Hello, I'm very confused

[pslind69]

Hello guys,

I'm new to speedcubing. I have 4 cubes:

- Crappy DIY from UKBargainStore (Type A, their website says. it was half bad after assembly and has since become abysmal)

- Type F from Rubikfans (caps pop like crazy and it feels "cheap")

- White preassembled "best speedcube" from Rubikfans (seems type A from the yellow core and cubies - noisy and rough feel, and locks-up quite a bit when trying to go fast)

- Type D YUGA from Rubikfans (Turns very well but locks-up LIKE CRAZY)

My best time is 46.83 on the white "best speed cube" using the beginners method, where I got lucky with one F2L pair already being inserted and the pll being just the basic corner switcher done once. Otherwise my time is usually around 1.15 - which is very depressing.

Trying to learn myself intuitive F2L, but I panic when I'm timing it - not being able to see where the pieces are fast enough. Look ahead is damn hard =(

I solve the cross in about 10 secs on average. "F2L" in about 30 secs (not really using F2L but if I see made pair I'll insert it), the OLL and PLL's take a horribly long time for me (prolly 30 secs lol) - but I'm working on the F2L part first (The OLL/PLL should be easier to get faster).

I want to get the best possible cube - but it is very confusing as to what to choose. It seemed the C4U DIY was really good from reviews. But then one review says they turn bad in a few months.

The manufacturers should try to figure out exactly what makes a good cube by analysing the different charactaristics that each part has and instead of making different types that they hope will be a winner.

It seems the Type C is the only solid choice? There seems to be 2 (or more) versions of the type C also... What core should I use, and what screws? What center pieces? o_O

I'm very confused.

Peter

 

[ElderKingpin]

Well. it took me only 3 tries.

My first was the Walmart 3X3X3, i used vasaline. and.. ya. no more storebought (unless you want to use some sand and grind that thing down)

My second was the rubiks DIY, it locks up a lot, that is probably my fault, because i loosened it, and i super-glued the caps on (i didnt know what came over me)

The one i have right now is the C4U Speed Cube black NIB. I used a coat of clear nail polish to stop the stickers from coming off, and it works pretty well for me. It rarely locks up and turns like a speedcube, plus, i didnt have to break it in, or lube it. Which helps me, since im lazy.

 

[4Chan]

Well, people were polled when the C4U cube was being created, asking people which springs they preferred and such.

Type C is good.
If you find that type A cubes have a tendency to lock up, then you might find that type C locks a little bit more.

I'd advise a type C, the first one.
Mayhaps try CII, and see if you like it.


Personally, I use a type A-5 with type C springs in lieu of type A springs.
Because of the fact that the edge is around 10% wider than the corner, and the shape of the cubies, it cuts corners ridiculously well. It also has a very nice feeling to it, and suberb centercaps! The entire cap goes into the centre, but can still be removed easily, ingenious design.

It has a light feeling to it, and is the fastest cube I own. (And I own quite a few)
Since I put in type C springs, it doesn't pop as much.

The only downside is the occasional lock up.

 

[Kxg]

Hello and welcome to forums.

I'd suggest you first trying to get better rather than looking for "best possible cube". I average 23ish with a storebought, surely you can do that with what you call crappy cubes.

Once you get faster, you will see what your cubing style really is and then you will be able to choose cube, which suits your style (for example, if you're accurate turned, you don't really need cube with 45 degree corner cuts that much).

If you really want a solid DIY, you might give type C a try - they're pretty decent, from what I've heard.

 

[ElderKingpin]

certain cubes turn and cut differently. and it might come as a disadvantage to practice excessively with a horrible cube and then go to competition with your newly bought [insert here] cube

 

[pslind69]

Thanks for the replies guys! I'll have to remember that tip with the nail-polish lol =)

About the type A 5 - where do you buy these?

Kxg: I hear what you are saying, but I often get irritated by the lockups =) I had a rubik's storebought that actually was pretty good after a while. Didn't cut corners that well and locked up a little. I guess - as long as the first cube isn't horrible - that your tip should be taken into consideration =) All the time spent on trying to find the "perfect" cube could be spent practicing.

My brother has one cube that turns the worst of any cube I've ever tried. It is a beastly workout of the wrists ans fingers to solve it just once. Something like that would clearly be a bad idea to keep practicing on.

I noticed that most lock ups happen because a corner is misaligned a few millimeters with the centerpiece. Say, you want to do U, but the R slice is a few millimeters askew into the R' direction. The centerpiece being very square then locks the U layer because it does not allow the corner to pass over it (because it isn't round enough). On the Type F, both the centerpiece and the cubies are more rounded, as you know, but the rest of the cube is horrible. Everything from the actual core to the stickers just feels like it isn't even a "rubik's" cube =)

Has anyone tried to mod a type F, keeping its centerpieces and cubies?

 

[4Chan]

http://www.popbuying.com/detail.pb/sku.25261

You can buy the type A-5 there, but it took around 2 and a half weeks to arrive to my home.

 

[pslind69]

Ok thank, I'll take a look at that site =)

 

[V-te]

Hello,
I used to be just like you, always looking for the best cube, always worried about my times. I look back now, and the only reason I got better was because of my crappy cube.

At first it turned ok, but then, over time it got way too loose. I still practiced on it, since I didn't know there were any better, and eventually, with begginers method, managed to have a 50 sec average. Then I learned F2L on it, and 2 look OLL and 2 look PLL. Went back to 1:10 and stayed there. However, I must tell you that it was the slow turning of that cube that actually helped me. When I got my first Speed cube, A Ghost Hand, My times went from a 1:10, directly to a 38 sec average. and it didn't take long to start averaging 32 seconds. Even though my crappy famwealth is the worse cube ever, I thank it to this day, as it was that cube that helped me with lookahead. It will come to you, but you must practice. You are going wayy too fast... just relax, have fun with it, speed will come naturally.

