The Energon Pub

Gauntlet101010 wrote:A million dollar Hasbro style of quality? But ... these things are a lot more expensive than Hasbro's fare.

Well, Vestenka (who, apparently, designed these years and years ago for IT before he even started his own business) says they're working on some kind of fix for these guys. So there's hope! Maybe a bonus head or something will come along.

Kudos to Vestenka! As I've stated before, I'm really impressed with the engineering on these guys.

It is the final art, from the head sculpt to the proportions (the short legs make them look kind of Hobbit-esque) that kill them.

If they get remolded a bit (or a lot), with a new head, and maybe longer legs, I could see myself buying these.

mooncake623 wrote:

Rated X wrote: Im not very picky, and my need to have certain G1 characters and variants in my collection outweighs other factors by a ton. When it comes down to QC, I dont want a figure to be a POS. But at the same time I dont expect million dollar Hasbro style quality.

I wonder how many people feel the same way. As long as its slavish G1 they can over look a lot of flaws. I think you're probably Impossible toy's target market.

What you call "slavish to G1" I call awesome. Ive been wanting tetra jets since I first saw them in 1984. Im a seeker fanatic. While Valkarie was delicate, she wasnt bad. And Alicon was even better. Like I said Im not rich, but I didnt save for a month and starve my family to be able to buy toys. So I have no excuse to be so critical when theyre giving me what I want.

RodimalToyota wrote:I'm not sold, every piece of crap I've bought from IT, has broken.
I'll wait till everyone eles get's there's.

still probably won't, even Kreemzik broke, and he hardly moves.

I can only vouch for purchasing Valkyrie and Kremzeak. Valkyrie is very fragile, and the back piece of Kremzeak had a piece partially break, so it's difficult to lock in any batteries.

After seeing Vangelus manhandle the figures, I feel more confident about the quality of the figure.

Gauntlet101010 wrote:Well, Vestenka (who, apparently, designed these years and years ago for IT before he even started his own business) says they're working on some kind of fix for these guys. So there's hope! Maybe a bonus head or something will come along.

I can't source this statement (links please), but I really think a change in the face (not necessarily changes to the whole head) would make the difference for some who are on the fence. I can't blame anyone who doesn't want to go all in for 7 figures (presumably being released at the same time) without having some more reviews, but definitely worth picking up at least one. Heck, I even upped my preorders after seeing a video review.

That being said, I hope it is IT who provides the new head, whether in the production run or as an add-on. I'm hoping this kind of service and product is the game changer for these guys.

necr0blivion wrote:That being said, I hope it is IT who provides the new head, whether in the production run or as an add-on. I'm hoping this kind of service and product is the game changer for these guys.

IT is not ready to announce details yet. But talking to them over the last couple days, those who are either only buying one Tetra Squadron figure, or buying them all, including the Rainmakers, will have options for a better head.

Gauntlet101010 wrote:A million dollar Hasbro style of quality? But ... these things are a lot more expensive than Hasbro's fare.

I believe he's referring to the fact that Hasbro is a multimillion dollar company that can afford to sink tons of money into a toy's development at the same time sharply limiting its physical dimensions, plastic consumption, technical complexity, ensuring it is mass-marketable, and the myriad of other factors, all to make a toy that they can sell at a low price due to large print runs. Third parties don't have that kind of money, and that's partially why they can do the things Hasbro can't: they don't have precise limitations. They can say "I want to make X, and I will spend $4000 on development." This lack of overhead is both why they tend to veer into the more complex territory and why they cost more.

That Bot wrote:

Gauntlet101010 wrote:A million dollar Hasbro style of quality? But ... these things are a lot more expensive than Hasbro's fare.

I believe he's referring to the fact that Hasbro is a multimillion dollar company that can afford to sink tons of money into a toy's development at the same time sharply limiting its physical dimensions, plastic consumption, technical complexity, ensuring it is mass-marketable, and the myriad of other factors, all to make a toy that they can sell at a low price due to large print runs. Third parties don't have that kind of money, and that's partially why they can do the things Hasbro can't: they don't have precise limitations. They can say "I want to make X, and I will spend $4000 on development." This lack of overhead is both why they tend to veer into the more complex territory and why they cost more.

