allanp

The new parts in the SUV sound VERY interesting. That's what I'm most excited for so far. The excavator isn't for me, it reminds me a little bit of the 8275 bulldozer. New remote control system, a record number of motors, new sprokets but also mechanically unrealistic (build for real?) and simplistic. It feels like less of a authentic model and more of a platform to show off the new remote control system. Only this time it's HUGE! But I'm very happy to see the control+ hubs can power 4 motors each. That's much more appropriate for technic than the train hub. So while the excavator is most likely a no, the SUV sounds like it could be a very nice surprise that I wasn't expecting. If these reports of the new hubs are correct, with the planetary gear reduction and stronger joints, well that's another part I've been asking for, but if (it's a big if, I'm not letting expectations get too out of hand) it does indeed have proper bearings, well that's even better.

After watching these reviews ide say the 1st half 2019 is a mixed bag. The first half flagship is disappointing but I do like all the new parts. Then an old review if yours started to play. It was 8868 . I also watched 5571. Do you plan to do any more classics?

Very likely to be written descriptions as they are in their own room. No reason to do that unless they wanted to control when pictures are released. But it's not so bad to me, most of what I want from the toy fair is in the descriptions of functions and so on anyway. Unless it's a crazy good pneumatic excavator then of course I wanna see it, and own it, and build it, and read Jim's review of it, then disagree with his ratings because he only gave it 10 out of 10

Or what about you have to design both vehicles and a combined model to closer emulate what the designer must do. With so few parts I think we can pretty much judge by eye if the rules have been followed.

I guess if these sets are profitable then we'll keep seeing them, and long may they continue to create profit for TLG. But as an AFOL the only real draw if these sets are as parts packs. But I do wonder if they could be a little more inventive with these sets. I mean, does it always have to be a car? Does the pull back mechanism always have to be prebuilt units or could Lego come up with some new parts, like a rotary spring or escapement wheel or whatever, that enables pull back mechanisms to be built by the end user? Such an idea might lead to all kinds of combined b-models, like a clockwork train or walking robot, or even a clock, or whatever. Not only do I think this would open up a few new doors for their smaller, simpler sets, they might also be more cost effective as TLG wouldn't need the expensive prebuilt bit, and would make the sets more mechanically interesting, more Technic if you like. I guess that might be a bit complex for younger builders who these sets are squarely and solely aimed at perhaps? But surely they could add something to reflect the fact they are Technic sets. Maybe a go-cart with a single cylinder engine? Or customisable racers that include a few gears and different tyre sizes that can be swapped out to create different ratios, so the kids can really be customising their builds to win the race.

I think rumours of an excavator might be playing into it as well.

This, this and more this! I've replaced about half of what I needed to last year hope to complete it this year. I was horrified to see how sun damaged my control center 1 set was. Ended up buying a whole new set as it was cheaper.

Of course the new style has its advantages as well. Things can be made more complex and so on. But there's enough to like about the old studded stuff that I think it'll always be relevant.

Yup, still relevant. A lot of love around here for the old brick based Technic sets. And for their piece counts they were very complex. 8480 has about 1400 parts. Is there a modern set with as many gears with 1400 parts? And motors without internal gear reduction? Belt drives being useful? Universal sets? Yes please! I know there is a lot more pins now but there was a lot more plates between beams back then so...And in terms of the build, while I prefer technic due to its mechanical nature, in terms of just the building experience alone brick based building feels very satisfying compared to the pin and beam based construction of today.

So you have multiple models with multiple motors spaced over a relatively large area? Do you want to control all the models remotely at the same time? Can any of it be automated (like multiple modules of a car factory) or do you need full control (like battlebots)?

Ide be very surprised if there was only two sets for summer this year. A car transporter just doesn't seem very flagship like to me.

The black cat wheels are slightly larger, 68.8mm, though I don't know if that's enough to make a difference to you.

As they're in their own area I guess it'll be the same this time round, stupid counterfeiters L*p*n spoiling all the fun! Remember when we had catalogues at the start of the year that showed the whole years lineup with nice clear well presented images? Good days!

Looks like Lego will be at the London toy fair this year (can't remember if they attended last year or not) in their own special room off the main floor no less.

