Universe Springer or Blades?

[optimus1]

Hi everyone

I'm thinking about getting one of these, but do not want both of the same mold.

I do not have Cybertron Evac and am currently split about which of the two Universe repaints I should get.

So any opinions?

[TheDirtyDigger]

All depends on if you're more partial to red or green.

[Krayt]

Springer looks nice.....

[jaydisc]

Great question! A couple of things I've considered:

1. There is another [arguably] Classics Springer, from Botcon 2007, which is a repaint of Cybertron Defense Hot Shot so if you only want one Springer in your display, this is an option.

2. Roadbuster is also a repaint of Cybertron Defense Hot Shot, so I figured I'd display Universe Springer (and put away Botcon Springer) as to not display two of the same mold for distinctly different characters. I also simply much prefer the Evac mold for Springer.

3. Blades would look really good in a display next to Inferno, Prowl, Ratchet and Red Alert, a sort of quasi-Protectobots.

At the moment, I already have the 2 Springers and Roadbuster, but point 3 is pushing me to try and find a cheap Blades as well.

[Krayt]

http://lindalane.com/temporary/tf/P5190361.JPG

[Ode to a Grasshopper]

I'd go with Blades for a couple of reasons.
1: G1 Blades was a rescue 'copter, Springer was...futuristic. The Evac mold is of a rescue chopper - better homage IMO.
2: With the back-guns down (http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/toys/classics/blades/1571/1/63/) Blades does look pretty close to G1 Blades (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/a3/Blades-g1.jpg/240px-Blades-g1.jpg), whereas as a triple changer Springer looked more like...well... (http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/toys/g1-1986/springer/159/1/32/) not this. (http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/7186/springerrobotfn0.jpg)
3: G1 Blades had a penchant for hand-to-hand combat and so the robot mode chopper blade gimmick actually fits pretty well IMO, where as Springer had super-jump-power and a removable sword.
4: Unlike Springer Blades wasn't a triple changer, and
5: FP are apparently doing up a new triple-changing toy with a helicopter alt-mode... (http://www.seibertron.com/images/toys/uploads/1240707690_FP%20Prev%209.JPG)
6: Blades is a more widespread release and wasn't part of a 2-pack, so is presumably easier to find and cheaper.

[GoktimusPrime]

I'd go for Springer. Blades' red looks too overwhelming whereas Springer's colours seem to work together in a more appealing way. It's all rather subjective though - as TheDirtyDigger said, it depends on which one tickles your fancy.

[Lord_Zed]

I think both are mediocre repaints, but Springer comes with Ratbat who is cool. So he wins in my opinion, though not of his own merits.

[optimus1]

Thanks for the opinions guys! And thanks Krayt for the lineup shot :cool:

After seeing Krayt's pic, I think the Universe repaints look better than the original Evac.

I'm leaning towards Springer, but might might pick up Blades if I cannot find him.

[Thanatos]

The problem is how they're sold. Blades is just a Voyager, not store exclusive, whereas you're only going to find Springer at Toys R Us in a 2 pack. Ratbat is a great figure to have as well, and overall the Springer toy is probably just a small edge over Blades.

Though I have both and love the mould enough to justify it :D

[Doubledealer]

I was dead keen on picking up the Ratbat/Springer 2 pack a while ago but when I held the box in my hands and looked at the absolutely dismal paint jobs on both figures I prompty put the box back on the shelf and left the store. I've only seen Blades in it's alt mode in-box but surely it's robot mode can't be as incredibly dull as the new Springer release. For added...coolness (?) you could even pretend it's a Westpac emergency chopper. :p
http://www.mybeach.com.au/files/u40/IMG_9117-400.jpg

[Wheel-J]

I once have an original springer way way before and I've been used to know that he is a triple-changer. Eventhough he was a crappy toy, there's still a tiny small voice within me which dictates my sensory taste buds that if there would be any new springer today, he's oughta be a triple-changer.

So, I'd go for blades if I have to pick between the two and hold him on a G1-ish display like what the Grasshopper have linked.


http://lindalane.com/temporary/tf/P5190361.JPG

If evac was placed between blades and springer in the photo, it would resemble the colours of a traffic light (:mad::):D).....:p

[Defcon]

As someone else mentioned blades is good to display with other rescue/emergency bots like ratchet, inferno etc. Also if you watch the movie Iam Legend, there is a red helicopter in it that looks very similar to blades. The color scheme on blades is based more on it's real life counterpart instead of the classic G1 look. Good luck in finding blades or springer as they are quite rare to find on a retail shelf. Best bet to look on ebay.

I have both, but I recommend blades. If a proper triple changer Springer is ever released, my universe springer will be far less appealing.

[TheDirtyDigger]

Also if you watch the movie Iam Legend, there is a red helicopter in it that looks very similar to blades.

That is exactly what I thought as soon as I saw it. Not just 'very similar' but almost exactly the same.


G1 Blades was a rescue 'copter, Springer was...futuristic.


Unlike Springer Blades wasn't a triple changer


Blades would look really good in a display next to Inferno, Prowl, Ratchet and Red Alert, a sort of quasi-Protectobots.


All excellent points.

[Paulbot]

http://lindalane.com/temporary/tf/P5190361.JPG

In my classics-verse, Cybertron Evac has been "repurposed" as an upgrade to Seaspray. Just reposition those rear blades in robot mode. He's still protecting the oceans just in helicopter form as part of an Autobot "seeker" type line up. :D


I go with Springer. Blades I find a bit dull (too much red) while Springer's colours are more classic.

Oh and Blades's was a 6-changer (he could turn from a robot to a helicopter, a left arm, a right arm, a left leg or a right leg!) :p

[Ode to a Grasshopper]

Oh and Blades's was a 6-changer (he could turn from a robot to a helicopter, a left arm, a right arm, a left leg or a right leg!) :pI can't wait to see some over-optimistic eBay seller advertise him as "Autobot 6-Changer!"
Ironically he also has about the same level of articulation as Sixshot.:rolleyes:

[Paulbot]

I can't wait to see some over-optimistic eBay seller advertise him as "Autobot 6-Changer!"
Ironically he also has about the same level of articulation as Sixshot.:rolleyes:

If you were OVERLY over-optimistic, you could say that Blades was a 30-changer since he could be Defensor's right leg, or Superion's left arm, or Computron's right arm or Menasor's left leg and so on and so on and so on! :D

[Krayt]

Don't forget attaching to Metroplex and Metrotitan too....

[Sky Shadow]

Good luck in finding blades or springer as they are quite rare to find on a retail shelf.

Blades isn't that hard to find - I saw a few yesterday and I wasn't even really looking.

[jaydisc]

Yeah, I got a Blades Thursday at Target for $20

[SilverDragon]

Lucky you, I haven't seen Universe Voyagers except the first and third (or whatever Leo Prime's wave it) waves, and a solitary Dropshot.

Sucks, because Blades looks cool. Probably because red used to be my favourite colour until I converted to blue a while ago.

[STL]

Springer. By a long shot. Resonates more of Springer than it does Blades. Blades needs a meaner face, better head mold to fit his more fiery personality and head shape. Plus the colours are quite uninspired on Blades. Needs much more white.