Bandai DX Chogokin 1/48 VF-1

[rdrunner]

17 minutes ago, no3Ljm said:

No official time yet. But it safe to assume that it's 4pm JST. There's some PO back then that it happened around 7pm JST. Can't remember what item was that.

 

This would probably be a tough PO night, given how quickly prices had increased for the DX VF-1J since release date.

Not looking forward to having to get up early Monday morning (Eastern time US) for this... but oh well.

[no3Ljm]

5 minutes ago, rdrunner said:

Not looking forward to having to get up early Monday morning (Eastern time US) for this... but oh well.

 

 

[eggy99]

If any one is still waiting on confirmation of a special flight stand for this one, I think it's confirmed it will not come with one like the 1J did.

http://macross.jp/news/?id=1067

■ Product specification 
Length: about 300 mm (at the time of fighter) 
Material: ABS, die cast, made of PVC 

■ Set content 
-Body 
-Replacement angle wrist left and right x3
-Replacement round wrist left and right 
-Gun pod 
-Pilot figure 
-Gerwalk antenna x2 
-Abdominal detail up parts left and right 
-Stand

Would be interesting if Bandai re-release the VF-1J no flight stand edition along side the VF-1A Max as a surprise, kind of like how they will be re-releasing Metal Build Eva Unit 1 when Eva Unit 2 drops.

[MikeRoz]

One last thought is keeping me from pulling the trigger on multiple missile sets - 

What if they reissue it once for each release? Max's 1A's set might come with a Zentraedi jacket, later super releases with the super parts, etc.

An argument against this is that "Hikaru's VF-1J" is nowhere in the product name, and this release of missile sets included reaction warheads, which Hikaru's 1J was never equipped with.

[Slave IV]

27 minutes ago, MikeRoz said:

One last thought is keeping me from pulling the trigger on multiple missile sets - 

What if they reissue it once for each release? Max's 1A's set might come with a Zentraedi jacket, later super releases with the super parts, etc.

An argument against this is that "Hikaru's VF-1J" is nowhere in the product name, and this release of missile sets included reaction warheads, which Hikaru's 1J was never equipped with.

You buy now, ask questions later!

[DYRL VF-1S]

7 minutes ago, Slave IV said:

You buy now, ask questions later!

Sage advice.  Plus, at 12:00 AM to 3:00 AM (depending on where you reside) it'll be too late/early to think straight.  Just click, click, approve, click, hold your breath until a confirmation page pulls up.

[Bolt]

And then wait 6 months for the re-issue 

[Slave IV]

14 minutes ago, Bolt said:

And then wait 6 months for the re-issue 

I'm curious as to what Bandai Macross item has been reissued within 6 months in the last several years? Has anything Bandai Macross released in the last several years been reissued at all, let alone in 6 months?

But I guess there is the stronger possibility of a different release like the TV/Movie VF-31F and the Lil Draken sets that are associated. 

[jenius]

The next release being an obscure release makes hopes of reissues soon dim... Think of all the valks that need to debut still and at one every nine months?

[F360]

1 hour ago, Bolt said:

And then wait 6 months for the re-issue 

you mean for the re-issue that may or may not come in the near or far future.  

[HardlyNever]

2 hours ago, MikeRoz said:

One last thought is keeping me from pulling the trigger on multiple missile sets - 

What if they reissue it once for each release? Max's 1A's set might come with a Zentraedi jacket, later super releases with the super parts, etc.

An argument against this is that "Hikaru's VF-1J" is nowhere in the product name, and this release of missile sets included reaction warheads, which Hikaru's 1J was never equipped with.

While this seems somewhat reasonable, we're dealing with Bandai here.  They are perfectly comfortable and capable of doing unreasonable things like only releasing an accessory set that works with multiple releases, one time.

If you want an idea how crazy it can get, go look at the secondary market prices for the Frontier valks super and armor parts.  That would be easy money for Bandai to make if they did a reissue, but they probably never will.  Even if they do, it won't be until they reissue/update those particular valks, which could be a very long time.

Like Slave IV said, if you think you might want the missiles, it is a lot safer to buy now.  Otherwise you're at the whims of Bandai and the secondary market.  Worst case scenario, they do multiple releases and you might have to sell a set you don't want at slightly below what you paid for it.

That's why I caved and bought two missile sets.  Definitely a better-safe-than-sorry situation.

[wmkjr]

I'd get the sets now since it's a TWE. I don't think they've reissued TWE macross items.

[nathans82]

Just got my VF-1J in. Other than Anime-Export, HLJ, AmiAmi, Amazon Japan, any other sites do you guys recommend for purchasing the DX VF-1A?

Edited April 3, 2019 by nathans82

[iguanaman8989]

On 4/1/2019 at 6:22 AM, Killaforevah said:

Anyone else broke their battroid dispay adapter? The tiny claws that hold the hip joint came off

It happened to mine, just one side though, so it still kinda works.

 

Though mine hasn’t left fighter since shortly after it arrived, so I haven’t had any trouble.

Edited April 3, 2019 by iguanaman8989

[no3Ljm]

9 minutes ago, nathans82 said:

Just got my VF-1J in. Other than Anime-Export, HLJ, AmiAmi, Amazon Japan, any other sites do you guys recommend for purchasing the DX VF-1A?

To be honest. At this point in collecting, it's more of a where you can secure a preorder.

 

[Slave IV]

45 minutes ago, nathans82 said:

Just got my VF-1J in. Other than Anime-Export, HLJ, AmiAmi, Amazon Japan, any other sites do you guys recommend for purchasing the DX VF-1A?

I always recommend Nippon-Yasan...IF you can get a preorder in before they decide to cartjack you and raise the price.

