Toy Review - RtS Perceptor

[Vector Prime]

http://i954.photobucket.com/albums/ae21/phuynh1979/IMG00237-20110119-2247.jpg

It was love at first sight with Perceptor.

The moment I first saw him, I knew this would be a cool toy - he's a fantastic homage (in bot mode) to the original G1 character.

While he doesn't transform into a microscope, I think we would all agree that in this day and age, his alt mode of a half track vehicle is much cooler (unless you're a complete geek and have an affinity for scientific equipment).

Transformation is a little bit fiddly on this guy with plenty of precise adjusting to get bits and pieces to fit together correctly and lock into place (not to the same extremes as Universe Galvatron though).

He also ends up with a fair bit of kibble hanging off him - but it's all neatly done and not to the same extent as ROTF NEST Brawn for example.

Articulation is as expected on a toy like this - excellent - however my one gripe is that his shoulder cannon cannot be adjusted.

I don't know how the United version will end up looking, but the Hasbro version is already loaded with plenty of chrome bits - all very nicely done.

Perceptor is an excellent figure and is a definite buy on sight, even at full retail.

9/10 (totally awesome!)

http://i954.photobucket.com/albums/ae21/phuynh1979/P1230001.jpg

[fatbot]

I don't know how the United version will end up looking, but the Hasbro version is already loaded with plenty of chrome bits - all very nicely done.

Perceptor is an excellent figure and is a definite buy on sight, even at full retail.


the Untied version loses the chrome and has clear yellow windows instead of the orange.

The RTS version is awesome, a must buy at full retail

[Vector Prime]

the Untied version loses the chrome and has clear yellow windows instead of the orange.

No bling? :eek: That just makes the RTS version such a better G1 homage IMO (since the original had chrome).

[liegeprime]

hmmm. he doesnt come with any weapon does he?

[1AZRAEL1]

hmmm. he doesnt come with any weapon does he?

He has his shoulder cannon lol. But that's why I bought G1 gun at the last fair to go with him when I get him.

[liegeprime]

He has his shoulder cannon lol. But that's why I bought G1 gun at the last fair to go with him when I get him.

oh good thing Ive got a spare of that in black too (for magnificus actually):D:D

[1AZRAEL1]

oh good thing Ive got a spare of that in black too (for magnificus actually):D:D

In black, I think it may look better. If it does, I know what I will be doing with my G1 Perceptor gun :p

[liegeprime]

In black, I think it may look better. If it does, I know what I will be doing with my G1 Perceptor gun :p

Sharpie? heheeh

[sanbot]

His robot mode reminds me of this dude (http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Image:Cybertron_Defence_Red_Alert.jpg) minus the big ass weapon.

[Paulbot]

His robot mode reminds me of this dude (http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Image:Cybertron_Defence_Red_Alert.jpg) minus the big ass weapon.
Perceptor has been a repaint of Red Alert before (http://www.tfu.info/2006/Autobot/ClassicsPerceptor/perceptor.htm) ;)

Oh, RTS Perceptor owners. What's the toy's head look like in the instructions? Is it a good Reflector?

[KaRNiV8L PRiME]

Perceptor has been a repaint of Red Alert before (http://www.tfu.info/2006/Autobot/ClassicsPerceptor/perceptor.htm) ;)

Oh, RTS Perceptor owners. What's the toy's head look like in the instructions? Is it a good Reflector?

It doesn't look to be remolded.

[Tabias Prime]

His robot mode reminds me of this dude (http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Image:Cybertron_Defence_Red_Alert.jpg) minus the big ass weapon.

I think i might see if I can pick one of these up at the toyfair tomorrow....he looks awesome...

[gdmetro]

Guess Im going to be getting both versions so I can swap the chrome parts onto the united version...

[Paulbot]

I'm not a fan of the vehicle mode but mainly I think because it owes homage to the designs for Animated Perceptor that we'll never get. I think I'd prefer a proper car, but the tracks help the robot homage, and it's in robot mode that the toy shines. One of the nice touches is that the chest panels flips down for nothing other than the homage.

I do have trouble getting the back/arms to lock into place but I suspect it might be a minor quality control issue and it sits okay.

