Tons of Questions

greentgoatgal

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If this is in the wrong place or there is already a thread or two answering my questions.. please feel free to redirect me and delete this thread :)

What the heck is Sub-X (pyraminx)?

Any tips for memorizing the CFOP method? Is there another method I should do first? Currently I can only do the regular beginner method - cross, corners, middle edges, top cross, top corners.

What types of cubes are good for beginners/? It's been a little over a month since I originally learned how to solve the 3x3x3. I now know how to solve the pyraminx and kilominx as well. Just ordered a 2x2x2. Any pointers on where to go from here are much appreciated.

Is there an updated list somewhere of all the current records?

How necessary is lubricating the cube for faster solve times?

How do you take apart the kilominx? The pyraminx?

Ok, I think that's all for now. TIA! :)

Edit -

What does "cutting corners" mean?
 
If this is in the wrong place or there is already a thread or two answering my questions.. please feel free to redirect me and delete this thread :)

What the heck is Sub-X (pyraminx)?

Any tips for memorizing the CFOP method? Is there another method I should do first? Currently I can only do the regular beginner method - cross, corners, middle edges, top cross, top corners.

What types of cubes are good for beginners/? It's been a little over a month since I originally learned how to solve the 3x3x3. I now know how to solve the pyraminx and kilominx as well. Just ordered a 2x2x2. Any pointers on where to go from here are much appreciated.

Is there an updated list somewhere of all the current records?

How necessary is lubricating the cube for faster solve times?

How do you take apart the kilominx? The pyraminx?

Ok, I think that's all for now. TIA! :)

Edit -

What does "cutting corners" mean?

'X' represents the unknown (like in maths), so in races to sub-x, it means on that anyone can race to what ever time barrier they are currently facing, sub-30, sub-20, sub-15.

Just practice. Know what each step is supposed to accomplish and try and understand how it happens. 'OP' are just algorithms. Learning F2L will cut your times by the most.

I would suggest looking at ZZ and Roux before you dive all in to CFOP though. Here is a good thread contrasting their differences.

Most of the time, people recommend less expensive cubes to beginners in case they don't stick with the hobby. The MFSR is said to be a good, inexpensive cube cube (~$5). The Thunderclap is a very good cube too (~$9). The Valk3, GAN Air and Weilong GTS are all considered top cubes, but they are a bit more expensive (all around $20).

These are Unofficial World Records, and these are all offical World Records, as they have been achieved in a WCA sanctioned competition.

Not really. If your cube is too fast, you can put heavier lubricant in, and vice versa. Lubrication is more to give the cube a different feel.

Pull off one of the tips of your pyraminx, there should be a screw. Unscrew that, and the puzzle should come apart easily. Repeat on other sides if necessary. Kilo is a little bit harder, but that dot in the middle of each layer is a cap and should be able to pulled out.


Cutting corners is when a layer on your puzzle in not fully alligned, and a layer on an adjacent axis turns.

Assuming you have a fairly modern cube here is an example: turn the top layer of your 3x3 counter clockwise just a little, maybe 5-10 degrees. Now, turn the right layer counter clockwise. This should allign the the top face and allow you to continue with the right layer turn.

If not, here is a link to a review of a cube that demonstarates corner cutting.
 
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Any tips for memorizing the CFOP method? Is there another method I should do first? Currently I can only do the regular beginner method - cross, corners, middle edges, top cross, top corners.

What types of cubes are good for beginners/? It's been a little over a month since I originally learned how to solve the 3x3x3.
This is a method I put together for teaching a beginner's CFOP method. I recorded the last three in the playlist because I couldn't find the last layer tutorial all in one place. It's easier than the "Beginner's" method and faster, too. And it'll set you up for speedsolving pretty quickly. it's a good foundation to build off of.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLO_Z6WDwRTJRep3cPEicPnrtbMxxrzhKC

A good cube for a beginner/intermediate/advanced/collector is the MF3RS. It has amazing performance but it's cheap
 
Wow, thanks everyone! :)

This is the cube I have currently:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00R1NANC4/ref=od_aui_detailpages00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

What do you think?

Edit -

What does X-perm mean? As in U-perm, G-perm, etc.

Edit 2 -

Can someone explain what x, y, z, and all other lowercase letters and stuff besides F, B, U, D, R, L, and F', B', etc, mean? Or is there a helpful link?

Sorry for so many questions! :p

Edit 3 -

What does PB stand for?
the guanlong is okay, but not the best. if you like it, you don't need to get a new one, but the current top cubes on the market are The Valk3, Gans Air, WeiLong GTS, and GuoGuan YueXiao.
an X-perm is another name for an H-perm, though I don't see it used that often
x, y, z: cube rotations. you're not actually doing a move, just rotating the cube. kind of hard to explain with words, so here's a link to what it looks like: https://alg.cubing.net/?alg=x_y_z_x-_y-_z-_x2_y2_z2
lowercase notation: just like normal moves but you turn the outer two layers rather than one.
PB stands for personal best
 
Wow, thanks everyone! :)

This is the cube I have currently:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00R1NANC4/ref=od_aui_detailpages00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

What do you think?

Edit -

What does X-perm mean? As in U-perm, G-perm, etc.

Edit 2 -

Can someone explain what x, y, z, and all other lowercase letters and stuff besides F, B, U, D, R, L, and F', B', etc, mean? Or is there a helpful link?

Sorry for so many questions! :p

Edit 3 -

What does PB stand for?

Ehhh, that cube's okay but you could do quite a bit better. The YJ GuanLong is basically meant to be a budget cube; while it's good, it's far from the standards of modern speedcubes. If you have the money, I'd recommend something more modern like the Valk3, MoYu WeiLong GTS, GuoGuan YueXiao, Gan356 Air, or any of their magnetic (M) versions sold at thecubicle.

X-perm is just a name for a permutation of the last layer (PLL) case. It moves the pieces of the last layer around without changing their orientation (the way they're flipped), so the color of the last layer remains solid. YouCubing gave good answers for the other ones. :)
 
I would add that I don't think I've ever had a good experience buying cubes on amazon. It's worth going to a cube store. You're probably not going to be terribly disappointed with any of the stores with active threads on the puzzle shops section of the forum. Service and price are going to be generally better than amazon.
 
What does Ao stand for? Average what?
GenTheThief is correct, but some more fun facts I guess:
mo would be mean of, and that's almost always used for mo3 because of mo3 format events (6x6, 7x7, 3x3 BLD, fewest moves, with feet)
you can also use 'avg' instead of 'ao' (I much prefer 'avg' actually) and it means (no pun intended) the same thing
 
About the cube selection. Other members correctly listed for you all of the top cubes on the market, but GuanLong is perfect for you. Don't worry you can buy faster cubes when you learn more.
 
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