Whats wrong with Speed Champion? - 20160704

Recently Speed Champion wave 2 went on clearance, but somehow ppl are not as eager about it. Perhaps its time to share some view points on the series and let you decide if its worth getting.

Price: 

Set	Pieces	Minifig	RRP	Clearance	Price Per Part
75870-1: Chevrolet Corvette Z06	173	1	29.9	19.9	0.115028902
75871-1: Ford Mustang GT	185	1	29.9	19.9	0.107567568
75872-1: Audi R18 e-tron quattro	166	1	29.9	19.9	0.119879518
75873-1: Audi R8 LMS ultra	175	1	29.9	19.9	0.113714286
75874: Chevrolet Camaro Drag Race	445	3	69.9	49.9	0.112134831
75875: Ford F-150 Raptor & Ford Model A Hot Rod	664	4	99.9	69.9	0.103915663
75876: Porsche 919 Hybrid and 917K Pit Lane	732	5	149.9	99.9	0.13647541

So we can see here that after clearance, the price wise is closer to or even better than Creators.
Note: Price per part is a good guideline to have but you have to take into consideration the bigger parts that are only available in large sets.

example the part below is very popular with mech builders but it's not likely to show up in Creator sets.

 

Build:
This is the key point when ppl are telling me why they dont like Speed Champion. "Any car in Speed Champion cannot compare to its counterpart in Tomica,"
True. Agree. Now, lets look at why you want to buy LEGO. cos you need to build. can you build with Tomica? Dont get me wrong, Diecast cars are nice, but like LEGO, they have thier limitations too.
You cant build with Tomica and LEGO dont look as nice as diecast cars.

However, this brings in an opportunity for learning. One of the hardest things to do in LEGO is to replicate curve objects and here we get a direct comparison to see how LEGO designers reproduce certain curves.





Here you can see how different curves are being create to match as closely as possible. Building technique is something you will need to accumulate, the more you build, the better you can build. when you figure out ways to make it better, you change, upgrade and keep improving.

WhiteFang REVIEW: 71012 LEGO Minifigures - Disney Series 1

http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=130902

LEGO 21305 Maze review - 20160411

Currently available at LCS stores at RRP of $129.9/

 

Set number: 21305-1

Name: Maze

Set type: Normal

Theme group: Miscellaneous

Theme: Ideas

Subtheme: Miscellaneous

Year released: 2016

Tags: Castle /  Multibuild

Pieces: 769

Age range: 10+

Packaging: Box

Availability: Retail - limited

Notes: Based on project "Labyrinth Marble Maze" by user 'JKBrickworks'.

Description:

Display your skill and creativity with this 2-in-1 customizable Maze!

Build the classical-style maze and make it as challenging as you dare. Turn the wheels on the side to tilt the maze and guide the ball past the traps. Then rebuild it into a medieval-themed maze or create your own unique maze challenges inspired by tips from the set's LEGO® fan designer in the included booklet. A removable ball container and travel lock also mean you can take the Maze wherever you go!

• The 2-in-1 Maze features a customizable maze system, wheel-operated tilt mechanism (incorporating LEGO® Technic axles and lift arms), built-in removable ball container with 4 orange balls, and a travel lock.
• Rebuild the classical maze for an alternative medieval-theme maze.
• The classical-style maze includes green ‘start' tiles, red ‘finish' tiles and divider elements.
• The medieval-style maze includes assorted buildable cottages, a buildable archway and castle, plus divider and tree elements.
• Turn the wheels to control the tilt and avoid the traps to complete each maze challenge.
• Customize either maze to make it as simple or challenging as you dare.
• Attach the ball container under the maze and apply the travel lock for safe transit.
• Includes a booklet with building instructions for the classical and medieval-style mazes, plus inspirational tips for alternative builds from the fan designer of the maze.
• This set offers an age-appropriate building and play experience forages 10 and over.
• Maze measures over 2” (7cm) high, 10” (27cm) wide and 10” (26cm) deep.

 

I have no idea who designed the box. but if you are going to make a box of this size, the least you can to is to make it possible to house the completed set like how minecraft microworld can do it.

First layer of the maze. I like how tiles are used to strengthen the structure.

 

 

At this point, please make sure all the moving parts can move smoothly. otherwise, you might need to dismantle almost everything to rectify any issues.

 

 

The parts in the bowl are the parts for the alternate map.

 

Below is another way of building the part above. I find the method below to be more stable. If you know why the above method is used over the one below, kindly inform me.

