The Energon Pub

So I finally got myself Armorhide.

First time I saw this toy was when it was still part of the Cybertron toyline. I remember being impressed by its simplicity and detail. The hidden missile battery just screams "berserker mode" and is definitely a cool feature.

One reason why I didn't get one then was the price. It was too small for the price, IMO. Then the Cybertron toys disappeared and I regret not getting Armorhide.

The movie came out, and when I saw the new repaint, man, I decided right there and then that I'll get one of these new Armorhides. The color scheme finally won me over. Black and yellow, pretty sinister for an Autobot. But then, that was what i liked about these Scout class lines, more "realistic" colors.

But after learning that these were supposed to be Target exclusive toys, I gave up dreaming of owning one someday.

Then I discovered the new restocks, and no questions asked, snatched this robot, along with an Elita One for a friend.

Now, the packaging makes the toy look bigger than it actually is.
Of course, I was not expecting a Voyager class-sized toy, but man, when I took Armorhide out of the packaging, I was surprised on how tiny it was. I say Armorhide is around 1/64 scale.



The back of the card shows Armorhide's profile. A badass backstory for a badass truck.



Armorhide comes with a gun, and a planet key - now simply referred to as "key."


My first original planet key, seriously.

Funny thing about the key is that the positive side displays the S7 logo, while the negative side still has a Decepticon symbol etched on its surface.

Which brings me to the next weird thing with Armorhide. The card indicates his Autobot allegiance, and yet there's no Autobot symbol in both Truck and Robot modes. And the only faction symbol included is that of a Decepticon! I'm still wondering about the S7 logo - is Armorhide an S7 agent?


TRUCK MODE

I love the truck mode. Good details, good paint job. My only issue is the color of the wheels.



The pictures over the net and on the package shows Armorhide with black wheels, which are cool.



The gray wheels look too plasticky and diminishes the overall menacing appearance Armorhide has going on.



And yeah, Armorhide is surprisingly small. Here's Armorhide with a Matchbox car.




The toy reminds me of old G1 combiners. Armorhide can probably transform into a leg or an arm of a scout-class gestalt...




In truck mode, the weapon forms a small crane arm complete with hook.





Yeah, the yellow stripe could have benefited more from additional details, like black diagonal construction lines or something.


ROBOT MODE

Armorhide is also small in robot mode. The size of the bot's head is really reminiscent of old G1 combiners. I love the well-detailed headsculpt, though.









Despite his size, Armorhide is surprisingly articulated enough to do some cool poses. And he passes the kick test!



Attaching the weapon, you suddenly realize how funny a small robot carrying a big gun looks. This actually reminds me of Cliffjumper and his giant bazooka.





Attaching the "key" reveals the good stuff-



Just one question. The front of the truck that reveals the hidden missiles are only held in place by a spring in the hinge. Essentially, you can flip this open without the key attached. The key basically holds it in place. Is this the same with the original Cybertron toy?

Also, I prefer the red missiles from the old toy over the yellow ones used here.


TRUCK OR ROBOT?

It's a tie! Both modes are solid and stable. Truck mode has great details, while robot mode has good articulation.

Also, the transformation is fairly simple. I didn't even use the instruction manual.

Armorhide also benefits from a unique design. Most of the "Cab Over" trucks in the Transformer universe would have the legs formed from the chassis ala-G1 Prime.


PROS:

- good color scheme
- good details
- simple but engaging transformation
- good headsculpt
- good articulation
- badass hidden missile feature


CONS:

- too small for the price
- gray wheels, they should have used black instead


RATING

4 out of 5

Despite the size, Armorhide is still very enjoyable and playable. Don't pass up on this robot. If you could get one for a cheaper price, that would be better.


Some more comparison pics with bootleg Energon Prime...






You know something is wrong when an Autobot grunt looks waaayyy more cooler and badass than Optimus Prime.

mechajol wrote:
Just one question. The front of the truck that reveals the hidden missiles are only held in place by a spring in the hinge. Essentially, you can flip this open without the key attached. The key basically holds it in place. Is this the same with the original Cybertron toy?

Also, I prefer the red missiles from the old toy over the yellow ones used here.

Yep, this figure is a straight redeco of Cybertron Armorhide.

I really wish they modified him so he didn't need his key, but I understand that it wouldn't be cost-effective for a store exclusive.

BTW, my Movie Armorhide has a very loose knee joint on his left leg. Did you notice this on yours?

My favorite version of this figure is the Botcon Huffer redeco. Huffer was a perfect choice for the classic repaint.

Great collection of pics! Just got my Cybertron Armorhide from Hasbro last week, and for whatever reason the rear-right hubcap isn't painted.

