The Energon Pub

News Credits: 2 · by **paul053** » Mon Sep 20, 2010 10:38 am

If you can choose only one, what will you choose? Fansproject Protector or Master Piece Rodimus Prime?

For me, Takara's MP Rodimus is certainly nice. But I can't (and not allow to) afford the $200 tag. Waiting for Hasbro to the rescue is an option but who knows when Hasbro will do it.

FP Protector is a certain nice choice with a price I can bear now, plus their reputation of quality control.

To me, the odds between FP and MP is about 60 and 40 and so far, I haven't pre-order either of them.

News Credits: 1 · by **Jesterhead** » Mon Sep 20, 2010 10:54 am

I am only going to get the MP Rodimus. The 'toon accuracy and host of accessories makes that decision quite obvious for me. Don't get me wrong though, I think the FP Protector is one sick looking bot, but I prefer the classic look of the MP.

Now the FP repaint is a whole other story haha!

News Credits: 2 · by **Convotron** » Mon Sep 20, 2010 11:06 am

If I had to choose only 1 of the two, it's easily MP Rodimus. FP products are great but the concept of needing to either already have or somehow acquire products that are marked up significantly on the aftermarket is something that makes the FP products a bit more expensive than simply the add on set.

Normal best case scenario for the Protector set is that you're paying just over $100 for Protector and Classics Rodimus if you bought the figure years ago when it was in stores. If you haven't bought a variation of Rodimus yet, you're looking at probably $50 or more on the aftermarket, without shipping fees. With that in mind, a $200 MP figure isn't that much more expensive when you consider that it's a figure with more complex design and engineering and should have a higher level of manufacturing quality.

News Credits: 4 · by **craggy** » Mon Sep 20, 2010 11:15 am

I'm thinking I can only afford one. Especially since I've no Classics Rodimus so that's additional cost, and brings the FP trailer up to just about the same price. I'm honestly not bothered about MP Rodimus Prime, but "it's Hot Rod!" too, and I've wanted that toy for most of my life. I might even try to custom a wee hoverboarding Daniel if I get it.

Classics vs Fans Project Rodimus Remix does have the scale thing going for it. I like my TFs in the Deluxe class for the majority, so they can fit together, and I reckon the Protector armour will give Hot Rod enough size and oomph to stand next to Optimus (If I ever get him) and against stand-in Armada Galvatron. (I'd love an Energon one of course, even though it's a fairly terrible toy - I have the Megatron version) The Classics figure looks good as a modern update, and I'm playing it pretty fast and loose with the Neo-Classics in my collection (a bunch of Armada, some Energon and a few other bits and bobs in there) so he'll look fine in his 3rd version "cartoon colours" from the 3-pack with Galvatron and Cyclonus too.

MP version is the Hot Rod I remember from my childhood days of renting TF:TM nearly every other week, and listening to the audiobook cassette all the time, but Hasbro will do a relatively cheaper version somewhere down the line, and even though we think/know it won't have the trailer, that wouldn't bother me too much. Of course...I could have it all, and I could have it now...nearabouts. Decisions, decisions.

News Credits: 23 · by **ZenPrime** » Mon Sep 20, 2010 11:19 am

Get the FP Protector first and get the MP Rodimus later. The FP Protector since it's a 3rd party product it's likely a one run deal and less likely to be reissued. The MP Rodimus being an official MP product will be around for much longer and also have more of a chance of getting a reissue that's not counting the cheaper US release. Just look at MP-04 it's been out for a while now and you can still get it pretty much at the MSRP.

Edit: On the other hand, if you're only getting one and will never plan to get the other, I would go with the MP Rodimus.

by **ThunderThruster** » Mon Sep 20, 2010 11:40 am

ZenPrime wrote:Get the FP Protector first and get the MP Rodimus later. The FP Protector since it's a 3rd party product it's likely a one run deal and less likely to be reissued. The MP Rodimus being an official MP product will be around for much longer and also have more of a chance of getting a reissue that's not counting the cheaper US release.

My thoughts exactly. Will decide further down the line if I want to pick up MP Roddy.

by **Valandar** » Mon Sep 20, 2010 11:41 am

I'm actually going for FP, simply because I like the look of it better. I never liked the look of Rodimus Prime, meself. Or the character, for that matter.

News Credits: 5 · by **REMINATOR** » Mon Sep 20, 2010 12:13 pm

If official/unoffical product doesn't make any different to you, then go with FP. Also ZenPrime made a good point about possibility of not getting reissue down the line for 3rd party. However, if your are a true G1 fan, then MP would be a better choice.

