Dr. Z

Wow, great job man!

Makes sense, thanks for the explanation. I still wonder why no one caught the problem before the release at the factory. Aren't they testing their own products to ensure they work as they should? Or they just dropped the ball hoping no one will notice?

And...they're also generally complete pieces of crap...your point being?

Please post only if you have an informed opinion. It's clear that you have a very limited if nonexistent experience in Transformers collecting. I'm looking for opinions from people who can actually compare by experience (and not only with just Macross and Transformers but also other lines of transforming mechas).

Haven't read the entire saga, but has it been explained why they ended up using knurled pins at the factory? Assembly error? Faulty design?

SoC are able to be produced and marketed and sold for areas outside of Japan. (HK collectible editions, Phillipines, etc etc) Macross stuff is limited to Japan only.

Finally a hardcore Macross fan who isn't a snob and takes the time to answer. Thanks man. I didn't think about the Japan-only aspect.

Superior quality of SoC? Materials or design?

Mostly materials, but design-wise as well. And they also come with tons and tons of high-quality accessories, even at the lower price points.

Design: most of the SoC stuff, though awesome, are simple cylinder and blocks.

That's debatable. The basic transformation of Valkyries is not that difficult either and their articulation isn't always the best in the leg department. I think figures like Dancouga, Gunbuster, Ideon, Irongear, Daimos, Godmarz, Zambot 3, Combattler V, Voltes V, GX-46 (can't spell those names) and the upcoming Daitarn 3 display superior (and more original) engineering. Also, the selection of transforming SOC is quite extensive.

the ones that do the secondary mode does not look anywhere as good as the Yamato planes.

That's subjective. I personally find SOC more exciting because of the variety (I know, they borrow their bots from various shows). I like Valkyries, they're beautiful, I have 8 of them myself, but you have to admit that the basis of the franchise is to rehash the same basic design over and over. Can you imagine a Transformers franchises made exclusively with countless takes on the Optimus Prime truck and nothing else? I like the variety and all the various alien/retro designs. They're the roots of our hobby.

Also, look at $20 Transformers like ROTF Starscream, Mixmaster or Ironhide. They are more complex figures than most Valkyries. Even some crazy movie $10 deluxes are.

How many units are we talking about?

And does that mean figures like Soul of Chogokin are produced in much greater numbers given their superior quality for the same price (or less!)? I thought they were relatively limited too.

Given your sarcastic tone, I take it you disagree. If so, explain why you think those toys are worth $200.

Ok, had the time to "play" with it a bit. I absolutely love the look of it, I couldn't live without one but... darn, there's no way that thing is worth the price Yamato is asking for (or any other 1/60 for that matter). There are $20 Transformers that are far more complex, poseable and gimmicky. And it feels light, too light... how exactly are they justifying the price? I feel the current Bandai DX lineup offers more bang for the buck.

Got my VF-11C today! The landing gears are a bitch to deploy... they really need to come up with a better system. Haven't transformed it yet, but I was pleasantly surprised by the magnetic leg armors...

Only Valkyries have a third practical mode.

Really? I could name several multi-changers with 3 REAL & DIFFERENT modes or more from various toy lines/shows.

Exactly. Every other show with transformations goes from vehicle to robot. The hybrid mode in Macross is what really differentiates it. I guess I'll have to get better at photography so I can post up some VF-11C pics in Gerwalk for the minority of us who like that.

It's just a robot stuck mid-transformation. Every robot can do that.

Never bothered with gerwalk mode for all my Macross figures.

So is the transformation the same as for the VF-25?

Is the transformation on the VF-27 the same as on the VF-25?

Beautiful. Can't care less about accuracy, the toy for what it is is just that, beautiful.

Another newbie question: I've never watched the show. Is that thing a he or she? Helmet-less head looks a like she.

You sure you had the correct address?

Got mine from Amiami today. It's nice to look at but the crotch plate falls off too easily. Good for display.

Got it today! Awesome piece, but poo, the shoulders are so stiff, it's insane!

Got it today, love it except for one thing. Stupid newbie question: are the shoulders supposed to be loose/floating (as in "not tabbed") like that? If so, that's kinda lame...

All the positive reviews and amiami's 25% off on the Mac-Q coupled with their 1/2 off international shipping finally made me pull the trigger on this bad boy... ordered myself one and got the payment request today. Under $195.00 with EMS shipping (too large to qualify for Registered SAL, according to them) is at least $20.00 less than anywhere else; and with EMS I should be getting the thing within about a week's time. I'll soon be able to see what all the fuss is about.

Did the same and also bought the 1/60 VE-1, SOC GX-49 and the EX Gear Alto at the same time. Their pricing is really hard to beat, especially with 50% off EMS shipping. Stuff should be here tomorrow, so 5 days to ship from the moment I paid, pretty fast!

EDIT: I checked with BBTS, and I would have paid more than $300 MORE for the same order, not even counting customs. How about that!

I prefer the color scheme of the VF-11C.

Already have the SV-51, it's nice but flimsy. I also have the 1/60 YF-19, the 1/60 YF-21, the 1/60 VE-1 (well, arriving tomorrow), the DX VF-25 Alto, the DX Quarter (coming tomorrow), the VB-6 and the VF-1S (1/48). So looks like I'm only missing the upcoming 1/60 VF-11C?

With or without the ghost booster? I like the overall shape of the toy, it looks pretty cool.

VF-1 and VF-0 are similar

yf-19, yf-21, vf-11 are different from each other. (that's easy)

vf-22 and vf-19 are just the yf-21 and yf-19 bodies respectively with a few differences and transform the same. If you get a yf-21 you have vf-22 with a slightly different body (head and cockpit windshield). If you get a yf-19, you have a atmospheric version of the vf-19 really but the trasformation is the same.

vf-11 b and vf-11c are the same transformation, just as the vf-22 and vf-19 are similar to yf-21 and yf-19 transformation.

SV-51 = unique transformation. (which is why I reckon noobs would like this because of its claws for feet and cool folding wings)

As for vf-25 series, well they are different from anything in SDF-M, macross plus, and macross 7. (at least get one)

But the distinct thing that makes each vf-25 different from each other is more the role they play and type of weapons they come with. (some are snipers, others have lots of missiles and armour, another is stock standard, another has radar thing on its back, another has high speed FAST packs etc you get the point - same body same transformation, different weapons.)

Also this is why a variable glaug should be done. Give us some more alien looking mecha. Surprise us yamato.

Awesome post, exactly what I was looking for. Thanks a lot!!

Last question: is the upcoming VF-27 more or less just a heavily remolded VF-25? From a distance, they look like they transform the same.