G1 Dinobots... Help!

[theheretic]

Hey guys. I've decided I'd love to own (again) a set of original g1 dinobots but I dint want to end up with KO's by accident. How can I be sure I'm bidding/buying the real deal?

[GoktimusPrime]

Click on this link:
http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Knock-off

Then scroll all the way down to the bottom of the page. There's an extensive list of links to sites to help people to identify fakes. Hope that helps. :)

[gamblor916]

Don't buy one that says 'Bommander'.
I'm sure if you post details here someone will help you out.

[d*r*j*]

get g2... they are so much better

[GoktimusPrime]

get g2... they are so much better

'cept maybe G2 Swoop and Sludge, eh? ;) :D

[d*r*j*]

'cept maybe G2 Swoop and Sludge, eh? ;) :D

A red one, a green one and a blue one... that's all you need. Maybe g1 sludge... swoop is kind of lesser than the others anyway.

[theheretic]

G2? What's with the random techno colours? And yeah that site will help thanks

[d*r*j*]

G2? What's with the random techno colours?

The silver ones do have a slight improvement to G1, the gold chrome is toned down a little to give a more uniform look.

[GoktimusPrime]

Yeah but the silver variants are the rarest - so probably the hardest and most expensive to find. I never saw the silver variants in shops, did you? I didn't even know they existed until I went online and read about it. In 1993 I always thought that the TV commercial just used G1 Dinobots because the G2 repaints weren't available at the time they were shooting the ad. :p

Anyway, when you were recommending G2, I think theheretic assumed you meant the standard versions - and I'd made the same assumption. I imagine it would be easier and cheaper to track down the original G1s (or legit reissues) than the silver G2 variants. And all versions of the G2 Dinobots had the G2 Autobot logo and the word "Autobot" tampographed on their bodies, which - let's face it - is just cheesy. The G2 Dinobots also lack missile launchers, which may matter to some collectors. I prefer the more vibrant gold chrome of the original Dinobots (JMHO) :)

theheretic: check out those links -- do your homework about how to spot a KO. Then if you choose to buy the Dinobots online, specifically ask the seller take close up photos of whatever parts of the Dinobots may be tell-tale signs of being a KO. As others have said, there are already tell-tale signs on the box (e.g. "Dinobot Bommander") ;) Alternatively, if you are patient enough, wait until you find them IRL (e.g. at a collectors fair); that way you can visually inspect the toy for yourself before purchase. If you go somewhere like the Sandowne Fair, then there should be other OTCA members there who might be able to help advise you on whether or not the toy is a KO. I once found some legit Dinobot reissues at a Parramatta Fair (see photo below).
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/Transfan%20Meets/Sydney%20Meet%20August%202007/sydmeet190807_1.jpg

Otherwise; as d*r*j suggested, maybe go for the G2 silver variants. The G2 tampograph will tell you straight away that they're legit - cos AFAIK the G2s haven't been KOed. Although they're bloody rare and if you do find them, they probably won't be cheap.

Man... what a pain in the bum. Makes me glad I'm not actively collecting G1. (-_-) Good luck to you, theheretic

[d*r*j*]

Yeah but the silver variants are the rarest - so probably the hardest and most expensive to find. I never saw the silver variants in shops, did you? I didn't even know they existed until I went online and read about it. In 1993 I always thought that the TV commercial just used G1 Dinobots because the G2 repaints weren't available at the time they were shooting the ad. :p


In the interests of full disclosure; I totally missed everything g2 and discovered these dinobot abnormalities as an adult collector... mainly through discourse on this forum.
I understand that the red snarl, green slag and blue grimlock combination are the only versions believed to be on Australian shelves. However ebay (and the greater market) is making these geographical restraints less and less relevent, as time goes on. I have obtained both, red slags and a green snarl, on ebay at prices that were acceptable and in line with any dinobot purchase... maybe even on the lower side.

[theheretic]

The G2 molds do look better BUT I hate the colours and I can't find any silver versions on eBay. But I really want the G1 dinobots as they were the ones I owned when I was a kid. I know that the Knock Off's are very high quality and would satisfy my need to own the dinobots but the I can't stand that people make these KO/replicas in an attempt to pass them off as the real thing. I've got no problem with 3rd party companies making "not transformers" or enhancement parts for existing transformers. I could go on for hours about how KO's make me angry but I'd better stop now. LOL. So it's gonna be hard to find real dinobots I guess :-( Had a quick glance at ioffer.com and my heart sank as I saw just how many KO's there are

[d*r*j*]

Unfortunately for you, it seems that most of the more obvious differences were fixed, by the ko makers, in more recent versions.

[GoktimusPrime]

The G2 molds do look better BUT I hate the colours and I can't find any silver versions on eBay.
I have both G1 and G2 Dinobots - I don't find the G2 moulds any better than the G1 moulds.


