Toy Review - Age of Extinction Autobot Hound (Voyager)

AUTOBOT BULKHEAD HOUND
Series - Transformers Generations
Sub-line – Age of Extinction
Size/class - Voyager
New/remould/redeco – New
Wave – 2, 2014
Released here - June 2014
Approximate Retail Price - $50
Approximate Size – 15.7cm
Allegiance -Autobot
Alt-mode – Oshkosh Medium Defence Tactical vehicle
Main Features/Gimmicks – N/A
Main Colours – dark green
Main Accessories – knife & a load of guns!

Pictures
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y22...ps77db3af6.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y22...ps6fee9d28.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y22...psde65e573.jpg

Thoughts

Pros
+ Reasonably solid figure in both vehicle and robot modes.
+ 22 points of articulation!
+ A fair amount of painted decos, something that's been sorely lacking in a lot of other AoE toys. Glad to see faux kibble parts like the lights on the shoulders and faux-tyre feet are painted.
+ Seven guns and a knife! Tacker^Hound is a freakin' walking armoury! :eek: I quite like how the big rifle transforms into a rack of mini-guns for the vehicle, and the other guns can also attach on other parts of the vehicle too. Half of these guns can combine to form larger guns (similar to Generations Skids' guns).
+ The vehicle panels are reasonably well incorporated into the robot. This helps to avoid making Bulkhead^Hound a shellformer or backpackformer (like Optimus Prime & Galvatron). I would've liked to see the vehicle panels that cover the hands swing or fold back to better reveal the hands, but overall I'm quite satisfied with how what they've done w/ the vehicle panels in the robot mode.
+ The overall shape/design of Bluto^Hound's robot mode really makes him look big and bulky (but not tubby like the movie model appears ;)), and is also reminiscent of a modern day soldier, with the head resembling an army helmet.

Cons
- I'm not a big fan of the curvaceous forearms. The rubber "skin" that covers them also hinders wrist articulation.
- The panels that connect the shoulders do the body don't lock in tightly (they're supposed to do, but the tabs (which are the wing mirrors) or clips are too thin. The panels happen to be stiff enough that it still holds up just fine without it -- but this could become a potential problem in the future as these panels become loser with regular play. Time will tell.
- Minor gripe: While this toy is nicely decoed by AoE standards (cough), it could still be better done; e.g. hubcaps are still unpainted. :( I suppose they decided to dedicate more paint apps on the body of the toy at the expense of things like the hubcaps... if so, then I guess it's not a bad compromise. :o The TakaraTOMY version doesn't appear to be any better.

Overall
One of the best AoE Voyagers next to Evasion Mode Optimus Prime. This toy has a better decoed robot mode and better formed vehicle mode than EMOP, but I prefer the actual engineering of Optimus Prime's robot mode. All in all, I'd rate them both as being pretty much on par with each other. Recommended.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y22.../jaam_jaam.gif

Yep, Sergeant Kup is a real trooper! My only complaint is that he is soooo tiny in truck mode. But well recommended otherwise.

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Originally Posted by Omega Metro

Yep, Sergeant Kup is a real trooper!

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lololololololol :D

Pfft. 7 guns, 1 knife & he still gets taken down by a grey shellformer. Soft.

I got mine today, and he's awesome. I love the sheer amount of weaponry, sculpted detail, and paint this guy has. The transformation is simple enough, but one look at robot mode isn't enough to tell you how it transforms into vehicle mode, only that it can, which is generally a good sign that a TF is high quality. Probably the best AOE toy so far, and one of the better transformers will stop.

The shoulders on mine lock in just fine, although the left is slightly better than the right, so maybe you just got a dud, Goki. On the other hand the weapons don't tend to stay on so brilliantly in vehicle mode (and there doesn't seem to be anywhere for the two smaller guns and the knife in that mode) and the two larger guns will not attach to the torso.

Other than those caveats, he's otherwise awesome though. BUY THIS TOY.

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Originally Posted by Zommael

The shoulders on mine lock in just fine, although the left is slightly better than the right, so maybe you just got a dud, Goki. On the other hand the weapons don't tend to stay on so brilliantly in vehicle mode (and there doesn't seem to be anywhere for the two smaller guns and the knife in that mode) and the two larger guns will not attach to the torso.

