LanLan Curvy Copter

LanLan Curvy Copter

LanLan Curvy Copter is an edge-turning puzzle. You turn it around the edges rather than the faces, just like the Helicopter Cube. The difference is that the cuts are curved, so once scrambled, the puzzle looks completely different from a classic Helicopter. The design comes from TomZ, and LanLan released a mass-produced version of it. In our shop it is available with black plastic.

Two difficulty levels in one puzzle

If you only make 180-degree turns, the puzzle keeps its cube shape and only the colors get mixed up. Solved this way, it is relatively manageable, and it is the best way to start. Curvy Copter also allows jumbling. You turn one edge by less than 180 degrees (about 70 degrees). This frees up the neighboring edges, and turning them swaps pieces in a way that would not be possible with a regular move. The puzzle then changes shape and becomes much harder. Some axes get blocked while jumbling. This is normal for this design, not a defect of your copy: you simply have to learn which moves are available at any given moment.

Turning and tension adjustment

For such a complex mechanism, Curvy Copter turns well. However, it is not a speedcubing puzzle and it has no magnets. According to user reviews, right out of the box it can feel dry and crunchy, and imprecise moves can cause lockups. It benefits a lot from lube. Tension is adjusted with screws, so you can set the puzzle up to suit you: a looser setup makes jumbling easier, while a tighter one reduces the risk of popping.

Who is it for?

For collectors and for people who can already solve a 3x3 or a Skewb and are looking for something with a different type of movement. It is a poor choice as a child's first puzzle, especially in jumbling mode. Curvy Copter is not a WCA event, so it is a puzzle to solve for fun and to collect, not for competition training.

Specifications

• Type: edge-turning jumbling puzzle, shape-shifting
• Manufacturer: LanLan
• Size: approx. 58 mm
• Weight: approx. 130 g
• Magnets: none
• Tension adjustment: adjustment screws
• Plastic color: black
• Release year: 2016
• Official WCA event: no
• In the box: puzzle