The Energon Pub

[mechajol]

Just so you know, Mini Max's mini head does come out. I almost lost mine finding that out. So you don't have to remove the ramp, just pull his tiny head out.

hey, thanks man! i'll try that!

[Wes Crayon]

Ok, stupid question. What would I use to look up KOs on ebay? I follow the links provided in this thread, but I'm actually interested in a full listing.

I usually try "transformers ko", "transforming robot", or even "transformers clone", though the latter one will admittedly get you a lot of Star Wars TF hits.

Here's a cool one I'd totally jump on if the shipping didn't screw it up:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Skywarp-Thundercrac ... dZViewItem

With a few Decepticon stickers from reprolabels, those bad boys would rock.

Also, it's a shame we're not all sitting in the same room together, because we could totally pool our resources for this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/36-PCS-TRANSFORMERS ... dZViewItem

Cassetticons for days, baby.

[Scaleface]

Often times searching for the ford "remake, china or chinese" within the Transformers section finds them.

http://toys.search.ebay.com/remake-chin ... chineseQ29

[D-340]

Wes Crayon, Scaleface, thanks so much. That made my KO hunting alot easier.

[Wes Crayon]

Always happy to help! And Scaleface, thank you from me as well -- "remake" is definitely a good word to include in searches.

Okay, so you guys are probably going to go for this one before I get a chance, but I've gotta know... what is it? Going from the seibertron galleries, it doesn't look like Skydive to me! Looks kinda like a seeker.

http://cgi.ebay.com/G1-Transformers-Aer ... dZViewItem

I think I found out part of what I ordered blindly, btw... they look kinda like these, only carded individually.

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Transforming-Be ... dZViewItem

The separate ones appear to come with weapons that the group lacks, though.

Another:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... :IT&ih=005

I can't bring myself to bid on it -- I don't have the room for that many figures, plus I already have those Insecticons -- so I'm passing it on to you guys. I've heard very good and humorous things about the "groinmaster" Dinosaur Rangers, but I just haven't got the space. :/

And finally...

http://cgi.ebay.com/Transformers-G1-Opt ... dZViewItem

I'd never buy it for that much, but I really, really like it. Isn't it cute?

[mechajol]

Last week I got a bootleg Hound.



Yes, in his cool robot form.


I'm not really sure if they did bootleg a white jeep, but it would be cool to get one.

Bootleg Hound comes in two colors at the shelves. The original army green, and the swindle yellow version, with an additional tacky chrome bullbar.

The head is still Hound, though. Not sure if they used a different headsculpt for the original alternators Swindle.

Here's the back of the box...


Some details-





Opening the box, I took out the toy, and an instruction manual. Now, for a bootleg toy, I was amazed that they actually took the time to print out a decent manual.






The first pages feature the toy's details.


And here's the actual instructions.

What pissed me off was that the manual tells you how to transform Hound from jeep to robot, but the actual toy was in robot mode! Backtracking is a bit difficult...

Last pages even include the specifications of the vehicle, and some background story!


And here's the back cover.



Surprisingly, the bootleg toy kept details from the original.
The door panels for example, and the "Cybertronian Radial" writings on the rubber wheels.

The suspension also works!



Here's the hood. The raised provision for the Autobot insignia is retained.

Also, I'll have to say that this hood is pretty freaking hard to open. They did a good work on the lock.

When you do get to open the hood, you are rewarded with the detailed engine bay.


Dashboard, check. Door panels, check. Seats, check. Transmission lever, check.


Headlights and turn signal lights are plastic pieces.


Nice wheel detail!


Also, the space for the "Jeep" logo is also raised, but instead of "Jeep," they placed "4x4" instead.


It's still a bootleg, so expect shoddy craftsmanship.

I can't open the spare tire container to store Hound's gun. Finally discovered a misassembly that I'm still yet to repair.

Also, one of the rear panels don't seem to lock in place. I'll have to see what I can do to make the jeep mode more fixed.

In general, the jeep mode is good. There are a few loose parts here and there, but it's still solid and stable. It even looks convincing as a real scale model jeep.

I love the jeep mode, and I also love the robot mode. The problem is, this is still a bootleg. Some parts are super tight, which should be good, right?

But some parts are terribly loose! The waist, for example, and one of the knee joints.

This made posing Hound in robot mode difficult.

(Also, if anyone could give me tips to tighten these joints, I'd really appreciate it.)



Also, notice the yellow stripes on Hound's arms - painted terribly.









The transformation process is a bit difficult and puzzling at first, but is surprisingly easy to master. Hell, I find Hound easier to transform than Silverstreak...

While I love both modes, I'd go for the Jeep mode. This is just because of the loose knee joints that make standing/posing difficult.

Plus, you get to enjoy the working suspension.

A bootleg is still a bootleg. Expect shoddy craftsmanship. Getting one is a hit and miss when it comes to flaws.
I'd say bootleg Hound is still a good buy. Expect a bit of tweaking here and there, though. Personally, I really enjoyed this bootleg despite its flaws.

[Wes Crayon]

Man, that bootleg Hound is awesome! Depending upon the price, I'd certainly pick one up. How much did you pay for it and where did you find it?

(Also, if anyone could give me tips to tighten these joints, I'd really appreciate it.)

Clear nail polish works great for tightening joints. I hear superglue works well too, but I'd be reluctant to use it unless you can separate the parts and apply it separately. Apparently people can use it without screwing things up (you just have to keep moving the joint to make sure you don't glue it into place), but I'd be afraid of screwing something up. The nail polish is relatively safe.

