New Guy Needs Help Finalizing Popbuying Cart

tarpshack

Regular
Joined
Mar 31, 2010
Messages
114
Location
Cincinnati, OH
WCA ID
2010ENGL01
YouTube
Visit Channel
I am very new to cubing. I only have one cube atm - a store bought Rubik's.com cube.

After lurking around this forum for a while I decided I'd like to try out some different cubes. I really don't know what kind of cube best suits me since I only own one, but after reading and watching some reviews I've got my eye on a few different cubes. I wouldn't mind owning them all, but to start I have:

A Type F because it is a highly recommended cube (at least initially before deterioration.)

A Ghost Hand because it also gets high marks for being a smooth cube.

And a Type A because they each seem to be constantly recommended as a reliable starter speed cube.

My Popbuying cart currently looks like this:


Here are my questions:

Is the SE Magic cube an F-II because of the "Gen 2nd"?

And I've read that a Ghost Hand is an F clone, so is it redundant to buy both a Ghost Hand and a Type F?

Finally, I know the GJ Magic cube is a Type A, but does the "Gen 2nd" mean it's a Type A-II? New Type A? I'm still really confused on the Type A naming even after reading the naming clarification sticky. Seems some type A's are more popular than others and I'd rather not buy one of the pariahs.

All opinions and comments welcomed. And thanks in advance for helping me get good cubes to grow my cube collection.
 
Last edited:
Is there a reason why you are getting a Ghost Hand I instead of the 2nd generation?
I have both, they are both good, but I prefer the 2nd gen. It appears to be higher quality.
 
In my experience Type a-V's and Type AIII-F's seem to be the highest quality of the Type A cubes, but everyone has their preference. Some people like A-II's for example. Nobody seems to use the A-IV though.

Also, you should probably get an F-II instead of an F-I. They don't really deteriorate (for a long time at least) and they are generally seen as a very good cube.
 
Is the SE Magic cube an F-II because of the "Gen 2nd"?
Yes, to make you even sure, the FII always come in Black box, where FI come in blue box. (Assembled ones)

And I've read that a Ghost Hand is an F clone, so is it redundant to buy both a Ghost Hand and a Type F?
Yes, it's a clone (of FI) as far as the shape of the cubies. But the feels it self is very different.
Also F's caps easily came off, where ghost hand's do the opposite.

Finally, I know the GJ Magic cube is a Type A, but does the "Gen 2nd" mean it's a Type A-II? New Type A? I'm still really confused on the Type A naming even after reading the naming clarification sticky. Seems some type A's are more popular than others and I'd rather not buy one of the pariahs.
It's the AII.
AII has better feels than the AI, the AI is too heavy for me.

Here's my opion on type A
AI
It's solid and heavy. It has thick plastic.
Cuts corner extremly well, but locks a bit.

AII
Lighter than AI
Cuts corner well, doesnt lock as much as AI
But pops more than AI

AIII
Even lighter than AII
It has very thin plastic, but solid.
Cuts corner well, locks rarely
Doesnt pop as easly as AII

AIIIF / AIII-NEW
A bit lighther than AIII
Glide extremly well, very smooth and stable, but locks up abit
Cuts corner well, hard to pop
very fast

AIV
Very hard to pop
Locks up a lot
Cuts corner in medium rate

AV
Doesnt pop much
Locks a bit
Cut corner very well

AVI
Doesnt locks, but pops sometimes
cut corners extremly well
the springs loosen up easily, making the cube kindda wably after a while.
 
Is there a reason why you are getting a Ghost Hand I instead of the 2nd generation?
I have both, they are both good, but I prefer the 2nd gen. It appears to be higher quality.

I dont think the 2nd edition is available on popbuying yet :)
 
First of all thanks for all the comments.

I didn't intentionally choose the first generation Ghost Hand over the second. I just picked whatever one I found on Popbuying. Both the F and GH got high marks for being smooth/quiet cubes. I wanted to check that out. Does Popbuying even have both a Gen1 and Gen2 Ghost Hand?

I also have no preference to an A-II over other Type A's. It just happened to be the only Type A that I found assembled from Popbuying. I'm still a little intimidated by a DIY.
 
First of all thanks for all the comments.

I didn't intentionally choose the first generation Ghost Hand over the second. I just picked whatever one I found on Popbuying. Both the F and GH got high marks for being smooth/quiet cubes. I wanted to check that out. Does Popbuying even have both a Gen1 and Gen2 Ghost Hand?

I also have no preference to an A-II over other Type A's. It just happened to be the only Type A that I found assembled from Popbuying. I'm still a little intimidated by a DIY.
assembling a cube is easy, if you have any doubts there are plenty of youtube tutorials and you will have to learn at some point, also, YAY, another cincy area cuber!
 
First of all thanks for all the comments.

I didn't intentionally choose the first generation Ghost Hand over the second. I just picked whatever one I found on Popbuying. Both the F and GH got high marks for being smooth/quiet cubes. I wanted to check that out. Does Popbuying even have both a Gen1 and Gen2 Ghost Hand?

I also have no preference to an A-II over other Type A's. It just happened to be the only Type A that I found assembled from Popbuying. I'm still a little intimidated by a DIY.

