The Energon Pub

With so many Masterpiece style Reflector homages coming out...where does the CHUG collector turn? I would HIGHLY suggest this little Jewel for your chug Reflector representation. It is the boisterous, bold and beefed up - Scouting Force X
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJunYVg8sTo

As much as I like it, my main Reflector is TFC's Photron. In many ways PE's Scouting Force is way better, but it's just so small. Too small, IMO.

But Reflector's a troop builder. It's perfectly legit to have both in there.

PE Scouts are what I went for, only recently though. I held off on them for so long because of their small size, but I don't think anyone else is interested in C/G Reflectors anymore (or C/G in general eh?) so options are limited. Great set of figs though

Gauntlet101010...I totally agree, but isn't the TFC version Masterpiece scale? Or am I wrong about that? We have been getting fantastic representations in that line for several characters, including Reflector. That'sxexcellent if one wants that scale and can afford that pricepoint. I thought about them too, but felt as small as scouting force is, it fits my particular collection best....I think,lol.
Shajaki...you are also right about the c/g interest issue. That was totally why I decided to get and review this set. I don't even care about the parts forming because all reflectors have that. What amazed me the most was the study articulation. The more Perfect Effect stuff I handle...the more impressed I get with the company.

I dunno about classics being out. I mean it certainly seems like 3Ps are moving out of that, but Combiner Wars and the upcoming Headmasters are all about Classics. MPs are great, but I don't want to pay an arm and a leg for every single character. Some are just not worth it to me.

Anyhow, it really depends on what you consider to be your ideal scale. Photron has thee bots - two are about scout size and one is a pretty standard deluxe size (Viewfinder, the central bot). IMO, that makes Viewfinder a tad too large, but it's just him and it's still better than all three being way too small. They take a lot of getting used to. They're a lot like FP's Insectocons in that way. But, after you see them in your collection for a time you can go "you know what? I'm used to the look now."

But, like I said, it depends. G1 scale is a nightmare, and it's even worse for Decepticons (who aren't all standard size cars). I just know that, in general, legends class robots don't work in my collection. There are some exceptions - the tapes, Wheelie, MTMTE Swerve and Tailgate - but in general I hate the minibot idea. And that includes Reflector.

Perfect Effect is sorts the partsformiong spokesman. Their figures tend to make the case for partsforming, as opposed to it being a product of laziness. Scouting Force X was a great example of partsforming being fantastic. But it's still so damned small. I really wish those KOs were better; I'd have gone for them in an instant. They're exactly the right size, but the colors ... it's maddening to see something done almost right.

Out or not, I'm still mostly a CHUG collector because, well, it is affordable. The trick is getting the right representations, no news there of course.
I was, admittedly, way off on Photron. He (they) are impressive. I like the set and the size, but are the paint apps too far off to give a realistic camera feel? That is rhetorical, of course, as it all boils down to opinion.
I'm not a minibot fan usually either but for some, it works (Warpath was a huge exception to that rule,lol) and Wheelie..oh Wheelie....I already hate me for wanting the upcoming Titan's Return version,lol.
I thought about the KO's too....I can't help but wonder the quality, let alone the colours. Those things should be in a beatdown..unless the quality is good....then....hmm..customizing???

The customed Scouting Force KOs look spot-on. Really, if PE upsized Scouting Force it's be the best Classics Reflector possible.

Photron actually looks fantastic in camera mode. It's the other areas that are lacking. Unlike SF the kibble in Photron is mostly useless and the posability in Viewfinder is hampered by some really weird design choices. In many ways Scouting Force is superior. But the size ...

I'd love to get the PE Reflector team. I don't mind the small size as Reflector was always tiny and it makes their camera mode a bit less ludicrous next to other Transformers.

I agree. I mean, if you force the idea, a deluxe class figure can sort of kneel down behind the tripod and snap a picture,lol. Still too big, obviously, but less ludicrus as you said.

If you really want a less ludicrus Reflector in alt. mode, just buy the official Kickback. It's still ludicrously big, but it's better than either for that. Too bad it doesn't properly fit into Skywarp's hands (at least mine).

But, discussing alt. mode size is just a losing argument for TFs. We wouldn't want Megatron to be properly scaled to alt. mode, would we? And all the planes should be huuuuuuge! Like, MO huge next to deluxe cars.

Gauntlet101010, you are totally right about Photron's camera mode. I wondered about the other possability. Ohhh..the Skrapnel Reflector should never be spoken of....I gave mine to Starscream Girlfriend's scraplets....they don't mind him being terrible. Nice try by Hasbro to do....something,but it was just sad,lol.
You are right again. I did a vid on CHUG scale debate and things to consider. It will never ever be perfect. I tend to TRY to scale my bots as much as possible, even that has to have allowances, but, for example, Starscream should not be as big as Skyfire, who should not be the size of,say, a combiner. If you scale by alt mode? Pfft, like you said, the planes to the cats issue. I have Hegemon as my Megs with some custom paint. I would like the Dr. Wu alt mode of Megs...then I could just not transform Hegemon,lol.

