[Review] Reviewing some new cubes! QiYi Warrior M 5x5, QiYi M Pro 4x4 v2, and DaYan Guhong Pro+ (54mm Maglev)

[Michael Wimberly]

QiYi Warrior M 5x5

This was on sale for 13 dollars, so I decided to get it over the AoChuang which was much more expensive. And I can say that I'm happy with it. It has a stable feel from the triple-track magnet layout, and the cube turns smoothly, but it still has that budget plastic feel. I'm still trying to get used to turning the tiny inner layers of the 5x5, and I still need to work on edge pairing before I can start timing some solves, but other than that I am quite satisfied with this cube.

Performance: 9/10
Feel: 8.5/10
Price: 10/10
Overall: 92/100


QiYi M Pro 4x4 v2

I really like this 4x4, and I personally think that its performance is on par with the Aosu v7. The turning is smooth and moderately fast, and the cube is very stable. The ball core is very strong, and it overpowers the corner-edge piece magnets. However, the inner slice magnets are VERY strong. Once you get past that, though, the cube is amazing.

Performance: 9.5/10
Feel: 9/10
Price: 10/10
Overall: 95/100


DaYan Guhong Pro+

I'm just gonna start off by saying that this is the smoothest cube I've ever felt. The turning feel is crisp and fast, but also very smooth at the same time. In terms of corner cutting, this cube does line to line reverse, but will cut pretty much everything you throw at it forwards. It has a small degree of auto alignment which is more noticeable on stronger magnet settings. I got the 54mm version, which feels very comfortable in my slightly smaller hands. All of this allows me to reach very high turn speeds while solving. I absolutely love this cube and I would recommend it to anyone.

Performance: 9/10
Feel: 9.5/10
Price: 10/10
Overall: 95/100

 

[Jared Burkhart]

BROOOOO THE 5X5 IS THE BEST ONE YOU COULD EVER ASK FOR ASIDE FROM FLAGSHIP CUBES!!!!!

 

[Michael Wimberly]

So I've had a few days to break in the cubes, and here are some afterthoughts.

I think that I rated the 5x5 a little too low. Taking off that many points for the budget feel is a little harsh, because after I lubed it up and broke it in the feel has become much smoother and better. I can't help but notice that the magnets are a little weak, but I don't really mind that too much, up to a point. So I'm gonna go in and change my final rating of the 5x5.

For the 4x4, I'm probably gonna main that over the Aosu v7. I get some very good times with it, and it's just such a stable cube, which allows me to turn it very fast. I absolutely love it.
Also, someone's already dissing on my new favorite 4x4...

I'm having none of these problems, I think it's very stable and I'm almost never having any catches.

I'm considering using the Guhong for OH, because I can actually reach the other side due to its smaller size. It's very smooth, but it's lacking a tiny bit of stability due to it not having that modern piece design with the wings sticking out of the edge and center pieces. But despite that, it's very smooth and flexible and has very good corner cutting so I can turn it faster than most other 3x3s.

 

[1x1 wr holder!]

Hey! thanks for sharing your opinion on the qiyi m pro 4x4. I think i'll be buying it soon. out of the box did you experience any issues similar to what the guy in the video did, and did you do any tensioning? Thanks. I may also get the 5x5, but might just get teh aochuang or splurge on a gan 562

 

[Jared Burkhart]

Hey! thanks for sharing your opinion on the qiyi m pro 4x4. I think i'll be buying it soon. out of the box did you experience any issues similar to what the guy in the video did, and did you do any tensioning? Thanks. I may also get the 5x5, but might just get teh aochuang or splurge on a gan 562

The Gan 562 has been on my list of awesome cubes to get based off of other people testing it...and it definitely looks worth going broke over!!!!!

 

[Caleb Valenzuela]

The Gan 562 has been on my list of awesome cubes to get based off of other people testing it...and it definitely looks worth going broke over!!!!!

yeah i tried it out at a comp and the turning itself felt as light as their 3x3s
but the weight of the cube itself is definitely heavier
Also it’s kinda big

 

[1x1 wr holder!]

yeah i tried it out at a comp and the turning itself felt as light as their 3x3s
but the weight of the cube itself is definitely heavier
Also it’s kinda big

yeah, I agree the turning is phenomenal. size is just standard (like the mgc) so bigger than the moyu and qiyi cubes, but I've been using the mgc for years, so I think it'll be suitable upgrade. one issue ive had is that the non uv ones are extremely slippery.

