Hey guys its me CriticalCubing and today we are going to see what are the differences
between a mass produced magnetic cube vs a non magnetic cube and which one should you
use as your main.
Magnetic cubes have been around for quite some time now and because people started relying
on them more and more, cube companies had no choice but to mass produce magnetic cubes.
Moyu came out with their new cube GTS v2 last month, and this month they released their
magnetic GTS v2.
Lets take a look at these cubes.
First of all, what has changed?
Definitely the box.
The non magnetic box is white color with red color writing, no matter if you buy a white/black/stickerless
cube.
Magnetic cube on the other hand features black and gold color scheme, which looks brilliant
according to me and gives it a premium look.
One thing stays constant, magnets are still on the box, although magnets are inside the
cube also this time instead of only being on the box.
Price: The non magnetic GTS costs around 19$ depending on the store you buy from and the
magnetic version costs about 25$.
Comparing this to some other handmade magnetic cubes which costs 50$, the mass produced is
literally half price which makes magnetic cubes affordable as of now, although 25$ is
still at the high side of the price spectrum.
Size and Weight: Both the cubes have the same size, i.e. 55mm however the magnetic version
weighs just a little more than the non magnetic version.
Magnetic version weighs 6g more than the non magnetic version, and you don't feel this
difference while solving.
Feel and turning: Here is where the differences start to show.
The non magnetic GTS2 has a light, fast and crisp turning with a hint of smoothness.
The magnetic GTS2 features a heavier turning, due to the magnetis pulling the layers together,
and its a bit more smoother turning in my experience than the non magnetic GTS2.
It kind of retains its original speed but I personally find the magnetic version a bit
slower than the non magnetic version.
I have set up both the cubes the same way, but non magnetic version has no resistance
while turning and that makes it feel faster.
Since, magnetic version has magnetic which try to align the layers with each turn, there
is this alien resistance which makes it feel slow.
Algs are still pretty fast and its a fast cube, but compared the the non magnetic GTS2,
it feel a tad bit slower.
Corner Cutting: Both cubes are the same, GTS v2 so the corner cutting is also the same.
Both cubes can cut over 45 degree for normal corner cutting and line to line for reverse
corner cutting.
Stability: Here is where there is a huge difference.
The magnetic GTS2 is a lot more stable than the non magnetic GTS2.
In the magnetic version, you can keep the tensions on loose and the cube still retains
its stability, all thanks to magnets pulling the layers together.
In the non magnetic version, there are no magnets hence there is no magical force attracting
the layers together, which makes it less stable than magnetic version.
Magnets have significantly improved the stability, and its quite noticeable too.
This round is won hands down by the GTS2M.
M Slices: This is the thing I didn't like about the magnetic version.
It requires more force to do slice moves on the magnetic version, than on the non magnetic
version.
However, its not a deal breaker as once you do couple solves on the magnetic version,
you kind of get used to it and it shouldn't bother you there after.
Lockup/Catches and Corner Twisting: Corner twisting is negligible on both of these cubes
and I haven't corner twisted even once while using these cubes.
However there is a noticeable difference between locking and catching.
The non magnetic version has a tendency to lock or catch, however with the application
of magnets, magnets automatically pull the layers together therefore reducing these random
lockups and catches.
There are far lesser lockups and catches on the magnetic version, than on the non magnetic
version.
Overall Performance: There isn't much to say here as both the cubes are the same and they
do perform similarly, however the only difference between magnetic version and non magnetic
version boils down to stability.
If you apply magnets, your cube will be more stable.
If you don't apply magnets, you cube will be a bit more unstable compared to a magnetic
version.
However, prefernce for opting for magnetic cube, or non magnetic cube should be decided
based on your turning style and requirement.
Why should you use a magnetic cube?
If you have a rough turing style and always complain about cubes not being stable enough
to suit your turning style, magnets will significantly improve the stability and magnets are especially
good for the rough turners and people with an unstable kind of turning style.
Besides, magnets are kind of an upgrade from the normal cubes, so why not use the upgraded
version?
Why should you use a non magnetic cube?
You like the original fast feel of the cube and your turning style is already good enough
that it doesn't need aid from magnets and the cube is plenty stable without magnets
for you.
However, if you can, try out a magnetic cube and see if you like it or not.
Magnetic cubes are an improvement from the original non magnetic cubes, but using a magnetic
cube as your main, or a non magnetic cubes as your main will all boil down to personal
preference, and what you want to use.
I will personally continue with non magnetic GTS2 as I like it better.
Magnets are good and all, but I had little to no complaints from the GTS2 so I don't
need GTS2M.
However, you may have had a complaint that GTS2 was not stable enough, so GTS2M is there
to solve that complaint for you.
I will advice you to try out a magnetic cube sometimes, or make your own magnetic cube.
Its pretty easy to make and if you like the magnetic version, you can continue using that,
but if you don't like the magnetic version, then you can buy another normal version and
use that as your main.
That will be it for this video.
Don't forget to subscribe for more cubing content and I'll see your next time.
Take care guys and I'll see you soon.