On May 18th, 2006, I was fortunate to meet with Konstantinos Verdes, and test the new Olympic Cube 5x5x5 and 6x6x6. From the very first twist on the first cube, I was amazed and re-addicted to cubing. I constantly found myself at a loss for the words to describe how I felt about each puzzle. If you were to ask anyone around me, I kept re-using words over and over, such as: incredible, amazing, fantastic, and awesome. Here are my (much anticipated) thoughts on each puzzle.
5x5x5
In the picture above, you can see the size of the new 5x5x5 when compared to the Rubik's 5x5x5. In fact, the new 5x5 is the exact same size as the Rubik's 4x4. I think that this is a perfect size for this puzzle, since it is a nice compromise between the Rubik's version, which some people think is too big, and the Eastsheen version, which I think is too small. The new 5x5 is lighter than the Rubik's version, which is nice as well.
From the very first twist on the new 5x5, I knew that I would completely abandon the Rubik's version. Each layer turns perfectly. I think that the main complaint about the Rubik's 5x5, is that the outer layers are quite difficult to turn quickly, even sometimes after many months trying to "break the puzzle in". In fact, my best two Rubik's 5x5's have taken almost 3 years to break in to my liking. Who wants to put that much effort into making a suitable speedcube? It is no wonder why this puzzle is the least popular among both cubers, judges, and scramblers. The new 5x5 outer layers turn very quickly like the eastsheen 5x5, but in a more "controlled" fashion, like the Rubik's 5x5. Again, a very nice compromise.
I think that what impressed me the most about the new 5x5 is this. I must have solved the puzzle well over a hundred times, and I had exactly zero pops. I had exactly zero center corner twists. I also made it a point to try and solve the cube using a faster turning speed than I normally use, and still, no pops, or anything. Yes, there were some lock ups, but still, not even near what I would get if I tried that on an eastsheen or Rubik 5x5. In fact, in order to disassemble the cube, you have to apply some serious force, and it's not something you can do without a screwdriver or something. I remember thinking, "If it takes that much effort to pop a piece, then I can't even think of a way that this will pop during a solve."
I can't really think of an actual flaw with the new 5x5. The only awkward thing about it was the color scheme, which is of course changeable. If the puzzle has white plastic, then the typical color scheme is Black opposite Orange, Blue opposite Green, and Yellow opposite Red. (This is also the same for the 6x6) And before I forget, the quality of the stickers is excellent as well. They are not the terrible Rubik's type. They are more like the stickers provided by Cubesmith. The Colors are pretty similar to the standards, with exception of the blue, which is a lighter shade.
This puzzle is incredible. Two thumbs up, two big toes up, and anything else that you want to include.
6x6x6
And now for what I imagine all of you who are reading this really want to know about. The much anticipated, Olympic Cube no. 6a. It is no longer a myth or a dream. Reality my friends.
As far as the size of the puzzle, It is smaller than the Rubik's 5x5, but not by much. The weight of the puzzle is similar to the Rubik's 5x5. The layers turn very easily, just like the new 5x5. Each layer is quite balanced with the next. If you were to grab three layers with your right hand and three with your left, there is a little resistance when turning, but nothing that is unmanageable. The puzzle is quite stable. After many solves, it became loose, but that is being remedied already. I did have some piece pops while playing with the puzzle, but like the 5x5, I was forcing myself to use a much higher turning speed than I normally use. Still, the puzzle held up to my abuse. You can turn each layer independently without doing a move like (Rr) R', which is a good thing for you big cube BLD solvers who want to tackle this puzzle. Like with the new 5x5, I think that my biggest problem with it was the color scheme. While I was in Greece, I tried 3 or 4 different 6x6 samples and the color scheme changed among some of them. That, combined with the different schemes on the 5x5 samples, I found myself confused frequently.
I am really not sure what else I can say about the 6x6x6. I still find myself at a loss for words when describing the puzzle. It really is everything that we could ask for. If either of these new cubes are indications as to what the higher order cubes will be like when they are released, then we are going to be very fortunate.
As I am writing this, I am still a little loopy from all of the traveling over the last few days. I imagine that I have not answered some questions that some of you who are reading this may have. I invite you to email any questions to me and I will answer what I can. Also, I welcome all of your comments.
7x7x7
On October 25, 2006, I received a package from Mr. Verdes containing 2 - 7x7x7 cubes. (I also received 2 5x5x5's to replace the ones that I had been given previously) As with previous Olympic Cube products, I am very impressed.
Size: The O.C. 7x7x7 is very comparable in size to the rubiks.com 5x5x5. In fact if the 7x7x7 was not pillowed, they would be.
Weight: The O.C. 7x7x7 is also very comparable in weight to the rubiks.com 5x5x5. I used a scale at work to weight the 2 cubes, and the 7x7x7 weighed 12 oz, and the 5x5x5 weighed 11 oz. This is not really the best way to measure, but it was the only scale I could get access to. I just wanted to show how comparable they were.
Pillowed Shape: When I first saw that some of the Olympic Cubes were going to be "Pillowed" I was a skeptic. I assumed that the puzzle would be hard to manipulate and keep control of. After playing with the 7x7x7, I feel otherwise. I think that the pillowed shape will be a benefit to most people, as it fits very nicely in the hands. It doesn't really benefit me because I have pretty large hands, but when my wife Christy solved the cube, she had no issues with it.
Stickers: Very high quality. My eyes don't like the blue very much. In fact, I have a hard time telling the difference between black and blue sometimes. I don't think that this will be too much of an issue though, because of the quality. It is very nice not to have junky stickers like rubiks.com sells. Another good thing is that the curvature of the cube doesn't affect how well the stickers stay on the cube. I know this was a concern that had been brought up.
Stability. This cube is incredibly stable. Based on my stats from the Gabbasoft 7x7x7 cube, I estimate that I use around 575 moves to solve. I figure that I have done 15 solves on the 7x7x7, which means 8625 moves. With scrambling, easy 10,000 moves on this cube. I have not had any lockups, piece pops, or anything similar in all of those moves. One could assume that with a puzzle with this many layers, something like that would have been bound to happen within this many turns. The turning motion is incredible. As with all previous Olympic Cubes, the outer layers turn very nicely, and each layer is balanced with the next.
I really think that Olympic Cubes really got this design right on the first attempt. I don't think that anything can be done to make this puzzle better. Great job Olympic Cubes!
