Dfenz

I don't think this has been posted before but I've noticed that LS@H Europe has the 6211 Imperial star destroyer on sale. In Ireland its only euro83.99. In other euro countries the price is higher but still discounted. I've a recollection that this set was discounted earlier in the year also but i cannot recall if the new deal is any better. And as flagged by Copmike, 9v curved rails, cross over tracks and 9v train motors are on sale but perhaps not to the extent that people might have expected. David

Just to keep the threads linked up, I thought I'd mention that on the 3rd page of the Lego Shop Database thread I provided information on Irish shops that sell Lego. While the post is old (18 months ago) I'd agree that Smyths is by far and away the best place to get Lego regularly beating LS@H prices. My local store in Naas has a huge selection with almost a complete aisle devoted to Lego, much bigger than the Tallaght store referred to above although that's where I picked up the recent Star Wars sets the night before they were due out officially. The store near the Parnell cinema used to have a good selection also with the added bonus of a pick a brick section. I haven't been there in a while so I'm not sure if the PAB still exists. One thing to watch with Smyths, the prices between stores can differ substantially for the same item even though they have a catalogue and an online presence. Mark-downs in one store may not be available in others and I've encountered some significant overpricing errors on sets in the past year. My post in the shop database thread mentioned TK Maxx and Heatons stores. Well in the past 18 months I've seen nothing in Heatons and only the odd Bionicle or Knights Kingdom cannister in TK Maxx. So other than Argos, the most significant remaining source for Lego is the Byrne's World of Wonder chain (there's a store at Liffey Valley retail park near Argos extra). You can pick up some good deals at sale times especially at more rural locations trying to shift older stock but in general the prices can be a bit more expensive than Smyths and the range far smaller. My two cent David

Thanks for the detailed review. I built this set over the weekend and I've two questions. Firstly am I going insane or are there two circular republic stickers left over on the sticker sheet? I can't see a location for them and unfortunately the instructions were a little strange on the sticker front - I'm not sure why the stickers can't be added as the set proceeds and even before parts are added to the model. Its tricky sometimes to get them on afterwards without making a mess. I also hate the fact that two of the tiny 'display' stickers that go into the cockpit cover several bricks at once and will be very difficult to keep attached to bricks if the set is eventually dismantled. The second question concerns the neck gear that Commander Clone is wearing. The piece around the neck isn't symmetrical with more plastic seemingly over one shoulder than the other. I'm probably not describing this well but if anyone who has this set can figure out what I'm getting at I'd be curious to know if this is intentional or a plastic moulding problem. David

Clone war sets on! 2 x Republican Gunships 1 x ATTE 1 x V19 Torrent to add to the 7673 MagnaDroid Fighter I picked up a week ago. David

The sets were available in Smyths Toy stores in Ireland this evening and I picked up copy of all the new sets. Prices are as follows (all in euro) for Smyths with the new Argos catalogue prices also noted (available from tomorrow) Magna Droid Starfighter 59.99 in both Smyths and Argos ATTE 99.99 in Smyths and 104.99 in Argos Gunship 119.99 in both Smyths and Argos V19 is 74.99 is Smyths and Argosits 73.99. This last set seems way overpriced and its surpising that it costs far more than the Magna Droid when most people seem to be expecting it to be cheaper than that set. Judging from what's in the set I'd agree with that but it will be interesting once LS@H Europe prices go up to do a comparison around the eurozone. The coast guard platform is available in Argos at euro 66.99 David

Might it not simply be a reference to the droid battlepack pictured beneath it? David

To answer a few questions. The 'pipes' on the fins are flexible and look to me like the same part that is often used to lift minifigure stretchers. The Magna Droids are reasonably balanced and do not need their staffs to stay upright, and The reason why I thought this would be the cheapest set of the first wave four here in Ireland is because Smyths Stores in Ireland had prices up for the clone sets earlier in the week on their website (which I can't find now) as follows: Gunship 7676 Euro 119.99 ATTE 7675 Euro 99.99 V19 7674 Euro 74.99 Magna Guard 7673 Euro 59.99 While these prices might change they don't look so outlandish. David

