The Energon Pub

The yellow coloring, the stickers telling you what kind of vehicle each one is (I assume they're stickers) and the general bulkiness of the combined figure all make me very happy that I went with Hercules. Giant seems very expensive for an inferior product.

And regarding the scale of the Hercules gestalt that somebody complained about I disagree completely. The original was barely taller than G1 Optimus Prime and in every single appearance in the comics and cartoon Devastator towers over the Autobots. TFC finally gave us a Devastator that is scaled properly.

I think I'll be sticking with Hercules, looks like.

looking very nice. the yellow gives them a very chunky feel. think I'll hold out for the green ones, but if I see a set of any of the yellow blokes cheap I might get it.

funeralthirst7 wrote:The yellow coloring, the stickers telling you what kind of vehicle each one is (I assume they're stickers) and the general bulkiness of the combined figure all make me very happy that I went with Hercules. Giant seems very expensive for an inferior product.

And regarding the scale of the Hercules gestalt that somebody complained about I disagree completely. The original was barely taller than G1 Optimus Prime and in every single appearance in the comics and cartoon Devastator towers over the Autobots. TFC finally gave us a Devastator that is scaled properly.

Hold the bus a moment...

You say that Giant series is an inferior product? The figures aren't available for pre order yet, so there is no comparison in quality of figure. All we have are photo images to go by, and no hands on images.

While the choice of colour and decorations are questioned by some, I see it as an interesting version of a product and something to keep tabs on in the future.

The fact that TFC's product already have a fault with a major component speaks of inferior quality product/materials.

Are they attempting to resolve the issue? Yes.
Offering a full replacement product? No
Offering a replacement part so that you have to fix it yourself? Yes.

A rant or ramble? Maybe.

My point is, because there is already one combiner homage available doesn't mean that two is going to be an issue. It should also not be the cause for everyone to choose the first one to come along and cite it as superior in every way.

Variety is the spice of life, its what makes us feel important. I do not agree that we are witnessing an inferior product, for I feel that it is a superior or equal product.

Take the legs on xgraver and on the bonesmaher...they are pin jointed at the back, and while it makes for interesting use in the combined mode, individually I feel it detracts from the figure, making it look like a last minute decision or a "can't get it this is the only way to do it!"

the giant series has had a little more thought placed on the legs for the individual robot modes, are they poseable at the knees? We don't know that for sure untill one of us gets our mitts on one to see.

My thoughts, love em or hate em. I think its too early to be calling it an inferior product, and very judgemental too (its like saying you'll always drink coke, but you will drink Pepsi because you know it tastes damn well just as good)

These look pretty awesome, but I'll stick with the Hercules here. Mostly due to the fact that I already own two components & have two more on pre-order. Plus my wallet can only handle one Not-Devastator.

Baneblade wrote:Hold the bus a moment...

The fact that TFC's product already have a fault with a major component speaks of inferior quality product/materials.

Are they attempting to resolve the issue? Yes.
Offering a full replacement product? No
Offering a replacement part so that you have to fix it yourself? Yes.

I have the first 2 Herc figures. The quality ROCKS. My Exgraver scoop never broke or stressed, yet I got a cool little box with a replacement. Fansproject did the same thing with Bombshock's weapon parts and people celebrated their generosity (also, my parts were fine). Plus, I'm not sure it would be a MAJOR component as it does not impede any transformation or any form. Perhaps it is A component.

From indication of size, and the little trailer forearms, I'm glad I went with Herc. I do like several features of the Giant too.

Baneblade wrote:It should also not be the cause for everyone to choose the first one to come along and cite it as superior in every way.

I don't think anyone has done that. If you prefer product A over product B, you don't mention what you like about product B as an argument. You simply state why you like product A more.

Kibble wrote:I like how they spell out what kind of construction vehicles they are...and by 'like' I mean how utterly cheese-dick can you get? Other than that they look pretty good.

ROFL!

Not to shabby looking. If they take long enough with the boxset I might be able to justify picking up these guys as well. Still favor Herc though... but not bad at all.

Baneblade wrote:Variety is the spice of life, its what makes us feel important


My thoughts, love em or hate em. I think its too early to be calling it an inferior product, and very judgemental too (its like saying you'll always drink coke, but you will drink Pepsi because you know it tastes damn well just as good)

And God knows we should never judge anything. Very 1%er.

Not sure why variety makes us feel important... and no I don't drink Pepsi. But yes, both versions have their strong points.

Not bad. Wonder if they'll come in orange. What this about problems with Heavy labor?Will it be fixed soon?

Baneblade wrote:The fact that TFC's product already have a fault with a major component speaks of inferior quality product/materials.

Are they attempting to resolve the issue? Yes.
Offering a full replacement product? No
Offering a replacement part so that you have to fix it yourself? Yes.

Is there some new issue with Heavy Labor or are you talking about Exgraver's shovel? As far as a display of quality, I can't speak for anyone else, but my copy's original shovel held so strongly I didn't even notice the break until reviews pointed it out. I have plenty of Hasbro stuff that became loose and feeble from similar hairline fractures. You really wanted an entirely new Exgraver?

Also; did you really refer to plugging one piece designed to come off freely as "fixing it yourself"?

He is talking about the hip ratchet on Heavy Labor.

