The Energon Pub

What do you guys think of the Beast Hunters Voyager class figures? I initially passed on collection them, but now I'm starting to regret it a little. Megatron looked pretty good, but Prime and Shockwave look very impressive, on the shelf anyway. Predaking was meh, as was Magnus, but I could be wrong, I only saw them in package. If I were to pick them up, it would be those 5 figures I would get. But at nearly $25 each, is it worth picking them up? I looked at some pictures in the toy gallery, and I liked what I saw. But it's still not the same as actually holding 1 in your hand. So, yay or nay on these guys? Transformation, posability, durability, etc.

At full price? I wouldn't recommend them.

But otherwise I do. Predaking needs some love in the paint department, but has a really well-thought-out transformation.




The Grimwing mold is magnificent, even with the simple transformation. And feels a lot sturdier than other figures of recent.




Shockwave is great, though the legs can get a little annoying with their limited positioning. Not a massive fan of the alt mode, but the transformation does a couple of interesting things. (The photo has the Takara version, but they're not that different.)



That's all the voyagers I have from the line, though I do think that *the* Prime Optimus is the First Edition one, and that leaves a great option for the Ultra Magnus figure, as a retool of the Powerizer one. So I'm told.

Don't underestimate the Voyagers, some of them are actually quite good. In general they all feature good articulation, but some joints on the new mold figures are looser than you may like. They do hold poses, just takes a little bit more effort. Here's what I think of the ones I have so far:

Optimus Prime
His robot mode is pretty good, big and bulky, but the vehicle mode could use a little bit of polish in the back. The wings do make a difference in esthetics and overall appearance. The plastic used does feel a bit cheap in some areas, but I'll take cheaper bendy plastic over a broken figure any day. He is a must for sure, but he could have benefited from a few more takes at the drawing table.

Predaking
IMO his dragon mode is more convincing than the Beast Fire one, thanks to the transformation, but the spikiness works against him in the materials department. His head, dragon head and hands are made of a rubbery plastic and some units can't hold his (small) sword properly. His Hydrafire Blasters are unique to this version and that makes him distinct, just beware that they can have hair triggers (at least on mine). Overall, between him and Beast Fire it's a toss-up and all a matter of what priorities you have. If you can wait, hold out for the upcoming Simplified Voyager.

Sharkticon Megatron
If you don't have or actually like the original Voyager Megatron or like fish-themed Transformers in general, you can't go wrong with him. The amount of retooling done is impressive, and actually fixes a major complaint I have with the original: the shoulder pads can now peg into place in vehicle mode (after fixing an error that is). The colors finish the picture, though I wish he hadn't retained the grey of the original (the grey actually indicate unretooled or unarmored areas so I guess that's a nice touch...). Just be careful with the chest pieces, they're tabbed a little bit too tightly on mine. O yeah, his weapon rocks!

I still plan of getting Ultra Magnus, Shockwave (haven't seen him yet) and Grimwing. You may want to skip Grimwing in favor of his repaint Darksteel for a show-character display. They should go down in price pretty soon, but it pays to do some window shopping beforehand to see what's out in your area. And I reiterate, especially wait on Predaking.

The Walmart I work at has Prime and Shockwave ATM. Prime in robot mode kinda gives me the Galaxy Force vibe, and I think Shockwave is the best figure of the line that I have seen. So depending on the price, I might pick those 2 up. Thanks for the assessment, guys.

I have all of the Beast Hunters voyager molds, surprisingly, except for Megatron.

Optimus Prime
Fun and cool lookin' figure, though the fangs in 'bot mode are ugly as hell. Chopped those things off as soon as I could (along with a couple of my fingers).

Shockwave
Best voyager of the line. Incredibly unique and interesting tank mode, fantastic transformation, BOSS robot mode, and show-accurate molding to top it all off.

Ultra Magnus
If you pass this guy up, you're missing a lot. He's #2 behind Shockwave, and is lots of fun in both modes. Though I would've liked that they engineered some sort of flipping mechanism for the windshield that eventually becomes his chest. It's kind of an eye-sore in vehicle mode. His paint job could be better, but overall he's a fantastic figure.

