TechnicBRICKs

2H2012 LEGO Technic sets in detail, at new video from Nuremberg Toy Fair

2012-02-10T10:05:00.000Z

Hey guys, look here!

New video from Nuremberg Toy Fair, showing a lot more detail from the 2H LEGO Technic sets.

Plenty of stuff and details on the new 2H sets: 9393 Tractor, 9396 Helicopter and 9398 4x4 Crawler.

The tractor got some rear attachment, which I think was not seen before. Pretty cool!

Guess there are still a couple functions on the helicopter, not demoed here...
There is an outer lever on the right side of the front cabin - Maybe this controls the main rotor blades pitch!? And it seems there is also a similar control on the other side... Wish it is not just to open a door or so. Also do not see how it would open, so there is still an hope.

On the Crawler box backside, we can see the respective B-model. Some sort of truck can be seen.

Tons of stuff to make and enhance some snapshots!

Thanks MikeTwo, for the heads-up!

New connectors in the pipeline

2012-02-10T07:24:00.001Z

New elements still flowing in recent news from Nuremberg Toy Fair!

This time one video about a new LEGO Play Theme for the 2H - "LEGO Monster Fighters" of its name, which is about Castles, Vampires and so on... At 2' 20" we can see the 'Gate to the dark with its six moon stones' which debuts a couple of other new elements.

First, there is a new triple connector in Reddish Brown, like a mix between the Technic Angled Connectors and 57585 (Technic, Axle Connector Hub with 3 Axles). This provides a 120º between each connector, which is an angle still not provided among the angle connecters as they evolve in steps of 22,5º (90, 112,5, 135, 157,5 and 180). Hopefully this part will also become released in other colors, more common to the LEGO Technic models.

Second and in between the first parts above, it seems we got also one of those two elements proposed by Barman, as seen inside the red ellipse from the picture below.

This second element, whichever it is, seems to be particular useful.
Which one of these two would you prefer? I'd prefer the pinned version, But I'm not sure if we won't get the axle version instead...
And he is already counting 2 of 8, since his top right element wish was also released back in 2010 (87082). Which one is next...

Wonder now for when will we get some connector similar to the first part above, that fits into a cube vertice, forming a 'T' shape, or even acute angles like this proposed here and here, by Carsten B. Thomsen (CBT)?

Thanks Peer (mahjqa), for raising my attention to this video!

Look at 9396, Helicopter

2012-02-09T10:19:00.001Z

These are not exactly fresh new images... However we still did not take a look at the upcoming 9396 Helicopter.
The pictures from Nuremberg Toy Fair below, do not reveal all details and secrets from this promising model, but give us some tips about what might be the delivered functions or not. It seems the new helicopter may include a generous set of functions if we realize this shows like a 2nd flagship in 2012. At least the box seems to have a front flap which is usually used to show the model functions underneath, and it is a lot space to depict them.
Box art was also updated to include "Ready for Power Functions" instead of "Batteries not included" logo, as on prelim pics.

Besides tail rotor, landing gears, winch, side doors and door for the cargo compartment, all the curiosity centers around the main rotor of course.

Making zoom at the pictures available, the main rotor seems to have quite a complex design. Besides the structure to support the new large rotor blades (awesome), question now is whether it supports Collective and Cyclic pitch control [1, 2].
While the Collective Control seems almost granted (all blades seem to be at the same pitch in the pictures), the existence of a kind of swash plate for Cyclic Control seems a lot less probable (I'm crossing my fingers...).

This is the helicopter we expect to be a modern successor of previous awesome LEGO Technic helicopters (each at its time) and both had some kind of Cyclic Control

852/954 Sky Copter in 1977 had Collective Pitch mechanism for its both blades (more at Technicopedia)
8856 Whirlwind Rescue in 1991 (The largest and most functional main model LEGO Technic helicopter, to date) had a Cyclic Pitch which tilts the main rotor has an whole, although not much realistic - If a real helicopter did this it would risk striking the rotor against the frame (more at Technicopedia).

As a side note, while I still do not expect to make anything fly with this new long blades, it was great they have designed such specific elements as they confer a really distinctive and unique touch to this large model.

