Older cubers discussions

[h2f]

That's VE not EO.

The [U': [F R F', M]] doesnt work for me: https://alg.cubing.net/?setup=[U-:_[F_R_F-,_M]]

But works with M'. Still, I dont know Speffz thats why I thought it was LU-DR. Ok. Nevermind.

 

[newtonbase]

That second one is pretty nice (I think the U direction should be switched though - [U' x: [U' R U, M]]).

Yes, my mistake.

Harmonica holder. I don't think practice would help though - I'm just a forgetful person

I had to practice using a blindfold before the WCs so I didn't just close my eyes before the solve. Bad way to DNF.

 

[mark49152]

The [U': [F R F', M]] doesnt work for me

The F moves were reversed - try [U': [F' R F, M]]

I had to practice using a blindfold before the WCs so I didn't just close my eyes before the solve. Bad way to DNF.

Yeah thanks for reminding me . That's exactly what I did at WCs.

 

[h2f]

The F moves were reversed - try [U': [F' R F, M]]

Now it works fine.

 

[muchacho]

11.608 reconstruction, I would say it was a good solve, but it's more like the cube was solving itself (2 SB pairs made, second part of a 2-look CMLL skipped, lucky LSE).

54722 30-sep-2017 14:47:39 00:11.608 U' F2 D' F2 L2 D' R2 D' U' F2 L2 B R' L F2 U' F U F' U' L2
y
U2 M B L' U L U2 M' F'
U' R2 R U' R' U2 Rw U Rw' U2 Rw' U' Rw
R U R' U R U2 R'
U M' U M' U M U M'
U' M' U2 M U

42 STM
3.62 TPS

 

[pglewis]

I realized last week that I've been doing something really dumb for 3bld: memo-ing edges, memo-ing corners then solving edges. Starting with corner execution first obviously means I don't have to embed the corner memo so deeply and can cut up to 2 mins off my memo.

I think this puts me in the 4-6 min range. I say "I think" because I've hit a spell where I'm getting ~0% success rate. At least I've been failing with variety:

• Very last thing I memo'd didn't stick
• Bad trace, skipped a letter
• Memo'd wrong sticker on a piece
• Memo'd B instead of D (red/orange swap)
• Memo'd T instead of R (red/orange again)
• Recalled "fighter jet" incorrectly as "jet fighter"
• Execution error with x' rotation and trying to cancel some moves
• Unknown execution error
• Started execution in the wrong orientation

 

[mafergut]

My Valk M is a cubicle labs and it has had magnets come out twice. It was pretty early in the offering so maybe they've improved their technique, I still love it anyway.

FWIW, I have two standard GTS2-Ms and neither have had a magnet come loose yet, though I'm sure I'll be reaching for the glue eventually. I've even dropped my main a handful of times-- watching helplessly in slow-motion horror-- [...] Despite the eventual maintenance of loose magnets and stiffer slices than I'd like, I really don't think I can go back after going magnetic. I think I'd prefer slightly weaker magnets than what they use in the GTS2-M but that's about the only thing I could think to change, other than some black magic that could solve the slice-resistance dilemma.

Thanks for the advice. Then I will not complain about bad quality control by Moyu and will assume that's the way it is with magnetic 3x3s. Anyway, it didn't take that much time to locate the piece with the loose magnets and glue them back. In fact I found it so easy I might end up using those 100 magnets I have lying around to actually magnetize a couple 3x3s. Yeah, I bought the magnets but then never found the time to use them

Regarding going back to non-magnetic cubes I still like their feeling a bit more but I'm undeniably more consistent with magnetic ones. But I fully agree in hating M slices with the mass-produced GTS2M. I can do M-based PLLs so much faster with a regular GTS2... Not sure if Cubicle's "lite" versions are a good enough trade-off for M slices. Or even good for OH? That'd be awesome.

