The Energon Pub

I've been looking at the Trans-Scanning figures (Bumblebee and Prime, are there others?) and they look kinda cool, but I have some questions maybe someone who owns them can answer.

They're not really transformers, right? I mean, they have alt modes, but instead of folding them up, you essentially disassemble and reassemble them to the alt mode, right? Weird.

Since they are completely disassemblable (is that a word?) can you leave half the kibble off so they don't look so stupid in robot mode? Or is the kibble inseparably connected to the more vital parts (chest pieces, etc.)? Or is the kibble not as bad as it looks?

The re-entry mode looks cool to me, especially with the display stand, and they look like they are articulated out the wazoo, so you can probably get some cool poses out of the robot modes. Are they really worth owning?

I'm having trouble finding video reviews or galleries. Is there a place I can go to see more photos/videos of these toys?

Have you seen these for Optimus?

There's a fair bit of stuff on video out there for these guys.

I thought they were great figures and a wonderful new concept. I don't regret getting them at all.

Well, I had forgotten these guys for a while until now.

I watched the video in the link (and others linked there) and I have to say they look pretty bad. I was initially impressed by these guys when they first came out, but now?

Overly complex, completely inaccurate, and a bunch of kibble that looks ridiculous, plus they're not much bigger than a Scout? Yikes.

Trans-scanners are completely transformable. They come as a core robot (looks like a termintor). You can add the protoform parts and transform it into a pod, although to be honest it doesn't look good in real life. You can remove these parts and add the earth mode parts and transform them into vehicle mode. Prime is fiddly and tiny and you have to hold several bits in place while manipulating others. You can remove whatever parts you like and with Prime you can make a sort of battle station. See this gallery.

BumbleBee is less kibbly but comes with no weapon. As he is less kibbly he is more poseable without removing parts - and the amount of joints the core robots have is unreal - they're as poseable as a contortionist!

I like the little guys and played with them for hours, however, they aren't very movie accurate.

I agree w/ Mykltron, but I really like my Optimus. He's very small, but has a really nice alt mode. Robot mode is not especially accurate, but it appeals to me. Chrome is nice.

Nice part is, you can build both the protoform Optimus and the alt mode simultaneously, leading to fun scenes like this:

LOL, nice one!

I dunno, I'd say they're pretty interesting, but probably more interesting than actual fun. Something you would likely spend a decent amount of time with initially, but probably not something you'd come back to much. I know I haven't touched mine in forever.

Anyhow, I found Prime to be more enjoyable than Bee. Prime has a very nice alt mode. BB's would be nice, but his doors are a different shade of yellow than the rest of him. Both have super kibbly bot modes. Prime is fiddly as hell to TF, whereas BB is a lot more straight forward.

Personally, I would say don't spend much more than $25 a pop if you get 'em...and if you're not getting a deal for both or saving a ton on shipping, I'd go Prime first, see how you like it, then BB if you're pumped. Although that's what I did and still turned out to be somewhat disappointed with BB.

I've just watched that video review and I'd like to correct a few things:

The protoform parts DO limit the shoulder movement a bit.

The earth form backpack doesn't limit the shoulders as much as he makes out. The backback can be removed and turned into a mini battle platform but even with it on Prime is plenty poseable.

Thanks for the pics and videos, and for the general thoughts, guys. Very informative and helpful. I think I'll definitely pass on trans-scanning Bumblebee. I'll keep trans-scanning Prime in mind, though, for a future purchase. He looks cooler than I thought at first glance.

I almost got the Bumblebee one a couple of months back when I saw it on Amazon, but ended up ordering something else... don't remember what.

I may still get one someday if I find it cheap.

I really like Bee but it is really crap that he has no gun. However, being a kitbasher, I was able to make a passable one to replace his hand. That makes him much more fun.