Additionally to the main rotor questions and while zooming the images above, I found one unexpected detail behind the main rotor. Inside the red ellipse we can see a kind of beam with an uneven pin hole pattern.
It looks like the pattern seen on the sides of 64178 and 64179 frames, but these do not fit in the picture below (on the right). Are we getting something new here

It seems we will get also a few mini Linear Actuators (mLA) to control the landing gears, but this seems evident already since we got the first prelim pictures.

Learn more about helicopters flight, at HowStuffWorks:
- Helicopter flight controls

Learn more about helicopters flight, at Wikipedia:
- How helicopters work

One new connector

2012-02-08T00:39:00.001Z

Ryan sent me a picture from his latest acquisition... The same new parts released with the new 9397 Logging Truck.

These are available via LEGO Direct, for about 0,35€ + VAT.

Week TechVideo, 2012 #05 - Little Boy

2012-02-05T23:42:00.000Z

As almost everyone seems quite interested about the upcoming 9398 4x4 Crawler, I've selected the video below for this week - A rock crawling remote controlled vehicle...
It is a model by Yoraish and you can read more about this "Little Boy", at his blog.

Chassis for a rock crawler must be dead simple and lightweight. So it is this one, and it has a four link suspension off course.
The end result seems to be at his optimal speed. It isn’t too slow and boring and not too fast - it doesn’t slip off obstacles because of its speed.

You may also download LDD building instructions here, but watch the corrections video to complete the model properly.
Additional pictures for this crawler, from Yoraish's photostream at flickr.

No obstacle too tough for it!

News from Nuremberg ToyFair

2012-02-02T15:44:00.001Z

Fresh news! - Via EuroBricks we came to an article at Nürnberger Zeitung, about LEGO news from the famous ToyFair running in this beautiful city.

The highlight with a great photo, goes for the 9398 4x4 Crawler to release in the 2H.

We can now clearly see the one of the new motors in the front axle and another identical on the rear axle. Looking at these I risk to say these are the servos and not the driving motor which stays in the middle. Or is it the other way around...
As I've guessed some posts before, we finally got a more suitable mounting solution, with pin-holes at likely every motor's corner, resulting in the squarer form factor observed. Motor size seems to be something like 3x4x7 (WxHxD) protruding half stud vertically from the side pin-holes. Or is it 3x5x7!?
Nevertheless, a very convenient size, I'd say!
Let's wait and see also about speed and torque and proportional control, or not.

There is definitely something large in the center which should be the other new motor. PF L-Motor

Crawler is using the same shock absorbers as in the 8110 Unimog. Guess the light conditions where this photo was taken, won't help fans to get better impressed with the color scheme chosen, but I've still my hopes high.
As for the street cost, 170€ is the price tag mentioned in the article and so I guess it should refer to Germany.

Update:

Colors look much more convincing here,

And it runs fast enough!

I like the pyramid obstacles.

Will add my further thoughts later! Likely tomorrow... as I have a LEGO event to setup tonight, in which I've been working for some time now.

Week TechVideo, 2012 #04 - Sorting Plant

2012-01-29T23:36:00.000Z

Kenneth & Lasse that you may remember from the "C5 - The Flying NXT Blimp" project, returned with a massive creation!
They have now created a sorting plant, that sorts 2x4 and 1x2 bicks in size and color. This is a model commissioned by Dynaway and it is used to demonstrate their manufacturing execution system. The model was designed to fit inside a large flight case, so that it can be easily transported among demonstration events.

The bricks get sorted directly into pallets in a high bay storage system. When a new color is detected, an empty pallet in the high bay storage is assigned to the color. When a pallet is full, a robot retrieves it, and returns a new empty pallet.

There are 7 NXTs in the plant and they all communicate with each other and a PC application over Bluetooth. The software was written in leJOS, which is a java language for LEGO MINDSTORMS.

Together with these, there are many more NXT motors and sensors. You should visit the BrickIt team's website, for more details.

TBs TechPoll 28 (Results) - Most popular and Best selling 2011 LEGO Technic sets

2012-01-28T21:53:00.000Z

Another year, another poll to find the "Most popular and Best selling 2011 LEGO Technic sets" at TBs . This time we reached a massive participation (almost 1.000 votes) which is a record here.

