Transformers questions by newbies, and not-so-newbies

[TheFallen]

Yeah I realise that question 3 was very subjective but I have read some bad things about certain animated figures thats why I wanted to get more info

Thanks for your input

[blackie]

whats the wost thing that can happen to a toy in a smoking environment?
ive found a few things on ebay, but theyre from a smoking environment. they look fine but was wondering why people wouldnt buy them?

[canofwhoopass_87]

whats the wost thing that can happen to a toy in a smoking environment?
ive found a few things on ebay, but theyre from a smoking environment. they look fine but was wondering why people wouldnt buy them?

I don't think the looks are affected by smoke. I had a misb figure delivered to me late last year and upon opening the box - you can seriously understand why people refuse to buy from a smoking home. It reeks... I even put the figure up on display in my room with the window open in the morning (obviously to air it out) and by the time I got home that night my entire room smelt horrendous. Can't shake it - just hangs around. Not cool at all.

[GoktimusPrime]

I would absolutely avoid buying anything that's been in a smoking environment. At least they're telling you that the toys are smoke-damaged. Some sellers don't - and since it's not visible damage unless they tell you, you don't know until you receive the item.

1) Has there been any official confirmation that the Universe/Classics line will return after the Movie line is finished? I've read in a recent Hasbro Q&A that universe Red Alert won't be released

None that I know of.

2) Is there a list of all the unlicensed add ons/upgrades/extras that have been produced for Transformers? i.e. Enargon Cubes, City Commander, etc

Unicron.com have made fan-made Energon Cubes and Takara did make official Energon Cubes (came with the reissue G1 Insecticons and Insecticlones). There's another mob that have also made some fan-made Energon Cubes too, but I have no idea who they are. liegeprime should know. You can read about the official Energon Cube toys here.

3) Is Animated cartoon/line any good?

I think it's okay. Not great, but not terrible either. JMO.

4) Is the Armada/Universe Unicron figure any good? Is it worth buying?

Absolutely. As Paulbot mentioned it has some drawbacks, but let's face it, it would never be an easy task to make a Unicron toy considering what they're basing it on from the G1 model. And when you compare it with pre-existing Unicron prototypes (never produced) from G1 and Beast Wars, I think the Armada design comes out on top.

[Paulbot]

Yeah I realise that question 3 was very subjective but I have read some bad things about certain animated figures thats why I wanted to get more info

The Animated Comments thread will be the best source, and you can also check out the Ozformer Award winnners for what was voted as the best of the Animated toys.

[blackie]

I would absolutely avoid buying anything that's been in a smoking environment. At least they're telling you that the toys are smoke-damaged. Some sellers don't - and since it's not visible damage unless they tell you, you don't know until you receive the item.

what type of damage are we talking about, apart from disscolouration?

[griffin]

I don't think there is any visual damage either. It is just the smell. Plastics absorb smells like a sponge (that's why they say not to store things like raw fish or other strong odours in plastic containers - at least keep them sealed in a plastic bag first).
I've had TFs toys arrive that have had other odours, not smoke, but some strange smells that may be like air-fresheners or something else the owner had in their home. One even smelt mouldy, probably from being stored in a dark humid environment (like a basement).

[liegeprime]

I am sorry if these questions have been asked and answered before but I haven't been able to find the answers

2) Is there a list of all the unlicensed add ons/upgrades/extras that have been produced for Transformers? i.e. Enargon Cubes, City Commander, etc

MOst of your queries have been answered, but as Gok mentioned, yeah on this particular one, I think you could go to BBTS website and do a search in their Accessories section under transformers, that'll give you an idea on what accessories and add-ons have been produced for TF ( unofficial as there are). I am not aware of any list but a good look on what's on sale there should give you a sort-of list of what you were looking for.

With the energon cubes - #1 the one from unicron.com is the assembly type cubes with holofoil inserts, big and suitable for Masterpiece/Alts/ BTs.

#2 Theres the better (imo)Acrylic ones from Energycubes.com which are the same size of that of the dices in the TF monopoly sans the number dots of course and are wonderfully tough and shiny ( catches the light in photos better giving them a certain glow). My more preferred version yet, though the one most easily always sold out .

#3 The third unofficial ones are ,I think, mostly garage kit made from molds - two sizes - that of the dice ones as above, and that of same size as the ones that came with the insecticons. Hard acrylics but are matte translucent in looks. also the cutting shape of the cubes vary and are not so equal. Usually sold by a certain seller from ebay - Canada Based. If you do a search on energon cubes on ebay - he should pop up.

#4 is a more recent version of literally glowing cubes since it uses batteries - from Impossibletoys.com, I dont have these so i dont know how best to describe it but these are about as large as that of the unicron.com ones to allow for the batteries, but yeah I think it would be quite an expensive one to upkeep this since they would need batteries for their effect/gimmick to be good.

her'es some pics of the energon cubes....
size comparison

the more preferred cubes #2

Size difference between the #2 and #3 seen in this photo

[canofwhoopass_87]

Hey I've always wondered - does the upper body (torso) of the metal variant G1 Predaking slouch forward more than the plastic version? The one I had awhile back consisted of 2 metals (divebomb and rampage) and the other 3 were plastic - giving my predaking the hunchback look. Anyone know?

Also, I'm sure this has been discussed before - but is there a technique when it comes to plugging g1/g2 long hauls to the leg connector? I either get lucky and get it in on the first go or spend 10 mins fiddling around with the legs bc it won't fit

[TheFallen]

Thank you all for your input

I originally found the Enargon Cubes from Impossible Toys but as was said, the batteries would be constantly going flat

The other Energon Cubes looked great, especially #2 . I will look in to them

There seems to be alot of unofficial extras being made lately or that could just me because I am paying attention to them now

Do you have any more pics of this seeker?