def

Eurobricks Fellows
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Everything posted by def

  1. Just as it came up elsewhere, I thought this would be an interesting topic. My wife is pretty accepting of my LEGO habit. I don't care for cars or sports or a lot of other traditional "man" things, so my money isn't being over-extended, but the storage is getting to be an issue. My storage space is over flowing, which she doesn't like, but it seems crazy to make a LEGO closet. As long as it's about $50 a month, she's alright with it (though it's probably closer to $100). Do you have to discuss it? Explain it? I would hate to go back on the dating scene again with the LEGO I have now, as it might be a turn off for some ladies (though of course, who would want a lady like that )
  2. def

    REVIEW: 7079 Drawbridge Defense

    I want this set. Thanks for the solid review!
  3. Since I started the topic, I thought I'd get into more depth on my situation... I had a baby last year, and one of the ways I dealt with it was, I bought Lego. At times $300 a month. I couldn't be going to bars and so on. My wife was reasonably distressed at some point, and I've pulled it back now, since there are more important places to use my money. We have near zero debt, but the family (er, my) paycheck is well spent every month. But, that little free money I have each month, I'd like to get sale sets. I live in Japan, where sets are expensive, so I've been importing some sets to sell on Yahoo Auction (the Japanese E-bay) and my wife cooperates so I can have some more free play money-sell 5 sets, get one free I show her lots of my sets, and she says they're amazing, but she's never shown a lick of interest in putting one together. We'll see what happens when the little lady gets older. For whatever reason, I'm quite sure she'll have some interest in Lego, since I won't be buying her Easy Bake Ovens and that sort of thing (unless she really really really wants it)
  4. def

    [Review] 7753 Pirate Tank

    This set looks pretty nice, and I like the mini-figs (except Obi-Wan)... If you've seen the episodes of Clone Wars this appeared in, it was just pirates + Obi, Anakin, and Count Dooku (if I remember correctly). So, Dooku would've been my mini-figure choice. I'll be picking up one of these though.
  5. def

    [Review] 7748 Corporate Alliance Tank Droid

    I had this on pre-order on Amazon, but I just canceled it. I figure it's just too disappointing to get more clones and battle droids. After buying the Separatist Spider Droid and Hailfire & Spider Droid, I can't bring myself to put the cash out for another little set with little special figures. I'll put the cash toward the Separatist Shuttle instead. Thanks for the clear review though, to help make that final decision.
  6. def

    How Many Minifigs do you own?

    I've only got 195. My wife will be happy to know I have less LEGO than everyone here
  7. def

    REVIEW: 7198 Fighter Plane Attack

    This set looks great. I'd really like to pick it up, but it depends on the price. In Japan, it'll be about $80 U.S., which I just can't do. But if it hits $50, I'll definitely pick it up. Thanks for the great review
  8. def

    [Review] 7749 Echo Base

    Fair call on the tauntaun . I've reshot those pics to match the instruction book. The visor though, that's TLG's fault. They should fit into place.
  9. def

    [Review] 7749 Echo Base

    Thanks! The faces are plain ol' fleshy smilies. Also, I should add, the snowtroopers are black heads, with eyes cut out of the helmets. I miss the old goggled faces for troopers, I think they looked better.
  10. def

