Toy Review - GEN-15 VOY Hot Spot (combiner)

[griffin]

(Please post comments, photos or even a fully comprehensive review - these are just some brief details to start you off)
Impressions of the group or a combiner as a whole can be posted here or in the pre-existing group review topic here (http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php?t=19989).

HOT SPOT
Series - Generations
Sub-line - Combiner Wars
Size/class - Voyager
New/remould/redeco - New
Wave - 3
Released here - Not here yet (out in Asia April)
Approximate Retail Price - (probably about AU$50) US$25
Approximate Size - 20cm (robot), 25cm (vehicle)
Allegiance - Autobot
Alt-mode - Fire Truck
Main Features/Gimmicks - Combiner core (Defensor)
Main Colours - Sky blue, white, red, black
Main Accessories - 2 guns

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/transformers/2015/gen15a31.jpg
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http://www.toycollectors.com.au/transformers/2015/gen15a31a.jpg

[koolkollectibleskhai]

Here's my review of the final Protectobot with Hot Spot, and the combined Defensor. Definitely an improvement over Menasor, and looks great with Superion.

Hot Spot himself overall is pretty good, although the same ratchet hips joints cause the same articulation and posing issues as the previous Optimus and Motormaster figures. I wish they would somehow change the range of each step in the ratchet joint.

Other than that, the transformation is pretty elegant, and I do like the way it transforms into the central component of Defensor. The body proportions of Defensor are much improved over Menasor, and he looks much better standing next to Superion.

Overall, a nice way to complete the team, and a good update to the classic G1 character. I'm looking forward to seeing what changes Takara makes to their version.

Hope you can check out the video review :)

Transformers Generations Combiner Wars Hot Spot and Defensor - YouTube (http://youtu.be/7ZVBDZ82jKo)

http://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/w552/chockey88/Transformers/IMG_0314_zpsat6h8hoo.jpg (http://s1329.photobucket.com/user/chockey88/media/Transformers/IMG_0314_zpsat6h8hoo.jpg.html)


http://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/w552/chockey88/Transformers/IMG_0352_zpst8fyfm0i.jpg (http://s1329.photobucket.com/user/chockey88/media/Transformers/IMG_0352_zpst8fyfm0i.jpg.html)

[kup]

This Hotspot looks pretty decent actually.

[GoktimusPrime]

Overall: Not as nice as Silverbolt, but a better toy than Motormaster. Recommended.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/avatars/jaam_jaam.gif

Pics!

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/Combiner%20Wars/cw_hotspot02_zpsvolmqr9o.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/Combiner%20Wars/cw_hotspot03_zpswhbc1sd1.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/Combiner%20Wars/cw_hotspot04_zpsuobdyln1.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/Combiner%20Wars/cw_hotspot05_zpswznsvjwu.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/Combiner%20Wars/cw_hotspot07_zpsgnfel0xl.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/Combiner%20Wars/cw_hotspot08_zpslg0iji2o.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/Combiner%20Wars/cw_defensor02_zpscaqwbg8b.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/Combiner%20Wars/cw_defensor01_zpsmglotenp.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/Combiner%20Wars/cw_defensor03_zpsolj1lypl.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/Combiner%20Wars/cw_defensor04_zps6vvr7y5j.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/Combiner%20Wars/cw_defensor05_zpsw9vjpatp.jpg

[Zommael]

I don't know why but every time I look at CW Hot Spot I get more and more desperate for a Fire Convoy repaint of some kind.

[Handsprime]

I don't know why but every time I look at CW Hot Spot I get more and more desperate for a Fire Convoy repaint of some kind.

Even though I don't have Hot Spot yet, I would totally buy a Fire Convoy Redeco/Retool. Based on the images I've seen, it can be done.

[Deonasis]

I don't know why but every time I look at CW Hot Spot I get more and more desperate for a Fire Convoy repaint of some kind.
Even though I don't have Hot Spot yet, I would totally buy a Fire Convoy Redeco/Retool. Based on the images I've seen, it can be done.

Adding more fuel to the fire (convoy ;)).. http://tformers.com/combiner-wars-hot-spot-customized-as-fire-convoy-highlights-mold-versatility/26811/news.html

[Magnus]

I like this figure - as others have said, it's a nice update for the character. Good range of motion, and it looks good, although I wish his robot mode was a tiny bit chunkier - I suppose I got used to the chunky arms of the G1 toy.

I like the fact that the fists are partially exposed in vehicle mode - I have this thought that if you try to rear-end this fire truck, your car will be PUNCHED IN THE BUMPER!

Ahem...

Finally, Defensor. I wasn't sure of the Defensor torso's proportions - something in the photos looked a bit off to me - but I went and made a pseudo-Defensor using the Aerialbots and I think the torso looks better in person. I think the other Protectobots will be next...

[UltimateGalvatron]

I just watched a Stop Motion which had Defensor transforming, and I have to say Defensors head transformation is interesting and quite cool.

