Dannnohhh

"and another one down"... Thanks guys! efferman made me want a set a while ago, and now DLuders reviewing something available on this side of the pond, I'm ordering the "Rc4wd Rok Lox 1.9 Comp Tires" now. I too am forced to break from my Lego Purism--it was a long internal debate (NOT!). Kind of off topic...I'm assuming the July 23rd USA release date is S@H only? (in other words, we'll have to wait for delivery ) Still, that's better then August release.

Good point DLuders, and you prompted my natural, imaginary investigation into the final 9398 model variations that didn't make it to production. The designer no doubt played with the larger tires on each prototype model, but now I wonder if there was a new secret tire that was voted out by the suits because of cost.

Thanks Blakbird! That's surprising, welcome news. Not that I plan on permanently ditching the 94.8's, but I love the option and it says a lot about the torque (I assume at least, with the exponential weight increase). As IF I needed another reason to buy the 9398! I assume the turning radius will be the same with the Power Puller tires, thanks to the 4 wheel steering and particularly the small steering lock that Blakbird mentioned at the end of his review.

Thanks for staying up so late for the fast, awesome review Blakbird! And glad/sad that TLG sent it to you and I don't have to drop everything and race down to the local TRU (yet)!

I concur! Another build project added to the high priority list; can't wait!

I am purposefully replying with image for a visual reference to my message: Major thanks to GuiliuG and Blakbird for MOC and the instructions. Couldn't wait to see the details of the build, and the instructions are awesome. I was waiting for pics of my own GG001 to say thanks but I won't have time to build it soon. (note: this post is not in response to a certain subtopic and you'd be reading this otherwise)

Thanks guys, I agree with all of you: - Nothing to worry about on the number of sets released -- especially since the March release was a very large set, 9397, even larger then last years 8070... Also TLG has clearly abandoned the previous pattern of a cheaper flagship every other year - Economics most likely is a factor. The 8043 might be around for longer then normal, worldwide, and introducing a few more 800 pc or 500 pc sets this summer might increase supply too much over demand (not for me though! I still wish there were more 2H sets, since 1H is usually the smaller release) and @allanp, you clearly WERE one of them but couldn't keep a secret , now you think you're a double agent but what they leak to you is disinformation so you (and us) will believe longer pneumatics aren't coming, ever

I'm surprised TLG hasn't leaked anything more substantial as of yet. Mark gave us early insight (what he was allowed to ) on PF's a while back. 8110's were sent out to a select few by this time last year. This year? nothing in comparison . I'll be pulling my hair out (whats left) if we have to wait 'til August for detailed reviews on the new parts! Also, with only three 2h 2012 models...the fewest in a long time...I've wondered if TLG will start a fall release of one set, like the delayed 8070 and 9397 but September or October. Any thoughts?

Hint for the 2H 2012 thread to be sticky'd now, instead of this one? (just asking )

I had the same shortage of pneumatic hoses when I built the FSB01 skid steer and used several 3mm rigid hoses (longest available is 20L I think), with short pneumatic hoses connecting the 3mm's. That allowed for me to hold the remote standing/walking while operating the FSB01 on the floor. A new PF pneumatic switch would solve some of this but I suspect not always. Also, one of the fun design aspects of Five Star Brick's and GG001's model is the remote with the pole reverser swithces etc.

I agree, awesome work GuiliuG. When I first saw it on BS earlier this year, I finally felt okay dismantling my FSB001 as I've needed some of its parts but liked it too much despite its dysfunction The new hope was to build this sometime down the road. Blakbird, have you built it yet, or is it on the project list? Next thought is instructions (of course), myself and many others would gladly contribute to both of you for the ability to build our own GG001.

Thanks allanp, now I remember that prototype. That was an unusual prototype leak compared to all the others, which are completed models vying for the final release (theoretically, of course). And now back to the regularly scheduled programming... The 8070 prototypes make me wonder what the color options were for that set

Thanks Paul! I wouldn't have seen this without your thread. A bit off topic, but TLG has been leaking a lot of Technic prototypes the past few years...8275, 8110, now 8070 (am I forgetting any?) So that makes me wonder, what else will leak?--I have a prototype leak wish list! - 8265 (I just know a pneumatic version with airtank was on the final list--now I want to see it) - 8043 with the "correct" sized bucket that we'll never get our hands on - 9398 Only because of this thread I now want to see the other versions of the new Rock Crawler. Was there one with power puller tires/wheels? Or a new version of larger, but lighter tires (using the current type of rubber) I'm done. for now. back on topic.

I'd suggest using the shorter 2M length string; I think thats still in production but have not searched for it myself. Tying them together would work if needed. I've wanted to find an alternative long crane string/cord for some time, for larger crane MOCs, but have yet to find anything. Tried various fishing lines but the suitable ones are even more costly. That said if anyone knows of a non-Lego string thats good for cranes please share!