I know what X meant. I was being facetious. Like you said the 3rd party scene doesn't have the same overhead as Hasbro and can take all the time and spend all the money they want. That's why I flippantly said that 3rd party toys cost more than Hasbro's; I was implying they have more time and money going into them.

I would think Hasbro has the expeirence on their side. They have the budget for constant expiermenting and QC testing just to sell one figure. If 3rd parites did the same profit would go out the window. But what were paying more for in these 3rd party products inst QC, were paying for the 5-7 year old Hasbro target audience to get flushed down the toilet so we can get what we like.

Rated X wrote:I would think Hasbro has the expeirence on their side. They have the budget for constant expiermenting and QC testing just to sell one figure. If 3rd parites did the same profit would go out the window. But what were paying more for in these 3rd party products inst QC, were paying for the 5-7 year old Hasbro target audience to get flushed down the toilet so we can get what we like.

Hasbro has experience, sure. But they're tied up in ways the 3rd party scene is not. Much to their detriment.

And "they have the budget for constant QC"? Uh, really? I think that's quite the opposite. Each 3rd party company has the time to perfect each and every one of their TFs. I can't believe that Hasbro has the same amount of time to devote to any one figure when they're expected to creates multiple waves every year

You're nuts if you think an "unlimited budget" or "constant experimenting" went into making things like Universe Galvatron or the GDO releases.

necr0blivion wrote:

RodimalToyota wrote:I'm not sold, every piece of crap I've bought from IT, has broken.
I'll wait till everyone eles get's there's.

still probably won't, even Kreemzik broke, and he hardly moves.

I can only vouch for purchasing Valkyrie and Kremzeak. Valkyrie is very fragile, and the back piece of Kremzeak had a piece partially break, so it's difficult to lock in any batteries.

After seeing Vangelus manhandle the figures, I feel more confident about the quality of the figure.

Gauntlet101010 wrote:Well, Vestenka (who, apparently, designed these years and years ago for IT before he even started his own business) says they're working on some kind of fix for these guys. So there's hope! Maybe a bonus head or something will come along.

I can't source this statement (links please), but I really think a change in the face (not necessarily changes to the whole head) would make the difference for some who are on the fence. I can't blame anyone who doesn't want to go all in for 7 figures (presumably being released at the same time) without having some more reviews, but definitely worth picking up at least one. Heck, I even upped my preorders after seeing a video review.

That being said, I hope it is IT who provides the new head, whether in the production run or as an add-on. I'm hoping this kind of service and product is the game changer for these guys.

Vangelus is a Noob he handles figures like the next door neighbour kid from the first Toy story movie I'm surprised he doesn't have to purchase the same TF's twice hes rough as guts.

But on a lighter note i think these look good heads are average like everyone else says but i do like the alt modes alot

necr0blivion wrote:

RodimalToyota wrote:I'm not sold, every piece of crap I've bought from IT, has broken.
I'll wait till everyone eles get's there's.

still probably won't, even Kreemzik broke, and he hardly moves.

I can only vouch for purchasing Valkyrie and Kremzeak. Valkyrie is very fragile, and the back piece of Kremzeak had a piece partially break, so it's difficult to lock in any batteries.

After seeing Vangelus manhandle the figures, I feel more confident about the quality of the figure.

Gauntlet101010 wrote:Well, Vestenka (who, apparently, designed these years and years ago for IT before he even started his own business) says they're working on some kind of fix for these guys. So there's hope! Maybe a bonus head or something will come along.

I can't source this statement (links please), but I really think a change in the face (not necessarily changes to the whole head) would make the difference for some who are on the fence. I can't blame anyone who doesn't want to go all in for 7 figures (presumably being released at the same time) without having some more reviews, but definitely worth picking up at least one. Heck, I even upped my preorders after seeing a video review.

