The Energon Pub

With all the hype surrounding Takara's release of MP-10 Convoy Version 2.0 some may have forgotten that they also released a revised version of MP-09 Rodimus Convoy that supposedly addresses many of the QC issues that plagued the initial release. The Allspark's Powered Convoy has posted a review of the revised version highlighting the improvements. His full review with images can be viewed by clicking here.

Here's a quick list of the changes as noted by Powered Convoy:

• His leg panels won't break off if they come off.
• His back panel attaches securely (perhaps even better than the Hasbro one) in robot mode.
• No issues pegging his chest into place.
• He holds his guns extremely securely.
• His wrists are not loose and do not wobble about.
• No issues with the ankles (that I can see).
• His spoiler slides in easier when transforming to Rodimus Convoy vehicle mode (though you still may get some rubbing).
• He has the Rodimus Convoy biceps rather than the new type that came with Rodimus Prime.
• His maroon paint in robot mode is very light compared to the original.
• Orange plastic is a little lighter.
• Yellow paint is slightly lighter.
• Maroon paint on Rodimus Convoy cab portion is darker.
• Biceps have a different sheen to them (perhaps they are made out of a different kind of plastic).

One post there points out an oddity with the elbows. While Powered Convoy's ver. 2.0 Rodimus defintiely has the Takara elbow joints (as his images show), another Ver. 2.0 MP Rodimus on HK-TF has the Hasbro ones.



Bizarre.

Sabrblade wrote:One post there points out an oddity with the elbows. While Powered Convoy's ver. 2.0 Rodimus defintiely has the Takara elbow joints (as his images show), another Ver. 2.0 MP Rodimus on HK-TF has the Hasbro ones.



Bizarre.

That's odd & is equally awful.

I don't like the Hasbro TRU new elbow joints & new tabs,as they make the elbow joints extremly loose & more floppy. I have the takara version 1.0 with the tigher jointed elbow joints. I bought & returned several Hasbro TRU MP Rodimus toys because all the elbow joints were loose & floppy

I'm not trying to be a genious or know it all on this situation.

However,I do recall from past threads & Experiences that the Hong kong versions for some WEIRD REASON use the hasbro colors or hasbro parts.

Examples: the Hong kong version of Car robots Black convoy used the red translucent plastic that hasbro used & not the pink translucent plastic that takara used for their japanese release of the toy.

I know i am joining the many in this sentiment but I gotta say it anyways...This really burns me and I am sure everyone else who bought the original.

I am all for improvement but all these changes seem like they could have been originally implemented if, i dunno, maybe it went through just a bit more initial quality control!

I still love my MP-09 and he does look great on display but this just feels like a low blow. This combined w/ releasing the Last Shot Prime right before announcing MP-10 has really made me lose trust in Takara.

Shameful.

Fistful of Energon wrote:I know i am joining the many in this sentiment but I gotta say it anyways...This really burns me and I am sure everyone else who bought the original.

I am all for improvement but all these changes seem like they could have been originally implemented if, i dunno, maybe it went through just a bit more initial quality control!

I still love my MP-09 and he does look great on display but this just feels like a low blow. This combined w/ releasing the Last Shot Prime right before announcing MP-10 has really made me lose trust in Takara.

Shameful.

Looks like you and so many others are suffering from early adoption syndrome, theres always a price to pay when you have to have it first and it doesnt always involve money.

I really want to buy another, swap parts between the two to make the best version, and sell the one I don't need. Hm ...

Meh, I bought the first version and am happy with it. The only thing that mine could use is a more solid grip on the weapon. I am glad to see that Takara actually listened to people who had lots of problems and addressed it. But it's true, all those "fixes" could have been avoided with just a little more initial QC. We would have waited an extra couple of months...

Rodimus Prime wrote:Meh, I bought the first version and am happy with it. The only thing that mine could use is a more solid grip on the weapon. I am glad to see that Takara actually listened to people who had lots of problems and addressed it. But it's true, all those "fixes" could have been avoided with just a little more initial QC. We would have waited an extra couple of months...

^ THIS.

I don't have early adopter's syndrome or buyer's remorse. I knew what I was getting into before I bought it, took extra care of it when it arrived (and still do) and it's been sturdy and a gorgeous figure.

I have no complaints. If it goes kaflooey, then it's on me. No whine, no cheese to go with it.

So, is it worth the extra coin?