For me it's easy, MP, because I prefer official product.

by **Syndrome** » Mon Sep 20, 2010 12:23 pm

ZenPrime wrote:Get the FP Protector first and get the MP Rodimus later. The FP Protector since it's a 3rd party product it's likely a one run deal and less likely to be reissued. The MP Rodimus being an official MP product will be around for much longer and also have more of a chance of getting a reissue that's not counting the cheaper US release. Just look at MP-04 it's been out for a while now and you can still get it pretty much at the MSRP.

That is EXACTLY what I'm doing with the same exact mentality. I figure that the MP will be around for a long time, much longer than the Protector set, so I'm getting the Protector/sidearm first, and the MP later(maybe a couple months after).

News Credits: 9 · by **Mykltron** » Mon Sep 20, 2010 12:52 pm

I have absolutely no interest in the FP kit. Although it looks nice I can't stand the way it ruins the leg proportions.

by **mweeuser** » Mon Sep 20, 2010 1:13 pm

Not even a question for me. Like someone pointed out, it's at least $150.00 if you don't already have classics rodimus to go the FP route so I can't fathom why anyone would choose it. Plus after just seeing the colored FP armor, I would seriously reconsider even if MP-09 didn't exist in all it's awesomeness for the win!

News Credits: 7 · by **Chaoslock** » Mon Sep 20, 2010 1:45 pm

Masterpiece, but only if there will be a Hasbro version (the 50% price difference makes it an easy choice)

News Credits: 402 · by **Mkall** » Mon Sep 20, 2010 1:49 pm

If I could only tget one, I'd get the FP version.

Don't act so surprised

I pay far more attention to my neo-G1 collection than my MP collection, and FP's is far better for my Neo-G1 line.

Fortuneately, I'll be getting both so it's not an issue.

by **Rodimus the Prime** » Mon Sep 20, 2010 2:11 pm

I plan on getting both, because, no surprise here, I'm a Rodimus fan. I was initially only set on the MP figure, and I thought I coud remain content with the Titanium version. But, the more I look at the FP version, the more simply awesome it is. I must have it!

News Credits: 668 · by **Autobot032** » Mon Sep 20, 2010 3:04 pm

Look at it from a logical standpoint for a moment, and you'll have a good answer.

1.) The Protector add on is a one or two run item and once it's gone, it's gone.
2.) The price for Protector is clearly cheaper, possibly by $100.00 or more, depending on whether or not you already have Classics Rodimus.
3.) It could be a Christmas present, and hey, free stuff.

If you're getting one, over the other, then go with Protector.
If you're getting both, then go with Protector first and wait for the Masterpiece. They'll make more than one run of Rodimus Convoy. He'll be around for a while. Protector? Not so much.

I recommend both, if you're into it, but obviously we're talking about at least $300.00, which most people would not only scoff at, but maybe even snap over.

I have to say Protector should be the first choice.

News Credits: 4 · by **craggy** » Mon Sep 20, 2010 5:07 pm

REMINATOR wrote:If official/unoffical product doesn't make any different to you, then go with FP. Also ZenPrime made a good point about possibility of not getting reissue down the line for 3rd party. However, if your are a true G1 fan, then MP would be a better choice.

For me it's easy, MP, because I prefer official product.

Can I just say that I hate the term "true fan" because it implies that someone who has a different opinion from you is less of a fan. Whatever that might mean.

I do agree that it'll probably be easier to get the MP version for a while, and there's sure to be at least one more release of it, whether it be Hasbro (with or without the trailer, I'm not bothered) or another Takara release, maybe with a new paintjob (hopefully not, as this one looks perfect) while Protector might well only have one release. While I don't even have a Classics Magnus, I'd have loved to have gotten some City Commander armour when it came out, and routinely metaphorically kick myself that I didn't. Looks like I'm making up my own mind here, hey? Then again, there's always the possibility of an MP Christmas, right?

News Credits: 3 · by **Jazz-1982** » Mon Sep 20, 2010 6:03 pm

You guys are right: if you're going to get both then get the FP version first because it'll have a much shorter production run, go way up in price after a year or so and the Masterpiece will almost certainly be released in North America eventually anyway (I can't see any parts that would be dangerous for young kids lol).

Personally I made the wallet friendly decision to stop buying 3rd party stuff. There are just too many cool Transformers figures and add ons out there and when you factor in that I'm a big Star Wars fan.....Well you get the idea.
From now on I'm sticking to only G1 reissues, Classics/Generations and Masterpiece lines. If it's not a G1 character in his traditional G1 form (no chance for you Generations 'Blurr') then I'm not buying.

Takara Tomy Rodimus Prime all the way for me. Truly a Masterpiece.