Fun figure though, if a little chubby

Amorhide is awesome,I have the cybertron Version but i want the S7 Target Version.

mechajol wrote:

Fatimus Prime: "Look at you, Armorhide, you're one fat little truck-bot."

Armorhide: Look who's talking, Fatimus. You look like you've been hitting the McDonald's Drive-Thru a few too many times. At least I have a butt-load of missiles in my chest. What do you have? ...Uh-huh, thought so. I'm more buff than you, tubby. I'm going to hang out with Movie Prime. He's buff. Laters."

Nice review. I chose to get Cybertron Armorhide instead because he looks like G1 Pipes to me. Very nice little guy. I really like him a lot. He may be small, but he's packing some serious pain for the Decepticons.

And dammit, I just noticed the car you have is a VW GTI. I have the real one, and now I have to get the toy version like you have. It is Hot Wheels or Matchbox?

I love Armorhide , but the packaging says it has a firing projectile. However, the missile in his gun seems solid and isn't firing anywhere. So, just a packaging info mistake?

Wow good review! Lots of pics. I like reviews like this, help me to decide yay or nay. In this case I regret passing up on him. I did like him, but knew that with my miswired brain I'd probably get him, then want to get the rest of the scouts to "Collect Them All!"

This has to be my favorite scout figure, loose knees and all. I never noticed the decepticon logo on the key, nice catch.

Sportimus Prime wrote:

mechajol wrote:

Fatimus Prime: "Look at you, Armorhide, you're one fat little truck-bot."

bwahahahahahahhahahahahahah!!!!!

anyways, cool of you to have the real GTI! i drive a 1969 VW Beetle. I'm a VW fan and I collect VW toy cars.
The red GTI is Matchbox GTI Mk V. That's the first edition. I also have a black version. Still looking for the gold and gray version.

Some of my VW stuff - http://volkswagenjunkie.blogspot.com

Lapse Of Reason wrote:My favorite version of this figure is the Botcon Huffer redeco. Huffer was a perfect choice for the classic repaint.

couldn't agree more. when i first saw armorhide, i thought he looked more like huffer. also, i thought armorhide is related to ironhide, if not the same character. the headsculpt do share a resemblance with ironhide...

publicvisage wrote:

BTW, my Movie Armorhide has a very loose knee joint on his left leg. Did you notice this on yours?

i noticed one leg slightly easier to fold in and out, but not that loose. i'll check my truck again.

The cybertron armorhide was really difficult to find for a time, Ebay sellers were making a nice profit on him. Not Concept BB profits but still, I have the Cybertron version and the Botcon Huffer redeco, might grab this one as well.

I like the hornet style paint.

great review.

mechajol wrote:anyways, cool of you to have the real GTI! i drive a 1969 VW Beetle. I'm a VW fan and I collect VW toy cars.
The red GTI is Matchbox GTI Mk V. That's the first edition. I also have a black version. Still looking for the gold and gray version.

Some of my VW stuff - http://volkswagenjunkie.blogspot.com

I saw two at Target today, actually. There was a gold version in a box set, and one in its own box. I'm also a huge VW fan. I simply love 'em, especially the GTI. Mine is the 2003 Mk IV. I know the Mk V is like the hottest thing right now, but the Mk IV is nothing to sneeze at either. Truly a fantastic car with the Turbo. Love it! I want the Mk V, but don't want to trade the Mk IV for it. I hope I can find a non-gold little matchbox version. That would be fun. They grey one would be cool.

As for Armorhide, what impressed me most is his interesting transformation, and that he's packing 8 missiles. He's really fun, and one of those figures you will never get tired of.

cool! really love armorhide's transformation!

also, if you're into Mk IV golfs, check out JADA toys. they make some cool Mk IV stuff

I'm not finding them there. I am not a good searcher I guess.

Correction: I found like 3 Mk 5's and 1 Mk 4 in 1:64 scale. Wish they were bigger. Oh well. Thanks though.

Since I've got the original (as Pipes) and Huffer hanging out with my Classics I may just have to pick this one up just so there's at least one version of the little guy to keep the bots on the Cybertron shelf company.

is it just mine, or does anyone else's armorhide have loose joints?

I have both the Cybertron & S7 Armorhides... My Cybertron fig has tighter knee joints, while my S7 Armorhide has loose knees, but they aren't loose enough to limit posing.

All-in-all, an excellent little figure, I'm very happy that I picked them both up!

hi guys!

i checked my armorhide's knees again, and both are in good form. one is still a bit easier to fold out than the other, but i won't call the joint "loose."

i really like cybertron armorhide. i hope i could get one.