That really is annoying that they've fixed things that should have been fixed before the initial release. I've fixed all the issues for myself so I don't feel that bad about my purchase.

Two questions:
1) how much more does this version cost?
2) why does the review mention that there are no ankle issues? What issues have there been with the ankles? I don't recall hearing any.

I don't feel any buyers remorse for buying the IST version of MP-09 takara rodimus prime in january 2011.

I'm very gentle with my toys,so nothing broke nor scratched on my version 1.0 rodimus.

I had to apply a layer of crazy glue to the gun handle. to make it fit more snugly into the fist port.

I also got the Hasbro MP Rodimus because it was cheaply priced.

Since Rodimus Prime is my favorite USA Generation one TF Cartoon character. I'll mostly opt to get the 2nd version of Takara MP Rodimus Prime.

I really like the fact Takara didn't use the new elbow joints & tabs that hasbro used for the TRU MP hasbro MP Rodimus Prime. because the new elbows+tabs make the elbows extremly loose & floppy.

Megatron Wolf wrote:

Fistful of Energon wrote:I know i am joining the many in this sentiment but I gotta say it anyways...This really burns me and I am sure everyone else who bought the original.

I am all for improvement but all these changes seem like they could have been originally implemented if, i dunno, maybe it went through just a bit more initial quality control!

I still love my MP-09 and he does look great on display but this just feels like a low blow. This combined w/ releasing the Last Shot Prime right before announcing MP-10 has really made me lose trust in Takara.

Shameful.

Looks like you and so many others are suffering from early adoption syndrome, theres always a price to pay when you have to have it first and it doesnt always involve money.

Not at all actually. Like I said, I love my MP-09 even despite his flaws. Its just that it feels like there was almost no final QC done and they let it up to the buyers to make those calls.

And its not like there is always something wrong w/ a first run of these figures so how was anyone to suspect?

this isnt a $12 dollar deluxe from walmart, This was a $200 plus figure. I dont think im being "whiney" at all if I from a consumer standpoint feel a bit screwed.

Mykltron wrote:That really is annoying that they've fixed things that should have been fixed before the initial release. I've fixed all the issues for myself so I don't feel that bad about my purchase.

Two questions:
1) how much more does this version cost?
2) why does the review mention that there are no ankle issues? What issues have there been with the ankles? I don't recall hearing any.

On many of the Rodimus figures, the spring in the foot was inserted such that the ratcheting motion unravels the spring coil and it pokes out the foot.

I REALLY think Takara should have provided the shin pieces to retailers to supply to their customers who bought the first version. Everything else is a design issue with a work around, the shin thing is a flaw.

Counterpunch wrote:I REALLY think Takara should have provided the shin pieces to retailers to supply to their customers who bought the first version. Everything else is a design issue with a work around, the shin thing is a flaw.

Exactly. I was fortunate enough to not have had the time to get around opening my MP-09 V1.0 for months. Once I saw the reviews and learned about the flaws, I was afraid to transform him.

The only issues mine has is the shin flaw plus I needed to take sandpaper to my trailer to avoid paint chipping.

I bought the Hasbro TRU version and that is the only one I am transforming. My MP-09 V1.0 will stay in robot mode forever, and he looks GREAT! Now that I have transformed my Hasbro version, I will never transform the one from Takara. The shin piece is severely flawed and it looks like it could snap off easily with minimal force. But I love the show accurate paint scheme.

The Hasbro TRU version looks FANTASTIC when transformed and inserted into the trailer. The trailer gimmick covers up most of the car anyway, so when displayed side-by-side it looks just like I purchased two MP-09s!

Mykltron wrote:That really is annoying that they've fixed things that should have been fixed before the initial release. I've fixed all the issues for myself so I don't feel that bad about my purchase.

Two questions:
1) how much more does this version cost?
2) why does the review mention that there are no ankle issues? What issues have there been with the ankles? I don't recall hearing any.

1.) $59.00 more, at BBTS. The original run is currently priced at $149.99, this current version is priced at $209.99

2.) The springs, as it was mentioned. Mine does have this problem.

Autobot032 wrote:

Mykltron wrote:That really is annoying that they've fixed things that should have been fixed before the initial release. I've fixed all the issues for myself so I don't feel that bad about my purchase.

Two questions:
1) how much more does this version cost?
2) why does the review mention that there are no ankle issues? What issues have there been with the ankles? I don't recall hearing any.