Other than those caveats, he's otherwise awesome though. BUY THIS TOY.

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Both shoulders on mine lock in really well, as for the larger guns on the side of his chest, they need to have the handles out to lock in more securely, I think the handles are only meant to be folded in when they are plugged into vehicle mode. I attach the knife to the front of the truck on the right side so it looks like it could impale someone. Overall great figure but would be nice if the weapons were more secure in vehicle mode, but thats the only complaint I have.

A really good design but, like so many modern Transformers, let down badly by its small size and associated weaknesses. Would be so much better if just a bit bigger and sturdier all round so the panels would feel less flimsy, the weapons would stay attached and the leg joints would feel like they would stand the test of time (Whatever happened to ratcheting? Only in leader class now?) The lack of heels is really annoying and makes posing difficult and alt mode is really deluxe, not voyager sized. Arguably worth it on balance for the cool robot mode and fun weapons, but only on the much reduced standards of today.

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Originally Posted by Zommael

The shoulders on mine lock in just fine, although the left is slightly better than the right, so maybe you just got a dud, Goki.

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Originally Posted by KingGrimlock

Both shoulders on mine lock in really well,

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hmm... I still have the receipt for mine, so perhaps I'll try and get an exchange or get another one and refund the older one. :o

P.S.: Exchanged my Hound earlier today. Have yet to open the new one. Here's hopin'... ;)

Discovered Hasbro's channel had busted up a designer interview video with some interesting stuff on Hound.

I think it looks pretty cool and look forward to seeing one in person.
Linky : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiqWIhOyIyQ

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Originally Posted by Tetsuwan Convoy

Discovered Hasbro's channel had busted up a designer interview video with some interesting stuff on Hound.

I think it looks pretty cool and look forward to seeing one in person.
Linky : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiqWIhOyIyQ

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THANK YOU!!! I hated the way I had my hound hold his gattling gun like it was a rifle. Now I see the way he is meant to hold it thanks to the video, it was bugging my brain because looking at the guns design I knew there had to be another way but I couldnt figure it out.

Happy to report that my new Hound's shoulders clip in just fine. :D Beard has a small scratch on it, but nuthin' that a touch up from a permanent marker won't fix. I'll take that over dodgy shoulders. ;)

P.S.: Another piccie :)
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y22...ps19d9aa5e.jpg

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Originally Posted by GoktimusPrime

Happy to report that my new Hound's shoulders clip in just fine. :D Beard has a small scratch on it, but nuthin' that a touch up from a permanent marker won't fix. I'll take that over dodgy shoulders. ;)

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Glad you got it sorted!

I honestly didn't think I was going to be interested in another AOE figures, but...

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Originally Posted by KingGrimlock

THANK YOU!!! I hated the way I had my hound hold his gattling gun like it was a rifle. Now I see the way he is meant to hold it thanks to the video, it was bugging my brain because looking at the guns design I knew there had to be another way but I couldnt figure it out.

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No probs man.

I think Hound is the only AOE toy I want. Allathemguns! Shame he isn't fatter though ;) :D (John Goodman FTW!)

My 2 year old girl keeps calling him bulkhead......I'm not even going to bother correcting her on this one ;)

I think I've managed to short-circuit "Bulkhound" syndrome by thinking of him as Sergeant Hound, like the G2 toy. It does seem fitting. Naturally he reports to General Optimus Prime (as opposed to a specific Optimus Prime, I guess - he can report to any Optimus Prime in my collection!).

Is TF:Prime Bulkhead's character more like TFA Bulkhead or AOE Hound?

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Originally Posted by Paulbot

Is TF:Prime Bulkhead's character more like TFA Bulkhead or AOE Hound?

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TFA

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Originally Posted by ILikeSoundwave

TFA

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I'd have to disagree. I didn't find TF Prime Bulkhead to be all that much like TFA Bulkhead outside of appearance. He wasn't as clumsy or incompetent, was more of a seasoned warrior, and was not an expert on space bridges. I'd say he was more like AOE Hound.

