Toy Review - DOTM Leader Sentinel Prime

[Blurrprimecoolboz2008]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4K5p2wvqRg

[blackoptimus]

Is that you?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4K5p2wvqRg

[GoktimusPrime]

Toy Review - Sentinel Prime

Series - Dark of the Moon
Sub-line - N/A
Size/class - Leader
New/remould/redeco - New
Wave - 1
Released here - May 16 2011
Approximate Retail Price - $88-99
Approximate Size - 23cm
Allegiance - Autobot
Alt-mode - Rosenbauer 6x6 Panther fire engine
Main Features/Gimmicks - Electronic lights and sounds, Mech Tech
Main Colours - Red, black, grey
Main Accessories - Primax blade, shield

Standard vehicle mode:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/sentinelprime_vehicle.jpg

Vehicle mode with mech tech weapon deployed:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/sentinelprime_vehicleattack.jpg

This site has photos (http://ameblo.jp/moros-ellipsis/entry-10834141890.html)

--------------------------------------

Comments:

* The basic transformation of this toy itself isn't all that fiddly or complex; it's not overtly complex like ROTF Leader Prime, but still complex enough to be fun for a toy this size. However the panels need to be aligned quite precisely in order to make them sit flush - and aligning the panels properly can be even trickier (and more time consuming) than the actual transformation itself! :eek:

* The sound gimmick is LOUD (not quite as loud as Super Fire Convoy, but it comes close!). Sentinel Prime's voice sounds nothing like Leonard Nimoy. Overall a rather forgettable electronic gimmick. (-_-) And of course, it's easy to trigger the siren during transformation... yay... :/

* Hands can open and close to grasp the blade and shield; unfortunately the grip isn't very tight and the accessories are held somewhat loosely (especially the shield).

* A very nice design; rather "organic" looking robot mode transforming into a rather boxy fire engine. It's a bit of a shellformer, but done reasonably well considering. Sentinel Prime looks more like Alpha Trion than G1 Sentinel Prime (who really looked Rodimus Prime-esque anyway). And yet there are still "Optimusish" features like windows on the chest and the helmet design.

* Fire engine mode is just beautiful (once you get it right :p). Primax blade can be stored inside the vehicle and the shield can be clipped underneath.

* Electronic block makes robot mode back-heavy.

Overall a nice toy, although try to get it for $88 at Big W atm if you can. :)

[SkyWarp91]

I'm looking forward to getting this one as it would be in scale with my Leader ROTF Prime. Is it Leonard doing the voices for the toy as well? Maybe it's a different actor, there's no way HFTD Leader Prime was Peter Cullen as well...

[GoktimusPrime]

Certainly doesn't sound like Leonard Nimoy, so I doubt it's him. ROTF Leader Optimus Prime's voice is Peter Cullen's though.

[SkyWarp91]

Certainly doesn't sound like Leonard Nimoy, so I doubt it's him. ROTF Leader Optimus Prime's voice is Peter Cullen's though.

Even the HFTD Leader one that says 'We must stop the decepticons!' ?

[jaydisc]

Is it pink?

[SkyWarp91]

Is it pink?

More of a RTS Windcharger Red :)

[GoktimusPrime]

Even the HFTD Leader one that says 'We must stop the decepticons!' ?
I don't own HFTD Leader Prime, but I vaguely remember when I tried the "Try Me" feature it sounded like Cullen. Not real sure though...


Is it pink?
It's red. My cheap camera makes it look pink. ;)

[FFN]

I've seen people report that he plays different sound effects in both modes if you plug a MechTech weapon into the active MechTech port (the one with the button inside it). I think it's the one on the left side of the truck.



They would have done the electronics for Sentinel Prime long before Bay cast Nimoy, I think. But yeah, most of the talking Movie Optimus Prime toys since the running change of the Optimus Prime helmet in 2007 have used Peter Cullen.

[KillinSpoon]

I've seen people report that he plays different sound effects in both modes if you plug a MechTech weapon into the active MechTech port (the one with the button inside it). I think it's the one on the left side of the truck.

It makes the same sound both modes. The weapon arming sound, then transformation sound when you unplug it.