[jenius]

Preordering with NY is even less fun than most other stores... Their site crashes constantly and they post listings at random and if you're lucky enough to be at the right place at the right time on a super high demand item, you'll inch yourself through the purchase process in time to find out you've been cart jacked... And then they'll list the item an hour later for 15% more.

[Sanity is Optional]

At this point, NY is my retailer of last resort.

 

Not saying they're the worst, but those worse than them I'll just skip using entirely.

Edited April 3, 2019 by Sanity is Optional

[Slave IV]

Yeah, NY sucks ass now but IF you do get an order through at the initial price, it is still the cheapest and that is all I care about.

[Sanity is Optional]

13 minutes ago, Slave IV said:

Yeah, NY sucks ass now but IF you do get an order through at the initial price, it is still the cheapest and that is all I care about.

Amazon Japan is cheaper though 

[no3Ljm]

2 hours ago, nathans82 said:

Just got my VF-1J in. Other than Anime-Export, HLJ, AmiAmi, Amazon Japan, any other sites do you guys recommend for purchasing the DX VF-1A?

2 hours ago, no3Ljm said:

To be honest. At this point in collecting, it's more of a where you can secure a preorder.

For now, here's a safe list of where you can get most stuff for general release. (Remember: Most Tamashii Web Exclusives not included.)

• Amazon Japan
• AmiAmi
• Anime-Export
• Big In Japan
• CD Japan
• HobbyLink Japan
• Hobby Search
• Nin-Nin Game
• Nippon-Yasan

I'm not going to add any more info for each stores since this is not the best place to tackle it. If I miss a store, please feel free to add it here.

I'm also posting the proper thread here regarding the list so if you have questions on it, click the thread link below.

 

 

Edited April 3, 2019 by no3Ljm

[Slave IV]

55 minutes ago, Sanity is Optional said:

Amazon Japan is cheaper though 

I've done the calculations and for most the things I buy, It's still cheaper at NY but AJ has faster shipping. Since I don't care about fast shipping (especially when it comes in a thin, flimsy box), NY is still the better option to me...IF I am able to lock down a preorder at initial price.

Edited April 4, 2019 by Slave IV

[Sanity is Optional]

1 hour ago, Slave IV said:

I've done the calculations and for most the things I buy, It's still cheaper at NY but AJ has faster shipping. Since I don't care about fast shipping (especially when it comes in a thin, flimsy box), NY is still the better option to me...IF I am able to lock down a preorder at initial price.

Eh, really depends on what you order. For the PF VE-1 and HMR VF-1D it comes out very close due to the Amazon retroactive price drops (even vs Ferry service from NY).

 

2x Arcadia Stands:

Item(s) Subtotal: ￥ 9,124

Shipping & Handling: ￥ 1,800

Total: ￥ 10,924

 

1x VE-1

Item(s) Subtotal: ￥ 22,744

Shipping & Handling: ￥ 1,200

Total: ￥ 23,944

 

2x VF-1D

Item(s) Subtotal: ￥ 11,412

Shipping & Handling: ￥ 1,800

Total: ￥ 13,212

[Slave IV]

55 minutes ago, Sanity is Optional said:

Eh, really depends on what you order. For the PF VE-1 and HMR VF-1D it comes out very close due to the Amazon retroactive price drops (even vs Ferry service from NY).

 

2x Arcadia Stands:

Item(s) Subtotal: ￥ 9,124

Shipping & Handling: ￥ 1,800

Total: ￥ 10,924

 

1x VE-1

Item(s) Subtotal: ￥ 22,744

Shipping & Handling: ￥ 1,200

Total: ￥ 23,944

 

2x VF-1D

Item(s) Subtotal: ￥ 11,412

Shipping & Handling: ￥ 1,800

Total: ￥ 13,212

Yeah, whatever the case, AJ is becoming a major player in this game. I forgot the calculation for the Arcadia stands but NY was again slightly cheaper but I already ordered at AJ so I didn’t bother to cancel and reorder at NY. 

[MikeRoz]

Just double-checking a couple things:

1. Does this VF-1 release smell any different from releases in the past?
2. Are markings like in the photos below on the interior of the left leg common?

[tekering]

3 hours ago, MikeRoz said:

Are markings like in the photos below on the interior of the left leg common?

Definitely not.  Thankfully, it looks very easy to remove.

3 hours ago, MikeRoz said:

Does this VF-1 release smell any different from releases in the past?

I'm not sure.  Let me consult with my dog on that one.  

[MikeRoz]

Has anyone had good luck with importing Valkyries that reek of smoke into a smoke-free home?

[jenius]

Leave the in a garage or other room, somewhere high but not too hot, with ventilation. Forget about them for like six months. Then you should be good.

[rdrunner]

49 minutes ago, MikeRoz said:

Has anyone had good luck with importing Valkyries that reek of smoke into a smoke-free home?

Try a neutral odor eliminator bomb with the unboxed valk inside your car perhaps?

[nathans82]

Thank you all, looks like Sunday is going to be a late night then.

[efisher]

I'm on vacation next week and have a ton of points to use at CD Japan. I'm ready!

[Gabe Q]

Can someone tell me when the preorder window opens? I'm on Pacific time zone, California. 

[F360]

1 hour ago, Gabe Q said:

Can someone tell me when the preorder window opens? I'm on Pacific time zone, California. 

https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/converted.html?iso=20190408T16&p1=248&p2=224

[DYRL VF-1S]

That was a much nicer version of this or some variant of it: http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Convert+4%3A00+pm+JST+to+PDT

[sh9000]

I’m ready to preorder.  Only a couple more days.