Calvins Puzzle Sam Gear Orbit Cube

Calvins Puzzle Sam Gear Orbit Cube

Sam Gear Orbit Cube is a puzzle designed by Sam Jiang and produced by Calvin's Puzzle. From the outside it looks like an ordinary stickered 3x3 cube, but each face has four small circles, and inside there is an elaborate gear mechanism. So it is not a classic gear cube. The circles form a kind of planetary gear that moves together with the turned face.

How the mechanism works

The circles cannot be turned on their own. Every face turn also rotates the four circles on that face, so scrambling changes not only the position of the pieces but also the orientation of the circles themselves. According to the designers, the circles are part of a planetary gear that rotates around a fixed sun gear hidden in the center of the face. If you remove the center cap, you can see how this gear system is built.

The center cap is also practical. If the gears slip out of alignment, which can happen with such a complex internal mechanism, just remove the cap, loosen the cube, set the gear back in place and tighten it again.

What to expect

This is a collector's puzzle, not a speedcubing cube. The cube has no magnets, and according to user reviews it turns a bit stiffer than a regular 3x3. With so many pieces inside, you can't expect fast turning. A 3x3 method alone won't solve it: you also need to work out how each move affects the circles and return them to their correct position. The difficulty level is high.

Who is it for?

For those who have already mastered the 3x3 and a few mods and are now looking for a puzzle with an unusual mechanism to figure out. It is also an interesting display piece for your collection. For a first cube or for a younger child, it's better to choose something simpler. In the same series, Calvin's Puzzle has also released the Bandaged and Gear Orbit City versions.

Specifications

• Manufacturer: Calvin's Puzzle
• Designer: Sam Jiang
• Type: 3x3 mod with a gear mechanism (shape mod)
• Size: approx. 61 mm
• Weight: approx. 152 g
• Magnets: none
• Body color: black, with stickers