Difference between revisions of "V-Cube"

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{{Perhaps Outdated|reason=since new cubes/products may be released}}
 
{{Manufacturer
 
{{Manufacturer
 
|NAME=Verdes Innovations S.A.
 
|NAME=Verdes Innovations S.A.
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|AREASSERVED=Worldwide
 
|AREASSERVED=Worldwide
 
|WEBSITE=http://www.v-cubes.com
 
|WEBSITE=http://www.v-cubes.com
|PRODUCTS=V-Cube 5, V-Cube 6, V-Cube 7
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|PRODUCTS=V-Cube 2, V-Cube 3, V-Cube 4, V-Cube 5, V-Cube 6, V-Cube 7, V-Cube 8 , V-Cube 9
 
}}
 
}}
  
'''V-cube''' is a brand of [[cube]] [[puzzles]] which started selling cubes in June 2008. For the moment they only sell the [[2x2x2]], [[5x5x5]], [[6x6x6]], and [[7x7x7]] puzzles, but they have plans to go from [[3x3x3]] all the way through 11x11x11.
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'''V-cube''' is a brand of [[cube]] [[puzzles]] which started selling cubes in June 2008. They mass produce and sell [[2x2x2]], [[3x3x3]], [[4x4x4]], [[5x5x5]], [[6x6x6]], [[7x7x7]], [[8x8x8]] and [[9x9x9]] puzzles, but they have designs and patents that go all the way to 11x11x11.
  
V-cubes were invented by [[Panagiotis Verdes]] and are produced by Verdes Innovations S.A., Verdes's company located in Greece. The design of these cubes is completely new and different from all pre-existing designs, as it is based on the cone and as the pieces hook together instead of simply being held together by the centers. In addition, the plastic used for the V-cubes is a bit more elastic than the normal plastic for cubes. This leads to several advantages:
+
V-cubes were invented by [[Panagiotis Verdes]] and are produced by Verdes Innovations S.A., Verdes's company located in Greece. The design of these cubes was completely new and different from all pre-existing designs, as it was based on the cone and because the pieces hook together instead of simply being held together by the centers. In addition, the plastic used for the V-cubes is a bit more elastic than the normal plastic for cubes. This led to better durability and stability during speedsolving and pops and also a slightly smoother feel.
* V-cube pieces are much less likely to break than pieces of any other cube, and several people have tested this by drop-kicking the cubes, throwing them across the room or onto concrete, and so on, and then immediately playing with them afterwards. This would destroy a normal cube.
 
* When one piece of a V-cube pops out, the remaining pieces are still held in place, so the puzzle does not collapse like an [[Eastsheen]] 4x4 or 5x5 typically does. Because of this, even if a V-cube is loose enough to pop frequently, it will remain stable until the piece is placed back in, and it is even possible to do turns (such as finishing an algorithm) while the piece is missing.
 
* V-cubes seem to be significantly smoother than other brands, even out of the box, and their design allows them to cut corners and be fingertricked on without any lubrication or wearing in. This makes them excellent for speedcubing.
 
  
It is very important to note that V-cube was also the first company to ever mass-produce the 6x6 and 7x7 puzzles. In fact, only a handful of these higher-order cubes have ever created by anyone else, and none of those designs were stable enough to be mass-produced. Not only are the V-cubes the first to have such large sizes, however, but every size of V-cube can be speedsolved, and the V-cube 5x5 is far better than any other brand on the market. In short, buying a set of V-cubes is very highly recommended for anyone who is interested in solving [[big cube]]s.
+
V-cube were the first company to ever mass-produce the [[6x6]] and [[7x7]] puzzles, and were at one point the best cubes for big cube speedsolving. However by 2014 [[Shengshou]] and [[Moyu]] had cubes which were much more widely used because of their better quality and lower price compared to V-Cubes; and these led to V-Cubes being rarely used.
  