As done in the previous years, we have again decided to run both polls in parallel, so that we can achieve the most consistent results.

Still we see a considerable difference among the number of voters in both polls. If it means that the almost 200 votes difference corresponds to fans following us here, but not buying any Technic set all, will remain to know. Next year I must add an option with something like "Didn't buy any of them".

I think it was also the first time we got exactly the three sets at the same order, in both polls (Best Set and Most Bought). It worth also to mention that the sets of 1H, managed to get two places in both podiums, which may be considered a surprise.

The 8110 Unimog was the preferred and most bought by far, compared to the second (8070 Super Car)!
However the difference is much bigger when it comes to choose the best set (79% to 21%)), then when it arrives the moment to buy them (71% to 42%).

The 8069 Backhoe Loader rests in third place at both polls, but the 8109 Flatbed Truck follows really close, specially on the Best Sets poll (15% and 14% respectively).

8081 Extreme Cruiser seems to show little advantage against the remaining but at the same time seems to be the less bought (at least for this sample). Maybe because of its limited availability as it was an exclusive of a few stores.
It was bought fewer times the the smallest Technic set of 2011 (8065 Mini Container Truck). Whether this can be a surprise, I can't say...

For all the remaining ones, it seems they take no part in this story, specially in terms of favoritism.

So, side-by-side lets see the winners for 2011, in both categories!

The Best 2011 LEGO Technic sets		The Best Selling 2011 LEGO Technic sets *

8110, Mercedes-Benz Unimog U400	1st Place	8110, Mercedes-Benz Unimog U400


8070, Super Car	2nd Place	8070, Super Car


8069, Backhoe Loader	3rd Place	8052, Backhoe Loader

By the end of the year, will come back with similar polls, for the 2012 sets, which also promises great competition already.

*) Exclusively according to the data collected within this poll, thus not related with any TLG official figures.

Into the strength of LEGO Technic beams

2012-01-27T01:15:00.000Z

This is probably the biggest brick torture I've seen, since my visit to LW Zwolle where the giant Ferry Wheel was twisting Technic beams like if they were made of butter...

Tristan Lostroh from Australia has made some strength tests with Technic Liftarms and Brick Beams, at Faculty of Engineering, University of South Queensland.
The tests were basically done for tension and transverse forces. A second category of tests also focused on strength of pin connections in liftarms. Aim was to find failure modes and damage extension.
This was the second test series and report of of this kind, made that Tristan and you can download it here.

You may find some interesting results, mostly expected and that LEGO Technic beams are quite resistant for the material they are made of and weight. Also you will learn about the most common failure modes, which eventually may guide you on your larger and stressful models.

Those with a Materials, Mechanical or Civil Engineering background will certain be able to extract more conclusions and eventually criticize the applied methods, sampling or whatsoever.
Some discussion on the first and second reports can be found at Eurobricks.

London Toy Fair 2012 - First News

2012-01-24T23:41:00.000Z

Huw from Brickset had the privilege to visit the LEGO stand at London Toy Fair 2012, today. He brings to us the first news about 2H2012 LEGO Technic sets, after some weeks of rumors and speculations.

In his own words,

"Only two previously unseen sets were on show, although the catalogue shows a third. 9393 Tractor was not on display but 9396 helicopter and 9398 4x4 crawler were. The helicopter is huge (60cm long), red and yellow, and features new blades whose pitch can be adjusted. It's not motorised but it can be, there's space in the body for the battery box. The 4x4 crawler is a IR-remote-control vehicle which had half-black and half-white bodywork which looked a bit odd, and odder still I suspect if you don't apply the stickers.

However, more importantly it comes with new motors and a new servo motor. The two axles were driven by separate motors which were squarer than those we've seen before, although it was difficult to see their geometry exactly. The servo motor would have been used for the steering and it, too, was a different shape to current PF motors. I don't get too excited about wheeled Technic models, there are too many of them, but I'll definitely be buying the Helicopter which looked to be the best Technic one ever!"

