Henkei Sideswipe, Tankor, And Bluestreak Pics

[MV75]

..are we going to trust Hasbro not to call it "Inferno" like last time?? (-_-)

Well..... the name Inferno is free as you know.
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Mercedes-Benz Actros Specifications

[lcz128]

I personally own a Universe Sunstreaker ... and the differences between the painted yellow of the top of the car and the plastic is extremely obvious and very jarring to the eyes <_<;

He's now in the process of being converted to Punch/Counterpunch, so I don't have that problem anymore - but really - avoid the Universe Sunstreaker unless you're getting it cheap - and for custom purposes only.

[Paulbot]

I personally own a Universe Sunstreaker ... and the differences between the painted yellow of the top of the car and the plastic is extremely obvious and very jarring to the eyes <_<;

He's now in the process of being converted to Punch/Counterpunch, so I don't have that problem anymore - but really - avoid the Universe Sunstreaker unless you're getting it cheap - and for custom purposes only.

I agree. Once I get the Henkei versions, Hasbro Sideswipe and Sunstreaker are swapping heads and becoming Tigertrack and Spinout.

[FFN]

There's barely any difference between Sideswipe and Lambor. Their deco layouts are the same, and technically, with that vac-metal spoiler and gun, Lambor is less accurate to this original toy and the cartoon model (who seem to be the basis for Tomy's deco layouts).

The fans in the US boards don't seem to agree:

lol

Probably because this forum seems to have an awful lot of people who hate Hasbro, while the American boards, featuring a much broader range of fans from various nations, tend to be more moderate in their views.

[STL]

There's barely any difference between Sideswipe and Lambor. Their deco layouts are the same, and technically, with that vac-metal spoiler and gun, Lambor is less accurate to this original toy and the cartoon model (who seem to be the basis for Tomy's deco layouts).

I think we won't quite know with Takara Lambor/Sideswipe's just yet. The thing is we never have a good indication of Takara versions until very close to the release so at this point its hardly to accurately assess which layout is more accurate.

Probably because this forum seems to have an awful lot of people who hate Hasbro, while the American boards, featuring a much broader range of fans from various nations, tend to be more moderate in their views.

Now while I agree there is a strong dislike of Hasbro here, I think it's going too far to suggest that American boards are far more "moderate" in their views. I've seen just as much complaining and hate on the US boards about quality control and poor paint apps as I've seen here. In fact, many of the posters on many of those US boards are hardly quiet in their complaints. Many a thread feature many a post on how they hope Hasbro don't screw things up again.

Furthermore, as a board for mostly Aussie collectors, I think it's quite understandable, and appreciated, that we from time to time don't see eye to eye on some issues. And you've got to remember many of those fans in the US are only paying $9.99 for a Deluxe. For us, we're paying twice as much and that's why we might tend to be more interested in the differences between Hasbro and Takara versions. For US fans, they're paying at least 3 times as much to import a Henkei compared to a Hasbro version. Hence, why the differences to them have to be big to get them bite on the Takara version.

For us downunder, it's about there's little difference between our RRP prices and import prices so hence why many of us can be shifted on things such as paint apps.

[Robzy]

I agree STL. I don't actually hate Hasbro at all, but I do get annoyed at them for "screwing" figures up. Actually I think the worst offender is Mattel (Batman Begins figures anyone...??? )

But I digress... The main reason I tend to prefer Takara stuff now (and for me this is only a relatively recent change - 18 months or so), is because they seem to care a bit more about the figures they produce. Or should I say, they care for the collector. Now, I know some people will say - Hey, Hasbro are selling toys to children - who cares about the collector! And yes, to a certain extent, I agree! But it's for that reason I choose Takara! That and the fact, as STL mentioned, it's often cheaper to get a Takara fig shipped from O/S, then to drive down and buy it at Target!

I have no problem with the way Hasbro do things, I have just found that the way Takara do things is better for me as an individual!

[MV75]

Now while I agree there is a strong dislike of Hasbro here, I think it's going too far to suggest that American boards are far more "moderate" in their views. I've seen just as much complaining and hate on the US boards about quality control and poor paint apps as I've seen here. In fact, many of the posters on many of those US boards are hardly quiet in their complaints. Many a thread feature many a post on how they hope Hasbro don't screw things up again.

Furthermore, as a board for mostly Aussie collectors, I think it's quite understandable, and appreciated, that we from time to time don't see eye to eye on some issues. And you've got to remember many of those fans in the US are only paying $9.99 for a Deluxe. For us, we're paying twice as much and that's why we might tend to be more interested in the differences between Hasbro and Takara versions. For US fans, they're paying at least 3 times as much to import a Henkei compared to a Hasbro version. Hence, why the differences to them have to be big to get them bite on the Takara version.

For us downunder, it's about there's little difference between our RRP prices and import prices so hence why many of us can be shifted on things such as paint apps.

Exactly my thoughts to what FFN said. We don't hate Hasbro, we just don't like their cheap arsing everything and sacrificing quality over these last few years. Plus yea, we pay what is probably the most in the world for these toys, and as such are the most granted to be critical of Hasbros practices. But yea, on the flip side, we have the grace of being able to buy better deco'd versions at the same/lower price by importing them.

So overall it works out for us, but Hasbro loses a sale, which hopefully might give them some indication on what is wrong with their practices.
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TWINSBURG STAMPING

[GoktimusPrime]

I agree with Robzy. I just go with whichever company produces a better product and offers better value for money, and in general I tend to find that I prefer TakaraTOMY's products over Hasbro for some lines. I don't think that people on this board are necessarily "Hasbro haters" but I think that most of us here are discerning collectors who have certain standards and that in many cases we tend to find that TakaraTOMY are better at catering to our standards than Hasbro.

Some people might not care about the bland colours and sloppy paint quality on Universe Prowl or the bad yellows on Universe Sunstreaker and the lack of chrome on both toys. Some people might not care about Classics Octane being called Universe Tankor. And for them, they're probably quite content with getting the Hasbro versions. But for me, I find these things to be below my standards and especially considering that even with the cost of postage that Henkeis work out to be approximately the same price as Universe, I consider Henkeis to offer me better value for my money compared to Universe.

[kup]

Thanks for finding the fun in it. Yeah, the last 2 aren't even TF related.

I did struggle to see the 'fun' in it though. Specifically when I have never claimed that there was no hate on this board nor said that I fully hated Hasbro (as in boycotting them).

Its my view that Hasbro since the end of Beast Wars have been going into a slippery slope with a few decent positive highlights along the way (Original Classics, Initial Movie wave, MP Starscream) but overall they have fouled up badly in all regards when compared with Takara who have also fallen in the same period of time when it comes to QC but not cost cutting on figure production nor at the same bad QC level as Hasbro this year.

Takara are no saints either, although Lord Zed disagrees, MP Greenscream in my view continues to be one of the greatest **ck ups in TF history but when placed in the balance, Takara have been doing much better overall than Hasbro.

[sifun]

I still want MP greenscream..
Takara had made it good until they "fixed it" with that macross designer