 
== Products ==
 
== Products ==
 
=== V-Cube 2===
 
=== V-Cube 2===
{{Puzzle Ratings
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Upon release the V-Cube 2x2 was seen as a good 2x2. It had a core similar to a 3x3, with many inner edges. The black V-Cube 2a was generally regarded as the best of the V-Cubes, although many speedcubers still preferred other brands of 2x2 such as the [[WitEden|WitTwo v1]] ("Type C "). The V-Cube 2 was later eclipsed by cubes such as the [[Dayan]] Zhanchi 2x2 or the [[Moyu]] Lingpo. These were considered to be better cubes because of their speed, corner cutting and resistance to pops.
 +
 
 +
=== V-Cube 3===
 +
V-Cube released their first 3x3x3, the V-Cube 3, in January 2012. Like many V-Cubes, it is also available as a pillow-shaped version, called V-Cube 3b. The V-Cube 3 is available assembled and DIY, which comes with 3 sets of springs with different tensions.
 +
 
 +
The mechanism resembled a lot of the newer [[DaYan]] cubes, including use of "torpedoes" to prevent popping. This caused a lot of controversy; especially as V-Cube previously filed a lawsuit for patent infringement against Dayan and because of questions regarding the matter being avoided on their Facebook page.
 +
 
 +
Although V-Cube 3 was initially rated as a decent cube, many reviewers and cubers still preferred the Dayan ZhanChi because of smoothness and somewhat better corner cutting.
 +
 
 +
=== V-Cube 4 ===
 +
The V-Cube 4 was released in January 2013.
  
 
=== V-Cube 5 ===
 
=== V-Cube 5 ===
{{Puzzle Ratings
+
Upon its release (in 2008), the V-Cube 5 was considered to be the best 5x5 on the market. The mechanism incorporated new principles which allows it to have low friction but also to remain intact even when several pieces are removed; meaning a particular algorithm or step can be completed, and then the pop repaired. The V-cube 5x5 can cut corners without being broken in or lubed at all; however this puzzle needs to be broken in to make it easier to turn.
|pzl=V-Cube 5
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|n=6
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However by around 2011, the V-Cube 5 became eclipsed by the [[Shengshou]] 5x5 which had a much lower price. Newer brands by other manufacturers such as [[MoYu]] and [[QiYi]] are considered to be better cubes.
|ss=9.5
 
|lr=4.83
 
|cc=3.5
 
|pr=8.5
 
|qu=7.75
 
|rl=7.17
 
|wt
 
|ov=7.44
 
}}
 
This is almost certainly the best type of 5x5. The mechanism incorporates new principles which allow it to have low friction but also to remain intact even when several pieces are removed. Although it can take some time to break in, this type of 5x5 to the point where it is very easy to turn, a V-cube 5x5 will easily cut corners without being broken in or lubed at all.
 
 
[[Image:Vcube5.jpg|none|thumb|V-Cube 5]]
 
[[Image:Vcube5.jpg|none|thumb|V-Cube 5]]
  
 
=== V-Cube 6 ===
 
=== V-Cube 6 ===
V-Cube is currently the only manufacturer of 6x6x6 cubes. This cube has a clicking mechanism to keep a hidden inner layer it has from coming out of alignment and it does pop quite frequently.
+
Released in 2008. This cube has a clicking mechanism to keep a hidden inner layer it has from coming out of alignment; however it does pop quite frequently. This puzzle does require breaking in & lubrication, but the outer layers are considerably faster when this is done, Out of the box, it has a tendency for minor lockups, and to improve the performance, it needs be modified. Also, with modification, the clicking in the middle layer can be removed. This cube became less popular since [[Shengshou]] released its 6x6 in 2011.
 
[[Image:Vcube6.jpg|none|thumb|V-Cube 6]]
 
[[Image:Vcube6.jpg|none|thumb|V-Cube 6]]
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====Video====
 +
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbIFVHR_sS8 Frank Morris tests the 6x6x6 V-Cube]
  
 
=== V-Cube 7 ===
 
=== V-Cube 7 ===
V-Cube is currently the only manufacturer of 7x7x7 cubes.
+
Released in 2008. The V-Cube 7 is much like the V-cube 5 in mechanism, but the outer layers are much smoother and the inner layers require more effort to turn. The V7 is also untensionable; meaning the cube cannot be tensioned. There was however a modification that could fix this. The pillowed shape is to hide the fact that the outer layers of the cube are a little larger than the inner layers; otherwise the outer layers could just fall out.
 +
 
 +
Shengshou released a (cubic) 7x7 in 2012 which quickly became the preferred cube among speedcubers.
 
[[Image:Wiki 7x7x7 solved.jpg|none|thumb|V-Cube 7]]
 
[[Image:Wiki 7x7x7 solved.jpg|none|thumb|V-Cube 7]]
 +
====Video====
 +
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrjmeYdVTlc Frank Morris tests the 7x7x7 V-Cube]
 +
 +
=== V-Cube 8 ===
 +
The V-Cube 8 was released in 2014.
 +
 +
== Modifications ==
 +
The V-Cube 5, 6, and 7 all had several modifications; the most notable of these was Memyselfandpi's V-Cube 6 mod. It helped make the layers smoother and completely got rid of the clickiness.  It was also part of the mod to put dirt into the cube, although it is not recommended as it makes the cube harder to turn.  The V-Cube 5 and 7 mods were mainly sanding down the bumps on the pieces. Memyselfandpi has videos of these mods on Youtube.
  
