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Post by faelon on Dec 16, 2019 18:15:19 GMT -5
That's what was heartbreaking. Bandai showed off a gorgeous little SRC Sun Vulcan, and never produced it. Alongside the SRC Big O and the SRC Goddanar. I really wonder what caused Bandai to ditch the SRC line so suddenly. For several years seemed like SOC was slowing down while SRC was going strong, then all of a sudden SRC was canned and we got a resurgence of SOC and larger scale gokin (Metal Build, DX Chogokin, etc). Between Robot Damashii, SRC, and Hi Metal R, Bandai had a collection of similarly sized bot figures of just about every robot... so it was a shame to see it go. I think it was a streak of overpriced badly designed poorly received offerings all in a row (God Sigma, Jeeg, Giant Robo) mixed with the line falling in a weird mid range price point. The buyers were either going for the lower cost Robot Damashii or the more upscale SOC’s.
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Post by faelon on Dec 16, 2019 2:01:45 GMT -5
I been waiting for SOC Sun Vulcan for over a decade..... Im surprised Evolution Toys havent had a crack at it. It's a beautiful character,and its long over due for a decent diecast. Such a shame. That's what was heartbreaking. Bandai showed off a gorgeous little SRC Sun Vulcan, and never produced it. Alongside the SRC Big O and the SRC Goddanar.
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Post by faelon on Dec 14, 2019 1:06:06 GMT -5
I'd love to see a liverobo or jet garuda in the soc line but super sentai seems dead in the soc line, probably dairenoh and won tiger have a chance since they are popular as Power rangers toys also. I agree with you, Leopardon and battle fever robo won't be released again... I wouldn't say anything is dead in the SOC line. Any attempts to actually predict Bandai is simply a gateway to madness. There is only one time that I can recall that we could easily predict a planned upcoming Bandai SOC, and that was GX-88. And then only because during a long interview the Bandai VP in charge of the SOC line gave an answer when asked about a Dairuger XV that made it transparently clear that they and particularly he, had already been giving the robot a lot of thought. Personally I think we will see some further Sentai robots. At least a few that were released as DX/Godaikan toys back in the day. And a few of the better known ones from Power Rangers. Dekaranger Robo seems an easy choice. Looking at that Getter Go I also would not rule out an Aquarian or Aquarian EVOL as they each have that very similar 3 form combiner mechanism.
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Post by faelon on Dec 14, 2019 0:18:04 GMT -5
For super sentai collectors that one and leopardon are two jewels. Those two are the first super sentai mecha ever. As far as I know (with my poor understanding of japanese) wotafa likes super sentai toys a lot, so may be that's why he looks a bit happier. I've been postponing their purchase for years... but they are pretty cool old school SOCs. Leopardon price has been going up so I think I should try to get it sooner than later. Leoparden is unlikely to be re-released. Or if it is, it almost certainly won't be re-released with the same accessories. The 1/12 scale vinyl Takuya Yamashiro Spider-Man is probably a licensing headache. (it also has some aftermarket value as he remeains one of the few "Spider'verse" alternate Spider-men that Hasbro has not yet released a Marvel Legend of. ) Sadly the Chogokin Super Sentai releases past the old DX/Godaikin days have been few and far between. Battle Fever Robo, Leoparden, Daizyujin with Dragonzord and Titanus. And the 4 SRC's one of them also being Daizyujin. An SRC Sun Vulcan was shown off at toy shows, but never released.
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Post by faelon on Dec 13, 2019 11:56:30 GMT -5
In getting ready to unbox this is there a fairly comprehensive list of things to look out for? Yes, the instruction manual. In this case it’s worth paging through. Putting it together is instinctive. But there are some hidden release buttons or locks that you want to know so you don’t brute force it to come apart. just off the top of my head - on the feet cars, when the wheels are pulled upwards that also acts as a clamp on the ankle connector. Pull the wheels back down before removing. - The knees and hips are just friction connections. - to remove the hips from the abdomen there is a well hidden button on the back of the abdomen ship, between the treads. - the center chest is the release button for the head and arm helicopters. - when the wheels on the forearms are rotated to the underside it in theory clamps or looks the connector to the arms.
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Post by faelon on Dec 12, 2019 22:57:07 GMT -5
i guess that feeling depends on what are you getting
i always open and check my figures just to make sure everything is good then put everything back in the shipping box
but with Dairugger i was so hyped to unbox and play with it and i love it
The same. Mines been sitting on my desk since it arrived, getting regular play and fiddling. I keep finding new things. It's unquestionably the best rendition of the 15 part combiner that we are ever likely to see in our lifetimes. And I say this as someone who has and still loves the MMC. There are a few minor quibbles that I have, but nothing that reduces the figures standing. (getting the chest jet exactly centered is an Obsessive Compulsive's nightmare). I can't escape how solid this thing is. All the major connections. Every time I pick it up I discover that the articulation is much better than I had thought. I have been babying it, because who expects to find any decent articulation on a Dairugger XV figure? I mean classic was a cool looking statue. Little things keep popping out at me. Like just how complex and amazingly designed the two white subs are. (For those who worry about having to pull the noses back out. When you flip the metal connector pin for the lower leg, back into it's stowed position it smoothly pushes the nose part way out and you can use the side sliders from there.)
