QiYi 3x3x3 Windmill S Cube

QiYi 3x3x3 Windmill S Cube

QiYi 3x3x3 Windmill S Cube is a version of one of the best-known shape mods, that is, puzzles based on the 3x3 cube that lose their cube shape once scrambled. The mechanism is still a 3x3 mechanism, but the cuts in the Windmill run at an angle. After just a few moves the puzzle no longer looks like a cube and resembles a windmill, which is where its name comes from. To solve it, you have to match both the colors and the shape.

What's different about the S version

The Windmill S is a newer and slightly smaller version of QiYi's classic Windmill. It measures 56 mm and weighs 86 g, while the older model, according to the manufacturer's specifications, measures 57 mm and weighs approx. 100 g. Instead of stickers it has colored tiles, which are more durable than stickers and won't peel at the corners with frequent solving. The manufacturer and distributors also mention changes to the internal design that are meant to improve turning compared with the first version. This is not a speedcubing puzzle: it has no magnets, and with a puzzle of this type what matters more is whether it turns pleasantly and predictably rather than a high TPS.

How to solve it

Knowing a 3x3 method will help with the Windmill, as the move sequences are largely the same. The hardest part is at the beginning, when you have to learn to recognize pieces by their shape and not just by their color. Many people treat this model as their first shape mod after mastering the classic cube. It shows well how a change of shape affects a puzzle you already know, and at the same time it isn't as demanding as more complex shape-shifting puzzles.

Who is it for?

For people who can already solve a 3x3 cube and want to try something different from yet another speedcube. The Windmill S also makes a great addition to a collection of shape-shifting puzzles and a gift for a child who has already mastered their first cube. If someone can't solve a 3x3 yet, it's better to buy them a classic cube first.

Specifications

• Type: 3x3 shape mod (Windmill), shape-shifting puzzle
• Manufacturer: QiYi
• Size: 56 mm
• Weight: 86 g
• Body color: black
• Color scheme: tiles (inserts instead of stickers)
• Magnets: none