Well folks here is my first attempt at a review so you'll have to bear with me a little. Set: 7673 Magna Guard Starfighter Contains: 2 Magna Droids Obtained: 16 July 2008 Location: Ireland Price: Euro59.99 First up the box is as expected and is in the new 2008 white and blue colours. The rear promotes the three other clone wars sets due out shortly. The box is opened using the thumb through box method rather than cutting through clear seals. Once opened the box contains 6 bags, 1 sticker sheet, 1 set of instructions and 2 wedge panels. The first items to be assembled are the two Magna Droids and these look really good. I can confirm that the head piece is what appears to be of normal lego material and is not made of rubber or soft plastic. I haven't seen the cape design before but it seems to be normal cloth. Here is a pic of the Magna Droid. Construction, as expected starts with the cockpit and there is a very neat mechanism to open the canopy. One thing I've noticed recently and it applies equally to this set is that the pieces click together very well with a very satisfying click when attached, something that has been missing occasionally in recent years. The cockpit section is straightforward to construct and is attached to the engines by very secure struts made primarily of plates. The rear of the cockpit contains an opening mechanism for the flick missiles. At least these are of the friction type which means that they shouldn't fall out while swooshing. Once the middle section and support for the engines are built its time for the engines and associated weaponry. Before then there are some stickers to be applied. In general the stickers are in easy locations and are not too tight a squeeze unlike those in some sets I could mention. The engine sections are very well designed and are robustly attached to the main cockpit. There is a fair amount of snot techniques used with the side panels attaching quite securely to the engine frames. The Magna Droid weapons are stored in the rear of these engines which is a nice thought. The remaining stickers are somewhat subtle and wouldn't detract too much from the model if left off. For the last few stickers its easier to apply them to the bricks before attaching the bricks to the model. I did notice that some of the slopes have smooth surfaces and others have rough surfaces but at least bricks of the same type have the same consistency. Some stickers aren't visible in normal display mode because they are covered by the top engine cover. I really liked the greebling on the side sections and the 'piping' on the front. There is a nice laser (or rocket depending on which way you look at it on the extremeties of the ship. I found the set a satisfying build with little repetition. It shouldn't take too long to build in normal circumstances but I stopped every so often to take notes and pictures. The minifigures are unique to this set and look very well. Its a pity that its a bit awkward to get the droid into the ship while wearing a cape - real health and safety issues there - the Incredibles comes to mind The final ship looks well and has smooth lines, a much better looking ship than Rogue Shadow. It feels very secure when swooshing and doesn't have too many parts likely to break off easily. I could imagine myself getting another one or two of these if the price was right. Euro 59.99 is a bit steep but probably not the worst value out there this side of the Atlantic where many sets seem to be at the Euro74.99 price point. Unfortunately this will be the cheapest of the four most imminent clone wars sets. Enjoy David

I have started to build this and will put a review in a separate thread once completed. In the meantime I can confirm that the head of the Magna Droid is not rubber but appears to me to be made of normal plastic. The cape also appears to be of normal cloth albeit of a different design to normal capes (e.g. darth vader or harry potter). I can also confirm at this stage that there is a sticker sheet. regards David

First new clone wars set available in Ireland? I have acquired set 7673 (Magna droid fighter) today from my local store here in Ireland. It was up on top of the shelves and an assistant very helpfully got it down for me. David

Nice thread I wonder will those rubber band holders feature on the list. I still haven't figured out a decent use for them yet I'm sure they're not meant to be discarded once the rubber bands have been removed even if the sets themselves do not require them. David

It can be purchased on LS@H Europe in the books and games section (give or take a week shipping delay) so you could add it to a LS@H order and probably not incur any additional shipping (depending of course on whether or not it bumps you into a higher shipping bracket). regards David

I'm not sure what the problem on LS@H is but I am able to see my order status, having completed the re-registration process a few days ago. 10188 is clearly displayed as being on back order with a September delivery date, the rest of my order having already shipped to me. The price is still displayed as euro269.99 so I am not too worried yet about the possibility of a price hike for those that have ordered. If anyone has ordered the set and was thinking of cancelling their order due to insufficient funds etc. I'm sure there is now a number of potential customers (outside the US) that would take the set off your hands at close to the original price. David

It is available in Ireland at LS@H. Its on sale at euro 20.99. Its listed under books and is item number Item #: 4506493. regards David

I've just sent mine in and it also involves buses. One was with a bus depot (single decker), another could be a double decker while the third set suggested was a school bus and playground. With 'destination' stickers and changeable numbers and advertising on the sides this could encourage multiple sales. My two cent David

For you Nathan, its €10 cheaper in Ireland - €109.99. Wonder if it will go up after a while like some of the larger sets in recent years. David