Part of me thinks that it must be a Pneumatic RC tracked something or other, with the new sprokets and new valves and rumored high price and amount of motors (servos?). I'm really trying hard not to have too high expectations and just wait and see. At this point I'm looking forward to information more than I am pictures!

Edited, just saw the video review of the set and can see how it's being used now

I have them somewhere on a hard drive. Ill have a look.

It depends. It can help in many cases to build a mock up of the bodywork, or at least some small part of it first. For a supercar, whose main function is really to be desirable, doing bodywork first makes sense. But also, imagine you are building a JCB 3CX, and you really want it to look like an official licenced model, well the front hood with the engine inside is relatively tiny, so you might want to build just that front hood section first to see what you can fit in there in terms of motors or battery boxes or whatever. This will help you to decide how you will lay out your model. But if you just want to make a generic truck then it's not so important so you can do the chassis first or whatever you think is going to be most difficult.

Thanks . My brother wanted them to be simple and stylised due to how small they would appear on screen, but me being me wanted more detail and realism, so taking inspiration from how Lego design their sets (note the road plates!) that's the compromise I came up with. There was/is loads more buildings I've done, you can see shacks, but in the game you move on to flats and houses and so on. There was various different power plants, lumber mills, water treatment plants, emergency services and so on but sadly the game was never finished (like most of my MOCs then ). My brother having a wonderful baby boy kinda took precedence!

Not really, I've had it from the pub but not from a can lol. I prefer southern comfort, pinacolada, desparados, Budweiser or red wine depending on where I am/what I'm doing/who I'm with

It's interesting reading about all the varied hobbies people have, I'm also a little into cycling, purely for exersize, and playing guitar/singing at open mics now mostly. It's interesting that a few on here mentioned making games. I am not a programmer in any way, shape or form but I do like 3D modelling and I created all the graphics for my brother's game, which unfortunately remains unfinished. He made it in MMF. If you really want to hear me sing/play guitar you are mad! But here's a snippet: Yes I know my guitar is too quiet Im craving me some Lego moccing time that I've just not had for way too long!

In the above example id consider these pieces: https://rebrickable.com/parts/13731/slope-curved-10-x-1-symmetric-inside-ridges/ Regarding bodywork in general, adding a few non Technic pieces here and there can help a lot. In some tight areas where you want a specific look, or even for the whole model, it may be beneficial to build a mock up of the bodywork first, then you can really know what space you have to work with. I think the Bugatti 42083 was designed that way.

Looking at the picture of the missing bag from Jim's review there is another ID number "520s8" that doesn't appear on the other number 11 bags. Maybe that would help identify it? Also, when looking at the other bags there appears to be 4 number 11 bags. Weirdly there's a number 11 bag also missing from Jim's main review post, as his flicker album shows there are in fact 26 number bags in total, with 4 number 11 bags.

Good review and pictures as always Jim Hmmmm, can't say I'm all that impressed with this one. 8412 nighthawk (286 pcs) has a working swash plate to tilt the blades, 8283 chopper force (289 pcs) has an interesting ratcheting mechanism to spin the blades and the helicopter from 8064 (219 pcs plus motor and battery box) has a motor and cleverly used the battery box as the detachable payload and was also part of a universal set, when was the last time we had one of those? I know they were from the studded era, but then they also had lower piece counts and similar dimensions. I'm not saying this new helicopter has to be like those, but a knob sticking out the bottom connected directly to the main rotor via a single shaft just seems boring and lazy in comparison for a 325 piece set. The winch and stretcher are nice added touches though, sadly not enough to redeem this set for me.

It's tricky to judge small sets like this aimed at introducing new younger 6 year old fans to Technic when we are not exactly new younger 6 year olds. A steered front wheel or a rudder (or both connected) would have been nice, but with a set designed to be this small and low priced to begin with it would have meant more parts and likely a higher price to include those seemingly simple additions. But there are a couple of nice little details to like, such as they geared up the engine, although only a little bit, and the propeller turns the right way relative to the direction you push it....I think. The windshield piece works well with the design and it looks mostly like how a fast little powerboat should look. But it does seem like there are too many stickers. The black panels on the bottom would be mostly underwater so it looks a little odd having any design features via stickers there, and the front looks rather big and blunt for a speed boat, but those are only cosmetic issues. Overall, for the size and price point they were aiming for I'd say it's mostly a job well done.