1.) $59.00 more, at BBTS. The original run is currently priced at $149.99, this current version is priced at $209.99

2.) The springs, as it was mentioned. Mine does have this problem.

They're the same price in Japan. BBTS is selling the first version of Rodimus for less than it was originally (and less than Japanese retail). They're also selling the 2nd version for more than what the first cost when it first came out (before cutting the price).

Randy

Are the side tabs on the back panels any less fragile, BTW?

I have to say, that of all the MP Transformers Rodimus is the most difficult to transform. I understand that it is not really a toy, and it is meant to look great as a display piece for a collector however each of the MP Transformers is more difficult and fiddly to transform than the last. I mean these are TRANSFORMERS, transformation is part of the reason why they are so desirable. It would be nice if these figures transformations were better thought out to reduce the risk of damage to the figures, and make them easier to transform in general.

Having transformed Prime, Megatron, Grimlock, Starscream & Rodimus, Rodimus is the only toy I was actually afraid of breaking.

Megatron Wolf wrote:Looks like you and so many others are suffering from early adoption syndrome, theres always a price to pay when you have to have it first and it doesnt always involve money.

Bullsh*t. You talk like people were buying stolen factory figures before the official release. And it's not like they announced an improved version would be forthcoming shortly after the jacked version was released. You shouldn't have to wait 6 months or more after a figure is released before buying it...especially when it's supposed to be from a legitimate company. It's sad that the 'evil' 3rd Party companies take better care of their customers than the official company...even though the official one is starting to charge closer to the same prices. And lastly, most the time you don't have the option to wait 6+ months to buy a figure unless you want to buy it on the secondary market.

*edited and censored just for deathy

Kibble wrote:

Megatron Wolf wrote:Looks like you and so many others are suffering from early adoption syndrome, theres always a price to pay when you have to have it first and it doesnt always involve money.

Bullshit. You talk like people were buying stolen factory figures before the official release. And it's not like they announced an improved version would be forthcoming shortly after the jacked version was released. You shouldn't have to wait 6 months or more after a figure is released before buying it...especially when it's supposed to be from a legitimate company. It's sad that the 'evil' 3rd Party companies take better care of their customers than the official company...even though the official one is starting to charge closer to the same prices. And lastly, most the time you don't have the option to wait 6+ months to buy a figure unless you want to buy it on the secondary market.

please don't escalate things & take it to the next level by placing curse words in your reply.

Because some of us might work in a office setting & view seibetron.com from their work computers. these work computers are hooked up to networks that get viewed daily by the company. if the company see's enough curse words or explicit images that person can get fired.

Also not everyone here is above 18 years of age. we have some minors here under 18.

deathy wrote:please don't escalate things & take it to the next level by placing curse words in your reply.

Because some of us might work in a office setting & view seibetron.com from their work computers. these work computers are hooked up to networks that get viewed daily by the company. if the company see's enough curse words or explicit images that person can get fired.

Also not everyone here is above 18 years of age. we have some minors here under 18.

I bet your company would probably take more issue of you spending your time surfing the site than some random person using that word on a toy forum, but nonetheless, it has been censored just for you.

PS, the forum rule states:
2. No excessive cursing, violence, or sexual content.
Most of us around here are adults and this is not an excuse to allow excessively foul language, nor the graphic depictions/descriptions of violence or sexual situations. Use common sense.

I don't think that was exactly excessive...

deathy wrote:

Kibble wrote:

Megatron Wolf wrote:Looks like you and so many others are suffering from early adoption syndrome, theres always a price to pay when you have to have it first and it doesnt always involve money.

Bullshit. You talk like people were buying stolen factory figures before the official release. And it's not like they announced an improved version would be forthcoming shortly after the jacked version was released. You shouldn't have to wait 6 months or more after a figure is released before buying it...especially when it's supposed to be from a legitimate company. It's sad that the 'evil' 3rd Party companies take better care of their customers than the official company...even though the official one is starting to charge closer to the same prices. And lastly, most the time you don't have the option to wait 6+ months to buy a figure unless you want to buy it on the secondary market.

please don't escalate things & take it to the next level by placing curse words in your reply.

Because some of us might work in a office setting & view seibetron.com from their work computers. these work computers are hooked up to networks that get viewed daily by the company. if the company see's enough curse words or explicit images that person can get fired.

Also not everyone here is above 18 years of age. we have some minors here under 18.

Please leave moderation to the moderators.

Back on topic.

There shouldn't have been a second release for improvements. This should of been like this at the first release.