Gray Gear

@nerdsforprez If you see adding a good amount of bricks of bricks to make something more strong for peace of mind (even though half would probably do the the job) compatible with that quote then maybe I am just too dumb lmao Let's just agree on that and move on, I don't feel like discussing the quote further will really end in something worthwhile. Simple and elegant design is cool, and I love those moments when stuff finally just fits together like it was meant to be But I myself would rather use 50 bricks instead of 5 if it can make the end result look a tiny bit more accurate (without looking cluttered mind you). That isn't really simple design, but I prefer a detailed system solution where others would just slap on a panel and call it a day

@Scoar Sonander I agree, there are plenty of strong solutions that are only possible if you build them in one big piece first and put them on the model afterwards. Given the right amount of connections a Modular design can be a lot stronger than a "normal" one. But more connections make disassembling again more of a hassle. The question for me is what a "Modular Design" even is. Is the only requirement that the model has to be assembled out of big Modules, or does the model have to be easily diasassembled into these Modules as well?

I did not. I am not happy with the "nothing left to take away" part, as it implies to remove any material not stictly needed. Plan your designs with some reserves in mind was all I was trying to say. The design has to hold up in the real world, so think of that when building, especially when you build digital at first. Modular design contradicts strength to some degree (in theory), as it introduces potential weakpoints where the modules meet up. It might not matter depending on the weight and position of the model, but when I see some big frames joined up with just like 4 3L pins I'd rather have a single piece.

A design where nothing is left to take away also has no strength to spare. Once you surpass the planned load by just a little it can break. Modular design is nice, but it can also cause weakpoints where the model can flex or even break. LEGO is great at designing Models where nothing can be taken away, look at the Flexari. It can do what it was designed for, sit on a shelf and do nothing. But once you start pick it up and play with it it will start to bend and feel cheap

When I build my 1:8 Supercar MOCs I often modify or improve something I built earlier, so having the car come together and apart in big pieces is somewhat natural to me. But I don't know if that can really be called modularity, as this building style does not focus on disassembling the model again conviniently. A stiff body is very important to me, body flex is not acceptable. That means all the "modules" are reinforcing and supporting each other locking each other in place. That makes disassembly a bit tricky. There is a specific order in which the "modules" have to be removed.

If TLG sold a C+ Remote for like 60€ I am sure people would still buy it if it actually worked...

Agreed 42070 is an insult to the technic name. Anniversary Model, yeah right... I'd say the Cat was okay if for half the price, but function wise it isn't even that bad. Not great, but not as terrible as 42070 by a good bit.

@Tcm0 I agree with the scandals thing. I don't watch his vids anymore because of it. Never heared about that "registering the logo" thing, bit I am far from allknowing. Got the source at hand? You are right, his influence on LEGO sales is probably pretty small, but he first introduced lots of competitor brands to a big german audience, and laid the foundation on which they grew and can keep growing. On the long run that will hurt TLG most I think. Or help TLG I hope. A healthy competiton is good for the Market. Innovation and pricefights are good for us consumers.

@Gimmick To understand "Held der Steine" you must see the whole picture. I don't like everything he is doing, but I can see where he is coming from. For years he was the biggest german LEGO YT channel and made basically free advertising for TLG, and he got lots of older people interested in LEGO again with his enthusiasm and humour. He sold only LEGO in his little shop in Frankfurt. Then TLG sent their lawyers after him because he had a brick in his logo, with no warning, no nothing. Way to take a dump on a real supporter. He changed his LEGO to avoid a lawsuit with TLG. The "Held der Steine" had been disappointed by newer LEGO products for a while, but that ungreatful move from TLG was what ultimately turned him to the dark side. He started selling competitor brands like COBI in his little shop too, and the yt channel kept growing, he kind of grew to be the hood ornament of the competitor brands in Germany. TLG made their worst enemy themselves by being disrespectful and ungreatful in this and a few other occasions, and the "Held der Steine" now takes every chance he gets to embarass and and get back at TLG. The calling a Competitor set "LEGO" was an obvious provocation, and put TLG in a kind of pinch. They could either do nothing and let him carry on which would risk to damage their brand, or send their overpaid lawyers again and cause a shitstorm that would also damage their brand... You see where this is going That was the tale of the Held der Steine, and his rise to power... I'll shut up now @Bartybum Nicely done!

The Chinese generally don't bother to copy C+ / PU. Good decision IMO, developing further up PF was the better choice.

@Gimmick I have seen the Video, no need to explain it to me . Imo it was a brilliant move, but yes, it was not "correct".

@Igor1 Same here in Germany. You'll get 30% on almost any set if you wait a bit, and 50% off is often seen for Vidiyo and other unpopular LEGO pruducts that will just collect dust in the stores and 50% is needed to make them move

Not of Building Toys, no. Playmobil or wooden playing blocks are different. But obviously LEGO is used by the public as a generic term for any construction toy that looks kind of like LEGO.

@1974 it is called a "Gattungsbegriff" ("generic term" in english?) I think you get the concept. A company name gets so popular that it is used for all products of that kind, no matter the brand. That has obviously happened with the LEGO name, People know nothing else. But LEGO obviously doesn't admit it, and it would take a good bit of cash to make surveys and court time to make the generic term "official", so companys could use them too. Still, as a private person you can do what you like.

LEGO is the same as Kleenex, JoJo etc. Show a kid a 2x4 brick, it will ask whats this? The Kid will reply "a LEGO", not "a building block" or "a Klemmbaustein" When I shoot pictures of my MOCs (containing mostly GoBricks) outside its always "Wow mom look at that LEGO car!" "Is that made of Legos?" Ect. TLG will tell you that LEGO is not used for a generic LEGO-style building block, but in the real world it is exactly that.

@allanp I appreachiate it m8, but it sounded like

Good one m8

I am the last person you have to tell that I mix my LEGO with other Brick brands like CADA, I just want to build MOCs and have fun, I don't care where my bricks come from or how much money I lose by actually using my bricks instead of keeping sealed Original LEGO boxes in my attic hoping for rising prices

All the prints I had as a kid are ruined, just like the stickers i had. And I am 22yo, so that wasn't even thaaat long ago The play sets like city or 4+ will not be intresting for the kid in very few years, so who cares if the stickers look bad. I sure didn't. Meanwhile the stickers on the flagships that sit on a shelf for often more than a decade slowly start to peel and discolor. Unfitting for a display piece.

@Jim I get what you mean. I am already amazed at how many new moulds TLG is introducing these days. Still 20€ 4+ Sets get prints only, and flagship sets like this or even the 700€ Star Destroyer gets stickers. Makes no sense.

The option everyone would be happy with would be to print the pieces but throw in unprinted examples too. A few bricks more shouldn't be too much to ask akt TLG's asking price.

Well what's the point of getting a set licensed in the first place when you don't even bother to spend 4 cents more to actually print the oh-so-expensive licensed bits? Paying for a license to then waste it on a sticker sheet is so incredibly stupid...

Overall it looks very good! I like the tentacle pieces used for the exhaust system Only thing I really dislike are the headlights. On the real car the lamps are sitting in a grove facing forward, and on your version they are sitting too high on top and facing upwards. That looks weird. Why not try to use These to mount the headlights in the correct way? Might be worth a shot

@A Great Builder yeah reality is often disappointing

Very nice! I always love when these huge motorcycle wheels are used