YuXin HuangLong Gigaminx

YuXin HuangLong Gigaminx

YuXin HuangLong Gigaminx is a 5x5 dodecahedron, which means a megaminx with five layers on every face. It belongs to the HuangLong series, the line in which YuXin releases its bigger puzzles. For years the choice of gigaminxes was very limited, and the YuXin model quickly became one of the most frequently recommended. It has no magnets and is stickerless. We offer it in the Transparent version, made of clear plastic.

How it turns

Reviews most often mention smooth turning straight out of the box, even without extra lube. The factory screw tension is even, so you usually don't need to do any setup. Both the outer and inner layers turn lightly. Forward corner cutting is good, especially on the outer layers. Reverse corner cutting is much less forgiving: if the layers are misaligned, the puzzle runs into lockups. On non-magnetic puzzles with several layers, turning an outer layer sometimes drags the inner layer along with it. Reviewers say this model mostly doesn't have that problem. The mechanism is stable and doesn't tend to pop.

Some users notice that turning gets heavier when the layers aren't aligned precisely. More accurate turning and lubing help.

Piece shape

The pieces have a sculpted design, meaning slight indentations on the corners and edges. This gives you a better grip on the puzzle. On a dodecahedron with this many layers it matters, because solves are long and you regrip the puzzle often.

Who is it for?

For those who can already solve a megaminx and want to try a bigger version, and for collectors of minx-type puzzles. Gigaminx is not a WCA event, so it's more of a puzzle to solve for fun and for unofficial timing than competition gear. If you're just getting started with dodecahedrons, it's better to master the regular 3x3 megaminx first, because the gigaminx solving method is largely based on it.

Specifications

• Type: gigaminx (5x5 megaminx), dodecahedron
• Manufacturer: YuXin, HuangLong series
• Magnets: none
• Pieces: sculpted, stickerless
• Colour version: Transparent
• Size: approx. 90 mm
• Weight: approx. 282 g