robotech/macross newbie (help!)

[edibugi]

hi guys

i just might start collecting robotech/macross figures but i have a couple of questions first though:

1. what's the difference between the toynami masterpiece robotechs and yamato figures? diff companies meaning diff products? who's more comprehensive? faithful to the tv shows?

2. price range? i saw someone selling masterpiece vol. 2 and 3 i think (red and blue) at bidshot for 3 thousand each. fair price? or not really?

3. how big are they when transformed? compare maybe to takara masterpiece ultra magnus. malapit ba?

so, hope you guys could help ever since i started collecting transformers alternators, these dang robots have gotten the best of me! i might even get an MP voltron soon!

thanks!

[inhumanoidstmd]

i dont have the mp ultra mag but i think the 1/55 valks by takatoku and bandai are smaller. there are newer yamato valks 1/48 which are bigger

[edibugi]

so yamato's the brand to go for? tama ba? do they have the new models (alpha nga ba tawag dun?) like toynami has?

thanks!

[The Laughing Man]

edibugi said:

hi guys

i just might start collecting robotech/macross figures but i have a couple of questions first though:

1. what's the difference between the toynami masterpiece robotechs and yamato figures? diff companies meaning diff products? who's more comprehensive? faithful to the tv shows?

That would depend on what you like.

If you're into playability, and not much into aesthetics and accuracy, the Bandai 1/55 re-issues, and the Toynami 1/55 Veritechs are for you.

However, between the two, I strongly recommend getting the Bandai re-issues instead. The Toynami Veritechs have known issues which include:

- 'broken back' syndrome in fighter mode
- weak magnetic locks used for holding the limbs in fighter mode. fighter ends up floppy and with a lot of obvious gaps.
- limited articulation in spite of having thigh rotation.
- limited articulation on the neck because of the LCD wires lining the neck section.
- LCD wires can break easily if the neck is twisted beyond 45 degrees on either side.

If you like aesthetics with lot's of articulation, then Yamato is for you. There are two scales to choose from:

1/60- the good: nice size, hefty because of the diecast. Anime accurate, and well proportioned in all modes. plenty of accessories, including FAST Pack versions, and a GBP-1 Armor Set (sold separately or with a VF-1J Package.

the bad: requires leg removal when transforming, paint tends to chip easily

1/48- the good: large scale, ratcheted joints, very poseable/excellent articulation, very good proportions in all modes, no removal of parts when transforming, no paint chipping as a majority of the colors are injected into the plastic. Comes with a lot of accessories, including a FAST Pack (sold separately or packaged- with VF-1J's only), and the more recent GBP-1 Armor. The best representation of the VF-1 to date.

the bad: price, and has very minimal diecast, approx 85% plastic..

Contarary to what others may say, the 1/48 can be played with. It can also withstand several transformations and is very durable.

2. price range? i saw someone selling masterpiece vol. 2 and 3 i think (red and blue) at bidshot for 3 thousand each. fair price? or not really?

The 1/48's are very pricey. About P7000 a piece. The 1/60's go for about P3000 or lower, depending on the type.

The Bandai 1/55's go for about the same price as the 1/60's. The Toynami's vary depending on where you'll be buying from. I've read some posts on other boards where Toynami's VT's are being sold for as low as US$33.00. You may want to check out other messages boards for people selling their VT's.

3. how big are they when transformed? compare maybe to takara masterpiece ultra magnus. malapit ba?

The MPC Optimus Prime is approximately 13inches from the tip of his antennae to his feet. The 1/48's are about 11+ inches in battroid mode, the 1/55's at about 10 inches, and the 1/60's at 8+ inches.

Here is a link to MacrossWorld.Com's VF-1 Comparison Shots between the 1/48, 1/55, 1/60, and 1/72.

I hope that helps.

[The Laughing Man]

edibugi said:

so yamato's the brand to go for? tama ba? do they have the new models (alpha nga ba tawag dun?) like toynami has?

thanks!

At this time, only Toynami has the license to produce Alpha, and Beta toys. Harmony Gold, the company claiming own ALL international distribution rights to Robotech has chosen Toynami as it's toy manufacturer. So for now, no other company can make Mospeada, and Southern Cross toys.

[Jaybats]

ako, simple lang ang rules:

1. if you like to really play with the toys a lot, go for the Bandai 1/55's. they're much more durable for that. spring for the Super VF-1S if you can, so that you have accessories.

2. if you like mainly to display your toys and arrange them in dioramas, go for the Yamato 1/60s if you're on a budget. if money is no object, go for the 1/48s. for the 1/60, the Super or Strike version VFs are best to start with; while for the 1/48, get any of the VFs plus a Super/Strike pack .

3. if you have to choose between brands and prices are comparable, stay away from Toynami.