[Sharky]

i love this guy although he feels small in bot mode.. does anybody know what the number plate stands for

MR5 1409

[GoktimusPrime]

The rumour is that it's Hasbro designer Bill Rawley's daughter's date of birth.

[gdmetro]

Saw this Alt mode posted at TFW:

http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-toy-discussion/361970-alternate-transformation-rts-perceptor.html

http://i1025.photobucket.com/albums/y320/gdmetro/perceptor.jpg

Def made me want him even more!

[Sharky]

The rumour is that it's Hasbro designer Bill Rawley's daughter's date of birth.

well that kind of detracts from the awesomness of perceptor to include some "well thats just crap"

[loophole]

getting his back pack to lock into place correctly wass a little fiddle but other than that hes a pretty cool figure

[loophole]

with G1 gun fits perfectly

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll214/Loophole83/TF%20Customs%20and%20Purchases/P1010098.jpg

[GoktimusPrime]

5mm universal post size ftw! :D (I'm assuming this is the case :p) That microscope fan mode looks... close but no cy-gar. :/

[1AZRAEL1]

I dunno, the microscope mode looks pretty cool IMO. And the G1 gun looks good too, glad I picked up a spare one at the last Parra Fair :D

(Oh and I just reached 4001 posts :p)

[5FDP]

(Oh and I just reached 4001 posts :p)[/SIZE]

You need a hobby ;)

[1AZRAEL1]

You need a hobby ;)

Got a hobby lol. I've nearly completed setting my collection up, so expect photos by the weekend I reckon.

[kup]

Disappointing about United Perceptor not having chrome. I am sure the paint job will probably be overall better in United so I may get a United version and a Hasbro to transfer over the chrome bits.

[Gutsman Heavy]

That microscope fan mode looks... close but no cy-gar. :/

looks like a pizza oven to me :D

[Tallestblue]

How does he look with Blurr's sniper rifle?

[Sleeve]

How does he look with Blurr's sniper rifle?

Like this. (http://www.shortpacked.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2011/01/RtS-Perceptorsniper.jpg)

[Sharky]

Has anyone had any problems with the rub sign?

mine is squewed and lifting a little

[5FDP]

Has anyone had any problems with the rub sign?

mine is squewed and lifting a little

Sure it's not the heat? ;) :p

[gdmetro]

Just picked up this guy.. was planning to swap out the chrome parts onto the united version, but seems like its going to be too big of a hassle to do so.

Besides that, pretty much as awesome as the pics showed the mould to be.

[Tallestblue]

Like this. (http://www.shortpacked.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2011/01/RtS-Perceptorsniper.jpg)

Yeah. It looks really neat like that. But he can't really hold it so it's just good for that one pose. Still A neat homage. But he's missing guns of his own.

And his buddy Blaster.

[Robzy]

I'm in love with this figure at the moment. :o

The alt mode is not the best, but the bot mode is perfection! The transformation is very fiddly (get one step wrong and you're screwed down the line) which is usually a big issue for me - transforming should be fun, not a chore! But once you get your head around it, transforming him is cool. There's heaps of potential here as a Soundwave repaint/re-tool too. I only wish they could have put the shoulder cannon on the other side (like G1 Perceptor).

Highly recommended!

[Tallestblue]

Gah. was a bit too forceful during the last part of transformation and now the gray plastic piece attached to the head is loose....Watch out for that guys...

[GoktimusPrime]

that last part is tricky -- I took it slow and easy.

Aaah, gotta love my luck with Hasbro QC. My Perceptor's left cheek has a massive chip on it... (O_T)

[Tallestblue]

I also think i snapped off the black piece that fits inside the grey piece too...

Though it does seem to make the transformation easier.....*












(*Tallestblue does not endorse breaking your transformers in order to get them working*)

[GoktimusPrime]

you gotta be really careful with it... it makes a loud click noise when it locks into place (although the lock itself doesn't seem to hold that well - bark is worse than its bite), but I can see how people can break it with even moderate force. As a toy designed for children, this is a pretty silly design feature. The back section really shouldn't be so damn tricky to set right. This is my biggest criticism of the toy.

