dunamis

Strange. Mine say they have shipped but still I have nothing...

That was a hysterical episode!

wow, nicely done. Love the details.

Awesome news. I predict we will get another Republic Gunship and that will be the early summer $100 set like the MTT was this year and the ISD was last year.

Wow, these look great! Very exciting!

I checked my order and mine shows shipped as well. I did order more than one (each one on a different date) and the one I ordered on Feb 10th is the only one showing shipped. Can't wait!

Yes, I have seen that myself! I now hate TRU!

Wow, that is incredible! I love the detail!

Nice review and a nice set. Thanks for taking the time. I'll want to pick this guy up.

Wow, the TIE Crawler looks so much better! Nicely done.

Looks like a great time. Were there any new sets or customs on display?

Wow, with the overseas prices and the general consensus that the set is overpriced, I'm wondering how well this set will sell. If it doesn't do well, I hope LEGO understands that it was the price point. I think it is a $30 set and would sell well at that price. I just don't see people buying it at $50.

That's a good point. I would buy multiples of this set if it was on sale for $30 or even $35. $50 just is too much. Also, I forgot to mention that the trademark imperial insigina tile is strangely absent in this set. Here is what I am talking about: Not sure why LEGO did not include this in the set.

TIE Crawler Reviewed by Dunamis Set 7664 548 Pieces $50.95 from LEGO Retail Store (Glendale, CA) Build time 1.25 hours The Box: It is a bigger box than I expected. It seems to be twice the size as what is needed. Cereal box type ends with two tape strips is what you get. Pretty typical of the Star Wars sets lately. Here is what you get: The Manual: Two manuals included and they had the typical nice features that we have come to expect lately: - Piece call outs for each step - Parts inventory at the end of the manual - Page numbers Each manual is 32 pages in length. No color issues in this set. Although I did find a couple of minor errors in the manuals, mainly parts missing from the call-out in a step. Really, it is not a big deal. Parts list No inspiration (alternate) models were shown, but they spent five pages pimping all the other 2007 sets! The Pieces: Well, nothing new here. Think of it as a 7263 TIE fighter plus about 162 tread pieces and you get the idea. We have the usual assortment of blue (why they like blue on the TIE fighters I�ll never know), black, light bley and dark bley. We have the same TIE canopy that is in all the previous TIE sets. In addition, you have quite a few Technic pieces. In fact, I�d guess that more than 60% of the pieces are Technic. There are no stickers. Here is what is left over: The Minifigs: Now we get to the real appeal of the set. We get two of the shadow troopers from the extended universe and the new blasters. As you can see from the photo, the helmets almost have a shiny silver finish to them. It�s pretty cool. The Build: A quick build that is somewhat repetitive. Putting the treads together is not too bad and goes by quickly. Each tread �wing� is kind of interesting and they did a good job with it. Experienced builders will zip through this in less than an hour. There were no gothchas. Canopy section is done first Next are the two tread �wings� Flip out cannon assembly The Design: Have you ever wondered what it would be like to combine the 7263 TIE Fighter and the 8272 Technic Snowmobile? No? Me either until I build this set. That�s basically what you have here. Who really knows what the design is supposed to be since we�ve never seen one of these things. Actually, it looks really close to the photos shown on Wookieepedia which you can read about here: http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Tie_crawler No Star Wars set would be complete without one of those stupid little fake missiles that LEGO loves to give us. You know, it�s the one that gets lost in the first 90 seconds of play. Take a close look at the photo because it�s the last time you will ever see it: Here are some shots of the finished set: Here is the flip out cannon (one on each side): While we are on the topic of set design choices, I have a few thoughts: - I don�t understand that decision to give us two of the same minifig. Since the cockpit only holds one minifig, why not give us something else? At least give the second guy a little shadow trooper speeder bike or a jetpack. That would at least increase the perceived value of the set. - Alternatively, they could have given us one shadow trooper and maybe a unique imperial officer and another imperial droid. Put those two guys in a little control room like the old B-Wing set. Nothing fancy, maybe 50 pieces or so. - Another thought (which LEGO likes to do) is maybe a little repair bay with an imperial technician minifig. We have plenty of rebel technicians but I�m thinking it would be nice to have an imperial technician. - Worst case is they could have thrown in a few regular stormtroopers to make the set value more in-line with the price. Overall Thoughts: Don�t ever confuse me with someone who won�t buy the latest Star Wars LEGO set. They could package up the new LEGO Rebel Latrine set and I�d buy it. However, I�m not all that impressed with the TIE Crawler. As I mentioned above, it is a TIE Fighter with treads. In addition, it�s ridiculously overpriced at $50 and I don�t even want to know what it costs in Europe and Australia (and other distant locals where you get gouged). Yes, you get two shadow troopers but you are probably better off spending $15 buying one off Bricklink and spending the other $35 on the Y-Wing, Sith Infiltrator, Naboo N-1, etc. Maybe part of my dislike for the set is that I don�t have any reference for it from the movies. I guess if it was in a few scenes, I could better relate to it. Also, why do the tread wings flip up and reverse? If we had some background on it I think it would be better understood and received. An example is the TIE Bomber. It was only on screen for probably less than 30 seconds, but I understand it and like that set much more than this one. I know LEGO will be doing more expanded universe sets in 2008 with the Force Unleashed game and the Clone Wars series. I think those sets will be received better because we�ll have source material to draw from and we�ll see them in action. At any rate, that�s what I think of it so flame away Star Wars fanboys! Seriously, let�s have some inspired discussion on this set. I�m interested to hear what other people think of it. Final Rating: 62% Build 9/10 (Pretty quick, no gothchas) Functionality 6/10 (Treads are OK. Wings flip up and reverse but we don�t know why. Dumb missile but it sports a couple of hidden cannons) Design 6/10 (Marginal) Parts 6/10 (Same old black and blue TIE color scheme. Minifigs are cool though) Price 4/10 (Way overpriced)

