Lipko

Crowkillers' Vampire GT

At first glance I would say that the gears are not braced enough. Maybe I'm wrong, but the structure seems to be only 1 layer thick (so it can easily twist) and there's a floating 3L beam. Floating beams never worked for me, especially when there are 8t gears. BTW did you try to spin the input axles by hand without the motors?

Very nice concept for the contest. I had the same concept, but for a rock-crawler.

My argument against a winch that it's half manual (you have to place the hook by hand), and one advantage of an SBrick is that it has much bigger range than IR, so I see no point of a manual feature.

I would say no to both

Adjustable suspension? or 4 wheel steering. My first idea was to build a model that has 4 wheel steering with 3 or 4 modes (normal/rear/crab/all). That would be quite tricky to operate with the normal PF system but with SBrick and a custom phone application it would be easy to operate. I ditched the idea because I have never build an RC off-roader before.

Looking at the real machine, it's not easily recognisable for me. But in my opinion, your version looks much better than the real one Somehow in most Alfa Romeos, something is always off fro me.

My first thought was also quitting the contest before entering. But actually it's awesome that this contest will be the hottest so far, so I would feel an megablocks if I wouldn't enter just because I have no chance. I'm very curious about more pictures, how it performs etc, this might be my favourite Lego supercar.

Why don't you build supercars more often???!!1

Parts photo per step would be nice too, but maybe it's not necessary. IMHO and important thing is to only focus (um... playing attention, not the picture focus thing) on a small part of the model per step. It can be real confusing if you have pins to be added far away from the other parts to be added. Plus good luck with this straightforward approach, but this way you can accidentally have steps where you have to stress the assembly to insert something you didn't plan carefully enough. Therefore I usually do the opposite: disassemble the model while taking photos.

Yes, we would like having those, and I am more than happy that I don't have to custom-build differentials and I can focus on cooler functions. But somehow I do miss the old style, which meant unrealistic looking models, but those old models were somehow much more dirty and badass than the current shiny lifelike plastic toys we have. For me, 8865 still beats all official supercars in terms of looks. Yup, with it's sticking-out wheels. It's just a bad madafaka. I'm thinking about building a completely manual old-style MOC with wheels and studs sticking out everywhere. Having new part every year is good, but I'm glad they don't come more frequently ang quantities. For me it's much more disappointing to see so many cool models and my own models become obsolete/outdated even while in WIP state just because another part comes out that solves a problem instantly. For me, Lego design is a form of art, and there's so much beauty and possibilities and new-things-to-see into it even if the evolution of the system would be slower. Sorry, I can't express myself properly even in my native language, I hope the message gets through for some.

Limitations and challenges what makes a hobby interesting for me. Limits, or no limits at all, which is not really possible using a given system. If you don't like the Lego systems limitations, build real machines with "real" materials, do RC or do sculpting or whatever else. Or design awesome Lego models, which are just that, awesome Lego models. You seem like a capable person for that, don't shit with performance. Toys are much cooler than remote crap

You can't play that card all the time...

In the text you say exactly 4 motors and 4 functions, while in the Contest Specific Rules section you say only exactly 4 functions. So, if two motors is used for the same function (like driving with 2 L motors or 2 XL motors), does it coult as one or two?

Okay. Then FU cost dep.

I am still not convinced that 4wd is so complex or ads too much cost. I remember that one of the aforementioned offroad models was modded and added 4WD. With, like 40 extra parts. Now don't tell me that in a 1200 part set that extra 40 parts would make the set so much expensive that this is the only reason why 4WD is omitted. Maybe TLG got too many complaints that their models don't work because the kid (or daddy) accidentally assembled the second differential in the wrong way? Plus the poor steering radius of the CV joints is maybe enough to omit 4wd just to be safe for TLG. And I still don't really believe in this global conspiracy of making people stupid thing (at least I don't think Lego has a rule in this). Even smart, technically talented people can act like mindless costumer-sheep (hell I consider myslef somewhat clever, yet I'm so controllable, just like a sheep), so I see no point in making Lego stupider. Plus you need more engineers to maintain the evil sheep-making system.

Well, Kids don't buy Lego and tablets. Their parents do. So maybe the issue is with our very own generation... The processes on a market where it is not the target audiance that's buying the product may be not that trivial. Maybe our generation become more ignorant, we don't spend time to carefully chose the models (or toys in general) we buy for our kids, we buy what looks good. Many adults, even some AFOLs go for the looks and fascinated by the size of a model more than anything else. Maybe we became lowly, not our kids.

You misunderstand me. I said I don't agree with using this as an argument for every TLG decision. That's all. No need to say it's TLG's main purpose, because that's obvious.

I don't agree with this common "targetted at children" and "main purpose to sell" argument in AFOL discussions used all the time for every decisions TLG makes. A 4WD is quite far from "rigorous standards" or advanced mechanics or even being too expensive to include (or not more expensive than a slightly bigger appeal couldn't compensate). Even 8265 had 4wd (okay, no central diff). I guess there is some other reason, the very poor steering ability of the CV-joint seems to be a pretty good candidate. And I can't see TLG ever making custom-built hubs again. And (very rightfully) the most important feature of Lego sets is playability. The CV-joint issue seems to be a good candidate, because 8265 has articulated steering (no CV issue) and the Unimog used portal hubs (which are designed to house U-joints), and was a pretty big set. Maybe we get to see 4x4 models again if TLG introduces a better ball joint system (something like 8880 had)

By the way, isn't Spiderbrick's Jetta included in Sariel's Incredible book?

This forum should be renamed as "DrJB's Lounge" or something. Anyhoo http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?m=spiderbrick

We all know that, no need to tell

Sorry, I wanted to say lame for me, because I'm not interested in looking at official sets at all (but interested in building them), and unfortunately I'm still kind of ashamed of "playing" with Lego (in a culture that says "you are too old for Lego" for a 11-year-old girl). I'm still more comfortable explaining a model on display that was designed by me than a model I bought just for putting on a shelf. But I guess it's just my psychological/social problem (I'm very far from being interested enough in official sets to take on this activity).

I won't buy it. Because it's not an appealing parts-pack for me, and I don't keep any models for displaying. Partly because I can't afford to have such a big place and partly because I find it lame to keep official sets on display...

Still not getting it etirely, but I think the best and most obvious example is the use of linear actuators in Lego instead of hydraulics in most real machines.