 
== History ==
 
== History ==
V-Cubes were initially announced in 2003 as Olympic Cubes.[http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/speedsolvingrubikscube/message/5194] It was initially believed to be spam on the Yahoo! speedsolvingrubikscube forum. Although patents were announced in 2004, there was little information about V-Cubes even in early 2007.[http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/speedsolvingrubikscube/message/32502] Later in 2007, prototypes of V-Cube 5 through7 were sent to [[Frank Morris]], the world record holder for 4x4 and 5x5 at the time.
+
V-Cubes were initially announced in 2003 as Olympic Cubes.[http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/speedsolvingrubikscube/message/5194] It was initially believed to be spam on the Yahoo! speedsolvingrubikscube forum. Although patents were announced in 2004, there was little information about V-Cubes even in early 2007.[http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/speedsolvingrubikscube/message/32502] Later in 2007, prototypes of V-Cube 5 through 7 were sent to [[Frank Morris]], the world record holder for 4x4 and 5x5 at the time.
  
 
== Patents and controversy ==
 
== Patents and controversy ==
 +
The V-Cube is protected by patent in many parts of the world, which has led to some controversy regarding knock-offs.  Even puzzle types that are not available, such as the Maru 4x4x4, are considered in violation of patent, as the mechanism is inspired by V-Cubes. See for example [http://www.speedsolving.com/forum/showthread.php?26141-Dayan-Guhong-vs.-V-Cube-Patent-Infringement this Speedsolving.com thread].
  
The V-Cube is protected by patent in many parts of the world, which has led to some controversy regarding knock-offs.  Even puzzle types that are not available, such as the Maru 4x4x4, are considered in violation of patent, as the mechanism is inspired by V-Cubes. See for example the Speedsolving thread [http://www.speedsolving.com/forum/showthread.php?26141-Dayan-Guhong-vs.-V-Cube-Patent-Infringement Dayan Guhong vs. V-Cube Patent Infringement]
+
They have also criticized because of poor customer service on their Facebook page regarding questions about whether their V-3 DIY had torpedoes inspired by Dayan.
  
== See Also ==
+
The US patent can be found on Google Patents.[http://www.google.com/patents/about?id=SRDJAAAAEBAJ]
 +
 
 +
== See also ==
 
* [[Bigcubes]] (brands)
 
* [[Bigcubes]] (brands)
* [[Puzzle Hardware]]
 
 
  
== External Links ==
+
== External links ==
* http://www.v-cubes.com
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* [http://www.v-cubes.com V-Cube], Official website
  
[[Category:Cubing Terminology]]
 
 
[[Category:Puzzle Manufacturers]]
 
[[Category:Puzzle Manufacturers]]
 
[[Category:Puzzle Shops]]
 
[[Category:Puzzle Shops]]
{{Stub}}
 

Revision as of 18:13, 15 February 2019

This page may be currently outdated (since new cubes/products may be released).
Take care about information on this page and update it if you know more recent information.
Verdes Innovations S.A.
Vcube_logo.jpg
Company
Founded: 2000
Location: Greece
Years Active: 2008-present
Areas served: Worldwide
Website: [1]
Production
Products: V-Cube 2, V-Cube 3, V-Cube 4, V-Cube 5, V-Cube 6, V-Cube 7, V-Cube 8 , V-Cube 9


V-cube is a brand of cube puzzles which started selling cubes in June 2008. They mass produce and sell 2x2x2, 3x3x3, 4x4x4, 5x5x5, 6x6x6, 7x7x7, 8x8x8 and 9x9x9 puzzles, but they have designs and patents that go all the way to 11x11x11.

V-cubes were invented by Panagiotis Verdes and are produced by Verdes Innovations S.A., Verdes's company located in Greece. The design of these cubes was completely new and different from all pre-existing designs, as it was based on the cone and because the pieces hook together instead of simply being held together by the centers. In addition, the plastic used for the V-cubes is a bit more elastic than the normal plastic for cubes. This led to better durability and stability during speedsolving and pops and also a slightly smoother feel.

