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Post by phoenixx on Jan 6, 2009 11:23:34 GMT -5
My apologies, I said that I was going to produce images and a review but I've just been too busy with the holidays and I've been under the weather for the past few days now.
I purchased two sets (from Image Anime) over the holiday. Yes, they were rediculously priced, but no more so than any other import seller, and at least Image Anime's shipping was cheap and VERY fast. Besides, I've been waiting for these and saving some cash on the side specifically for this, though I was really hoping to buy more than two sets with $230...
I've taken TONS of high quality (12MP, quality lighting, etc) pictures, from in package shots to detailed open package shots (all the parts neatly laid out). I also have very high quality scans, WAY too high quality in fact, I really need to scale them down by about 1/2 the pixel depth (I scanned them at 600DPI). Anyway, I have scans of the packaging, the small insert (that came with a bunch of the more recent Revoltech figures), the original mini-booklet (both images and an English translation), and the new mini-booklet (which I haven't seen scans of anywhere yet).
I've also built a few really cool kitbashes and taken a ton of (very high quality) photos of those as well...
Ultimately, these are as awesome as I anticipated. The only real downside is that I don't think that I'd be as happy with only one Barrels Speeder, there's just not enough parts to really let your imagination run IMHO. That said, two sets are great and I've already been able to do a ton with them, but I'd really love to have more. I've seen some really awesome things built with 8-10 Barrel Speeder sets...
So, bear with me everyone, I have a ton of great pictures and scans on the way for you, I'd still like to do a writeup on these, and I have plenty of ideas for more kitbashed models, I just need the time to get things together and put them up on my webserver...
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Post by Cyrano on Jan 6, 2009 13:46:26 GMT -5
Woo, looking good heavyarmscustom! Thanks for sharing!
phoenixx, don't sweat it. I'm sure we'd all love to see everything, but there's no need to rush. I think it's been an overly chaotic holiday season for all of us. Anyway, all things in due time...besides, we're building suspense now!
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Post by mechamasterj on Jan 7, 2009 1:06:07 GMT -5
hmm heavy's pictures have actually lessened my enthusiasim over these. at least not for the price they are going for anyway. Man image anime really does rape its customers but they are like the first to get anything stateside plus they are in NY which means fast shipping for me, I only go for certain things with them though, and depends on how bad i want it of course. they do better deals if you have cash in hand at thier local store (and if you catch them at cons too).
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Post by phoenixx on Jan 7, 2009 8:33:13 GMT -5
I agree, Image Anime is severely overpriced on pretty much everything, and I wouldn't generally buy from them because of that fact. However, this is a unique situation. Assemble Borg isn't even available through HLJ (or any other regular import retailer) at the present, let alone any other stateside retailer. There have only been a couple sets of these items posted on ebay, and each one would have been more expensive (including shipping) than using Image Anime. Additionally, until further notice (and quite possibly forever), these aren't going to be available through any of the regular venues.
These are even harder to procure than any of the limited magazine exclusives like the Black Shin Getter 1, and I paid over $100 (with shipping) just for that one figure, and that's pretty much the average for that particular piece. This is $100 for two items, one of which is an extremely versatile building toy, the other is a really nice basic figure with a bunch of great accessories.
Lastly, in all fairness to HeavyArms, he's only showing off the Mr. Assemble and a few of the accessories that come with Mr. Assemble, and that barely even scratches the surface of how fantastic this line is.
Trust me, I can understand not wanting to spend that kind of money on these, I debated the exact same thing for quite awhile after finding out that these were going to be so rare, exclusive, and expensive. Ultimately though, after seeing what others were doing with them, and considering the inflated prices of other less exclusive Revoltech items, I figured that the price of admission was well worth it. Having had them for a little over a week now, I feel no remorse in having spent the money on them.
Just my two cents though...
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Post by mechamasterj on Jan 7, 2009 9:00:03 GMT -5
I can see why they are being priced so high since they are pratically not avaible to us here. I would have to have a lot of money to burn to pick one of these up though.
There is so much more i can buy with that money.
funny thing about image anime they are quite successful little buisness despite there very high prices. I use to buy from the exclusively until i found out that there are so many more places i could shop for a lot less. However, they do get items like a week after they are released in JP and most of the times the price reflects that, when you add shipping costs from hobby search or HLJ and many HK sites. I have to fight myself not to buy from them at times I tend to be an impluse buyer and I hate waiting.
and whats up with JP with the exclusives. It seems more and more figures are being offered only in jp either through magazines or directly from the manufacturer. Like the new linebarrels of iron action figure, and all of those SRW figures as well.