Also, I tried putting Magnificus' weapons into RTS Perceptor's hands today...
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/rts_perceptor_weapons.jpg

I don't recommend this as the weapons are little bit too big. RTS Perceptor can old G1 Perceptor's weapons but it's over tight, like ROTF Bludgeon... so I'm scared that if I keep doing this that the thumbs might snap off, so I'm not gonna try it again. Unfortunately the hands are too big/open to hold Generation Blurr's rifle.

[gdmetro]

My attempts at microscope mode:

http://i1025.photobucket.com/albums/y320/gdmetro/IMG_0050.jpg

http://i1025.photobucket.com/albums/y320/gdmetro/IMG_0047.jpg

http://i1025.photobucket.com/albums/y320/gdmetro/IMG_0042.jpg


Loving this guy! :D

[tjparkside]

great figure,worth buying! i like the new alternate mode,while the robot mode has a nice G1 style! :)

[jaina85]

im really disappointed with perceptor :(

the way his arms are slung underneath and the scopey gun thing stuck on top, with the chest all hidden inside like it is, they couldve had this design be *any* character! all the little bits that give the perceptor identity are just extras, and all the other mode parts don't matter, it feels very generic :(

[GoktimusPrime]

Isn't that cos they wanna repurpose this figure as Reflector later on?

I agree with the scope-behind-the-head thing as being rather superfluous. You can easily adjust the shoulders to be higher though. I do wish the whole back-shoulder assembly locked on tighter, as it easily unlocks during play. :(

As posted on the action pose thread, my attempt at giving Perceptor a microscope mode -- I just tried to transform him like G1 Perceptor as much as I could to give him a "G1 accurate" microscope mode. ;)

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/rts_perceptor_microscope.jpg

[Mr Ed]

I am so in love with Perceptor. He is so cool!

[Fonecrusher]

I got him a couple days back and I must say so far he is looking like the best of this wave of RtS. I've had no problems whatsoever keeping his shoulders/back steady... But I am reluctant to transform him back to alt mode. Mainly because the black tab which connects to the grey hole on his lower back seems to be stuck in pretty tight, the instructions seem to suggets you just snap it back out, but I've tried applying a fair bit of pressure and it won't budge, anymore pressure and I'm afraid I will break the tab as some others have reported.

Anybody else had this happen? Isn't there a way to just ease the tab out instead of using brute force to snap it...

[kup]

I think that I will also buy the RTS Reflector (United is preordered) and then use the best parts from both to make a single 'best of both worlds' figure.

[GoktimusPrime]

Anybody else had this happen? Isn't there a way to just ease the tab out instead of using brute force to snap it...

I just go real slow and steady. Needless to say that I'm not enthused about transforming this toy either because it's just so fiddly to get it back to robot mode. For this reason I voted on "Only if Cheap" -- I only paid $23 for mine from Kmart, so I'm pretty happy with it. Not sure how I'd feel if I paid the full $30 (or $35 from Myer :eek:)

[Stompy]

Wow. Since I love complicated conversions, this is bloody amazing engineering!

The alt mode is ok. I've never been a fan of tread and wheel vehicles but this is serviceable. The lights conspicuously sitting there gave me delight that it will be converting to his shoulder blaster. In this mode. It's fine but it is lacking a lot of paint apps to make it pop that little bit. Otherwise it's just a slab of red with black.

Conversion was bloody chuffingly fun. Those legs weren't as straightforward as I thought it would be and the shoulder blaster is such a nice touch. To my surprise there are chrome parts! On a Hasbro deluxe figure. Chrome! What the hell? :p

For converting this back to vehicle mode:

*** For those scared of snapping that black tab that connects to the grey sliding piece on his back - The trick is to not pull the black part backwards. What you do is you push the head down, which will slide down the grey tab and the black tab will swing towards his back and voila! It's out without a hitch, stress mark or any breakage. Converting to bot mode, you reverse that . ***

Hope that helped those scared of converting him back to alt mode.

