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Everything posted by brickzone
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REVIEW: 8683 LEGO Minifigures Series 1
brickzone replied to WhiteFang's topic in Special LEGO Themes
A heads up, they are now on sale in Smyths Toys in Ireland for €2.50 (rather than the €2.80 each in Argos). I now feel silly for not waiting but I'm out less than a fiver. They show up on the online stock checker (product link) as in stock at my local outlet. Smyth's have some outlets in UK/Northern Ireland too so if more convenient for anyone than the alternatives, worth checking. They have a UK site (www.smythstoys.com). -
I'm reminded of the Monty Python sketch, "How Not to Be Seen" :)
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That's no snowman, it's a Dalek in disguise (or some other Doctor Who alien).
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The exterior of Hogwarts makes me think of the Father Ted episode where Ted gives Dougal a lesson on "small" and "far away". I think it's a reasonable way to try to acheive the look of the large group of buildings, but usable by minifigs with a minifig-scale interior. The Burrow is still looking great. My views on the others are not much changed, I think Hogwarts Express is a less clunky version of the previous model, but still terribly disappointing that it isn't a "proper" train model. The Ford Anglia is similarly a bit more streamlined, but somehow loses some proportions and now looks too short. Hagrid's Hut... again perhaps a bit better than the previous rendition, but it is so much just a recreation of the previous model, which again is disappointing. Quidditch - nothing too special about this, although again it is an improved rendition of the previous scene. That's not necessarily enough to go get it though! Dobby's Release - for such a tiny set, not unreasonable. Far better than the previous attempt. So... I'll have to get the Burrow and Hogwarts as soon as I can. As regards Hogwart's Express... I could get the minifigs on bricklink, but that would be poor value and when all is said and done, I think the train is a bit better than the last one - between the two (I have the previous one), some parts to go towards an MOC of a proper train model. Maybe will hold out for a price reduction or making use of store credit (Art & Hobby loyalty card) for Hogwart's Express. Getting Quidditch and Dobby's Release depends on their price. Hagrid's Hut - if I get all the others, I may have to get it for completion, but it is down the list.
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Please tell us your screen resolution and browser
brickzone replied to Mister Phes's topic in LEGO Pirates
I voted 1280x960, but in fact my resolution is 1280x800 on my laptop (what I mainly use for browsing). -
I printed a modified version of holodoc's list to aid me in any future purchases. I re-organised the barcodes into four groups of similar codes. First four, RHS of barcode is all thin lines (Indian, Zombie, Dummy, Clown). Second four, RHS has one thick line (Cheerleader, Robot, Ninja, Spaceman). Third four, RHS has double thick lines (Magician, Caveman, Skaterboy plus nurse with two sets of double thick lines). Last four, multiple thick lines close together on RHS of barcode (Wrestler, Cowboy, Forestman, Diver). This printed at 50% of A4 (rotate the image 90 degrees and print at 39% size) and folded into quarters means a handy "cheat sheet" that is very quick to check barcodes against (two of the sets of four either side of folded to 1/8th A4, and the other two sets of four if you open/reverse the last fold). I hope this explanation is helpful. It didn't aid me in the end as the box that my local Argos had out, had only four packets left (none of which I wanted). Online stock checker said more than 5 in stock so I assume they have more boxes but I wasn't cheeky or desperate enough to ask. I still have to get the robot and zombie.
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LEGO Collectable Minifigures General Discussion
brickzone replied to Nabii's topic in Special LEGO Themes
It's about the same price as Argos are selling them for in Ireland (€2.80 ~= $AUD4). Admittedly they are a little cheaper on S@H at €2.50 each (so you'd save a grand total of €4.80 if you could buy one of each 16 there instead of Argos). -
Holodoc's list does of course work for Argos in Ireland too (presumably the Irish stock comes from the UK). I was missing the nurse after using a different barcode matching method to buy 12 of the packets (I wanted no duplicates so just checked against other packets until I had all unique). To get the nurse today when I went back to Argos, I simply remembered the nurse barcode, it's the only one with two sets of double thick bars on the RHS of the barcode.
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Given the size of it and that it is six minifigs, I would expect it to be €60 to €70, admittedly maybe the latter.
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Well... I think we can firmly say that this coach is rather better than 3405/3411 Americas Team Bus! The Knight Bus probably doesn't count! Apart from that, it's probably just the Duplo bus in the last 20 years (even the Fabuland one was more than 20 years ago).