This guy is pretty sweet, his transformation is on par with ROTF Prime imo.
His firetruck mode is pretty bland... Then again, he is just a plain firetruck (much like grappel and inferno). He will have a good place in storage though, being essentially a brick :P

He is pretty sweet though, this is the first movie toy that I've actually enjoyed the aesthetics of in a long time.

[GoktimusPrime]

This guy is pretty sweet, his transformation is on par with ROTF Prime imo.
Overall I think he's better than ROTF Prime insofar as not being too overtly complex in transformation, although the main downside is how all the panels need to be so precisely aligned for the big gray top panel to clip in flush. So I think in terms of base engineering, it's a better toy... but execution-wise a bit let down by the over-precision needed for the panels.


His firetruck mode is pretty bland... Then again, he is just a plain firetruck (much like grappel and inferno).
The alt mode is reasonably accurate to a Rosenbauer Panther 6x6 fire engine (http://www.thebigredguide.com/images/moreimages/news_mar10/Panther-220.jpg). It does what one would expect - rolls about, has flashing strobe lights, ladder moves... good enough for me. :)

[Lord_Zed]

No ROTF Prime is just comlex enough! For me anyway ;).

I wasn't all that interested in thus guy, however as ROTF Prime is the only Leader I've bought for a long time worthy of his price point, calling this guy comparable is a mighty claim.

Can someone who's going to the Parra Fair please bring one for me to evaluate?

[Alexicon]

I've seen people report that he plays different sound effects in both modes if you plug a MechTech weapon into the active MechTech port (the one with the button inside it). I think it's the one on the left side of the truck.



They would have done the electronics for Sentinel Prime long before Bay cast Nimoy, I think. But yeah, most of the talking Movie Optimus Prime toys since the running change of the Optimus Prime helmet in 2007 have used Peter Cullen.

Yeah,
if you plug in a MechTech weapon on his active port, it makes the same sound as Leader Jetfire walking robotic movement sound. when you unplug it it makes a transformation sound. also when the weapon is in active port, if you press the button that makes the siren noise, it changes to shooting noise. also when you press his speech button it says "Good to see you alive Optimus" and " What has happened to the Allspark?"

pretty awesome!

[GoktimusPrime]

Can someone who's going to the Parra Fair please bring one for me to evaluate?

Sure, I can do that. :)

[Jetfire]

I was checking these out today. $88 at BigW. Looks interesting but shame about the hasbro grey on him , I'm a bit over it. You check out the back of the box and that shield thing looks like a cool silver paint and flip him and the grey falls short. Don't think I'll be collecting any dotm toys but I'm looking forward to the movie.

[Sutton]

I'm Commander Shepherd and this is my favourite DOTM toy on the Citadel.

[Sutton]

This guy's great but he tends to fall over far too easily. Needed some extra length to the rear of the foot to counter how top heavy he is.

The sword sits in his hand nice and tight on mine, but the shield just flops about like his heart's not in it.

Can't wait to paint him up like he deserves.

[Prime_217]

rather awesome figure. as good as leader optimus from rotf? no. but still pretty awesome, it takes some time to get him to stand up, he is rather top heavy. but my only real complaint is that the bottom of his legs seem way too chunky compared to the rest of him, but i still like his look.

[jaydisc]

It's red. My cheap camera makes it look pink. ;)


More of a RTS Windcharger Red :)

I saw this in person, and I think it still has quite a pink "tint" to it. I'd probably refer to it as magenta, or dark magenta. Why is it so hard for Hasbro to get red right?

[Sutton]

I managed to fix his stability issues somewhat by using the (retarded) missiles from the lame 'stealth force' mode. Basically they can swing out to elongate the heel. There's a little tab that stops them folding beyond 90 degrees, but it's pretty easily dealt with with some clippers. Then it can fold all the way down quite easily. I also took his batteries out which helped a little...I'd be interested in seeing if it's possible to remove all the electronics to further reduce weight, although that looks to be a lot more trouble than it's worth.

In the long run the best mod may be to remove the grey 'cape' from his back altogether and just reattach it when in vehicle mode, all the tabs along the side should hold it in place nice and snug...but that's cheating, right?

