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Post by Lejam on Feb 12, 2015 9:38:55 GMT -5
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Post by nikodiablo on Feb 12, 2015 9:43:23 GMT -5
Looks like Chigurh has much simpler transformation compared to EvilaStar.
Still looking for a better Astrotrain. C'mon, KFC!
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Post by Lejam on Feb 12, 2015 10:03:12 GMT -5
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Post by quinjester on Feb 12, 2015 11:12:51 GMT -5
Intriguing, the different directions the two companies went with these figures.
Locomotive form:
- For Toyworld, their loco mode is closer to the original Astrotrain with the Japanese style smoke blinders and boiler.
- For DX9, the locomotive is more akin to a 20's era American New York Central or Pennsylvania style steamer with its side skirts and streamlined body.
On both, the locomotive mode seems like the weakest choice, but it looks like you get movable siderods with the Toyworld version (although they aren't attached to anything so the locomotive would be incapable of making them move in reality, oops). Both locomotives pull the trick off of changing the primary color (black on TW, purple on DX9), but both ultimately fail at looking anything like a real world steam locomotive.
Shuttle form:
- Toyworld obviously tried to get close to a NASA style shuttle, and they get reasonably close until they hit those big chunks of purple up at the front. That really kills it, unfortunately.
- DX9 went for a more stylized shuttle look and overall I think it's stronger for it. The primary body color changes from purple to grey and it's pretty consistent and seamless.
Honestly I think the fact that Toyworld couldn't get the shuttle colors consistent along the nose ruins the illusion that they were going for a more realistic alt mode. DX9's more seamless look really works for it as a triple changer that doesn't seem like it's got a ton of obvious alt-mode chunks out of place.
Robot mode:
- Toyworld went for the eHobby toy look with the broad chest wing and white and black coloring. I think the feet look terrible, personally, and the head seems very squat and dull.
- DX9 went all in for cartoon colors and style, losing the chest wing of the original toy (that the animation model lacked). I think overall it has a much more cohesive look, again, and other than the shuttle wings it's again missing any obvious telltale signs of carrying bits of any of its two altmodes around.
It's neat that these two companies went in such vastly different directions for these guys, as a single glance into any of the several Dinobot threads can leave you puzzled as to which company's offerings you're looking at at any given moment. Personally I think the DX9 looks like the stronger of the pair, with more nicely defined alt modes and a nicely cohesive bot mode that gives it a cartoon appearance. Depending on how the transformation looks for it, I may pick him up to hang out with my larger MP decepticons like Soundwave and Quakewave (and eventually Apollyon).
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Post by Yumcha on Feb 12, 2015 11:33:29 GMT -5
I think DX9's version is better than ToyWorld's just from the pics.  Again, First World problems. |
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Post by Gold on Feb 12, 2015 12:25:33 GMT -5
Hi guys, sorry if this has been asked before, but what are your thoughts on Bad Cube's stuff? I've heard there are problems with the fragile joints on Huffer, but what about the Brawn and Outback?