[engrgv]

i have the following:

1 reissue bandai 1/55 vf-1s super
4 yamato 1/48 valkyrie or veritech (2 vf-1s roy, 1 vf-1s hikaru, and 1 vf-1j), 2 strike packs, and 1 GBP armor

need i say which I am most happy with?

the 1/48 ARE a bit pricey but they are worth it. i play with my 1st issue roy before going to bed for 3 years now and has stood the test of time. they are that durable. plus you get to dress it up with the super/strike parts and gbp armor! Save up and get the best.

[edibugi]

that's great advise everyone! well... hmmm... i'm the type who a. plays with em (a lot! haha kawawa na nga tf alternators ko sa akin e) 2. really wants the alpha line. i mean, if i wanna collect, might as well get from 1 brand. ayoko tumatalon ng brands. so if i get toynami (the ones with the alpha line), which scale is this? sorry nawala ako guys sa mga scale nyo e. and are the toynamis relatively cheap? sorry if i'm asking some of my questions twice... still trying to understand the line guys but so far, super big help! may ilalabas kaya na motorcycles parang nung robotech alpha series?

[edibugi]

a so the scales na sinasabi nyo are all yamato's pala...? based on the website you gave me laughing man? hmm... i'm sort of a completist... so availability. will i be hard pressed finding the older models? like if i get the toynami masterpiece (which is the most likely scenario now i think) will i still be able to find vol.1 na hindi super absurd prices? so far in the debate, seems like toy quality lang yung negative sa toynami but positive, they just have 1 scale, are relatively cheap (around 3thou right?) and they have the alpha series...

[engrgv]

Bought scott bernard alpha (blue) sa gt for 4.8k ata yun. They are not cheap and I doubt if you can get one at that price as malvin didn't order too many of them.

All products from Toynami (i.e. veritechs and alphas) come in 1/55 scales. Don't know if they are still available as they came out a few years back. The Rook (red) and Shadow (black) are the only ones I see on shelves nowadays. Although they say that Masterpiece line is "limited", some of them never came out with the said 15,000 quantity. Yung iba 7,500 lang because of poor sales. I guess due to their crappiness.

I think you can readily buy Toynami Masterpieces online from the US as they are sold by a lot of unsatisfied people. I said US as they were never that popular here in the Philippines since they were priced almost the same with the 1/60 yamato which was considered the more superior product.

[The Laughing Man]

nde pre.

the toys in the link I sent you are comparison shots between the Yamato 1/48, Bandai and Toynami 1/55's, the Yamato 1/60, and the Bandai 1/72.

Availability, you can still find some Bandai 1/55's and Yamato 1/48's and 1/60's. The Toynami's are a little harder to find, since they never gained popularity here in PI.

I'd recommend handling a 1/55, a 1/60, and 1/48 so you can decide which one you really want to buy.

edibugi said:

a so the scales na sinasabi nyo are all yamato's pala...? based on the website you gave me laughing man? hmm... i'm sort of a completist... so availability. will i be hard pressed finding the older models? like if i get the toynami masterpiece (which is the most likely scenario now i think) will i still be able to find vol.1 na hindi super absurd prices? so far in the debate, seems like toy quality lang yung negative sa toynami but positive, they just have 1 scale, are relatively cheap (around 3thou right?) and they have the alpha series...

[edibugi]

hmmmm ok i went around this afternoon and checked out the prices. please do let me know if they're good. sorry na rin in advance if i misspell anything.
1. masterpiece vol.1 rick hunter : 9 thou
2. masterpiece vol. 2 roy focker (yung may skull) : 6 thou
3. masterpiece alpha (blue) : 6 thou

are these good prices? or not really? around 7 thou yung mga nakita ko yamato e.... yikes

[Jaybats]

edibugi said:

hmmmm ok i went around this afternoon and checked out the prices. please do let me know if they're good. sorry na rin in advance if i misspell anything.
1. masterpiece vol.1 rick hunter : 9 thou
2. masterpiece vol. 2 roy focker (yung may skull) : 6 thou
3. masterpiece alpha (blue) : 6 thou

are these good prices? or not really? around 7 thou yung mga nakita ko yamato e.... yikes

9K for a Toynami is rather outrageous to me. i'd rather get a free paper model:

[engrgv]

i have to agree with jaybats. 9k is a lot of dough for any collection but 9k for a masterpiece veritech? I just don't think they are worth it.

If you think about it, the a 1/48 vf-1j hikaru/rick and a vf-1s roy yamato at 6.8k will cost you 13.6k as oppose to 15k for the 2 masterpieces. With the Yamato 1/48's, you'll get the better designed items and 1.4k change left in your wallet!

[mojacko]

9k for a Toynami??? geeessshhhhh...i could get myself i yummy 1:48 for that....(may sukli pa!!!) eheheheheeh

Yamato's are the way to go....but most of my collection are Bandai valks....coz of my budget!!! dont hav enough dough to spare....but im quite happy with it......still saving enough for the 1:48's!!! or the coming VF-0S....

cheers moja!!!