The Energon Pub

News Credits: 3 · by **Samsonator** » Thu May 19, 2011 9:47 am

As the topic suggests: What, in the ever-growing pool of 3rd party companies and products, have impressed you enough to warrant purchasing? What are you looking forward to most? What do you recommend to others?

I've got surprisingly few 3rd party items, but the ones I have have definitely all been well worth it. I got Fansproject's City Commander (2nd run, with add-on pack) and it's still by far one of the most impressive items I have. It alone made me really appreciate what Fansproject brings to the table, so I also picked up their G3 Trailer for Classics Prime. The mirror paneled "Stealth" mode and the chrome weapons for some of the other Autobots were really nice touches, and I like that they retained Roller's launching ability. I look forward to the day I can actually afford to get the Protector armour.
More recently I picked up iGear's Kup 01 Head set. Despite the flak that iGear's been getting about some of their "less original" ideas (read: Ripped straight off from the hard work of customizers in the fandom, or from actual official Hasbro/TakaraTomy product) this set is fantastic. It really looks like these heads were ripped straight from the pages of IDW's comics (specifically the stuff Guido Guidi did for AHM) and made into three dimensional objects of epicness. I also really like how they've got two versions so that people can choose whether they want him smoking or not. While I don't condone some of iGear's business practices, I still recommend this set to anyone who wants their Kup to look a little more like he ought to.

So that's me, what about yourselves? Let us all know your favourites, your hopes, your recommendations, let the 3rd party love commence!

by **dinogeist** » Thu May 19, 2011 11:44 am

City commander trailer/armor for classics 1.0 ultra magnus

Protector trailer/armor for 1.0 Rodimus

Long smoke stacks for hasbro's 20th & 25th MP Optimus Prime.

Riffle guns extensions kits for Takara MP Megatron.

Igear faith leader

News Credits: 1 · by **Gauntlet101010** » Thu May 19, 2011 12:43 pm

Let's just skip the ones I bought to the ones I'd recommend. Because I've bought a ton of them.

1) City Commander. This probably tops everyone's list and for good reason. It's THE definitive version of Ultra Magnus. I have both the iGear and Perfect Effect sets for this guy and they both help, but if I had to boil it down, you don't need them to enjoy CC.

2) Bruticus. Again, another Fansprojects tops the list and again, this is the definitive Bruticus. And that's saying something considering we have a few different official molds to loop in (the original, Bruticus Maximuz, and PCC Bruticus). It's everything you'd want from a Bruticus.

3) Defender. Once more, everything you could possibly want from a Springer toy minus the deluxe size that hampers down most official efforts. Even the much maligned sword is sturdy, proven by braver souls than mine.

4) Delicate Warrior. What, not a FP item!? 'fraid so. Not-Arcee, like Not-Springer is everything you could want from an Arcee toy. Nice size, sturdy, transformable ... while perhaps not as perfect as FP's efforts, DW is still a must for anyone who wants to complete their Season 3 cast.

5) Impossible Toy's Quintesson Judge. Another near perfect representation of the character, you can finally condemn your TFs to death with your very own pompous, judgmental maraca. Again, not as perfect as an FP effort would be, but it's still bang-on. I can't imagine not having it as part of my TF collection as I'm a huge fan of the TF movie.

While I don't have them yet PE's Reflector and the Nonsecticons would probably also make this list.

by **alternator77** » Thu May 19, 2011 1:13 pm

fp muntioner/ explorer fantastic alone and epic together
fp warcry/flameblast great for those of you who want standalone figs
fp springer fills an important hole in any collection
last but not least city commander they did something that will be very hard to top in the future.

basically anything fp except the cliffjumper addon was never fond of it.

by **Son of Primus** » Thu May 19, 2011 2:21 pm

FansProject
Cliffjumper Upgrade - Really makes a difference, personally I only use the head, spoiler, and the guns and that alone makes it lok so much better than the straight repaint.
City Commander Upgrade
Warbot Defender
Munitioner and Explorer
The Not Insecticons - Can not wait for the full set to be released

Perfect Effect
PE-01 Frenzy and Rumble
PE-03 and 04 Laser and Buzer - Can't wait for these tobe released
PE-10 Kingbat - I use a modified jet mode instead of his official bat mode
PE-11 Soucting Force
I'm torn on picking up Ejector and Rewinder, but I'll probably end up getting them after my move

iGear
Kup Upgrade Head

eBay Custom
IDW/Classics Arcee Head - It is a perfect fit for the Animated Arcee mold, really makes her look like she was made for the Classics line

by **Motorthing** » Thu May 19, 2011 2:39 pm

Anything FansProject.

The PE Scouting Force is cool but PE's Bots are really, really tiny and somehow don't have quite the "feel" for the money you pay that FansProject stuff does.

I'll check out the TFC SLR and Deva of course but it's going to be look before buying time with those.

by **gothsaurus** » Thu May 19, 2011 3:14 pm

I'm on the same page. The FansProject bots have been of the highest quality. PE bots have all seemed too-small-for-the-money, though I really liked the Reflector homage. Looks great. I'm picking and choosing with iGear, but I had to get those jets. I don't think we'll be getting any official ones.... stateside for sure. (ie. USA)

News Credits: 402 · by **Mkall** » Thu May 19, 2011 10:02 pm

To me if it upgrades/enhances/fills out my neo-G1 line, then it's a must have. This is pretty much everything from Renderform, Fansproject and PerfectEffect are immediate preorders with no regrets.