Gold
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Post by Lejam on Feb 12, 2015 12:58:32 GMT -5
Hi guys, sorry if this has been asked before, but what are your thoughts on Bad Cube's stuff? I've heard there are problems with the fragile joints on Huffer, but what about the Brawn and Outback? Gold History : Cubex, the company who made Huffer changed name to BADCUBE in response os all QC problems, etc... Humor. They also change factory, improved design, engineering, putted diecast parts and prices are okay (imo). I got these 3 releases and Brawny and Outback are killing ! They are looking so legit ! Transformation is... wow ! Congrats to the crew. The Insecticons battle between them and Fanstoys will be very very interesting... While Reflector got his own battle too  Astrotrain is a great character. In order : • create a tripple changers MP scale and design orientation • Blitzwing has to match the official seekers jet alt mode (see some brilliant customs) • then Astrotrain, Octane and Autobot tripple changers will follow... ... I am pretty sure this is not over... KFC and FT got probably some prety moves, and new challengers are welcome ! |
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Post by quinjester on Feb 12, 2015 13:50:50 GMT -5
Hi guys, sorry if this has been asked before, but what are your thoughts on Bad Cube's stuff? I've heard there are problems with the fragile joints on Huffer, but what about the Brawn and Outback? Gold I really like their stuff, but unfortunately getting spare parts can be quite difficult, it seems. Both my Brawn and Outback had a known defect with the hip ratchets where the bracket part broke. Badcube has been very public about informing people about this problem and letting them know that they just need to contact the seller to get a replacement, unfortunately my seller (BBTS) has not been provided with any repair parts by Badcube so I'm SOL with figures with legs that swing in the wind  . I'm sure it's a problem with shipping as BBTS, being a larger dealer, probably is getting everything in by boat and the west coast of the US has basically been backed up for the past month (my own business has been waiting 3 weeks for a shipment that we should have received already, now), but it's a bit disappointing that even with known problems Badcube isn't willing to do anything directly to assist. All of that aside, the figures are pretty great. Really solid plastic construction, very sturdily built with nice, clean molding and impeccable paint (on Brawn and Outback, Huff was a hot mess, obviously  ) I'm really interested in their upcoming Warpath, but I fear that with the recently shown issues with them being unable to provide repair parts in a timely manner for defects I think that maybe I won't be pre-ordering the first run of him. |
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Post by Gold on Feb 12, 2015 22:16:50 GMT -5
I see, thanks for the fast reply Lejam and Quinjester. Good to hear Badcube is addressing the issues with their releases. Hmmm... I'm still deciding if I should bite the bullet on these figures. Gold |
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Post by Lejam on Feb 13, 2015 6:07:06 GMT -5
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Post by nikodiablo on Feb 13, 2015 19:26:36 GMT -5
Bens Collectables review of Chigurh: It has quite an interesting transformation, not just panel flipping. the arm transformation from the train mode is particularly interesting. Diecast parts are also nice. However, the bottom of the space shuttle mode is a bit strange, and it also partforms and leaves an unused part in the shuttle mode My quest for astrotrain continues! |
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Post by Lejam on Feb 15, 2015 7:41:07 GMT -5
My Badcube Brawny is loose on left hips. I unscrewed the iron "blade" to check : There is one ratchet on it and the full blade act as a spring 1 screw attaches it to the articulated diecast piece (bottom pelvis). Thes is enough pressure to act as ratchet joint system. But it is attached by only 1 screw, so you can adjust pressure and hips are plastic pieces, a kind of ratcheted wheel mold in one piece. The left one of mine is a bit more "frictionned", so get loose. Epoxy will secure ratcheting. Need to digg more about this issue. Tfw2005, here I come |
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Post by Lejam on Feb 16, 2015 19:26:14 GMT -5
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Post by Lejam on Feb 17, 2015 6:12:44 GMT -5
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Post by nikodiablo on Feb 17, 2015 6:20:48 GMT -5
So, which Astrotrain you're planning to get, Lejam?
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Post by Lejam on Feb 17, 2015 14:54:25 GMT -5
Mmmmmmh the money is few this time (laptop comes first) and FT MPs are in the will Evila Star is good but too little for MPs (yeah I am obsessed by this line). DX9 has a good size... But the plastic looks "toyish". Will wait more reviews and QC surprises... |
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Post by Lejam on Feb 19, 2015 5:17:56 GMT -5
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Post by Chen on Feb 19, 2015 7:25:32 GMT -5
Now this figure has the size but the details are not right for a MP, to much "stuff" and not enough smooth surfaces.
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Post by Lejam on Feb 19, 2015 7:29:49 GMT -5
That's why I like FT Designs : enough details...
Gigapower is offering more rounded shape, this is also interesting.
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Post by Chen on Feb 19, 2015 7:42:52 GMT -5
It should be a mix, Shogo himself said you can't have a to plain cartoon look to MP's, they need details from other sources like the toys and comics but you can't go to far then your re-imagining the character and not staying true to it's 70's/80's roots.
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