WARNING: MUCHO TEXTO
I wanted to preface this by saying that I am no Zayn or Teodor. I am just a loser who still hasn't learned full CLL and average 4-5. But, my TPS can go over 8 when I do some algs, and I think that's a good reference point for y'all.
It was love at first turns.
My YJ MGC 2x2 was competition-illegal because of a corner that broke and had to be reglued, making it stick out (screw you, white-blue-orange corner) and the RS2M Evolution I had was good for a while, but it just started getting slow and not enjoyable to turn. I may have messed up the setup as I used to like more controllable cubes at that time, but whatever. Then, I ordered this. I used to have a Cosmic QiYi MS 2x2 until I traded it for the Pro Shop YJ MGC 2x2 that I broke, and I had loved it.
But my only issues were:
1. The magnets were too strong.
2. It had locking issues.
So I traded it for the MGC, which I loved until it broke. I wanted to try the QiYi MS feel with updated tech and RS2M Evo corner-cutting. So I bought this. And oh boy, it was a good decision.
Out of the box, it was already awesome. Very little factory lube was in the cube, which made things much easier to customize, and the adjustment system, though derivative from its competitor, the RS2M Evo, was helpful. The color shades are nice, but I do miss the light green present on the Valk and MS series. Now to performance.
The corner cutting was over 45 degrees forward and very generous reverse, more than the MGC. I would attribute this to the ball-core, but it makes such a minute difference that I feel as if it is just barely worth the extra couple bucks, adding a tiny bit of stability. The magnets are not too strong, not too weak, and since the two corner magnets are closer together than in the MS, it has less of that "bumpy" feel where the sets of magnets in the corners repel before they attract.
This fixed my biggest problem with the MS, so I was already impressed. Now, for the feel. The pieces are extremely similar to the MS, with slimmer, taller edges than the RS2M Evo. This leaves room for wider corner stalks, and therefore less chance of breakage. The primary plastic inside is surprisingly soft and attributes a swift, clean feel. The feel of the MS is something I loved, and the M Pro retains this. It is quick, soft (think Tengyun), controllable, and stable.
Pieces do not wobble around like they do on the M Pro 3x3 when turning, and stability is comparable to the YJ MGC Elite, second only to the Valk (we miss you, Valk 2.) Yet, with the adjustment system, flexibility is controllable and you can change between a little bit flexy to a brick (in a good way.) Controllability is easy to change with the adjustment system as well, and the cube takes very well to lube, and my preferred setup is Weight 5, Dignitas, and DNM-37, and 2 clicks from bottom in the core.
I have no real problems with this cube, and I think that the only real issue is the dark green even though the difference in recognition is negligible unless cubing in low light. It's a good price, with good features, and is a great blank canvas for lube setup as well as having decent factory defaults. I highly recommend this cube for beginners and advanced solvers alike, and it is my choice over the RS2M Evo and the YJ MGC. I think it is worth the extra few dollars over the QiYi MS for this cube.
Buy it.
Now.
I'm watching you.
