The Energon Pub

[D-Maximal_Primal]

An awesome looking bunch! I really like the deco on the Universal SS Megatron.

I do too! I think after the movie 1 Megatron, the Universal studios one is my 2nd favorite SS Megs

[D-Maximal_Primal]

Just saying, I love how big Devastator is and also how he towers over the rest of the SS cons and can roar to his hearts content

[aronjlove]

Target at Spectrum Mall in Phoenix had a single SS86 Jazz and a single SS86 Blurr along with some WfC Micromasters and various Cyberverse figures. When I first hit the aisle, I could see the TF section, and it looked bare, but once I got closer, I saw the two remaining Studio Series figures. I picked up Jazz for myself and left Blurr for another lucky individual. I might hit another Target tomorrow in the hopes of finding Hot Rod.

[DeathReviews]

I'm more interested in when ER Thrust is going to be more readily available! Still no sightings of HIM anywhere near my realm...

[PetesSuperRobots]

These look fantastic. Great haul

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Target at Spectrum Mall in Phoenix had a single SS86 Jazz and a single SS86 Blurr along with some WfC Micromasters and various Cyberverse figures. When I first hit the aisle, I could see the TF section, and it looked bare, but once I got closer, I saw the two remaining Studio Series figures. I picked up Jazz for myself and left Blurr for another lucky individual. I might hit another Target tomorrow in the hopes of finding Hot Rod.

[aronjlove]

Jazz is pretty cool. You can flip the door panels out to give him small wings, similar but not as pronounced as the G1 look. The transformation is like a cross between WFC and Studio Series, as the entire top of the car is a backpack, but it folds up pretty nicely. Standing next to ER Wheeljack and TR Hot Rod, we can see TR Hot Rod is a little tall, but that should be rectified by SS86 Hot Rod once I find him. Then in alt-mode next to a couple of other racing cars from WFC, you can tell he looks like he definitely belongs. In the middle photo, I have his backpack mistransformed, the panel which becomes the back window tucks under the roof to fold away, but I was uncomfortable applying pressure to that hinge until I watched a video on youtube. This totally blows away PotP Jazz, and if they make a Ricochet Selects for this, I will buy it in a heartbeat. The PotP guys are better combiner limbs than figures, in my opinion anyway. This new mold is fun to transform and looks just like a Porsche, even though it is unlicensed.

[Sowndwave76]

Jazz is pretty cool. You can flip the door panels out to give him small wings, similar but not as pronounced as the G1 look. The transformation is like a cross between WFC and Studio Series, as the entire top of the car is a backpack, but it folds up pretty nicely. Standing next to ER Wheeljack and TR Hot Rod, we can see TR Hot Rod is a little tall, but that should be rectified by SS86 Hot Rod once I find him. Then in alt-mode next to a couple of other racing cars from WFC, you can tell he looks like he definitely belongs. In the middle photo, I have his backpack mistransformed, the panel which becomes the back window tucks under the roof to fold away, but I was uncomfortable applying pressure to that hinge until I watched a video on youtube. This totally blows away PotP Jazz, and if they make a Ricochet Selects for this, I will buy it in a heartbeat. The PotP guys are betting combiner limbs than figures, in my opinion anyway. This new mold is fun to transform and looks just like a Porsche, even though it is unlicensed.

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Congrats on such an awesome score!!
I really dig his alt mode too... Which normally I don't care about as much.
And that TR Hot Rod looks like a knock-off to me... He's just very generic-looking imo.

Anyway, this gives me hope that here in the midwest we'll start seeing these guys soon.

[ShadowBlaze]

Yesterday I found two Voyager Hot Rods at the Target in Encinitas, California. Bought one, left one.

He's a very nice figure - totally lives up to the Hasbro glamour shots. But I do want to offer a small word of warning. His alt-mode relies on lots of tabs and tight slots to hold together. One definitely wants to exercise caution while transforming him. Of particular note are the pipes on his arms. There's an incredibly small tab on each arm's middle pipe which is supposed to connect to the middle pipe on each leg. If any part of his torso isn't completely tabbed together as intended, the pipe tabs will be subject to extreme levels of tension, and trying unsuccessfully to separate them can result in the tabs breaking clean off. It happened by accident to my figure's left arm, leaving one side of the vehicle mode looking off-kilter. Out of curiosity - and resignation - I deliberately snapped off the tab on his other arm to see if it would even him out. The good news is that his car mode is completely stable and symmetrical without them, as long as everything else is secure. His arms are a little easier to position during conversion, but they aren't loose or otherwise problematic. Still, it's an issue worth watching out for, and one that I suspect will be a common source of frustration once more of these end up in collectors' hands.

