Probably one of the underrated lines from the movie toys would be the Real gear series. While everyone's going crazy over 08 BB, or LD Prime, these robots that turn into your everyday mundane objects warmed the shelves and disappeared quietly.
LAst night, checking TK Megamall for new TF toys, I discovered that the remaining stocks were put on sale. 90% were the Real Gear gameboy-thing robot, and only a couple of Spyshots left. So, I nabbed one.
Why spyshot 6? Well, since the Real Gear robots came out, I was glad that Hasbro finally released Transformers that followed the "Robots in disguise" philosophy faithfully, like the old Microman Microchange series that gave us the likes of Soundwave, Megatron, Reflector, and Perceptor.
Now, given that these toys were supposed to disguise themselves as everyday ordinary objects, I would of course prefer my Real Gear to look realistic. You could rob a bank with G1 Megatron, or do small discoveries with G1 Perceptor, and Soundwave, well, the batteries turn into weapons - these are the details that truly matter, details that add realism to the "disguise."
And the Real Gear toys have lost some of this realism. Not that I'm griping about it, sure there are cost considerations, and plastic is more durable and playable, right?
With this, among the first waves of Real Gear toys, I planned on getting Spyshot 6. The binocular robot has good proportions in robot mode, but the size is too small, so it's an obvious toy. Ditto with the Gameboy-thing robot and the large sticker screen.
But Spyshot 6? Well, most digicams are small, and most have panels. My only issue would be the paint, or the lack of silver paint - but this is easily remedied.
I did not get Spyshot 6 earlier because I was busy chasing Classics, but last night, I got one. And it's on sale. Sweet!
CAMERA MODE
The mold is very convincing. The only thing that gives it away is the gray plastic. I love the lens, though.
The back of the camera looks silly because of, again, the sticker screen.
If it were up to me, I'd leave this blank or black with a glossy coat to resemble an LCD screen.
Nice details, though. The zoom in/out switch, the control buttons - not operational, but a very nice touch!
Also, the viewfinder works!
The button that should operate the shutter also clicks!
Here's Spyshot 6 compared with a real digicam.
Again, silver paint will do wonders on this toy.
ROBOT MODE
Transforming Spyshot 6 between modes is a pretty simple and straightforward process.
After a few seconds, you get this robot -
Another to love about this toy is that robot mode has good proportions and articulations.
Instead of fists, Spyshot 6 has a pair of pinchers for hands. Not really disturbing.
The headsculpt is a bit out of place in the movie universe since it looks too humanoid. The large red eyes are also a bit creepy, but the light piping makes it creepier.
As mentioned earlier, Spyshot 6 is pretty well-articulated for a small robot toy, which is good. The joints are also tight enough, and poseability is excellent. Spyshot 6 is actually doing Taichi poses on my desk as I type this.
ROBOT OR CAMERA?
Tie! Both modes are done excellently! The only thing that could improve this toy would be more silver paint, and if they included a working flash.
PROS
- good camera mode
- good details
- good proportion in robot mode
- excellent articulation and poseability for a small robot toy
CONS
- needs more silver paint for realism
- needs to lose the crazy sticker screen at the back
RATING
4 and a half out of 5
Playable and poseable in robot mode, very deceptive in camera mode. This robot does a good job of disguising. And yeah, you won't need to "say cheese" because this toy will have you smiling from ear to ear!
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