Official Bandai 1/60 Scale DX Toy Thread Ver.3

[Graham]

A few more comments and observations on the DX toys: -

1) I seem to be one of the few that actually likes the glossy plastic finish of the Bandai DX VF-25 toys. Watching the anime, I always got the impression that the VF-25 had a gloss finish anyway.

2) While they may not be as anime accurate as the could be, Bandai's mandate was obviously to put durability over accuracy. Are they durable? Well, it's honestly too early to say. We need to wait a month or two when more toys are out there with our members to get a better idea. I've only had the toys a day and a half, but so far they certainly seem durable, but it really is too early to give a definitive verdict.

3) Transformation is fairly easy and straight forward. If you already have experience with the 1/72 scale VF-25 model kit, then you will have no problem with the DX toy. The only tricky area, the same as with the model kit, is getting the front of the chest plate over the folded nose section when transforming from battroid to fighter or vice versa, as it can by quite a tight fit.

4) While the arm articulation is pretty good, especially for the shoulder, I'm a bit underwhelmed by the leg articulation. I was expecting a swivel joint either above or below the knee, but there is none. Also, the knee, ankle, foot and hip articulation doesn't have quite as great a range of motion as I'd expected. While it's not bad, it could have been a bit better.

5) Out of the two toys, the Alto is my favorite and gets a pass mark from me, while the Ozma get's a fail for the overly short neck and skinny warped PVC head lasers. That's a pity, as in the anime, I actually prefer Ozma's VF-25S design, but the Bandai DX does not do it justice in my opinion.

6) While I'm normally an accuracy freak, hence my preferce for Yamato, I'm fairly happy with these toys. Yes, they have their inaccuracies which I'm not going to go into again, as they have been discussed endlessly already over the last few months. They are however in my opinion a step in the right direction from Bandai. Remember how Yamato started out and how their designs have improved (in appearance if not always in durability) over the years. Let's hope Bandai also continues to show improvements. While I may not buy multiples of the DX, I will at least continue to buy one of each.

7) Some people have reported that the shoulder hinges and ankles are bare metal. It doesn't look that way to me. They seem to have some sot of metalic brownish anodized finish.

Graham

[CF18]

VF-25F with painted panel lines:

http://www.toy-world.com.hk/forum/viewthre...;extra=page%3D1

[IXTL]

Ugh. Looks like a crotchety old man.

Edited December 28, 2008 by IXTL

[drifand]

Well, I just got my DX Alto this afternoon here in Singapore. As someone who has skipped almost all the recent Yamato releases, I find that this toy strangely pleases me most in fighter mode more so than battroid, which is what draws me usually. Why? For all the reasons already given by others but mostly it comes down to 3 things:

1. Cheap looking plastic for the weapons parts. Makes battroid look uncool, and it irks me that there isn't a smart way to stow the knife and gunpod holder in battroid mode. (Has the Bandai team looked into the SHIELD at all?)

2. Limited poseability because of the hip joints.

3. The 'too tight' shoulder joints that may accidentally over-stress the metal linkages when you pose the arms. Right now, I have to firmly hold the '5-hole' block before attempting to swivel the actual shoulder. I supposed the shoulder ball joint will loosen up in time...

Lastly, as a comment on the mecha design: I never realised how exposed the cockpit section was in battroid mode. As seen in the DX, the rear fuselage hardly covers/protects the cockpit section at all... Hmm.

For the things I was expecting to be subjectively better than Brand Y – the looser tolerances in the parts fit definitely makes this a toy and not a display model. And for that, at least, I am glad. Parts simply unplugged, snapped-fit without any heart-stopping scares (with the exception of the tight shoulder joints). Overall, my personal call: 6.5/10.

Now I'm actually hoping that Bandai will do a really good 1/72 Konig Monster (license hurdles aside)... then I'll jump wholeheartedly into the model kits instead. If I get the DX Ozma, that one will be spending more time in fighter mode to show off the tampo'd skull than anything else, thanks to the 'no-neck' look. :-/

[Graham]

A few more points to note: -

1) Already noticing some of the black paint scraping off on the LERX on Ozma's VF-25S. This is caused by the pegs on the back the the hips rubbing against the LERX in battroid mode. Haven't noticed this on Alto's VF-25F yet, but then I haven't transformed it as much as Ozma's Valk (will post pics of the paint wear tomorrow).

2) The joints on this toy are generally nice and tight. As Drifand said, the shoulder joint is over tight. I agree with Drifand that holding the 5-hole shoulder block is the way to go when trying to pose the shoulder. I've been doing this from the begining.

