XMD Tornado V3 Pioneer Firefly Limited Edition

XMD Tornado V3 Pioneer Firefly Limited Edition

XMD Tornado V3 Pioneer Firefly Limited Edition is a limited colour edition (Green) of the most feature-packed Tornado V3 variant from X-Man Design. The mechanism comes from the Pioneer version: this 3x3 cube has magnets in the pieces, Ball-Core and MagLev, and both the magnets and the mechanism settings are adjustable. The Firefly differs from the regular Pioneer in looks, not in features.

How it turns

MagLev replaces the springs with repelling magnets. This usually gives lighter, more "linear" turning with less resistance than springs. Ball-Core, meaning magnets in the core, pulls the corners towards the centre and helps the cube stay stable at high TPS. The Pioneer is considered a fast cube. Some users say it is almost too fast out of the box and that only a thicker lube gives it a more controllable feel. There are also reports of catching when turning imprecisely. If you prefer calmer cubes, you may need some time to find the right setup.

Adjustment

You can fine-tune the Tornado V3 Pioneer without taking the cube apart:

• Magnet strength is adjustable, so you can choose a stronger or weaker "click" of the layers.
• Tension and screw depth are adjusted by hand, letting you set the cube up more for speed or more for control.

Pioneer vs. other Tornado V3 versions

The Tornado V3 comes in several variants. Standard is the lightest version, without Ball-Core. Flagship has Ball-Core but still uses springs. Pioneer has both Ball-Core and MagLev, which makes it noticeably heavier than the other two. There is also the Pioneer UV with the same mechanism and a glossy UV coating. The Firefly Limited Edition is a Pioneer in a special, limited colour scheme.

Who is it for?

For speedcubers who want a flagship, fully adjustable 3x3 cube with MagLev and Ball-Core in a non-standard colour scheme. Collectors of limited editions will like it too. For a child's first cube, a simpler and cheaper magnetic model is a better choice, as the Pioneer's full potential is mainly used by people who already solve against the clock.

Specifications

• Type: magnetic 3x3 cube
• Manufacturer: X-Man Design (XMD)
• Version: Tornado V3 Pioneer, Firefly Limited Edition
• Colour: Green
• Size: 55.5 mm
• Weight: approx. 81 g
• Magnets: in the pieces and Ball-Core (magnets in the core)
• Turning system: MagLev
• Adjustment: magnet strength, tension and screw depth