[GoktimusPrime]

I can pose this toy and get him to stand on his own - even got a few action poses without him falling over. But it wasn't easy. Should take some photos and post 'em in the Action Pose thread. ;)

[Vector Prime]

Finally got this guy yesterday (fishpond.com.au order arrived) and thought I'd post a few thoughts.

I'd start with the negatives as they seem to outweigh the positives (at least for me) and it kinda ruins the whole thing for me.

Cons:
- very top heavy (due to sound box and batteries)
- crap feet design (fairly unstable)
- difficult to pose (due to first two cons)
- annoying sound gimmicks (have removed batteries on mine)
- loose grip on weapons (shield flops around)
- pinkish red colour (would have looked nicer as a darker red/magenta colour)

Pros:
+ displays relatively nicely (has shelf presence)
+ nice transformation sequence (a bit fiddly, but ok)

Of the three DOTM toys I've purchased so far, I had such high hopes and expectations for this guy, but I actually enjoy DOTM Deluxe Starscream more.

And that's really all I have to say about this guy... I'm totally disappointed in him - wished I left him MISB instead of cracking him open to be honest. :(

[GoktimusPrime]

Interesting to note that half of your Cons are related to the electronic sound gimmick. I really wish Hasbro would stop already with insisting that every "big" TF toy has to have an electronic sound gimmick... seriously... so many toys have their engineering compromised because designers are trying to accomodate a large, chunky, heavy and cumbersome electronics and speaker block. And movie Transformers are challenging enough to design as they are due to the fact that they're based on pre-existing movie designs... demanding HasTak designers to then incorporate an electronic sound gimmick on top of that really doesn't help.

I think DotM Voyager Megatron and Shockwave are really neat toys... but I suspect that they wouldn't be so cool if they were Leader Classes with electronic sound gimmicks in them. IMO Sentinel Prime is a pretty good Leader Class toy who is hampered by his sound gimmick housing. But nowhere _near_ as bad as say any of the Leader Class movie Megatrons.

[GoktimusPrime]

Took some action pose shots of Sentinel Prime here (http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php?p=241568#post241568). :)

[FFN]

I don't mind electronics. They add "cool" factor for kids and perceived value, at least as far as toy marketing is concerned. I love 2007 Movie Prime's head reveal (with the sounds and flashing lights.) I just wish the movie toys would have as varied sound effects as the Animated Bumper Battlers - those had quite excellent electronics that stringed together different combinations of phrases.

[tron07]

This is probably the only DOM toy I will get.... then also I will not be rushing to get it, hoping to get a nicer takara colour version or something like the jetfire prime combo.

[GoktimusPrime]

Kids typically don't like toys where the engineering is adversely compromised by it's gimmick. Look at the G1 Battlechargers and Firecons -- a lot of G1 fans who grew up playing with those toys criticise them for their lacklustre engineering built around their gimmicks.

Gimmicks aren't necessarily a bad thing per se... it all depends on whether or not they adversely effect engineering. I've been pleasantly surprised with MechTech thus far -- when I first heard about it I feared that the engineering quality of DotM toys would worsen to compensate for the cost of the MechTech gimmick; but I've been pleasantly surprised to see that, for the most part, this isn't the case. :) And to be fair, HasTak engineers have the additional challenge of trying to make these toys screen-accurate to highly complex CGI models.

[5FDP]

I'm totally disappointed in him - wished I left him MISB instead of cracking him open to be honest. :(

We all have to learn that lesson some time :D

[FFN]

Kids typically don't like toys where the engineering is adversely compromised by it's gimmick. Look at the G1 Battlechargers and Firecons -- a lot of G1 fans who grew up playing with those toys criticise them for their lacklustre engineering built around their gimmicks. Of course they would say that when they've grown up, that's the perspective in hindsight. But kids aren't nearly as critical about toys as us nerds are. Kids just want something cool and fun, and they don't care so much about "compromised engineering".

For example: Armada was very, very successful, despite having simplistic toys that were very heavily gimmick based, and whose main form of advertisement was a mediocre, badly-animated, rush-dubbed cartoon. I don't think kids bitched too much about how Optimus Prime's super mode legs couldn't move because they were a giant motorised block - they were probably having fun with it.