Robot mode is well, bloody amazing. I love it love it love it. The chrome around the clear part ont he chest, his chrome arm pads/microscope valve and the blaster tip was such a huge surprise. The legs initially looked too bulky but it's just right actually and compliments the bulk of his torso. The expression on the head sculpt is perfect, that "I'm a nerd stuck in a party of cool boys" look is something I can't stop looking at and smile. Articulation is great, if limited on the ankles due to the blocky legs. Just wonderful and fits right into the Classicverse comfortably.

Overall very very pleased. Buy it.

[Fonecrusher]

Wow. Since I love complicated conversions, this is bloody amazing engineering!

The alt mode is ok. I've never been a fan of tread and wheel vehicles but this is serviceable. The lights conspicuously sitting there gave me delight that it will be converting to his shoulder blaster. In this mode. It's fine but it is lacking a lot of paint apps to make it pop that little bit. Otherwise it's just a slab of red with black.

Conversion was bloody chuffingly fun. Those legs weren't as straightforward as I thought it would be and the shoulder blaster is such a nice touch. To my surprise there are chrome parts! On a Hasbro deluxe figure. Chrome! What the hell? :p

For converting this back to vehicle mode:

*** For those scared of snapping that black tab that connects to the grey sliding piece on his back - The trick is to not pull the black part backwards. What you do is you push the head down, which will slide down the grey tab and the black tab will swing towards his back and voila! It's out without a hitch, stress mark or any breakage. Converting to bot mode, you reverse that . ***

Hope that helped those scared of converting him back to alt mode.

Robot mode is well, bloody amazing. I love it love it love it. The chrome around the clear part ont he chest, his chrome arm pads/microscope valve and the blaster tip was such a huge surprise. The legs initially looked too bulky but it's just right actually and compliments the bulk of his torso. The expression on the head sculpt is perfect, that "I'm a nerd stuck in a party of cool boys" look is something I can't stop looking at and smile. Articulation is great, if limited on the ankles due to the blocky legs. Just wonderful and fits right into the Classicverse comfortably.

Overall very very pleased. Buy it.
Thanks mate your a life saver! It worked a treat man. But he's still a bother to transform both ways...

[KillinSpoon]

that last part is tricky -- I took it slow and easy.

Aaah, gotta love my luck with Hasbro QC. My Perceptor's left cheek has a massive chip on it... (O_T)

One of my perceptors arm pins looks as though it went through a blender haha.

[Sutton]

im really disappointed with perceptor :(

the way his arms are slung underneath and the scopey gun thing stuck on top, with the chest all hidden inside like it is, they couldve had this design be *any* character! all the little bits that give the perceptor identity are just extras, and all the other mode parts don't matter, it feels very generic :(

I can understand that. They've made a robot that looks like it turns into a microscope that actually turns into a truck, which is either going to be genius or insanity depending on how you look at it.

I'm going with genius.

[Sutton]

The shoulders lock in fine enough for display purposes but they pop out with very little provocation. Not real good play value for the kiddies out there. I can also imagine them having a lot of trouble getting him back into vehicle mode, I know I sure did.

[GoktimusPrime]

I can understand that. They've made a robot that looks like it turns into a microscope that actually turns into a truck, which is either going to be genius or insanity depending on how you look at it.

I'm going with genius.
It's certainly ambitious -- having a robot that transforms into a half-track with microscope faux-kibble.


The shoulders lock in fine enough for display purposes but they pop out with very little provocation. Not real good play value for the kiddies out there.

Hey, there plenty of us adults who like to play with our toys too! Play value is definitely a significant factor for me when I'm appraising toys -- and regardless of whether or not one plays with the toy, it is the product's intended purpose so it ought to be something to take into consideration when appraising or certainly reviewing a toy. :)

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

I filed down the tab bit that clicks into the white piece on the back just a tiny bit, otherwise I couldn't get it in... Now it works a treat.

I don't find transforming too hard, but the instructions make it more confusing than it should be. Great robot mode and the vehicle mode I dig as well. Like one of them beasties they use for getting around in snowy areas.

How come the aiming reticule is noweher near his face? Imagination tiiiime!

