This is my first and only pyraminx. Felt good out of the box, but when I tensioned it and lubed it it was amazing. I would totally recommend this puzzle to any new cuber who wants to get into pyraminx. If it gets slow and gummy, I suggest you take the whole cube apart and give it a good clean. Be generous with lube and find the right tensions, and it will feel like a whole new puzzle that is ready to break your records (if you are new). It cuts corners(?) pretty well and has a really good flow. I have not had any pops at all in the few months I have had it, and I have medium-loose tensions.