Dannnohhh

I totally agree that existing pieces could do the same thing, and there's no way that I'm buying the Hauler until its half price at S@H. Way too expensive for so few parts, last thing I want to do is pay that extra charge for another battery box and one PF motor. That said any new parts get my vote. There are huge advantages to the technic capabilities on the new panels compared to studded plates. Stronger and more versatile having pin holes in at least 4 to 6 (or more) different directions compared to the one and only option for a studded plate. But that sparks a potential debate on studded vs studless technic builds, and dont get me wrong I dig both and use both. IOW dont dump what we already have and I'm okay with more building options and functionality. On a related topic though, I dont opt for covering up the inside mechanics of a model, such as the new Wheel Loader with the (new?) plates totally covering the top rear (again we havent seen any detailed pics of it yet)...that goes for studded or studless plates/panels.

It's got me wondering as well. And the front view of the Crane Truck in that BS folder shows each front stabilizer in a different position (no help at all). But the simple action of extending the yellow beam horizontally outward doesnt appear to move the gear or the vertical parts of the stabilizer. Hopefully we're missing something... similar to previous posts comparing the steering of the 8421, if these stabilizers are overly simplified compared to the 8421, then weak sauce TLG. I'd comment but I might be banned from the nonexistent Technic forum here. I too dont mind the tractor coming back, just wish the new panels werent green and useless for other builds. Not that I like panels replacing other technic parts, but they have there place. The Crane Truck is much better looking with the new ones, otherwise it'd be studded plates like the 8285 2 yrs ago. But I also cant resist razzing TLG for reviving a recent Technic set instead of reviving pneumatics

There are finally some pics of a real 8258 Crane Truck, in a BS folder of the Nuremburg Toy Fair... 3 pics starting here, can see some cool new technic parts, some of which showed up in the NY toy fair pics of the summer Bionicle sets. Conchas has a good writeup on his TechnicBricks blog (I recall a debate if we can link to outside blogs forums etc, but looks like these pics have been buried in a Brickshelf folder for a week I and just wanted to share it here since every other Lego theme gets frontpage news) Anyone find more Technic pics from that toy fair? The 8265 Front-End Loader is in the background next to the Crane Truck... want to see more detailed pics of the summer sets, glad TLG didnt hide them forever (still not sure if the revived tractor set is really alive).

I was also wondering about the production cost of hoses for pneumatics (I'm suspecting not cheap, but still I'm clueless). I think the 8436 was the most recent Technic set to use more then a few centimeters of hose (8421 and 8285 needed almost nothing, especially compared to 8455!). Motors and LA''s aside, compare the cost of a few axles, gears, and universal joints to 10, 50 or 100cm of pneumatic hosing...now I really think pneumatics are dead And last month I received the new Lego Education catalog (for this side of the pond) and in the parts section it listed the pneumatic hose item with an emphasized note "Limited Supply". Still, if TLG would just track the average price for airtanks on Bricklink they'd see pneumatics are still in high demand, and many of us already eat bread and water just to cover the cost, how many more would gladly buy pneumatic stuff directly from TLG even if they were an expensive accessory.

Agreed. by multitasking I was referring to the ability (and ease) to control multiple pneumatic cylinders and swithes at the same time, the 8439 and 8455 (especially with an airtank added) as examples, giving us the ability to raise/lower/turn the boom and adjust the shovel all at once, closer to the real thing. While the transmission assy's are cool and complex (especially the 8297), we're unable to simultaneously control both LA's on the 8294 for example, without dumping the tranny assy and adding 2 motors instead of one (a MOD already posted at least a few times on BS). Totally dont wanna beat a dead horse into the ground, but pneumatics are more realistic then LA's (and I totally agree their Lego's version of hydraulics--the real thing would be nice but....), and while I'm glad LA's are around and I cant wait to see the guts of this summers Crane Truck and how the transmission assy controls all the diff functions with one motor, I'll still think of how perfect a set for a combination of PF and pneumatics, and bummed that a PF pneumatic switch didnt and may never come to pass.

And each LA needs its own indepenant gear and axle assembly (this is obvious and inferred in your gripe, just agreeing with you and griping myself). At least the 8265 might have 2 LA's with synchronized assy, but still, multiple LA's means exponential hand cranking. And PF enabled is good but then we need a motor for each assy to get multitasking functions. Not to mention the fact that many functions are forcibly separate HOG because another gear axle assy is rediculous and/or impossible. I dont mean to bash LA's into the ground, but more so their apparent replacement of pneumatics. I dig LA's, lets keep them and use them where applicable and the same for pneumatics. The recent sets would have additional functionality and multitasking functions with pneumatics and PF and LA's together. And Mark, thanks for pointing out the 5.5 axle on the crane truck, thought for sure TLG wouldnt leave out the 4WS but now we have proof!

