Toy Review - Seacons (reissue)

[GoktimusPrime]

So does Snaptrap really have a blue-green head??

[PascTF]

Yes, green head.

Got my set yesterday, LOTS of mold degradation but QC was okay. Leg connectors aren't super sturdy, only some of the Seacons work as legs, the others make the legs too floppy and make Piranacon lean forward. Only buy if cheap imo.

[GoktimusPrime]

Only buy if cheap imo.

Yeah, that's unlikely for us Aussies considering that Transformers typically cost DOUBLE what you North Americans pay. So at best, our "cheap" will be your "normal" :/

I got excited yesterday cos I found a General Grievous/Starfighter for $20 - half his regular retail price!

[Robzy]

Gee - I must be one of those rare people that got a really good Seacon set - mine is perfect. It doesn't have any QC issues at all (leaning forward, loose connectors).

I can't recommend this set enough!

[griffin]

Even in Nth America it is an exclusive to BigBadToyStore, which is one of the worst 'scalper' styled online stores - so fans there are gonna be paying a hefty amount for them anyway. Hasbro RRP was $50 (means they should be about $30 wholesale to BBTS), but BBTS is charging $60, or $75 if you want one of their first ones (must be getting 2 shipments). Add the compulsary shipping, because it is an online store, and they are would be in the same boat as as us, if we had it for retail here.
(I noticed RK is also selling it for $60)

[iceburn]

Even in Nth America it is an exclusive to BigBadToyStore, which is one of the worst 'scalper' styled online stores - so fans there are gonna be paying a hefty amount for them anyway. Hasbro RRP was $50 (means they should be about $30 wholesale to BBTS), but BBTS is charging $60, or $75 if you want one of their first ones (must be getting 2 shipments). Add the compulsary shipping, because it is an online store, and they are would be in the same boat as as us, if we had it for retail here.
(I noticed RK is also selling it for $60)

Griff, it would be nice to place a denomination in front of the prices you've quoted, as it might be misleading. e.g Seacons US$60 and that's without shipping, hence it would be accurate to place A$85-A$100 shipped?

[griffin]

Griff, it would be nice to place a denomination in front of the prices you've quoted, as it might be misleading. e.g Seacons US$60 and that's without shipping, hence it would be accurate to place A$85-A$100 shipped?

Okay.
If I'm not using the AU$ (default) currency, I'll try to remember to include the currency in future.
I usually use AU$ in the review posting, as that is our currency (and most items are sold here). Anything not released here, I do a rough conversion based on what they should retail for. Online store scalping and shipping is just something I don't factor in, otherwise people will point out other sources that are outside that range (a bigger price-range makes it harder to compare/assess the value of items to others).

[Sutton]

Finally (belatedly) got this set and he arrived today. Pretty nice package overall, handsome presentation, and a fun set to fiddle with. Lots of pieces to lose.

I had a lot of the 'block head' combiners as a kid but Tentakill was the only Seacon I had. More so than the other special teams of the time, I think these guys really only display well in combined mode or beast modes. The robot mode of too many of the team is just too crap. The 'targetmaster' feature is interesting, although it's tricky to find a combination that works well for each gun variant, since bits and pieces get in the way - not all arms can hold all guns, if that makes sense. It's a system that would have translated well to the other special teams in hindsight. Most of them can become guns straight off the bat - Brawl makes a great gun in this format for example - but obviously the special Piranacon hands are required.

The overall quality on my set is ok, but there's a lot of flash in the way of joints the needed removing, some accessories are a bit loose and the connector joints aren't perfect. They're tight enough for my needs (sitting on a shelf mainly) but a kid would get pretty pissed pretty quick when Piranacon's legs fall off every time he picks him up. But then most kids today wouldn't be interested in a bright pink and green brick anyway.

[Doubledealer]

I think that if, like me, you've never owned the Seacons and you're a big fan of G1 combiners, you'll be pretty chuffed with this set. Sure, I don't have any originals to compare with, but I really can't find any real noticeable mould issues save for a few bits of excess plastic which can easily be trimmed away with a modelling knife.

The only problem with my Pirancon is with the chrome spikes on Snaptraps shell, more specifically the one on the left takes considerable force to shift position due to getting stuck on a corner. Other than that though, the shear joy this toy brings far outweighs any negatives, especially considering it's brand spanking new and selling at a decent price.