Kanal-K1

1. BEFORE BUYING Even if I am City fan, those new sized planes are really not mine cup of tea, my love to Lego is firmly frozen somewhere between years 1980-1995. Main reason to buy was, that I wanted to write a review at Czech Afol web Kostky.org. I bought it three days ago via web advertising, price was +- 35 USD. 2. AFTER OPENING THE BOX As presumed, some very big parts and three bags, and as an additional bonus lot of Danish air free of charge. First sight told me, that this will be really short and easy building.. 3. IMPRESSIONS DURING BUILDING ...and it was really true. 30 minutes of lazy building. Bag 1 - plane. Bag 2 - plane gondols with supports. Bag 3 - wings and propellers. When I saw the way, how is this plane made, I was strongly thinking to play Money for Nothing from Dire Straits as a music accordant with whole set. 4. IMPRESSIONS AFTER BUILDING - LOOKOUT <insert that tiresome argument> creeps. This is my first plane in this scale and for 99% the last one. Lack of details, lot of ugly big parts, from whole set you can see the main development target - to keep RRP at some certain low level. Inner space of airplane absolutely undone, no details, no luggage, no computers, nothing at all!! Just a lot, lot of air! The very only details in whole plane are the stickered pilots desk and some kind of seat constuction. 5. IMPRESSIONS AFTER BUILDING - PLAYABILITY But, what is playability at this set? Hydroplane, which cannot float (as seen on enclosed photos) ? If TLC will make some new kind of big parts used for gondolas, to make the plane floating, they will for sure make no other damage. Juniorization couldn

Hi mates, finally I got my nasty hands on 7641 City Life, within one week I will write down review here, but, first I will build 7198 Fighter Plane Attack, as planes takes less time, and I am actually totally outta time.. So, to give you bit fruit, First details of box at my community Brickdome.cz Sorry for terrible photos, actually I have broken my camera and those are made with handy only.. 1.BEFORE I BOUGHT This set has been my favourite vote of City 2009 line, so, as soon as there has been chance to get one, I did. Finally a real city building, after all those police and fire stations... 2. IMPRESS WHEN UNPACKED 5 numbered polybags, two instruction books (one for bus and station, second for bike shop and pizza house), big baseplates in polybag, sticker sheet. Common package style. 3. IMPRESS BY BUILDING Total building time has been approx. 60 minutes netto. Most of the time takes the bus, as all other segments of the set are made using big panels, doors and windows, easy to build. There are totally 45 steps for book 1 and 19 steps for book 2. This set could be built by a child 6+. 4. IMPRESS WHEN BUILT - LOOKOUT I was expecting bit better bus, as the shape is too sharp edged, and with lack of details. F.e. - rear view mirrors should have at least tile 1x2 trans clear included, driver should have some decorated tile in front and speed shaft. Buildings are nice, no 5. IMPRESS WHEN BUILT - PLAYABILITY Playability of this set is reasonable. Many figs, including one kid, bus with two doors, pizza house with chimney, skate shop, all those things are offering enough playfun for the kids. What I miss a bit, are some animals and more tools, for example 6246 6 tools wheel should have been added for even more fun. 6. FINAL RESULT RRP is 70 USD for USA market, what I find a reasonable price. Despite scent of juniorization still beeing there, TLC is finally going back to roots, to classic City themes. It is a fresh wind, after all those police and fire stations in last years. Thumbs up! HERE BELOW PICTORIAL BUILD-UP REVIEW First, I was stepping few days around the box, before I found time to build the set. http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/Kanal-K1...big_picture.jpg Then, 2.4. I luckily got a while for me, immediately used to open the box and start with building : http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/Kanal-K1...isb_-_1_-_8.jpg I opened first polybag to build a bus. Figs are common, but, finally we have here a new 6 x 1 x 4 trans black glass round shaped to both sides, which allows build a 6 stud vehicle without an ugly hole between front glass and sides... http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/Kanal-K1...sb_-_1_-_10.jpg http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/Kanal-K1...sb_-_1_-_11.jpg Half an hour, and first pack is over. I built a bus stop station and bus on its own. Bus station is simple, but neat. You can find fire hydrant there, a flower pot, dust bin and a lamp. Stickers are used for a bus station sign on the roof and on the stand. http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/Kanal-K1...sb_-_1_-_12.jpg http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/Kanal-K1...sb_-_1_-_13.jpg http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/Kanal-K1...sb_-_1_-_14.jpg The most wanted part of this set was for me a bus. Frankly speaking, when I built it, I am bit disappointed. I appreciate, that after so many years, we have a true City bus here again, but, in my opinion, bus is too simple. On the box, it looks better, than in reality. http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/Kanal-K1...sb_-_1_-_15.jpg http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/Kanal-K1...sb_-_1_-_16.jpg http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/Kanal-K1...sb_-_1_-_17.jpg http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/Kanal-K1...sb_-_1_-_18.jpg http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/Kanal-K1...sb_-_1_-_19.jpg Polybag 3 has the bike shop inside. As an old dog, I immediately remembered 6699, which I got as a small kid in 1987. As main part of the shop is made with three big panels, iin 10 minutes it is built-up. Bit <insert that tiresome argument>, but, finally I have to admit, that this building is looking very nice. Trans clear panel looks even better, than some windows or whatsoever, there are details inside (skateboard stand, fence) and outside (lamp, bike). Kid minifig with para helmet (I call it, due to the shape similar to German WWII paratroopers) and standart mechanic fig are also always welcomed. http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/Kanal-K1...sb_-_1_-_20.jpg http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/Kanal-K1...sb_-_1_-_21.jpg Polybags 4 and 5 allows to build a pizza house with restaurant and roof. Although there are also big panels used, design is nice. Front side of pizza house is equipped with windows with opening glass in second floor and also at angled roof windows. Rear side is equipped well. In first floor there is a cash desk, and a perfect pizza chimney, that has a mechanism allowing pizza girl to open chimney glass doors without getting burned.. In second floor there is a neat restaurant, allowing to sit for a while and eat pizza cake made downstairs. http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/Kanal-K1...sb_-_1_-_22.jpg http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/Kanal-K1...sb_-_1_-_23.jpg http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/Kanal-K1...sb_-_1_-_24.jpg All parts of the set are built-up, right time for final resume and photo. 7641 was mine favourite City set for 2009. Although my expectations concerning the bus had been bit more loaded, I am happy having this set. After all FD´s, PD´s, hospitals, finally TLC came back to roots, to real City sets with City themes. We will probably never see same sets, like in late 80´s and early 90´s, what I count as a Lego golden era. Bit if juniorization is still present, although the dark ages of City Jr.and Jack Stone are eagerly over. But, to be honest, if I will throw away AFOL glasses and forget some rear view mirror pictures from my childhood, I will give 10/10 to this set. My 4 years daughter loves all current City sets with same power and same effort, like I did 20 years ago, so, thumbs up, TLC!!! http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/Kanal-K1...sb_-_1_-_25.jpg

