Picube Valk 5 M Core Magnet

Picube Valk 5 M Core Magnet 5x5

Picube Valk 5 M Core Magnet is a 5x5 cube based on the QiYi Valk 5 M. Picube took QiYi's magnetic 5x5 and added magnets to the core. The original Valk 5 M was released in 2019 and immediately attracted a lot of attention. In June 2019, Max Park set 5x5 world records on it: 36.06 s single and 39.65 s average. Those records have since been broken, but the cube still has its fans. This version comes in stickerless bright.

How it turns

The standard Valk 5 M has medium-strength magnets in the pieces, and reviewers praise it for its stability and good corner cutting. The feel is rather smooth. According to users, the cube is fairly stiff right out of the box and needs some breaking in or a slight loosening. It's worth setting the tension yourself, as the factory setting doesn't suit everyone.

What Core Magnet changes

In the Core Magnet version, the magnets are not only in the pieces but also in the core of the cube. The main purpose of this modification is to keep the layers in place better. In big cubes this is especially noticeable, because fast turns of the inner layers can easily cause slips or misalignment. The cube is more willing to align the layers on its own, but in return turning may feel a bit heavier than on the regular Valk 5 M. If you like a light, very loose 5x5, keep this in mind.

Regular Valk 5 M or Core Magnet version?

The mechanism and the body come from the same QiYi model. The difference is the additional magnetism in the core. The standard version gives you more freedom for aggressive turning. The Picube version is for people who find their 5x5 lacking in stability, especially when turning slices while solving centers and pairing edges.

Who is it for?

For cubers who solve 5x5 regularly and want a stable, predictable cube with stronger magnetism. It's a good choice if you know and like the character of the Valk. If you're just starting out with 5x5 or buying a cube for a child, a cheaper magnetic model will be enough to begin with.

Specifications

• Type: magnetic 5x5x5 cube, stickerless bright
• Modification: Picube (magnets in the core)
• Based on: QiYi Valk 5 M
• Size: 62 mm
• Weight: approx. 136 g
• Magnets: in the pieces and in the core