gingaio

Yeah, that could help, though if Jenius is the same guy as ScorchedEarthToys (?), then the breakage was, ironically, right on the metal shoulder joint of the VF-1S. Which should tell us that it's more about size than materials or engineering. The problem isn't Bandai or its engineering, because it definitely engineered the hell out of this tiny little bastard. The problem is the scale, which isn't big enough to do the classic VF-1 design justice. I mean, you can tell Bandai put a lot of thought into the valkyrie design (the removable antennas to prevent breakage, the numerous hinges that can flex and pop off to also prevent breakage), but because the transformation requires so many moving parts, at this scale it's impossible not to have these flimsy feeling hinges, flaps, and doohickeys, even if they're not necessarily fragile. That said, they're good for what they are, and leagues ahead of that Toynami crap. I'm more disappointed in the Yamato/Aracadia valks, in that at such a bigger scale, more could have been done to make the toys feel sturdier.

So I finally picked up some HMR valks after wading in with the Destroids and the Glaug. Have to say...starting off with the other mecha before moving on to the valks leaves the valks feeling a bit underwhelming. Anticlimactic, to say the least. Granted, the other mecha don't have to transform, and it's because of that, perhaps that they feel so much more robust as toys. The valks just feel a bit chintzy. They look fine on display, but man, I really hope Bandai releases a DX VF-1 soon. I've had the Yamato V2s and 1/48 before and wasn't that impressed with the feel of those either. I'm hoping the HMRs are just a temporary fill-in until something better comes along.

5? Must be a hell of a diorama you're building.

Exactly. I prefer to go through HLJ all the time. Couldn't with the Regult Missile versions, unfortunately. The higher cost is basically insurance in case something's wrong with the toy. For something expensive like the PF SDF-1? No way I'm risking buying from a seller who won't accept responsibility for major defects/missing parts/etc. Placed a preorder for the Elint, though I'm not sure I'll keep it. Easy cancellation's another plus for HLJ.

That's true. I bought 2 Pacific Rim X-Plus figures from HLJ (the figures are large and come in very large boxes). It was cheaper to have them shipped separately than combined.

From NY, it's 62680 Yen w/ EMS shipping included (to California). That's a touch more than HLJ without shipping (61005 Yen), and it's hard to say what HLJ's going to charge for EMS (I'm guessing the final difference will be between $50-75). That said, I know as soon as I preorder with NY, Bandai's going to announce its own SDF-1 or its DX VF-1 or something else I'd rather have. Because that's how my luck usually runs. And I don't know how easy it is to cancel preorders with NY. So I'll stick with HLJ for now.

LOL. Not sure how one 'accidentally' preorders two of these things. Anyhoo, I didn't see the limit-1-per-customer warning at HLJ. Maybe I missed something?

HLJ preorders seem to be open again.

The trade-off with NY (and anyone else besides HLJ) is paying upfront, especially for something this expensive, and the fact that cancelling the preorder (in case something else better comes along) is more of a hassle than it would be at HLJ. That said, if NY's price is considerably cheaper, it may be worth switching over. I wonder how much stock retailers are going to get, though.

Wow, really? That was fast. I literally got my confirmation 15 minutes ago.

Placed a preorder, but man, it's steep. I've spent more on vintage Macross, but we're talking the Super-O, Elintseeker, etc. Easily the most I'll pay for a new toy...assuming I keep the order...I mean, an extra $200 worth of paint.

In about 3 hrs., to be exact.

I see. Cool, and thanks for the info.

Just got my Defender and Spartan today. Man, Bandai's putting out great stuff--seems like I have some catching up to do. Sorry if this has been covered, but what's the deal with the two sets of shoulder pieces for Defender? The one in my pic has the longer pieces that overhang the back of the shoulder. Are the shorter pieces more 'toon accurate or something?

Sheesh. With shipping and otaku tax, it'll be closer to $550 to $600. Who am I kidding. I'm preordering as soon as it goes up. Though honestly, I'd pay more if Bandai ever releases the version it teased a while back. I'd rather have that DX version, and the usual Bandai quality.

Cool, and thanks for the response. Much appreciated. Yeah, I was able to free the joints. In fact, I was actually the "other guy" responding to my own post.

A bit stiff, but yes, the joints do rotate at the domed areas.

Quick question on the Glaug: do the arms rotate at that domed area at the base of the cannons? They're misaligned on mine, but I'm not sure if that area wants to rotate. Pic attached. And thanks in advance!

Premium is the same toy, with more paint apps and glow-in-the-dark paint.

This. Also, release that 1/35 VF-1! Honestly, I would get rid of anything in my collection to make room for these two (and more, assuming variants).

Good to know. Thanks, everyone!

So I finally caved and pre-ordered the Regult variants on N-Y. My first time ordering through them. There was the option to pay in USD (about $185) vs in Yen (18800Y). I thought that the USD amount should have been lower, like around $170, based on straight conversion, so that seemed weird to me. I just went ahead and preordered in Yen. Anybody have the skinny on how the currency exchange works with N-Y? Thanks! Edit #1: The charge just showed up on my credit card as $170. That's weird that if I'd picked paying in USD, I would have paid like $15 more. Edit #2: Also picked up a Glaug for $97 shipped off eBay. Seems expensive for a smallish toy, but Zentradi mechs don't usually get turned into cool-looking toys. I've been staying away from the Hi-Metal R line because I don't like the compromises made on the VF-1 valks due to their size, but I couldn't resist getting the Spartan/Defender and the Glaug/Regults. Still debating whether I want the Monster--that design always seemed goofy to me, a lumbering, barely movable gun turret, essentially.

Well, looks like Arcadia's timed it just right, then. Whether November or December, it'll be right around the time stores collect/have collected payments for the standard version. Bastardos.

Heh. Not the best abbreviation, but yes, cancelling a preorder through HLJ (as long as the item isn't in stock yet) is okay.

Yes, so we have until then to preorder the Premium (and cancel the standard). Hopefully, the preorders will roll out before October/November. Otherwise, we're going to be stuck with two SDF-1s. Frankly, I'm less concerned about the shipping cost than about not having the honor of paying an exorbitant shipping cost for the Premium.