The Energon Pub

that sucks... wouldnt they notice that during a QA inspection?

Phenotype wrote:One thing I've noticed about people on this forum is that a lot of you have a bad habit of jumping down people's throats and ganging up on them when they're making a very valid point.

Regardless of whether Autobot032 made an assumption about the OP using the instructions or not his point is still very valid because transforming a toy the first time without instructions is stupid and it is a bad idea.

Would you buy a video game and not read the directions first? How do you know the controls then?

Would you buy a $800 computer program and not read the manual? How could you possibly figure out all of the functions?

Would you buy a power tool and not even glance at the instructions? You could seriously injure yourself!

A friend of mine was over last night and he picked up voyager Ironhide and tried to transform it without instructions, I was like, "dude, you really can't transform them without instructions anymore, they're not like they used to be in 1984". It really pissed me off, I just got the figure yesterday and he's fiddling with it not knowing what he's doing and could have broken something. Luckily he gave up after a few minutes because he (guess what?) couldn't figure it out without the instructions.

The only thing I read instructions for is when it pertains to putting something together. With a game, or program the manual barely ever gives you any info besides installing it and running it. Photoshop doesn't come with some 800 page manual when you purchase it. And games always give you some form of tutorial in game. Power tools are about as easy to use as a fork. You plug them in and pull the trigger. It all comes down to how much common sense you have.

All Transformers can be figured out without ever touching the instructions. Remember these toys are made for children, who more often then not, do not read the instructions. They just pull on things to see if they move, and if they don't they try something else. So your valid point isn't really valid. People do things differently. Who are you to tell someone they should do something one way only?

Nightwatcher wrote:All Transformers can be figured out without ever touching the instructions. Remember these toys are made for children, who more often then not, do not read the instructions. They just pull on things to see if they move, and if they don't they try something else. So your valid point isn't really valid. People do things differently. Who are you to tell someone they should do something one way only?

It wasn't my point, someone else made it, I was just backing them up.

Sure, Transformers can be figured out without instructions but why wouldn't you use them? I don't understand what you guys get out of not using them. You tell yourself you're cool because you didn't need to use them? Woo-hoo.

It's a lot smarter to use them, there might be important steps you're going to miss by not using them and it's going to take a lot longer to transform a figure without using them. Above all you're more likely to break something when you don't use instructions and that's the point the other fellow was making and I agree with him. You talk about having common sense, well to me using the instructions you are given for something is common sense!

Just because you can do something one way doesn't mean you should.

Thanks for the warning all. I was looking this guy thinking he would have stability issues thanks to his feet but now I've got more concerns to worry about. Plus exchange is out of the picture since the Walmart around here refuses to exchange items unless I can absolutley prove the toy is broken. They'd rather see a head snapped off than a pin that "might not have anything to do with this thing" anyday.


I don't want to get anyone going off again or to start anything but I have been transforming the toys without instructions for 20 years. I enjoy doing that more than I do playing with them. I love trying to figure out how the transformations work on each individual figure. They were the things that put me on the path to being an engineer (but sadly the money derailed that dream.)

It's dumb and irresponsible to mess with new things without fully knowing what to do but in my own opinion, reading the instructions takes away from the fun. The unknown transformations, whether it takes days or not to complete, is what I buy them for.

Cheetron wrote:Thanks for the warning all. I was looking this guy thinking he would have stability issues thanks to his feet but now I've got more concerns to worry about. Plus exchange is out of the picture since the Walmart around here refuses to exchange items unless I can absolutley prove the toy is broken. They'd rather see a head snapped off than a pin that "might not have anything to do with this thing" anyday.


I don't want to get anyone going off again or to start anything but I have been transforming the toys without instructions for 20 years. I enjoy doing that more than I do playing with them. I love trying to figure out how the transformations work on each individual figure. They were the things that put me on the path to being an engineer (but sadly the money derailed that dream.)

It's dumb and irresponsible to mess with new things without fully knowing what to do but in my own opinion, reading the instructions takes away from the fun. The unknown transformations, whether it takes days or not to complete, is what I buy them for.

Amen brother. That's one of the biggest enjoyments I get out of the figures. I don't really play with my figures anymore so transforming them is one of the biggest thrills for me. I would hate to ruin that by looking at a cheat sheet.