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Post by Cyrano on Jan 7, 2009 12:41:18 GMT -5
It's very true that there isn't really an affordable way to get these figures outside of Japan. I'm planning on saving up for a few months (conveniently, more new releases will be coming out in that period too, so it's not all bad...) and ordering through an import service like TokyoBuyers. With any luck the exchange rate will improve too (the actual is 92.6967 Yen/Dollar right now). TokyoBuyers' their current exchange is 89 Yen per Dollar (which isn't so hot), with 10% and $5 commission, a set of Mr. Assemble and the Barrels Speeder would be around US$77, plus any shipping cost from Kaiyodo and also also the cost of international shipping. It's really not that much less, if at all. The long and short of it is that these guys are expensive for the import shops and resellers too, and for them to stay in business there has to be a markup. I don't think it's the sellers that are gouging us here, so much as the US economy. ...Hey, how about some Assemble Borg wallpapers from Kaiyodo? assembleborg.com/01_blastoff/09fldl_ot/index.html |
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Post by recca74 on Jan 10, 2009 1:38:34 GMT -5
Uggh. I went and did a terrible thing. I caved. I snagged the Mr Assemble and bike set from Image and it will be here next week. I figured that with the limitations put on this series, I should act now or face the probability of paying big Yen later. Hell, I suppose now that I've purchased this set, that just means that it will be more widely available and at a cheaper price. That wouldn't be so bad I guess.  We'll see. ;D And I plan on doing something cool with this....just not sure what yet!  |
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Post by mechamasterj on Jan 10, 2009 15:36:28 GMT -5
I dont see the price changing much, until kaiyado releases them to vendors. I personally think kaiyado is testing the market. If it sells well I beleive they will start releasing to vendors.
On an off note, Has anyone got any news on the new Linebarrels of iron figure which is also a company order?
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Post by recca74 on Jan 11, 2009 23:10:49 GMT -5
I dont see the price changing much, until kaiyado releases them to vendors. I personally think kaiyado is testing the market. If it sells well I beleive they will start releasing to vendors. On an off note, Has anyone got any news on the new Linebarrels of iron figure which is also a company order? I'm inclined to agree with you, man. I said that with just a touch of sarcasm I guess. So, I figured out what I'm going to do once I get the set. I figured it's just too cool to leave in the package(s), So I've started a little diorama project to present the set with. The final product may or may not have all the features presented in the sketch. Here's a sample.  |
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Post by mechamasterj on Jan 12, 2009 11:58:02 GMT -5
cool sketch reminds me of a strip bar i once visited. lol the pole was a tad bit skinnier though lol.
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Post by recca74 on Jan 12, 2009 12:44:44 GMT -5
cool sketch reminds me of a strip bar i once visited. lol the pole was a tad bit skinnier though lol. Thanks for the feedback.....erm...I think.  ;D LOL Sooo, I've finished the walls for this. Later tonight, I'll add some details and maybe a photo or two. |
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Post by mechamasterj on Jan 12, 2009 13:03:51 GMT -5
lol just messin with you lol. so have you ordered yours already? It seems to be able to get the most out of the spare parts you would need to order at least two sets.
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Post by recca74 on Jan 12, 2009 17:00:30 GMT -5
lol just messin with you lol. so have you ordered yours already? It seems to be able to get the most out of the spare parts you would need to order at least two sets. LOL! Yeah, sure! J/K  Yes, I've got the set on the way from Image. Should be here by Wed or so. I'll post some pics and impressions once in hand. |
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Post by heavyarmscustom on Jan 12, 2009 23:40:36 GMT -5
Hey guy's' more of me messin' around with my Mr Assemble at work. Now he's fighting with my brand new Lazenlagann just got it today. Ha ha what fun. hope you like clifton       |
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Post by Cyrano on Jan 13, 2009 0:06:04 GMT -5
Nice. How does the scale compare between the two? It's a little hard to tell with the poses, but it looks like Lazengann is a little taller?
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Post by heavyarmscustom on Jan 13, 2009 18:45:32 GMT -5
Cyrano.
It looks like Mr. A is a full head taller then Lazen(not including the horn)
Funny thing is that I put the drill arm on Mr.A and is didn't look out of place.
I believe the tallness of the assembleborgs are in the elongated limbs.
other then that I would say the entire line of assembleborg is compatible with most of the revoltech line. I'm going to take my A-borg and see if the 05 eva wings fit on his back.
I'm just waiting on my Eniki and Enikiku(?) to come in and see if the weapons work.
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Post by Cyrano on Jan 13, 2009 18:56:54 GMT -5
Cyrano. It looks like Mr. A is a full head taller then Lazen(not including the horn) Funny thing is that I put the drill arm on Mr.A and is didn't look out of place. I believe the tallness of the assembleborgs are in the elongated limbs. other then that I would say the entire line of assembleborg is compatible with most of the revoltech line. I'm going to take my A-borg and see if the 05 eva wings fit on his back. I'm just waiting on my Eniki and Enikiku(?) to come in and see if the weapons work. Cool, thanks! Not what I expected. Hopefully we'll get some more images once Enki and Enkidu arrive!  |
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Post by phoenixx on Jan 13, 2009 19:27:13 GMT -5
Based on a quick visual comparison, Mr. Assemble is almost (if not exactly) the exact same size as LazenGann.
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Post by heavyarmscustom on Jan 15, 2009 15:12:37 GMT -5
hey guys
I got the Enkidu in yesterday and I forgot my camera today at home. I have to say the Mr. A is tall compared to the other revoltech figures. The ax/fin attachment only makes Enkidu taller. It seems to me the neck and neck ball joint, as well as all the exsposed ball joints in the hips and midsection, give Mr.A the added height. but limbs seem proportional.
hopefully I won't forget the digi-cam tomorrow and I'll have pic's of Mr.A fending off Lazengann and Enkidu at the same time.
clifton
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Post by recca74 on Jan 16, 2009 5:25:58 GMT -5
Hey gang! Got my Aborg set in the mail Wednesday. Very cool stuff just like Heavyarmscustom and Phoenixx said. Finally finished the vignette and have a few pics of Mr Assemble to show. Also posted some impressions at my blog. Hope you enjoy.  |
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