[Help Thread] Puzzle Choice Thread

dboeren said:
I'm interested in getting back into cubing after being gone for about 5 years. It's pretty obvious that cubes have taken a huge step forward while I was out and I've missed a lot. Also, I've forgotten what I used to know and am basically restarting from scratch and working through the badmephisto videos.

Anyway, I can't find my old speedcube (or what passed for one five years ago) and wanted to get some recommendations for a cube that would be a good step up from a regular Rubik's but still suitable for beginner-intermediate. I know what the good stuff is for skilled cubers (Zhanchi, Guhong, Lingyun v2, etc...) but I've seen a lot of posts saying that these are bad for people still learning and can lead to bad habits.

So, what *IS* recommended then? If I don't get any replies I was thinking of picking something like an Alpha V, FII, or WitLong - basically something that's a couple steps down the ladder from the latest and greatest. I also got the impression that the Lunhui might be suitable? What do you guys think?

I'd like some cutting ability (doesn't need to be a ton) and hopefully not too prone to lock up. Not so worried about popping as I never really had issues with that on my old cube and I'm not super-fast anyway.

Second, my 19 1/2 month old son has been watching me cube and sometime likes to play with it but it's hard for him to turn. I was thinking of getting him a 2x2 to play with - ideally one that turns very easily, smaller than 57mm, and cuts pretty well since he won't understand that he has to line up the rows. What would be a good brand for that?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

50mm Zhanchi
 
dboeren said:
I'm interested in getting back into cubing after being gone for about 5 years. It's pretty obvious that cubes have taken a huge step forward while I was out and I've missed a lot. Also, I've forgotten what I used to know and am basically restarting from scratch and working through the badmephisto videos.

Anyway, I can't find my old speedcube (or what passed for one five years ago) and wanted to get some recommendations for a cube that would be a good step up from a regular Rubik's but still suitable for beginner-intermediate. I know what the good stuff is for skilled cubers (Zhanchi, Guhong, Lingyun v2, etc...) but I've seen a lot of posts saying that these are bad for people still learning and can lead to bad habits.

So, what *IS* recommended then? If I don't get any replies I was thinking of picking something like an Alpha V, FII, or WitLong - basically something that's a couple steps down the ladder from the latest and greatest. I also got the impression that the Lunhui might be suitable? What do you guys think?

I'd like some cutting ability (doesn't need to be a ton) and hopefully not too prone to lock up. Not so worried about popping as I never really had issues with that on my old cube and I'm not super-fast anyway.

Second, my 19 1/2 month old son has been watching me cube and sometime likes to play with it but it's hard for him to turn. I was thinking of getting him a 2x2 to play with - ideally one that turns very easily, smaller than 57mm, and cuts pretty well since he won't understand that he has to line up the rows. What would be a good brand for that?

Thanks!
Click to expand...
Guhong and WitTwo
 
Hey,

I want to buy a new megaminx.
But whats the best 1 on the market right now? I have tryed the mf8 before v1 and i didnt like it that much :s
So whats the best one right now on the market? The mf8 v2, QJ v2 or the new mefferts?

Thnx alot guys!
 
dboeren said:
I'm interested in getting back into cubing after being gone for about 5 years. It's pretty obvious that cubes have taken a huge step forward while I was out and I've missed a lot. Also, I've forgotten what I used to know and am basically restarting from scratch and working through the badmephisto videos.

Anyway, I can't find my old speedcube (or what passed for one five years ago) and wanted to get some recommendations for a cube that would be a good step up from a regular Rubik's but still suitable for beginner-intermediate. I know what the good stuff is for skilled cubers (Zhanchi, Guhong, Lingyun v2, etc...) but I've seen a lot of posts saying that these are bad for people still learning and can lead to bad habits.

So, what *IS* recommended then? If I don't get any replies I was thinking of picking something like an Alpha V, FII, or WitLong - basically something that's a couple steps down the ladder from the latest and greatest. I also got the impression that the Lunhui might be suitable? What do you guys think?

I'd like some cutting ability (doesn't need to be a ton) and hopefully not too prone to lock up. Not so worried about popping as I never really had issues with that on my old cube and I'm not super-fast anyway.

Second, my 19 1/2 month old son has been watching me cube and sometime likes to play with it but it's hard for him to turn. I was thinking of getting him a 2x2 to play with - ideally one that turns very easily, smaller than 57mm, and cuts pretty well since he won't understand that he has to line up the rows. What would be a good brand for that?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Please don't listen to the people saying that you should wait before getting a good cube - get what you want, when you want it.
 
I did not try the mefferts or qj, but I do have the mf8 v2. As soon as you take it out of the box, it turns HORRIBLE! But after some lubing and tensioning, it's pretty awesome.
 
I'm looking to purchase a couple of new cubes. I had a store bought rubik's for about a month, until I recieved my Lubix Zanchi. It was far too loose for me as a beginner when I got it resulting in a handful (and floor-full lol) of pops while turning relatively gently. I've since tightened the tensions on each screw by roughly 1.5-2 turns and haven't had any pops since, but I still have a couple issues that I'll get to at the end of my post.

