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Voyager-class Autobot Grimlock

Comments

18 comments posted
The arms

I too have read about the complicated fix for those...no thanks! I've found that with a bit of precise jamming, I can get them upwards just well enough to look right. And lanky arms are cool anyways; remind me of the 13th Angel!

Gareth Infinity's picture
Posted by Gareth Infinity on 14 August, 2008 - 03:07
Crap- I forgot to post this:

I made said modifications to Grimlock's arms after I wrote that, and then took pictures of the end results-

[G2:419923 class=g2image_centered size=300]

[G2:419926 class=g2image_centered size=300]

In both photos, the left arm is shown in the modified position [even though by then I had changed both arms]. As you can see, the length of the arm does not change much, but the look of the arm does.

All that I used was a hobby knife, and it took me about 10min. If you use a long, thin Phillips head screwdriver, then you don't need to remove the entire arm to make the changes. Really, all you're do is cut- more like shave- a little ABS off of the black elbow joints, not the gray shoulder armor!
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CollectionDX Staff

EVA_Unit_4A's picture
Posted by EVA_Unit_4A on 14 August, 2008 - 03:21
Mod Tutorials

It seems these things were just so widespread. The entire Animated line has some flaw in one way or another. I had a problem with Grimlock where his head had excessive sprue material sticking out of his cheeks that obstructed with his collar. Then there was Voyager class Megatron, the hinge where his cannon folds around his arm is a solid bar which really messed up how his cannon looks on his arm. Jin Saotome has a series of tutorials scattered around the net, but I followed David Willis' methods on his Shortpacked! page to fix Megatron.

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Rob
The Gundam Model Guy

Gunpla Rob's picture
Posted by Gunpla Rob on 14 August, 2008 - 07:42
I found one of those mod.

I found one of those mod. pages [from TFormers.com] a few months ago, and saved it just in case.

Most of what they say in there works, though the mod. for Prowl's knees that I used was different from the one in that forum article.

I still need to attack Bumblebee's stingers, though; but I may use a long, thin hobby drill bit for that instead of trying to take it apart or use a hobby knife again.
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CollectionDX Staff

EVA_Unit_4A's picture
Posted by EVA_Unit_4A on 16 August, 2008 - 13:40
That's weird. When I first

That's weird. When I first got Grimlock I thought his arms looked funny too. However, I realized that you were supposed to push the black part of the elbow in to the gray upper arm to make it more compact and lock that "upper" joint in place. Mine went in on its own just as far as yours does after you did your modification. I'm wondering if the modification is even necessary.

Did you pick up Slag (Snarl) yet?

Heavyarms
thatsjustprime.blogspot.com
addictedtoplastic.blogspot.com

Heavyarms's picture
Posted by Heavyarms on 14 August, 2008 - 08:44
I have no plans to get

I have no plans to get Slag. However, I am shooting for Swoop.

I'm working on a Lego review right now (7674- V-19 Torrent), and then after that, I'm diving into "...Animated" Jazz & Soundwave.
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CollectionDX Staff

EVA_Unit_4A's picture
Posted by EVA_Unit_4A on 14 August, 2008 - 20:34
animated

Some Animated toys are good, but to be honest I realy am not keen on the look. This may be more articulated but I prefer the original and I am not that desperate to have a more articulated Grimlock. Personally I would not spend money on these when there is the supperior Classics line. Why can't Hasbro/ Takara do what Bandai did with the Soul Of Chogokin line and make exact representations of the original characters with improved articulation, I am not meaning ball joint everything even slight articulation was good on a G1 toy. The Classics are nearly right and there is some excellent toys but they mess up the paint now and then and expect us to then buy the Henkei version at more expense. If only Hasbro could treat Transformers like there excellent G.I. Joe 25th Anniversary line.

Mark M's picture
Posted by Mark M on 15 August, 2008 - 06:02
I tend to agree, Mark. Now,

I tend to agree, Mark.

Now, I like Animated well enough (hey, it's something new). I even bought leader Bulkhead. Great stuff...fun toys. HOWEVER, I *still* would prefer a higher-end Classics line. Not Bandai SoC-level, mind you--that would probably put these toys in "Masterpiece" territory...and the only Masterpiece I liked was the original Prime. Megs and Starscream were just not good toys.

I'm thinking something in between. For example, look at Classics Starscream. Great design, clever transformation, looks great in both modes. The problem is that it's small, light, and very plasticy. Imagine if they made that at least 50% larger, painted it (correctly!), and added a little diecast here and there. It would be Toy of the Year! It would certainly out-shine the rickety Masterpiece.

But, I guess, we're comparing apples to oranges. Animated is meant to be something entirely different, so the comparison isn't fare. Okay...off to track down Universe Powerglide! ;)

--
Sanjeev

Sanjeev's picture
Posted by Sanjeev on 15 August, 2008 - 11:08
The Classics line has been

The Classics line has been quite fulfilling, with only a few lame ducks (ex: Grimlock, Sunstreaker/repaint, Tankor, Galvatron). Would they need die cast? I don't think so. It would be nostalgic, but I don't think a Classi- um, "Universe" figure would need to be designed exclusively to incorporate die cast. Landing gear, whatever. Certain joints, fine. But I obviously don't need die cast to tell me these are war machines; it would only be there out of a sense of nostalgia.
(Of course, with the exception of one Binaltech figure, no Transformer that I own today has ever used die cast metal!)

