[Help Thread] Puzzle Choice Thread

[Fukuoka Kengo James]

I was at the London open and I asked mats valk about a valk4 and he told me that he had rejected it and that he would only accept it if it was better than the wuque.
Someone else told me that he had let Feliks try a valk pro and that he had a go to but didn't mention what it felt like. However I later asked mats valk and he was cautious to prevent anyone taking pictures of the new valk and he wouldn't let me try it. He told me he rejected it and said that it was probably better than the valk3 but not good enough.

https://www.speedsolving.com/threads/valk4-and-valk-pro-leak.65613/

 

[Diving Cuber]

Maybe the gts wr m

 

[Lukun7]

What type of 356X should O get? Should I get the Ipg V5 or numerical IPG? What is the difference?

 

[AbsoRuud]

What type of 356X should O get? Should I get the Ipg V5 or numerical IPG? What is the difference?

The numerical version has 3 settings per nut that you can use. So it's always fixed on one of those three settings. The IPG V5 one has a screw that you can turn to tension your cube manually. It allows for more fine tuning.

If you want a guarantee that your tensions are /exactly the same/ on all sides, get the numerical version. If you wanna tweak more and fine tune each side yourself, get the IPG V5 one.

 

[MyXoToD]

Hey there,
it's been a while since I have been to competitions and I haven't been active in the community during that time. Lately I'm solving more and more again but I've the feeling my cubes haven't become any better the recent years

I've been looking around what new cubes there are but I'm wondering what is recommended. The ones I've been looking at online are currently GAN356 AIR MASTER and GAN354 M. If it was just me I'd probably go with the 354. But I'd like to know what the community thinks is best It should apply to the WCA rules so I could possibly take it to competitions in the future but other than that I'm happy to have a new cube which turns smoothly.

Thanks in advance and excited to hear your opinions.

 

[Crystal]

Hey there,
it's been a while since I have been to competitions and I haven't been active in the community during that time. Lately I'm solving more and more again but I've the feeling my cubes haven't become any better the recent years

I've been looking around what new cubes there are but I'm wondering what is recommended. The ones I've been looking at online are currently GAN356 AIR MASTER and GAN354 M. If it was just me I'd probably go with the 354. But I'd like to know what the community thinks is best It should apply to the WCA rules so I could possibly take it to competitions in the future but other than that I'm happy to have a new cube which turns smoothly.

Thanks in advance and excited to hear your opinions.

I currently have the 3 'flagship cubes' (Valk M, GTS2M and Gan X), and I can safely say the Gan x is my main, which I would recommend over the 354, unless you enjoy the speed of the 354. However, it depends on your turn style price limit etc. The Valk M was my first flagship puzzle which I enjoyed for about 2 years before chaging to the Gan X (which I got earlier this year). I never particularly enjoyed the GTS2M due to its sometimes uncontrollable turning speed however I know its very subjective and as it is the cheapest out of the three if you feel you would enjoy it that is what I would recommend. As the Valk and Gan are relatively similar in price I would recommend the Gan over the Valk due to its feel and customization abilities. I hope you find this helpful.

 

[Crystal]

yo, it's been a while since i last cubed. My most recent purchase was a yuexiao pro in september 2017... haha. I haven't tried any magnetized cubes and heard that basically a yulong v2 m would be better than any of my older, pre-2018 non-magnetized cubes. I want to get back into the groove with 3x3 and figure out how good magnets are. Keep in mind im also a collector
Anyway I just would like to know what cube nowadays performs well and feels like a tanglong- you know, smooth but also light and crispy but sorta solid too? I can't really describe it, but I LOVED my tanglong's feel before its core snapped and ****ing died. It also wasnt magnetized.
Any suggestions? My budget is around 40 bucks at most and probably no more.

I only really started speed cubing when magnetic cubes were already relatively big so I'm not quite sure on the feel you want but under your price limit I would recommend the GTS3M (however I don't particularly like it, a lot of people do). If you want to mess about with the magnets wait for the Gan X to go down in price since its got 4 different magnet customization (Strong, medium, weak and null). It also has a very enjoyable feel.