    [Review] 8017 Darth Vader's TIE Fighter

    I really dig this set. It's not mind blowing, it's classic. Good shape, a mild upgrading of the old Tie sets. An important mini-figure, and a fair price. Plus a great color scheme. This is one that I think everyone should pick up. Hey, is this not worth a poll?
  11. Since the new Echo base is being released shortly (though it appears I won't get to do the first review ) I wanted to review this earlier Hoth set, since the new set is going to borrow some pieces and design from this one.... maybe. Like a bunch of the sets I own, I saw it on the internet and just mulled them over and over until I really just had to get it. Empire was my first movie, and the original snowspeeder one of my first SW Lego sets. How does it do? Set#: 7666 Name: Hoth Rebel Base Theme: Star Wars Year: 2007 Pieces: 548 Minifigs: Dack Ralter (with Dark Bluish Gray Hips and Light Flesh Head), Luke Skywalker (Pilot, Light Flesh), 2 x Snowtrooper, Light Bluish Gray Hips, White Hands, K-3PO, 2 x Hoth Rebel 3 Price: I paid 10,000 yen MSP: $50 U.S., £70 Peeron Brickset Bricklink From Lego.com The Pieces There's one nice big size book with this. Random page. Here the pieces are split. The ice/door is on the left, the speeder on the right, the other parts in the middle. The pieces are unique enough, the white and grey, but there's not enough to do much than make little snow scenes (or maybe I just have a lousy imagination ) Some stellar (at the time) unique figures. Rebel soldiers are nice, snowtroopers are amazing, and K3P0 is fun to have. I quite like the good guy robots. Two rebel pilots since the snowspeeder is a two-person vehicle. A rebel soldier with the goggles up. The Snowspeeder The base is set, the wings will go on these hinges. At about 16 steps, a double cockpit cover is on, plus a wind up winch on the back. In the cockpit, the control panel has a nice view of an AT-AT in the distance. I'm pretty sure the old set had the same thing, but not as a sticker The wings are on, minus the engines, which are meant to come off easily (as we'll see later) And engines on, with the flaps up. I like the color, very minimal, with spare orange and beige to catch your eye. The winch on the back has a wind up mechanism to reel it in. The seats are a little off. There isn't a proper slope to lean them on, but unless the guys are bent at a 45 degree angle, the top won't close. A little nit-picky, but can be easily modded. The Base At about 8 steps the big ice chunks are placed. These pieces are unwieldy, but the coloring process is really interesting... blue is injected in the mold, so it has a liquidy look, and so, like snowflakes, no two blocks are the same 16 steps in, the top is placed on, and so is the mechanism for opening the gates. The doors are put in, and the black wheels will open and close them, those orange lights keep the doors locked in place. Next we ad the computer screen, which really makes me think of the scenes in the movie. On the other side is a base for the speeder that turns 360 degrees. The rectangular piece on the bottom of the speeder fits right in. And presto! That's a smart looking stand Other Parts The turret is unreasonably complicated on the inside. Pressing those grey pieces sticking out will push out the beams. This is not perfect. It doesn't simulate the actual turret, and those pieces fall out if tipped at all. It's a clever design, but not all that efficient. I'm interested to see the redesign. But, standing still, it looks just fine, and swivels around. This vehicle is meant to pick up the engine on the snowspeeder. It's good as a diorama part. Not a play toy though. The snowtrooper's heavy laser. Interesting design on this, though I can do without the falling out lightsaber pieces. A little chunky. And the probe droid. Fantastic little guy. The only way to make it better is to add a self-destruct button. I like the invisible stand. The Finished Product Echo base is looking busy today. Here, that yellow device is holding the engine here (sorry, I forgot a close up ) The Imperials are approaching! Close the perimeter! The Final Verdict Design: 8/10 It's solid, but since it's lots of little parts, and even those aren't fully coherent (from the movie) ie. probe droids are from the start of the Hoth scene, while the snowtroopers 30 minutes in, and neither interacted with snowspeeders, nor those turrets (that I remember). It sounds nitpicky, but compared to the 2009 Endor set, which seems totally coherent, that's kind of disappointing. Points for the gate being the perfect size for the speeder to fit through, and the connected speeder stand. Those are lovely. As is the probe droid. Build: 7/10 It all goes by so fast. The ice set is pretty boring. The best techniques are on the turret, the probe droid, and the snowtrooper gun. Playability: 8/10 As I wrote, it's not so coherent, but a kid wouldn't care. As a diorama, it's not great, it's good. Minifigures: 10/10 Great selection, good number, and some unique figures. Price: 9/10 With the American price, it's great; the Japanese price, reasonable. A fairly unique set with lots of pieces I'd never had before. Overall: 8/10 Some stuff I love, some stuff I like. I think it depends on how you feel about Hoth. It is an interesting set as it's a playset, not a single ship, which is relatively rare for SW Lego. So, it's a balance of cool and so-so features. I think if I was 10 years old, it would get a 10/10 though. Too slow, rebel scum! Cheers all.
  12. def

