Based on a plain objective method for counting toys as products, I agree with your system, Griffin. I also agree with your emphasis that this is not intended to take the fun or magic out of the figures, but rather catalogue them in a uniform way for comparison purposes only.

For example, we can't have "Jedi" as a religion in our census because the comparison data falls down and the answer does not assist the intended purpose of the census. In the same way, character / fiction / tech spec based counting does not assist a count or "census" of Transformer toys, for the purpose of such a census only.

For many of us this will mean 2 systems (our own preferred and the objective method discussed here). Naturally, there is no pressure or need for anyone to participate, unless they want to, as we simply end up with a number for objective, clinical comparison purposes. The end numbers should in no way detract from anyone's enjoyment of their collection or make them feel superior or inferior to another collector. As has been said before, it is not the size of the collection that counts, it is how you feel about it.

Thanks for the idea Griffin. You have my full support (although I do NOT look forward to going through my collection to re-count!!! )