The Energon Pub

[SkyWarpt]

Having read several reviews as well as watched them, The car mode alone is enough to convince people to buy him. That is an amazing alt mode. And I love his flying car mode, ridiculous as it may be. Enough so that if I did get him, that is probably the mode I would display him in. The robot mode issues still persist, but they can be excused somewhat by the other 2 modes.

I have him in hand and I'm pretty confident pulling neck forward till it clicks "is" proper transformation. Definitely worth the price of admission in my book.

[fenrir72]

That was FAST! Ocean Designs pimping Tracks.

[Cyberpath]

Hooray! Tracks finally arrived!

The car-mode is beautiful -- the robot-mode looks great, too -- articulation is super... but the transformation was like a mini-torture. I wonder if I'll manage to fold him back into a car. Maybe it will get easier with practice.

Anyway, Tracks looks good with the other Autobots, and that small Blaster is too cool. (we need a small Soundwave, too!) And with Hot Rod, Ironhide and Ratchet coming up I will need to find a solution for the already limited shelf space.

[Cyberpath]

[Cobotron]

Been waiting for Cyber Path brand Tracks photos to drop.
Lookin' GREAT!

Any issues I had with him initially, have faded. He saved himself with his pose-ability alone.
How do you think he measures up to the rest of your MP squad?

[Cyberpath]

Thanks, Cob!

I think Tracks fits great with the other cars. Kobayashi did a good job of keeping Hasui's aesthetics.

The poseability is really good! I love the fact he can hold his gun like in the screen grab above (one of the selling points of AD31 for me.)

Now I gotta try folding him into a car sometime, might look for video to go with instructions.

[fenrir72]

Been waiting for Cyber Path brand Tracks photos to drop.
Lookin' GREAT!

Any issues I had with him initially, have faded. He saved himself with his pose-ability alone.
How do you think he measures up to the rest of your MP squad?

Naysayers have their feet in their mouth Cobster!

[Burn]

Been waiting for Cyber Path brand Tracks photos to drop.
Lookin' GREAT!

Any issues I had with him initially, have faded. He saved himself with his pose-ability alone.
How do you think he measures up to the rest of your MP squad?

Naysayers have their feet in their mouth Cobster!

No, we don't.

I stick by what I said, I prefer BT/Alt Tracks. This guy is needlessly over-complicated.

[Cobotron]

I stick by what I said, I prefer BT/Alt Tracks. This guy is needlessly over-complicated.

That's the same mold as Battle Ravage, right? I do like that figure a lot, but I find most BT/Alts to be frustratingly over complicated. I didn't think Tracks was any more complicated than say, Wheeljack.

The one concern I still have with Tracks is the weight of some of the plastic used, and the precedent that might set for future MPs. The MPs until Tracks used that nice solid Cybertron/GF type hard plastic. tracks uses a lot of the softer plastics we see in Generations toys. Maybe that will prove to be better for durability, but he just doesn't have the heft of the previous MP cars that I enjoy.

[Burn]

I stick by what I said, I prefer BT/Alt Tracks. This guy is needlessly over-complicated.

That's the same mold as Battle Ravage, right? I do like that figure a lot, but I find most BT/Alts to be frustratingly over complicated. I didn't think Tracks was any more complicated than say, Wheeljack.

Wheeljack/Grimlock was an incredibly complicated figure that I still can't transform without taking the damn doors off. It's the waist, there's three damn points of movement there that get me every time!

[Cobotron]

I stick by what I said, I prefer BT/Alt Tracks. This guy is needlessly over-complicated.

That's the same mold as Battle Ravage, right? I do like that figure a lot, but I find most BT/Alts to be frustratingly over complicated. I didn't think Tracks was any more complicated than say, Wheeljack.

Wheeljack/Grimlock was an incredibly complicated figure that I still can't transform without taking the damn doors off. It's the waist, there's three damn points of movement there that get me every time!

Sorry Chief, I meant MP Tracks and Wheeljack. The WJ/Grim BT/Alt mold is one I have never, and am hesitant to experience.

[fenrir72]

I stick by what I said, I prefer BT/Alt Tracks. This guy is needlessly over-complicated.

That's the same mold as Battle Ravage, right? I do like that figure a lot, but I find most BT/Alts to be frustratingly over complicated. I didn't think Tracks was any more complicated than say, Wheeljack.

Wheeljack/Grimlock was an incredibly complicated figure that I still can't transform without taking the damn doors off. It's the waist, there's three damn points of movement there that get me every time!

Sorry Chief, I meant MP Tracks and Wheeljack. The WJ/Grim BT/Alt mold is one I have never, and am hesitant to experience.

I previously owned 2 Binaltech molds. Jazz and Smokescreen (sold them off). Awesome but wtf with the paint (so much chipping ) ? And the scale was equally oompha awesome!

Track's over complication was due to the incorporation of the backpack into the car structure and not as separate add-on. That I stand by. Not to mention the severe disadvantage of designing a robot/car hybrid in such a smaller scale compared to the binaltechs.