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Originally Posted by Zommael

I'd have to disagree. I didn't find TF Prime Bulkhead to be all that much like TFA Bulkhead outside of appearance. He wasn't as clumsy or incompetent, was more of a seasoned warrior, and was not an expert on space bridges. I'd say he was more like AOE Hound.

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I agree Zommael... TFP Bulkhead was a former Wrecker, while TFA Bulkhead almost didn't pass the Autobot bootcamp as he knock a tower down on Sentinel.

Nothing like each other.

I would also have to say TFP Bulkhead is closer to AoE Hound.

I agree with Zommael and MayzaPrime, definitely see him as being closer to TF Prime Bulkhead in terms of his persona... like Kup with his Cygar dependency... and like Tacker with his alt mode. :eek: But he's really not a whole lot like G1 Hound. ;)
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y22...ps30c854a4.jpg

G1 Hound wanted to be human.

AoE Hound wanted to kill humans.

I agree Gokti, they are completely different.

Almost like they're different characters.

Opened him tonight. Wow - so many weapons :eek:! Freakin awesome!

Really loving him in both modes. Great poseability and a myriad of different opinions for weapon placement so you can customise to your hearts content. Transformation process, paint job, detailing - all thumbs up :)

Besides the fact I keep calling him Bulkhead without thinking :rolleyes:, a great figure. Possibly my favourite of the line so far :D

There are so many nice features on the Hound mould which would look better with more paint apps -- e.g. fuel tanks, tail-lights etc. :o I also noticed another homage on AoE Hound with G1 Tacker, and that's the combinable gun gimmick. Tacker's gun is able to combine with the guns of all the other Multi Force Autobots to form Landcross' mega gun, and of course, Hound has two sets of gun which can combine with each other to form rifles. :cool: :D

So I've had a few days to play with mine...

So. Many. Guns. Missiles on his upper arms, ammunition belts on his forearms.

A little more paint would be nice, but I like the way he looks in both modes. It's been pointed out that the CGI model is fatter - I think his stocky proportions on screen are due to the fact that he carries ammunition and grenade pouches on his waist. Transformation is reminiscent of Universe Inferno, with a little bit of DotM leader class Sentinel Prime. Not too complex, but I find that you have to move the panels at the back of the truck around a bit to get everything aligned 'just right'.

Gripes? My particular figure has shoulder and hip joints that are a looser than I'd like, and when attached to his torso, the quad-barrelled guns obstruct the movement of the arms, ruling out many dynamic poses. I know about the downsizing trend, but I still wish he was a bit bigger...

Anyway, I'm happy to have him, and if you come across him, definitely get him!

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Originally Posted by GoktimusPrime

I also noticed another homage on AoE Hound with G1 Tacker, and that's the combinable gun gimmick. Tacker's gun is able to combine with the guns of all the other Multi Force Autobots to form Landcross' mega gun, and of course, Hound has two sets of gun which can combine with each other to form rifles. :cool: :D

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Looks like all of the weapons can combine just like Landcross'! :eek: Check out Ben Yee's review and scroll down to the image link for "Weapons Combined." ;)

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Originally Posted by Magnus

It's been pointed out that the CGI model is fatter - I think his stocky proportions on screen are due to the fact that he carries ammunition and grenade pouches on his waist.

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I agree. I don't think AoE Hound is really rotund at all, but just a big robot who carries a lot of gear on him. Modern soldiers can carry a lot of gear on them, and Hound has always felt like he's got that sort of motif in the film.

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Originally Posted by GoktimusPrime

Looks like all of the weapons can combine just like Landcross'! :eek: Check out Ben Yee's review and scroll down to the image link for "Weapons Combined." ;)

I agree. I don't think AoE Hound is really rotund at all, but just a big robot who carries a lot of gear on him. Modern soldiers can carry a lot of gear on them, and Hound has always felt like he's got that sort of motif in the film.

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I'm pretty sure his "belly" is supposed to resemble a piece of body armour designed to help soldiers protected one of the most vulnerable parts of the body and carry a whole bunch of stuff at the same time. I just imagine the toy is missing this armour rather than truly inaccurate.

Just opened him up-very nice looking, though the lack of feel/ankle articulation is a little awkward for posing.

