Older cubers discussions

@Selkie, Chris, wow! If you're still using that kind of LL and already getting low 2 singles you will get sub-2 as soon as you learn better algs. Well, in fact 5x5 and Mega times are quite similar (at least for me) so if you can get sub-2 at 5x5 you also can at Mega if you put the effort.

Counting that 5x5 PB single from two posts ago and the next 4 solves (1st four solves of the weekly comp) I got new PB Ao5: 3:06.xx.

EDIT: Improved later to Ao5 = 3:03.07, Ao12 = 3:08.65. Did a full Ao50 today (maybe 10-15 solves are from yesterday, I can't remember), also PB (3:18.xx). Still so much time lost fighting against the cube :(
 
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Definitely getting the Valk and the 356 Air. I've given up on trying not to buy new 3x3's. I just can't help myself :)

I've made the switch to stickerless for all but 3x3. I'm the pickiest about shades on 3x3 and the x-man tornado is probably the best stickerless 3x3 I own as far as performance/shades go, but it's not as nice as my Gans. For now, I'm content to resticker black 3x3's with my shades.

You guys and your crazy Mega times, I'm not even in the same ballpark. That one is going to require a lot of practice if I want to improve... My focus right now is 3,5,6. I feel like I've hit a hard wall with 4x4 and have kind of fallen out of love with it. I'm enjoying 6x6 a lot more now that I'm fast enough to do several solves in a session.
 
Definitely getting the Valk and the 356 Air. I've given up on trying not to buy new 3x3's. I just can't help myself :)

I've made the switch to stickerless for all but 3x3. I'm the pickiest about shades on 3x3 and the x-man tornado is probably the best stickerless 3x3 I own as far as performance/shades go, but it's not as nice as my Gans. For now, I'm content to resticker black 3x3's with my shades.

You guys and your crazy Mega times, I'm not even in the same ballpark. That one is going to require a lot of practice if I want to improve... My focus right now is 3,5,6. I feel like I've hit a hard wall with 4x4 and have kind of fallen out of love with it. I'm enjoying 6x6 a lot more now that I'm fast enough to do several solves in a session.
As I said, times for Mega and 5x5 are quite similar (maybe Mega is a little faster according to current WRs) so you should be able to get to sub-3 with a little practice and a good Mega, which right now is not a problem any more.

Regarding purchasing every 3x3 I can't really justify it any more, even to myself.
And also one step forward and another one backwards. After improving significantly today at 5x5 I tried to do some 4x4 and I was like 10 seconds slower. Maybe I'm just tired so I'm calling it a day.

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I got home after a couple of pints at the pub and felt it would be a great idea to lube and set up my Thunderclap v2. Took it apart, cleaned it a bit, lubed the core and started screwing the center pieces back on. After a few screws, I realized I forgot the centerpieces and only screwed the screws into the core. Lesson learned - don't drink and lube.
 
As I said, times for Mega and 5x5 are quite similar (maybe Mega is a little faster according to current WRs) so you should be able to get to sub-3 with a little practice

Actually the fastest mega times are faster, times are about the same for 50th percentile solvers for each puzzle, and on the slow end 5x5 is much faster than mega.
 
Really need to work on my LL. Currently I do:-
  • EO - F(RUR'U')F' and inverse
  • CO - Usually sune/antisune to solve or leave 2 corners
  • EP - J-Perm / Y-Perm / R2 U2 R2' U R2 U2 R2' (And Inverse)
  • CP - Comms
Anyone know of a good intermediate method. I am thinking @Lid here ;)
For EO you can use mulitple OLLs from 3x3 to influence the CO, ie FRUR'U'F' vs. RUR'U'R'FRF'.
Other usable OLLs; 28, 57, 31, 32, 47, 48, 34, 46, 5, 6, 7, 8, 35, 37, 51, 52, 13, 14.
CO: learn all 16 cases, they are just as easy as CO on 3x3 imo.
EP; here I try to preseve the blocks I have, know what your algs does.
CP; I use algs for the Q & E cases, and comms for rest (A & O's)

Random 3x3 single ... 10.721, saw the skip.
 
@earth2dan
I have also thought that the Gans 356 is one of the best cubes I don't own (add the Weilong GTS to that list) and thought that I could change that getting a 356 Air as soon as it's out but not sure it's going to suit my turning style and speed (or lack thereof). What do you guys think? I have come back again to the Yuexiao after a quick love affair with the Hualong that ended up just meh.