Another thing I am taking back about the back gap of Tracks which I severely criticized. This is due to the design limitations of the base figure. I remember similar weird results of figures with a big gap in the back.

Among them are:

1. G1 Getaway

2. VF1S Takatoku 1/55 (though not as overt) aka G1 Jetfire

3. VF Yamato 1/60 ( issue was dealt with with a parts forming accessory included with the Kanzen Henkei Armor set that covered up the ugly gap)

4. Hi-Metal R Valkyrie series 1/100 also has the unsightly gap but the neck locks in place

So, not giving TT a free pass but the are times when engineering and aesthetics get compromised due to the "canvass" you are forced to work with.

Another with with the binaltech/alternators, a lot of the parts tend to fall off.

[Burn]

Another thing I am taking back about the back gap of Tracks which I severely criticized. This is due to the design limitations of the base figure.

(I think you're talking MP Tracks here)

My biggest problem was with the backpack. The instructions weren't overly clear, may have been in part due to my dodgy eyesight, but it wasn't quite clear to me how, or even if, the boot/trunk of the car is suppose to plug into the upper torso.

I did get it to plug in, but then I'd have the chest unplug from the shoulders and I'd have to put that back into place and then the backpack would unplug ... very fiddly and annoying.

[fenrir72]

Another thing I am taking back about the back gap of Tracks which I severely criticized. This is due to the design limitations of the base figure.

(I think you're talking MP Tracks here)

My biggest problem was with the backpack. The instructions weren't overly clear, may have been in part due to my dodgy eyesight, but it wasn't quite clear to me how, or even if, the boot/trunk of the car is suppose to plug into the upper torso.

I did get it to plug in, but then I'd have the chest unplug from the shoulders and I'd have to put that back into place and then the backpack would unplug ... very fiddly and annoying.

Yup. MP Tracks. My first post concerning my critique on him when I got hold of mine was the ugly gap in the back.

As for setting up the "hood", yes, it was indeed a bit dodgy. Maybe it was mentioned in the manual but hey, who among us is fluent in reading hiragana/katakana/romanji

I too was kind off stumped where to set the back of the car into that slot on the torso to keep the "hoodie" steady.

[Cyberpath]

Really? I don't have issues with the backpack. It can actually tab in several places fine.

I like to tab it in a cartoon-accurate way --

Or depending on the pose, or angle of the shot.

In my opinion the official photograph got it wrong. It's too far back.

[Burn]

In my opinion the official photograph got it wrong. It's too far back.

That would make sense. I looked at it and thought it was silly as it could easily it closer.

[fenrir72]

Really? I don't have issues with the backpack. It can actually tab in several places fine.

I like to tab it in a cartoon-accurate way --

Or depending on the pose, or angle of the shot.

In my opinion the official photograph got it wrong. It's too far back.

Yup. It's too far back. The notch that locks the pack is a bit to the inside on the sides.

[Cyberpath]

I did it! I folded him into a car! And without a video. So rewarding. Everything fits flush.
Plugged the side mirrors, too.

These things are like those puzzle toys, but I think I remember the transformation now.

[Cobotron]

I did it! I folded him into a car!

Congratulations! You've won ... a brand new CORVETTE!!

[Cyberpath]

I did it! I folded him into a car!

Congratulations! You've won ... a brand new CORVETTE!!

Thank you, thank you. It's a flying Corvette now.

[fenrir72]

Really? I don't have issues with the backpack. It can actually tab in several places fine.

I like to tab it in a cartoon-accurate way --

Or depending on the pose, or angle of the shot.

In my opinion the official photograph got it wrong. It's too far back.

I tried pushing it a bit to close the gap, it conflicts with the arm clearance with his wings.

[Cyberpath]

Second transformation into robot: easier this time around. I got the hang of it. Man, he looks good.

I tried pushing it a bit to close the gap, it conflicts with the arm clearance with his wings.

Pic?

[DedicatedGhostArt]

Second transformation into robot: easier this time around. I got the hang of it. Man, he looks good.

I tried pushing it a bit to close the gap, it conflicts with the arm clearance with his wings.

Pic?

Is that your picture?

[fenrir72]

Second transformation into robot: easier this time around. I got the hang of it. Man, he looks good.

I tried pushing it a bit to close the gap, it conflicts with the arm clearance with his wings.

Pic?

Is that your picture?

Cyberpath moved his shoulders outward so there will be clearance. But put them parallel and not outward then there will be some clearance issues unless you angle his wings at around 60 degree higher.

He also highered the hood beyond the notch where the back pack sort of locks in.

[Cyberpath]

Is that your picture?

Yes. Though unrelated to the backpack subject.

Cyberpath moved his shoulders outward so there will be clearance. But put them parallel and not outward then there will be some clearance issues unless you angle his wings at around 60 degree higher.

He also highered the hood beyond the notch where the back pack sort of locks in.

The whole thing is very adjustable. Where the hoodie clips, the wings, the colour bar thing, the missiles..