[Emerje]

It's interesting that Takara is giving all of the SS86 toys their own proper Studio Series ID numbers instead of just 86 for each of them.

They do have their own numbers, Hasbro just made it smaller next to the 86.



Yeah, they aren't in line with the rest of SS, but I think Hasbro's way is better for separating the two styles, especially for the movie purists.

Emerje

[Rodimus Prime]

It's interesting that Takara is giving all of the SS86 toys their own proper Studio Series ID numbers instead of just 86 for each of them.

They do have their own numbers, Hasbro just made it smaller next to the 86.



Yeah, they aren't in line with the rest of SS, but I think Hasbro's way is better for separating the two styles, especially for the movie purists.

Emerje

yeah I figured the 86 was apart of the line name, thus making it a subline of SS and giving them their own numbers. So when Studio Series is counted, only the actual Bayverse figures should be considered, if we're talking about the animated movie figures they are Studio Series 86.

[Jelze Bunnycat]

It's interesting that Takara is giving all of the SS86 toys their own proper Studio Series ID numbers instead of just 86 for each of them.

They do have their own numbers, Hasbro just made it smaller next to the 86.



Yeah, they aren't in line with the rest of SS, but I think Hasbro's way is better for separating the two styles, especially for the movie purists.

Emerje

yeah I figured the 86 was apart of the line name, thus making it a subline of SS and giving them their own numbers. So when Studio Series is counted, only the actual Bayverse figures should be considered, if we're talking about the animated movie figures they are Studio Series 86.

Which raises the question: what's the assortment ID code for them?

[aronjlove]

The Target up on Peoria and 43rd Ave in Glendale, AZ has 3 Hot Rods, 2 Scourge, and a handful of Thrusts. I bought Hot Rod and Thrust. I'd report a sighting but I don't think it's working.

[aronjlove]

Well, it looks like the Target stores are getting stocked like they should have two weeks before Christmas not the week after but oh well. Where I went today was practically barren Friday except for two SS68 figures and some old Cyberverse stuff. Today, they had every single figure of Kingdom on the shelf. So why am I posting in the SS thread, because **** Buzzworthy Bumblebee, that's why. I was hoping to pick up the other SS86 figure, Blurr since the app said he was in stock. When I arrived all the SS space and then some was taking over by the BBB stuff. Since it is a bunch of SS rereleases that makes sense but holy **** there is only so much shelf space.

[TF-fan kev777]

I picked up a couple bees yesterday and finally had a chance to open them up and check them out.

I haven't had any prior experience with either mold yet, and both are pretty nice. I'd put SS74 bee a bit better than SS15 bee. SS15 does have a similar paint match issue as Earthrise Sunstreaker, but I do like the mold and was glad to get it at $20 and without having to pay for all the extras I wouldn't have used anyway. SS74 bee is outstanding. It has a similar overall transformation as SS15, but better. I also like that they went away from removing the whole arm for the arm cannon. Then again, you can give SS15 a butt-hand, so there is that.

[EvasionModeBumblebee]

I picked up a couple bees yesterday and finally had a chance to open them up and check them out.

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I haven't had any prior experience with either mold yet, and both are pretty nice. I'd put SS74 bee a bit better than SS15 bee. SS15 does have a similar paint match issue as Earthrise Sunstreaker, but I do like the mold and was glad to get it at $20 and without having to pay for all the extras I wouldn't have used anyway. SS74 bee is outstanding. It has a similar overall transformation as SS15, but better. I also like that they went away from removing the whole arm for the arm cannon. Then again, you can give SS15 a butt-hand, so there is that.

Nice! I’m headed to Target tomorrow, hoping to find ROTF Bee.