3) The toy locks together very well in figher mode, and pretty well in Battroid and Gerwalk mode. As I already noted in an earlier post, I would have liked the batteoid groin locking mechanism to be more secure.

Graham

[Graham]

Thanks for the new pics Graham. One question, is the visor on the 25S clear green plastic or just painted on

While the visor on the VF-25F Alto is translucent green plastic, the visor on the Ozma VF-25S appears to be just painted on. Another strike against the VF-25S IMO.

Graham

[IXTL]

While the visor on the VF-25F Alto is translucent green plastic, the visor on the Ozma VF-25S appears to be just painted on. Another strike against the VF-25S IMO.

Graham

Thanks. It looked painted on in photos but I just wanted to be sure.

Even the Plamo has a clear green plastic visor for Ozma's valk. Another instance of the 1/72 outdoing its big brother.

Edited December 28, 2008 by IXTL

[Twoducks]

Thanks for the feedback guys!

Any peg holes or other such locking parts that could indicate that this thing was designed with the Super Armor in mind and not just the Fast Packs?

[MacrossJunkie]

OK, somebody asked for a size comparison of the Bandai 1/60 scale VF-25 with the Yamato 1/60 scale VF-0, so there's a photo of that below.

I've also posted a photo of the 1/60 scale Yamato VF-0 pilot sitting close to the Bandai 1/60 scale VF-25 pilot, so you can get a good idea of the size difference.

Lastly, somebody also asked for some pics of the VF-25 in fighter mode with wheels up and gunpod off, so there's a couple of pics of that as well.

Graham

Thanks, Graham.

Judging by that, it looks like the 25 is close enough to be called 1/60 (probably 1/61 or 1/62 but that's within reason). The pilot size difference is still off, but it may just be Yamato making the pilots bigger they should hence the cramped cockpits in most of the Yammie VFs. The 25 doesn't look so fat once the landing gear bay doors are closed and the gun removed.

[miriya]

Looks good with the HGIF figs...

[CF18]

Fighter scales:

http://www.toysdaily.com/discuz/viewthread...%3D1#pid2852252

[eugimon]

heh, that's a cool pic. I wanna see it in chronological stacking.

[SuperHobo]

For the owners of the DX is there any ratcheting joints? Can the ankles be pushed up more and still be stable thereby eliminating those urkel ankles?

[Twoducks]

Fighter scales:

http://www.toysdaily.com/discuz/viewthread...%3D1#pid2852252

Great pics. Hope he does them in battroid too.

[ntsan]

Great pics. Hope he does them in battroid too.

Macross plane megafeast!

Btw I think VF-25 should be bigger than what SK originally state.. look at cockpit/pilot size!

Edited December 28, 2008 by ntsan

[anime52k8]

Fighter scales:

http://www.toysdaily.com/discuz/viewthread...%3D1#pid2852252

ugh... even the YF-19 looks better, and I unequivocally hate that YF-19 toy. how sad, at least I'll have the money to buy a VF-1S max in a few months.

[ntsan]

I don't think YF-19 looks better, look at landing gear, the position is a bit awkward. The tempo marking is certainly less than VF-25, and the head looks standing out in fighter mode

[Shin Densetsu Kai 7.0]

Thanks for the additional reports Graham and Drifand. Just how limited are the hip ball joints? Are they limited enough in range of motion to make ball joints redundant? Are any of the leg joints prone to looseness, especially the hip ball joints? How about the knee joints, they look double jointed, how far back can they bend? In the early pictures, it didn't look like they could bend at 90 degree angles.

I love the gloss finish. The 25S looks beautiful with all those markings prepainted/printed, and that gloss finish. Are the head lasers on ball joints? The reason I ask, is because I like to see them splayed outwards in a "v" formation, angled back. That position makes the VF-1S head look bad ass. My main issues with the head are the short neck. The head itself looks great. In a way, I wonder if the short neck will make the 25S with heavy armor mounted look more menacing.

3) The toy locks together very well in figher mode, and pretty well in Battroid and Gerwalk mode. As I already noted in an earlier post, I would have liked the batteoid groin locking mechanism to be more secure.

I wonder if the peg that needs to stay in place would be better off with a coating of nail polish or super glue.

Even the Plamo has a clear green plastic visor for Ozma's valk. Another instance of the 1/72 outdoing its big brother.

I think it is a given that the plamo will outdo the toy versions. Very rarely does this ever change. For example, compare the Arch Enemies Gundam figure with the MG 2.0 RX-78, Yamato v2 1/60 VF-1 in battroid and fighter mode to the 1/72 Hasegawa VF-1 battroid and fighter model kits, or even the 1/72 Imai variable VF-1 model kits to the 1/55 Takatoku/Bandai VF-1 toys.

