The Megazone 23 Garland By Yamato Thread

[Ginrai]

I don't really have anywhere to host masterforce.org.

[Roy Focker]

Are we cool?

[j_wong00]

Hello, got my Garland toy, and was pretty impressed... until today (two weeks after).

After repeated transformations without any problems, the shoulder joint (connects right arm to the front tire/wheel) broke.

Does anybody know where I can get replacement parts (if possible) for this?

Otherwise, I'll have to leave it in cycle mode, as thanks to the magnets it holds together just fine.

Thanks for any info, and sorry if this is already addressed.

jw

[Vermillion21]

Dude - sorry to hear about the breakage.

If you see previous posts, contact the seller.

Best of luck mate.

[Ginrai]

Same problem J_wong, email info@yamatotoysusa.com.

[j_wong00]

Same problem J_wong, email info@yamatotoysusa.com.

415007[/snapback]

I have, after reading some of the older messages.

Now I'm just waiting form them to reply back to me.

Thanks for all the replies and info.

JW

[Ignacio Ocamica]

Here are some pics of my Garland

I'll post better poses tomorrow!

Edited July 11, 2006 by Ignacio Ocamica

[Vermillion21]

Thanks for the pics ... yes, that Garland does look sweet!

[mpchi]

Everyone who has a Garland, or is planning to get one, make sure you read Ginrai's posts about the breakage of the outer shoulder joints. Mine broke on both shoulders, with the plastic pieces all cracked up. Don't even think its a lemon, just really weak plastic construction at that joint, as both broke off around the same time and same way, all with normal shoulder posing and transforming and delicate handling.

Word of advice, always move that shoulder by grabbing at the joint with your fingers, never pull the lower part of the arm to move it, it will stress the plastic, and crack from within before you can even see it. Also, some of us like to raise the shoulders up higher with that ratchet. Try to refrain from doing so. The ratchet is stiffer when lifted, and again, more stress on the shoulder when pulling back down.

Yamato USA is very helpful. After a few emails, I have mine sent back to them and got a brand new replacement in a few days. While this toy is still very cool, really keep an eye on the shoulders, and the metal bar peg. You'll regret it if you don't.

[glane21]

Looks like the military color variant from before when Shogo paints it red is going to be released on 8/31.

[Vermillion21]

Ouch - another victim of the Garland breakage.

Sorry to hear mate - glad that Yamato USA agreed to replace the item.

[Fort Max]

I'm not trying to start anything here but I was gave mine a very through going over when I got it because of Ginrai's posts.

I worked the shoulder joints around a bit and nothing looks in any danger.

[j_wong00]

I'm not trying to start anything here but I was gave mine a very through going over when I got it because of Ginrai's posts.

I worked the shoulder joints around a bit and nothing looks in any danger.

416128[/snapback]

I would recommend caution when dealing with any part of the shoulder-arm assembly.

I had the same attitude after about 3 transformations each way until it snapped on me.

[Lonely Soldier Boy]

I finally paid for mine. I had it on preorder on Twin Moons since it was first announced and I will be the last one to get it. That could be a good thing after all the breakeage reports, but I'm a bit concerned (where's the terrified emoticon?)

Edited July 14, 2006 by Lonely Soldier Boy

[Shaggydog]

Fort Max, where did you buy your Garland?

[mpchi]

Let the horror begin... (pics from my old broken one)

After opening my new replacement for a day, with one transformation and very little shoulder posing(being super careful as I learned my lesson), I start seeing a fainted crack cracking from the inside on the left shoulder again. Look similar to the one in the pic above, but smaller and less obvious. So disappointed, and don't think its an issue of being a lemon. since I am getting 3 broke shouldes on a row. Just really bad construction, with that shoulder piece way way too thin on the top. I dipped a big drop of super glue on top of that cracking shoulder part, hopefully it will reinforce the weak connection a bit more from the outside, and avoid the crack from spreading. But not too optimistic about it since it comes from the inside, where there is no way the glue can reach at the moment.

Don't think I'll bother exchanging it again. If the shoulders really fall apart again, I'll just super glue them on for good, with no shoulder movement. At least it can still transform....so sad. Mine is US version, but I doubted there is any difference from the import. Looks just like any import Yamatos to me, as all my Macross stuff are import. Garland's package & instruction don't seem look any different, even have the same Japanese questionaire for the product.