INDEXED Hi all, finally I had time to build next one from summer sets. 1.BEFORE I BOUGHT Beiing happy seeing, how TLC is going back to roots with 2009 City line, I hadn´t missed chance to get few of those sets, and make a review. I was looking forward to compare it with one my childhood favourite sets, 6351. 2. IMPRESS WHEN UNPACKED Seems, that there is nothing to surprise me. Two numbered bags, large part loose in the box, instructions and sticker sheet. Where are good old times of printed parts, instead of those horrible sticker cheats... 3. IMPRESS BY BUILDING First polybag allows to build a chassis of the camper van, two figures and a fish grill. Second reveals the top part of the van. In 15-20 minutes building is over, set is ready to use. I mark it as 6+, easy to build. 4. IMPRESS WHEN BUILT - APPEARANCE Appearance is not overriding current 6-wide standards, I appreciate lime green/white combination. Normally I hate those new colours, but the camper is basically freetime activity tool, where funny colours are quite suitable. I have a condemnation to the used opening system, when opened, caravan looks unrealistic, up-down mechanism used at 6351 I found better than side-center here. There is a ugly space at front mudguards, seen on more new sets already. But, in overall, sets appearance is nice anyway. 5. IMPRESS WHEN BUILT - PLAYABILITY No complaints! Finally, classic doors returned to front cabin of the car! Opening system of rear cabin, criticised in appearance column, I must in opposite appreciate in playability section, as for kids will be much easier to rebuild cabin from daily mod to night sleep mod. Accessories, like pan, cup, bicycle, surfboard and fish grill are even enforcing play power and prolonging play time. 6. FINAL RESULT 7639 is pretty way, how 6351 has been ressurected with a modern face and fresh colour combination. Surprisingly I have to declare, that if I had to choose between 6351 and 7639, I will take the new one. 6351 will get from me some points due to ship on trolley add-on, but if compared vans, 7639 is much better. Not so box-looking, with better interior. I can suggest to buy the set to our new cities.

Dear AFOL friends, due to leakage of production plant in our country one member of our Lego club had bought a new promo set. Until now he placed only photo of the box, later on promissed to make a review. Heavenly God, I wanna one at all costs! Most were found here...