 

[Jason Green]

Thanks for the advice. Then I will not complain about bad quality control by Moyu and will assume that's the way it is with magnetic 3x3s. Anyway, it didn't take that much time to locate the piece with the loose magnets and glue them back. In fact I found it so easy I might end up using those 100 magnets I have lying around to actually magnetize a couple 3x3s. Yeah, I bought the magnets but then never found the time to use them

Regarding going back to non-magnetic cubes I still like their feeling a bit more but I'm undeniably more consistent with magnetic ones. But I fully agree in hating M slices with the mass-produced GTS2M. I can do M-based PLLs so much faster with a regular GTS2... Not sure if Cubicle's "lite" versions are a good enough trade-off for M slices. Or even good for OH? That'd be awesome.

I use my Valk M for OH too. I like it, M slices seem pretty good although I'm not fast at those anyway.

 

[mafergut]

I use my Valk M for OH too. I like it, M slices seem pretty good although I'm not fast at those anyway.

My problem with the GTS2M (I'll not say with magnetic cubes in general as I only have this one) is not with M slices, as I do not use M-slice algs in OH. In this case the problem is generally turning the cube. That initial effort to get the movement started that with two hands is like nothing, is very noticeable in OH so I get tired more easily and my fingers can also slip and not turn the layer more frequently. So maybe some weaker magnets would be better both for 2H M slices and OH turning in general. How much weaker without losing also the improved stability the magnets are supposed to give? I cannot say.

 

[newtonbase]

I realized last week that I've been doing something really dumb for 3bld: memo-ing edges, memo-ing corners then solving edges. Starting with corner execution first obviously means I don't have to embed the corner memo so deeply and can cut up to 2 mins off my memo.

I think this puts me in the 4-6 min range. I say "I think" because I've hit a spell where I'm getting ~0% success rate. At least I've been failing with variety:

• Very last thing I memo'd didn't stick
• Bad trace, skipped a letter
• Memo'd wrong sticker on a piece
• Memo'd B instead of D (red/orange swap)
• Memo'd T instead of R (red/orange again)
• Recalled "fighter jet" incorrectly as "jet fighter"
• Execution error with x' rotation and trying to cancel some moves
• Unknown execution error
• Started execution in the wrong orientation

I believe that you are correct when you memo piece types in the inverse order that you execute but I would switch them and memo corners then edges and execute edges then corners. You are able to audio memo edges very quickly.
Also, switching red and orange or other opposite colours is normal and will be fixed with practice. It might also help to try to identify corners from seeing just 2 colours.
Next, if a pair like "fighter jet" doesn't work then either scrap it for something better or identify it as a weak pair so you know not to confuse it next time. (I use fudge for FJ and Jeff for JF. They can't be confused).

 

[pglewis]

I believe that you are correct when you memo piece types in the inverse order that you execute but I would switch them and memo corners then edges and execute edges then corners. You are able to audio memo edges very quickly.

It's an embarrassing admission already... and then I immediately realized what you're saying after I posted. I haven't attempted any audio memo yet but it still makes more sense not to have to embed the longer edge memo as deeply. If I can just get over this phase of silly mistakes, been a few days without a success.

[...] if a pair like "fighter jet" doesn't work then either scrap it for something better or identify it as a weak pair so you know not to confuse it next time. (I use fudge for FJ and Jeff for JF. They can't be confused).

Yeah, I even had both images for both pairs; yanked 'em out of there so it won't happen again. That one was a rare aberration.

 

[Jason Green]

My problem with the GTS2M (I'll not say with magnetic cubes in general as I only have this one) is not with M slices, as I do not use M-slice algs in OH. In this case the problem is generally turning the cube. That initial effort to get the movement started that with two hands is like nothing, is very noticeable in OH so I get tired more easily and my fingers can also slip and not turn the layer more frequently. So maybe some weaker magnets would be better both for 2H M slices and OH turning in general. How much weaker without losing also the improved stability the magnets are supposed to give? I cannot say.

Yeah I mixed topics sorry, I was talking about M slices for 2H. I don't use them either for OH.

 

[openseas]

A brief update on DIY magnetizing:

While trying to find a different approach, I attached magnets to the centers and edges, not corners.
Basically, every center piece has 4 magnets, every edge piece has two magnets.