I've two questions, the first more a wish than a complaint. I regularly use LS@H for orders and wonder why its not possible to add new sets to the site in batches. I find it annoying to have ordered a bunch of sets on a Friday night to find another new (typically exclusive) set such as the new VW up later in the weekend. If this is not possible it would be very helpful to have an 'add to order' feature on the website whereby an order by a registered user can be supplemented/ added to online, provided it has not reached a certain stage of processing, this stage being clearly marked on the order status page. This would give the person the opportunity to include (not delete) an additional item before the sets got packed, say within 24 hours of placing the order. There was one complaint that I had in the past year and that concerned items listed as available on the website but actually not available. I appreciate it may have been a special case but last years lego furniture sale was a disaster in that people had orders cancelled left right and centre. The problem appeared to be that the website was not updated in real time as the stocks were depleted. If this hasn't been fixed it should. Clearly in today's era of modern technology, it is unsatisfactory once an order has been accepted to receive an email at a later date saying that some or all of it has been cancelled (especially without any compensation ) Finally, I'd observe that I've found Lego customer service to be among the best there is when it comes to concerns regarding the product itself. Replacement parts are issued without quibble. I don't expect a customer services rep to know when a set will become available or back in stock because if his/her computer doesn't have the information then that's just it. If Lego wanted callers to have this type of information I'm pretty sure there would be a list of upcoming releases somewhere. Even then if such a list existed they would probably receive complaints for any slippages in timetable. For news of upcoming sets the best source is Eurobricks not a rep from LS@H. David

There is a wide variation in prices throughout Europe. Its only 109,99 euro in Ireland (for the second time in a row (after Death Star) we've the cheapest price in eurozone), yet in France its 149,99. Ouch. David

In Ireland its even better at only €269!!! David

Apparently I'm a Japanese Bionicle Nokama (Kabaya Promotional) It could have been a lot worse I suppose David

I'll add another Indie sale to the mix. Smyths stores in Ireland have a buy one, get the second half price sale. For some strange reason I was told that this applies to the latest crystal skull sets only and not the first four. David

Hope you all had a great time. The weather was certainly fantastic in the park last weekend. For some reason I had expected ye all to be wearing Eurobrick t-shirts or something to identify yourselves. From the photo the only person I recognise is Lasse D and that's because I was in the 'sales' market upon its opening at 3.00 on Saturday and there were a few people in there examining the slim pickings on offer. Given that the offerings were pretty miserable you guys must have cleared it out the day before. I didn't see too many large packs of lego fanatics roaming amongst the crowd although I did speak to some US fans that were not of Eurobricks origin but hadn't seen you guys either. If you guys encountered someone with a cap and t-shirt with a Lego AT-AT on it then that was me!!! (On occasion I had an 8 year old boy and three year old girl hanging out of me!!) As far as the park itself goes I managed to avoid a huge dent in my wallet as there were no new sets on offer that I didn't have already. I also had the added (and unexpected) bonus of free admission to the park for myself and family as it came with the room in Legoland hotel. David

Agreed. Its a lot more than Irish prices too. I did some pre-Billund price comparisons using LS@H as a guide and the only sets coming out cheaper than home are some of the new coast guard sets. The last time I was in Billund I focused on pab and some new star wars sets which had just been released and which I was willing to pay over the odds for. Personally I think Legoland Gunzburg is a far better proposition for deals especially off-peak season. However, I calculate I'll have a short window period on Sunday between the main shop opening and my flight in which to avail of the additional 20% discount available to annual pass holders. If that is taken into account prices might start to look more reasonable. David

I presume the 20% rebates that were offered in a German catalogue earlier this year are still valid. I can't speak German but I see the reference to 'gilt auch for Legoland Billund' and its for an 'oder Jahreskarte' which I take to be the annual pass. I seem to remember someone offering these earlier in the year but I managed to stumble across the catalogue while in Munich earlier this year. David One further question if anyone knows the answer. Is the Billund annual pass valid for the calendar year season or 12 months? The reason I ask is that my German annual pass issued in May 2007 remained valid for 12 months, i.e. until May 2008 rather than expiring at the end of 2007. Its probably wishful thinking that my Danish pass which was issued in June 2007 would still be valid. David

Welcome to Eurobricks If you're looking for detailed sets don't forget to look beyond Star Wars UCS sets. There's a UCS batmobile but you might find the Cafe Corner/ Market street/ green-grocer sets more interesting in terms of detail. If you check-out the 'hard to find' and 'exclusive' sections at Lego shop at home you should find an Eiffel tower and a Boeing jet to name but two of the more detailed UCS like (and expensive) sets currently available. regards David