Darksteel
Grimwing with a new deco. It counts.

It's a cool mold, though I wish we could've gotten some show-accurate figures out of him and Skylynx.

Dammit Hasbro.

Predaking
Predaking has a rather show accurate and awesome robot mode, save for the hands and paint job. The dragon mode's alright, but not the strongest suit. I think this figure really shines in its transformation.

Megatron
Even though I don't own him, I've seen him in stores many times and he looks like a piece of crap. I've seen reviews and he looks like a piece of crap. Unless Sharkticons are your thing, it's something I think you should avoid.

OK, so I'm sold on Shockwave...

I dont recommend the Grimwing mold. I got Target's exclusive Deadend and I'm disapointed. Transformation is way too simple for a voyager and both modes are unsatisfying.

Shockwave is not perfect. His vehicle mode is pointless and he's hard to pose in bot mode. Still, it's a GREAT looking bot mode and if you are a Shockwave fan, it's a must have.

Ultra Magnus is GREAT. Sure, the vehicle mode lose some realism because of the shoulder kibble and lack of smokestack. However, the bot mode is just PERFECT. He's also fun to transform and he come with a jetpack and big-ass hammer. Buy it. Especially if you dont have RID TF Prime Optimus.

Predaking is meh, but his transformation is pure genius. However, maybe you should hold on until the upscaled Commander come out. Way better colors that one.

Optimus Prime is a MUST. He's fun to transform, is amazing looking in bot mode, his truck mode is intimidating, and he's like Aimated OP that is all grown up! Even at full 30$+taxes he's worth it.

As for Sharkticon Megs, I cannot tell becuase I dont have it. Never found it in store. Sigh.

-Kanrabat- wrote:I got Target's exclusive Deadend and I'm disapointed.

Dead End?

His vehicle mode is pointless

Why?

and he's hard to pose in bot mode.

I haven't had any trouble posing him in bot mode. What kind of issues do you face?

Even at full 30$+taxes he's worth it.

Holy $#@%! 30 bucks!?! Did they increase prices somewhere?!

PrymeStriker wrote:

-Kanrabat- wrote:I got Target's exclusive Deadend and I'm disapointed.

Dead End?

Err... I meant Darksteel.

His vehicle mode is pointless

Why?

Come on, that Cybertronian tank is just the bot laying on his back with his legs spread out. I can do this "transformation myself. Should I post pictures? <3

and he's hard to pose in bot mode.

I haven't had any trouble posing him in bot mode. What kind of issues do you face?
Already been discussed before. His ratchet joints in his hips limit posability a lot.

Even at full 30$+taxes he's worth it.

Holy $#@%! 30 bucks!?! Did they increase prices somewhere?!
In Canada, regular voyager price is 29.99$+15% taxes. Roughly 35$ total.

-Kanrabat- wrote:

PrymeStriker wrote:

Even at full 30$+taxes he's worth it.

Holy $#@%! 30 bucks!?! Did they increase prices somewhere?!
In Canada, regular voyager price is 29.99$+15% taxes. Roughly 35$ total.

Go Canada! We kick the scrap out of anyone elses' puny prices!

How do you not like Grimwing/Darksteel?

spongedude93 wrote:

-Kanrabat- wrote:

PrymeStriker wrote:

Even at full 30$+taxes he's worth it.

Holy $#@%! 30 bucks!?! Did they increase prices somewhere?!
In Canada, regular voyager price is 29.99$+15% taxes. Roughly 35$ total.

Go Canada! We kick the scrap out of anyone elses' puny prices!

€29.99 retail in Germany, that translates to C$41.91 and US$39.40.

But I believe there are even more expensive places out there, I think Australia is higher.

I played about with Megatron once at AA and found it pretty good actually, not good enough to break my only MP rule but decent.

Gotta agree the Ultra Magnus remold of Optimus looks fantastic though. IF only they had the quality of ROTF Voyagers and weren't so small and simple and even worse for paint.

Dead Metal wrote:

spongedude93 wrote:

-Kanrabat- wrote:

PrymeStriker wrote:

Even at full 30$+taxes he's worth it.

