Picube MGC SQ1 UV

Picube MGC SQ1 UV

This Square-1 was developed by Picube in collaboration with YJ, the maker of the original MGC Square-1. The Picube MGC SQ1 UV builds on the classic MGC: it has magnets and a glossy UV coating, and it comes in two colour versions, with either a yellow or a black side.

How it turns

The Square-1 is a puzzle that changes shape as you solve it, so it behaves differently from a regular 3x3 cube. The key thing is to align the layers precisely before a slice move (/). In this version, magnets in the style of the classic MGC take care of that. Every time you line up a layer, you feel a distinct "click" that helps you hit the position where a slice is possible. The base MGC has been described as smooth and light, yet comfortable in the hand, because most of its weight is concentrated in the centre. The magnets in the MGC are of moderate strength, so they help align the layers without slowing down fast turns.

UV coating and colour versions

The UV coating gives a glossy surface that offers better grip than matte plastic. Two variants are available in our shop:

• Yellow: the classic colour scheme with a yellow side.
• Black: the yellow side is replaced with a black one.

The mechanism is the same in both variants, so you simply choose the colour scheme you like better.

How it differs from other Picube MGC versions

The Picube MGC SQ-1 series comes in several variants. Besides the version with standard magnets, there are Edge-Magnetic versions with additional magnets in the edges, Edge-Magnetic + Equator-Magnetic versions with magnets in the middle layer as well, and the most advanced version with MagLev. Each successive version is meant to be more stable. The standard magnets, on the other hand, give the feel closest to the classic MGC. If you are just learning the Square-1 or solve it for fun, this version is all you need. The extra stability matters more when you are speedsolving against the clock.

Who is it for?

For anyone who wants a magnetic Square-1 proven in speedcubing, without paying extra for additional magnets and MagLev. It is also a good choice as your first Square-1 to learn on: the magnets make aligning the layers easier, which is often the hardest part at the beginning.

Specifications

• Type: magnetic Square-1, stickerless
• Manufacturer: Picube (in collaboration with YJ)
• Based on: YJ MGC Square-1
• Dimensions: 5.4 x 5.4 x 5.6 cm
• Weight: 94 g
• Finish: UV coating (glossy)
• Variants: Yellow (yellow side), Black (black side)