Question: Would you mind checking if there’s a pin in the joint between the car hood and the front windshield pieces on SS-15?

[william-james88]

I picked up a couple bees yesterday and finally had a chance to open them up and check them out.

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I haven't had any prior experience with either mold yet, and both are pretty nice. I'd put SS74 bee a bit better than SS15 bee. SS15 does have a similar paint match issue as Earthrise Sunstreaker, but I do like the mold and was glad to get it at $20 and without having to pay for all the extras I wouldn't have used anyway. SS74 bee is outstanding. It has a similar overall transformation as SS15, but better. I also like that they went away from removing the whole arm for the arm cannon. Then again, you can give SS15 a butt-hand, so there is that.

Nice! I’m headed to Target tomorrow, hoping to find ROTF Bee.

Question: Would you mind checking if there’s a pin in the joint between the car hood and the front windshield pieces on SS-15?

HA! I was gonna ask that too

[TF-fan kev777]

I picked up a couple bees yesterday and finally had a chance to open them up and check them out.

20210103_133013.jpg

I haven't had any prior experience with either mold yet, and both are pretty nice. I'd put SS74 bee a bit better than SS15 bee. SS15 does have a similar paint match issue as Earthrise Sunstreaker, but I do like the mold and was glad to get it at $20 and without having to pay for all the extras I wouldn't have used anyway. SS74 bee is outstanding. It has a similar overall transformation as SS15, but better. I also like that they went away from removing the whole arm for the arm cannon. Then again, you can give SS15 a butt-hand, so there is that.

Nice! I’m headed to Target tomorrow, hoping to find ROTF Bee.

Question: Would you mind checking if there’s a pin in the joint between the car hood and the front windshield pieces on SS-15?

HA! I was gonna ask that too

Yep, there is. Was it left out on the original?

[EvasionModeBumblebee]

I picked up a couple bees yesterday and finally had a chance to open them up and check them out.

20210103_133013.jpg

I haven't had any prior experience with either mold yet, and both are pretty nice. I'd put SS74 bee a bit better than SS15 bee. SS15 does have a similar paint match issue as Earthrise Sunstreaker, but I do like the mold and was glad to get it at $20 and without having to pay for all the extras I wouldn't have used anyway. SS74 bee is outstanding. It has a similar overall transformation as SS15, but better. I also like that they went away from removing the whole arm for the arm cannon. Then again, you can give SS15 a butt-hand, so there is that.

Nice! I’m headed to Target tomorrow, hoping to find ROTF Bee.

Question: Would you mind checking if there’s a pin in the joint between the car hood and the front windshield pieces on SS-15?

HA! I was gonna ask that too

Yep, there is. Was it left out on the original?

Oh, that’s cool! Thanks for checking!

So that mold had several releases (SS-01, SS-15, SS-19) where that pin was missing and the windshield/roof assembly would pop off really easily when transforming (My SS-01 wasn’t too bad about that until it spent a semester in the attic).

This was fixed with SS-27 Clunker Bumblebee, which put a pin in that joint to keep it together. Since Buzzworthy SS-15 is seemingly a rerelease of a figure before the pin was added, we were wondering if they had included it or not. It’s really cool that they did!

[TF-fan kev777]

Hmmm, that makes me wonder if they were able to do anything for car Shatter, but then again she has way more problems than a pin could fix.

[D-Maximal_Primal]

That's cool about the pin, I had completely forgotten about it.

I almost ordered both of those off the Target app, but for some reason they are $22.99 instead of $19.99 there. And I want both for the human figures, I love the SS74 mold and the SS15 is pretty nice, but I think both would be in alt mode on the shelf with their humans.

if I could find the Charlies garage set again for less than $30 I would rather grab that but it seems harder to get now

[TF-fan kev777]

That's cool about the pin, I had completely forgotten about it.

I almost ordered both of those off the Target app, but for some reason they are $22.99 instead of $19.99 there. And I want both for the human figures, I love the SS74 mold and the SS15 is pretty nice, but I think both would be in alt mode on the shelf with their humans.

if I could find the Charlies garage set again for less than $30 I would rather grab that but it seems harder to get now

I was eyeballing the set on Amazon when it dropped to $31.99, and might have bit at $30. But I don't care about all the extra tuner parts, so I was really glad to hear when they were re-releasing it under the Buzzworthy bee line for $20.