 

REVIEW: 71010 LEGO Collectable Minifigures Series 14 by WhiteFang

REVIEW: 71010 LEGO Collectable Minifigures Series 14 by WhiteFang

Review: LEGO 76035-1: Jokerland

Set: LEGO 76035-1: Jokerland

Price: £89.99 / $119.99 / 99.99€ Local RRP: $199.90

Piece Count: LEGO - 1037, Brickset - 1037, Bricklink - 1002

Where to get: Available at all places (this includes Metro)

 

LEGO Description:

 

Rescue rookie heroes from the horrifying Jokerland! 


The Joker and his team of villains have transformed Gotham City’s amusement park into the nightmarish Jokerland and trapped Starfire, Beast Boy and Robin. Drive to the rescue with Batman™ in the awesome Batmobile. Dodge the cannon and target the clown robot with the shooting missiles. Then it’s time for some serious super-jumping action to bring down the villains. Bam! Topple The Penguin from his podium. Wham! Launch a perfectly aimed jump to release Robin from his upside-down bike ride with Harley Quinn. Pow! Take down Poison Ivy from her swinging branch. Finally, knock The Joker from the clown’s mouth down the slide and into the poison pool chamber! Includes 8 minifigures with assorted accessories: Batman™, Robin, Beast Boy, Starfire, The Penguin, The Joker, Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn.

• Includes 8 minifigures with assorted accessories: Batman™, Robin, Beast Boy, Starfire, The Penguin, The Joker, Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn
• The Joker ride features a clown face with tilting hat, rolling eyes, mouth with podium for The Joker, slide, poison pool chamber and a mirror house
• Poison Ivy ride features 3 seats, man-eating plant with snapping jaws, and handcuffs
• Harley Quinn ride with bike, attachment underneath for captured passenger, handcuffs, Super-Jumper-activated bike launchfunction and translucent flame elements
• The Penguin ride features rear-wheel-operated rotating duck seats, The Penguin’s podium with Super-Jumper-activated-toppling function, penguin, handcuffs, 3 dynamite sticks and transparent ice elements
• Also includes a clown robot with a firing cannon, 3 cannonballs and a dynamite stick
• Batmobile features an opening cockpit, 2 spring-loaded missiles, 2 rear stud shooters, giant batwings and Batman™ emblem logo
• Accessories include Batman’s cape and Super Jumper, Robin’s cape, The Penguin’s umbrella, The Joker’s pie and Poison Ivy’s swinging branch
• Evade cannonballs fired by the clown robot
• Avoid the man-eating plant’s snapping jaws!
• Fire the Batmobile’s missiles and stud shooters
• Activate Batman’s Super Jumper to knock The Penguin off his perch!
• Super-jump to launch Harley Quinn’s bike and rescue Robin
• Knock The Joker down the slide and into his poison pool chamber!
• The Joker ride measures 11” (29cm) high, 9” (23cm) wide and 3” (9cm) deep
• Poison Ivy ride measures 12” (31cm) high, 4” (11cm) wide and 2” (7cm) deep
• Harley Quinn’s ride measures 10” (27cm) high, 16” (42cm) wide and 1” (5cm) deep
• The Penguin ride measures 5” (15 cm) high, 4” (12cm wide) and 2” (7 cm) deep
• Batmobile measures over 2” (7cm) high, 9” (24cm) long and 2” (7cm) wide
• Cannon measures over 2” (6cm) high, 3” (8cm) long and 2” (6cm) wide

 



 



Got this set from Metro during their previous 20% sale which allows me to clear my shoppers cheques. 

 

8 Parts Bags

1 Slide

1 sealed pack of instruction with stickers

Not the normal kind of staple binding for this booklet. Hmmmm... I kind of wish they had parted it out so different ppl can start on a different pack and later put all together.

Booklet is well binded though.

 

I should do a proper scan of this. a lot of ppl will need this.  

 

 

In the front of the booklet will tell you which characters or structures are in which bag.

Easier for ppl to choose what they would want to build first.

 

New capes are made of soft material.

 

Final Build up.

 

Verdict:

 

Build: 7. Measurement seems off for the 3:1 brick. it has an extra plate height... Flying Ant don't really seems very nice compared to Chima builds...

Minifigures: 7/10. 

8 Minifigurines; 3 repeats (Joker from Joker steamroller; Penguin and Poison Ivy from Arkham Asylum) You get Batman and Robin all over the place.

Harley Quin has a new sexy print though.

 

Only 2 minifigs that are worth looking at is Starfire, Beastboy. You will need them to form Teen Titans team. Cyborg is from LEGO 76028-1: Darkseid Invasion. only short Raven to complete the team now.

