QiYi 3x3 Magnetic Gear V2 Limited Edition

QiYi 3x3 Magnetic Gear V2 Limited Edition

A gear cube is usually bought as a novelty. It works on gears, looks different from a regular cube and often ends up on a shelf after a few days. The second generation of this puzzle from QiYi is a different story. The QiYi 3x3 Magnetic Gear V2 has magnetic positioning, and according to the distributor it contains 56 magnets. This means you can actually solve it fast, not just play around with it. The Limited Edition is the version with a transparent body.

How a gear cube works

The faces don't turn independently here. Turning one face transfers the movement through the gears to the rest of the cube, and the edges rotate around their own axis at the same time. The cube only returns to a cube shape after a 180° turn. It takes a few moves to get used to this. The principle is simple, though, and you'll quickly see how the mechanism responds to each move.

What the magnets do

On a non-magnetic gear cube it's hard to hit the right position, and layers are easily left slightly misaligned. In the V2 the magnets finish each move, and every turn ends with a noticeable "click". This makes turning more precise and faster than on the version without magnets. According to the distributor, Yichen Leng set a Guinness World Record for solving a gear cube on the magnetic Gear V2 (the same mechanism) with a time of 1.241 s.

Instead of stickers, the cube has plastic tiles (tiled). They don't peel off or wear out with intensive use.

Who is it for?

For cubers who already know the classic 3x3 and want to try a different mechanism, and for anyone who wants to solve a gear cube against the clock. The transparent shell of the Limited Edition shows the gears inside, making it a great choice for a puzzle collection. It will also appeal to kids who like to understand how things work. If you just want to get to know the gear cube, the version without magnets will do. For speedsolving, however, the magnetic version is the better choice.

Specifications

• Type: 3x3 gear cube, magnetic
• Manufacturer: QiYi
• Version: V2, Limited Edition
• Colour: Transparent
• Size: 57 mm
• Magnets: positioning system with 56 magnets (distributor's data)
• Colour markings: plastic tiles (tiled)