QiYi Gear cube 5.7cm

QiYi Gear Cube 5.7 cm

From the outside it looks almost like a regular 3x3, but it solves in a completely different way. The QiYi Gear Cube 5.7 cm is a Gear-type puzzle with gears in place of the edges. When you turn an outer layer, the gears turn the middle layer along with it, but by only half the angle. That's why the outer layers turn 180° here, not 90° as on a classic cube. Moves you know from the 3x3 behave differently, so you'll need to work out the solution from scratch.

A smaller Gear Cube

This version is smaller than the traditional QiYi Gear Cube. It measures 57 mm, about the same as a typical 3x3 speed cube. It sits better in your hand than the larger Gear, which people with smaller hands and kids will especially appreciate. The body is black and the coloured faces are made of plastic tiles (tiled). There are no stickers to wear off.

How it turns

The mechanism turns smoothly, and in practice the gears don't skip, even when you turn a little harder. Jams are rare. If one does happen, closing the layer more precisely is usually enough. As with any Gear Cube, fast, imprecise turning can cause slight catching, and the gears are louder than the mechanism of a regular 3x3. This is a cube for fun and collecting, not for setting records, so it has no magnets and doesn't need them.

Who is it for?

It's a great start to the world of unusual puzzles. The way a Gear Cube works is interesting, and solving it is usually considered easier than a classic 3x3. It's a good first "modification" for someone who can already solve a 3x3, and a fun gift for a child who loves puzzles. Collectors who want a Gear in a handy size will like it too. The Gear Cube is not a WCA event, so you can't use this cube at official competitions.

Specifications

• Type: Gear Cube (3x3 shape)
• Manufacturer: QiYi
• Size: 57 mm
• Weight: approx. 106 g
• Finish: black body, coloured plastic tiles (tiled)
• Release year: 2020
• Official WCA competitions: no

In the box you'll find:

1. the puzzle
2. solving instructions