Amazing! We have a big hospital in our city, with some of buildings 140 years old, built up during the era of Austria-Hungary empire, and your MOC is very close to their architecture. White colour is perfect, and, what I have to forepush - excellent presentation skills. Photos are perfect, text is perfect, blueprinted building plans are fantastic. Thumbs up!

Nice idea, Klaus Dieter, nice letter, I hope that TLC will follow our prayers and revive WW theme... THE WESTERN BACK!

This MOC picture had simply blown me down from my chair. Not only the train, but the whole scenery is FANTASTIC! Nothing else to say.

Great idea. you have my full support...If Western will return, I will buy sure...

Heavenly God! I felt down from my chair, when I saw next marvellous MOC made by LUGPol member. Thumbs up, my northern neighbor

I am not so much excited seeing the way, where City goes in 2010. Again there is big scale differences. Fire Helicopter is nearly same size as airport building, nearly same width as big plane. Most of those new sets are "Playmobilized", hopefully some Geobra designer had applied for a job at TLC....In fact, only one set, I am thinking about to buy, is the Waterplane....

To see some pictures of Atlantis serie, start seeing with this first picture on my Brickshelf, and continue to next... EDIT : Legomilk was bit faster, so just info, that you can see some more new 2010 sets in same folder..

To see some pictures of Atlantis serie, start seeing with this first picture on my Brickshelf, and continue to next...

Well, another one 2010 new set - 7207 Fire Boat See picture here

Pictures edited, no more pictures yet. Hope, that there will come finally some season, when last FD station will burn out into the sands of time, and some other theme will be used in City....

I am not sure, if it has been posted anywhere, or not yet, but today one member of my AFOL forum posted a picture of 7208 : See picture here It is weird. Only two good things are the cat and the tree..

Amazing scenery...would like to have something like that at home in times of my childhood, to play with!

Well....why more and more one adage comes to my mind : "The road to hell is tiled with good ideas"... I think I know, why....let´s have a bit of mathematic. Total average annual buying limit for one member is 400 DKK, what, counted with xe.com, is 53,74 Eur. Divided by that white brick 2x4 price, means, that with all those rules, conditions and frenzy administrative, one happy LUG member can take advantage of buying whole 895 bricks per year... In fact, based on stated conditions, LUGBULK seems beeing just an another megablocks, even initiated by a good will.... I said A, so I have to say B : If TLG wants to help to builders, better to make "Fill a bag" actions, where we can buy randomly mixed parts for kilo price. AFAIK same option is in Legolands, and had been in the past in Tesco stores worldwide. Such method means very easy processing for TLG (just distribute requested weight of randomly mixed parts to LUGs), avoids BL reselling too (as only totally crazy people would try to sort kiloware to BL shops) and gives option to buy enough parts for reasonable price.

Nice idea, but rules are so tight, that in fact it is only for very big LUGs in big countries.... (I mean especially the rule about two displays per year). I would also like to say few words to all those fears about "someone making from LUGBULK basis of his BL business" : I have also BL shop, and I am pretty sure, that LUGBULK could never be basis of anyones BL business. With max 100 different elements, two orders per year, and 3 months delayed delivery, no one really can make some huge deal on it. Further on, I am quite sure, that TLG won´t become a maecenas making prices for LUGBULK extra low, voluntary loosing their profit on behalf of LUG members. I guess LUGBULK pricing will be bit below PaB.

Great set, for 100 USD worthy to buy.

So guys, next one se which we can expect in 2009. PHOTO BETTER DELETED.

I would like to have more parts in following categories : Minifig accessories (utensil, weapon) Minifigs (pirates, castle, not only the common types like now) Food Decorated elements (tiles, slopes) I am not sure, how expensive it would be, however, I would really like to see some elements in special colours. If they are not used in sets yet, maybe for PB only? (yellow apple etc.)

Hi all, I have a chance to get early pictures of some August 2009 sets, as I have no time to make review for all those, I make this post just to share few photos with you. 1. 7638 Tow Truck

So I got my hands on 8038 Battle of Endor. Even if not beeing SW fan, I am excited by totally twelve minifigs in the set! Next one is 8036 Separatist Shuttle : and last, but not least : 7749 Echo Base

I like the way TLC is going with new Pirates. Even if I prefer Pirates-I, I must admit, that new line is also very attractive. Simplified for children, but, still attractive enough, with lot of play power. I built nearly all Pirate sets from old and also new line, and I am at least happy, that finally this theme came back.

Merry Go Round seems very attractive, but, hell a way overpriced...39990 JPY is equal to 405 USD, counted at xe.com. Even if loaded with all those power and sound functions, 405 bucks I will better spent for other Lego stuff...