That being said, I hope it is IT who provides the new head, whether in the production run or as an add-on. I'm hoping this kind of service and product is the game changer for these guys.

Vangelus is a Noob he handles figures like the next door neighbour kid from the first Toy story movie I'm surprised he doesn't have to purchase the same TF's twice hes rough as guts.

But on a lighter note i think these look good heads are average like everyone else says but i do like the alt modes alot

Thadicon wrote:Vangelus is a Noob he handles figures like the next door neighbour kid from the first Toy story movie I'm surprised he doesn't have to purchase the same TF's twice hes rough as guts.

But on a lighter note i think these look good heads are average like everyone else says but i do like the alt modes alot

I, for one, like reviewers like Vange1us and Peaugh, because they DO rough house with these toys. Does it make me cringe? Every time. Can it be painful to watch? You betcha. Does it help us? Oh yes.

We get to see whether or not a toy is up to snuff. We get to let them spend the money and find out, not us. You can't put a price on that, or complain much about it. Kids are going to be far worse than what those two can dish out, so if adults can batter these toys around, kids most likely can too, which means they'll be pristine and rock solid for the collectors among us.

Since I don't slam my stuff around, the tetrajet I preordered (Starscream) will last a long time in my collection. For $50.00 and a TF we've never had before, I'm in.

Autobot032 wrote:

Thadicon wrote:Vangelus is a Noob he handles figures like the next door neighbour kid from the first Toy story movie I'm surprised he doesn't have to purchase the same TF's twice hes rough as guts.

But on a lighter note i think these look good heads are average like everyone else says but i do like the alt modes alot

I, for one, like reviewers like Vange1us and Peaugh, because they DO rough house with these toys. Does it make me cringe? Every time. Can it be painful to watch? You betcha. Does it help us? Oh yes.

We get to see whether or not a toy is up to snuff. We get to let them spend the money and find out, not us. You can't put a price on that, or complain much about it. Kids are going to be far worse than what those two can dish out, so if adults can batter these toys around, kids most likely can too, which means they'll be pristine and rock solid for the collectors among us.

Since I don't slam my stuff around, the tetrajet I preordered (Starscream) will last a long time in my collection. For $50.00 and a TF we've never had before, I'm in.

This is true i am glad that they do the hard work when it comes to reviewing products to help us making purchasing choices. But there's something about Vangelus's reviews i just despise i can't pin point it i just don't like it maybe his weird ego i watched him like twice and i wasn't impressed so i never watched him again. But on the other hand I really like Peaugh he's awesome and I found him not so rough with the TF's he reviews.

I was thinking thrust looks abit similar to his IDW version on the stormbringer comic

Well remember, Vangelus works for ThatGuyWithTheGlasses.com, so he's a personality, not just a person. He acts all full of himself and his subtitles shoot him down. That's his gimmick.

That Bot wrote:Well remember, Vangelus works for ThatGuyWithTheGlasses.com, so he's a personality, not just a person. He acts all full of himself and his subtitles shoot him down. That's his gimmick.

That's it! its his stupid subtitles (obviously written by himself).
I just don't like the "personality" but if it gets him views fair enough i just wont watch him. I'm just more into Peaughs reviews his are straight to the point and very spartan compared to vangelus's extravagance.

I find it funny that you think Vangelus has an ego and that puts you off, yet you enjoy Peaugh's reviews without picking up and hint of ego from him. I think Vangelus, with his self-deprecating tone comes over much better. He's having a laugh at himself.

craggy wrote:I find it funny that you think Vangelus has an ego and that puts you off, yet you enjoy Peaugh's reviews without picking up and hint of ego from him. I think Vangelus, with his self-deprecating tone comes over much better. He's having a laugh at himself.

I don't think Peaugh has an ego at all and if he does its pretty hard to pick up because i have never noticed it. Maybe its me but i prefer Peaughs no nonsense reviews appeal to me its just straight to the point and if i want to look through parts of his review quickly i can without being hindered by something weird every 5 minutes of the review. Vangelus is just dorky when he makes fun of himself it just doesn't make me want to watch them

I think Vangelus is great! A little weird but overall entertaining. He's just making fun of himself.

