I was going to buy these items separately, so I was stoked to find this discounted bundle from the Cubicle.
The cube: I already had a Monster Go Ai cube, but I wanted something with more customization options that still used a coin cell battery. The Gan i Carry offers that and has a lighter, snappier feel that I really like. I enjoy the Gan version a bit more than the Monster Go version, and the adjustment parts included with the Gan are interchangeable with the Monster Go. The magnets an the Gan seem a bit stronger than the Monster Go, which is great because I like strong magnets. The Cube Station app has come a long way (although it still has a ways to go), and I haven't had any issues with disconnections, sync problems, or switching between cubes. The Cube Station apps are overall a great way to track your progress and understand areas for improvement. These battery-powered smart cubes from Gan are the best value right now in the smart cube space and a great way to start.
My only niggle with the cube is that the magnets have a little wiggle room in their slots, so when turning, they get pulled briefly to one side and make a small clicking sound. It kind of makes the cube sound like you're popping very tiny bubble wrap. I usually cube in headphones, so it doesn't bother me, but it's worth calling out.
The timer: I don't have another cube timer to compare this to since it's my first one. I had been fine with using a timer app on my phone, but I wanted to track my progress with my non-smart cubes in the Cube Station app. This works perfectly for that. You can also use it as a standalone timer. It's compact, the touch sensors are flawless and and I think it's a great deal being around the same price as non-smart timers. The main issue I can see is that the mat connection is proprietary, so it can't be connected to mats that are meant to work with the Speed Stacks timers. I'd love to see a kit in the future, whether from Gan or a third party, that could be used to convert a mat to work with this timer. Right now, there's only one mat that works with this timer, which I picked up as well. No complaints with that mat, but it would be nice to have the option for a bigger mat or a different design. I would have thought Gan would have come out with something already since this timer has been out for at least a year.
Overall, a great bundle at a nice discount! A great way to get started with a smart cube without leaving your regular cubes out in the cold. I do think this bundle should have an option to throw in the Gan mat, though.
