The Energon Pub

My latest POL from BBTS arrived today, and with it came RTS Perceptor. I've just spent some time with him, and right off the bat I've gotta say it, he's a must-own. Here are a few points I want to mention quickly:

The chrome knobs are truly awesome. Unfortunately, they can't be removed from the toy without breaking the plastic or doing some heavy customization. In short, these can't be used on the United toy. Sorry gang.

Watch out for a spot that could create a stress mark. On the front of the legs, there's a piece that swings out and pops onto a tab. Don't push the kibble in all way, or it will create a hidden stress mark on the tab. I was able to push the leg kibble onto the tab halfway after that. This will do the trick.

Another point about tabs, the backpack-hood has trouble staying put. It requires some fiddling. This is really the only complaint I have with the toy's design.

As for the sniper rifle, that doesn't pop off either. Although, it looks like Perceptor can wield some weapons with his hands, but I haven't tested that feature yet.

His transformation isn't as smooth as Jazz or even Tracks, but I don' think it's as bad as Galvatron. Getting him back to vehicle mode and have him role... well, I'm still working on that one. Maybe someone else will have more success with him.

All in all, Perceptor's great. Don't pass him up because he's not a microscope anymore. Perceptor's bot mode is great representation of the character we all know and love.

is their a new head in the instructions or not?

Nope.

And apparently I can't use bulleted lists.

sexy...i cant wait to get mine in the mail hopefully this week

ShardFenix wrote:sexy...i cant wait to get mine in the mail hopefully this week

dude you should buy 2 its a great tf figure.

Have ya found the super double secret microscope mode yet? is it possible?

Im confused as to why I might need two...but included with my Perceptor is the rest of RTS wave 2 along with some decepticons to balance out my collection since RTS Wave 2 is 100% autobot.

It Is Him wrote:The chrome knobs are truly awesome. Unfortunately, they can't be removed from the toy without breaking the plastic or doing some heavy customization. In short, these can't be used on the United toy. Sorry gang.

Well that's disappointing. It's what I intended to do.

*drooling* I want mine!

Thanks for the mini-review. Looks like an awesome TF indeed. I was originally considering the United version instead because the vehicle mode looks less bland, but RTS's bot mode looks so great it almost doesn't matter.

monstergrotusque wrote:Have ya found the super double secret microscope mode yet? is it possible?

I tried spinning the sniper rifle to go down in front of the chest, but it just won't go. As far as I can tell, microscope mode can't be done, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't try.

kirbenvost wrote:*drooling* I want mine!

Thanks for the mini-review. Looks like an awesome TF indeed. I was originally considering the United version instead because the vehicle mode looks less bland, but RTS's bot mode looks so great it almost doesn't matter.

That's exactly how I feel, too. The extra detailing might be nice on the United toy, but in the end, it doesn't matter. RTS Perceptor wins on having the better bot mode.

i thought the same about United's alt--mode but then how tough could it be to paint the bumper silver on these anyway?

Looks nice in robot mode, but come on, another half-track?

Chrome good tho. Thx for the HU.

I'm in a similar boat. I think the United vehicle mode is better than the RTS version, but I feel the RTS version's bot mode is better than United's. Ultimately, since I'll likely keep him in bot mode more often, I'm going with the RTS version.

Nice min-review though, Definitely pointed out some things even the major reviewers haven't touched on.

As soon as I see him in a store, he's in my cart.
my neo-g1 autobots are heavily outnumbered at the moment so Perceptor, Kup, Bumblebee, and windcharger will round things out nicely.

Regarding part swapping:

You could swap the arms below the bicep for a really easy switch or you could heat the pin and pull. It's quite easy but requires a bit of bravery and a steady hand.

Got mine today through BBTS; thanks for the useful info, ItisHim!

Counterpunch wrote:Regarding part swapping:

You could swap the arms below the bicep for a really easy switch or you could heat the pin and pull. It's quite easy but requires a bit of bravery and a steady hand.

That's a good point, CP, but do you think the United version's red (at the bicep) will match up or be deeper/darker than the RTS version?

It looks like a simple matter of untabbing the shoulder rocket from the base as well, if you wanted to mix & match. The chrome on the chest plate looks terrific on the RTS guy, but looks attached by pin.

Perceptor is definitely a great figure. The chrome was a nice touch by Hasbro despite the lack of paint on other parts of the toy. Great review, It is Him. Definitely agree on not passing him up.

I'm still on the fence, because I just dont like his alt mode.
His robot mode does look really nice though. I'll probably eventually cave and get him, just to round out the movie cast.

Thanks for the review It is Him!

Does this version have the blue light-piping for the eyes?

What really made me decide to go United on this (I was still on the fence until today) was the yellow in the chest piece, and possibly the shoulder rocket. I was debating parts swapping for the chrome, but the chrome really is only a throwback to the G1 toy. In the cartoon and IDW comics its all white on the chest. Since my target is IDW/Cartoon look I think it makes my choice easier. Hearing it may not be too easy to swap the chrome off is unfortunate, it would be nice to have that option as a backup (and maybe I still can, heating and removing pins is pretty easy once you know how)

Also, I touch these figures up a lot, but I may be hard to make really nice clean lines in the ALT mode. I'm not sure I am sold on the deco of the alt mode in United, but those yellow windshields kill me. I'll wait and see if I can pick on up at retail for cheap.


Now Wreckgar on the other hand I am still confused about. United has more accurate chest, grey nipples/proper waist/shoulder colors (gold not unpainted grey) That said, I do like the flames on the RTS chest, even if they weren't on him originally. Another one I may pick up at retail and see which direction I go with both in hand.

Rodimus the Prime wrote:Thanks for the review It is Him!

Does this version have the blue light-piping for the eyes?

The eyes are yellow, and have yellow light piping... reminiscent of the old G1 toy.

Ah, I see! Thanks!