How's the pneumatics coming?! We can't wait to see more details...looks awesome thus far and a studless version of Hans' 6x6 pretty much throws out my excuses -- I think I have enough of these parts -- of finally starting to build his awesome creation! So again, nice work and thanks for posting

LOL that being my first MOD out of the dark ages, I'm not worthy of sharing, especially the base which has been on the project list ever since the new tread links were leaked, uhmm 5 years ago now? I must defer to more capable builders who motivate me to tear down and start over, here's a good one that you guys have likely already seen: http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=483890

My turn to finally chime in as I also relate to you guys. 8288 was my 3rd set coming out of the dark ages, and less then a week after building my first two new sets, the Enzo and the 8421, I had to buy another Technic set and the 8288 was CHEAP in comparison! So cheap that I eventually bought 9 8288's on sale and on BL to stock up on studless parts. Wish I knew how much just opening those boxes would cost me While the current 8288 prices discussed are absolutely exorbitant, I too am equally surprised at the current 8421 prices, especially remembering how much less then MSRP they ran for on BL when still in production. Future demand was really hard to predict on that one.

While I'm still glad I bought it, I'm becoming more disappointed in this being the first Technic set to hit the $200 USD mark. These problems are way different then the added instructions needed for 8455 and 8275, after customer complaints that were attributed to a difficult build. I know the price isn't decided by the designers nor is production quality controlled by the technic team, I'm just surprised it wasnt caught somewhere in the food chain, and a bummer for it to happen on the most expensive set to date.

Thanks for starting this thread Blakbird, I too built the FSB001 and love it despite the steering and shreaded gears it caused (very well described by Anio and I agree with him, but still like it). The complexity and great engineering that Five Star Bricks put into it makes me want to rebuild it with PF motors and tread links to negate the steering problems but keep the rest of the his design (uhm, its on my technic project list). I remember a discussion on lugnet that FSB planned on charging for instructions but because of the problems just posted them for free on BS. I hope he/she's around because its well worth some revision with the new parts available.

I also built and tried contributing for Fivestarbrick's work. I read back then on one of the other forums that he didnt charge for the FSB001 instructions only because of the steering and stripped gear issues. I've wanted to mod his design into a track-based PF bobcat ever since the 8275. Another tehnic project and not enough time, looks like I'd pay for such instructions in a heartbeat (and still not have the time to build)

I'm also more then okay with paying for instructions for something like this. Way beyond Crowkiller giving us awesome hints with the more then detailed pics of the Gallardo. I like that Blackbird wants to share his reverse engineering and time consuming result, that Crowkiller is in on it and the instructions help him sell the ebay kit. Crowkiller didnt start building insane technic mocs just yesterday, nor did Blackbird produce the instructions without major time, experience, etc. There are very few equivalent examples available on BS for free, the main ones I can think of got NK a job at TLG (an abreviated assumption on my part, not to disavow NK's engineering skills and other attributes needed to actually get paid for building LEGO, but you get the point...) Anyway selling the instructions seperate from the custom kit is an awesome idea, as I'd like to support the effort but rarely need to order more then the new or one-off'd parts from BL. And I'd order the instructions right now but already received the needed parts from BL and I'm looking forward to the challenge of figuring out how to replicate Crowkillers build with just the BS pics as others have done here (glad to know its do-able). I'll either (need to ) buy the instructions for problem solving or after the build just to support the effort and hope it repeats.

Dig all your reviews Blackbird, but this ones my favorite the 8063 just showed up on S@H today, laughed when I read the description: ..."and even switch the rotating rear transmission axle on or off!" Still wish they re-released something else, but it'd be worth buying at half price (or better) if I didnt own a few 8284s already.

the 8674 in 2006 had it -- working steering wheel only, no HOG -- a TLG anomily thanks to NK.

Great reviews on both models...I too dig the one-off tires and wish they'd come back (with red, black or yellow wheels like a few race bikes). 8420 was my first thought seeing the recent tractor set being revived so soon. Bring back something unique like the Street Bike that doesnt have the same old parts that are everywhere. Anyway I first passed on this set when it was in stores, got a good deal on BL and then had to buy a few more in addition to an extra set of tires and wheels. Then of course I was forced to buy the narrow and wide metallic wheels from the 8430/8417 sets to try and build those from parts on hand (still on my long "to-build" list). I'd also be just fine with a totally new Technic motorcyle set...make a custom chopper the A model, with a realllllllly wide rear tire.

Way cool! Theres just one problem. After eons and eons of being unhappy and depressed while posting about Technic stuff in the Bionicle forum, suddenly I want to post tons of Technic topics in said Bionicle forum! Why can't I? it was okay yesterday and the day before that and the day before that....