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Post by Ben-Ohki on Jan 5, 2011 9:16:27 GMT -5
Maybe my OCD causes me to nick pick to much, but little things like that bug me. Don't know why, does not affect display most of the time, but just bugs me.... I think all of us as enthusiasts have a right to demand better engineering. And we should vote with our buying power. For my part, I feel a transformation joint doesn't need to be so complicated as a locking feature like the one in this SDF1. But is it too much to ask for a peg and a hole to lock in a couple of floppy limbs? I have the same trouble with most "variable-form" Gundams. While the anime shows the parts satisfying "ka-chunk" into place, their toy (or gunpla kit) counterparts always bend over and into "roughly" the position you think they should be and just hang there. Transformers went through a "loose" phase during the Beast Wars era too... the joints were tight, but I was never sure if I was transforming Optimal Optimus correctly. And that sucked. Thankfully the phase ended and the recent Classics-style stuff went back to solid mechanical forms with locking parts.  |
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Post by lurkerx on Jan 5, 2011 10:48:48 GMT -5
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Post by quinjester on Jan 5, 2011 16:39:19 GMT -5
I have yet to be able to find a "steal" on the Wave (original paint) SDF-1, even though it's the version I'd like to get most at this point  . |
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Post by mpchi on Jan 6, 2011 0:09:52 GMT -5
I have yet to be able to find a "steal" on the Wave (original paint) SDF-1, even though it's the version I'd like to get most at this point . I may have one for you.  Check PM. |
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Post by Ben-Ohki on Jan 6, 2011 13:11:52 GMT -5
I just wanted to say real quick that I picked up my Yamato SDF1 from the post office outlet last night. It is 17 inches of pure awesome once it is completed. Having it in person and up close I realize the scale is just perfect - just big enough to show panels and surface details but not so big as to become toy-like in appearance (compare with the Macross Quarter which is about 1/4 the size of SDF1 but with a DX toy about 4 times the scale): feels very different to have that (almost comical) bridge as its head compared to the hyper-detailed tower on top of the SDF1.
I glued only the parts I thought needed glue. As Graham mentions, most of the screw-hole plugs are tight enough they'll never come out anyway. Since it's more or less permanent and will never again be "mint in box," I shall panel-line this. I wonder where my Gundam-Marker got to... guess I'll need to buy a new one. Hmm...
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Post by Chen on Jan 7, 2011 17:44:30 GMT -5
I'm still on the fence about this one, the Macross is such a huge part of my childhood but it was the tv version and not the DYRL one which I saw years later. I just wish they had a tv color version in white and blue I would buy that in a heartbeat. Oh well, Ben-Ohki be sure to post some pics I would love to see it next to some big SOC's and stuff just to get a gauge of it's size.
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Post by locidm on Jan 7, 2011 20:18:16 GMT -5
I want this but got scared away from pre-ordering because of the high cost. Gonna have to wait till 2nd run or if the TV version comes out. If the TV version does come out, it'll be a hard choice for me. I like the color scheme of the TV version but also like the insane detail on the DYRL version.
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Post by Ben-Ohki on Jan 8, 2011 10:06:22 GMT -5
I'm still on the fence about this one, the Macross is such a huge part of my childhood but it was the tv version and not the DYRL one which I saw years later. I just wish they had a tv color version in white and blue I would buy that in a heartbeat. Oh well, Ben-Ohki be sure to post some pics I would love to see it next to some big SOC's and stuff just to get a gauge of it's size. Ask and you shall receive.  Here's a pic of it next to the 1/750 scale Macross Quarter from 2008. It's accurate as far as scale is concerned since it's four times the scale size and the toy is almost the same length.  Here's a shot in Storm Attacker Mode next to a variety of other Macross mecha scales: 1/750 Macross Quarter, 1/100 Battle-pod, 1/60 Destroid, 1/48 Valkyrie.  And one more with a variety of other non-scale figures (including a Revoltech).  |
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Post by Chen on Jan 8, 2011 10:19:54 GMT -5
Nice! You know if it weren't for the canons it looks like the Quarter is roughly the same size and MP Prime is actually taller if you compare head height to bridge height. Still a very impressive figure and I would probably keep it in ship mode if I buy one.
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Post by Ben-Ohki on Jan 8, 2011 11:01:21 GMT -5
Yes, overall, MP Prime is beefier, not just taller. On the other hand Quarter, while definitely heftier, is also not as "sturdy-feeling" because of its floppiness and removable bits. For instance, while not obvious in the photos, recently the Quarter's main gun fell out of its grasp while I was transforming him (it hit my floor and bent the tip a bit; I think I can bend everything back but the stress marks will need some paint to cover up). SDF1 on the other hand looks delicate (the bridge section is just frightening to me) but is also one of the sturdiest figures I have since its limbs never feel too heavy for its joints.
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Post by Chen on Jan 8, 2011 11:05:43 GMT -5
So what do you think is it worth the price? It looks like an amazing piece but in your mind is it worth the price of say three DX Macross Quarters?
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Post by mojacko on Jan 8, 2011 13:52:07 GMT -5
thanks for sharing...great comparison shots against other scales & non scales toys.....3x DX Macross Quarters???Holy Mother of Macross.....sooooo expen$ive......