Good stuff! I love reading about other members and seeing photos of their collections.

OK, here ya go: The following sets are 10% off on the dates in OCTOBER specified below: 10143 Death Star II 2-4 10030 ISD 16-18 10174 AT-ST 22-23 10175 25-26 In addition, you can enter to win one of the first edition USC Falcons. Finally, if you spend $50 or more, you get a free Palpatine key chain

Yes, I'll post it tonight. It's in the car and I won't be home for several hours. Seems like it was one set per week.

Yes, as I mentioned four of the UCS sets will be on sale next month (October). Also, keep in mind that if you buy a Falcon in September, you get double stamps. So, you basically get a $70 gift card for buying the Falcon.

I was at my local LEGO store in Glendale, California today taking advantage of the double stamp promotion and they had just received the TIE Crawler. I told the clerk that I was looking forward to the Falcon and he said they were just told to expect them to be in stores as early as NEXT WEEK. In addition, they will be raffling off a Falcon in the month of October. Finally, they will be running sales (only 10% off) on various UCS Star Wars sets (TIE Advanced, AT-ST, Death Star II, ISD, etc) in October. Incidentally, I've been checking my credit card and I have not yet been billed for the Falcons that I pre-ordered. Presumably, those that pre-ordered would receive theirs before they start showing up in stores. At any rate, be on the lookout starting next week for the Falcon...

Picked up the TIE Crawler today at my local LEGO Store in Glendale California. The clerk said they were not expecting them for another few weeks. It was $50. Additionally, it is double stamp month AND next month they are having sales on Star Wars sets (ask for a calendar). Finally, he said the Falcon should be in as early as NEXT WEEK!

Wow, that is a nice ship. He did a great job with it. He's got some other nice models as well. His ILC is very well done.

This is a great idea! This is the first interview I have seen (stupid work getting in the way of EB!) so I hope there will be more. It's a great way to learn more about our members. Interview On!

Wow, some really nice work there!

Pretty much, Gylman. Here are the only Technic bricks in the set and there are four of them.