 

[Michael Wimberly]

Hey! thanks for sharing your opinion on the qiyi m pro 4x4. I think i'll be buying it soon. out of the box did you experience any issues similar to what the guy in the video did, and did you do any tensioning? Thanks. I may also get the 5x5, but might just get teh aochuang or splurge on a gan 562

I initially tried changing the tensions, and as the guy in the video pointed out, I noticed that even slight adjustments changed the feel a lot. And I can see how you can think that the cube is unstable, as the outer layer magnets are significantly weaker than the inner ones, but when I tested out how the pieces moved around, I found that they were hard to get out of shape. I hardly ever lock up on this cube, though that might be because of my more accurate turning style when it comes to big cubes.

For the 5x5, If you are able to afford the GAN, I'd say go for it. The Qiyi is good, but I've heard that the GAN is just incredible.

 

[Fred]

I tried my 54mm Guhong Pro+ again and enjoyed it. It was my first 54mm cube, so my first impression was that it was just too small, even for OH. But I've gotten more used to it and I had a nice OH session on it yesterday. I think the eidos were a bit easier than on my 55mm cube. The one thing I don't like about the Guhong Pro+ is that on looser center travel settings (looser than are available on the original Guhong Pro) I was getting these weird lockups where it felt like an edge piece was trying to pop out.

For 5x5, I happily mained the Gan 562 for over a year, but I've switched to the Picube Aochuang v6. Both are great cubes, but the Aochuang suits me more. I thought the Gan was slightly too big and had too strong magnets on the inner layers. The Aochuang has a more comfortable size for me and the weaker magnets let me do longer sessions before my fingers get tired. The weaker inner layer magnets also mean that you have to turn a little bit more precisely to avoid dragging a second layer along when you mean to do an outer layer turn, but I adjusted pretty quickly.

 

[Michael Wimberly]

I tried my 54mm Guhong Pro+ again and enjoyed it. It was my first 54mm cube, so my first impression was that it was just too small, even for OH. But I've gotten more used to it and I had a nice OH session on it yesterday. I think the eidos were a bit easier than on my 55mm cube. The one thing I don't like about the Guhong Pro+ is that on looser center travel settings (looser than are available on the original Guhong Pro) I was getting these weird lockups where it felt like an edge piece was trying to pop out.

I have smaller hands, so I really like the Guhong's 54mm size. It allows me to get higher TPS with both 1 and 2 hands because the size is more ergonomic for me. I did also notice the weird lockups on looser center travel settings.

 

[Jared Burkhart]

yeah i tried it out at a comp and the turning itself felt as light as their 3x3s
but the weight of the cube itself is definitely heavier
Also it’s kinda big

Thanks for letting me know... I will buy it someday!

 

[Dan the Beginner]

I also love the new Guhong Pro+ 54mm, Magnet version. What a thrill to notice my favourite cube updated and improved, with no price increase and no weight increase (66g). I like smaller and lighter cubes, due to arthritis. Yes, it does feel so nice, smooth, quiet and easy to turn, even more so than the original Guhong Pro (which I have many copies of). Straight out of the box, it feels solid while light, amazing, unlike some hollow feeling Gan cubes. The most important improvements to me are the construction quality and the tension, as it feels less loose than the previous version and can keep its shape and does not lock up, even when I get rough or do not turn accurately. I believe this is the most neglected (but nice) cube released recently.

Yes, there is the new adjustment system, to allow adjustments for corner magnet, as well as the new adjustments for both axis distance and elasticity. However a small screwdriver (provided) is required now, but that's no big deal, unlike the Gan centre cap opening tool or that Super Weilong multi-prong tool that can cause some problem if lost. In fact, I have not bothered to fine tune anything, since this Guhong Pro+ works so well, after a month. The only real criticism I can tell you, is that the tension dials are made of clear plastic, and the tiny numbers are very hard to see. It would have been better if the dials were made of opaque material. The corner magnet adjustment is not easy either, but OK. Still, it's better than having no adjustments like so many of the Moyu cubes that cost much more.