[Ivan]

Graham, you mentioned that Yamato will re-design the should part. Do you know if they are going to do another run with the new design? Thanks.

[mpchi]

I still like the Garland, even if it means it will eventually have stiff superglued shoulders. But this shoulder thing really hurts this otherwise very well designed, very playable toy. I actually find it more fun playing it than my VFs, to my surprise. Feels sturdy and balances so well in robot mode. If only the shoulders were better made...

[Ginrai]

I feel vindicated now. Yamato definitely wants me to mail my broken Garland in for a replacement, which kind of pisses me off since I'm out the shipping.

[mpchi]

Just got an email reply from Yamato USA, after telling them that my replacement cracked at the shoulders as well. They are very supportive, and tell me that they are trying to get a hold of some improved arm assembly replacements from Yamato (Japan, and sounds like the improved shoulders are still in development), and will let me know once they got it. But couldn't tell me a definite time when those would arrive at the moment.

Nice guy I talked to, and glad that they have looked into the issue already. Just need to be patient about it. Hope the superglue would hold up until then.

Edited July 15, 2006 by mpchi

[Ginrai]

What the hell? Why did that guy tell you about improved arms and just tell me to mail it to him? Grr, Yamato, you're losing some goodwill here.

[mpchi]

No Ginrai. Calm down. I already mailed back mine once. Its my replacement that cracked again.

[VF-19]

Mine's got a cracked shoulder too (just noticed it today), just like the images posted above. However, I ordered mine from HLJ... Think Yamato USA would be willing to help me out?

[danth]

And you guys thought Toynami was bad!

[1/1 LowViz Lurker]

Good thing they are going to be improving the shoulder in later releases. If anyone buys those, a review comparing them to the older one would be great.

Toynami might not be all that bad, (I'm looking forward to the 1/100 macross line) just that the MPC macross stuff, when weighed against the competition....

(it's not always true that you get what you pay for, sometimes it's just overpriced - and no jokes about us being tightasses who "need to get three jobs and ask our bosses for pay rises" to buy a toy )

Edited July 16, 2006 by 1/1 LowViz Lurker

[Vermillion21]

Shame about the "bad/poor quality" shoulder joints ... feel bad for you guys.

Glad I had no major interest in getting a Garland. I would've been pissed.

[Fort Max]

Fort Max, where did you buy your Garland?

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Twin moons, same as Ginrai.

I should point out though that my Garlands been back in it's box for nearly three weeks as I was about to leave home when I got it.

[Ignacio Ocamica]

Had my Garland for almost two weeks now, and the shoulders have no stress or crack marks (knock on wood).

I think I transformed it like ten times and it is working fine. The joints are nice and tight. I noticed however, that the shoulder joints are made with a very thin plastic that appears to be brittle

Maybe Yamato should have used POM (like they did for a lot of parts for the 1/60 VF-1).

I'm sorry for all the people that got an ostheoporosis suffering Garland.

I really like this toy, like mpchi said, it's very playable and poseable. It's got an amazing design and a great transformation sequence. It can also give you the middle finger

[Vermillion21]

I really like this toy, like mpchi said, it's very playable and poseable. It's got an amazing design and a great transformation sequence. It can also give you the middle finger

Ha ha ha

[ychanus]

Someone said to loosen the shoulder joint screw, how do you opened and get to it? As the shoulder tip part looks to be glued together and covered the shoulder joint.

People should try open it and figure a way to make it stronger.

Edited July 20, 2006 by ychanus

[Lonely Soldier Boy]

People should try open it and figure a way to make it stronger.

I'd say the other way around

[ychanus]

I just try adding some lubricant into the shoulder joint as I couldn't find a way to open the shoulder without breaking it. However, the shoulder is now more loose, and I feel that it is safer to be played with now.

However, I noticed that the plastic they used for garland is way less sturdy compare to 1/48 valk. The plastic feel like from a model kit than from a plastic toy, and which I thought it is supposed to be ABS. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Edited July 21, 2006 by ychanus

[Ignacio Ocamica]

Stay the f u c k off shoulder breakage!!!!

[Skullsixx]

Stay the f u c k off shoulder breakage!!!!

 

418318[/snapback]

How about... "Hey HG... can't touch this!"

[Ginrai]

Skullsixx, that makes no sense whatsoever considering Harmony Gold's Robotech.com store is selling Yamato's Garland.