Totally agree with you. I already plan on MOD'ing the crane truck with pneumatics for the crane functions (just wish we had the PF pneumatic switch too). So I realized today that I expected at least the 8265 wheel loader to have pneumatics because of the Lego Education set and the airtank being revived (not my own assumption--expressed by many others after those sets were leaked). Short and to the point because I would like other's thoughts on this: TLG does multiple builds and models before reaching the final two or three and thats before choosing the final final model for production (as shown in the TLG videos of 8275 bulldozer). I'd be very surprised if a pneumatic version of the wheel loader wasnt in the final 2 options (yeah I know its just a rev'd 8439, but studless, and better yet--the airtanks are back!), but I'm suspecting the final 8265 succummed to TLG keeping costs down, and/or TLG's recent habit of keeping technic sets simple. And the fact that we now have multiple technic sets with the more limited linear actuators instead of pneumatics indicates at the very least a trend. Last year after the Linear Actuators were released, in the Ask a Designer section of the technic site it states the following: (emphasis added) "Which was the LEGO goal by designing the upcoming TECHNIC Linear Actuator, that we see for example in the new Excavator (8294)? Develop a new part, to add functionality and new possibilities or does it aim to replace the Pneumatic Cylinders role in TECHNIC sets?" - FCorreia "The goal we set for the new linear Actuator was to be able to add new functions and possibilities together with the new Power Functions system. On top of that we also designed it so it can be used to add functions in models that do not include motors. It is not the idea that it should replace any of the pneumatic cylinders :-)" So I wonder if that answer still stands. I posted a related comment on the TechnicBricks blog but wanted to post here in the forum for more discussion. It brings to mind many of us AFOLs voting for an expensive, more complex technic set--not many 12 year old lego fans can afford the $500 star wars sets, yet TLG sells a lot of them and keeps releasing new ones. Even the 8421 had both pneumatics and a motor, the most recent set to have that combination and thats way before Power Functions. Personally I'd gladly pay a little more for an 8275 bulldozer with pneumatics tilting the blade (was waiting for the aforementioned PF pneumatic switch to add that MOD so it'd be RC too), and the new 8258 crane truck looks like a perfect candidate for that combo of PF and pneumatic functions...I wonder what the model "B" of 8258 had before getting axed. That said, why doesnt TLG make these options available as another accessory set or even individual items like the recently added PF switch and lights at S@H. Better yet, since PF are pretty standard in the higher end technic sets of late, make pneumatics an optional add-on (there was the cool but useless pneumatic add-on to the 8466 4x4).

Also, am I wrong or is color the only difference between the tractors on the 8063 and 8284. Havent had time to do detailed comparison and the pic might not be enough. Sure the rear assy is new but seems a copy of many MODs. My first thought looking at the 8063 was bring back something else first, especially with unique parts such as 8420 streetbike, or of course 8455 with pneumatics

I dig the looks of the summer sets, dont mind the new panels too much, nice to have for where their needed and can easily replace with beams which are way cheap on bricklink these days. That said my first reaction to studying the pics is very bummed about no pneumatics, particularly the hugely desired Power Functions pneumatic switch. Yes I like linear actuators but dont want them to replace every stinkin function that pneumatics would be useful for. A combo of PF and pneumatics that could be operated via remote, already discussed here and other forums and blogs, is one of our greatest wishes. Even though TLG stated that pneumatics are not dead and they released the Lego Education pneumatic sets, it was all old stuff in new colors, and theres no evidence that pneumatics are coming back to technic sets. So initally I'm disappointed but will get over it and buy all the summer sets. Also, I totally agree with you that the winch is manual powered (another bummer), looks like thats what the gear knob sticking on the boom is for. Hopefully thats not the case, but thats also a downer if the expensive set is PF for the other functions and you still have to manually raise and lower the winch. Anyway glad to see the pics!