9393 - Tractor
The green spot... between the Jet Plan and the Qaud Bike, in the picture bellow.
Still no further details possible to be seen from that image below, except that front tires are smaller than the rear ones...

9396 - Helicopter
Not much to comment about this one. It was already clear this should be a big set and it is, if we look at it side-by-side with the other 2012 LEGO Technic sets, also from the picture below.
So it is now also confirmed this set won't have motorization and the "Batteries not Included" logo in the box, must be something very preliminar. Likely it should include instructions for motorization via 8293 Motor Set, as it is reported to have plenty of space to old a PF battery box inside the cargo compartment.

9398 - 4x4 Crawler
I'm not surprised about the comments on the color scheme used, despite I still think they might be appropriate for the type of vehicle represented by this model. There is a better definition image (still watermarked...) on the dealers catalog where we clearly see a red chassis (what a coincidence if we recall the new Crowkillers Vampire GT...), and the body which seems to change from black in the front towards white in the backside. This includes some white parts in the back, including the rear mudguards, which are orange at the front. I like the overall effect but agree this might look really odd if one decides to not apply the stickers...
But Huw made my day, when he confirmed new PF motors to drive the model and a new servo motor for steering.
The fact they are squarer looks also very promising - Hope to get some extra pin holes at the corners...

At another Toy Fair report, this one at FBTB, it is also mentioned "... with full RC controls and 2 motors allowed independent & power 4 wheel steering". I guess it might be two motors for independent axle power and one extra motor (the servo) for 4WS.
Another mysterious statement on FBTB, says "There’ll be a competition to customise these apparently.". Can it mean a new competition at technic.LEGO.com for the fans to customize this model? Like proposals for own replacement of the controversial decoration options made by TLG Designers for this model, for instance!?

Can't wait to put my hands on these new motors!

Huw also took some bird view photos from the LEGO stand, including the Technic area here, and despite it is not possible to see any kind of details, we might probably have here the first photo from the new sets in real ABS...
See the Crawler in the left corner and the helicopter in the center which looks really huge!

Hope to see a lot more from the next Toy Fairs in the Calendar...

Vampire GT building instructions are now available!

2012-01-24T09:28:00.000Z

Since the presentation of his latest car (Vampire GT), one with gull wing doors, the supercars master Paul Boratko (Crowkillers) has been working hard in collaboration with Eric Albretch (Blakbird), to produce amazing renders and digital building instructions for this gem.

The instructions are finally ready and you can buy them at Paul's website for the small amount of 12 bucks. I'd say it is well worth he money.
As an alternative you may also buy these via eBay, if you prefer so.
This time, Paul decided to make two versions of his car - One red with a standard black chassis and another one all black with peeks of red coming out from the chassis. It is an absolutely gorgeous work!
The best of all, is that for the same amount of money you will be able to download both building instructions (121 pages each) with respective parts list, and later decide which one to build (if not both...)

Here a nice photo from the couple, with the already usual chrome wheels, on Crowkiller's cars.

Meanwhile you can also watch the video that Paul released quite recently on YouTube, to promote his car.

Vampire GT features:

Dash Switch that lets you select either Rear Wheel and All Wheel Drive
New Styled All Wheel Drive 5 Speed Transmission with Reverse
Working Hand of God Steering with remote cockpit steering
4 Wheel Independent Suspension
Gull wing doors
Turning a Small Bevel Gear in the rear will Open and Close Each Door
Opening Hood and Rear Hatch

Which one will you build? The Red one, the Black (once the required parts will become generally available), or both?

Week TechVideo, 2012 #03 - Super GT40

2012-01-22T23:31:00.000Z

With more than one hundred MOCs built, Supercars are not among the most frequent models in Sariel's portfolio. He made several promises and attempts and even one first test with a Dodge Charger R/T, but somehow the prefix Super didn't fit quite well in this, at least to my eyes.

Finally this last week, he presented the finished version of his latest model. A Ford GT40 that looks absolutely gorgeous and Super!

While it looks absolutely an evil modern (even more than the original inspiration...) race car, it is also quite distinctive from any other LEGO Technic Supercar we have ever seen (either from TLG or fan builders). Besides de absence of a gearbox or the traditional fake piston engine, it is the bright red color contrasting with the white stripes, the superb photos and the huge tires that make it almost unique.