    Collecting Dilemma

    I'll echo some of the sentiments here, you don't need everything. I think it's a hard position for someone who has got everything up to now, since they're breaking a 10 year habit. But, once you get over that hump (the Twilight was the one I definitely didn't need to have) I think the hobby will get a lot more fun. You can even consider getting other series! But as long as you're a completest, unless you're an insane Lego fan, it's going to become less fun. As for the old sets, I wouldn't sell them. They obviously made a big impact on you 10 years ago, and imagine 10 years from now, when you get the urge to rebuild the original one. Selling old toys you were quite attached to is a dangerous, and often regrettable decision. But, it's different for each person.
  13. This put a big smile on my face, it reminds me of the Trojan Rabbit from Monty Python's Holy Grail. Nice!
  14. I got all excited to build a full on MOC, and got the idea all planned out, and then realized what the contest was Anyway, this is much better than the first MOC I made, so I thought I'd post it. The concept is a Republic Interceptor, a high-speed, highly maneuverable starfighter for clone troopers, specifically for complex dogfights, like in an area with heavy debris or an asteroid field. The ship is meant to have it's own high speed navigating computer since clones don't have the reaction time of a Jedi. Perhaps it is a clone starfighter? Made entirely from an 8019 set except the round parts from a Droid Gunship Plain view Swoosh view Others Mildly greebled cockpit Landing gear down and up Comments or criticisms welcome, though I'll probably rip it apart soon to make a proper land vehicle.
  15. def

    Bring Back Lego Spiderman

    I had no idea! I looked up those 'megatrash' sets, and they are mirthless. I'm not a big fan the Spider-man line, it doesn't seem the most logical LEGO toyline, but those sets looked like a money grab. As a 25 year Marvel comic reader, I've learned that they'll always reach a new low... (Spider-man Transformers being the last one I saw ) Yup, no LEGO for Marvel, they need every penny.
  16. def

    Lego v.s. Action Figures

    Lego v.s. Action Figures
  17. def

    UCS Scale Scimitar Assault Bomber

    This popped up a few days back on brickshelf.... utterly amazing. You are a pro.
  18. def

    Lego v.s. Action Figures

    I don't mind the bedroom clutter. This is not high art, it's fun. It makes me think of Toy Story. This is supposed to be Lego vs. action figures, right? Not some Lego simulation. Seeing your pics, with Lord of the Rings (?) figures, it takes me back, but I was at least 15 years too late for those toys... I was all about Star Wars and Transformers. But seeing junk spread on the floor made me feel young. Anyway, you're really creative in your concept, and as long as you're having a good time, I think the product will be alright. Be yourself.
  19. def

    Review: 10193 Medieval Market Village

    I got this today, and I love it. It's only half built (a guy needs to sleep you know). But, the parts are all delightful so far, and well worth the hassle of getting my hands on it. I wanted to do my own review but A) this is a great and complete review and B) I couldn't wait until daylight hours to take pics as I build. It's too nice. I just need a castle to dominate it now
  20. def

    Review: 4755 Knight Bus

    Great review for an interesting set!
  21. Though sets are generally late in Japan, for some reason the summer Endor and Hoth sets will be released in Japan May 30 Endor Hoth Endor is way overpriced, so I'll wait until it hits 10,000 yen. But Hoth I've already pre-ordered (though it looks almost like a battlepack, with little to build)... Maybe, just maybe, I'll get to be the first to review a new Lego set!
  22. def

    The Penguin's Arkham Asylum.