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Originally Posted by Dimi194

Just opened him up-very nice looking, though the lack of feel/ankle articulation is a little awkward for posing.

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Annnnd the knife just broke off while storing under the truck. Bother. Bluetack saves the day!

I like Hound, been playing with him a bit since opening him on the weekend. He's got a nice look robot mode and well detailed vehicle mode, and there's just enough paint apps in either mode IMO. The transformation's a bit simple, but I do like the way the top of the truck folds up to hide the front of the truck in robot mode. He'd be great if he could have been just a bit bigger. I'd sacrifice some of those guns for a larger size, but as a toy for kids those would make this the one to grab. Would have been great if he could have got a Leader class slot.

http://38.media.tumblr.com/1da8e78bb...guy1o1_500.jpg

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Originally Posted by Paulbot

He'd be great if he could have been just a bit bigger... Would have been great if he could have got a Leader class slot.

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Yes. This.

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Originally Posted by Magnus

Yes. This.

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There's still future movies, Ironhide didn't get one until DotM.

Honestly, I'm more miffed about Lockdown only getting a deluxe. The best antagonist of all TF movies only gets a crappy deluxe!?!

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Originally Posted by FruitBuyer

There's still future movies, Ironhide didn't get one until DotM.

Honestly, I'm more miffed about Lockdown only getting a deluxe. The best antagonist of all TF movies only gets a crappy deluxe!?!

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From a vehicular scale POV it makes more sense. A Lamborghini Aventador is about 4.8m long and 1.1m high. I don't know what the exact dimensions for a Western Star 5700 are (the WS5700 is nearly 5x the weight* of a Lambo Aventador), but I'd wager that they'd be significantly larger than a Lamborghini Aventador. Sure, Lockdown is almost the same height as Optimus Prime in the movie, which appears to be a scale discrepancy. I guess AoE Lockdown can mass-shift between his car and robot modes. A Voyager Class Lockdown may be more to scale with Optimus Prime in robot mode, but he'd be oversized in vehicle mode. :o

Also, I guess that Hasbro didn't want to have a larger and more expensive Voyager Lockdown toy cross-competing w/ Voyager Galvatron. ;)

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*Lamborghini Aventador is approx. 1.6t (1575kg); whereas the Western Star 5700 is approximately 7.7t (7711kg).

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Originally Posted by GoktimusPrime

From a vehicular scale POV it makes more sense. A Lamborghini Aventador is about 4.8m long and 1.1m high. I don't know what the exact dimensions for a Western Star 5700 are (the WS5700 is nearly 5x the weight* of a Lambo Aventador), but I'd wager that they'd be significantly larger than a Lamborghini Aventador. Sure, Lockdown is almost the same height as Optimus Prime in the movie, which appears to be a scale discrepancy. I guess AoE Lockdown can mass-shift between his car and robot modes. A Voyager Class Lockdown may be more to scale with Optimus Prime in robot mode, but he'd be oversized in vehicle mode. :o

Also, I guess that Hasbro didn't want to have a larger and more expensive Voyager Lockdown toy cross-competing w/ Voyager Galvatron. ;)

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*Lamborghini Aventador is approx. 1.6t (1575kg); whereas the Western Star 5700 is approximately 7.7t (7711kg).

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That's a fair point and I'll admit not something I really thought about. I definitely understand the reasoning behind it though it still leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. They should have done something similar to what they did with Animated Lockdown which was voyager size transformed, that way the scale wouldn't be as much a problem.

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Originally Posted by FruitBuyer

There's still future movies, Ironhide didn't get one until DotM.

Honestly, I'm more miffed about Lockdown only getting a deluxe. The best antagonist of all TF movies only gets a crappy deluxe!?!

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You do know that Movie Leader Class figures are now limited only to Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Grimlock, Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Grimlock, Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Grimlock, Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Grimlock, Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Grimlock, Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Grimlock and Optimus Prime, maybe even Bumblebee and Grimlock, don't you?

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Originally Posted by Sinnertwin

You do know that Movie Leader Class figures are now limited only to Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Grimlock, Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Grimlock, Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Grimlock, Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Grimlock, Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Grimlock, Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Grimlock and Optimus Prime, maybe even Bumblebee and Grimlock, don't you?

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I don't follow