The Energon Pub

News Credits: 119 · by **daimchoc** » Wed Nov 21, 2012 1:18 pm

http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/prod ... ode=retail

Recolors of Rager and Spray

Tubes and Manatee - Limited to 500 pieces.

Website · by **RK_Striker_JK_5** » Wed Nov 21, 2012 1:31 pm

I'm guessing that's Pipes and... someone else?

by **MGrotusque** » Wed Nov 21, 2012 1:32 pm

Pipes!

Website · by **RK_Striker_JK_5** » Wed Nov 21, 2012 2:01 pm

Pre-ordered Tubes, but passing on Manatee. This might be my only chance for a Classics Pipes.

Website · by **RK_Striker_JK_5** » Wed Nov 21, 2012 2:03 pm

Pre-ordered Tubes, but passing on Manatee. This might be my only chance for a Classics Pipes.

News Credits: 1 · by **Sodan-1** » Wed Nov 21, 2012 2:35 pm

Sorry iGear, not good enough. Upscale and remold, then I'll be interested. The use of the original Rager head makes it look like Pipes has been binge eating blueberry pies.

News Credits: 1 · by **rpetras** » Wed Nov 21, 2012 3:16 pm

I'm assuming Manatee is a homage to the Deep Dive repaint.

I kind of like it, but I don't $30 like it.

I preordered Tubes, and I'll pick up manatee ifwhen it goes on clearance in the future.

by **Handels-Messerschmitt** » Wed Nov 21, 2012 3:56 pm

As much as I desperately want an updated Pipes, I would at least want my massive pile of dollars to get one with a real head. I appreciate the thought, tho.

News Credits: 10 · by **Arctorro** » Wed Nov 21, 2012 6:37 pm

Handels-Messerschmitt wrote:As much as I desperately want an updated Pipes, I would at least want my massive pile of dollars to get one with a real head. I appreciate the thought, tho.

^This. The other figs they're doing are so much better that Rager felt like a slight rip-off after Hench and UFO arrived. Then to see what is to follow with new molds and retools, these just don't seem worthwhile.

If the Tubes pre-order doesn't sell out or they re-issue him later I'll consider it, but just can't justify this right now.

by **Rated X** » Wed Nov 21, 2012 11:05 pm

I reluctantly ordered a Pipes, even though I have a strong feeling that Igear or a KO company will upgrade these figures to their proper size. The small size really sucks. But I do need classic Pipes. Im pretty sure reprolabels will make a Pipes version of their Huffer set that comes with a few extra face plates ans some chrome to make the chest not so blue.

by **Motorthing** » Thu Nov 22, 2012 3:16 pm

Pipes has sold out.......so I've had to opt for the two of them on the order to get him.

Rats.

Why the feck only 500 of Pipes.......yes he's too small now copmpared to the other not-Minis but do IGear just not want the money or something.............? It's not being advertised as a BBTS exclusive but such a short number must be as It's not on Igear's own site?

Website · by **RK_Striker_JK_5** » Thu Nov 22, 2012 3:41 pm

I don't mind the small size too much, but the lack of anything different irks me.

by **Handels-Messerschmitt** » Thu Nov 22, 2012 4:00 pm

Motorthing wrote:Pipes has sold out.......so I've had to opt for the two of them on the order to get him.

Rats.

Why the feck only 500 of Pipes.......yes he's too small now copmpared to the other not-Minis but do IGear just not want the money or something.............? It's not being advertised as a BBTS exclusive but such a short number must be as It's not on Igear's own site?

Wanting the money is exactly what they're doing. This is more of a collector oddity than a part of the main line. If they're doing all the mini bots they'll be getting to Pipes eventually so this is more milking the molds they put probably a lot of money into for all they're worth. If they aren't planning to make a Pipes version, this is still getting all they can out of the molds. The incredibly short run is likely to get collectors hyped about owning something very limited. I mean, this straight repaint wouldn't appeal to the intended audience under normal circumstances.

by **Motorthing** » Thu Nov 22, 2012 4:18 pm

Handels-Messerschmitt wrote:
Motorthing wrote:Pipes has sold out.......so I've had to opt for the two of them on the order to get him.