Unfortunately car mode is the weaker of the 2 modes because of the paint issue. The doors stand out like a sore thumb, on par with Earthrise Sunstreaker.

[D-Maximal_Primal]

That's cool about the pin, I had completely forgotten about it.

I almost ordered both of those off the Target app, but for some reason they are $22.99 instead of $19.99 there. And I want both for the human figures, I love the SS74 mold and the SS15 is pretty nice, but I think both would be in alt mode on the shelf with their humans.

if I could find the Charlies garage set again for less than $30 I would rather grab that but it seems harder to get now

I was eyeballing the set on Amazon when it dropped to $31.99, and might have bit at $30. But I don't care about all the extra tuner parts, so I was really glad to hear when they were re-releasing it under the Buzzworthy bee line for $20.

Unfortunately car mode is the weaker of the 2 modes because of the paint issue. The doors stand out like a sore thumb, on par with Earthrise Sunstreaker.

I actually wanted the extra tuner parts and stickers since this one is a bit bland to allow for the stickers.

The colors are disappointing, I don't want another Sunstreaker issue

[TF-fan kev777]

That's cool about the pin, I had completely forgotten about it.

I almost ordered both of those off the Target app, but for some reason they are $22.99 instead of $19.99 there. And I want both for the human figures, I love the SS74 mold and the SS15 is pretty nice, but I think both would be in alt mode on the shelf with their humans.

if I could find the Charlies garage set again for less than $30 I would rather grab that but it seems harder to get now

I was eyeballing the set on Amazon when it dropped to $31.99, and might have bit at $30. But I don't care about all the extra tuner parts, so I was really glad to hear when they were re-releasing it under the Buzzworthy bee line for $20.

Unfortunately car mode is the weaker of the 2 modes because of the paint issue. The doors stand out like a sore thumb, on par with Earthrise Sunstreaker.

I actually wanted the extra tuner parts and stickers since this one is a bit bland to allow for the stickers.

The colors are disappointing, I don't want another Sunstreaker issue

Much like Sunsteaker's roof, for Bee it is only the doors that are a problem, so the stickers would definitely help there. The orignial release would probably be your best bet. However, I do wonder how long until toyhax comes up with something. That might be a reasonable alternative if you only really wanted the stickers and not the extra plastic parts.

[TF-fan kev777]

AAAAAHHHHHHH!!!! Swarm of BEEESSSS!!!

Now that I have your attention, For anyone wondering about the deco of the Buzzworthy version of SS15, I have some good news, he isn't as bland as some have feared without the stickers and tuner parts.

Unlike the original, the Buzzworthy SS15 has Bee traditional black stripes painted on, so that makes 2 changes from the original release with the pin included for the roof and the black stripes on the car.

I'll get a few photos for Buzzworthy SS15 and SS74 taken today and share them here this afternoon.

[TF-fan kev777]

Here are some slightly better photos of Buzzworthy SS15 and SS74 along with a few other bees and ER Sunstreaker at the end to try and show the paint matching issues for SS15.

First up, I'm not a great photographer and was using my basic Samsung phone. My basement lighting are CFL's for whatever effect they might have on how everything photographs.

Up first just the new guys.

SS74 looks pretty good both to the naked eye and on photo between the yellow plastic and the yellow painted parts. SS15 Bees's problem parts are just the doors. SS15 also looks about as bad to the naked eye as it does on photo.

Now with some other bees.

I arranged these L to R with a purpose. SS VW and Jeep Bees on the left photograph worse on my camera than they do to the naked eye. I can tell the difference on these 2 with my eye, but it looks more like a difference in shine to the eye than it does a color mismatch like it does on the photo. SS74 and Netflix bee on the right both look solid to the naked eye and on camera, although some shots of SS74 bee have the yellow plastic a little more reflective than the painted parts washing them out a little depending on the light.

SS15 and TR bee are in the middle because both look a little bit worse on the match in person as they do on camera. Put them together with ER Sunstreaker and they are all about equal on the bad match of the yellow plastic to the yellow painted plastic, at least to my eyes.