However and as for the aesthetics I would highlight the distinctive rear design, the lines smoothness and complexity at the front, and the genial pattern simulation detail from the driver's seat.

This masterpiece features:

LEGO RC Unit for power and remote control
2 hard-coupled RC motors geard 5:1 for propulsion, 1 PF M-motor, 1 Micromotor
Rear axle drive through a differential
Full independent double wishbone suspension
Front axle return-to-center, using RC Unit's steering output
Functional steering wheel
Integrated speedometer
Front and rear lights (real)
Opening doors
Opening rear bonnet
Front and rear remote-controlled turn signals
Dashboard with turn signals indicators

Here some nice visuals...

See the full photo set at Sariel's Brickshelf folder.

9397 hits the shelves at Argos, UK

2012-01-22T14:07:00.000Z

Like it was the case last year with 8070 Supercar by the same time, it seems that Argos UK was again the first to release the 1H late Technic release 9397 Logging Truck. Although still a March release for the general market, I think.

Some lucky guys had already the chance to buy their model and shown that there is also a new part, included in this set.

The surprise (if we can really call it a surprise) that was reserved for us it was a new LEGO Technic part as you can see from the building instructions partlist published on flickr Oafley Jones' photostream.

This is very similar with the existing 32557 Technic, Pin Connector Perpendicular Long but got 1L extra length with an axle-hole.
I'm pretty sure MOCers out there will find good use for it!

Some photos of the model made by their first owners start to pop-up. Here some examples...

Building Instructions booklet numbers are: 6004029, 6004032 and 6010324 (just for the case when these become available online, at LEGO web cache).

And while we don't get the first video from the real thing, lets take a look on an replica of the B-model, made by dokludi.

Soon we should know more about this!

Supercar Deluxe 2 building instructions are now available!

2012-01-19T04:08:00.000Z

Paul Boratko (Crowkillers) has been working hard in collaboration with Jurgen Krooshoop and Eric Albretch (Blakbird), to produce digital building instructions for his Supercar Deluxe 2.

It has been a long wait, but the instructions are finally ready and you can buy them at Paul's website or through eBay, for the small amount of 10 bucks.
For a 163 pages building instructions, I'd say it is well worth the money! Also you can download from the same place, the BrickStore XML file with the corresponding partlist, that helps you finding the required parts to build this model, on BrickLink.

Supercar Deluxe 2 features:

All Wheel Drive with front mounted V10 engine
Over 1,600 pieces
All new 4 speed transmission design
4 Wheel Independent Suspension
Opening Hood
Doors that Open by rolling a bevel gear in the back
Spoiler Raises and lowers by rolling a bevel gear between the seats
Hand of God steering that also works with dashboard steering

But get ready... something tell us that Paul's Vampire GT2 building instructions, are also being cooked.

Week TechVideo, 2012 #02 - Domino Bot

2012-01-15T23:36:00.000Z

Peter Ehrlich made this interesting robot to stand up lines of dominos (one of a kind).
It was programed with leJOS, a Java programming language for LEGO MINDSTORMS (NXJ).

Some characteristics of this robot, include:

Accurate domino placement in lines and arcs, of any length and radius.
Sound sensor to "hear" domino fall.
Custom line shapes via text file.
On-screen line selection.

Fairly precise and effective!
It looks like great fun can came out of this.

Oficial animations from the 1H12 sets

2012-01-14T20:11:00.000Z

Here the flash animations for the 1H2012 LEGO Technic sets, published some days ago at technic.LEGO.com product pages.

9390 - Mini Tow Truck

9391 - Crawler Crane

9392 - Quad Bike

9394 - Jet Plane

9395 - Pick-up Tow Truck

Always nice to see!
Specially enjoyed the Jet Plane animation!

9397 B-Model surfaces

2012-01-12T01:04:00.003Z

Today, on a German toy store's site, the first picture of the 9397 Logging Truck appeared.

The previous description we got, about a “snow shovel vehicle”, turns out to be correct: a road truck with a snow plough in front and a bed, possibly for salt, in the rear. Too bad my hopes for a more esoteric kind of vehicle were in vain...

