Lanlan Gear Cone Dodecahedron

LanLan Gear Cone Dodecahedron

LanLan Gear Cone Dodecahedron is a puzzle with a gear mechanism built into a dodecahedron shape. Inside, it works like the familiar Gear Cube, but on the outside it has a completely different shape. LanLan released it in 2017 as one of several gear puzzles in unusual shapes. We offer the black-body version.

How is it different from a regular cube?

In gear puzzles, the layers are connected by gears. Turning one face also moves pieces of the neighboring layers, so you can't turn a single layer independently of the rest, as you would on a classic 3x3. It feels strange at first, but after a few minutes it's easy to get the hang of how the gears work together. The gear mechanics themselves are on the simpler side, so the challenge of this puzzle lies mainly in reading the shape. If you already know the Gear Cube, you'll quickly spot the similarities. However, the angled, cone-shaped pieces make the scrambled puzzle look completely different from a cube and harder to find your way around.

Adjustment

Tension is set with adjustment screws. This comes in handy if the mechanism feels too tight or too loose straight out of the box. Just don't tighten them too much, as the gears will then turn more heavily.

Who is it for?

This puzzle is meant for collecting and solving for fun, not for timed speedcubing. It is not allowed in official competitions. It's a great choice if you've already mastered the 3x3 or the Gear Cube and are looking for something that looks unusual and makes you think differently. For collectors of LanLan gear puzzles, it will be a nice addition to the shelf. At about 64 mm, it sits comfortably in your hand, and you don't need any special algorithms to learn how to solve it.

Specifications

• Manufacturer: LanLan
• Type: dodecahedron-shaped gear puzzle (Gear Cube-type mechanism)
• Size: approx. 64 mm
• Weight: approx. 145 g
• Adjustment: adjustment screws
• Body color: black
• Release year: 2017
• Official WCA competitions: no