Last time, the original version was hyped so much everywhere, in spite of the limited adjustments possible and a couple of minor issues that affected some (magnet getting loose and general construction quality concern). That's because it was a really good performer and also great value. Now, this improved version seems to be ignored. ??? I say, just buy it, if you want a great little cube with true value. I did and I have a backup copy.

It's really great to see what Dayan did here, setting the same price for this improved cube. Many makers are happy to make little changes in cosmetics and some fancy new "features" that though different may not actually improve performance, and then sell them at higher prices, while creating yet another new model. Thank you so much.

 

[Dan the Beginner]

I tried my 54mm Guhong Pro+ again and enjoyed it. It was my first 54mm cube, so my first impression was that it was just too small, even for OH. But I've gotten more used to it and I had a nice OH session on it yesterday. I think the eidos were a bit easier than on my 55mm cube. The one thing I don't like about the Guhong Pro+ is that on looser center travel settings (looser than are available on the original Guhong Pro) I was getting these weird lockups where it felt like an edge piece was trying to pop out.

For 5x5, I happily mained the Gan 562 for over a year, but I've switched to the Picube Aochuang v6. Both are great cubes, but the Aochuang suits me more. I thought the Gan was slightly too big and had too strong magnets on the inner layers. The Aochuang has a more comfortable size for me and the weaker magnets let me do longer sessions before my fingers get tired. The weaker inner layer magnets also mean that you have to turn a little bit more precisely to avoid dragging a second layer along when you mean to do an outer layer turn, but I adjusted pretty quickly.

Is your Guhong Pro+ the Magnet version? If so, it might be worth for you to look into the Maglev version. Based on my experience with the previous version, the Maglev version is less loose and more stable, while the general feel is still similar. Dayan's unique concentric circular magnet design used apparently means less of that Maglev or more spring-like effect. I hope the new Pro+ Maglev is also like that, and, perhaps improved
.

 

[Fred]

Is your Guhong Pro+ the Magnet version? If so, it might be worth for you to look into the Maglev version. Based on my experience with the previous version, the Maglev version is less loose and more stable, while the general feel is still similar. Dayan's unique concentric circular magnet design used apparently means less of that Maglev or more spring-like effect. I hope the new Pro+ Maglev is also like that, and, perhaps improved
.

I got the spring version instead of maglev for the lower weight. I had heard something like that about the old version; no idea if it's still applicable to the new version. It looks like they did another new variation of maglev, with one ring repelling four standard cylindrical magnets:

Anthony Rochester (senior (40+) rank 2 in multiblind) likes the Guhong Pro+ a lot, and he has several of them for multiblind. I still like the Moretry Tianma Zcube edition a bit more, but the Guhong Pro+ is more versatile with its many adjustment possibilities, and therefore more likely to work for more cubers.

 

[Dan the Beginner]

I got the spring version instead of maglev for the lower weight. I had heard something like that about the old version; no idea if it's still applicable to the new version. It looks like they did another new variation of maglev, with one ring repelling four standard cylindrical magnets:
View attachment 48338
Anthony Rochester (senior (40+) rank 2 in multiblind) likes the Guhong Pro+ a lot, and he has several of them for multiblind. I still like the Moretry Tianma Zcube edition a bit more, but the Guhong Pro+ is more versatile with its many adjustment possibilities, and therefore more likely to work for more cubers.

Nice to know. So it's got a new Maglev design. Thanks. I have to get one to try.

 

[Michael Wimberly]

I got the spring version instead of maglev for the lower weight. I had heard something like that about the old version; no idea if it's still applicable to the new version. It looks like they did another new variation of maglev, with one ring repelling four standard cylindrical magnets:
View attachment 48338

Here's a few pictures of the maglev.

 

[-Cube Kid-]

Here's a few pictures of the maglev.
View attachment 48352
View attachment 48353

That's so weird, but I kind of like it.

 

[Michael Wimberly]

That's so weird, but I kind of like it.

Imo it has no difference with normal maglev.