42215 Volvo EC500 Hybrid Excavator

[Zerobricks]

12 minutes ago, Unbrickme said:

I have a question about your last sentence. Did people think L motors were getting discontinued?

I was a bit worried that the big integrated hub will repalce them, yes.

[Timorzelorzworz]

German description also says it has a rechargeable akku with USB-C cable (not included in the Set). This may explain the price. A new rechargeable dumb battery pack with one motor port.

"Modell mit Akku: Der Akku kann immer wieder mithilfe eines nicht enthaltenen USB-C-Kabels aufgeladen werden, um den LEGO Spielzeugbagger mit Strom zu versorgen"

Translated from german shop description:

"Battery-powered model: The battery can be recharged repeatedly using a USB-C cable (not included) to power the LEGO toy excavator."

Edited May 1 by Timorzelorzworz

[allanp]

33 minutes ago, lcvisser said:

I find it amusing/confusing that first everybody is complaining  about Control+ because the hub is always RC and you always need a smart device to play; now they bring back a “dumb” hub with a complicated gearbox and people start complaining it’s not RC. 
I think it’s a cool set. The price is a bit steep, but you get a bunch of big LA’s. I might get it. 

Different people have different, often overlapping and often opposed complaints, and they are often more complex than it may seem.

I didn't mind the inclusion of remote control as an extra touch of playability. What I never liked is that RC was always (except for the zetros and liebherr crane) used as a replacement for any semblance of life like mechanics as opposed to being a neat addition to the life like mechanics. RC, when not dependent on using your smart device is cool, but mechanics should come first in a Technic set. Technic can do mechanics better than any other (if we ignore $3,000+ fully metal real hydraulic RC excavators and such), but it when it comes to RC, where there are alternatives with insanely powerful brushless motors, metal gears and ball bearings, it's vastly out classed and over priced. Technic being just another RC toy is weak, weaker still if it's smart device dependent. But Technic being an authentic mechanical masterclass is awesome. Technic being an authentic mechanical masterclass that's also RC without being dependent on a smart device seems sadly to be an impossibility. 

So now we have this Volvo excavator. Losing smart device dependency is good, I do like that. Losing RC altogether is not the same thing, but not the worst thing that could happen considering they can only very rarely have both RC and semi reasonably authentic mechanics in the same model for whatever reason. Having a "dumb" power source that doesn't require a smart device is good.

When it comes to complexity, if it had complexity that is authentic and somewhat resembles the complexity of the real thing, that would be awesome. But instead we have the kind of complexity that doesn't do as much to serve the models authenticity. Real excavators don't have multifunction gearboxes or screw style actuators. This would be fine if it was a space shuttle, where it would be unreasonable to expect a working rocket engine, but when it's an excavator? 

It brings to mind why so many still love 8880. Why does it have a V8 engine (a first for 8880) or 4 speed gearbox (another first) with drive rings engaging in clutch gears (another first) or 4 wheel drive (another first in a car) or 4 wheel steering (another first) if it doesn't actually move under it's own power? If the wheels can turn freely, it can still be pushed along the floor and move around realistically right? So why does it need an engine or gearbox or differentials or drive shafts or any of that mechanical innovation? It has them because a real car has them. That's the only reason they are there, to serve the authenticity of it. Moving realistically (though I suspect this excavator will move far too slowly even for scale speed) isn't enough in a good flagship.

If we compare the functions and mechanics of this Volvo excavator to somewhat similar sets like the airbus helicopter and unreleased osprey (both having "dumb" battery boxes, a single motor and multifunction gearbox), the 140 euro osprey compares about the same and the 210 euro airbus helicopter had more innovation in terms of mechanical authenticity. 42042 is also similar with a 4 function bi-directional gearbox. So that's about where an excavator with this level of functions and mechanics should be for me, a 150-200 euro non flagship.

Oh boy, this post sounds harsh. I'm sorry about that. I did tone it down but what can I say, this is how I see it.

1 hour ago, Unbrickme said:

At this price point it needed to be full RC. No RC basic battery box normally means cheaper set 

I have a question about your last sentence. Did people think L motors were getting discontinued?

We've had a strong feeling that control+ and the majority of it's components has been quietly shelved (with the exception of the all in one hub based cars) due to their absence this year and last year also. We do get the L motor in the Volvo excavator and there is a control+ train coming this summer, but this could be clearing old stock of parts, or it could be because developing what might be the next system of electronics will likely take longer than a year.