 

Parts Assortment: 7/10. Good feel of colours, bright and cheery. but nothing fantastic.

Playability: 9. Every structure have its on moving mechanism, some of it can be further enhanced. 

Review: LEGO 76039-1: Ant-Man Final Battle

Set: LEGO 76039-1 : Ant-Man Final Battle

Price: £19.99 / $19.99 / 24.99€  Local RRP: $44.9

Piece Count: LEGO - 195, Brickset - 183, Bricklink - 152, Randy - not free enough to count

Minifig: 3, same result across the board
Where to get: Available at all places

LEGO Description -

Capture Yellowjacket in the flying ant’s pincers!

Get set for a massive battle on a micro scale! Ride with Ant-Man on the giant flying ant, firing the flick missiles on each wing. Evade Yellowjacket’s stud shooters and LEGO® brick-built catapult. After landing, use Ant-Man’s special powers to communicate with the ants and activate the Super Jumper to knock over Yellowjacket. Take off again on the flying ant and swoop to capture Yellowjacket in its pincers! Includes 3 minifigures with weapon and accessory elements: Ant-Man, Hank Pym and Yellowjacket.

• Includes 3 minifigures with weapon and accessory elements: Ant-Man, Hank Pym and Yellowjacket
• Flying ant features foil-like wings, head with pincers to lift Yellowjacket and posable joints
• Also includes LEGO® brick-built catapult with 2 nail elements and 2 miniature ant figures
• Weapon elements include Yellowjacket’s 2 stud shooters
• Includes Ant-Man’s Super Jumper element
• Swerve away from Yellowjacket’s nail catapult
• Super-jump to knock over Yellowjacket
• Pick up Yellowjacket in the flying ant’s pincers
• Flying ant measures over 2” (7cm) high, 9” (25cm) long and 3” (9cm) wide
• LEGO® brick-built catapult measures over 1” (4cm) high, 2” (7cm) wide and 2” (6cm) deep

There was a delay in the release of this set. Perhaps some scalpers see it as a shortage of sets and are sweeping the shelfs. As of yesterday, all the shops have them sold out. I got mine at Takashimaya Shopping Center.

 

Content:

Bag 1 : Ant-man, Yellow Jacket, 2 blue ants, 3:1 scale Brick 1x1 Red, 3:1 scale Plate 1x2 Yellow, 2 scaled up screws

Bag 2 : Hank Pym, Flying Ant

2 transparent wing

1 Instruction booklet

1 Comic

1 Sticker sheet clear (the one shown in bricklink is coloured solid.) 

 

 

Starting to build Bag 1 

 

Ant Man Front 

Ant-Man Back. 

Helmet for Ant Man is a single piece.

If i'm correct, trans red part is the base piece, and the pearl light grey part molded over it.

Trans red part covers the eyes, ears as well as the stud holding area.

 

Ant-man's greatest allies! 2 blue ants! We will need more.

 

Yellow Jacket Front 

Yellow Jacket Back 

Helmet for Yellow Jacket is a single piece.

Trans Yellow with dark grey molded over.

 

Completed Bag 1

Spare parts from Bag 1 

 

If you really want to play with the set, would suggest that you replace the technic pin given.

Technic pin with friction ridges were given, and it don't work that well. I replaced it with technic pin without friction ridges and was able to launch a few screws. 

 

Starting on Bag 2 

 

Hank Pym Front 

 

Hank Pym back 

Helmet is same as Ant-man's, only instead of pearl light grey, black was used.

 

Flying Ant's body (thorax's the scientific term)

 Its always interesting to see how the design handle the multi legs of insect-style builds.

 

Fly Ant's butt (Abdomen's the right term)

 

Flying Ant's Head (same term scientifically) 

 

All parts combined!

 

According to legend, this is the part that caused the delay. this design was deem unstable and flimsy. 

In comparison, the second design was better than the first. more stability as the stance was more spaced out. 

 

Completed Flying Ant

Spare parts from Bag 2 

 

 

Build: 7. Measurement seems off for the 3:1 brick. it has an extra plate height... Flying Ant don't really seems very nice compared to Chima builds...

Minifigures: 10/10. 3 Minifigurines in a medium box puts it on the better end of price:minifig ratio. 2 new helmets mold gives it a 9. 2 ants nabs the final point. (don't laugh, but in one of the sets, dogs are counted as minifig. so why not ants?)

Parts Assortment: 9/10. A lot of dark blue parts, Freddy will go crazy for this.

Playability: 8. can firing stuff, can army build.

 

Reviewer: Randy Seah