I anticipate it will be much better after I Gans-ify it a little bit.

I guess I might try using my gans 356 hardware for this

 

[Chree]

Hopefully that'll work. It's slightly bigger than a standard 3x3... so 57 and a half-ish millimeters. Maybe 58 (I don't own calipers).

The stock lube is terrible. It's like low quality traxxis. That's probably contributing to wait I hate this cube every time I pick it up. It catches, it locks up. I'm not the biggest fan of Stickerless bright shades. All in all... not impressed. Glad it was cheap.

 

[AlexMaass]

used just maru soft springs

ogawd the m slices are so locky

 

[NTCuber]

It isn't the best right now, as there is a ton of stock lube in it which is making it a little sluggish. I will have to work on removing the lube and fix it up, just not at the moment.
Anyone tried it with the Gans core(which version btw) and did it successfully work? Thanks!

 

[bluesk1]

It isn't the best right now, as there is a ton of stock lube in it which is making it a little sluggish. I will have to work on removing the lube and fix it up, just not at the moment.
Anyone tried it with the Gans core(which version btw) and did it successfully work? Thanks!

I ordered one from the Cubicle, should be arriving soon!
I'm so excited, I've always wanted there to be a stickerless 356.

 

[2180161]

Found a way to fix the catches and corner-cutting issues. Round off the corners.

 

[bluesk1]

You don't say????

 

[MarcelP]

I have done a few solves and have come to the conclusion that not only is not as good as many of the modern cubes, it is also a lot worse than the Zhanchi clone. That was a pretty decent cube. M-slices are so really really bad.. I do not recommend this cube to anyone.

 

[2180161]

So, after extensive modding, this puzzle has become, in my opinion, better than the Zhanchi. What I did was I rounded the entire center piece more, and all of the corners. I also did the same mod that makes the center caps similar to that of the 356s. I now have no catching whatsoever on this puzzle. Granted it may be due to my turning accuracy, but I like it. The only down fall is the minor popping issue. this new-found issue is probably due to the centers losing some points that hold the edges in.