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LEGO Prince of Persia Contest - Entries Discussion Thread
brickzone replied to Svelte's topic in LEGO Licensed
Sandy, That is a fabulous creation for the PoP version of the Dragon Fortress! Using the Scorpion Palace parts is quite natural (indeed some of my dark orange for my Cat I entry came from it) and works wonderfully for this elaborate creation. It is something that I would love to have as a creation, the Dragon Fortress is one of my favorite sets. The colour co-ordination is great and the gold peaks are a great way to introduce gold into the scheme. The combination of HP faces, orient expedition and indy costumes works great for the minifigs! -
That's a nice set. Much as I appreciate the incredible detail or efforts for a realistic look in AFOL transport MOCs, the simplicity of the Lego models does appeal to me. I like how with such a minimal model, they acheive the *effect* of a coach (simple but effective window and door arrangement) and tram (SNOT window canopy). To me the overall effect although the models are more simple, is very artistic and clever. As a kid, while I enjoyed creating more elaborate versions of cars etc. - it always annoyed me that they looked more like a bunch of bricks and too much careful intricate construction was needed. Lego models while less realistic (especially then) seemed more coherent. Even as an AFOL, while others have their own preferences (detail and realism), one of the things I like and try to strive for with my models is a smooth straightforward look that still captures the *essence* of the scene I want to create. This is actually quite a hard job to do. While Lego sets are easy to build, it is for that reason that I think they are probably quite hard indeed to design, especially with recent releases. I enjoy the challenge of trying to replicate this in my own MOCs.
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Organizing Technic Pieces
brickzone replied to daftendirekt's topic in LEGO Technic, Mindstorms, Model Team and Scale Modeling
First - that image is gigantic, possibly the largest I've seen posted here - one has to wait for it to load on even a good broadband connection (in fact I didn't, I pressed stop). I recommend removing or resizing it. As regards your topic, I sort based on a combination of part size and "category" (e.g. pin, axle connector, pin connector, brick, liftarm, cogs and other items for axles). I have a couple of large crates for random "bionicle" or technic assemblies. I haven't had too much issue yet though I wouldn't like to upset all the components :) If I want a specific part/colour and it's not immediately obvious in the compartment it should be in, I empty out the compartment onto a tray - a small price to pay for quicker sorting of disassembled/mixed parts. -
The characteristics of various Lego plastics/parts has always changed over time. At the moment from my experience there seems to be an issue where minifig hands are a bit harder plastic than they had been, combined with the aforementioned implements being somewhat softer. I do think I have had old parts of a particular vintage (early 90s?) where the implements got very worn (kind of "shedding" plastic as has been suggested) from minifig hands. I don't think it is exactly a new problem even if it is more prevalent again just at the moment.
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LEGO Prince of Persia Contest Entries - Category 2
brickzone replied to Svelte's topic in LEGO Licensed
Camouflaged Den A Persian version of 6066 Camouflaged Outpost (Forestmen). Here we have a thieve's den out in the desert, built into a rock outcrop and camouflagued by the sandstone and some green scrub. In this version, we have some loot in the thieves den... I wonder does the door need a secret pass phrase? The band of thieves each have their preferred weapons, some preferring to strike out in the open with large weapons, and some preferring to drop in unexpectedly on people after climbing from rooftop to rooftop! -
LEGO Collectable Minifigures General Discussion
brickzone replied to Nabii's topic in Special LEGO Themes
Hah! I was fortunately in Argos at a quiet time and had a suitably long-suffering cash desk operator who let me peruse them on the counter (actually I was quick enough as I just checked to get unique bags, not duplicates, rather than particular ones). However at the end of the day they were pretty pleased when they heard the secret of the barcodes, as they had to buy some too for a kid (a situation where they wouldn't want to have the kid open the bags just to find out it was the same minifig in them!) I suspect the rumour will spread pretty quickly around these parts now, some of the other store staff seemed interested to know about the barcodes as well :) One of the other Argos's had them in the display bins at the queuing area which seemed a bit silly from a stock protection perspective. Seems to be no definite policy as apparently another Argos in the country simply had you order them at the desk then they come through on the conveyor from the dimension-defying seemingly-infinite Argos back-room. For the record I took under 5 mins to get 12 unique packets. It was getting progressively longer to find each new unique one though and I had emptied half the box onto the counter so I didn't go up to 16 (mind you the store was so quiet and I was looking silly enough already that I should have held my nerve, plus at €2.80 apiece Argos were getting their money's worth). I missed out for now on the zombie, nurse, diver and robot. -
