Toy Review - Ectotron

[GoktimusPrime]

ECTOTRON
Series - Transformers (Generation 1)
Sub-line - Ghostbusters
Size/class - Voyager
New/remould/redeco - Mostly new mould; some parts borrowed from Combiner Wars Hot Spot
Wave - N/A
Released here - July 2019 (EB Games/Zing exclusive)
Approximate Retail Price - $80
Approximate Size - 18.5cm
Allegiance - Autobot
Alt-mode - "Ecto-1"; converted 1959 Cadillac Miller-Meteor ambulance
Main Features/Gimmicks - 80s nostalgia
Main Colours - white, beige
Main Accessories - proton pack, Neutrino gun, Slimer figurine

Too tired to write so I'll let the pictures do the talking.

https://i.ibb.co/tHyGMCP/ghostbusters-ectotron01.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/1fc5WDv/ghostbusters-ectotron02.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/6NqxT19/ghostbusters-ectotron03.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/mBn4Hkj/ghostbusters-ectotron03a.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/n0pWhc1/ghostbusters-ectotron05.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/Q9vg1Yt/ghostbusters-ectotron06.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/wSzPZPS/ghostbusters-ectotron07.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/FxFW2V5/ghostbusters-ectotron08.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/1RdZdbz/ghostbusters-ectotron09.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/JHCgZdp/ghostbusters-ectotron10.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/k5T5fjj/ghostbusters-ectotron11.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/zrZ7w1B/ghostbusters-ectotron12a.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/ydK8rQp/ghostbusters-ectotron12b.jpg

[SharkyMcShark]

I didn't realise this was a retool until this review!

[BruiseLee]

That's an amazing re-tool right there!

[GoktimusPrime]

The upper arms and upper legs are the only parts from Hot Spot that are reused. Everything else on Ectotron is new, so I don't blame people for not noticing that it's a retool. It's really almost an entirely new mould that's just reusing the upper limb parts from Hot Spot.

[Maruten]

As a Ghostbusters homage (and IDW character) this guy is pretty amazing. As a (basically) new mold TF, he's not quite as impressive - though potentially worth picking up just for the unusual alt mode.

[GoktimusPrime]

Perhaps "borrowed parts" is an arguably more apt description than "retool." Cos yeah, Ectotron does share the same upper arms and upper legs as CW Hot Spot and that's it. Everything else on this toy is new. And the borrowed parts haven't been retooled either (they are identical to Hot Spot's parts, just beige instead of black).

P.S.: I mean "borrowed" in the way that languages "borrow" words from other languages, not "borrow" as in meaning that the borrowed thing needs to be returned. :p

[griffin]

I am thoroughly impressed with this toy. Not too difficult, but not a 1-step auto-former... and taking into account that this is a limited production of a toy that won't see another usage (reissue or redeco), the $80 price is more than acceptable. So even though it is the size of a $50 Voyager, those two factors should have seen it at about $100. I'd expect it to be more than that on the secondary market once it sells out.


Perhaps "borrowed parts" is an arguably more apt description than "retool." Cos yeah, Ectotron does share the same upper arms and upper legs as CW Hot Spot and that's it. Everything else on this toy is new. And the borrowed parts haven't been retooled either (they are identical to Hot Spot's parts, just beige instead of black).

P.S.: I mean "borrowed" in the way that languages "borrow" words from other languages, not "borrow" as in meaning that the borrowed thing needs to be returned. :p

If a toy has less than 50% of its parts being the same as a previous toy, I usually refer to them as "new with some reused parts" ... as I imagine that the computer program they use these days, has pre-existing parts in it's library, like lego bricks, to re-use without having to create them from scratch (and saves them from creating new toolings).
I only recently got the Generations Big Powered boxset, and Sonic Bomber (the black jet) is noted on TFWiki (https://tfwiki.net/wiki/Big_Powered) as being a retool of Misfire, but just like Ectotron, it only shares some minor parts (arms and thighs). Even the other two may have started out using Skyshadow and Twintwist, but the massive amount of alterations only barely makes them a heavy retool (any more and they'd be "new with reused parts" ).
Since Combiner Wars, it's been a new addition to my personal scale of new-to-redeco status of new toys. Just looking at this year's checklist, it looks like I have Galaxy Upgrade Optimus noted as that, as there are more new parts than reused parts.

[philby]

I opened mine this morning and I love it. It has loose joints in the knees however, which make standing up straight an issue sometimes. Love the box and the deco and everything.
Were any of the Bayformers licensed Cadillacs?

[GoktimusPrime]

Were any of the Bayformers licensed Cadillacs?
Yes (https://tfwiki.net/wiki/Stockade_(Movie))

[Magnus]

I opened mine this morning and I love it. It has loose joints in the knees however, which make standing up straight an issue sometimes. Love the box and the deco and everything.
Were any of the Bayformers licensed Cadillacs?