[griffin]

DotM Leader Sentinel Prime
Series - Dark of the Moon
Sub-line - Mechtech
Size/class - Leader
New/remould/redeco - New
Wave - 1
Released here - May 2011
Approximate Retail Price - $88-100
Approximate Size - 25cm
Allegiance - Autobot
Alt-mode - Fire Rescue truck
Main Features/Gimmicks - Electronic, Convertible Mechtech weapon
Main Colours - Red, black, grey
Main Accessories - Mechtech weapon, blade weapon


http://www.toycollectors.com.au/tftoys/mt11.jpg

[tron07]

I don't mind electronics. They add "cool" factor for kids and perceived value, at least as far as toy marketing is concerned. I love 2007 Movie Prime's head reveal (with the sounds and flashing lights.) I just wish the movie toys would have as varied sound effects as the Animated Bumper Battlers - those had quite excellent electronics that stringed together different combinations of phrases.


I just hope the batteries dont leak and damage the MISB stuffs I have :(

[LordCyrusOmega]

I generally take the batteries out, the sound bites annoy me after a while. Especially ROTF Prime. His came out straight away, while I was in the middle of transforming him.
'I am Optimus Prime'
'I am Optimus Prime'
'I am Optimus Prime'

Yes I know you're Optimus Prime, now please be quiet. This is hard enough as it is

[GoktimusPrime]

Hahaha, yeah... him and SUPAH FI-YAA CONVOOOY!
Oh, and Energon Scorponok's stupid tail sound...

I don't find Sentinel Prime's gimmick quite as annoying as ROTF Leader Prime, Energon Scorponok or Super Fire Convoy though, I guess cos the button for his sound gimmick is relatively more out of the way. I only triggered it off by accident once or twice (whereas you lose count with those other toys!)

[Bumbleb33]

I know its been said, great looking bot, but extremely fiddly to transform.

[Sky Shadow]

My Sentinel Prime arrived yesterday morning. I was originally somewhat disappointed (not least of which with the fact that mine came without instructions! I was a bit worried when I opened the box that I might have have been 'missing' missiles or accessories that would have come in the instructions-bag, but I don't think I did so it's not that big a loss.) I transformed mine to vehicle mode for the second time today and my second impressions are much better. Now that I've got the feel of it, it's a good solid toy, and as long as the parts are aligned, they click into place creating a nice brick of a fire engine toy (even better with the shield and sword locked away.) The shield is great fun too - I've spent many a minute clicking that thing back and forth from shield to scissors and back again. In robot mode the feet are clever and the guy is memorable and imposing enough to be a new Transfomers icon. (And hopefully, like all good Sentinel Primes, he'll be a jerk.)

My one question to people whose toys actually came with instructions and didn't throw out their boxart is - what are the grey rear-nozzle-hose/high heels/soft-serve-dispenser parts designed for? They don't seem to do anything in either mode.

[Vector Prime]

My one question to people whose toys actually came with instructions and didn't throw out their boxart is - what are the grey rear-nozzle-hose/high heels/soft-serve-dispenser parts designed for? They don't seem to do anything in either mode.

What part exactly are you referring to?

You mean the grey hose bits that flip out at the rear in his vehicle mode? (2.49 mark in peaugh's review (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqw8Y9T4kP4))

[GoktimusPrime]

You're meant to flip them out for his vehicular assault mode.
http://www.seibertron.com/images/toys/uploads/1297446026_sentinel-prime_01.jpg

[Sky Shadow]

You mean the grey hose bits that flip out at the rear in his vehicle mode? (2.49 mark in peaugh's review (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqw8Y9T4kP4))


You're meant to flip them out for his vehicular assault mode.
http://www.seibertron.com/images/toys/uploads/1297446026_sentinel-prime_01.jpg

Riiight... Okay, so I just tried that, it was rubbish. So think I'll go back to believing they don't do anything except dispense soft serve ice cream to firefighters.

[GoktimusPrime]

Yeah... he tells them it's soft serve ice cream...

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/qroboconvoy_unchi.jpg "Yum, lime flavour!"