Getting more sub-3 min 5x5 solves and less sup 3:30 ones but still far from sub-3 Ao5 (current PB 3:09.xx. And that's more or less what I'm into these days: 6x6, 5x5 and swimming pool ;) and waiting for my next unboxing material :)
I bought a Gans 356 about 5 months ago. At first I really struggled with it and initially didn't like it as it flexed a lot. It was initially not as stable as the Yeuxiao and I kept going back to the Yeuxiao. But seeing that I had to justify to myself the spend on the Gans I persevered with it and I am so happy that I did. At the moment given all the 3x3's that I have I will go to the Gans 99% of the time. The Gans has taught me some cube control that I did not have before using it which in turn has helped with any other cube I pick up including the larger cubes.

@mafergut

I will almost certainly be buying the 356 Air. I'm still torn between all these excellent 3x3's, but I find myself solving a Gans 356 more than any others and I'm anxious to try out the latest.

I got the Thunderclap V2 as well, but I haven't set it up yet. Out of the box it's really snappy and stable, it feels like a cross between the original thunderclap and a Weilong GTS. It's quite noisy though, real clacky. I like quiet cubes, probably part of why I love the Gans so much.

@Selkie I'm sure you'll be happy with that 6x6. For me, it was a clear winner over my MoYu. And the stickerless shades are quite nice :)
I've already ordered the Gans AIR, but it will more than likely be more than a month before it arrives :-( I can't complain though I have enough other 3x3's to keep myself entertained :-)

I'm going to give the Thunderclap a miss. I have their V1 and am not very impressed with it. For the price it is awesome, but definitely not in the great cube category.

@earth2dan, all, the Gans 356 Air seems to be even more expensive than the 356s v2 or whatever it's called. Something like $26, to be honest a bit too much for a 3x3 but anyway I think I need a 356 in my collection ;) ... and another drawer to store my puzzles :D
That for me is the biggest issue with the Gans ... the $$$ . Even though I own one and have ordered the AIR I'm still not convinced they are worth the price compared to other cubes ... but in the same breath I say it is my main and I use it all the time ... At least I can say I am getting my money's worth :-)
 
Wow... maybe if I get one I could be consistently sub-18 :)
Ha ha ha, I always think the next cube will improve my game. But they never do. :) Right now I get my best times with the GuoGuan. It used to be the Gan 356S for a long time. But it is too instable compared to the GuoGuan. The Air is supposed to be more stable..
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We will see...
 
The Air is supposed to be more stable.. We will see...
Nothing like a bit of pseudo-science to prove the idea :). So beta is the coefficient of cube stability. I wonder how they measure that beta? What forces are applied to the cube? Or is there some guy behind the camera saying "squeeze it a bit more, we need a higher beta!"
 
What about new Thunderclap after some time of using it? I have mine for a week. I did maybe 100 solves and it becomes better but still not as good as my old V1. M moves hurt
Thanks! One new 3x3 less in my "I shouldn't but I know I will end up buying it" list.

On the other hand, @MarcelP, that pseudo-cience bit has made me keep the 356 Air in said list, as the one thing (apart from price) discouraging me on the 356/356s was stability... well, the fact that I absolutely hate the 357 also had some weight. But those little cute springs inside coloured plastic cages are so tempting :p
 
Thanks! One new 3x3 less in my "I shouldn't but I know I will end up buying it" list.

On the other hand, @MarcelP, that pseudo-cience bit has made me keep the 356 Air in said list, as the one thing (apart from price) discouraging me on the 356/356s was stability... well, the fact that I absolutely hate the 357 also had some weight. But those little cute springs inside coloured plastic cages are so tempting :p

On the other hand I must say I've started use it in 3bld and it's great. I had only one blow up pop but after that accident all is fine. And funny but comms when I use M/M' moves are fine. It will replace my other cubes like Yuxin, Aolong v1 and Thunderclap v1.
 
On the other hand I must say I've started use it in 3bld and it's great. I had only one blow up pop but after that accident all is fine. And funny but comms when I use M/M' moves are fine. It will replace my other cubes like Yuxin, Aolong v1 and Thunderclap v1.
Nah, don't try to change opinion now. I'm not gonna put it back in the list :p

"The List": Weilong GTS, Thunderclap v2, The Valk, Gans 356 Air
 
What about new Thunderclap after some time of using it? I have mine for a week. I did maybe 100 solves and it becomes better but still not as good as my old V1. M moves hurt

The most pain from M moves in my opinion is the Moyu Dianma with its thinner middle layer. Might have been good for young-uns, but big fingers don't work with it.

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