Yes (https://tfwiki.net/wiki/Stockade_(Movie))

Stockade was inspired by the Cadillac Escalade, but he's not actually a licensed replica. (https://www.seibertron.com/transformers-toys/view/transformers-2007/stockade/1420/2/7/) There is no trademark or copyright information on his packaging, and he is referred to as just an SUV.

While there were no licensed Cadillac toys from any of the movies, seeing as Cadillac is part of General Motors, licensing was likely not a problem.

[KELPIE]

If a toy has less than 50% of its parts being the same as a previous toy, I usually refer to them as "new with some reused parts" ... as I imagine that the computer program they use these days, has pre-existing parts in it's library, like lego bricks, to re-use without having to create them from scratch (and saves them from creating new toolings).
I only recently got the Generations Big Powered boxset, and Sonic Bomber (the black jet) is noted on TFWiki (https://tfwiki.net/wiki/Big_Powered) as being a retool of Misfire, but just like Ectotron, it only shares some minor parts (arms and thighs). Even the other two may have started out using Skyshadow and Twintwist, but the massive amount of alterations only barely makes them a heavy retool (any more and they'd be "new with reused parts" ).
Since Combiner Wars, it's been a new addition to my personal scale of new-to-redeco status of new toys. Just looking at this year's checklist, it looks like I have Galaxy Upgrade Optimus noted as that, as there are more new parts than reused parts.

I think the way I look at remoulds now, especially the more elaborate ones, is that the skeleton/transformation is the transformer, then they mould, or remould a new surface area over the top changing the look from one figure to the other.

[UltraMarginal]

It definitely saves time from an engineering perspective if you take an original part and only change the outside profiles. Though there is still a lot of work involved it's not usually as much as starting from scratch.
I think the description of taking a transformation design and rebuilding another vehicle/bot around it is quite apt in this case, even though it's a completely different assembly of parts isn't the torso of ectotron a very similar shape/structure to that of onslaught?
I still haven't opened mine, might happen one night this week.

[Sinnertwin]

I voted only if cheap
I had an opportunity to have a fiddle with this figure a few weeks ago & while it's a cool addition to your collection, it didn't leave me with that phwooar feeling

[Omega Metro]

I voted only if cheap
I had an opportunity to have a fiddle with this figure a few weeks ago & while it's a cool addition to your collection, it didn't leave me with that phwooar feeling

Agree. Knowing what it is based on, I’m happy to keep this MISB.

[Seraphim Prime]

It definitely saves time from an engineering perspective if you take an original part and only change the outside profiles. Though there is still a lot of work involved it's not usually as much as starting from scratch.
I think the description of taking a transformation design and rebuilding another vehicle/bot around it is quite apt in this case, even though it's a completely different assembly of parts isn't the torso of ectotron a very similar shape/structure to that of onslaught?
I still haven't opened mine, might happen one night this week.

I think John Warden has said in an interview that the lead time on this figure was less than what they would typically allow for, so they didn't try to engineer a figure from scratch. Instead they took known CAD files and redesigned the key features to fit the new character. That way the sizing and alignment of parts to facilitate transformation was already taken care of and all that would need to be done would be cosmetic design.

[UltraMarginal]

Makes sense, and after opening the toy last night, not having a combiner torso to compare against on hand, I'd suggest that the torso is a heavy remould, as is the 'design frame' of the feet.

The transformation overall, is quite good and I'm very happy with the way the shoulders transform, I was worried that they would be floppy but the transformation is quite unique. Mine too has loosish knees, it's not a toy killer but it would have been preferred I think if they had been ratcheted, or just a bit tight. Being a pin it's something that's difficult to fix.

[GoktimusPrime]

Makes sense, and after opening the toy last night, not having a combiner torso to compare against on hand, I'd suggest that the torso is a heavy remould, as is the 'design frame' of the feet.
It's not. The torso and feet are all new. Everything is new on this mould except for the upper arms and upper legs.
https://i.ibb.co/1RdZdbz/ghostbusters-ectotron09.jpg

[shockNwave]

1. The blue hose can be kinda frustrating when attempting to transform Ecto back to car mode but it's an a fun kind of frustration although I recommend keeping this TF out of reach of children because those rubber parts will get worn out in no time.

2. I'm not a fan of retools and less so of repaints (unless there's a good reason) but thankfully the retooling is so minor.

3. TFs with vintage or (in this case) retro alt. modes need to be cherished due to how uncommon they are and Ectotron is retro and then some (it's the Ecto-1 for god's sake).

4. When it comes to storing Slimer, the instructions don't say how but I've found you can sit him on the proton gun or place the gun up his........ I'll let you work that one out for yourself.:o

Conclusion: An awesome TF and worth the price tag.