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technoblue

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  1. technoblue
    Yeah. That's fair. If I take a step back from my own disappointment with MP-22, I would certainly admit that the basic engineering of the toy is sound. It does what it is supposed to do and transforms from a robot to a pseudo-tractor trailer and back again. It is a marvel of folding plastic pieces, even if it isn't exactly what I wanted or what I was expecting at the time from Masterpiece Ultra Magnus. I think the whole idea of cartoon accuracy is what trips me up with MP Transformers. I would love to see Takara put extra details and polish on these toys--something more that was not included in the original Sunbow animation. I agree with David H about those finer painted details, for instance. Having more MPs done like Optimus/Convoy would be better for the line, although things seems to be going in a different direction now. I guess there is always 3P, but there haven't been many attempts at Ultra Magnus there and I wasn't a fan of Citizen Stack.
  2. technoblue
    For everything that Ultra Magnus did right, there was a pretty obvious cut to save cost. Reduced paint apps, obvious sprue marks, back/butt kibble that could have used one extra hinge in the cab area to fix. Delta Magnus has a great paint scheme, but the issues that hurt Ultra Magnus are still there in the mold. I don't see any evidence that Takara fixed anything. If you like the mold, then get the new paint scheme. I agree that it is more appealing. But if you don't like it, save your money. Why risk receiving a big box of buyer's remorse?
  3. technoblue
    Good points. The lesson I learned with Magnus is that the MP line is still fallible. I don't mind that people enjoy MP-22 (or the new MP-31). For me, the mold doesn't click. And when considering CW Magnus, it seems even more obvious that MP-22 was still in the draft/prototype stage and released a little early. With CW Magnus, MTMTE fans got articulation (with some mods that can improve the toy) AND a little Minimus gimmick to go with the armor. It was really perplexing how the MP was overshadowed by the latter, mainstream CW release, but at least there are options. Yeah. The new Go Bots look better and better each time they are teased.
  4. technoblue
    Riding Bean and Otaku No Video are both new to me. I pledged to both because I really liked how well Robert Woodhead executed his Bubblegum Crisis Kickstarter project. Yeah, it had growing pains because he was learning how to efficiently use the system, but the final product was solid. Personally, I'm not into the big bonus pledges. And I wasn't too bothered by not having figures or missing the unlocked items that came as things were figured out in the beginning (most of this is standard now). I'm the type who is content to stick to the Blu-ray tiers (sometimes springing for the happy art book).
  5. technoblue
    I'm willing to give this one a chance. If, for no other reason, then to see how the new Ghostbusters set up shop in a Chinese restaurant. Stantz: "This magnificent feast here represents the last of the petty cash." Venkman: "Hey, slow down. Chew your food."
  6. technoblue
    I don't know what to think of Delta Magnus, either. Paint-wise, it looks like Takara did a better job than they did with MP-22. Part of that, I think is due to the fact that they are not bound to any kind of cartoon accuracy with this version. But Delta Magnus has better accessories too: including a Marissa Faireborn look-a-like and a complete set of faces with the yellow Diaclone eyes if you don't like the blue. Articulation...No. I don't agree. It isn't fun at all. MP-22/MP-31 is a joke when it comes to articulation, especially when you consider other Transformers in the MP line. Too many compromises were made for this mold to carry other MP cars (and to transform Magnus like the cartoon). I think if Takara had compromised, even a little, on either of those points then we would have seen better articulation from MP Magnus.
  7. technoblue
    Your welcome, david! I test the missiles by opening and closing the landing gear doors in fighter mode. My Yamato 4G will drop 2 or 3 missiles when opening and closing the landing gear. On my Arcadia 4G, I was pleasantly surprised to see that all the missiles held firm.
  8. technoblue
    Thank you, dapro. The 4G should take all the credit. That's probably the only difference! And Mommar covered it. If you want specifics, the Arcadia box includes the standard peek-a-boo flap that lets you look inside and see the Valkyrie without opening everything up. The Yamato box does not have that. There are other minor differences too, but they are not worth mentioning.
  9. technoblue
    I put my Yamato 4G next to my Arcadia 4G today, and...there isn't much to say! I think Arcadia did a good job getting a 1:1 look this time. The fit and feel, I guess, is luck of the draw as with the Yamato version. So far, I am happy with my Arcadia copy. The missiles are not as loose as they are on my Yamato copy, which required some after-purchase TLC. I'm not sure how the Arcadia version stands up to the Yamato version in Battroid and Gerwalk mode, though, since I have yet to transform it. For this cell phone shoot, I compared my two 4Gs in fighter mode, along with the pilot figures. Here are the pilot figures. The Arcadia pilot is on the left and the Yamato pilot is on the right. They look spot on to me. Here is a side view of the 4G Valkyries themselves. The Yamato 4G is on the bottom and the Arcadia 4G is on the top. It's nice to see the UN Spacy markings, the intake warning, the trim detailing, and the painted landing lights. It's the same on both versions, although the angle of the camera makes it hard to see some details on the Arcadia 4G. In this shot, I moved the mat to get a better orientation for the Arcadia 4G. It is forward left and the Yamato 4G is sitting back and to the right. In this image, you can see the details that were blocked in the side view above.
  10. technoblue
    Thank you, 505thAirborne and Bobby. Those were great tutorials. I had some future floor polish in the house and used that on the tabs. After letting the VF-2SS set overnight, both legs and arms on my copy no longer pop off randomly in fighter mode. I was dubious at first, given the engineering of the toy, but ended up being impressed with the result. The other issue that I had to fix on my VF-2SS was an arm ratchet (I'm guessing bad QC). The right arm wasn't clicking out of the box like the left when moving the bicep joint. Unfortunately, the "shoulder pads" do not pop off easily as they do on Yamato/Arcadia's VF-1. The good news is that there wasn't a lot of adhesive fixing the two halves of the right shoulder pad together. The bad news is that there was just enough that I had to snap it apart to get at the ratcheting mechanism. Once that was done, it was a simple job of removing screws, resetting the ratchet and spring and then putting everything back together. I also added a metal pin to support the shoulder pad while fixing the break. Here's a photo of the piece after I finished. You can see that it's now janky/rough compared to the good piece in the background, but I don't mind. I don't know what it is about ET's VF-2SS, but I'm more inclined to mess with it and customize it than I am to dive in and customize my VF-1 Valkyries. Anyway, add me to the list of those trying out panel lining for the first time. I'm a complete newbie, though, and I decided to stick to a 0.5mm mechanical pencil (Zebra, if it matters). I thought the effect was very pleasing, albeit subtle. Here's a classic top down shot with the cell phone: gear down in fighter mode. Just natural afternoon sunlight coming in from the windows. And another shot, from the rear. Edit: Grammar.
  11. technoblue