Clearly the bed can tilt via an LA, and the plough assembly looks complicated enough to suggest at least two degrees of freedom: probably raising/lowering and turning side to side. There’s also a hint of the two rear axles being longitudinally pendular, like on the 8273 Off Road Truck and the 8264 Hauler.

There's a curious detail about this model: there is a red lever at the vehicle's mid-length surrounded by light grey beams: this structure is the same as in the set's A-model. The same may be said about the mudguards (excepting the detail of a blue pin) and, by extension, the general proportions of the chassis. This suggests that the A- and B-models share the same chassis and core mechanics, and only differ in the "topping" and end mechanisms.

On one hand, this is a bit of a let down because the set becomes less of a "2-in-1" than a "1.5-in-1", like the 8466 4X4 Off-Roader, which similarly shares its chassis between models, and, more egregiously, the 8288 Crawler Crane, whose difference between models is just the placement of one of the booms. On the other hand, the fact that the Logging Truck's chassis has four functions all stemming from the same motor and is capable of having different bodies is a sign of modularity, which potentially makes it a good base for modifications. This is also happening with the 8110 Mercedes-Benz Unimog U400 and its front and rear mechanical and pneumatic PTO's with fans coming up with different attachments of their own. Also, considering that the A-model has four motorised functions and there are only three immediately visible functions on the B-model, either there's a fourth hidden function (the only one I imagine is a 3rd degree of freedom for the plough, but, at this scale, it looks unlikely), or the core multiplexing mechanism is underused.

Thanks to Eurobricks user Totenkopf for the discovery

Week TechVideo, 2012 #01 - Case Steiger Tractor

2012-01-08T22:09:00.000Z

Still about ReBrick - I was taking care of my curator duties, during this weekned, when I saw again a video from another magnificent model, by Daniel Martz (avro200).
I've immediately promoted it to the frontpage and then decided to add it here as the Week TechVideo.

It is a remote controlled Case Steiger 335, aritcuated tractor, with rear Disk and Mower attachments.

The model features include:

Drive
Steer
3 motorized pneumatic valves
Pneumatic compressor (controlled by pressure regulator)
Working PTO
3 point hitch
And several rear attachments: Mower and Disk

It includes 2 XL-motors and 6 M-motors. Furthermore it looks a very well designed model, as usual for Daniel's models.
The video is also very well done!

You may find more photos of this tractor and respective attachments, at Daniel's Brickshelf folder and Flickr photostream.

ReBrick

2012-01-05T07:16:00.000Z

By now, many of you might have heard about ReBrick!

What is ReBrick? May some of you be asking now....

ReBrick is a social media platform facilitated by the LEGO Group, where adult users (13+) can share and discuss user-created LEGO content online.
It is a public stage for LEGO fans to share their wonderful models and creations with the general public.

I'm included in a group of AFOLs worldwide, who have been collaborating with TLG in the concept and development of this new platform (from LEGO fan to LEGO fan).
ReBrick is still in Beta, but it is live for some days now. So, a few AFOLs have taken responsibility as ReBrick Curators for specific themes. Sometime ahead others will take over and from there we will see how to proceed.
Curators will be those responsible to maintain the bookmarks for the themes in their specific area of responsibility, change the categories if not correctly assigned by their submitters, and promote some of the content to the rotating Recommended Bookmarks at ReBrick frontpage.

I just wanted to let you know, that at this early stage, I will be your ReBrick Curator for the LEGO Technic bookmarks, during the next couple of months.

Just come in to visit ReBrick and find how it works. Register if you like it and start posting your preferred models. We will have some interaction also there!

Enjoy! Keep posting the content of your preference still not there and help us to improve ReBrick, to better serve the AFOLs' needs!

TBs TechPoll 28 - Most popular and Best selling 2011 LEGO Technic sets

2012-01-03T10:16:00.000Z

2011 is over, and the first 2012 LEGO Technic sets are progressively becoming more and more available at the local stores.

So let's again make a retrospective and run a couple of polls, to know which are your preferred 2011 LEGO Technic sets and those you have bought from the 2011 assortment.