    Fantastic stuff. I didn't know the Creeper goes to Arkham, but I guess he might. And great narration too!
  23. def

    AT-AP & Dagger Landpeeder MOCs

    Those are both fantastic, I think I'll give the Dagger Landspeeder a try. And you photos are flawless
  24. For a few months, I've been buying and selling on Yahoo auction in Japan. If you want to buy stuff from me a little cheaper than auction price, or if you want to invest with me for a buy, we can save on costs. Post here or PM me
  25. I bought this last week on a whim. It is currently reduced on Amazon, and looked nice enough. While l love Star Wars line, I'm starting to get into the other series, there's great playability... But there's only so much space in my room After writing this review, I realized that there were already three reviews of this set in the system so it doesn't need to be indexed. But it's a new set for me, and only my second Indy Jones set. Maybe this will make some of you nostalgic for a year and a half ago Set#: 7621 Name: Indiana Jones and the Lost Tomb Theme: Indiana Jones Year: 2008 Pieces: 277 Minifigs: Indiana Jones, Marion, a skeleton MSP: $19.99 U.S., £17.59, 4,625 yen I paid: 2,100 yen on Amazon Peeron Brickset Bricklink From Lego.com The Box A nice action shot cover. The back shows the features of the set, which is notably missing from the booklets. The Booklet One book, with no play explanations, just a piece inventory and ads. The Pieces Five bags, all mixed up. There weren't so many pieces, so I didn't need to color sort them though the instructions demand it. A sticker sheet, which I don't mind since I'm getting good at placing them. The set has three figures, which is nice, but it's an identical Indy as in other sets. If I was a full time Indy collector, I'd be right well disappointed. It's only my second, so I'll take it in stride, but I really don't want a third. Marion is two faced The Build Ten steps in, just the base of it is done. There is a rubber piece that personally I've never seen. It acts as a soft hinge. It opens to let snakes drop, and reverts back into place. Much more interesting than a rubber bands. 20 steps in, some nice color has been added along the top. 30 steps in, it's just about finished. Pillars and the breakaway statues have been added. The Finished Product This is a nice looking set! The stickers work out really well, except one I'll mention later. It is to be placed on those two gold panels at the top. TLG does a great job creating an Egyptian feel, along with the colors and Anubis statues. The flames and the Ark of the Covenant are a great touch. Note the Anubis on the left has only half a left ear There was an error filling the mold. From the back, you can see the snake switch, plus a skeleton waiting around for later. The two plates are loosely placed in on a single stud each. While the detail on the pillar is alright, this set is really meant to be viewed from the front. Pieces left over are few. There are lots of little Egypt style stickers, and a fantastic one with Star Wars imagery...which is meant to be placed over two bricks at the top of the build. This is a terrible feature, and there is no way I would place a single sticker over two bricks. This is totally lame. If they could have made a 2 by 4 plate, it would really have made this set perfect. Features There are 10 red and green snakes that can just fit in here. A switch on the back lets them drop. They get a bit squeezed though, and don't come out perfectly. But they come out. On both sides, there is a release stick, that when pulled, let's gravity topple the statues. And boom! The loosely placed wall panels fall with them. At which point the skeleton dangles into view. The Final Verdict Design: 8/10 The play features are very well thought out. They work well. Even the stickers are well done, except the one that is supposed to go on two bricks, which is why this can't be perfect. Build: 9/10 It's not mind bending, but quite good for a $20 set. The pillars have a technic pole to support them. The Anubis' have neat SNOT ears. The fall away walls are clever. Playability: 10/10 Lots of snakes, screaming Marion face, toppling statues like the movie. A fun set. Minifigures: 7/10 Indiana Jones is the same as usual, so no extra points there... As a set, this is fine, but for anyone collecting the stuff it's probably a disappointment. My first skeleton though, so I quite liked that. Price: 10/10 Three minifigs and over 250 pieces, this is a very nice price. Some interesting gold pieces, and sleek black pieces. Overall: 9/10 This is a really nice set and a definite recommendation. Since it's not on Lego.com now, this set is probably available until it sells out. I'm glad I got it. It works as an Indy vignette, and as an Egyptian set. I'm thinking now about buying a second one just to make some Egyptian tomb out of it. Consider me satisfied. Indy, help!!! Hang on, I gotcha! Cheers all.