Review: 6815 - Hovertron

[Walter Kovacs]

I've always liked the LEGO impulse sets. Very reasonably priced, and usually an interesting finished model. When you find one in a theme you happen to be collecting, well, that's just the icing on the cake.

Stats:

Name: Hovertron

Number: 6815

Theme: Exploriens

Year: 1996

Parts: 28

Minifigs: 1

Original MSRP: $3 USD

Links: Bricklink, Peeron, Brickset

The Box

I discarded my packaging many moons ago, so this one is provided thanks to Peeron.

Catalogs

I found some old catalogs from 1996 or early 1997 that show the Exploriens line. I thought you'd enjoy seeing them.

This is the earlier catalog. It's interesting to note that two of the sets pictured aren't even in the Exploriens theme. The set in the upper right hand corner is the Unitron monorail ( ), and the minifig pack is listed on Bricklink as a generic space set.

This catalog is a little newer, showing both the Exploriens and the "new" UFO theme. UFO came out in summer of 1997, so this catalog was probably from winter 1997. From what I can see, there were no changes between the catalog and final versions of this set.

Instructions

Front

The instructions are short, only two pages long. Once you look at these photos, you, too can assemble your very own Hovertron.

Back

There are some alternate models that can be made. They are pretty easy to build (of course with only 25 pieces, they should be).

Bits and Pieces

The "Big" Pile

There aren't very many pieces, but what you do get are generally useful. Two plates without corners, two 1 x 2 plates with handle. Tile clips and hinge bricks are always handy to have when MOCing. Never discount a set because it has a small number of parts.

Stickered Parts

Even an impulse set succumbed to LEGO's insidious DSS. Of course, the reflective surface is the reason these parts are stickered and not printed, so some slack should be given. There are no printed parts, aside from the torso and minifig head.

Minifig

Minifig

I like two out of the three Exploriens torsos. This is the one I dislike. The oversize Exploriens logo just doesn't do it for me; I'd much rather have hoses, zippers or other details on the front of the torso. The helmet is very nice, though. I imagine it started as a diver helmet.

Minifig Face

If the torso was a disappointment, the face makes up for it. A nice microphone, some bushy eyebrows and a smart moustache. The face fits the theme well.

Minifig Back

The back of the minifig. There is no back printing.

The Build

Seeing as this is an impulse set, there isn't much that can't be seen in the overall pictures that would be revealed by in-build photos. The build is also very straight-forward.

That clip on the back feels very tacked on. I know it was used extensively in the Exploriens line, but it seems to serve no purpose here. You can clearly see the control panel for our intrepid spaceman to use.

Here is the complete model, minus the minifig and his sensor tool.

The Model

The finished product looks rather dashing.

3/4

Here's our hero, zipping across the barren wastes, looking for those all important fossils. It's interesting to note that this is only one of two Exploriens sets missing those fossil tiles.

Front

The trans blue cone on the front makes a nice blaster. Or sensor. I'm sure LEGO meant us to take it as a sensor

Side

A look from the opposite side of the Hovertron.

Back

Our spaceman has plenty of room to stand in.

Top

You can see that the control panel is well within reach.

Scores

Build: 4/10 The build lasts 1 minute, maybe a minute and a half if you fumble with the pieces.

Playability: 6/10 There's not a whole lot of playability here. The model is very swooshable though, which helps.

Minifigures: 6/10 The torso is a disappointment, but the minifig head helps make up for this.

Pieces: 5/10 With only 28 parts, there isn't much to work with here. You do get some hinge bricks and plates with a handle, which are useful in MOCs. Still a good parts/price ratio.

Price: 8/10 Price to parts was good back in the day; almost all of the parts are useful for MOCs. Bricklink prices now are inflated, at least for MISB sets.

Design: 8.5/10 While the build leaves a lot to be desired, the overall design is very good. Compact and swooshable, and some decent details despite the lack of parts.

Total- 37.5/60 Overall a decent set that goes well in your space collection. Everyone needs some small, single person sets. This one fits that niche well.

Full gallery for more pictures, when moderated.

[ZO6]

Thanks for this review.

I somehow wound up with a handful of these sets, I guess most of them were given too me as gifts. This doesn't bother me much though as they make for nice little support ships for the rest of the Exploriens line.

[not-in-use-anymore]

In another review I saw a stickered tile that was magnetic, so is the cylinder tile in this set also?(it looks thicker than normal ones)

[Walter Kovacs]

In another review I saw a stickered tile that was magnetic, so is the cylinder tile in this set also?(it looks thicker than normal ones)

Nope, this tile is merely reflective. Only the square black 2 x 2 fossil tiles are magnetic. They look like this:

Note: I didn't have a picture of just the fossil tiles. The silvered one is not magnetic.

[CP5670]

This is one of my favorite impulse-style space sets. The design is simple but works well.

I think that guy is supposed to be the Explorien commander. That torso is always used with that unique head in all the sets it appears in.

[lightningtiger]

Thanks for the review 'Walter Kovacs' - this came out in my dark times so I missed it.

Very nice little set, functional in every way and a great play item !

One can assume that tail piece was there to help with maintain stable flight ?

You're right too I'm not a fan of that torso, that print is too large !

Cute set, if I could be pick one up I would or just knock up something similar out of my parts boxes.

I'm a conformist! everyone !