[Hursticon]

I'm glad that Deceptic pointed out the 'Backpack Tab' to me, as that is one of the most potentially easy to break parts on a TF I've ever seen! :eek:

[Blurrprimecoolboz2008]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1pX4VlCDoo

[Lint]

Lovin this United version of Perceptor. He looks fantastic in vehicle mode compared to the Rts version. My major gripe with this figure though is that the arm knobs and cannon are NOT bone-white like the promotional pics and are in fact Hasbro Grey :mad:

My only other generic gripe about this figure is his face sculpt. He looks more uncrazzimatic than Soundwave. I would have rather had an amiable boffin face as per the G1 cartoon or the grim and angsty IDW persona


Little known fact: Perceptor can touch his toes like a ballerina!

[snaketales]

Little known fact: Perceptor can touch his toes like a ballerina!

Pics or it didn't happen :p

[GoktimusPrime]

Pics here (http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showpost.php?p=229736&postcount=1340) :)

[Lint]

Gok's got it, he can do that while doing the vertical splits as well :D

[snaketales]

My eight-year-old son and myself had a play with Perceptor last night. I don't think he (Perceptor :p) is very kid-friendly. The arms/backpack kept swinging out and I think the transformation may be beyond most pre-teenagers.
I found it fiddly to transform and couldn't initially get the backpack to lock in. After my son went to bed I had another go at it and it's locked in now - but I'll be damned if I know how! He now has a little stress mark on the red tabby bit behind his head (the bit that has a slot that the grey piece slides into - man I wish my camera had a macro function... :()
At this moment Perceptor strikes me as a Universe Galvatron - fun to play with in either mode but the actual transformation is a pain.

[SkyWarp91]

My eight-year-old son and myself had a play with Perceptor last night. I don't think he (Perceptor :p) is very kid-friendly. The arms/backpack kept swinging out and I think the transformation may be beyond most pre-teenagers.
I found it fiddly to transform and couldn't initially get the backpack to lock in. After my son went to bed I had another go at it and it's locked in now - but I'll be damned if I know how! He now has a little stress mark on the red tabby bit behind his head (the bit that has a slot that the grey piece slides into - man I wish my camera had a macro function... :()
At this moment Perceptor strikes me as a Universe Galvatron - fun to play with in either mode but the actual transformation is a pain.

+1

I like the look, but hate those primusdamn arms.

[Quickstrike]

My only other generic gripe about this figure is his face sculpt. He looks more uncrazzimatic than Soundwave. I would have rather had an amiable boffin face as per the G1 cartoon or the grim and angsty IDW persona

That's part of the Animated homage, I figure. He deleted his emotions so he could fit more SCIENCE into his head.

[GoktimusPrime]

I figured it was more of a homage to Wreckers Perceptor... ya know, when he got all hard (http://tfwiki.net/w2/images2/5/5c/LastStandoftheWreckers5-_Ironfist_Perceptor_Verity.jpg) and (http://tfwiki.net/w2/images2/e/ef/AHM8-Perceptor.jpg) stuff (http://www.bwtf.com/comicbook-images/idw/wreckers2/perceptor.jpg). ;)

Mind you, G1 Perceptor was more of a hard (http://tfwiki.net/w2/images2/9/98/TheSmeltingPool-Perceptor.jpg)-@r$3 (http://tfwiki.net/w2/images2/1/14/FallenAngel-Perceptor.jpg) in the G1 comics... not the bumbling professor that the cartoon made him out to be.

[SMHFConvoy]

Turns out that Perceptor can hold Generations WJ's weapons/ tools. Nice nod to TFA there ;)

[Grievous]

Well..I finally got my hands on Perceptor and he's
just overloaded with awesomeness...

:D

[griffin]

Toy Review - Perceptor

Series - Reveal the Shield
Sub-line - N/A
Size/class - Deluxe
New/remould/redeco - New
Wave - 2
Released here - Jan 2011
Approximate Retail Price - $25-30
Approximate Size - 15cm
Allegiance - Autobot
Alt-mode - Halftrack vehicle, (microscope)
Main Features/Gimmicks - rubsign
Main Colours - Pale maroon, aqua-green, pale black
Main Accessories - none

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/tftoys/rts14a.jpg

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/tftoys/rts14b.jpg

[Prowl]

Picked the sucker up for $17 today. Pain in the butt to transform but awesome robot mode.