[Deonasis]

I like the fact that the fists are partially exposed in vehicle mode - I have this thought that if you try to rear-end this fire truck, your car will be PUNCHED IN THE BUMPER!

I totally understand. Despite the lukewarm reception it gets I really like Ultimate Optimus Prime and some of that is due to his punch power. He is swinging half a truck cab at you! http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Optimus_Prime_(Movie)/toys#Ultimate :cool:

[BigTransformerTrev]

Opened him last night and had a play. My brief thoughts:

Robot Mode
Very good, very nice articulation, good weapons, good colour scheme, looks very much like he did in the G1 cartoon. A definite winner!

Vehicle mode
Just that bit too elongated with too much of a gap between the back of the cab and the front of the ladder rig. However I like the inclusion of a rescue bucket at the top of the ladder and it's fairly modern looking.

Overall
I've got GDO and Titanium Hot Spots and I was pretty happy with both. This beats them both however for the simple fact he combines with the other Protectobots to form Defensor. He is a decent sized toy without any major glaring faults, though I think his vehicle mode could have been a bit better. However if you were just after representation of Hot Spot, even though it is a recolour of RID Prime, the Titanium Hot Zone I think does the superior job of combining the look and feel of the original toy and cartoon incarnation.

[i_amtrunks]

I'm very underwhelmed by hotspot. I still like him and recommend him as the concept is great, he robot mode is fantastic and the torso mode is better than I anticipated but there are so many little things (and a big one) that bug me.

He big bug bear for me is that he feels like a KO figure. The plastic is thin and brittle feeling. It has that not quite slimy feeling that I can't really describe better. A few parts (ladder, chest plate) it feels like it will snap not from the thinness of the piece but the quality.

The unpainted ladder ends, the head hanging there on the back, the chest piece hat falls off when you look at it, the fist bumpers and black legs showing in alt mode aware smaller annoyances that I can get over due to how fantastic he looks and the effort I know the designers had to go to to make it a combiner torso that could be reused for onslaught with minimal fuss.

[Paulbot]

If agree he's underwhelming, but his robot mode looks great and I like his torso mode the best of the ones I've seen so far. The wrapping the ladder around the body is a transformation step I wasn't expecting.


http://www.toycollectors.com.au/transformers/2015/gen15a31.jpg

Just noticed the Defensor head isn't transformers out of sight in the official pic of his fire truck mode. Mine came out of the box similarly, with a giant robot head in display behind him in robot mode.

[Bidoofdude]

Got Hot Spot the other day, and he's a fantastic toy, on par with Silverbolt if not better. The torso mode is surprisingly filled out and solid. It's weird that you can get such a beefy dude out of a skinny bot like Hot Spot.

[doublespy]

I want to like him a lot. But this really bothers me and I haven't heard anyone mentioning yet.

http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac134/scorer24/MISC/6C41DD83-2DBB-4985-AEA2-B2514C7D0034_zps1kwsgmoy.jpg

The base of the ladder is lower than the front cab so the ladder can never sit flush but always at an angle, and the lights on the cab sticking doesn't help either. And the ladder is notched so it's forced to sit flush but can't.

[Trent]

I want to like him a lot. But this really bothers me and I haven't heard anyone mentioning yet.

http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac134/scorer24/MISC/6C41DD83-2DBB-4985-AEA2-B2514C7D0034_zps1kwsgmoy.jpg

The base of the ladder is lower than the front cab so the ladder can never sit flush but always at an angle, and the lights on the cab sticking doesn't help either. And the ladder is notched so it's forced to sit flush but can't.

I noticed it. But it never even occurred to me to be bothered by it. It this was a masterpiece, I'd care, but I see CW as actual toys so I'm way more forgiving.

[Lint]

I got the UW version now. While the paint apps feel more complete compared to CW it doesn't cover up the fact that he is a pretty underwhelming figure. Balance issues, poor pegging tolerances and general fragility make this guy the weakest figure of the Protectobots.


I hope sharing the design with Onslaught was worth it (but by the looks of it I don't think it was, for either character).

[philby]

I just got him today and I haven't spent a lot of time with it but so far he seems quite pose-able and he does look pretty awesome imo in bot mode :)

[philby]

i have him in defensor mode now and i'm not sure what is going on but I can't get his right leg to lock in place with that double knee joint, but the left one seems secure. dunno if it's a bad philby or a bad hot spot. argh

[shockNwave]

Was thinking of getting this one but on second thoughts decided not to because it's colour reminds me of Mudflap (Cybertron) and to a lesser degree Hot Spot's alt. mode distantly reminds me of Mudflap's alt. mode.
So I'm glad I chose not to because (the POTP repaint) Inferno is ideally what Hot Spot should have looked like in the first place.

P.S. Love the amount of flexibility in the ladder and how the combiner robot's head is hidden within the firefighters cage instead of the stereotype of being hidden within a chest cavity.