1) Already noticing some of the black paint scraping off on the LERX on Ozma's VF-25S. This is caused by the pegs on the back the the hips rubbing against the LERX in battroid mode. Haven't noticed this on Alto's VF-25F yet, but then I haven't transformed it as much as Ozma's Valk (will post pics of the paint wear tomorrow).

Is there a way to still move the hips but avoid paint scraping? I tend to play with my toys rather than just leave them on display, so I want to know what to look out for when posing.

3. The 'too tight' shoulder joints that may accidentally over-stress the metal linkages when you pose the arms. Right now, I have to firmly hold the '5-hole' block before attempting to swivel the actual shoulder. I supposed the shoulder ball joint will loosen up in time...

Is the ball joint itself made out of metal too?

1. Cheap looking plastic for the weapons parts. Makes battroid look uncool, and it irks me that there isn't a smart way to stow the knife and gunpod holder in battroid mode. (Has the Bandai team looked into the SHIELD at all?)

That disappoints me too. Is it possible to store the gun holder in battroid mode, in the same area that it was place in fighter mode? Or is it blocked? In your opinion, how does it fare compared to other valkyrie toys that you have bought over the years, with regards to durability?

[SchizophrenicMC]

Looks good with the HGIF figs...

Wait a second, that Ranka's WAY out of scale with the others...

[drifand]

For the owners of the DX is there any ratcheting joints? Can the ankles be pushed up more and still be stable thereby eliminating those urkel ankles?

Surprisingly, no ratcheting joints... just tightly hinged ones - which is a good thing because it allows you the freedom to manoeuvre each part just so to get a pose right.

As for the ankle block, in relatively stable poses, yes, you CAN leave them semi-retracted. In fact that's probably a requirement to achieve stability. What you need to understand is that the entire metal block is attached to a ball-joint higher up inside the leg housing. This arrangement lets the feet angle out for an A-stance (limited by the hip joints lack of freedom). So, when the block is semi-retracted, you will lose some of that sideways poseability of the feet. However, as you play with the toy, you will figure out when you'd prefer to do so.

---------

I think it is a given that the plamo will outdo the toy versions. Very rarely does this ever change...

Well, I was just listing out the SOC Walker Galliar (amongst others like the Iron Gear and Gunbuster) on TBDX as examples of Bandai doing things right, especially with regards to transforming details like having proper hinged fists that work with the design. I remain a firm advocate for non-fragile, carefree play toy design, but Bandai dropped the ball on some simple details for the DX.

Is there a way to still move the hips but avoid paint scraping? I tend to play with my toys rather than just leave them on display, so I want to know what to look out for when posing.

This is avoidable only if you keep the sharp edge of the intakes away from the LERX every time you attempt a 'dynamic' pose. Which makes it a bit of a P.I.T.A.

Would a lower hip-joint position have helped? Maybe.

Is the (shoulder) ball joint itself made out of metal too?

Yes the shoulder ball joint is metal, and Bandai have painted the 'stalk' white right up until the ball, which is exposed metal gripped by the enclosing halves of the upper arm assembly. After several transformations, this joint remains 'firm'. If you simply rotate the arm as in normal play, the entire shoulder+'5-hole block' will lift up the L-shaped linkage along one of the available hinges. If you EVER leave a 'kink' in the linkage, bad things might happen. Best to familiarise yourself with this portion during your first explorations.

Right now, I'm pleased to have the DX Alto as part of my Macross collection despite its shortcomings. Because the larger probability is: 5 years later, the toy will still be fine. And, I've already started to find ways to pose it in its best light.

Chances are, I'll get all 4 DXs if Ozma doesn't turn out too bad - a friend is buying just that one for his collection and I hope to check it out soon. After all, the tampo'd skull emblem screams for it to be displayed in fighter mode anyway! That is something I would want to contend with on the kit.

Edited December 29, 2008 by drifand

[SuperHobo]

I'm glad to hear you can actually have the ankles semi retracted and still have a very stable battloid mode. However no ratchet joints? This is bandai who made this thing right? And no damn ratchet joints? What the hell. I hope those joints don't become loose and floppy some day. Now I'm not too sure how the stability of the toy will be when the add all those fast packs on it. Yo drifand could you take some pictures of the DX Alto with the ankles slightly retracted? Thanks.

