The Energon Pub

i have recently started collecting TFs again thanks (or no thanks depending on your view) to the alt/binaltech line... they are fantastic.
unfortunately, i gotten in a little late and found that prices for binaltech a lil high. i have purchased a few alternators and found the plastic a little meh.

so my question is... do you think i should buy them now while i still can before the movie.. or after the movie? maybe takara will be re-issuing binaltechs? a little advice from you much more experienced collectors and toy watchers would be much appreciated! thanks!

Unplugged_bot wrote:i have recently started collecting TFs again thanks (or no thanks depending on your view) to the alt/binaltech line... they are fantastic.
unfortunately, i gotten in a little late and found that prices for binaltech a lil high. i have purchased a few alternators and found the plastic a little meh.

so my question is... do you think i should buy them now while i still can before the movie.. or after the movie? maybe takara will be re-issuing binaltechs? a little advice from you much more experienced collectors and toy watchers would be much appreciated! thanks!

I dont really see them doing an BT reissues anytime soon since the products are still fairly new. I personally would recommend picking up what you can now.(However, dont break the bank to do so...)I'm not sure how much of an impact the movie will really have on the BT figures, i suspect it more to temporarily drive up the prices of G1 figures and there respective reissues.

The Binaltech line is an amazing line. If you can get them for a fair price you wont regret it. They just feel and look great. You will appreciate the work that has gone into them and the fact that they are real vehicles.

Keep in mind that if you plan on displaying in bot mode, I do prefer the alts over the BTs. They stand and pose much better. The BTs are awesome for displaying in vehivle mode.

I display whatever alts I have left in car mode and then let their awesomeness shine through. I do transform them once in a while though

Well my alts are all in bot mode as background figures for MP-01's epic endless battle with MP Megs in my display case.

Now, I have most of my Alts as BTs as well. They shine in Car mode, racing alongaide my MP-04 in a neighboring case.

Note: Alts look like crap in car mode compared to BTs. However, as I said earlier, infinitely easier to pose alts.

The Binaltech range is amazing, you won't be disappointed in getting any of the figures.

Personally I prefer BTs as the heavy diecast feel and the paintwork makes the figure look like a scale replica rather than a toy car.

A couple things to keep in mind with the BTs are:

Paint chipping on the diecast - transform the figure carefully and this won't be an issue.

Weight of the diecast - Certain figures may be tricky to put in certain poses (such as Grimlock - he has a tendancy to do the splits).

You might want to check out the BT KISS line - you get a plastic figure with a painted finish. The figure will be a lot lighter (thus easier to pose) but still has the painted finish to make the Alt mode more realistic.

I always chime in on these BT and ALT debates/issues. IMHO the Alternator toy line is better in bot mode because they can be posed nicer (not as heavy). The Binaltech displays so much nicer in alternate mode because of the diecast, very nice finish. When I have duplicates I display the ALT in bot mode and the BT in car form.

As for rushing out and buying them, I would hold off and buy the ones you really want. I do not forsee them all disappearing because of the movie. Take your time and dont break the banl.

thanks for your responses. although i guess i should have tried to make my question a little more clearer... do you think i should buy binaltechs now? or after the movie? do you think binaltechs will skyrocket in prices? or come down? thanks.

Unplugged_bot wrote:thanks for your responses. although i guess i should have tried to make my question a little more clearer... do you think i should buy binaltechs now? or after the movie? do you think binaltechs will skyrocket in prices? or come down? thanks.

Hard to say, some are already quite rare. Meister (Jazz) seems to be the hardest to fine brand new. Dont wait, have a look around now and see what you can find at acceptable prices and then just keep looking.

Things usually go up in price the longer they are out of production especially when lots of people want them. With the movie coming out more people might stumble across the BT range and like what they see. So start looking/buying now I reckon.

I would say that on any of the more popular characters, getting them now *should* be better than waiting, price-wise. If the movie is good (or even if it isn't) anything remotely resembling G1 should see a temporary 15-50% increase in secondary market price. If the movie is very good, that price increase might send some core pieces much, much higher for a longer period of time (i.e., 6 months to 1 year increase as opposed to a 1-3 month price increase).

Conversely, if the movie sucks, then come Christmas time you'll have your pick of whatever bot you want at bargain prices.

With all the movie buzz so far, I'd say the 1-3 month increase is the most likely, but keep in mind that no matter what, there will be a lot more interested people circling those TF ebay auctions on and after July 4th than before. How long they stay there depends on the movie.

I would pick up the ones http://www.digital-toys.com/tfbinaltech.html has on sale. $35 a piece isn't bad.

TRU Japan has been clearancing Binaltech figures lately. I picked up Streak, Hound, and Skids for 500 yen each.