mobi

The body of 4x4 truck seems too high from the wheels. I think it would look better if gap between wheels and body was not that much. Did anyone try to lower suspension (without a massive modification)?

Till a few years back, the legendary classics like 8880, 8448 etc. were selling at crazy prices in Ebay. But recently I have noticed that these sets (used but complete) are available at quite reasonable prices like £80-£150. However, recent classics like 8258 are way above the odds as usual. I am not sure why that is but my guess: 1990s classics are now ~20 years old. They are showing their age (electronics of that age e.g. 8479 is often hit and miss). Stud full construction is now becoming obsolete and latest Technic fans are inclined towards studless. Some old classics now appear ugly compared to modern streamlined sets. Recent Technic sets offer nearly all functions, if not more (granted that since that era TLG didn’t offer gearbox in any official sets even though MOCers are creating gearboxes without much hassle). So why would people buy old sets at inflated price? Thus, the assumption of old sets always appreciate in value may not be true.

I am in same situation now! It depends very much on personal preference. I had to discard 8258 because it is no longer available and non official source means price way over the odds. So for me it is choice between 8110 and 9398. The Unimog is definitely more interesting. However, I don't have time to build MOCs and 9398 has more playability out of the box. This one has fully remote controlled power functions and seems easier to build. So I'm going for 9398. Problem with Lego is that most sets are too good. But on the other hand, whichever set you choose out of these 3, you will be a winner because all of them are very good.

Looking at the price and pictures, I am quite impressed. http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Free-shipping-Educational-toys-3331-DIY-Exploiter-Crane-805PCS-building-Block-Bricks-Toys-special-plastic-toys/681949364.html

Great initiative. Can you also provide an option to buy the parts necessary as well? Hobbyists like me who do not own too many sets, the barrier of making good MOCs is lack of having all necessary parts.

This is one of the best sets ever. I bought it from eBay in 2005 and it worked fine then. However when I built it again on 2010, I felt gutted when I discovered touch sensors don't work anymore and 2 electric wires had snapped at their connection points.

May be that is what Lego wants. If people can buy parts as cheap as official sets, then craze for Lego's official sets may dwindle as many MOCs are better than Lego's own Buying instructions is useful for only those who has huge parts already from several sets. Those who don't own too many sets, instructions alone won't solve the main problem i.e, parts availability.

If we take an example set, say 8110, and try to buy all the parts from Bricklink or Lego, roughly how much more we shall be paying compared to the price for an official set?

Hmm, the prices seem quite steep for such tiny MOCs!

Why do we have to depend on Cuusoo to wait Lego release a set enabling to build a great MOC? Can someone (individual or business) release a set containing all necessary Lego parts and instructions so that people can buy ready made sets for MOCs? Will that be illegal? If not, will that be too expensive? Obviously the reseller needs to be able to source all parts from Lego in the first place for each sets. Thoughts please...

If you are really interested in having the word "Lego" in your website, host your site in some Asian countries. Don't think Lego lawyers will chase you there.

Studless is advantageous because you can build in all directions in similar way because beam's dimensions are same on two directions. It is quite a big jump in thinking. I am also just recently got back to Lego Technic and discovered that many of my old school thinking are no longer valid in studless world :( Although beauty is in eyes of beholder, studless design is aesthetically pleasing compared to traditional studded design. But in favor of studded beams, they are much stronger than studless beams and more intuitive to work with.

My touch sensors which came with 8479 Barcode truck no longer work (the motor and barcode scanner still work though). This made me believe that unlike Lego components, longevity of Lego electronics bits is much lower.

Then why did Lego include gearbox in 1990s sets?

Where are you going to get 8868 from? It is an old set and difficult to get hold of. Of course if you are prepared pay over the odds, you can get them from Bricklink/Ebay.

Studless beams used in current Technic sets which has same width in 2 directions. This was introduced to make development in any direction easier. Although I personally find it takes some time to get used to this construction method compared to traditional studded beams. Outside Technic, Lego still uses studded bricks. May be because Lego thinks Technic is too advanced for some.

8070 gearbox acts like transmission switching function rather than a true gearbox which multiplies torque in a conventional car's gearbox. I think this has now been a trend. The 8258 or 9397 also uses gearbox in similar way. No doubt this set up is complex, but still it is not realistic (at least for the cars).

I am surprised that Lego is going backward! When Lego released the legendary 8880, it was probably the most complex toy car ever made. Since then Lego improved the gearbox in 8448 and 8466. But after that making it as good as the real life trend disappeared. The 8070's gearbox is diabolical at best. I also detest how Lego uses power functions to run auxiliary functions rather than powering the whole vehicles. Another reason might be psychology of today's kids. May be playability is more important for Lego now - rather than making it as good as it gets. May be modern kids are dumber compared to our generation and thus do not bother to take interest in how gearbox works! Which in all fairness, the most complex bits to understand.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think only super cars Lego released that had proper gearbox were 8880, 8448 and 8466. 8865 and some older sets also had some crude versions of gearbox. But since then none of Lego's super cars had gearbox! What is the rational behind it?

2) 3 votes 14) 3 votes 6) 1 vote Good luck to all.

Good review I did not relalize it was so small compared to 8258

I am still not optimistic about Cuusoo. Technic fans are very small in numbers and getting 10,000 votes for Technic projects will be very difficult. Technic models are most complex (= more costly to produce) and it has smallest fan base. So I wonder whether it makes a business sense by Lego to invest more on Technic. Unfortunately if Lego stops improving Technic, I'll have to stop buying Lego.