Holy $#@%! 30 bucks!?! Did they increase prices somewhere?!
In Canada, regular voyager price is 29.99$+15% taxes. Roughly 35$ total.

Go Canada! We kick the scrap out of anyone elses' puny prices!

€29.99 retail in Germany, that translates to C$41.91 and US$39.40.

But I believe there are even more expensive places out there, I think Australia is higher.

I played about with Megatron once at AA and found it pretty good actually, not good enough to break my only MP rule but decent.

Gotta agree the Ultra Magnus remold of Optimus looks fantastic though. IF only they had the quality of ROTF Voyagers and weren't so small and simple and even worse for paint.

The Netherlands: €34,95/32,95 per voyager, depending on the store. Big pain.

The BH voyagers have all been great improvements over PRID. No more balljoints in the hips and those 'weaponizer' gimmicks are GONE! They've been replaced by cool looking weapons (Megatrons sword and the hook on Grimwing, for instance).
Ultra Magnus and Megatron both are (visual) improvements over their PRID versions, whom I both hate with a passion. It's amazing what a little paint and a few fresh parts can do.

BH Optimus could have been one of the greats, IMO. The cheap plastic spoils that, sadly.

I can't comment on Shockwave. I haven't found him.

RhA wrote:

Dead Metal wrote:

spongedude93 wrote:

-Kanrabat- wrote:

PrymeStriker wrote:

Even at full 30$+taxes he's worth it.

Holy $#@%! 30 bucks!?! Did they increase prices somewhere?!
In Canada, regular voyager price is 29.99$+15% taxes. Roughly 35$ total.

Go Canada! We kick the scrap out of anyone elses' puny prices!

€29.99 retail in Germany, that translates to C$41.91 and US$39.40.

But I believe there are even more expensive places out there, I think Australia is higher.

The Netherlands: €34,95/32,95 per voyager, depending on the store. Big pain.

I wasn't going to get into this, but what the hell Voyagers are $40 - $50 (around $36 - $45 U.S.) here depending on where you get them.

As for the figures, I've got all but Megs and think they are all worth getting, especially if you can get them on sale. I've repurposed Shockwave for my Classics set and might be doing something similar for Predaking and Grimwing. They all have their faults, but are still a lot of fun.

-Kanrabat- wrote:Come on, that Cybertronian tank is just the bot laying on his back with his legs spread out.

Well, it's an alien vehicle. What else do you want it to look like?

I can do this "transformation myself. Should I post pictures? <3

Yes.

Already been discussed before. His ratchet joints in his hips limit posability a lot.

There's a rather simple fix. Shave off the lip that the joint catches onto for the ratchet and he should be able to move more freely.

Also, this doesn't necessarily mean he's "hard" to pose, which is why I was confused.

In Canada, regular voyager price is 29.99$+15% taxes. Roughly 35$ total.

Jeez. And fans complain about U.S prices.

Arctorro wrote:

RhA wrote:

Dead Metal wrote:

spongedude93 wrote:Go Canada! We kick the scrap out of anyone elses' puny prices!

€29.99 retail in Germany, that translates to C$41.91 and US$39.40.

But I believe there are even more expensive places out there, I think Australia is higher.

The Netherlands: €34,95/32,95 per voyager, depending on the store. Big pain.

I wasn't going to get into this, but what the hell Voyagers are $40 - $50 (around $36 - $45 U.S.) here depending on where you get them.

Well, consider me humbled.

Most Americans eitheri don't know what other countires pay for their stuff, or the forget it. For some reason, EVERYTHING an American buy is cheaper than the rest of the world. Is that the infamous "American Dream" I keep hearing about?

-Kanrabat- wrote:Most Americans eitheri don't know what other countires pay for their stuff, or the forget it.

You forgot option three: We don't regard it cause it doesn't affect what we pay.