It looks like you like black cubes, and if that's so, you won't be so interested in the GHII. I'm pretty sure it only comes in white and a few other weird colors. But I reaaally like my GHI, though I've never used a GHII.

As for DIY's, they're super simple, don't worry. By no means do you need to have a DIY to have a good cube. FII's, GH's, and a few others come pre-assembled, and they're good. You can even make a storebought good after plenty of love.
 
Is there a reason why you are getting a Ghost Hand I instead of the 2nd generation?
I have both, they are both good, but I prefer the 2nd gen. It appears to be higher quality.

They don't sell Ghost Hand 2 on PopBuying yet, maybe I'm wrong though...

I still prefer my Ghost Hand 1 as of now, 'cause of the stickers and tension perfect for me. Ghost Hand 2 is harder to control, I don't recommend to begginers. Some of my noob cubing friends don't like it, because it feels unstable, they all prefer my Ghost Hand 1.

GH1 and GH2 are extremely different.
AVI
Doesnt locks, but pops sometimes
cut corners extremly well
the springs loosen up easily, making the cube kindda wably after a while.

no such thing,
also, i suggest getting an A-V instead of an A-II, if you mod it (not so hard) it becomes a very nice cube
I heard AV is a very nice cube even without modding. I've been wanting to try one since my micro memory cube rocks so much! The crispy feel is very different and I don't dislike it at all.
 
First of all thanks for all the comments.

I didn't intentionally choose the first generation Ghost Hand over the second. I just picked whatever one I found on Popbuying. Both the F and GH got high marks for being smooth/quiet cubes. I wanted to check that out. Does Popbuying even have both a Gen1 and Gen2 Ghost Hand?

I also have no preference to an A-II over other Type A's. It just happened to be the only Type A that I found assembled from Popbuying. I'm still a little intimidated by a DIY.

It looks like you like black cubes, and if that's so, you won't be so interested in the GHII. I'm pretty sure it only comes in white and a few other weird colors. But I reaaally like my GHI, though I've never used a GHII.

As for DIY's, they're super simple, don't worry. By no means do you need to have a DIY to have a good cube. FII's, GH's, and a few others come pre-assembled, and they're good. You can even make a storebought good after plenty of love.

http://cubingstore.webs.com/apps/webstore/products/show/1214153

I have it in black...
 
I don't necessarily like black cubes more, they just seem to be cheaper. In some cases by a lot! I chose the white cubes whenever the price difference wasn't too prohibitive. I'm not a huge fan of a lot of the other colors (yet) but I do like the look of the white cubes.

I'm pretty well convinced on the GH and F II but I might have to work up the courage for a DIY and get an A-III or A-V. Of course, if I'm not ruling out DIY's the Cube4You cube has caught my attention as well. If only I could buy them all...
 
Last edited:
AVI
Doesnt locks, but pops sometimes
cut corners extremly well
the springs loosen up easily, making the cube kindda wably after a while.

no such thing,
also, i suggest getting an A-V instead of an A-II, if you mod it (not so hard) it becomes a very nice cube
er, what do you mean?
I have about 15 A VI in my store now...
It's already available about 1-2 months ago
duh..

Popbuying has the Ghost Hand II, although only in glow in the dark for now.

http://popbuying.com/detail.pb/sku.3x3x3_GS_Speed_luminous_Magic_Cube_Gen_2nd-28990

It does come in black, I have one. AWESOME cube!

it's not ghost hand (II)
the name fails.
 
Ok... I've changed up my cart a little bit based on the suggestions I got. First of all I ditched the third 3x3x3 for a 4x4x4. I'm going to save the battle for what Type A, Type C, or C4U cube I get for later. I did keep the Type FII and the Ghost Hand, and now all of them are white.

From what I've read on this forum a lot of you like the Mini QJ 4x4x4. I think that's what I've chosen. Although "mini" doesn't show up anywhere in the description, it is the 6CM cube. Do I pick the right one?

My cart now looks like this:

 
AVI
Doesnt locks, but pops sometimes
cut corners extremly well
the springs loosen up easily, making the cube kindda wably after a while.

no such thing,
also, i suggest getting an A-V instead of an A-II, if you mod it (not so hard) it becomes a very nice cube
er, what do you mean?
I have about 15 A VI in my store now...
It's already available about 1-2 months ago
duh..
the AVI has never been out, there is no such thing, you named it wrong if you think it exists
that is a haiyan cube in your store, not an AVI
 
Last edited:
Ok... I've changed up my cart a little bit based on the suggestions I got. First of all I ditched the third 3x3x3 for a 4x4x4. I'm going to save the battle for what Type A, Type C, or C4U cube I get for later. I did keep the Type FII and the Ghost Hand, and now all of them are white.

From what I've read on this forum a lot of you like the Mini QJ 4x4x4. I think that's what I've chosen. Although "mini" doesn't show up anywhere in the description, it is the 6CM cube. Do I pick the right one?

My cart now looks like this:


Looks good. If you don't like the FII for some reason, the AV is about the exact opposite and also really good and popular. Remember that your Mini QJ will suck for the first few solves, but after that it should get good.
 
I would just get the F-II. It's similar to the ghosthand but I like my F-II more. This way you can get a new cube that's not Type A or FII/Ghosthand. Assembling the cube is one of the most fun parts of cubing for me. It's very easy. Hope this helps!
 
Back
Top