[mechajol]

thanks man! got this for around 15USD

[Menbailee]

Wow, where did you find that bootleg Hound? That's a terrific price.

[Scaleface]

Okay, so you guys are probably going to go for this one before I get a chance, but I've gotta know... what is it? Going from the seibertron galleries, it doesn't look like Skydive to me! Looks kinda like a seeker.

http://cgi.ebay.com/G1-Transformers-Aer ... dZViewItem

I think I found out part of what I ordered blindly, btw... they look kinda like these, only carded individually.

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Transforming-Be ... dZViewItem

The separate ones appear to come with weapons that the group lacks, though.

It's Aerialbot Air Raid, not Skydive.

Also, that groups of 6 jets is a enlarged Sixwing Micromaster set missing the combiner pieces. I saw it at k-Mart once.

[andynsm]

got myself this KO Defensor today...



A

[Scaleface]

What's with the extra white helicopter? Looks sorta like the G1 Vortex mold.

[andynsm]

What's with the extra white helicopter? Looks sorta like the G1 Vortex mold.

not too sure about that... who knows with these KOs... could be a KO Vortex. i just take it as a bonus... a freebie of sorts

A

[Transtopias Rodimus Prime]

All red Defensor looks great!

[Transtopias Rodimus Prime]

Maybe you've seen this one before, maybe not. He's on Ebay.]
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... :IT&ih=013

[Transtopias Rodimus Prime]

Omega Supreme? Maybe you haven't seen this one either.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Giant-Transformable ... dZViewItem

[Scaleface]

If I recall correctly, it's a shrunken version of Omega, like half the size.

[ZoneDaiatlas]

Maybe you've seen this one before, maybe not. He's on Ebay.]
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... :IT&ih=013

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l65/J ... bay054.jpg
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l65/J ... bay052.jpg
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l65/J ... bay056.jpg

Yeah, I bought one on eBay few years ago... One of the best KO's out there...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v477/ ... 0094-1.jpg

[ZoneDaiatlas]

All red Defensor looks great!

My ex bought me the White Defensor KO's years ago and the quality of plastic was very cheap and I couldn't get Defensor's head to stay on...

[ZoneDaiatlas]

Ok, stupid question. What would I use to look up KOs on ebay? I follow the links provided in this thread, but I'm actually interested in a full listing.

I usually try "transformers ko", "transforming robot", or even "transformers clone", though the latter one will admittedly get you a lot of Star Wars TF hits.

Here's a cool one I'd totally jump on if the shipping didn't screw it up:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Skywarp-Thundercrac ... dZViewItem

With a few Decepticon stickers from reprolabels, those bad boys would rock.

Also, it's a shame we're not all sitting in the same room together, because we could totally pool our resources for this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/36-PCS-TRANSFORMERS ... dZViewItem

Cassetticons for days, baby.

Greattoys is a good place to buy KO's. They have a store in the Mall of Asia in Metro Manilla or Makati City filled with KO's and Authentic Transformers. The problem is that they're little more espensive than other places...

[ZoneDaiatlas]

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Transforming-Be ... dZViewItem

The separate ones appear to come with weapons that the group lacks, though.

Another:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... :IT&ih=005

I can't bring myself to bid on it -- I don't have the room for that many figures, plus I already have those Insecticons -- so I'm passing it on to you guys. I've heard very good and humorous things about the "groinmaster" Dinosaur Rangers, but I just haven't got the space. :/

I've seen those at Meijers in those Easter Baskets...

[waaaaghlord]

I got asked about the size of the Kabaya KOs in relation to the Classics line over in the ODB, just thought I'd share the photos over here as well.









I've got quite a few more of the WST scaled ones but I'm keeping them in little zipper bags until I get around to doing the old paint work and gluing together such pieces as don't need to move for added stability. I far prefer this version of the Breastforce to the WST sized bootleg that replaces one of the jets with a second drill tank, just need to sort out the colours.

[ZoneDaiatlas]

I got asked about the size of the Kabaya KOs in relation to the Classics line over in the ODB, just thought I'd share the photos over here as well.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a25/wa ... mug003.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a25/wa ... mug001.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a25/wa ... g002-1.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a25/wa ... glymug.jpg

I've got quite a few more of the WST scaled ones but I'm keeping them in little zipper bags until I get around to doing the old paint work and gluing together such pieces as don't need to move for added stability. I far prefer this version of the Breastforce to the WST sized bootleg that replaces one of the jets with a second drill tank, just need to sort out the colours.

How much did Kabaya KOs cost you and how's the quality of the plastic?

[adam-x]

nice

[waaaaghlord]

How much did Kabaya KOs cost you and how's the quality of the plastic?

Well they all came from this guy:

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/id=266500&ssPa ... MEFS:MESST

Prices are really quite reasonable, esspecially compared to what you'd expect to pay for originals nowadays. The plastic varies a bit, pretty good on the larger kits, a bit shiny and soft feeling on the WST sized micros. I think I had the last Scorponok and Breastforce sets that he had but he's still got a fair selection in. The half Breastforce that's in stock at the moment are the genuine article which explains the price on those. I'm hoping that he's able to restock at some point. I'd like another Scorponok to bash into Black Zarak and another Breastforce so that I can display the individual bots in front of the gestalt form.