DianSheng Galaxy FTO NEO (Magnetic + Ball-Core)

DianSheng Galaxy FTO NEO (Magnetic + Ball-Core)

An FTO (Face Turning Octahedron) is an octahedron puzzle in which each of the eight triangular faces turns. The DianSheng Galaxy FTO NEO is a newer version of the magnetic Galaxy FTO. The same manufacturer has added magnets in the core (Ball-Core) and redesigned the internals to improve corner cutting. The puzzle is stickerless and comes in two internal colors: Black Internals and Primary Internals.

What has changed compared to the original Galaxy FTO

• Ball-Core, meaning magnets in the core. They pull the pieces towards the center and help keep the layers in place during fast turning.
• Corner-edge magnets in the pieces. They finish each move and line the faces up.
• More rounded edges where the pieces meet. These are designed to improve corner cutting and reduce catching on imprecise moves.
• Inner tracks designed to reduce the risk of popping.

How it turns

Users report that the NEO is fast right out of the box and that corner cutting is noticeably better than on the first-generation Galaxy FTO. The magnets give a louder, "clicky" sound and slightly noticeable snapping between positions, so the feel is more tactile than smooth. Some people add that a little lube improves smoothness and makes the puzzle quieter.

A lot depends on the tension setting. With well-chosen tensioning, popping is rare. However, with settings that are too loose and aggressive turning, pieces can pop out, and some users also report lockups. The size has not changed, so it is still a fairly compact FTO. If you are used to larger models, you may need a moment to adjust.

Who is it for?

It is a good choice if you want to start your adventure with the FTO or add one to your collection, and you prefer a magnetic design with Ball-Core from the start. It works well for learning and regular solving. Speedcubers who turn very aggressively should spend some time finding the right tension. The FTO is noticeably harder than a classic 3x3 cube, so some prior solving experience will come in handy.

Specifications

• Type: FTO (Face Turning Octahedron), magnetic, stickerless
• Manufacturer: DianSheng
• Series: Galaxy
• Size: 65 mm
• Weight: approx. 88 g
• Magnets: corner-edge magnets and Ball-Core (magnets in the core)
• Internal color: Black Internals or Primary Internals