Back on topic.

Have we ever seen the original seekers and cone heads in their Tetra jet mode in the cartoons? I can't remember for the life of me if we have or not. I can only remember the rainmakers in these modes.

mooncake623 wrote:Have we ever seen the original seekers and cone heads in their Tetra jet mode in the cartoons? I can't remember for the life of me if we have or not. I can only remember the rainmakers in these modes.

In the pilot episode, at the very beginning, before leaving on the ark, the original 3 Seekers are seen in this mode. Wheeljack and Bumblebee are trying to get "conductor rods" to Prime and run into the Seekers. Check out this YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMnEiRqmt44

Go to around the 2:49 mark to see them.

Cheers!

Agamemnon wrote:

mooncake623 wrote:Have we ever seen the original seekers and cone heads in their Tetra jet mode in the cartoons? I can't remember for the life of me if we have or not. I can only remember the rainmakers in these modes.

In the pilot episode, at the very beginning, before leaving on the ark, the original 3 Seekers are seen in this mode. Wheeljack and Bumblebee are trying to get "conductor rods" to Prime and run into the Seekers. Check out this YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMnEiRqmt44

Go to around the 2:49 mark to see them.

Cheers!

oh yea!! thanks!

I have to say there is something I really like about these toys, and the pricepoint is really good too...

In someways they seem more 1980's g1 toy to me though? Doesn't seem to fit my collection.

If I got any, it would probably be a neon green/orang/yellow Rain maker set.....

Just added to my pile of loot: Smashor (Im guessing Ramjet)Interesting it's still showing up as a pre-order on BBTS but I got charged so I guess they got a small amount in.


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TRNS TS-04: Tetra Squadron - Smashor



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X, that's very strange. I also did a preorder for Smashor (but a few weeks ago) and I didn't receive anything yet. Maybe it's a glitch, no one seems to have any of these in stock yet. I didn't believe they'd make the May release date (especially since they were taking comments about the seekers head sculpts into consideration), but I'm HOPING that the release for all 7 figures becomes somewhat staggered.

necr0blivion wrote:X, that's very strange. I also did a preorder for Smashor (but a few weeks ago) and I didn't receive anything yet. Maybe it's a glitch, no one seems to have any of these in stock yet. I didn't believe they'd make the May release date (especially since they were taking comments about the seekers head sculpts into consideration), but I'm HOPING that the release for all 7 figures becomes somewhat staggered.

These were already all produced when the official reveal and videos popped up. They just needed to finish the packaging and instructions. For the head, there are plans to provide replacements, but I'm not sure when that'll happen.

I pre-ordered all 7 the first day. I don’t plan on shipping the POL until Uranus is complete, so no hurry. Ill send an e-mail to see if it was a glitch. Im under the assumption that the complaints for new heads was directed mostly towards the 3 original seekers, not the coneheads. I personally had no problem with the conehead sculpt, but agree the regular seekers heads were awful. Maybe the coneheads are coming first because their heads are not getting re-done. Venksta, is that a possibility ?

Rated X wrote:I pre-ordered all 7 the first day. I don’t plan on shipping the POL until Uranus is complete, so no hurry. Ill send an e-mail to see if it was a glitch. Im under the assumption that the complaints for new heads was directed mostly towards the 3 original seekers, not the coneheads. I personally had no problem with the conehead sculpt, but agree the regular seekers heads were awful. Maybe the coneheads are coming first because their heads are not getting re-done. Venksta, is that a possibility ?

I know someone on TFW2005 reported they got their Smashor added to their POL.

As for the head on the regular seekers, I talked with Impossible about the options on replacements. All of the options were going to require me to remodel the head to look better overall. But I haven't heard from them in a while now. They could of retooled the head from the original CAD model, as compared to it, the tooling's face was smoothed out.