[pleegwat]

24 minutes ago, allanp said:

When it comes to complexity, if it had complexity that is authentic and somewhat resembles the complexity of the real thing, that would be awesome. But instead we have the kind of complexity that doesn't do as much to serve the models authenticity. Real excavators don't have multifunction gearboxes or screw style actuators. This would be fine if it was a space shuttle, where it would be unreasonable to expect a working rocket engine, but when it's an excavator? 

But the real thing isn't powered by pneumatics either. It's powered by hydraulics. And those might look similar, but linear actuators (if done right) can act more similar.

[Paul B Technic]

After reading a lot of comments and seeing some more photos, this will be a pass for me, mostly due to the price = $599.99AUD :(

[Bartybum]

1 hour ago, Paul B Technic said:

$599.99AUD :(

Hahahah, I can already see the smug small Lego retailers like Toyworld insisting on keeping to that price.

Honestly no idea what the Technic department have been smoking the past five years

[jorgeopesi]

10 minutes ago, Bartybum said:

Honestly no idea what the Technic department have been smoking the past five years

Me neither but they keep increasing the price so someone still buying them, I will wait for the bucket and interesting parts...

[Unbrickme]

5 hours ago, allanp said:

We've had a strong feeling that control+ and the majority of it's components has been quietly shelved (with the exception of the all in one hub based cars) due to their absence this year and last year also. We do get the L motor in the Volvo excavator and there is a control+ train coming this summer, but this could be clearing old stock of parts, or it could be because developing what might be the next system of electronics will likely take longer than a year.

PF in technic existed 2007-2018. 2019 if you include the january release. That's at least 11 years of PF existing. 2019-2015 it has only been 6 years. I seriously doubt LEGO is already replacing control+/PU with a new electronics system. 4.5v and 9v eras of electronics also lasted in the decade+ range, so I don't think LEGO is replacing powered up already. Main 4 port hub is still being sold at its full price. XL motor was heavily discounted before it got discontinued (still don't understand why)

6 hours ago, Zerobricks said:

I was a bit worried that the big integrated hub will repalce them, yes.

But the integrated hub is only good for cars. If integrated hub actually replaced the main 4 port control+ hub, that means no more RC anything besides cars similar to the porsche

[msk6003]

7 hours ago, Timorzelorzworz said:

A new rechargeable dumb battery pack with one motor port.

Hub itself will still has 2 port and rechargeable battery will replace traditional 6 AA battery compartment. Make it more versatile.

[Jurss]

5 hours ago, Paul B Technic said:

mostly due to the price = $599.99AUD :(

But then think about poor americans :D what is addtitional tarrif there?

[Oh_Hi_Mao]

5 hours ago, Paul B Technic said:

After reading a lot of comments and seeing some more photos, this will be a pass for me, mostly due to the price = $599.99AUD :(

599 AUD is 329 Euros, or did I missed something here ? RRP for this set is 400 Euros 

[ludov]

7 hours ago, allanp said:

Different people have different, often overlapping and often opposed complaints, and they are often more complex than it may seem.

 

Oh boy, this post sounds harsh. I'm sorry about that. I did tone it down but what can I say, this is how I see it.

 

It wasn’t harsh. Well written and clearly communicates what you look for in LEGO Technic.

For me Technic is a means to add motion to LEGO models, and the realism is not as important for me, also because I think it’s not feasible to make every mechanism realistic. You’d need a lot of specialized parts that fit poorly in the larger LEGO ecosystem. Construction equipment sets would all need to be pneumatic (as closest approximation of hydraulics).

 That being said, I agree with your analysis of the pricing with respect to sets with similar functionality. But I still think it’s a cool set. Very playable, although two separate gearboxes would have been better for simultaneous motion of joints. 

[Lim CL]

Cool set with gearbox selection of functions. But $429.99 are too much for single L motor and dumb battery box.  Unless Lego give very interesting GWP or else I will wait it drop to approx $280.00 only purchase it. 

 

 

[Auroralampinen]

But i wonder, why this set don't have track rubber inserts, because the tracks roll pretty poorly on smooth surfaces, without those rubber inserts. And this set cost 400€, and the last set with those rubber inserts. Was the 42069 wich costed 200€ with similar piece count. This was the reason why i ditched the tracks, with the mini 8043. Because they don't make sense on non motorized set, because they roll poorly without the rubber inserts. So why the 400€ flagship can't atleast have those, to help playability:/. 

[Ngoc Nguyen]

Could this become the case in which the costs of buying the individual parts end up cheaper than that of buying the whole set?

The only new parts in this set are the rechargeable battery, the 45 degree tapered 3x3 piece, and the bucket. The first part can be skipped if you buy a simple hub. And since this excavator works with a breaker, it's totally playable without the bucket.

The only new recolor are the XL LAs in black, which can totally be replaced with the normal XL LAs in LBG, and the turquoise seat, which can also be replaced with any color.