 

[AJcuber525]

yo, it's been a while since i last cubed. My most recent purchase was a yuexiao pro in september 2017... haha. I haven't tried any magnetized cubes and heard that basically a yulong v2 m would be better than any of my older, pre-2018 non-magnetized cubes. I want to get back into the groove with 3x3 and figure out how good magnets are. Keep in mind im also a collector
Anyway I just would like to know what cube nowadays performs well and feels like a tanglong- you know, smooth but also light and crispy but sorta solid too? I can't really describe it, but I LOVED my tanglong's feel before its core snapped and ****ing died. It also wasnt magnetized.
Any suggestions? My budget is around 40 bucks at most and probably no more.

I think Valk puzzles are a safe way to go. They have a nice feeling and stability for both magnetized and unmagnetized. I also thing the Moyu cubing classroom MF3RS3 is great option for unmagnetized too, and is quite underrated just bc everyone is so focused on magnets right now. For me, I think until im sub15, i dont see magnets as necessary. sometimes magnets can feel too strong or just get in the way for people whose tps isnt as fast as those who r sub-12 or sub-10 if that makes sense. basically, im trying to say don't feel pressured or think that magnet puzzles are the only and best way bc it rlly comes down to a lot more factors.

 

[StrideGd]

I honestly cannot decide between the MF3RS2 or the YJ YuLong V2 M. Could someone help me?
Edit: Unmagnetized MF3RS2.

 

[Klotarn]

Oh, at last. Alright, I'll start. I want a cube that has minimal lock ups.

If Money is not a problem I really recommend the GAN 356X since it's very easily customisable

 

[StrideGd]

If Money is not a problem I really recommend the GAN 356X since it's very easily customisable

It's from 2010. You are 9 years late.

 

[Fukuoka Kengo James]

I honestly cannot decide between the MF3RS2 or the YJ YuLong V2 M. Could someone help me?
Edit: Unmagnetized MF3RS2.

The poll result in the budget High-end 3x3 comparison thread may help you.
https://www.speedsolving.com/threads/budget-high-end-3x3-comparison.73563/

 

[Fukuoka Kengo James]

I honestly cannot decide between the MF3RS2 or the YJ YuLong V2 M. Could someone help me?
Edit: Unmagnetized MF3RS2.

It depends on your turning style. Mf3rs2 is quite stable while the YJ YuLong v2m is flexible.

 

[AbsoRuud]

I honestly cannot decide between the MF3RS2 or the YJ YuLong V2 M. Could someone help me?
Edit: Unmagnetized MF3RS2.

Without owning the MF3RS2 I am still gonna recommend it, cause there's something about the YuLong that I really don't like. It corner twists a fair amount and it feels very heavy to turn, even though it's very fast.

 

[Fukuoka Kengo James]

Without owning the MF3RS2 I am still gonna recommend it, cause there's something about the YuLong that I really don't like. It corner twists a fair amount and it feels very heavy to turn, even though it's very fast.

I have tried the mf3rs2, but the corner cutting isn't comparable to other budget 3x3s, like the yuxin little magic, mf3rs3 and the YJ yulong v2m.

 

[QuestionableCuber]

Is the valk 3 m any good and should I get it over the tengyun?

 

[Sion]

Is the valk 3 m any good and should I get it over the tengyun?

Ah, good choices.

I personally recommend the Valk 3 moreso on the basis of personal prefference, but the two are pretty different from eachother.

The valk 3 is stable, clean, and has a crunchier, crisp feel when turning fast (It doesn't feel grind-y though. actually really pleasent). It does tend to be on the loud side, however, though there are basically no catches and locks, no matter how harshly you turn it.

The tengyun is fast, flexible, and has a soft, plush feel when turning fast (though flexible, it isn't unstable, and the plush feeling is quite awesome). It is much quieter, so it's better when you're travelling, but it does experience slightly more catching and locking issues than the valk 3.

I hope this helps you!

 

[QuestionableCuber]

Thank you!
Although I love a soft buttery feel I will have to go with the valk. The no lock ups and crisp crunchy feel is awesome.

 

[StrideGd]

So, I've decided to not get either of those cubes. Right now, I'm looking for a good budget 4x4. Can't buy the WuQue by the way.
After that I'm prolly getting a YJ MGC.

 

[Fukuoka Kengo James]

So, I've decided to not get either of those cubes. Right now, I'm looking for a good budget 4x4. Can't buy the WuQue by the way.
After that I'm prolly getting a YJ MGC.

Sheng Shou Mr.M 4x4 is the best budget 4x4. It is better than the Qiyi thunderclap mini.