 

[Kxg]

Thanks for the replies guys! I'll have to remember that tip with the nail-polish lol =)

About the type A 5 - where do you buy these?

Kxg: I hear what you are saying, but I often get irritated by the lockups =) I had a rubik's storebought that actually was pretty good after a while. Didn't cut corners that well and locked up a little. I guess - as long as the first cube isn't horrible - that your tip should be taken into consideration =) All the time spent on trying to find the "perfect" cube could be spent practicing.

My brother has one cube that turns the worst of any cube I've ever tried. It is a beastly workout of the wrists ans fingers to solve it just once. Something like that would clearly be a bad idea to keep practicing on.

I noticed that most lock ups happen because a corner is misaligned a few millimeters with the centerpiece. Say, you want to do U, but the R slice is a few millimeters askew into the R' direction. The centerpiece being very square then locks the U layer because it does not allow the corner to pass over it (because it isn't round enough). On the Type F, both the centerpiece and the cubies are more rounded, as you know, but the rest of the cube is horrible. Everything from the actual core to the stickers just feels like it isn't even a "rubik's" cube =)

Has anyone tried to mod a type F, keeping its centerpieces and cubies?

Yeah well, I didn't mean you should practice on cube that needs wrench to turn. Your mentioned cubes are DIYs, which makes me think they're decent. Decent enough for a 60s cuber, anyway.

I get irritated by lockups too. But since it's the only cube I have, I have to adjust my cubing style to the cube.

 

[goatseforever]

Every one of the cubes you listed are good. I would have no problem using them. Focus on getting better not getting a pro cube.

 

[V-te]

It's in the cuber, not in the cube.

 

[pslind69]

Hahaha =) You are probably right guys. I guess I just needed to hear it from someone. I'll try to concentrate on one of my cubes to get more used to it while solving and to get better times on that cube.

That one cube my brother has, almost needs a wrench =) It also has the worst colorscheme I've ever heard of: 3 kinds of purple very close in shade, orange, very pale green and yellow =) I'll make a video with it if you like lol.

 

[wrbcube4]

Hahaha =) You are probably right guys. I guess I just needed to hear it from someone. I'll try to concentrate on one of my cubes to get more used to it while solving and to get better times on that cube.

That one cube my brother has, almost needs a wrench =) It also has the worst colorscheme I've ever heard of: 3 kinds of purple very close in shade, orange, very pale green and yellow =) I'll make a video with it if you like lol.

I agree, but when you reach the time when you need a good cube, try an Edison Cube. You can get them at edicubes.com or at http://store.tribox.jp/usd/edison/. No, I'm not advertising, the edison is a great cube. I would definently recommend them.

 

[MichaelErskine]

Hello guys,
I'm new to speedcubing.

Welcome Peter!

My best time is 46.83 on the white "best speed cube" using the beginners method, where I got lucky with one F2L pair already being inserted and the pll being just the basic corner switcher done once. Otherwise my time is usually around 1.15 - which is very depressing.

Improvement will come with time and it is almost inevitable if you continue to solve the cube. If you want to gauge your rate of improvement you could record your times and perhaps enter the weekly competition. I guarantee that if you stick with it you will be faster than I am in 12 months from now!

Trying to learn myself intuitive F2L, but I panic when I'm timing it - not being able to see where the pieces are fast enough. Look ahead is damn hard =(

There's no need to look ahead right now and there's certainly no need to panic... Unless someone is holding a gun to your head? They're not are they? Good! Just carry on doing what you do and watch a few videos on intuitive F2L. Your cross time is not much slower than mine and your first two layers is fine. You will do well by learning the 2-Look OLL and PLL but don't abandon your existing techniques because they become useful for lots of other twisty puzzles.

I want to get the best possible cube

Whoa now! Such a thing doesn't exist: the closest thing would be "the best possible cube that I can afford, obtain easily, understand, maintain, and that works best for me and my style.

That's a Type-C we're talking about

Only joking! The thing to do is buy lots of cubes from lots of places, try other people's cubes, talk to them and try to understand why those cubes are somehow "better" and over time you will find a favourite. And that will change over time too!

Stick with it. Learn F2L. Learn 2-look OLL and PLL. Time yourself. Plot charts of your progress. All this advice is free BTW!

 

[Owen]

Doesn't matter. I use a Rubik's brand, and I am fine with it. (I really should get a speed cube though....)

 

[chris410]

Some advice that has helped me with F2L is to practice slowly and learn how to look ahead once you are very comfortable with F2L. Also, check out some of badmephisto's videos on youtube, he has some good examples of deliberate F2L practice and how you can spot positions that solve efficiently, there are various tricks you can pick up to help drop the time. Also, stop timing yourself until you are comfortable with constantly keeping the pieces moving (I am in this process now). I hope that helps!

 

[TioMario]

I got sub-50 times with a storebought with different tensions on each face. So, with a DIY, you can do that too.

THA "P" WORD DAWG !

 

[pslind69]

Thanks for the replies!

I will definetely learn the 2 look oll/pll sometime soon (after I have practiced more intuitive F2L).

I've watched many many many many many (policeacademy-many) videoes on youtube. It's amazing how many cube videoes that are on there.

And thanks for the free advice hehe!

 

[LewisJ]

Get a small bottle of superglue for the type F caps; just smear a small streak of it on one side of a cap and put it back in and it'll stay.

I am also a fan of minicubes - you might try the Mini C and the Mini QJ 3x3.