The fun but unrealistic aspect of the pneumatic airtank. Now if TLG would produce a control valve as well as new airtanks so we could control the speed as well as the force that would be closer to real life, short of switching to hydraulics which I guess is way too extreme and expensive for a toy. I've built the studless version of 8459 and I think you'll want to add an airtank after building the 8455. 10 cylinders compared to the 3 on 8459 Front-End Loader...even with the dual pneumatic pumps the 8455 is sorely lacking in power without the airtank, you'll be doing a ton of pumping either way. Which brings me back to dreamland, give us everything disussed in this thread, buildable and small enough to all fit into models like the 8455. Or I'd settle for a Millenium Falcon sized Technic set

My first and supposed to be my last bricklink order (yah right!) 2 yrs ago was a new 8455 for $170...Definitely my fav pneumatic set if not overall fav technic set (depends on my current project). The airtanks and the 8455 are my biggest remorse for not coming out of the dark ages a bit earlier. (I could make so much $$$ off of 20 airtanks ...oh wait I couldnt/wouldnt sell them anyway!) The 8466, 8448 and similar awesome sets have been easier and cheaper to build from parts even with eating the cost of tires & wheels. That said I have since bought tons of pneumatic stuff on BL and LegoEd and refuse to even think about the $$ spent I also paid $10 to $15 for my 6 airtanks a while back, and seeing the recent outrageous BL prices I've wanted to email TLG and wake them up to how much money they could make by investing in the new tooling, a worthless request I know (as if they dont look at Bricklink, as if their target market wants airtanks...), but it was great to learn that pneumatics arent dead and new elements are why we gotta buy the new sets, so there is hope; maybe. But back to the thread, I keep putting off building a compressor but I love the airtanks for how much faster the pneumatics move, stay in position, and keep moving--especially on builds like the backhoe and on fivestarbrick's skidsteer bobcat (even though that model has the steering problems its my 2nd fav pneumatic build, and have wanted to rebuild it with the new tracks). Anyway, almost all of my 'want to build when I have the time' projects are pneumatic related, inspired by the 8455. Dano

I totally agree...the Technic Pin Long with stop bush comes in multiple colors, why limit the Technic Pin Long with friction to a standardized color??? (let alone change that standardized color). More colored axles would be nice too, especially odd lengths (and give us 9L and 11L). But your Tan gear question gets me back to the thread topic, as thats another standardized color change. I'm mostly neutral so far other then to say tan wouldnt be my first choice. I like the option of black or light bley on some of the gears, for instance its nice to use the black small beveled gear for the HoG steering on top of the Dune Buggy, whereas I'd prefer both of the gears on the back to be light bley because, as shown here on the rearview pic, the tan gear stands out while its tough to see the black one. And I'm not talking just aesthetics. I replaced the small black beveled gears on the inside front and rear of the bulldozer with light bleys because its fun to see those things spin like mad...the black became invisible--which, as stated above, is what I like about the black HoG gear. Long story short and to echo what you already stated, I'd prefer basic color options.

Thanks! and now after (many) deep breaths I realize I forgot to mention that I do like the 2008 technic sets and will buy at least one of each (not to change to the other thread topic)...I just need to remove some black 3L pins from storage and I'll be happy.

And it'd be a different story if it was an additional color (or colors!), but the reasoning for standardized colors suggests it will be blue and only blue. I think they showed up first in the new AT-AT set with PF, so I initially thought yah we get more colors, but seeing all blue 3L pins and no blacks in more 2008 sets is discouraging. Another point with the AT-AT set: its not just technic thats effected. And I havent even touched on the looks aspect of blue and only blue. Personally I'd endure searching thru multiple colors, but of course I'm not the target demographic. However it brings up other questions like, why not standardized colors for other small parts like 1x1 plates, etc... Anyway I look forward to input on this, is it an official change that wasnt mentioned in the discussion last summer, or is it just popping up in a few sets because of a temporary black ABS shortage (I suspect the bad news :-( )

I havent seen this discussed recently so I'm finally prompted to post and not just read the forum (admission of laziness). But seeing the new pics and a few inventory lists of the 2008 technic sets brings my question, are these technic pins changing to blue, too??? You've probably figured out I'm referring to Technic Pin Long with friction. Looking closely at pics of the summer sets and the 8296 you see blue pins that are definitely 3L (or 3M), not the aforementioned blue axle pins. I don't want to restate whats already been longly discussed on the subject, particularly by someone else who feels my angst (Stump, where are you!), but I just gotta vent a little and prompt the question, why blue? Again? Won't we grab blue axle pins instead of blue 3L (or 3M) pins, especially since one side is exactly the same? If length makes the difference between the two blue color standardization changed pins, why wouldnt a black 2L and a black 3L technic pin be okay together? Unlike the martyr of the black axle pins, this change comes after I've woken up from the dark ages so I have a safety deposit box full of black technic pin long with friction (maybe I need a storage unit instead). Its the future and those whom are still asleep that raises my concern. Now I feel better. For now at least.