[Paulbot]

If I could just get the arms, legs and feet to line up in the precise but not intuitive, way they are meant to, this will be a very nice modern firetruck. The shell is easy, it's the innards that are trouble. And is the sound gimmick button supposed to be so visible at the front. Time to consult the instructions!

Ah the legs flip open. Now it makes perfect sense and it's the line up problems.

Overall pretty happy with this figure. The Deluxes and Voyagers felt small but this feels nicely Leader size.

[jaydisc]

Yes I know you're Optimus Prime, now please be quiet. This is hard enough as it is

Hearty LOL :D

[Stompy]

This is pretty solid in both modes.

The robot mode has the right proportions and yes it can be a tad top heavy but it's still easy to pose and balance. If only the grey parts were painted silver, this would have been nicer. There isn't too much alt mode kibble and the cape is a good excuse to have the kibble there (also reminds me a lot of Cybertron Vector Prime). If anything, the panel hanging from the back of the shoulder is my main gripe, but at least looks to be part of the cape and is connected to a highly articulated connector.

Alt mode is quite good with the seams almost invisible for a solid robot-kibble free look. I like how both the sword and shield can store away. I don't really care much with its scissor like mech-tech attack mode but its a nice addition. Big bonus for being able to stow away, and concealed, both sword and shield in this mode.

Conversion is what I want in a Leader Class figure. Wonderfully complex with folds and panel sandwiches everywhere. It is fiddly and aligning the arms and legs with the panels can be a pain, but it can be done and for me, easier to remember than RotF Prime. I especially like the formation of the chest to the cab of the truck. There are a lot of panels that kinda gives it a feel of a half-shellformer but I can forgive it for its very rectangular and brick like alt mode. I didn't like how the feet are just crapilly bunched up together inside with no real symmetrical placement or at all.

The blade is nice but I wish it was a little bigger. The shield is pretty rad with its spring-loaded gimmick but looks a little lame in grey.

Overall, I'm satisfied with this figure and worthy of the Leader size and a great tribute as an avatar.

PS.
I'm quite surprised how similar the Cyberverse Commander version of Sentinel is to this one. The transformation is pretty much identical but, obviously simplified. But all panels and placements of everything is pretty nigh on identical.

[LordCyrusOmega]

I just got mine and I'm impressed. Conversion was tricky tryting to get the arms and legs together for truck mode. Thought it would be difficult to do without instructions the second time but was easier then expected.

Cons: Same sound bite as Optimus Prime only in a different voice and says Sentinel as a pose to Optimus. Batteries came out after I heard it.
He's also very top heavy and I'm yet to work out how to get him to stand.

His accessories are cool, sword and shield look wicked.

[AX83]

While playing around with Leader sentinel Prime today I discovered 2 new things he says,

"What has happened to the All Spark?"
"Good to see you alive Optimus"

If you plug his gun into the mechtech port and then push his chest button, he alternates between these phrases.

Any of the other leaders have hidden phrases?

[GoktimusPrime]

This was already mentioned in the Leader Class Sentinel Prime review thread (http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php?t=10436) :)

Off hand I can't think of any other movie Leader Class toys with different phrases in other configurations -- although Fire Convoy and Robots In Disguise Optimus Prime do say different things in different modes. But they're technically not Leader Class toys.

[Tallestblue]

While playing around with Leader sentinel Prime today I discovered 2 new things he says,

"What has happened to the All Spark?"
"Good to see you alive Optimus"

If you plug his gun into the mechtech port and then push his chest button, he alternates between these phrases.

Any of the other leaders have hidden phrases?

GASP! *Runs and Grabs his Sentinel Prime*

[RageOnTheRoads]

Ripped the batteries out as I suffer from the same frustrations as LordCyrusOmega:
Yes I know you're Optimus Prime, now please be quiet. This is hard enough as it is I really don't like voice gimmicks...it's a thing.

Anyways, I have to say this is my favourite movie leader class fig after Starscream and Buster Prime. I have to admit that the transformations of quite a few of the movie figs, impress the hell out of me. Sentinel's transformation is one such little engineering feat that really makes me feel happy inside.

My one major complaint, and this is endemic of the DOTM line, is the real lacklustre paint job. I am totally itching to repaint this guy.