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Post by faelon on Dec 12, 2019 19:13:05 GMT -5
I saw our buddy Wotafa posted a nice review video of a classic SOC that gets very little love and almost no mentions. GX-30 Battle Fever Robo.
He obviously loves it. Granted Wotafa enthusiastically loves everything. But he gives a really good overview of a great and pretty obscure figure. Very old school, with the most awesome accessory weapons Bandai has ever produced. All Metal.
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Post by faelon on Dec 9, 2019 18:36:26 GMT -5
Mine is a V2...the feet do not have the plates and it does have the improved paint job..the cross is centered on the forehead...I didn't think you could post this figure on ebay.. I would suggest not using the “V” word if you try.
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Post by faelon on Dec 9, 2019 18:34:50 GMT -5
Great review Kuma. Like you I don’t know the show at all but I really like the design of it. I might have to pick one up if I can find one but that doesn’t look like it will be easy. And I know it won’t be cheap! LOL I don’t know anything about the show. Finally found a few YouTube clips and opening credits. The Robot design is awesome. The human character designs are that uniquely early 80’s style that brings to mind an Australian Drag Parade... from the 80’s.
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Post by faelon on Dec 9, 2019 18:27:37 GMT -5
So...I got a refund...but, in the form of a store credit (47500JPY). WTF. They said the order was too old to refund it and yet, it sounds like those of you who got a refund got it straight to your CC. Even weirder is that I paid via PayPal and so, could they have not just sent me money in the form of 47500JPY...? I have asked the question but this stupidity continues. Oh that sucks. Yeah file a dispute with PayPal. So long as you are within the dispute period the merchant is supposed to refund. And what you have experienced has sure as sh*t made me swear to never do any business with NY. Lousy Customer Service gets around.
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Post by faelon on Dec 8, 2019 18:59:36 GMT -5
Hey guys!! So if I were considering selling my miracle productions Voltron...what would be a fair asking price now? A quick scan of e*ay shows two current listings with BIN under $200 or BO. I think it also depends if which version you have V1, V2 or the box with the "new improved version sticker). V1 is easy to detect with or without the sticker. The V1 feet are very different. There are spring plates that come down to support the robot so it's not on the wheels in V1 (they didn't work and were removed on the improved V2) There are a few other differences, such as the neck being centered on the Jet on V1 and off center on V2. But the feet is the easiest thing to check or get a picture of. There is no difference between V2 and V3 beyond at some vague point some of the weapon colors changed slightly. There were only around 100 V1's shipped, so they are pretty rare. Most out there are the V2 or better.
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Post by faelon on Dec 6, 2019 23:13:59 GMT -5
So, yesterday, I had enough. Per what I read in this thread from others, I asked NY to cancel my prepaid preorder. The agent who took care of it, "Fiona", said a refund will be issued. But, so far, I see nothing in my CC. For those who got a refund from NY, how many days did it take? Seriously, these guys are pissing me off. Sigh. A CC refund can take 3 business days to post to your account. PayPal is usually a little faster, but not sure when international.
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Post by faelon on Dec 6, 2019 0:14:16 GMT -5
I could not resist. I had to open it. I enjoyed putting it together at least as much was Lion Voltron. Engineering is great. They look equally good, though I think the aesthetic on VV is slightly better. I only have some minor gripes. I do not like the hole in the red plastic on the shin. The ankles are eh in looks, but they are livable. The clicks in the shoulders could be better. Thats it. I do not regret buying this is an awesome figure, I will have to sit down one day this month and do both of them at the same time to decide my TOTY. The hole in the red part of the shin is sorta kinda supposed to be there. That's where the chrome radar mast goes when it's in Sea mode. Every version of the robot has had that hole so far as I can remember?
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Post by faelon on Dec 5, 2019 21:54:09 GMT -5
Judging from the review, I have got to say; this is one BEAUTIFUL piece. Transformation looks rather complicated (given that this is somewhat lion Voltron type combiner), but given the look of the fully transformed modes, I'm not complaining. The original vintage toy had all the wheels as separate pieces (and the cartoon being more ridiculous), I like how they now managed to incorporate them into the transformation. If this is indicative of the quality of Pose+ engineering, I really look forward to more of their products. The Transformation and design reminds me a lot of 3p Transformers. It's a neat looking Robot. A little pricey to take a massive gamble sight unseen on a new vendor (which is King of the downfall of this hobby. Remember when you could take fun risks on CMs or Yamato oddballs and not have to dump a car payment into them?)
