The Energon Pub

rpetras wrote:

Delta Magnus wrote:Threadromancy i know, but speaking of MMC (who to the best of my knowledge have never released a bad figure- in fact I really, really want their Hearts of Steel Seekers) what's the general opinion on Cyclops and the little mini-sub he comes with? I was actually considering getting him and having him as my Legends Shockwave (hear me out- I like the idea of the mini-Shockwave being the "real" Shockwave and Cyclops being a drone/suit that he controls) but he seems to be pretty expensive on the secondary market and I don't know much about the general opinion on him. I know Vangelus found him kinda scary to transform and his mini-Cyclops was a tad loose.

I have it and I love it, but the transform can be frightening.

Folding the sides of the ship into the "wings" is where the scary bit comes in.
It ALWAYS felt like I was going to snap the plastic.

One of the reviewers (I forget which one) said it only feels that way the first time you transform it, then it loosens up ... I wouldn't know. I opted to go with an alternate transform that does NOT flatten the wings and instead forms square tubes from them. I think it still looks great, and it doesn't feel like it is going to break.

My mini-sub felt fine, but TBH I have not gotten it out in years. I remember wanting the other versions of it though. I never did get them, but I liked it enough that I wanted them.

Think MMC bigger Shockwave is the best non-laser gun Shockwave, vehicle toys out there. Seriously think all of the HasTak update toys for vehicle Shockwave are horrible.

A question to some that own MMC Bigger Shockwave, Does the toy come packaged in robot or vehicle mode?

Speculating some time soon within one to Two Years, HasTak will give us a Voyager or Leader scale Generations, CW or MP Shockwave toy that transforms from robot into a 1985 space laser gun mode.

Tsutsukakushi wrote:A question to some that own MMC Bigger Shockwave, Does the toy come packaged in robot or vehicle mode?

Vehicle mode.

In no particular order...

The good guys:

MMC continuously delivers great product with great responsiveness to their picky customers. I feel that they are absolutely the best bang for the buck. Occasionally there are small design flaws that nag at me, like Sixshot's knee flaps, but by any large it is very difficult to complain about their product.

Fansproject routinely delivers the best designs and engineering, even if their transformation tolerances are treacherous and likely to break skin. For some reason, Menasor disappointed me only because he was so complex that I never wanted to convert him again...but he looks great. FP never disappoints or cheats with their transformations and there's a lot to be said for that.

Toyworld...they get continuously better. They make products that could have come from 2006's Cybertron line if it grew up for adults and I love that. They play fast and loose with transformation tolerances and what is acceptable for joints at the $100+ level of toys and that should be noted. Oddly enough, they kind of plateaued with Hercules and have been trying to get back to that point ever since. Their Dinos may take them there.

Unique Toys...who would have ever thought I'd say this, especially after their Predaking? Still, their Galvatron is outstanding and their Abominous is tempting beyond all rational understanding. If Toyworld is improving by increments, UT is improving by leaps and bounds.

MakeToys is a group that I had no real love for...until Computron. I know people don't like this opinion, but the MT Devastator was an ugly disappointment to me. Everything beyond that has me both excited and interested in what's to come.

The bad...

KFC, I feel like their work is a jumbled up mess of bad projects and carelessness to which occasionally a bright spot of brilliance escapes. I can't really buy anything they make with any degree of confidence, especially with poor business decisions like their Cyclonus just out for all to see.

iGear...stinks like yesterday's fish. I know they're tied to other groups listed here and probably have moved their good designers over to those, but I am still burned by their Swerve and Beachcomber. Utter wastes of money and sold with lies.

Renderform...I'd be remiss if I didn't give a tap to this smaller group. While I appreciate all that they've done over the years, the constant delays and issues with shipments as well as the numerous issues I've had with parts not fitting force my hand here. I'd like to see some changes, but I'm not sure it's in the cards.

Counterpunch wrote:In no particular order...

The good guys:

MMC continuously delivers great product with great responsiveness to their picky customers. I feel that they are absolutely the best bang for the buck. Occasionally there are small design flaws that nag at me, like Sixshot's knee flaps, but by any large it is very difficult to complain about their product.

Fansproject routinely delivers the best designs and engineering, even if their transformation tolerances are treacherous and likely to break skin. For some reason, Menasor disappointed me only because he was so complex that I never wanted to convert him again...but he looks great. FP never disappoints or cheats with their transformations and there's a lot to be said for that.

Toyworld...they get continuously better. They make products that could have come from 2006's Cybertron line if it grew up for adults and I love that. They play fast and loose with transformation tolerances and what is acceptable for joints at the $100+ level of toys and that should be noted. Oddly enough, they kind of plateaued with Hercules and have been trying to get back to that point ever since. Their Dinos may take them there.

Unique Toys...who would have ever thought I'd say this, especially after their Predaking? Still, their Galvatron is outstanding and their Abominous is tempting beyond all rational understanding. If Toyworld is improving by increments, UT is improving by leaps and bounds.

MakeToys is a group that I had no real love for...until Computron. I know people don't like this opinion, but the MT Devastator was an ugly disappointment to me. Everything beyond that has me both excited and interested in what's to come.

The bad...

KFC, I feel like their work is a jumbled up mess of bad projects and carelessness to which occasionally a bright spot of brilliance escapes. I can't really buy anything they make with any degree of confidence, especially with poor business decisions like their Cyclonus just out for all to see.

iGear...stinks like yesterday's fish. I know they're tied to other groups listed here and probably have moved their good designers over to those, but I am still burned by their Swerve and Beachcomber. Utter wastes of money and sold with lies.

Renderform...I'd be remiss if I didn't give a tap to this smaller group. While I appreciate all that they've done over the years, the constant delays and issues with shipments as well as the numerous issues I've had with parts not fitting force my hand here. I'd like to see some changes, but I'm not sure it's in the cards.

I think you're confusing TFC & ToyWorld, re: Hercules.

I agree with pretty much everything else, except for Renderform. I tend to forgive delays because the operation is one dude making each mold and every piece by hand - those pieces are truly garage kits. While the delays can be somewhat frustrating, I don't think I've been disappointed with anything I've bought from him. To be fair, though, I only starting buying his stuff in the last year or so, at a time where his CAD/design skills and quality have allegedly much improved over some of his initial product. Just comparing Nebulous Tempest (Universe Darkwind upgrade v1) and Nightshade (Universe Darkwind upgrade v2) really illustrates this point.

megatronus wrote:I think you're confusing TFC & ToyWorld, re: Hercules.

I agree with pretty much everything else, except for Renderform. I tend to forgive delays because the operation is one dude making each mold and every piece by hand - those pieces are truly garage kits. While the delays can be somewhat frustrating, I don't think I've been disappointed with anything I've bought from him. To be fair, though, I only starting buying his stuff in the last year or so, at a time where his CAD/design skills and quality have allegedly much improved over some of his initial product. Just comparing Nebulous Tempest (Universe Darkwind upgrade v1) and Nightshade (Universe Darkwind upgrade v2) really illustrates this point.

You're right, I am.

That being said, I'm pretty certain they're the same people.

Counterpunch wrote:

megatronus wrote:I think you're confusing TFC & ToyWorld, re: Hercules.

You're right, I am.

That being said, I'm pretty certain they're the same people.

Could be.

megatronus wrote:

Counterpunch wrote:

megatronus wrote:I think you're confusing TFC & ToyWorld, re: Hercules.

You're right, I am.

That being said, I'm pretty certain they're the same people.

Could be.

Also thinking the same. As both companies make 3rd party TF toys in the AEC thick bulky plastic sculpted Aesthetics styling.