As per El Duque-

"The problem is in the hip ratchet that allows for forward and backward movement of Heavy Labor's legs. The ratchet joint is composed of two pieces, a cog and a tension tab. The tension tab engages the the teeth on the cog to provide the ratcheting effect. If it were working properly as you move the leg the teeth on the cog would push against the tab, which would in turn flex allowing the tooth to pass. However the tension tab was not designed properly and does not flex at all. Since you can apply a lot of pressure using the leg for leverage you can force the tooth pass the tab, but something has to give. The result is the teeth being stripped of the cog. This is particularly problematic, because Heavy Labor's hip joints become Hercules' hip joints, which need those ratchets to hold the weight of the the three Voyager size figures that comprise Hercules' upper body. There are some fixes out there, but at the moment TFC hasn't made an official statement. Check this topic on TFW out for images and proposed fixes:"

http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transform ... ost6846186

Can't wait for these guys to come out. Definitely passing on the Herc set now.

Im not seeing this "homage" to G1 everyone keeps talking about..... aside from the tread legs, which both versions share.
And a faux arm connector on Scavenger. I would say both versions are about equal as far as this aspect is concerned. Maybe Herc more so..

I find it odd/funny/intriguing that when FansProjects's version of Shrapnel came out, people were so quick to jump on the " maybe FP is losing their touch" train bc of the QC issues with the weapon. But, Exgraver & Heavylabor come out, both with QC issues on a widespread scale and we are still in denial that there may be an issue. I love both figures, don't get me wrong, but there are definitely quality problems.

With that being said, I'm not going to praise MT or throw them under the bus but I will give them a realistic shot at getting off the ground with this. IMO, Giant looks superior in combined mode and the individual robot modes but I love Herc's size.

These two look outstanding in color and I'm not real big on G2. I'll hold out for the g1 repaints until we see what kind of accessories are being packaged with this version.

Requiem Prime wrote:

Baneblade wrote:The fact that TFC's product already have a fault with a major component speaks of inferior quality product/materials.

Are they attempting to resolve the issue? Yes.
Offering a full replacement product? No
Offering a replacement part so that you have to fix it yourself? Yes.

Is there some new issue with Heavy Labor or are you talking about Exgraver's shovel? As far as a display of quality, I can't speak for anyone else, but my copy's original shovel held so strongly I didn't even notice the break until reviews pointed it out. I have plenty of Hasbro stuff that became loose and feeble from similar hairline fractures. You really wanted an entirely new Exgraver?

Also; did you really refer to plugging one piece designed to come off freely as "fixing it yourself"?

my point was the ratchet joint that a few people were talking about, and yes i applaud them for fixing the issue - i applaud all of them for that, but if its an integral part to the figurine (whether combined or individual) and it requires disassembly to fix it, then i would rather have a replacement figure with the new part already installed.

call me an elitist in that regard, but its how i view things...

i also am kinda impartial when it comes to multiple products of the same type or offer similar things - i've always been that way - plus i just have a hard time in figuring out why one thing would be inferior over another of the same type

i have to say im beginning to feel some regret for committing to Hercules. the hip ratchet thing on heavylabor is making me feel a little trepidation for their other releases. im not super keen on the shade of green theyre using either.

Giant is looking awesome, i love that yellow color, and the classic Caterpillar font theyre using really amps up the realism and detail. i may buy this set too depending on availability when i can eventually afford it!

It's a shame it doesn't appear the shovel works on this version of Scavenger.

El Duque wrote:

I just now noticed that they're exactly the same from the waist down, that's kind of a bummer, considering the price.

It's funny how people talk about the QC issues the Hercules figures have and how great these figures are when we haven't even begun to find out the QC issues these figures have (if any).

LOST Cybertronian wrote:It's funny how people talk about the QC issues the Hercules figures have and how great these figures are when we haven't even begun to find out the QC issues these figures have (if any).

damn, you take that words right out of my mouth, sir!
Seconded!

TheTigerKing84 wrote:Not bad. Wonder if they'll come in orange. What this about problems with Heavy labor?Will it be fixed soon?

yeah, I was thinking an orange set might be cool too. maybe even do one or two of them in some other random colours to create a movie coloured version? just for the lolz.

Anyone that would buy these in Bay movie colors officially has too much money on their hands...

BTW, I heard the QC on these is WAY better than that of G1 Unicron...

GiveMeSkyfire wrote:He is talking about the hip ratchet on Heavy Labor.



"The problem is in the hip ratchet that allows for forward and backward movement of Heavy Labor's legs. The ratchet joint is composed of two pieces, a cog and a tension tab. The tension tab engages the the teeth on the cog to provide the ratcheting effect. If it were working properly as you move the leg the teeth on the cog would push against the tab, which would in turn flex allowing the tooth to pass. However the tension tab was not designed properly and does not flex at all. Since you can apply a lot of pressure using the leg for leverage you can force the tooth pass the tab, but something has to give. The result is the teeth being stripped of the cog. This is particularly problematic, because Heavy Labor's hip joints become Hercules' hip joints, which need those ratchets to hold the weight of the the three Voyager size figures that comprise Hercules' upper body. There are some fixes out there, but at the moment TFC hasn't made an official statement. Check this topic on TFW out for images and proposed fixes:"

THis is certainly a crippling design flaw! I'd like to get a hold of a HeavyLabor and examine this fella to see exactly what's the issue for myself and how the pawl and the cog are designed.
By the way....the link doesn't work.

cannonfodder4000 wrote:

El Duque wrote:

I just now noticed that they're exactly the same from the waist down, that's kind of a bummer, considering the price.

I noticed that too but don't mind because the designs look pretty good. Not crazy about the colors, but I guess that's a marketing thing. I am sure they'll release a proper green version once Hercules is done.

I want these in my smoosh room.

Does anyone the price of these figures as compared to Maketoy's versions?