QiYi 3x3 Gear V2

QiYi 3x3 Gear V2

QiYi 3x3 Gear V2 is a gear cube puzzle. From the outside it looks like a regular 3x3 cube, but inside it works like a gearbox. Every piece meshes with its neighbours, so turning one face also turns pieces in the adjacent layers. The second version of QiYi's gear cube measures 57 mm. Instead of stickers it has coloured plastic tiles (tiled), and the body is black.

How a gear cube differs from a classic 3x3

It looks difficult, but it is usually easier to solve than a standard 3x3 cube. The solving method is completely different, though, so knowing LBL or CFOP won't help much here. First you need to understand how the gears transfer movement between layers. Many people learn this from a tutorial and then solve it without looking at the instructions. That makes the gear cube a great break from the regular 3x3 and a good first "different" puzzle in your collection.

How it turns

Users usually describe the turning as smooth and praise the solid build quality, especially at this price. Just keep in mind that because the pieces mesh together, every move drives several parts at once. So a gear cube won't turn as lightly and freely as a 3x3 speed cube. Catching can happen if your moves are too fast or imprecise. Tiles instead of stickers make practical sense. The pieces of a gear cube are narrow and stickers would easily peel off them, while tiles don't wear off or come unstuck.

57 mm size

The first QiYi Gear 3x3 was noticeably larger, at around 60 mm. The V2 measures 57 mm, roughly the same as a typical 3x3 cube. This makes it more comfortable to hold, including in a child's smaller hands.

Who is it for?

For cubers who can already solve a 3x3 and want to try a puzzle with a different logic. For collectors adding a gear puzzle to their set. It also makes a great gift for a child who enjoys puzzles. The difficulty level is approachable, and the mechanism itself is simply fun to turn.

Specifications

• Type: 3x3 gear cube (gear mechanism)
• Manufacturer: QiYi
• Version: V2
• Size: 57 mm
• Finish: plastic tiles instead of stickers (tiled)
• Body colour: black