But I really want the G1 dinobots as they were the ones I owned when I was a kid.
If you don't mind me asking, what happened to your original G1 Dinobots?
I still have all my childhood G1 Dinobots.


I know that the Knock Off's are very high quality and would satisfy my need to own the dinobots but the I can't stand that people make these KO/replicas in an attempt to pass them off as the real thing. I've got no problem with 3rd party companies making "not transformers" or enhancement parts for existing transformers. I could go on for hours about how KO's make me angry but I'd better stop now. LOL.
Most of us here hate KOs, so you're in plenty of good company :)

No matter how good quality a counterfeit may be, it doesn't change the fact that it's nothing more than a counterfeit - a fake. To me, it's about having standards. Put it this way - I would have mountainloads more respect for you in not having any G1 Dinobots, than if you were to have even one fake Dinobot. Preferring to own 0 Dinobots instead of 5 fake Dinobots tells me that you have discerning standards and honour as a collector which you are unwilling to compromise on. m(__)m

I personally don't collect 3rd party items either -- but I don't hate them like I do with KOs ("Not Transformers" are something that I neither like nor dislike - just personally don't care about them -- but KOs are something I hate with a passion).


So it's gonna be hard to find real dinobots I guess :-( Had a quick glance at ioffer.com and my heart sank as I saw just how many KO's there are

Perhaps online sources can't be trusted -- try frequenting collectable toy fairs and see what you can find. :/ If nothing else, you can get to hang out and socialise with fellow TF collectors. :) Another option is to look for loose Dinobots that look obviously pre-loved - but still in good condition. Maybe they're a bit faded or have sticker wear (you can always replace worn stickers with reprolabels). It may not be as nice as having a "minty" Dinobot, but at least there's better odds that they're legit. I dunno about you, but I'd personally rather have a slightly worn legit Dinobot than a minty fake.

But I have heard that some KO sellers intentionally 'fade' their toys to make them look worn. But if you find a Dinobot at a market or collectors fair and the joints feel a little bit loose to you, then that could be a good sign that it's legit. Alternatively, keep your eyes out on the sales section on this board -- you might get lucky and find someone selling G1 Dinobots. <shrug> I'm sure with patience you'll be able to track down legit G1 Dinobots.

Getting KOs is like taking the path to the Dark Side of the Force -- it's a quicker, faster and more seductive option, but in the end you're just gonna end up getting your limbs hacked off and spending the rest of your life as an asthmatic cyborg in a Stackhat. Yup.

[theheretic]

When I was about 11-12 years old we had a bunch of garage sales and being a dumb kid I sold alot of my transformers. I only kept a select few that included soundwave, blaster, Grimlock and megaton and a couple of other bits a pieces that didn't sell. Unfortunately in a burglary in (I think) 2001-02 I lost almost all the rest and didn't think much of it at the time other than being pissed off about it. Now all I have left from my childhood collection is an action master Grimlock and some broken random others like Motormaster and bits and pieces.

I've actually bought a high quality KO devastator because I thought it'd be cool to play around with and paint up. He seems to be almost a perfect replica of the original but I just don't like him because he is a KO. I won't even store him near my real transformers. He jus lays there partially dismantled in the corner of the room. I may eventually display him with my MP's pulling him apart but for now he can remain on the floor collecting dust.

I have ordered the igear seekers and I'm hoping they are nice. I loved the seekers as a kid but only ever had screamer.

I live in Ballarat ViC so bit of a journey to the toy fairs but I might make some every now and then. There's alot of G1 stuff I'd like to get again so might be a good way of getting it.

[GoktimusPrime]

Ballarat to Victoria... we have members who travel to the US to attend BotCon dude. :) The furthest I've travelled was to the Nexus Fair in Perth.

I had a KO Devastator once -- didn't pay for it, it was given to me as a gift... so I harvested it for spare gestalt parts that I'd lost until I eventually replaced them with legit parts. But the Constructicons themselves became part of pet habitats - like inside a fish tank or a mouse habitat. :D I've chucked them all out now. :p Here's a KO Micromaster Alan that used to live inside a fish tank... (again, t'was a freebie - Primus forbid I ever part with my own money for a KO!)
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/Laser%20Magnus%20Photocomic/th_photocomic_lasermagnus15.jpg

Just a suggestion: I don't know how much G2 Dinobots are going for these days, but maybe you could collect the G2 Dinobots first if they're cheap enough, and just have them as substitutes until you are able to collect the G1 Dinobots. That way you can hae them as stand ins to look at and play with until you can track down originals of their G1 counterparts. Then when you get the G1s, you can either sell off your G2 Dinobots, or do what I do and display your G1s in robot mode and the G2s in Dinobot mode (or you could go vice versa). <shrug> I'll pray to Primus that you might get lucky and stumble across someone trying to sell off a whole set of legit G1 Dinobots. :)

[theheretic]

Would sites like BBTS.com and tfsource.com be trustworthy in everyone's opinion?