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Post by Ben-Ohki on Jan 8, 2011 14:06:07 GMT -5
To be honest, I don't know the details behind the cost of designing and then producing such a toy, but considering the engineering and size of the final product, I honestly believe it's just slightly over-priced. Takara was able to produce and release MP-01 Convoy for a fraction of SDF-1's retail so from that perspective, it should cost about the same (just under $200 original MSRP). But as I said, there are other factors involved (like Takara banking on being able to sell the mold for Hasbro releases later on). There are things going on behind the scenes we don't necessarily know about.
Anyway, let's not freak out - firstly the MSRP of DX Quarter was about $200 and I definitely did not pay 3x that. SDF1 has an MSRP of about $300... after taxes importing it, I paid almost double the Quarter... Relative to the DX Quarter, am I happy? As a matter of fact, yes, I am. Were both overpriced? The answer to that is also, a big yes. But alas, this the nature of the hobby.
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Post by mpchi on Jan 8, 2011 14:47:35 GMT -5
I think a lot has to do with the yen exchange rate we have nowadays. The 1/3000 Macross can be had around 27000yen with a good discount (though most place with that price is out of stock). When the rate is good, that is merely US$230-240. And some of the more premium Yamato valks had reached 18000-19000yen range. Consider SDF-1 being bigger and beefier with a lot of sculpted details on the surface, its not really out of the line. And Bandai & Takara always able to produce stuff at lower cost... just look at the SRC for $30-40 a pop. So can't really compare Yamato to them. Unfortunately, the current exchange rate really makes a difference on the total of how much more we are paying than before. And I am not saying the 1/3000 SDF-1 is cheap either, don't get me wrong.  |
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Post by Chen on Jan 8, 2011 16:54:40 GMT -5
Yeah I just used the analogy of three times the DX Quarters price because HLJ has it on sale for 9900YEN or roughly $120U.S. But your right with discounts and stuff you think your getting a good deal but then the exchange rates turns around and bites you in the butt, like mpchi said there are places that has it for around 27000YEN but in Canadian dollars that's $320Cdn + s/h. The only good thing now (for us Canadians) is that it looks like the Canadian dollar is worth more than the U.S but still the exchange rate with the Yen is dismal and you have the chance of getting hit by Customs so you get a double whammy. Still I doubt Yamato won't milk the mold somehow, with a second production run coming and I can easily see a Weathering version they more than offset a lot of the cost of the molds considering that a lot of the hard detail work was already done for the 1/2000 Macross model. But that's just how it is in this hobby, it's like iGears mini Prime they charge you $110 for it but in reality it's really only worth $30-40.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 11, 2011 13:38:06 GMT -5
I'm still on the fence about this one, the Macross is such a huge part of my childhood but it was the tv version and not the DYRL one which I saw years later. I just wish they had a tv color version in white and blue I would buy that in a heartbeat. Oh well, Ben-Ohki be sure to post some pics I would love to see it next to some big SOC's and stuff just to get a gauge of it's size. Ask and you shall receive. Here's a pic of it next to the 1/750 scale Macross Quarter from 2008. It's accurate as far as scale is concerned since it's four times the scale size and the toy is almost the same length. Here's a shot in Storm Attacker Mode next to a variety of other Macross mecha scales: 1/750 Macross Quarter, 1/100 Battle-pod, 1/60 Destroid, 1/48 Valkyrie. And one more with a variety of other non-scale figures (including a Revoltech). That is so incredibly nice! Thanks for the comparison pics! ;D |
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Post by mpchi on Jan 11, 2011 13:58:55 GMT -5
Yamatoed! (again...) Mine came with a defect  . Fortunately, its not a huge deal. The knees of mine has inconsistent ratchets, with one knee clicks only when bending the leg backwards, while the other knee only clicks when straigtening the knee from the bent position, but not vice versa. Its as if one knee had the ratchet installed in reverse. Also, even when they click, they don't lock or hold the leg position as they do like the arms/elbows do. So they are a pair of ratchet knees that has inconsistent 'click', and work more like just a friction joint instead (with additional sounds). But good that the friction there is good, and the knees are still pretty snug, regardless the faulty ratchets in them. Phew~! Aside from the funny knees on mine, I really like this Macross. If the arms don't get stressed and crack later on, then this SDF-1 is indeed one of the most sturdily built Yamato so far. And I love the diecast frame holding the legs and torso together, adding weight and durability to the whole thing. Those hidden magnets in ARMD 1 & 2, and the gun boom tips are fantastic. One question I have for you guys that have it. In Attack Mode, is the torso suppose to be a bit wobbly, even after its locked in place? Mine doesn't feel snug, even after I rotated it all the way and locked the tab in the back. The torso holds position just fine, but wobbles a bit. But its fine in cruiser mode. |
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Post by pinoy78 on Jan 11, 2011 23:55:31 GMT -5
Atom from CDX reviews the SDF-1 Macross.
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Post by quinjester on Jan 12, 2011 0:27:22 GMT -5
Urgh. Atom's voice alone makes me want to stab my brains out.
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Post by nikodiablo on Jan 20, 2011 4:40:20 GMT -5
This DYRL Macross seems to be an ultimate release for Yamato - both the MW and ColDX review gave very high praises to the product, and has indeed convinced me that I need one in my collection! Unfortunately it's out of stock at places that gives significant discounts, which is really unusual for first issue run of a Yamato release, especially one at this price range.
Although I prefer the patriotic color (and arms configuration) of the TV version, I think I'll try to obtain it online stores like HLJ or AmiAmi managed to restock. Hopefully, like the majority of Yamato releases, it will get a reissue in the not so far future. I think this would've made TOTY of 2010, had RJ conducted a polling.
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