Opinions on 8067 Mini Mobile Crane?

[DarkShadow73]

Is it just me or is the newly released 8067 Mini Mobile Crane rather a letdown? I saw it on TRU Online and ordered it. I realize at $24.99 USD it wasn't going to be big by any means, but this thing is tiny. Hardly seems worth the price. Any opinions on it?

[DLuders]

You can write the first review and post it on Brickset. Alternatively, you can add your opinion directly to the Shop.Lego.com website, where the 8067 model is averaging "4 Stars" out of 5 (after only two Customer Reviews so far).

[allanp]

Well to compare sets of a similar price you could use the fairly recent dirt bike from 2008:

And the much older universal set from 1994:

Now, given how many years separate these sets, they are both of similar piece count (the bike has slightly more) and similar price to the 8067. In fact the crane has way more pieces than either of these two, for a similar price.

Not counting the massive wheels of the dirt bike, the sizes of all these sets seem to be roughly the same. The crane does have a surprising number of functions for it's size, steering, outriggers, boom raise/lower and winch (I know it has a telescopic boom but it's not really a feature in this case is it).

So I guess it sounds good so far, It looks good I think and it's bigger than it looks. However it's functions are over simplified for my liking. Given the number of functions there is hardly any mechanics to operate them, I really don't like this current trend of having a knob wheel connected directly to the function it operates. I want some mechanics between the two. However this set is not aimed at those like me, it's aimed at youngsters who are new to technic. So I guess it's irrelevant but then, I still haven't quite figured out how adding a little complexity in the design of the set makes it more difficult for youngsters (or an adult wearing heavy gloves ) to assemble. What makes putting a gear on a shaft, and a gear rack on two pins harder than assembling any part of this model?

I'm going off topic now so i'll just give it a 3 out of 5.

Edited January 2, 2011 by allanp

[Alasdair Ryan]

good for parts you could of bought the compact excavator i think for that

[DLuders]

The 8067-2 (B Model, pictured below) looks interesting. There is a new Technic part at the top of the boom (where the string goes through). I think that Grohl could probably make lots of different creations with these parts (since he has built 27 alternates from the 8271 set)!

[DarkShadow73]

I have the Dirt Bike from a couple years ago and the mini-excavator from last winter and was definitely more impressed with both of those sets. I have written quite a few reviews at legoshop.com and a few on Brickset. Yes, they are geared more towards the younger crowd, should have just stuck with my 8053 and my flagship 8421. Just wondered what others thought about it if they could have gotten their hands on it yet. On the plus side, the 8069 Backhoe Loader was impressive for a first half model, even the b-model. Wasn't real thrilled with the Pneumatic Log Loader from last winter even though it looked like there might be a resurgence of pneumatics again. Kind of wonder why they decided to re-introduce pneumatics after nearly 4 years of not having any models with them after the 8285 Tow Truck, then they disappeared from the radar again. The one plus to the 8053, and this is off-topic, is that at least the boom stays up with the LA, I always hated to fully raise my 8421's boom, then the next morning see it all the way down. Even though my hoses were on 'air-tight' it seems the boom always came down overnight as was the case with the backhoe portion of the 8455 after being the full upright position overnight. No complaints with either of those models, per se, they were both incredible, I just disliked the fact that the heavy parts always 'fell' after a while. Rather wonder why since the systems seemed air-tight if all the hoses were on the valves, cylinders and pump tightly.

[dr_spock]

I think the 8067 is in the same league as the 8270 rough terrain crane from a few years ago with 2.75 times the parts count. But the price is only 2.5 times more.

[DarkShadow73]

I rather liked the 8270 Rough Terrain Crane, sorry I sold both of the ones I had. I liked that one better than 8067.

I think the 8067 is in the same league as the 8270 rough terrain crane from a few years ago with 2.75 times the parts count. But the price is only 2.5 times more.