The major difference between this approach vs conventional (edge and corner magnetized) is smaller radius from the magnets point of view. Just imagine the circle each magnet can draw when you turn your cube, magnets at corner/edge can make a bigger circle compared to magnets at center/edge combination. Thus, you need a little bit less force to turn your cube (~ feel weaker strength from the magnet of the same size compared to edge/corner location).

I wanted to find a combination of stable feel from magnets but not so strong resistance for M slice. I like this better for M slice.

Another advantage, if you want to duplicate the work (= making many more magnetized cubes, for like, MBLD), it is much easier to do than edge/corner combination. Once you have a magnetized cube, you can put magnetized edge pieces into the new cube (assemble all the way) and magnetize the center all at once. Same goes for the new edges - you need to do twice (two piece of plastic making one edge piece).

Trying to apply similar method to 4x4 as well once I receive new magnets (smaller).

 

[newtonbase]

A brief update on DIY magnetizing:

While trying to find a different approach, I attached magnets to the centers and edges, not corners.
Basically, every center piece has 4 magnets, every edge piece has two magnets.

The major difference between this approach vs conventional (edge and corner magnetized) is smaller radius from the magnets point of view. Just imagine the circle each magnet can draw when you turn your cube, magnets at corner/edge can make a bigger circle compared to magnets at center/edge combination. Thus, you need a little bit less force to turn your cube (~ feel weaker strength from the magnet of the same size compared to edge/corner location).

I wanted to find a combination of stable feel from magnets but not so strong resistance for M slice. I like this better for M slice.

Another advantage, if you want to duplicate the work (= making many more magnetized cubes, for like, MBLD), it is much easier to do than edge/corner combination. Once you have a magnetized cube, you can put magnetized edge pieces into the new cube (assemble all the way) and magnetize the center all at once. Same goes for the new edges - you need to do twice (two piece of plastic making one edge piece).

Trying to apply similar method to 4x4 as well once I receive new magnets (smaller).

Very interesting. What cube and what magnets did you use?

 

[openseas]

Very interesting. What cube and what magnets did you use?

MF3RS, N35, 5x1

 

[mark49152]

Hey Grzegorz @h2f - have you tried any 6BLD attempts recently? I still have not been able to solve obliques successfully.

 

[h2f]

Hey Grzegorz @h2f - have you tried any 6BLD attempts recently? I still have not been able to solve obliques successfully.

6bld is still in my head but I haven't tried it. Obliques seem hard to me. I thought I may try 7bld to get used to their easier version because there's x-center between them. I think I may try it after the competiotion I have in 3 weeks. I'm preparing to 3bld - first time since March I practice to get better in it. In June I had 2:08 and I dont want it more.

 

[megagoune]

Look-ahead. I think I finally start to understand it
I really need to slow down a lot to be able to find and track the next pieces while solving a pair. I think it never clicked before how much I needed to slow down. To practice, I now try to turn slow enough to see the pieces moving and follow them around (and not just glimpse at them flying by, hoping for the best).
The most surprising is how fast my times are when I turn super slowly during F2L... I think by finally realizing this, I can now practice my look-ahead and improve F2L stage.
Anyone relate to this experience?

 

[mark49152]

6bld is still in my head but I haven't tried it. Obliques seem hard to me.

They sure are. I can't even do them sighted without mistakes.

 

[Jason Green]

Look-ahead. I think I finally start to understand it
I really need to slow down a lot to be able to find and track the next pieces while solving a pair. I think it never clicked before how much I needed to slow down. To practice, I now try to turn slow enough to see the pieces moving and follow them around (and not just glimpse at them flying by, hoping for the best).
The most surprising is how fast my times are when I turn super slowly during F2L... I think by finally realizing this, I can now practice my look-ahead and improve F2L stage.
Anyone relate to this experience?

Definitely! For me it seems I get about the same times if I try to go slower or faster. I find the best is to find a balance, so I'm going fast enough to push my look ahead without losing it completely. If I go too slow my bad times are really bad. I do more slow untimed solves than I used to though, and play around with bad F2L cases and see what I can find.

They sure are. I can't even do them sighted without mistakes.

Mental note, never try 6 BLD!

I really am enjoying the Anki app, it's quite good for drilling letter pairs it seems!