LEGO Prince of Persia Contest - Entries Discussion Thread
brickzone replied to Svelte's topic in LEGO Licensed
Just posted my "expand the theme" entry. 550 pieces so the idea is a smaller big Lego set (or larger medium one if you would have it that way). Check out the modularity feature! Apologies if it's a custom Prince of Persia scenario, I have not seen the film nor played any of the games (though I have seen parts of some of them). The boat is modelled as a kind of dhow. -
LEGO Prince of Persia Contest Entries - Category 1
brickzone replied to Svelte's topic in LEGO Licensed
Waterfront Abduction! Pieces: 550 Price: €65 The evil Hassansins have abducted the Princess and are ready to make their escape in a waiting sail boat at the docks just outside the city gate! Can Dastan catch them in time, or will his battle with Asoka give them time to escape? Does the market stall owner know where they are going? Dastan will also have to avoid a nasty oil trap, docks full of cargo and a mischievous monkey if he's to chase down the Hassansins. Includes six minifigures: Dastan, Princess Tamina, Asoka, 2 Hassansins and Market Stall Owner Barrels of oil can be tipped down from above the city gate Customise your buildings and docks, sections can be detached and rearranged. Includes a monkey, skeleton and a scorpion A cargo of fish to make the getaway boat look like an ordinary sail boat. Market stall owner has pans, goblets and a cart of bananas Collect all the LEGO® Brand Prince of Persia™ sets! Oil trap: Modular arrangement: -
LEGO Prince of Persia Month - the Eurobricks Contest
brickzone replied to Svelte's topic in LEGO Licensed
This is a great competition! I have just finished building an MOC for entry, unfortunately it is now dark and I find my photographs come out better in daylight even using flash. I did try taking some photos but was thwarted by exhausted batteries. To compound things, I am likely to be busy until Friday, so I'll probably have to wait till then. I too am curious about a reply to lego-maniac's question - for example a patchwork is useful to show play features in zoomed in panels (like on the back of a Lego box). Looking forward to showing off my entry :) -
LEGO Collectable Minifigures General Discussion
brickzone replied to Nabii's topic in Special LEGO Themes
I hope the packets are randomly packed in the tray! For example, so far the only known option for purchase in Ireland is via Argos, who are a catalogue retailer (go to shop, write the catalogue number on a slip, go to counter, receive goods from the L-space rear of shop). So if you for example order 3 of these, then if the minifigs are not sufficiently randomised in the tray, you'll probably end up with duplicates as the worker in stores will likely just pick 3 adjacent ones from the tray. Of course if they *are* randomly packed, then Argos will be better than a regular store, as you won't be competing with either people who are reading barcodes or testing packages. -
Pretty dramatic situation. Apparently this could go on for days, or even weeks! Possibly even longer than that if the volcano continues to spew ash. Even if the weather system changes, it might mean that the ash cloud would flow down the eastern side of Canada/US (even if not over land this would continue to stop transatlantic flights).
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Lego discovery in the digital age
brickzone replied to David Thomsen's topic in General LEGO Discussion
I don't remember the shops here in Ireland being too speedy with new releases, so I do remember examining new sets in the paper Lego catalog over and over until they arrived in store! -
Toy Story Army Men: Cheap in Tesco
brickzone replied to Dunjohn's topic in Buy, Sell, Trade and Finds
Both are €24 at Smyths. You can easily compare with Smyths prices as they have an online product catalogue (www.toys.ie or www.smythstoys.com for NI/UK). Indeed you can check stock levels at your local store for a given product. You can even order certain items online (€7 all-island delivery for up to 30 kg). Yes, I'm a fan of them. Mainly because it's the only place you can walk into and see an aisle of floor to roof (in a warehouse!!) Lego and they are pretty extensive. Albeit for the last year or so, they seem to mainly stock just the new/current releases, but maybe that's just people actually buying all the old stock. There have been no Pirates since Christmas, no Agents and Indy is thin on the ground now too. Previously the previous years stock would linger on. -
Toy Story Army Men: Cheap in Tesco
brickzone replied to Dunjohn's topic in Buy, Sell, Trade and Finds
I can confirm €8 for Army Men in Tesco. It isn't flagged as a promotional/sale price, it's just what the price on the shelf now states as the ordinary price. Also the pull-back Toy Story car is €15, which is a lot more attractive than the RRP/S@H price of €20! At €15 I may purchase one myself at some stage. They had construct a buzz/zurg but I can't recollect the price. No Woody's Roundup - cheapest I've seen it is in World of Wonder for something like €46 (it's €50 at Smyth's Toys or Art & Hobby and €60 on S@H). -
Toy Story Army Men: Cheap in Tesco
brickzone replied to Dunjohn's topic in Buy, Sell, Trade and Finds
Wow! Must check it out - they were €12.99 only last week! Smyth's Toys was the cheapest previously at €11.99 (same for Star Wars battlepacks - a good deal).