nerdsforprez

Technic will be whatever the market dictates it should be. Not sure why that is so hard for folks to understand. Most on this forum have specialized knowledge and training in the areas of design, engineering, etc. and do not reflect the general populace. We will not get a model that fits such a specialized palette. Take a look at the general media outlets marketing the Technic line. Especially the UCS hypercar sets. They are full of hype and praise. They do not care about accurate steering, only that the models steer. They do not care about accurate gearboxes, only that there is one. The market for these sets, yes are adults, but just being and adult does not automatically deign one the knowledge and training of most on this forum. And I feel we should all be grateful. Lego being concerned with a product that fits a larger audience, even if that means a decrease in authenticity means more sets produced. More sets means more elements - keeping costs down in an already expensive hobby. I know that may sound funny to many ("keeping costs down" - we are talking of Lego after all), but think of how much more expensive elements would be if Lego did not try to maximize sets sold. Selling the most sets possible also means Lego can produce more moulds and element designs, which we are obviously seeing in the last couple years. I do not know the ratio of new elements offered in the Technic line from say the 2000's to 2015 versus say 2015- present day. But as a consumer of Technic products over the last near decade and a half I would bet that ratio heavily favors the latter. This may be an unpopular opinion, but I am going to say it anyways. If Lego only produced Lego Technic sets for lets say, the top ten percent of the market distribution (which, for sake of the argument lets say this forum pertains of in terms of training and knowledge) then our hobby would not exist as we know it. Part cost would balloon much higher than it already is, and only the most resourced among us would be able to afford this already expensive hobby.

Oh that is quite interesting. I am kinda surprised he would even sign the box if he does not like the model

Hmmm.. Thxs. You think it is worth reaching out to TLG over it?

Hello All - Quick question... I recently got my hands on the Mack Anthem (Yea!). I have been wanting this for quite some time. However, looking at the two gear racks (light bluish gray) they are quite sticky. I have tried them out in the red housing, and the gear racks have no problem, but when I use them in the gear housing that the set came with they stick horribly. I dont have any light bluish gray housing (other than those that came with the set) to experiment with, but as mentioned, I do have reds and they work just fine. Can anyone out there confirm that gray housings work just as well as the red? And if so, looks like perhaps I got a lousy pair? Is this worth reaching out the TLG about? I want to use these housings in a MOC I am doing that pushes 4 racks from housings, and even an L motor (PF) can't do all of them because these two stick so bad. Thoughts?

Yes. As can be seen below, I agree and mentioned it a bit ago.

Is there also a way to use one continuous element, a flex hose or rigid hose (do they come in white?) for the outline of the headlight? I appreciate the creativity of parts here, but being that the outline is done in such disparate pieces it really doesn't work IMO....

I think it is just a matter of preferences. As you can see reading through the comments, many folks prefer locking diffs to a gearbox, especially one that was as poorly designed as the landrover.

Hmm... I would love to hear you expound here. Love that you actually posted a comment as opposed to just a link to your videos, which seems to be what occurs most of the time we hear from you. Seems like the bodywork is mostly stacked LAs to me, which I don't mind b/c it suits the actual vehicle. How does the " aesthetic feel much more like late 2000s or early 2010s technic"? The complaint of the "specialized panels" sure doesn't seem to jive with the comments you so graciously provided in the P1 thread when you bombed the tread with your video about that model and raved about the new panels. But hey, sorry for being such a cynic, because you did provide some comments when you so graciously blessed us with your presence once again, wait for it.... when you posted another of your videos about 42174's release....

Awesome. I also see it on the "MODs" thread. This is the first set I will be buying in a long time, and likely be pursuing these mods....

Perhaps not. Like you, I am interested in this set but only because of the potential for it to be modified into the 4x4 squared version

Did you even read the comments before posting this? This is, and has always been, exactly how these threads go down. ESPECIALLY for flagship sets....

Perhaps I did not adequately follow the conversation at the first of this thread, but I thought using portal hubs was ruled out because of what rim the model uses (Defender rim)... Brick-built designs are available but I thought the discussion highlighted that there are no designs that wouldn't limit the steering too much...

Sorry if I have missed something. Do we know this is the case? .....another point, however, a positive one, is those rims. Looks to be some type of gun metal gray color? Excellent look IMO

Agreed. I appreciate the creativity of element use here... but I think it falls short. Doesn't really capture what it is attempting to capture IMO. For several reasons. Headlights are too big, but the outline of the headlights are also made from different elements, with different widths, etc. which really doesn't work IMO. Also, there actually is only one light element in the outline of the headlight, which leaves for a lot of empty space. But as mentioned, likely a big fix. Also, may not be a big deal for some, but for me, it is the first thing I see and biases my view of everything else.

Exactly. And for me it is more about building one of the more venerable aspects to gas-powered vehicles (the engine) the same way, with the same elements, for the past decade. I tire of that. I welcome the new elements, and replicating engines with these new elements, despite the "cons" of doing so. Though I do wish they could be the colors as mentioned by @allanp several pages ago. I really would enjoy that and have been asking for that for years. Building with such elements would provide, for me anyways, much more of a "premium" feel than the clowny colors we currently build with.

New tires? Don't have time to go into functions, but looks-wise it looks amazing....

Interesting choice. I know I already made comments about comparing this with @brunojj1 's P1 but it will be now even easier given the color choice.

Oh okay... I was afraid I was missing something!!

? THey are much different than 42056's.....

Thank you for the kind words. With this new home we don't plan on moving any time soon so I am really doing with my Lego room what I want. I have many projects in the room so far that are using the walls as part of how I display Lego.

They are very soft. Better use on my model (manual versus motorized), but I think they would work. They are really sticky as well, would be great for a small truck or crawler - type vehicle. About the fit, they are bit thin for the rim 56145. But they work. Work better with a custom rim I have devised out of three pulley wheels and six 1/2 pins with stud. Easier to show in pic. I am traveling at the moment but I will try and take some pics when I get home.

respectfully, while I get what you are trying to say, and certainly there are different target audiences and restrictions/limitations on builders for TLG that may/may not be present for MOCers I believe we can at least set a black and white rule that gearboxes work. Or at least have correct sequencing, which many of TLG's 1:8 cars have not. I don't recall all the specifics, but I know at least 42056 and the Bugatti had errors with the gearboxes. GLARING errors. So, with even that LOW bar I think we can say there are designs from AFOLs much superior than TLG's 1:8 supercars. If we use the argument of restrictions imposed on TLG b/c of them needing to sell their product you would think a working gearbox would be the bare minimum of what they should achieve. Which, they did not even get that right.... Not here to throw too much shade on TLG for their 1:8 cars. I have the Porsche and the Bugatti. But I stopped purchasing them after that. TLG, in my opinion still puts out quality products, but the 1:8 supercars are not among them....

Perhaps your claim is pure speculation. The OP has a long history of providing accurate information. Also, he provides a reference. Probably would be better to give your own source of information if you don't believe the information accurate, rather than just stating this with no supporting information...

I understand the comparison to the Countach. But I don't think it is an accurate one. I think the market of the Countach is very different than the market of the 1:8 scale supercars. Very niche. Much more selective, informed, consumer base. I think a release of this car, when there is likely to be a vastly superior one already out there is dangerous for TLG.