I may pick and choose from other providers, especially iGear with whom I'm only buying original products, not hacks from other customizers/companies.

by **gothsaurus** » Fri May 20, 2011 9:16 am

Yeah, I forgot about Renderform. He's been great to deal with, and his sculpts and quality have been superb, especially considering it's a "garage" kit. Huge props there.

News Credits: 2 · by **Stockade** » Fri May 20, 2011 10:10 am

For me it would be:

Anything FP.

Head Robots Hard Head upgrade the first version.

iGears Kup upgrade.

Renderformers Skyfall head upgrade and next will be Darkwind.

PE stuff, well cant say anything yet, still have HR Bludgeon upgrade on pre-order with PE stuff waiting to come in.

by **gothsaurus** » Fri May 20, 2011 10:19 am

Yeah, that Kup sculpt was right on the money. Made a lot of difference to the ole TFTM Movie shelf.

News Credits: 5 · by **alexison** » Fri May 20, 2011 2:19 pm

Mkall wrote:To me if it upgrades/enhances/fills out my neo-G1 line, then it's a must have. This is pretty much everything from Renderform, Fansproject and PerfectEffect are immediate preorders with no regrets.

I may pick and choose from other providers, especially iGear with whom I'm only buying original products, not hacks from other customizers/companies.

I agree completely.

Website · by **RK_Striker_JK_5** » Fri May 20, 2011 5:02 pm

What Mkall said. FP and PE are *Snap* preorder on sight for me and I haven't regretted a purchase from either of them. BTS has some good stuff, too.

News Credits: 8 · by **LiKwid** » Tue May 24, 2011 10:17 pm

FP..They still have not made anything I don't own. Including the CJ set... I've started to get fond of PE..Just wish their prices were easier to swallow. I like the stuff from Renderform as well, very well made. Wish I could have gotten a junkion kit from that guy on TFW2005.. Maiden_japan? That set, friggin amazing...

by **gothsaurus** » Wed May 25, 2011 8:31 am

Same here. I missed that kit. Pained me deeply. I hope the guy re-issues it... or someone actually presses it outta plastic as a KO.

News Credits: 7 · by **alldarker** » Thu May 26, 2011 4:56 am

I'm missing MMC Knight Morpher on the lists above, but it's one of my favorite 3rd party molds, even considering I only own the KM-01 version (with some slight flaws) and not the arguably even better KM-02 Annihilator.

I'd most definitely consider anything FP a must buy, nowadays. I don't own any of the City Commander versions, partly due to not owning any of the OP/UM molds :oops:

so my first experience of FP was with the Warbot Defender, and even though that too has its slight flaws it's an amazing piece of work: excellent quality and paint apps, far above what I usually get with Hasbro products.

Munitioner and Explorer were an even bigger step upwards, far above and beyond my expectations, both in combined form but also as solitary pieces. In fact, I've since bought a second pair to keep MISB, not even as an investment but more as guarantee that if my current pair ever come to harm, a replacement is available! I've also bought Fireblast and Warcry (currently in a PoL), just because these molds are SO good. Also waiting with baited breath for FP's not-Insecticons, and I guess, anything else FP puts out.

Winging its way towards me is MGT-01 Delicate Warrior; I haven't seen her in the flesh, but its supposed to be excellent. Each one is handmade, so she's not cheap by any means, but from what I've seen, the quality shows through!

Last (and if I have to say so, least) is the nod I have to give to CrazyDevy's CDMW-14 Custom Giant Sonic Sword for Predaking: it's the only product I've bought from them, as it's the only accessory which I feel really adds to Predaking's look when compared to Razorclaw's sword.

by **gothsaurus** » Thu May 26, 2011 9:48 am

True there! Knight Morpher is a contender for tops in quality and design. Amazing 3rd party piece... can't recommend it more. Same for the Munitioner/Explorer and their retools.

The Arcee attempts all fell just short of satisfying my desire for a movie accurate toy. Quality, poseability, sculpt... all just short of making me happy. While I haven't had one break — knock wood — I see SO many people posting pics of them broken. (Given, I'm getting the two versions confused, now. Can't remember which is breaking.)

Crazy Devy's sculpts have been great... and the ideas on how to beef up G1 items commendable. BUT the pricing and sales model (releasing each bit individually without showing a finished piece... and no way to order a set or ensure you can score all of them). I have huge problems with that. Makes me cranky just talking about it. I've ended up having to buy from three different sources to try to piece Devastator together, though he does look a million times better.

Insecticons have been so neglected for a decade. Definite win.

by **dinogeist** » Fri May 27, 2011 11:42 am

I also consider the 3rd party bruticus limbs of swindle & blastoff as must own. If you own the energon 5-in-1 combiner toys & want unique limbs.