Phenotype wrote:It wasn't my point, someone else made it, I was just backing them up.

Sure, Transformers can be figured out without instructions but why wouldn't you use them? I don't understand what you guys get out of not using them. You tell yourself you're cool because you didn't need to use them? Woo-hoo.

It's a lot smarter to use them, there might be important steps you're going to miss by not using them and it's going to take a lot longer to transform a figure without using them. Above all you're more likely to break something when you don't use instructions and that's the point the other fellow was making and I agree with him. You talk about having common sense, well to me using the instructions you are given for something is common sense!

Just because you can do something one way doesn't mean you should.

Not once have I ever broken a Transformer during transformation and the only Transformer I've ever looked at the instructions for before having completed the transformation myself was for MP Megatron. And the only reason I did was because he seemed fragile and I didn't want to break such an expensive toy. Looking at the instructions only helped a little bit and eventually I had to figure out all the little subtleties on my own, which was fun. It's fun to figure stuff out for yourself and that's why I don't look at the instructions.

Hey that's cool, I prefer actually knowing what I'm doing but if not using the instructions makes you feel good about yourself then more power to you.

Phenotype wrote:Hey that's cool, I prefer actually knowing what I'm doing but if not using the instructions makes you feel good about yourself then more power to you.

Sometimes transforming a figure without following instructions is rewarding. Nobody is trying to make anyone feel inferior by offhand mentioning they enjoy transforming a Transformer without following instructions. It really is no big deal; just a matter of personal preference. One transforms a figure one way, another transforms theirs aa different way. In the end each has a robot-something.

Bragging is something entirely different. Sharing an accomplishment - not so much. Feel free to flame a braggart, but be careful not to disrespect somebody for a mere comment.

Personally I prefer to not use the instructions, but not to "feel good about myself." It is sometimes easier to manipulate the figure rather than interpret what to do according to the directions. If I get stuck, or fear breaking something, then I scan the instructions to make sure what I'm doing is right before applying a little force or I check the picture of the figure on a site such as this one.

When I broke Bumblebee, or rather, when my Bumblebee figure broke, it wasn't through ignorance or oafish overexertion. I pushed the button, and the automorph feature partially worked. It got stuck, I pressed the hood back down, and there was little to no resistance. I didn't realize anything broke until I transformed it back to a car.

I wasn't being sarcastic, just wording my sentences poorly. When I said, "feel good about yourself" what I meant was "have a feeling of accomplishment".

Robzimus Prime wrote:

Gutsman Heavy wrote:Unless I'm wrong this is what to look for:



2 Smalls tabs =good
1 Small, 1 fat (like above pic =BAD!

In that case - my local Target in SA has a few of these out at the moment! And they all have the 2 small tabs, so they must be fine! The only problem is the price... $27!!

Geez, my local Targets have pulled every bit of Transformers merchandise off the shelves until June 2, even the Classics stuff and the Cybertron leftovers and yours is price gouging!

Ok , I could be wrong but from what I can make out the upper assembly isn't the cause of the problem, these tabs there are used to lock the head from going back too far in robot mode.


The lower tab is the problem , thats it so as it was mentionned above there must be both a thick and another thin version of this tab, I'll post a pic of my BB's tab ASAP, could anyone provide me with the pic of the other version.

Phenotype wrote:I wasn't being sarcastic, just wording my sentences poorly. When I said, "feel good about yourself" what I meant was "have a feeling of accomplishment".

lol. Well, which ever way you word it, you are putting words into my mouth. I never said anything about feelings of accomplishment. I just said it is fun.

Ok here we go.

now thats just disapointing I wanted to see a good bumblebee with no troubles but this happens. hopefully I wouldn't getting a 74' bumblebee

Phenotype wrote:

Nightwatcher wrote:All Transformers can be figured out without ever touching the instructions. Remember these toys are made for children, who more often then not, do not read the instructions. They just pull on things to see if they move, and if they don't they try something else. So your valid point isn't really valid. People do things differently. Who are you to tell someone they should do something one way only?

It wasn't my point, someone else made it, I was just backing them up.

