Problems with Kids logic Robotech Cockpit diorama Sound System VF-1J.

[Pedro]

As a fan, I recently buy this expensive figure but I was disappointed with the poor quality of it and I realize that there is no support at all from the brand.

• The screen only works in few opportunities. Most of the time does not turn on, sometimes everything appears scratched. It seems that the low quality generic SD memory is damaged, I tried to fix it with a chkdsk but it just messed up the video altogether. I'm trying to get the video to see if it can be fixed. (Thanks you guys).
• The sound makes a soft pulsating hum. The sound quality is really bad with some background noise. Don't even think about buying this piece for the audio. I wish I could turn off the noise of the audio sound and leave only the lights, but it can't.
• There is a piece that came broken. I already glued it but I still need to paint it. I am surprised because it was very well packed. The problem is that the pieces are too heavy.
• The base where it says "Robotech" is heavy and does not stay in place. I had to glue it with a stronger glue.
• It looks like they didn't wait for the piece to dry because the wrapping paper got stuck on some sides.
• The speaker below the base is outdoors (you can see the black cardboard of the speaker ), it is very easy to break if you are not careful with transportation. I couldn't take a picture of it because it all weighs a ton. Although it is not in sight, it is very poor quality termination (easy to fix with a plastic or metal mesh).
•  The paint on the cabin LEDs is sloppy. Totally unnecessary cost reduction here.
• The throttle lever does not illuminate properly from below. It seems to only light up from one side.
• The presentation of the certificate has a slight flaw.
• The removable sides have a serial number different from the serial number of the figure. Apparently they assembled the figures by mixing the parts? (ugly).
• The manual seems to have been printed before the figure was released because explanations on how to assembly some parts is missing.
• The electronics is sealed inside the piece. In case of failure it is not possible to open for repair.
• It is very expensive for the quality offered.
• The worst of all is that the company does not respond to emails and there is no support whatsoever (very ugly).

The good:

• Even with all the flaws it is still a beautiful and unique piece for a fan.
• Captain Rick is safe from this battle.

I think it was better not to put low quality audio and improve other details of the figure. Apparently they had to justify the cost with some "nice feature". Unnecessary for me. I can accept most of the failures, but not the display failure. Many people buy it to keep sealed in the box. Warning to be careful what you have in the box.

Thanks you

 

[brannon]

Man for over 1K I’d be pissed. Hopefully another member can send you the contents from the card and just by another SD card their pretty cheap. I was gonna buy the 1/12 cockpit this Black Friday. Hopefully you can get that video sorted out.

[Kicker773]

I don’t think it’s an isolated incident. I know few people who owns this have the same problems. I’ve seen it on eBay as well for sale with the same broken issues. People are just unloading it. 

[jvmacross]

3 hours ago, Pedro said:

 

Maybe this is just a hidden "easter egg" simulating the scene where Kakizaki gets blown to smithereens....

 

But anyway, I hope you get yours fixed....mine is still sealed in their shipping boxes.....I am in no rush to find out it's current shape after all this time....maybe next year

[Podtastic]

On 12/9/2021 at 12:29 AM, Pedro said:

• The screen only works in few opportunities. Most of the time does not turn on, sometimes everything appears scratched. It seems that the low quality generic SD memory is damaged, I tried to fix it with a chkdsk but it just messed up the video altogether. I'm trying to get the video to see if it can be fixed. (Thanks you guys).
• The sound makes a soft pulsating hum. The sound quality is really bad with some background noise. Don't even think about buying this piece for the audio. I wish I could turn off the noise of the audio sound and leave only the lights, but it can't

And this is why I am not a fan of electronic gimmicks in toys.

[jenius]

Pedro, did you ever find a solution for the pulsating sound? I have the exact same issue and its intermittently broken up by VERY LOUD static. 

[jenius]

Well for posterity, I figured out how to disconnect the sound system so you can continue to enjoy the cockpit and the lights and it was actually very easy to do. I think the first step is hard because it seems glued but on mine, at least, I think it had adhered to the rubber but wasn't actually glued so steady lifting pressure caused the door to pop off:

I was then able to disconnect the speakers and everything else is left the same so it works just fine! (ya know, as long as you don't mind having the soundsystem feature).

It looks like it would be easy and cheap for Kids Logic to offer folks a replacement board to swap out... but I'm guessing that ship has sailed and I haven't heard good things about their customer service anyway. 

Edited May 3, 2023 by jenius

[Hiriyu]

That amp board is an odd duck. It looks like it may have been an off-the-shelf unit back when the cockpit was designed, but I can't find anything quite like it currently available. It's based on dual TPA3118 chip amps, with one half (powering the bass side) probably in a bridged mono mode to boost power output. You can commonly find 2.1 (stereo + single channel sub) and 5.1 (4 channel stereo + single channel sub) amplifier boards, but the configuration above is uncommon for a single pcb.

It would still be easy to replace, and pretty inexpensive to do so. You'd just have to use two or more separate amp boards, along with a standalone bluetooth module.