V-cube were the first company to ever mass-produce the 6x6 and 7x7 puzzles, and were at one point the best cubes for big cube speedsolving. However by 2014 Shengshou and Moyu had cubes which were much more widely used because of their better quality and lower price compared to V-Cubes; and these led to V-Cubes being rarely used.

Products

V-Cube 2

Upon release the V-Cube 2x2 was seen as a good 2x2. It had a core similar to a 3x3, with many inner edges. The black V-Cube 2a was generally regarded as the best of the V-Cubes, although many speedcubers still preferred other brands of 2x2 such as the WitTwo v1 ("Type C "). The V-Cube 2 was later eclipsed by cubes such as the Dayan Zhanchi 2x2 or the Moyu Lingpo. These were considered to be better cubes because of their speed, corner cutting and resistance to pops.

V-Cube 3

V-Cube released their first 3x3x3, the V-Cube 3, in January 2012. Like many V-Cubes, it is also available as a pillow-shaped version, called V-Cube 3b. The V-Cube 3 is available assembled and DIY, which comes with 3 sets of springs with different tensions.

The mechanism resembled a lot of the newer DaYan cubes, including use of "torpedoes" to prevent popping. This caused a lot of controversy; especially as V-Cube previously filed a lawsuit for patent infringement against Dayan and because of questions regarding the matter being avoided on their Facebook page.

Although V-Cube 3 was initially rated as a decent cube, many reviewers and cubers still preferred the Dayan ZhanChi because of smoothness and somewhat better corner cutting.

V-Cube 4

The V-Cube 4 was released in January 2013.

V-Cube 5

Upon its release (in 2008), the V-Cube 5 was considered to be the best 5x5 on the market. The mechanism incorporated new principles which allows it to have low friction but also to remain intact even when several pieces are removed; meaning a particular algorithm or step can be completed, and then the pop repaired. The V-cube 5x5 can cut corners without being broken in or lubed at all; however this puzzle needs to be broken in to make it easier to turn.

However by around 2011, the V-Cube 5 became eclipsed by the Shengshou 5x5 which had a much lower price. Newer brands by other manufacturers such as MoYu and QiYi are considered to be better cubes.

V-Cube 5

V-Cube 6

Released in 2008. This cube has a clicking mechanism to keep a hidden inner layer it has from coming out of alignment; however it does pop quite frequently. This puzzle does require breaking in & lubrication, but the outer layers are considerably faster when this is done, Out of the box, it has a tendency for minor lockups, and to improve the performance, it needs be modified. Also, with modification, the clicking in the middle layer can be removed. This cube became less popular since Shengshou released its 6x6 in 2011.

V-Cube 6

Video

V-Cube 7

Released in 2008. The V-Cube 7 is much like the V-cube 5 in mechanism, but the outer layers are much smoother and the inner layers require more effort to turn. The V7 is also untensionable; meaning the cube cannot be tensioned. There was however a modification that could fix this. The pillowed shape is to hide the fact that the outer layers of the cube are a little larger than the inner layers; otherwise the outer layers could just fall out.

Shengshou released a (cubic) 7x7 in 2012 which quickly became the preferred cube among speedcubers.

V-Cube 7

Video

V-Cube 8

The V-Cube 8 was released in 2014.

Modifications

The V-Cube 5, 6, and 7 all had several modifications; the most notable of these was Memyselfandpi's V-Cube 6 mod. It helped make the layers smoother and completely got rid of the clickiness. It was also part of the mod to put dirt into the cube, although it is not recommended as it makes the cube harder to turn. The V-Cube 5 and 7 mods were mainly sanding down the bumps on the pieces. Memyselfandpi has videos of these mods on Youtube.

History

V-Cubes were initially announced in 2003 as Olympic Cubes.[2] It was initially believed to be spam on the Yahoo! speedsolvingrubikscube forum. Although patents were announced in 2004, there was little information about V-Cubes even in early 2007.[3] Later in 2007, prototypes of V-Cube 5 through 7 were sent to Frank Morris, the world record holder for 4x4 and 5x5 at the time.

Patents and controversy

The V-Cube is protected by patent in many parts of the world, which has led to some controversy regarding knock-offs. Even puzzle types that are not available, such as the Maru 4x4x4, are considered in violation of patent, as the mechanism is inspired by V-Cubes. See for example this Speedsolving.com thread.

They have also criticized because of poor customer service on their Facebook page regarding questions about whether their V-3 DIY had torpedoes inspired by Dayan.

The US patent can be found on Google Patents.[4]

See also

External links