Sure, Transformers can be figured out without instructions but why wouldn't you use them? I don't understand what you guys get out of not using them. You tell yourself you're cool because you didn't need to use them? Woo-hoo.

It's a lot smarter to use them, there might be important steps you're going to miss by not using them and it's going to take a lot longer to transform a figure without using them. Above all you're more likely to break something when you don't use instructions and that's the point the other fellow was making and I agree with him. You talk about having common sense, well to me using the instructions you are given for something is common sense!

no one is trying to show off by saying they didn't need the instructions, and second, not using the instructions lets you explore the toy, nd figure things out for yourself, if anything its curiosity, and many people feel that the more enjoyable way is to free hand the transformation and try to figure it out yourself, rather than readin a piece of paper telling you what to do.

No one and i mean NO ONE is saying they are better than anyone else because they did or didn't use the instructions.

and comparing power tools which can be dangerous, to kids toys is like comparing fruit to dynamite. Your power tool example is completely ludicrous in that sense

Phenotype wrote:I wasn't being sarcastic, just wording my sentences poorly. When I said, "feel good about yourself" what I meant was "have a feeling of accomplishment".

Maybe you should have read the entire thread instead of doing a soapbox post and you would have realized I followed the instructions and Step 1 would not work. I pressed the button and the thing was jammed. I pressed again but harder and nothing. After multiple attempts at the button I manuallu moved the chest down and instead of being a good toy and unlatching, it broke the latch. Many others have experienced this as well. So if at Step 1, the figure fails, what is there to do?

GetterDragun wrote:Maybe you should have read the entire thread instead of doing a soapbox post and you would have realized I followed the instructions and Step 1 would not work. I pressed the button and the thing was jammed. I pressed again but harder and nothing. After multiple attempts at the button I manuallu moved the chest down and instead of being a good toy and unlatching, it broke the latch. Many others have experienced this as well. So if at Step 1, the figure fails, what is there to do?

I did read the entire thread and none of my comments were directed specifically at you. I just happened to be agreeing with what someone else posted.

I got a turd last night at Walmart. Transforms once and then the front end of death. DOWN WITH F.E.D.!!!!!

DarkZero wrote:Ok here we go.

So in that image, what is the proper one supposed to look like? And when the hood button is pressed, that spring is supposed to pull back allowing the hood to move forward? But in this case the plastic is bent/broken, which prevents the hood from locking back into place?

I'm really wondering if there's a way to remove the windshield so that the spring can be removed.

I'm thinking it's a malfunctioning hood button that's not pulling back for the hood to pop open with the spring action.

Please see the following pictures.

*EDIT* I cut the plastic along the line I showed in picture #4 and I was successful in fixing Bumblebee.

Correction, PLEASE IGNORE THE previous edit. I DID NOT CUT ALONG THAT LINE. I manually triggered the hood move by using a small screwdriver on the lower tab to push it in. Then with the hood triggered, I took my knife and cut off a small segment, between the spaces. This leaves enough room for BB to function properly.

Well the're two things I could suggest ,One would be to remove the spring that makes the front drop. This is the only option I would try on any of the movie TF's that the automorph break. I pretty shure the're not that important to the toy. Then again if it's for playability then try it your way and let me know .

The other would be to try and use up the spring a little, it might just be too strong.

Thanks Jimi04, I got mine in the Bumblebee vs. Barricade Wal-Mart exclusive 2 pack, and so far there hasn't been anything broken, but I did have trouble on the first transformation, keeping his hood up in car mode. Now it seems to work fine. But, just in case, thanks alot for the fixer pics !!!

On another note, everyone's Bumblebee seems to be really yellow, while mine looks much more orange. Is this just camera variation, or is mine really orange ?

Can't say for shure untill we get a pic side by side of the different versions .

Lapse Of Reason wrote:

JTKranix wrote:

Valandar wrote:This is a known issue.

It's also known that there are two versions of this mold out, one with a proper tab there, and one with a 'double-thick' tab that breaks off the piece you circled above.

No word, I don't think, on if you can identify the two different molds in-package.

You can see that part in the package.

Unless you have x-ray vision, or the part is already broken and floating around the package, I don't see how this is possible. Please explain!

Maybe I should just wait until the next wave to exchange this figure.

ahem, robo-vision is what's needed