New guy advice on 7 set

[Crypton]

I've seen people discuss plated and non-plated cores and was curious what this was about. Just a metal finish?
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Thanks!

[Crypton]

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I've also seen people discuss mapping tools. I assume there are many versions/variations. Is there a preferred tool to help in this area?

Thanks!

You have (access to) a 3D Printer, the one from @ReallyBigTooth is the easiest to use.
There's a ton of info in the thread about the mapping challange

[doc81]

I was literally just reading through that mapping thread and saw the 3D printed mapper. I think I will give them a shot with a ruler, pen and paper first. Thank you Crypton for the info!

[doc81]

I'm sure there will be varying opinions on this but I am looking for a good order to use to go through the 11-set. In general, I would like to go from easiest to hardest. I realize some have new tricks that add complexity and make it tough to compare. Currently I am planning on going through them in the order listed in my signature. Thank you in advance for your input!

[mattangel]

Go in order of ease. You’ll enjoy the earlier puzzles more that way while learning as you go. I did the bronze first, and I didn’t get as much out of the blue and green as a result.

Cheers!

[dasrevo]

I would stick to pen paper ruler. I myself use paper rulers and created a ring of one paper ruler I can put on the core and use that for measuring the rotation. Works very well!

Expect alot of fun (and frustration, but no pain no glory ) from your 11-set!

[Crypton]

I was literally just reading through that mapping thread and saw the 3D printed mapper. I think I will give them a shot with a ruler, pen and paper first. Thank you Crypton for the info!

Yeah, the 3D printed mappers are a two edged sword.
They make it much easier to solve the mazes.
But because they "automate" the mapping, they deprive one of the feeling to have done it all alone.
I started with the bronze (and printed the mapper, once I was in the pool); never mapped manually.
Once the core was out, I def. felt joy and accomplishment.
But with the green (which came next), I didn't feel the accomplishment (mainly, because there was nothing to be proud of). Once I attached the mapper, I literaly saw the maze and could follow it.

I do recomend to use the mapper only, if you're stuck and can't find your way out, even when things get frustating!!

[doc81]

Thanks for your input guys.

Dasrevo...I already bought a roll of metric ruler paper tape to measure rotation. $6 buy on amazon that I'm sure will save some frustration.

Crypton...I can see where you are coming from. These mazes aren't exactly cheap so I want to get my moneys worth and feel like I earned that certificate inside. That said I plan to use the paper ruler tape, ruler, a pencil and graph paper, and a 3d printed gripper (huge thanks to ReallyBigTeeth for sharing that file). The 3d printed mapper just seems too much...at least starting out. My opinion may very well change after many hours of no progress on the difficult ones.

[doc81]

I was pleasantly surprised by the early (online courier site said Wed) arrival of my mazes today! Didn't wait long on trying out the aqua...opened it right at the 2 hr mark. Now to figure out how to put back together.

[Kirk2000]

Take a picture of the set and post it. A stack of new Revos must look amazing to someone who was waiting a long time for them.. How are you going to display them? KIRK