I was kinda hoping they'd also create 2 newer limbs for energon superion.

and maybe 3 newer molds for energon devestator. with the 3rd new mold either being a Headmaster,Targetmaster,back packpack,chest plate or over the head shoulder canons.

News Credits: 100 · by **-Kanrabat-** » Fri Feb 10, 2012 5:56 am

First, the Head mod kit for Generations Kup is a must. Instead of looking like a zombie, Kup now have personality. Also, the Matrix kit and long metal smokestacks uprade to the G1 reissue Optimus Prime is a must.

After selling a TF Prime FE lot (Arcee, BB, Screamers, Cliffy, OP, Bulky) I made just enough profits to finally get Delicate Warrior.
I wanted that thing ever since it was first announced but felt she was way too expensive. But now that I have her "for free", I could take the plunge. Luckily, Igear still have her in stock for 120$ shipped. I was not interested to pay a 30-50$ extra on Ebay. I'm looking forward to finally have a accurate G1 Arcee in hand. And there's a nice Autobot sticker waiting to land on her lovely but pointy chest!
This will be my first high-quality 3dr party figure ever.

News Credits: 1 · by **Blackstreak** » Sat Feb 11, 2012 10:17 pm

For me, just about all of Fansproject's stuff warrants an absolute must for purchase. Outside of that it really depends on the holes in my collection and just how complete Hasbro makes their products. For example, Classics Optimus Prime (or any Prime outside of the DOTM line) warrants a trailer because Hasbro don't do them any more for the most part. Getting a trailer for my Classics (Henkei actually) Prime was an absolute must. Getting iGear's Kup head mold was an absolute must. Picking up Hercules was/is an absolute must because 1) I already committed to getting that set, 2) I like it better than the other version (Giant I think?).

News Credits: 4 · by **craggy** » Sat Feb 11, 2012 10:30 pm

Protector was the first I bothered with. Never had Rodimus Prime as a kid, although I did play with a friend's one a few times. I like the character, despite his whining. Sad that I missed out on City Commander, but Protector was a must, even if my Hot Rod doesn't match 100% colour-wise. Sidearm was a must for that price as well.

Likewise the Kup head was too good an offer to pass up. Especially with 2 options of head coming and the one on the figure being so unappealing to me. I'd been ready to pass on the toy, despite my liking of the character. iGear's head made it worth it.

I skipped the FP Bruticus add-ons due to not having the original combiner they were adding on to. Sort of sad that I did. The retools are nice enough, but it's Swindle that I really want. Can't get either for anywhere near the original price now. Didn't make that mistake with the FP Insecticons, and very glad for it. They're all cool toys, and not ones it looks like Hasbro has any interest in updating any time soon.

The recent iGear MiniWarriors are a great product too. They look exactly how I want my TFs to look, and are at a brilliant price point for 3rd party stuff. Heck, they're nearly competitive with prices for some official products.

I like the look of Perfect Effect's stuff, but it is so small, I can't bare to part with the cash for them. I want a Classics Arcee, but have heard so many things about poor QC on them, and they're all so expensive.

News Credits: 2 · by **AceMilo** » Wed Feb 15, 2012 12:09 am

So I'd love to get my hands on City Commander or FP Bruticus, but the prices now are astronomical! Classics Ultra Magnus is going for $200 on ebay right now with skywarp, and that's just the figure itself! I always wonder why they do such cool upgrades to such rare figures and not ones that are more easily obtained. The Bruticus set is also going for about $500 right now, with Bruticus himself going for $200 without the FP upgrade, which is insane!

So this begs the question, how does someone like me who didn't get in on the ground floor with such cool figures, get this figures without paying hundreds of dollars in premium? Anyone that has such figures, what advice would you give to someone else that doesn't have them in finding them for reasonable prices?

News Credits: 402 · by **Mkall** » Wed Feb 15, 2012 12:19 am

AceMilo wrote:So this begs the question, how does someone like me who didn't get in on the ground floor with such cool figures, get this figures without paying hundreds of dollars in premium? Anyone that has such figures, what advice would you give to someone else that doesn't have them in finding them for reasonable prices?

I'd suggest haunting the Buy/Sell/Trade forums of the various fansites for these figures. The prices will fluctuate between higher-than-retail and wow-that's-steep but usually they'd be better than eBay.

News Credits: 8 · by **gema** » Wed Feb 15, 2012 3:06 am

FP Shadow Scyther!!! I missed the boat and now the price is insane!
And on that note, any classic-inspired Combiners! :grin:

News Credits: 23 · by **Prime Evil** » Wed Feb 15, 2012 12:43 pm

AceMilo wrote:I always wonder why they do such cool upgrades to such rare figures and not ones that are more easily obtained.

I'm not sure around other parts of the country, but Ultra Magnus and Skywarp were shelfwarmers where I'm from. Target couldn't get rid of these guys. I remember seeing the set on clearance as well. It was only after Fans Project created City Commander did the price for the set really start to climb. It's unfortunate, but you're just really, really late coming into this game is all.

As for the Bruticus set, again, I saw LOTS of these guys when they were out. See what I just said and replace UM with this Bruticus set and it's not different. Fans Project will drive up the value of these once shelf warmers.