[nugundamII]

A few more comments and observations on the DX toys: -

1) I seem to be one of the few that actually likes the glossy plastic finish of the Bandai DX VF-25 toys. Watching the anime, I always got the impression that the VF-25 had a gloss finish anyway.

2) While they may not be as anime accurate as the could be, Bandai's mandate was obviously to put durability over accuracy. Are they durable? Well, it's honestly too early to say. We need to wait a month or two when more toys are out there with our members to get a better idea. I've only had the toys a day and a half, but so far they certainly seem durable, but it really is too early to give a definitive verdict.

3) Transformation is fairly easy and straight forward. If you already have experience with the 1/72 scale VF-25 model kit, then you will have no problem with the DX toy. The only tricky area, the same as with the model kit, is getting the front of the chest plate over the folded nose section when transforming from battroid to fighter or vice versa, as it can by quite a tight fit.

4) While the arm articulation is pretty good, especially for the shoulder, I'm a bit underwhelmed by the leg articulation. I was expecting a swivel joint either above or below the knee, but there is none. Also, the knee, ankle, foot and hip articulation doesn't have quite as great a range of motion as I'd expected. While it's not bad, it could have been a bit better.

5) Out of the two toys, the Alto is my favorite and gets a pass mark from me, while the Ozma get's a fail for the overly short neck and skinny warped PVC head lasers. That's a pity, as in the anime, I actually prefer Ozma's VF-25S design, but the Bandai DX does not do it justice in my opinion.

6) While I'm normally an accuracy freak, hence my preferce for Yamato, I'm fairly happy with these toys. Yes, they have their inaccuracies which I'm not going to go into again, as they have been discussed endlessly already over the last few months. They are however in my opinion a step in the right direction from Bandai. Remember how Yamato started out and how their designs have improved (in appearance if not always in durability) over the years. Let's hope Bandai also continues to show improvements. While I may not buy multiples of the DX, I will at least continue to buy one of each.

7) Some people have reported that the shoulder hinges and ankles are bare metal. It doesn't look that way to me. They seem to have some sot of metalic brownish anodized finish.

Graham

Glad to hear your not spouting YAMATO, YAMATO, YAMATO!!!!!

I too want Ozma's valk which to me looks better. Stupid impatient me I just pre ordered mine from a local Asian Toy Hobby Shop! Set arrive on Jan 20th. Ho Hum! I NEED one of these valks in my Display cabinet. I will make a fix on the neck issue and bendy antenys

Quick Question. Does Glossy white plastic yellow??? I dont think so if there was a semi gloss paint right?

[dizman]

Well thats a damn shame, I may buy the 25G but that'll be it. Hopefully bandai will fix the S by the time they release the full armor version but I doubt it. Oh well more money to go towards the new VF-1D and Max 1S.

[IXTL]

Hopefully bandai will fix the S by the time they release the full armor version but I doubt it.

I could definitely see Bandai fixing the S variant neck and bundling it as a set with the armor pack to get people who bought the first 25S release to double dip. Maybe they'll also offer a stand alone armor pack as a store exclusive just to dick with people.

[IXTL]

Yo drifand could you take some pictures of the DX Alto with the ankles slightly retracted?

One of the pics from the link in this post shows the VF-25F with ankles retracted.

Edited December 29, 2008 by IXTL

[Master Dex]

One of the pics from the link in this post shows the VF-25F with ankles retracted.

And looking at that pic I have only one thing to say to the VF-25S standing there with it's bent lasers and lack of neck....

'You make me sad."

[carzooyah]

The Alto is looking more and more appealing by the second! I must have it! o.o

[MasterOfPuppets]

Gamu Toys has put up a gallery of the VF-25S. Click the image for the gallery.

[Wicked Ace]

For those wanting to address the neck issue, this photo (from the Gamu Toys gallery) is helpful for a plan of attack:

Edited December 29, 2008 by Wicked Ace

[UN Spacy]

Odd. The neck looks just fine in some shots and nonexistent in others.

[tor-12]

Bandai has not fulfilled the expectations placed, Yamato in the head and shoulders above

[UN Spacy]

More like head and faulty shoulders above.

[eugimon]

More like head and faulty shoulders above.

heehee

[Graham]

Glad to hear your not spouting YAMATO, YAMATO, YAMATO!!!!!

Just trying to be fair and impartial.

Despite my ties or former ties with Yamato, I don't really care who makes the VF-25, as long as we get a great toy. Bandai so far get a C+ grade from me. Good try, but could be much better.

Graham

[Guest sh002]

how does the vf-25f look standing next to bandai's old 1/65 vf-17s or d and fire valkyrie?