Rats.

Why the feck only 500 of Pipes.......yes he's too small now copmpared to the other not-Minis but do IGear just not want the money or something.............? It's not being advertised as a BBTS exclusive but such a short number must be as It's not on Igear's own site?

Wanting the money is exactly what they're doing. This is more of a collector oddity than a part of the main line. If they're doing all the mini bots they'll be getting to Pipes eventually so this is more milking the molds they put probably a lot of money into for all they're worth. If they aren't planning to make a Pipes version, this is still getting all they can out of the molds. The incredibly short run is likely to get collectors hyped about owning something very limited. I mean, this straight repaint wouldn't appeal to the intended audience under normal circumstances.

No, if it was purely a cash in it wouldn't be a limited shot of 500 which with production costs these days has barely got to be worth the effort. I'm "guessing" Rager sold quite a lot more than 500 units and a Pipes repaint with a proper head would sell if not in quite the same quantities then at least in larger numbers than 500.....they probably sell that to Tokyo alone. Plenty of people on these boards have been waiting for just this repaint so I'm not quite sure what your "intended audience" comment means. I'm part of that target market and I very much wanted one............

News Credits: 4 · by **craggy** » Thu Nov 22, 2012 5:38 pm

I want to buy a TF called Manatee. Just not that one.

by **Handels-Messerschmitt** » Fri Nov 23, 2012 12:15 pm

Motorthing wrote:Plenty of people on these boards have been waiting for just this repaint so I'm not quite sure what your "intended audience" comment means.

I was figuring that the average G1 fan wouldn't be happy with a faked head and wouldn't accept this as a general release figure. One with a properly made head, sure, but not one that just had some paint gobbed over the mouth in lieu of an actual face plate.

Either they're getting more money out of this than you'd think, it's an experiment of some sort or they just aren't going to make a real Pipes figure.

by **Rated X** » Fri Nov 23, 2012 1:10 pm

Well Im gonna make a face plate for him from some leftover reprolabels...

Damn the small size sucks though. (had to say it again)

News Credits: 119 · by **daimchoc** » Thu Dec 06, 2012 2:11 pm

News Credits: 402 · by **Mkall** » Thu Dec 06, 2012 2:37 pm

...
Fine. Take my money.

Cybertron Armorhide is still my Classics Pipes though. I think I'm going to repurpose Tubes as Micromaster Oiler

News Credits: 409 · by **Stormrider** » Sat Dec 22, 2012 8:54 am

I am thinking of cancelling my preorder. I jumped at the idea of having Pipes but people have a good point about the head.

by **Rated X** » Sat Dec 22, 2012 10:56 am

Stormrider wrote:I am thinking of cancelling my preorder. I jumped at the idea of having Pipes but people have a good point about the head.

A faceplate shouldnt be too hard to make out of some chrome reprolabel sheet. But I wish they would just enlarge these molds and remold pipes head. Id buy it again.

News Credits: 104 · by **Cyber Bishop** » Sat Dec 22, 2012 12:34 pm

Sodan-1 wrote:Sorry iGear, not good enough. Upscale and remold, then I'll be interested. The use of the original Rager head makes it look like Pipes has been binge eating blueberry pies.

I have to agree..

News Credits: 402 · by **Mkall** » Fri Jan 04, 2013 11:20 am

Looks like they've arrived at BBTS. My preorder is processing now

News Credits: 1 · by **duo_maxwell_1017** » Fri Jan 04, 2013 12:11 pm

Mkall wrote:Looks like they've arrived at BBTS. My preorder is processing now

You have to be kidding me!! They weren't supposed to be in until February 2013!! I cant afford these things coming in a month and a half early!! This is just Prime!!

News Credits: 402 · by **Mkall** » Fri Jan 04, 2013 12:15 pm

duo_maxwell_1017 wrote:
Mkall wrote:Looks like they've arrived at BBTS. My preorder is processing now

You have to be kidding me!! They weren't supposed to be in until February 2013!! I cant afford these things coming in a month and a half early!! This is just Prime!!

I know! Who could imagine iGear arriving ahead of schedule?

Things just messed up.