I've literally just got Shockwave, i have to say i kind of agree with the alt mode thing, calling it a cybertronian tank just seems like an easy way out of him transforming into something we can't recognise. fair enough it's series accurate, but it seems a bit like not much thought was put into it, the way half way through transforming he just looks like he's grabbing his ass....and it would be nice if you could hide his head (like on the much smaller commando class) that said, as a shockwave fan, i think it's a dope toy, really really awesome in robot mode. great size and weight to him, the light pipe is perfect..... my only real issue as far as build quality is the shoulder joint of his cannon arm, it just kind of sits there and isn't particularly stable, his arm fell off first time i tried to transform him.... overall, he is definitely a figure to have on the shelf

i'd like the optimus, but not sure if i can really be that bothered by the rest....

shockwave_81 wrote:calling it a cybertronian tank just seems like an easy way out of him transforming into something we can't recognise.

An H-shaped vehicle with treads and a giant cannon sounds a lot like something I'd recognize.

Wow, I've kind of been sold on making a purchase from this line before it's out of the target / walmart / tru shelves.

WHY DID YOU HAVE TO SELL ME ON THE MOST EXPENSIVE ONE!!! lol j/k

Maybe i'll check out the Sharkticon Megatron.

Arctorro wrote:

RhA wrote:

Dead Metal wrote:

spongedude93 wrote:

-Kanrabat- wrote:

PrymeStriker wrote:

Even at full 30$+taxes he's worth it.

Holy $#@%! 30 bucks!?! Did they increase prices somewhere?!
In Canada, regular voyager price is 29.99$+15% taxes. Roughly 35$ total.

Go Canada! We kick the scrap out of anyone elses' puny prices!

€29.99 retail in Germany, that translates to C$41.91 and US$39.40.

But I believe there are even more expensive places out there, I think Australia is higher.

The Netherlands: €34,95/32,95 per voyager, depending on the store. Big pain.

I wasn't going to get into this, but what the hell Voyagers are $40 - $50 (around $36 - $45 U.S.) here depending on where you get them.

As for the figures, I've got all but Megs and think they are all worth getting, especially if you can get them on sale. I've repurposed Shockwave for my Classics set and might be doing something similar for Predaking and Grimwing. They all have their faults, but are still a lot of fun.

Singapore, $43USD per voyager here.

I would consider $30US (The regular sales price) a pretty good buy for voyagers already.

I have two.

Optimus:
Not a terrible figure but look at the list of fixes I had to do to make him screen accurate:
- Scratch-built gatling gun (using one of his guns, parts from Megatron's gun, a missile, part of a Gundam leg, part of a Neo Shifter used to make Unicron, cotton bud shafts, a small cog and ice cream tub cuttings),
- Scratch-built cannon for left arm (using part of the original gun and a ring from a superglue tube). The forearm is held together with magnets. The left hand can be stored inside, the cannon can be stored in the chest cavity. No, it's not difficult to retrieve!
- Exhaust pipes trimmed and moved to a more screen-accurate place that allows them to point upwards whether or not the wings are deployed. Even though they're made of soft rubber it took a really long time to cut through them,
- Spikes removed from abdomen and replaced with more accurate smooth grey plates,
- Spikes removed from truck's bumper and replaced with more accurate three pronged horizontal... er... thingy,
- Bumpers can fold further into backpack so as not to hinder waist twist now that they take up more space,
- Elbows trimmed to allow slightly more bend,
- Rhinestones added to mimic lights on front of cab, top of cab and waist.

Shockwave:
Disappointing. His leg's ratchet stops are too far apart, the rubber hose is so stiff and his arm so floppy that it affects his ability to hold a pose and his left arm biceps swivel is determined to slide off. His alt mode isn't flat enough to be screen accurate either.

I love the OP mold. I think it's a great, classic mold, and the number of customs I've seen made from it is a testament to how good it is.

Predaking has good points and bad points. If I could go back in time, I probably wouldn't buy him.

Grimwing is awesome. I don't have a single complaint about that figure.

Shockwave is a mixed bag. It's got flaws, but it's the best Shockwave since the original.

I think that's all the BH Voyagers I have.

BH Ultra Magnus is one of my favorite transformers. Right now he has foc Ultra Magnus's sword on his right forearm, DotM Sideswipe's gun in his right hand, Piranacons big rifle in his left hand, and prid Arcee's BFG on his left forearm.