News Credits: 3 · by **bvzxa** » Mon Sep 20, 2010 7:05 pm

Well for starters, I would get both of them. I had to sell off some of my FP stuff, and the value has risen. I have both the Protecotr, and Shadow Scythe set for preorder.

Once I get my yearly bonus, I'll get the MP set. It is good to have and different from all the other sets. And it being my first MP, I want it to be him. He can be both Hot Rod and Rodimus prime. to me that's pretty sweet and worth the get. Even if it isn't neo-G1 I still want it because it would be opened once and put back for safe keeping.

To me both are good in there own right. I think FP and HasTak have a secret relationship we don't know about.

News Credits: 3 · by **Jazz-1982** » Mon Sep 20, 2010 7:15 pm

They must have come to some sort of understanding, and if they have, that's great for fans as it means that everyone can continue to get cool FP products and that maybe they can help Takara Tomy to give us some kind of Ultra Magnus with his red and blue body armour that isn't just boring and white.

The fact that part of Rodimus' trailer combines with the figure certainly seems like a step in the right direction for me.
How about an Ultra Magnus version 2?
If it was going to be too big do you they could scale it down a little a la igear so that it would be more similar in size to Grimlock/the Seekers/Rodimus?

Probably won't happen but it doesn't hurt to dream.......

News Credits: 3 · by **bvzxa** » Mon Sep 20, 2010 7:28 pm

With I-Gear, they are doing a scaled down version of the MP toy. They themselves no more than copy the MP version for a smaller scale. There was a trailer add-on for MP Ultra Magnus but the final product was horrible and one of the online toy retailers did not take nay orders. To me a grand scale trailer add-on could be costly and a gamble for HAsTak.

The original G1 Ultra Magnus was a repaint of an existing toy, Powered Convoy, so there was no engineering of sorts. Change a few things repaint it red, white, and blue and behold....Ultra Magnus is born.

A trailer was discussed I think for Classsics UM, and I believe Hasbro said it would have been too costly to make, but they didn't make a trailer for Classics Prime either...thank FP for that.

I really wish Takara made a Henkei Ultra Magnus that matches the paint on the back of the box for the Target two-pack exclusive he was in.

News Credits: 5 · by **REMINATOR** » Mon Sep 20, 2010 8:01 pm

craggy wrote:
REMINATOR wrote:However, if your are a true G1 fan, then MP would be a better choice.

For me it's easy, MP, because I prefer official product.

Can I just say that I hate the term "true fan" because it implies that someone who has a different opinion from you is less of a fan. Whatever that might mean.

No, no, my "true G1 fan" as in G1 line vs. Classic line. MP Rodimus is more of a G1 Line than a Classic Line. I have no intention, association, or implying your opinion vs. my opinion thingy.

News Credits: 668 · by **Autobot032** » Mon Sep 20, 2010 8:22 pm

Jazz-1982 wrote:You guys are right: if you're going to get both then get the FP version first because it'll have a much shorter production run, go way up in price after a year or so.

Actually, I wouldn't give it a year. Their prices tend to climb pretty high, pretty quick.

With something like Protector, and people waiting so long for it, I'd imagine it'll sell out quickly and markup high on eBay in a matter of months.

This is one FP item I wouldn't wait around for. With each new product either receiving the same high marks as previous offerings, or even better than the previous, FP's stuff is really starting to make beaucoup bucks and people are shelling out left and right. With a surge in popularity like that, you can bet that the prices are gonna start climbing.

Look at the Superion Appendage kit. $120.00 to $150.00 seems to be the norm, for the set, with or without Superion included.

I'd give it months, not even a year.

News Credits: 3 · by **bvzxa** » Mon Sep 20, 2010 9:19 pm

Yeah...I have to get the first Aerial Appendage set, and it's running around $175 now..some close to $190. I sold my snowman set for $275 without SL Sueprion. So I may pay through the nose to get another one if FP doesn't do a and release of the AAS.

News Credits: 2 · by **paul053** » Tue Sep 21, 2010 10:28 am

Thanks for all the useful inputs. As I'm majority focusing on the classics line and one character each line, since I got universe Hot Rod already, FP sounds like a better option now. Very true MP is not a rush thing, especially there could be the Hasbro version and I totally don't care about the trailer (well, if FP can have only the upgrade set without trailer with much cheaper price, I will definitely go that. Yeah, only if). I hope Protector can be like the Crossfire set to make my money really worth.

by **666-SHOT** » Tue Sep 21, 2010 11:37 am

Well, it would be FP for me. I really do not collect Masterpiece with the exception of Grimlock to pose as my classics Grimlock for obvious scale reasons. Hell, FP has never let me down and a few of the MP's have....I have bought and sold MANY collections however, I only collect classics/universe/generations figs right now. FP all the way. Got my preorder in.