    Hi-Metal R

    technoblue replied to joppewo's topic in Toys

    Some photos make the size of the Monster seem workable and others make it seem out and out gigantic, even at scale. My pre-order is with HLJ, which will help as I continue to consider if I have room at home. I may end up focusing on the smaller units.
  12. technoblue
    ^ Nice display, JIS. I gave in and bought the Arcadia 4G. This will be my second one, and it will be a fun tangent to see how close the Arcadia 4G and Yamato 4G are to one another. If Arcadia ever gets a chance to do the Flashback 4G colors, then I'll pick that one up too.
  13. technoblue

    Hi-Metal R

    technoblue replied to joppewo's topic in Toys

    A 400mm measurement on the turrets? Lengthwise that's in the ballpark of MP-10 Prime (with trailer) and MP-22 Magnus. I was thinking that I'd sit this one out, but the size isn't that bad considering. I'm back in.
  14. technoblue
    Ouch. If you are within your 10-day window, HLJ should offer you a refund due to the broken tip on that vertical stabilizer. So...after seeing so many pictures of Arcadia's 4G hanging at odd angles (even upside down), I'm getting the impression that the conformal missiles attach tighter than they do on the Yamato version. My Yamato 4G drops its missiles if I sneeze in the same room, so I'm thinking of picking this one up to have a second "clean" copy. I'll then modify the Yamato one so that everything fits better.
  15. technoblue
    No pre-orders at the usual on-line stores at the moment. It's possible something could appear in March or April. I think earlier in the thread it was stated that Nexx was due out this summer.
  16. technoblue
    +1 Inquiring minds want to know how well Arcadia did with this version of the 4G.
  17. technoblue
    I'm not sure about the exact percentage. I've seen articles that state the fee is as low as 2.5% and as high as 4%. The last time I did the math myself was when the exchange rate was good for me so "slightly crappier exchange rate..." that sounds about right
  18. technoblue
    It's more of an exchange rate fee. I think Paypal charges 3.5% for all transactions that are outside of your local currency. If you have a better credit card rate (some companies charge a 0% fee) then you can configure your Paypal account to use your card's rate in lieu of the Paypal rate.
  19. technoblue
    You know, mixing grit with magic and mysticism isn't always bad. It's given us good series in the past like Gasaraki and...Macross Zero. What I really appreciate with Macross is the variety. It isn't just one thing for one type of fan. It also has plenty of resources for those who enjoy researching the story, tech, setting, and characters further if they so chose. Of course, if you are happy to take this stuff at face value, then you can do that as well. I don't understand why Macross has to be one thing. To be only one thing means to be stuck, IMO, and that doesn't jive.
  20. technoblue
    Any news on when we might see pre-orders for the blue Olson Special Version?
  21. technoblue
    Sylvie is showing up as in stock at HLJ now: https://www.hlj.com/product/EVT57191
  22. technoblue
    The show is a classic sleeper hit for me. I started watching it as an experiment, because I was familiar with Red vs Blue, and because Monty's style was unique. At first the art was the main draw, then the music. As the actors started to take to their roles and the writing improved, I got hooked on the whole thing.
  23. technoblue
    Wow... that was an incredible finale.
  24. technoblue
    You're welcome! I do have AnyDVDHD installed on my home system, which makes many of the on-line tutorials easier to follow. But I don't think it is required. It certainly would be great for everyone to have an option to build their own disc with an included subtitle track. I still have Hurin's old subtitles for the DYRL Perfect Edition DVD. I was going to play around with the timings on that one, myself.
  25. technoblue
    Such as those around the wrists, ankles, and thighs in Bat mode? The VF-1 has these accents too. I think if Evolution Toy intends to keep them on the retail version of the VF-2SS that would definitely help to break up all that white.
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