RTShark

Yeah no kidding. I gave them the benefit of the doubt and IMO threw my money away... I really don't like doing that...

Why can't you configure the Strike version armor on the VF-1J TV style? I know it won't match the animation exactly, but is there anything in the design of the Valk or armor set that prohibits you setting up a Strike style armor on the TV style 1J? EDIT: It does appear that if you buy the TV style 1J and armor as a set it only comes with the Super parts and not the Strike parts (can anyone confirm this for sure?) but is there any reason you can't take the VF-1J by itself and buy the DYRL FAST packs separately?

My opinions: Toynamis aren't worth getting unless you're getting it cheap and even then I'd be careful. I was very disapointed in mind. Too bad I didn't know about Yamatos then. The Bandais are reasonably costed, very durable and good for banging around but are not as detailed or poseable. As to the Yamatos. I don't yet own a 1/48, so I can't offer a solid opinion on it. I do have one coming in the mail, though... The 1/60 Yamato is IMO a fine figure. A lot of the people who don't like them point to the lack of a perfect transformation as a flaw, and while I'd prefer a perfect transformation over a non, I have to say I'd take a well designed figure without it (the Yamato 1/60) vs. a poorly designed figure with it (the Toynami). I guess it all depends what you're looking for. I'd recommend any of the other three (Bandai, Yamato 1/60 or Yamato 1/48) over the Toynami one no matter what you're looking for...

Well... As a collector of many things that can get pricey (various sorts of toys, a CCG called Legend of the Five Rings, comic books etc.) I used to try to justify my enjoyment of stuff like that and the money I spent on it. I don't anymore. Everybody has something they like that's different than the norm, the only thing that sets some of them apart from others ist hat some of these things are considered to be socially acceptable and some aren't. You've got your gearheads who like their cars... You've got people who spend money on tickets and traveling to sporting events and music concerts. These people don't get the hairy eyeball unless they get to the real extreme... I've got two guitars. Each one cost more than I've spent on any single piece in my various collections and yet nobody gives me an odd look about them... It's all about perception. We've all got our little eccentricities... Who decides what's OK and what isn't? I don't look down on people who spend lots of money on sports I expect the same courtesy in return. If someone does have a problem with it, well too bad for them. Now I will of course exclude from this the real extreme. If you're forgoing actual essentials to support your hobby, well that's a different situation and you may want to rethink your priorities, but aside from that (and there are people that will do that for even the socially acceptable things) it's all good.