And even though I don't have any, I can tell just from reviews and pictures that Masterpiece Megs & Screamer aren't all that good compared to Prime (which I still want to get).
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CollectionDX Staff

EVA_Unit_4A's picture
Posted by EVA_Unit_4A on 15 August, 2008 - 14:41
I'm not just a nostalgia

I'm not just a nostalgia hound...I've got great respect and love for brand new toys I know nothing about that I see in the isles of TRU and Target. Still, TF is a unique property. A significant portion of the way the brand works is based on at least some nostalgic rubbing. Hence the perennial Optimus Prime vs. Megatron conflict.

As for diecast, if all you have is one Binaltech, you're missing out. The Binaltechs were a nice attempt at "modern" classic TFs, but really didn't warrant diecast with their overly-complex transformation sequences.

Simpler designs like the Classics line would make excellent diecast toys. Think original 1/55 Valkyrie (or Jetfire, if you like). Simple. Rugged. Arguably the best transforming robot toy in history.

If you don't have a 20th Anniversary OP/Masterpiece Convoy, you need one. Immediately. That would have made a "cool" all-plastic toy...but with the diecast content it has, it's truly a Masterpiece.

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Sanjeev

Sanjeev's picture
Posted by Sanjeev on 18 August, 2008 - 17:03
also

I also meant to say excellent review EVA_Unit_4A. These toys just are not for me.

Mark M's picture
Posted by Mark M on 15 August, 2008 - 06:05
Well, can't win 'em all,

Well, can't win 'em all, huh? ;)
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CollectionDX Staff

EVA_Unit_4A's picture
Posted by EVA_Unit_4A on 15 August, 2008 - 14:19
I agree, it would be nice if

I agree, it would be nice if there were something in between the Classics line and the MP line. Actually, what Sanjeev said about a better Starscream toy is dead-on. Heck, I'd pay $30 for something like that. Same thing about what Mark said if they did a TF line like GI Joe's 25th Anniv. line.

However, I do appreciate the new Animated designs for what they are. They can't keep repeating the same thing over and over without it getting totally stale, so I'm cool with the new designs. I don't have any of the toys yet, but they've all looked good to me so far.

Great review EVA. :-)

REX-203's picture
Posted by REX-203 on 15 August, 2008 - 16:40
design

I understand, they cannot keep repeating the same thing but, I think this is to much of a change. Personally, I would like to see some new characters, instead of constant name reassignment, if they are planning for a full toyline. If they are trying to do a nostalgia feel it should be done like G.I. Joe and Star Wars. I am not to bothered about die-cast like the SOC line, as that would put the price up for the Classics. Classics Starscream is excellent.
I own Animated Voyager Bulkhead, I think he is a fun excellent toy. That is one thing I will give the Animated toys, they deffinently are fun toys.
Masterpiece/ 20th Anniversary Prime is an excellent toy I would highly recommend.

Mark M's picture
Posted by Mark M on 16 August, 2008 - 05:55
SOC Transformers?

Modified versions of the Classics line?

Some diecast content?

G1 Designs?

$30 price point? (Which would be a good thing for kids and adults, making it one line, instead of the costly "collectors vs kids" arguments they always use as an excuse to release poor product?)

Hasbro making molds and designs that they can actually use more than once, and make tons of money off of? like the G1 molds? like the Classics molds?

Me and the millions of other Transformer fans would eat this up. This is a no brainer move to make. Problem is, very little brains over at Hasbro, just accountants and executives.

The Big R's picture
Posted by The Big R on 16 August, 2008 - 15:56
Still the best

Still the best toy in the Animated line so far. Mainly due to the fact it's almost identical to the original design. I've got all the line so far in the Deluxe, Voyager, and Leader classes, and although a few come close to his level, he still seems to garner the most attention on the shelf.

duke togo's picture
Posted by duke togo on 18 August, 2008 - 17:59
Yeah- I mean he transforms

Yeah- I mean he transforms great, looks great, and is an awesome tribute to the G1 character. The only problem I have with him is the error in the elbows, and the limited poseability [in robot mode].
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CollectionDX Staff

EVA_Unit_4A's picture
Posted by EVA_Unit_4A on 22 August, 2008 - 18:57
I understand, they cannot

I understand, they cannot keep repeating the same thing but, I think this is to much of a change. Personally, I would like to see some new characters, instead of constant name reassignment, if they are planning for a full toyline. If they are trying to do a nostalgia feel it should be done like G.I. Joe and Star Wars. I am not to bothered about die-cast like the SOC line, as that would put the price up for the Classics. Classics Starscream is excellent.downloading movies

YahooMail's picture
Posted by YahooMail on 5 November, 2008 - 04:53