7706 Alt: Advanced Tactical Unit

[natelite]

Hi, i originally bought 7706 for the alternative model. sadly i was very disappointed since the model is not sturdy at all. it breaks easily and is mostly for display. for instructions you can rely on the exo-force.com website.

here's a frontal view. the "cockpit" is not a cockpit at all as it does not allow a minifig in there. the "shoulder" armor is not sturdy - it breaks off easily. the wheels also break off easily and much worse they do not rotate. i will need to replace them with better threads that can move.

here's the side profile. the wheels are sort of "hanging" by the technic pins which meant there wasnt any real support for the threads. to make matter worse the technic pins are very thin, which means they buckle easily resulting in poor movement. they should really make better tank threads than what came with the set. a real let down.

here's the backside of the mech. the entire frame is hollow, so unlike the main 7706 model, it doesnt have a cockpit and is really designed to be a one minifig mech (to be placed on the arm).

but that doesnt stop me from improvising. the platform at the bottom allowed for it to be some sort of an APV. too bad the minifigs are OUTSIDE the armor. 8-|

here's a close up picture of the crew.

here they can be seen combatting a large alien crab creature.

here you can see how it fare against the supernova.

here's how it weigh up:

- sexy design but flawed execution as many pieces can break off easily. definitely not sturdy enough to handle child's play.

- wheels that do not roll. mostly due to poor design of the thread and the axles. the wheels just sort of hang by the axle. not firm enough to roll.

- no cockpit to put minifigs. would have been a great model should the bottom platform can be sheltered so it becomes an APV (armored personnel vehicle) for troop transport.

- i certainly prefer the main tank model. it's far from perfect but still better than the ATU.

for this i gave it:

design/looks: 8/10 (i still think it looks awesome)

frame: 3/10 (breaks off way too easily)

playability: 2/10 (my boy stopped playing after a while due to poor wheel design which do not roll)

overall: 13/30.

sorry for the poor resolution. i took it using 640x480...didnt know the resolution is that shitty. :-|

i'll take a few hi-res pictures some other time. :-P

link to the folder when public.

http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=196674

[xwingyoda]

Tks for the cool review natelite ;-)

Its funny, for once I prefer the original model than the alternate hehe !! Sne would LOVE that No cokpit model :-D

Furthermore I have the impression that all alternates are NOT sturdy and brakes really easilly !! I had the problem with the Stealth Wasp and was so pissed I dismantled the darn thing !!

*yoda*