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One more thing, even Kapow toys and the other reviewers don't actually get to the entire nitty gritty of the product. They HAVE a vested interest in selling the toy so as a whole, this review is also suspect. They NEED to sell the product.

There are even a couple of regular reviewers (video reviews included who and which I won't name) that don't TELL the actual flaws of the product itself. I have noticed previously that in both 1st and 3rd party products, there are flaws which the review/reviewers conveniently omit. More so on the 3rd party but that should be on the other forum. This being a straight repaint, so the most flaws I expect would be some mold degradation (panels not fitting etc) and some paint blemishes at most.

And of course, being a forum of free exchange of ideas, everyone is entitled to their own opinions but this "it's too white, it's too shiny......again, its a Japanese release, expect the different presentation. It's sooooooooo expensive! Again, it's for a different market (and expect extra costs for shipping + mark up from the specialty stores).

Personal preferences aside, I'd rather hear a review(even if its from an newbie) what he/she thinks of the product itself, without the hidden motives or agenda.

fenrir72 wrote:<clipped for space>

Personal preferences aside, I'd rather hear a review(even if its from an newbie) what he/she thinks of the product itself, without the hidden motives or agenda.

In my own defense, I own both A-01U Ultra Magnus and A-01D Dai Atlas (which I had purchased prior to the $15 drop at TFsource). I only own 11 pieces and am making a strenuous attempt at making it to the 12-15 mark before my 1 year anniversary. And there is a reason why this is happening, while I try to be completely neutral to the products that come our way here.

My guidelines and preferences reflect my goals, and not how others should collect. Nothing more, nothing less. As for the review... Here you go:

1) I am only recommend this to two groups - Those who are Ultra Magnus fans and those who have been only buying the G1 color accurate Classics/Henkei!/Universe/Generations figures. They are the ones I personally feel will benefit the most from this piece.

2) Based on the video review, my only concern is the longevity of a loose piece. Not as much when compared to "Prime" Rumble, but I can see this piece being an issue for those who are not entirely careful with this piece. However, that is a speculation and not a definite fact.

3) His robot form has a very nice feel to it. And while it does not add anything new, the G1 freshness and the prospect of it being a Henkei! revival piece makes up for that. Is he the "reformatted brother" of Convoy? We may never know, but it does add to that age-old speculation.

4) The only flaw I feel there is to this is his vehicle mode. Like I said, I own his "Alternity" version and it has a boring feel to his vehicle mode. But the silver paint added as decor was a poor move. It actually pulls away from the overall feel of his vehicle mode, whereas the use of blue would have helped (even without the add-on of a Cybertron (Autobot) symbol).

5) In the end... If you do mods, need to add an Ultra Magnus piece, or are the two groups I have previously mentioned... Go for it. There is no news of a G1 Ultra Magnus reissue and the Masterpiece will not be cheap. Just keep that in mind while making a decision.

@ K Maximus

Good that you got my point. ( I hope) 'cause none of my bloviating was per se, directed at a particular person but at the tendency in general of some collectors to slam some releases over some minute issues that makes it so irrelevant.

Before ending this, also the factor of price. MP-10 would make a prime example (pardon the pun). The Tomy Takara version IS indeed expensive. Hasbro is going to release a "cheaper" version, and yet we still hear complaints that it is still TOO expensive. WTF? You can't have your cake and eat it too right? If you cut the cost, expect to cut the content right?

So the complaint about the price of UM, well the price ain't not too far from the henkei iirc. heck now, in the secondary market, henkei Convoy costs like Y 9,000 MISB.

fenrir72 wrote:@ K Maximus

Good that you got my point. ( I hope) 'cause none of my bloviating was per se, directed at a particular person but at the tendency in general of some collectors to slam some releases over some minute issues that makes it so irrelevant.

Trust me. I do relate with how you feel. I am being extremely frugal with my collection because my plans require it. And I remember when I was debating about purchasing Dai Atlas, I read up on the reviews just to get an idea what to expect. However, while I did find some rock solid reviews, they were overshadowed by the same complaint: "They did not bother giving it a new head-sculpt."

I mean... Really? That is like saying Henkei! Strafe (which I also own, and may get his own category) is not worth buying because he is a redeco of Cyclonus. Or "2010" Predaking (ditto) is not worth getting because they swapped the yellow for gold. So stuff like that has me say to others: "You don't like it? Then just say why you will not buy it, and allow others to say why they will but it."

fenrir72 wrote:Before ending this, also the factor of price. MP-10 would make a prime example (pardon the pun). The Takara Tomy version IS indeed expensive. Hasbro is going to release a "cheaper" version, and yet we still hear complaints that it is still TOO expensive. WTF? You can't have your cake and eat it too right? If you cut the cost, expect to cut the content right?

Yup. For me, because I started at the end of 2011, is not cost but availability. So when I hear people bicker about the price of an item, what they want to pay, and more, I am thinking "Hey! If I want to get the pieces that I want, I have to pay 3-4 times one piece is worth, and at least twice another is!" Because what I want is not based on increase of pay that is tied to this economy... But rather supply and demand.

Plus, yes... If they want it cheap, they should buy it loose or ask for a bare-bones version. Otherwise, they need to suck it up and allow these companies to pay everyone that works for them in some way.

fenrir72 wrote:So the complaint about the price of UM, well the price ain't not too far from the henkei iirc. heck now, in the secondary market, henkei Convoy costs like Y 9,000 MISB.

Yup. And speaking of the Henkei! line... Unless a miracle happens and they reissue the piece I want, I may have to skip out on getting Skyfire. Because over here, the secondary market has him at $150-$250US (MISB, possible C-9+ packaging)... And he is the only non-reissue piece I needed, as I have Dark Skyfire.

@ K Max

The price you are quoting for henkei Skyfire is pure highway robbery! Unless that includes shipping. The cost( of a pre owned unused )should be around US $ 114+ (not including shipping) My source is a Japan based toy specialty shop . So, unless you live in the continental USA (its the shipping that is the killer).

If you want, I'll pm you another online store(reputable/trustworthy) not in Japan but I sort of noticed is in possession of a henkei Skyfire. The price is waaaaaaay lower than what you quoted.

Personally I think this is great addition to the Transformer world and collectors who want the G1 look and the ones who missed out on the Hasbro version. I have to say that I really like this version of Ultra Magnus, I mean pausing the video and looking at my Hasbro version and comparing it to Henkei version is a night and day difference! I'm glad I have it on order at TFsource along with the FP DX Armored Battalion set. And I guess Fansproject did us a favor by making the City Commander armor to hide Hasbro Version of UM and Henkei played their cards right and pulled out a great looking Ultra Magnus! and personally he looks better without the armor and will look great next to Henkei Prime in my glass cabinet.

For those who says that this is overpriced, I remember when Takara re-released Henkei Prime and depending where you bought him from, but I do remember seeing him from $69.99 and up. So in reality, price hasn't gone up or at least I feel anyway.