[GoktimusPrime]

No idea. Never bought from them. I usually buy my Transformers from brick and mortar stores. Soz

[liegeprime]

Would sites like BBTS.com and tfsource.com be trustworthy in everyone's opinion?

Erm bought from BBTS before but, they're overpriced especially on G1 figs, so I avoid buying from them full price and wait for clearance sales instead. Havent bought from TFsource. If you gotta buy online - ebay sellers therawhyde is ok, though havent seen any dinobots figure from him for quite some time, mostly parts and accessories.

[Ultra Mackness]

Would sites like BBTS.com and tfsource.com be trustworthy in everyone's opinion?

I've bought stuff from Tfsource before and although the postage was pricy, the pakaging really was bulletproof (took me about 10 minutes just to get to the tfs inside!), but I've only bought new stuff from the (MPs, generations and rts) so not sure about their G1 stuff. You could try transformerland.com, I've ordered there a number of times and never been disappointed. He has lots of G1 stuff but his supply is sporadic.

[liegeprime]

A little warning though with transformerland is that they use stock photos, so read the item description as you might end up surprised that what you get is not what is in the photo. Only bought from them a few times, no problems but I definitely read their item description first.

[theheretic]

No problem guys. Thanks. I had some igear seekers ordered through tfsource but I'm trying to cancel them as I've changed my mind. I'd rather own real transformers, but I won't be disappointed if I can't cancel the order as they do look amazing. I'd prefer G1's or reissues though I think for the price. So wish me luck that I can atleast get store credit. And if I can then some suggestions on what you guys think would be good to get from their range of g1's, reissues and encores (or others if you think there's something really good)

[Skullcruncher]

I would say buy from ebay - prices or loose transformers has dropped over the last 3-4 months by quite a bit. After ROTF a single dino was going for around $80-$90 even over $100 now around $60-$70 can get you a good loose complete one. Exception is swoop he always goes for a bit more as his alot more prone to breakage.

If you do find one and your not sure ask the seller or ask for help on here with the auction link in the ebay or KO threads. :)

I dont have any pics on this pc im using now but I have comparison pics of all the KO's dinos and there are very slight differences in odd places. For example one of the lines in grimlocks mouth is a different!

[liegeprime]

Well if you could get store credit.... the Reissue Predaking and Reissue Piranahcon would be very nice to own, unless you've got them already :D

[theheretic]

Well if you could get store credit.... the Reissue Predaking and Reissue Piranahcon would be very nice to own, unless you've got them already :D

I've looked at those and they do look good. Only thing is the have 3 of the original g1 preds 100% complete... Should I pay more and get originals? Damn these decisions!

Oh and I got store credit. Woo Hoo!

[liegeprime]

It's up to you man.

If you got the funds consider....with the reissues you get the whole lot and able to form Predaking, but if you go for the original you get 3 original G1s no Predaking;) yet as you still have to hunt down the other 2 missing. Also, it's both official toys anyways so either way it's all up to you.

[GoktimusPrime]

The reissue Predacons are also die-cast metal, whereas I'm guessing your G1 Predacons are full plastic (if you have the super rare die-cast G1 Preds, then definitely hang on to them!! :D) You could do what liegeprime and I do with our variants... display them in different modes :) Or you could sell your G1s off, I'm sure you'll have no problem in finding buyers.

[liegeprime]

The reissue Predacons are also die-cast metal, whereas I'm guessing your G1 Predacons are full plastic (if you have the super rare die-cast G1 Preds, then definitely hang on to them!! :D) You could do what liegeprime and I do with our variants... display them in different modes :) Or you could sell your G1s off, I'm sure you'll have no problem in finding buyers.

Yes, as Gok has said, I display multiples of the figure (G1) in variant modes For the combiners its one set individual bots, One set in combined mode, if Im lucky enough to get a third then Ill put em on alt mode for display. Hmm I didnt know the newer Predacons reissue was Diecast?! Well now, that explains for the price... and the gold on the new Predaking is soooo pretty and free from GPS!! The originals had yellow plastic rather than Gold I believe (this is what I have) But still its all up to you to decide theheretic :D:D, whichever is convenient and suits your taste.

[GoktimusPrime]

I'm assuming the TF2010 Predaking reissue is die cast. I don't actually have that set myself (cos I already got the 2004 reissue).

[theheretic]

I'm assuming the TF2010 Predaking reissue is die cast. I don't actually have that set myself (cos I already got the 2004 reissue).

Not sure. I'll let you know once it arrives :-D

[5FDP]

I'm assuming the TF2010 Predaking reissue is die cast. I don't actually have that set myself (cos I already got the 2004 reissue).

They are (http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/generation-1-1/2010-reissue-predaking-will-have-die-cast-170875/), judging by the weight of my unopened box :p

[primatives]

Yeah their definately die cast!!!