Customer Reviews

I-gami Geometric Genius

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It was last summer that I got a book out of the Public Library called: "Unit Polyhedron Origami". After loosing my patience fairly frequently trying to make enough "Units" to build the "Polyhedrons", I decided somebody would have to invent already premade "Unit" pieces, before I would attempt to build again.
To my astonishment, I saw the I-Gami kits featured in a Christmas' children's educational toys catalog, and, though I could not comprehend how it worked, I decided to order the 350 piece kit from Amazon.com.
When I saw it and worked with it I was hooked and I also realized I was going to need a lot more pieces....So I got four more kits, from the small to the biggest of 600 pieces. I am a geometry buff and love to build.
This toy is great for the whole family, children, parents and grandparents because it really pulls, stretches and bungees you brain...It keeps it young....It teaches resolve-not to quit-, problem solving, resourcefullness, creativity.....Builds innumerable neural pathways.....It will challenge and entertain for many, many years to come, and.....you will keep realizing that....YOU CAN NEVER HAVE ENOUGH PIECES....!!!!

If you want to exercise your brain (and fingers) this is a great product. Although I am a 43 year old adult, I am never too old to play a bit. The shapes and colors used to create the 3D geometries appealed to me, as did the prospect of engaging my young son in the activity. The pieces are very durable and easy to snap and unsnap. The instructions to build various 3D shapes such as the various "stars" leave a bit to be desired but then again the idea is to challenge your mind and problem-solve. Enough hints are given in the color photos to figure out the assembly. The tool for helping to snap and unsnap highly angled or strained panels is very flimsy however and broke w/in 10 min of use. The company website is very sparse and the pictures do not show when I click on them - perhaps this is because I use Firefox on a Mac. Finally, the advertising on the boxes in which these products are sold is a bit misleading. There are many different shapes pictured, some quite complex, but they cannot be built from the included pieces - either there are not enough parts, or they are the wrong colors. Red, blue, yellow, purple and white colors seem to be the most popular in these kits - I am left lacking some of the more exotic colors such as pink and cyan, as are vividly shown in the examples on the box and on the website. As is usual in so many toys, "colors may vary" should be printed clearly on the advertisements for this product. If a variety of color appeals to you, the products may disappoint.

The pieces are durable plastic and snap together well.
Unfortunately, I was not able to build nested tetrahedra and other polyhedra requiring 60 degree angles, with the i-gami kit. I was unable to contact i-gami for support or suggestions.
I was able to build nested tetrahedra and other polyhedra requiring 60 degree angles, With the zometool/ Plato's Solids kit.