I'd track down that Dr. Wu Megatron fast because it was getting scarce when I bought it.

For my TFs, basically deluxe fits most sizes. All cars should be deluxes, including friggin' minibots. And I kinda want my planes to be deluxes too because of CW Superion and the Classics Seekers. The only Voyager options are TFC Superion (which I have) and the iGear Seekers (which would cost $800 for a full set; I just can't do it ... I don't even like them that much because of the head). I like my planes to be consistant too, and that kinda makes them all deluxes. Which really, REALLY messes things up for the Decepticons.

The rest just kinda fit around that. Henkei Prime and Hegemon are my mains. The recent leaders? I like them and have some, but the only bot that will likely stay as my main version of the character is Generations Skyfire. As you said, bigger than Starscream and smaller than a combiner. Leader class just makes anything but oversized combiners seem ridiculously small and I am not getting into that size class.

The best Soundwave is Music Label. But he's too small! Sonicron would be good size-wise, but he's terrible in every other way. I went with WfC Soundwave, which looks right height-wise and is, basically, tolerable.

So, yeah. There's just no winning the scale argument.

I know... I fear I might have missed the Dr. Wu train as it is. I shall keep my .eyes peeled.
I have even better messed up scale for you,lol. My main seeker trio is FoC, my coneheads are the classics mold and my rainmakers are three Acid Storm Legend's molds, two repainterd,lol.

I think only VERY select characters fit leader class. I mean, everyone finds a scale that works and usually, some could use a size in between say Deluxe and Voyager. However, that said, we have to work with what we have and accept some allowances. For voyagers, i'm cool with them being my faction leaders (or there abouts in the case of hegemon) , the dinobots and the triple changers. I can buy that.

My soundwave is the FoC one that came with Laserbeak. As for the new leade rone coming? No thanbks, too big...and...come on, a friggin' base mode??

http://www.aliexpress.com/store/group/D ... 38581.html

Wu's guns can still be found here.

You got a wacky Seeker combination there! Although only the Legends Seekers present a true scale problem (the others are the same size). I just have Classics Seekers with a ton of KOs and FunPub additions. Once I thought it'd be neat to have the Seekers all have different body types (like Robot Masters and Classics), but I've since reversed my position.

I like the FoC articulation better than the classics molds, but, come on, I had to have the classics. As for the Rainmakers, ya know, the little legends mold is fun and possable. I'd be cool with that mold upscaled. I figured the rainmakers we minor enough that I could let it pass. By rights, all classics would be "proper" but it still should be fun. Funpub eh? So, Botcon versions? Also, thanks for the lunk Lord know, that gun is harder and harder to find. It would help with mass shifting...plus Hegemon is a bit of a beast despite looking fantastic!

Funpub would be Botcon, but also the subscription figure like G2 Ramjet, G2 Starscream, and Nacelle.

The FoC mould is decent enough, but it's just not what I'm looking for. I wish it was better articulated ... and voyager sized (or at least large deluxe).

As for the Legends, well, like I said, I'm not really into Legends.

Ever been to Botcon, Gauntlet? I wish! But, not very feasible from my lil part of the world. I have thought about the collector club, but never pulled the trigget.
The Foc is certainly a certain aesthetic to be sure, but did you mean you wish that mold was better articulated? I dunno, it is way more articulated than the classics mold. I did, admittedly, add a bunch of custom paint to Starscream and to a lesser degree, Skywarp to build a better G1 lok. My main problems with them are the foreatm placed canons instead of bicep and the tetra jet-ish foreward sweeping wings a la FoC tetra jets. Still, compact and fun. My legends selections are pretty specific I just liked the seeker mold and thought how in the world can I find a semi logical readon to have it,lol? I don't think I would want any of the seekers as voyagers. I think I would find them too big then BUT I would jump all over them as a big deluxe, say around universe Sunstreaker or Cyclonus size.

I mean I wish the Classics mould was better articulated.

No, I've never been to Botcon. But there are other ways to get those figures.

On the subject of Hasbro Legends (Micron?) Reflector, he's great in camera mode for an MP. I have a shot of my Hasbro MP Thundercracker holding him, and Takara's MP Thundercracker holding the Diecast Reflector that came with the Gold MP05 Megatron.

Honestly, I like the Micron better

shajaki wrote:On the subject of Hasbro Legends (Micron?) Reflector, he's great in camera mode for an MP. I have a shot of my Hasbro MP Thundercracker holding him, and Takara's MP Thundercracker holding the Diecast Reflector that came with the Gold MP05 Megatron.

Honestly, I like the Micron better

Actually, I totally agree with you,lol, the micron is better...well, looka hat, there IS a use for that dismal representation of Reflector after all. Nice shot by the way

Oh yeah, for sure, Gauntlet101010. I mean, the mold LOOKS amazing but the lack of bicep swivel and the oversized null rays along with the hip skirts all make for limits. Still, they are acceptable cuz...come on, look at the mold!! And yeah, I knew there were other ways to get those figures except by going to Botcon. Of course, from what I have seen they tend to be steep in price.