Lanlan Gear Mastermorphix

LanLan Gear Mastermorphix

LanLan Gear Mastermorphix combines two well-known puzzles. The mechanism comes from the Gear Cube and the shape from the Mastermorphix. On the outside it has the pyramid-like shape of a Mastermorphix, while inside, gears link adjacent layers together. This model has a black body and is an interesting addition to the gear puzzle family, mainly because of the way it moves.

How the gear mechanism works

On a classic 3x3 cube you turn one layer and the rest stays put. Here it's different. When you turn an outer layer, the gears pass the movement on to the middle layer, which turns along with it, but by half the angle. That's why layers are turned by 180° here, not by 90° as on a 3x3 cube. As a result, the puzzle behaves completely differently from a standard cube. The first few moves usually surprise even people who know the 3x3 well.

What the Mastermorphix shape changes

The Mastermorphix is a shape mod, meaning a puzzle with a cube mechanism but with differently shaped pieces. Once scrambled, it loses its even, pyramid-like outline. When solving, you need to keep track not only of the colors but also of whether the pieces fit together in shape. If you know the Gear Cube, you already have a basis for solving it, but here every move also changes the look of the whole puzzle.

Adjustment

The puzzle has adjustment screws, so you can change the tension and set the turning resistance to your liking.

Who is it for?

This is a puzzle for collecting and for fun. It isn't a cube for breaking records. The Gear Mastermorphix is not a WCA event, so TPS or corner cutting don't matter here. It will be the most fun for people who already know the Gear Cube or the regular Mastermorphix and want something unusual. It also makes a great gift for anyone who enjoys mechanical puzzles. For complete beginners, a classic 3x3 cube is a better start, with gear puzzles coming later.

Specifications

• Manufacturer: LanLan
• Type: gear puzzle, shape mod based on the Mastermorphix
• Size: approx. 90 mm
• Weight: approx. 176 g
• Adjustment: adjustment screws
• Body color: black
• Release year: 2014
• Official WCA event: no