I'm more than likely going to purchase 3-4 new cubes of different varieties but before I do I want to try and gather some insight. From reading through several of the last pages in this forum I've already decided to look into the GuHong since I can easily see with my Zanchi that DaYan makes incredible cubes, but what exactly is the expected difference between v. I and v. II?

I'm also interested in checking out a C4U 3x3x3, GhostHand 3x3x3, and a Sheng'En Type F. Assuming I can pick them up for cheap for the merits of increasing my cube collection, if no other reason, is there any reason to avoid any of these? Are any of them outright dreadful products? Regarding the type F, I've seen a lot of things I like about the F II, and I'm wondering what is different about the F III?

I'm also curious to know if there are any distinct advantages to purchasing DIY as opposed to preassembled? The financial difference is minimal so if there is anything to be gained one way or the other I would prefer to take advantage of that.

I seem to recall reading something once that mentioned what the difference between white plastic and black plastic is with cubes. Like one of them was more pure or something which made it smoother than the other. Does this have any merit or am I completely misremembering different info of some kind? If there is something to color and the characterists of a cube, is there anything I should know about before I buy one? What about flashy colors? There's an orange Zanchi that caught my eye...

I do think my Zanchi is a stellar cube, but I'd like to expand my horizons and get a basis for comparison as well. It may also be a little out of my league for the time being, and too fast for my current skill level. It seems to over rotate quite easily and often. Would I be able to limit that if I were to tighten the tensions even further, and if so how much more? Will I be losing any of my corner cutting ability by doing that? Since I have no experience with other cubes, I'm not sure precisely what people mean when they call a cube "clicky" but I get the idea that a clicky cube would be one that you could feel the cubies clicking against each other as they rotate. While that sensation itself may not be the best idea, I would like to get more feedback from my cube as I rotate it. Sort of the way performance suspension provides the driver of a vehicle better feedback through the wheel.

Hopefully this jumbled mess of random thoughts is actually decipherable for someone :) I would greatly appreciate feedback regarding anything that would better inform me about cubes. Thank you for your time.

~Ruxpin
 
Ruxpin said:
...but what exactly is the expected difference between v. I and v. II?
Click to expand...

v. II has torpedoes in the edge pieces. that's about all.

Ruxpin said:
I'm also curious to know if there are any distinct advantages to purchasing DIY as opposed to preassembled? The financial difference is minimal so if there is anything to be gained one way or the other I would prefer to take advantage of that.
Click to expand...

Obviously, the preassembled comes preassembled, so that's a plus for some people that don't have the time. Another thing is that some preassembled cubes have been already lubed. The disadvantage is that the tensions may not all be the same, so you would have to do that yourself and hope for the best. The diy ones take a bit more time. I use lubix or izo lube on my cubes, so I try to buy DIY kits so I can lube the core correctly and tension it while I'm at it. Which brings me to another point - on DIY cubes, you can make sure the tensions are to your liking. The DIY kits are usually a little cheaper.

Another advantage of DIY kits is that you get an extra set of stickers. xD that's a sort of a plus for me, personally, since I like to have extra stickers on hand, and I don't buy them separately much.


Ruxpin said:
I seem to recall reading something once that mentioned what the difference between white plastic and black plastic is with cubes. Like one of them was more pure or something which made it smoother than the other. Does this have any merit or am I completely misremembering different info of some kind? If there is something to color and the characterists of a cube, is there anything I should know about before I buy one? What about flashy colors? There's an orange Zanchi that caught my eye...
Click to expand...

Apparently, stickerless cubes use a different and more smooth type of plastic in them instead of full colored cubes.

Hopefully this short and compact reply helps you a little bit. I don't know about your questions on the FII and stuff, since I've never owned one. I've answered to the best of my knowledge. Hope it helps! :) [/QUOTE]
 
You have helped indeed. I now believe I will buy DIY based on your statements. Thanks :)

I'm still curious about tensioning my current Zanchi if anyone has info regarding that.
 
Ruxpin said:
You have helped indeed. I now believe I will buy DIY based on your statements. Thanks :)

I'm still curious about tensioning my current Zanchi if anyone has info regarding that.
Click to expand...

I tension by setting all the screws quite tight, and then going 1/4 turn looser on every side until it starts getting to my liking. I then adjust 1/8th turns either tighter or looser depending on how it feels. Tensioning is a lot of guesswork so take your time with it.
 
Ruxpin said:
You have helped indeed. I now believe I will buy DIY based on your statements. Thanks :)

I'm still curious about tensioning my current Zanchi if anyone has info regarding that.
Click to expand...

Sorry, I didn't really reply to that question. I take apart my cube and pull the centers to see the distance between the core and the centerpiece. I then look to see if all the sides are about the same. Learned this from crazybadcuber's tutorial. link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4paID_54lQ
 
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