In the end the only new part that is kinda required to build this thing is the 45 degree tapered 3x3 piece, which I imagine should be cheap enough when it's available on Bricklink. If it's not then the old 3x3 biscuit liftarm can be substituted with no significant harm to appearance.

Edited May 2 by Ngoc Nguyen

[Auroralampinen]

https://www.lego.com/en-us/service/replacement-parts/missing/42215/pieces?search=*

Here is partial parts list of this model:). 

[Lim CL]

3 minutes ago, Ngoc Nguyen said:

Could this become the case in which the costs of buying the individual parts end up cheaper than that of buying the whole set?

The only new parts in this set are the rechargeable battery, the 45 degree tapered 3x3 piece, and the bucket. The first part can be skipped if you buy a simple hub. 

The only new recolor are the XL LAs in black, which can totally be replaced with the normal XL LAs in LBG.

42215 didn't run with rechargeble battery hub.  It still using dumb battery box from Osprey & Airbus Helicopter. From Lego Official Website, you can see the Dumb Battery Box very obviously. 

[Ngoc Nguyen]

2 minutes ago, Lim CL said:

42215 didn't run with rechargeble battery hub.  It still using dumb battery box from Osprey & Airbus Helicopter. From Lego Official Website, you can see the Dumb Battery Box very obviously. 

Then there's even less reason to buy this thing as a full set.

[Saruzeufel]

What a let down...

If the tools on the quick attach are hand operated, they could have at least given it a proper demo shear... since making these RC is challenging, I would have understood going for the simpler hammer attachment, but with it not being powered by a motor there is no excuse.

At least the bucket looks good

[Akbalder]

With the dumb battery box, the price is even more incomprehensible. Has Lego ever made a mistake when announcing the price of a set?

At 200€, it would be a very likeable set.

[Auroralampinen]

34 minutes ago, Auroralampinen said:

https://www.lego.com/en-us/service/replacement-parts/missing/42215/pieces?search=*

Here is partial parts list of this model:). 

Its, interesting that this uses the old blue clutch gear, and the new green version:). 

[allanp]

Regards the rechargeable battery box, is it possible they are using the existing "dumb" battery box with a rechargeable battery inserted into it instead of the existing 6 AA battery holder?

9 hours ago, pleegwat said:

But the real thing isn't powered by pneumatics either. It's powered by hydraulics. And those might look similar, but linear actuators (if done right) can act more similar.

Hydraulics and pneumatics work on the same principles while LAs are entirely different.

4 hours ago, Unbrickme said:

PF in technic existed 2007-2018. 2019 if you include the january release. That's at least 11 years of PF existing. 2019-2015 it has only been 6 years. I seriously doubt LEGO is already replacing control+/PU with a new electronics system. 4.5v and 9v eras of electronics also lasted in the decade+ range, so I don't think LEGO is replacing powered up already. Main 4 port hub is still being sold at its full price. XL motor was heavily discounted before it got discontinued (still don't understand why)

But the integrated hub is only good for cars. If integrated hub actually replaced the main 4 port control+ hub, that means no more RC anything besides cars similar to the porsche

Stranger things have happened. 

I don't think the integrated hub is replacing the 4 port hub. The integrated hub could continue in a long line of app controlled 1/10 scale cars. Something else would be needed to replace the 4 port hub.

[KLF]

Maybe the new rechergeable BB has the same shape as the old BB. ;)

[Amt0571]

At first sight it looks good and I was excited but: no RC. No motorized tracks or superstructure. Only one motor with gearbox. Only 2359 pieces.

This looks like a 42082 made excavator instead of crane.

Except that 42082 had 4057 pieces, motorized superstructure, 2 gearboxes instead of one, a piston engine and steering systems... and it cost almost half of what they're asking for this. Where's the value? This is almost what the Liebherr excavator cost at launch...

Frankly, after the all-cars line-up and the dissappointing and way too expensive heavy machinery releases, I'm either going second-hand or looking to china.

[Oh_Hi_Mao]

11 hours ago, Timorzelorzworz said:

German description also says it has a rechargeable akku with USB-C cable (not included in the Set). This may explain the price. A new rechargeable dumb battery pack with one motor port.

"Modell mit Akku: Der Akku kann immer wieder mithilfe eines nicht enthaltenen USB-C-Kabels aufgeladen werden, um den LEGO Spielzeugbagger mit Strom zu versorgen"

Translated from german shop description:

"Battery-powered model: The battery can be recharged repeatedly using a USB-C cable (not included) to power the LEGO toy excavator."

"Batteries not included" on the box says it all