Meffert's David Gear Cube

Meffert's David Gear Cube

Meffert's David Gear Cube is a puzzle with a gear mechanism. It looks like an ordinary 2x2 cube, but it also has a second, completely different type of move. The idea came from David Tzur (previously known as Alex Polonsky), and the mechanism was designed by Oskar van Deventer, the creator of the classic Gear Cube, among other puzzles. The first copies were 3D-printed under the name Polo Gear Cube. Mass production at Meffert's started at the end of 2013. We offer the black-body version.

Two types of moves

The first type is a normal layer turn, just like on a 2x2 cube. The second is the gear move: you turn the corners and the gears pass that motion on to the other pieces, so several parts rotate at once. Each corner carries center segments that change position during this move. Solving goes like this: first you place the corners as on a 2x2, then you move the gear segments to the correct faces. According to the designer, this second stage alone is quite hard, and solving the whole cube is even harder. If you can solve a 2x2, that's just the beginning. The later stages require finding algorithms on your own or a good tutorial.

How it turns

This is not a speedcubing puzzle, and it makes no sense to compare it with magnetic 2x2 cubes. Users say the gear move feels smooth. Catching happens more often during 2x2-style turns, so hold the cube firmly and don't force the turns. Corner cutting is out of the question here, as the mechanism is too complex for that. Very aggressive turning can also cause pops inside the mechanism. Calm, precise moves suit this cube much better than high TPS.

Who is it for?

For people who already know a few basic puzzles and want to try something different. For fans of gear puzzles (Gear Cube, Gear Ball, Gear Shift) and for collectors of Oskar van Deventer's designs. It's not suitable as a first cube, and for a child it's better to buy it only once they can solve a 2x2 or 3x3 on their own. The manufacturer states that the puzzle is intended for ages 14 and up.

Specifications

• Type: gear puzzle based on a 2x2 cube
• Manufacturer: Meffert's
• Design: David Tzur (idea), Oskar van Deventer (mechanism)
• Body color: black
• Dimensions: approx. 6.3 x 6.16 x 6.1 cm
• Weight: approx. 159 g (with packaging)
• Finish: stickers