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Post by faelon on Dec 5, 2019 15:59:24 GMT -5
The GX-88 is the best version of Dairugger for sure; but for me it’s just not what I’ve been waiting 30 years for. Is it definitive, in the way I feel the GX-71 is? I’m not sure yet. Two initial grips: 1) I’ve always known Dairugger/Voltron I to be massive - the original 80s toy towered over the lion Voltron I had. 2) The clip on chest piece has the same (potential) flaw as the original; I can imagine the clips snapping of over time. Now, I realize this isn’t a child’s toy; and most of us will display it - but I think they could have engineered this better. (Maybe a third one - perhaps not quite a grip, but an observation) 3) I honestly expected more diecast and more heft - when lifting the GX-88 and lifting the GX-71 the difference is very very noticeable. I do think it looks amazing and it’s much more stable than my miracle VV. I need more time with the toy to form a more mature opinion. Again, super glad that Bandai produced it; but still have that - not so statisfied feeling - that I think I ought to have after a three decade wait. If it makes you feel better, I've been looking at those chest clips. They appear to be made of ABS plastic as opposed to the Styrene of the Original. ABS is the same stuff they make Lego out of. It's quite resilient and has enough give that the clips should last a long time so long as not abused. I would not recommend a shelf dive. But normal use should not break them. As for VV being more massive compared to GoLion? It kind of depends on what you use as a reference. If going by the old Popy/Matchbox toys then yeah VV is towering. But if you go by the WEP produced animated Voltron crossover movie VV is just slightly taller at the head than Lion Voltron. The nose cone on VV's head Jet should be higher than the Black Lions horns, but the Lion's Wings are taller than VV. Which is dead on what they pulled off here.
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Post by faelon on Dec 4, 2019 22:20:09 GMT -5
I just got mine as well, both arrived in great condition! I’ll have to have more time with the toy, but it’s not the GX-71, But I’m not sure if that what I should be comparing it too... GX-71 spoiled us!!! 😀 It's not quite GX-71, but it's damn close. For me it's edged out GX-68 to take the #2 spot. And the only thing that puts it behind GX-71 is the actual design of the Dairuger Robot is not quite as cool as GoLion. The individual vehicles aren't as much fun by themselves as the 5 lions are. In terms of features, quality and craftsmanship GX-88 nails it.
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Post by faelon on Dec 4, 2019 21:24:44 GMT -5
BBTS sent me a notice on November 25th saying my Dairugger was ready to ship, as of today, December 4th, it still has not been shipped yet with USPS..... You didn't accidentally leave it in your Pile of Loot, did you? You may want to double check with them. It's probably that it didn't go out last week as that was Thanksgiving in the US so almost nothing would move between Thursday and Monday.
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Post by faelon on Dec 1, 2019 0:09:22 GMT -5
GX-71 & GX-88. Back to back home runs! C'mon Bandai, give us that third and last Voltron. Please bring out SOC Albegas! You missed a Voltron! But good news is you likely already have it, as Bandai has released it twice as a SOC. GX-59 Daltainius (sp?). Daltanius is Voltron "0". The Voltron that should have been. That's the show that WEP actually bought and intended to use as the "Lion Voltron". But due to a rather classic screw up of a language barrier on a late night international phone call, whereby the WEP Office staffer was asked "which one you want" by the Japanese night manager and janitor in Toei's warehouse. They replied "The One With the Lions" slowly and loudly as Americans are known to do when facing something as inconvenient as a foreign language. So the janitor said "Okee Dokee Lions it is" and dumped goLion in the box. By the time it reached WEP it was too late to get delivery on the correct show. This was back when they shipped the tapes around the world by boat. So they sat down to watch goLion and see if they could use it... And Daltanius looks quite good standing next to GX-71 and GX-88. But yeah I get what you mean. Here's hoping Bandai has an Albegas in the pipeline somewhere.
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Post by faelon on Nov 28, 2019 1:28:47 GMT -5
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Post by faelon on Nov 28, 2019 1:18:30 GMT -5
Ok. I have finally had a chance to sit down and open GX-88. All I can say is WOW! Everything is perfect. Sturdy as can be, and shines as bright as the sun. Paint is perfect! I am just a collector so once it hits my shelf behind glass it will not get touched very much again. I see my robot collection as art, I mean the miracle dairugger looks good behind glass and has a great heft, but the fact the the GX-88 does not flop around all over the place is well worth the price of admission. Art does need moved and cleaned from time to time and I will have no worries with my great SOC Dairugger XV. I finally made some wheel chocks for my MM out of Lego Pieces and double sided tape. Just to keep things safe. And yeah, like you I have been exploring this delicious beast all night. I am amazed at how good this is. It combines all the details of the older SOC's like Danguard Ace, or GX-50, with the very fit finish and articulation. I think this guy has just become the leading contender for Best of Year.
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