Because what you prefer is not always exactly what you can buy, we decided again for two polls:

Vote for the best 2011 LEGO Technic set!
Tell us which LEGO Technic sets have you bought, from the 2011 assortment?

About the models, you should already know. Nevertheless, lets recap them:

8065: Mini Container Truck

8066: Off-Roader

8067: Mini Mobile Crane

8068: Rescue Helicopter

8069: Backhoe Loader

8070: Super Car

8071: Bucket Truck

8081: Extreme Cruiser

8109: Flatbed Truck

8110: Mercedes-Benz Unimog U400

Having more than one set, that you really like!? No worries... As already usual for this type of TBs polls, you may select multiple entries.
So let's try to find which were the favorites in 2011, and probably the best sellers.

See the polls in the right column and... Cast your votes!
You may also leave any comments to support your choices, if you have some remarks to add.

Further price and partcount details on 2H2012 LEGO Technic sets

2012-01-01T12:53:00.000Z

EB user menad, reported to have found extra info from 2H2012 LEGO Technic sets, at an Hungarian online LEGO shop. Namely prices and partcount:

9398 - 4x4 Crawler:
1327 pieces
47.250 HUF (approximately 150-160€)
9396 - Helicopter:
1056 pieces
24.180 HUF (approximately 80€)
9393 - Tractor:
353 pieces
7.800 HUF (approximately 30-40€)

These same names also appear now listed at Brickset. So the flagship name is now again referenced as '4x4 Crawler' and the still unseen 9393 Tractor comes up once more.
There has been in the past years always one set per semester whose images tend to appear sometime later than the others. This has been usually related with some sort of limited availability like being an exclusive from shop.LEGO.com and some large toys retailer like Toys'R Us (it varies for each country). This is the reason why the images are not included in the dealers' catalog, which tends to be the first source of information 'widely' available and thus the delay for us in getting early images from such sets.
But it seems to be one set missing still, against the numbers from the most recent years - 9 sets (6+3) against 10 (6+4), excluding promotional Super Packs.

Either the prices here advanced are some sort of discounted prices (typical from some online stores) or these look a bit strange for the 2H sets.

The Tractor at 7.800 HUF (bellow 30€) is not an usual price for the smaller 2H set. Typically set at 40€.
The second largest reference seems also below the usual target. 2011 Flatbed Truck (8109) retails around 90€ - Ok here there is a PF motor included which we still don't know if it will decome the case in 9396 (so far the information retrieved from the box images is contradictory).
As for the flagship, everything is still open. Price is lower than in 2011, but so it is the anticipated number of parts. In this perspective the price could even be seen as relative high. It will all depends whether new valued PF motors will confirm or not.
As a matter of curiosity the part count is now at the level of 8275 Motorized Buldozer, released in 2006 when the LPF system was introduced for the first time. These sets are also comparable somehow, when the PF main function of both is the ability to drive them remotely. Then the active PF elements, number of parts (size and weight) are necessarily comparable also, for the same PFS specifications.

Week TechVideo, 2011 #52 - Pull back robot

2011-12-31T23:58:00.000Z

Now that most of you should be eager to get a confirmation whether we will have new LPF elements (motors) in 2H2012!? I decided to bring you this video from Tala*

It is a reason to ask, do you need any LPF elements (LEGO Power Functions) or LMS (LEGO MINDSTORMS), to make your robots move

*) Tala is also known from a video he made about his pop-up LEGO box / set / scene.

TBs TechReview 14 – 9395, Pick-Up Tow Truck

2011-12-31T17:15:00.000Z

Set reference: 9395
Set name: Pick-Up Tow Truck
Theme: LEGO Technic
Release date: 2012.Jan

Number of parts: 954 (some spare parts added into the box)

Model under review: Main model
Weight: 780g
Approximate set dimensions:
Length - 36,5cm (14,4")
Width - 15,6cm (6,1")
Height - 13,8cm (5,4")
Approximate box dimensions:
Width - 47,8cm (18,8")
Height - 28,2cm (11,1")
Depth - 7,0cm (2,8")

Stickers: Yes
Building instructions: 3 booklets (56 pages each: 1/3, 2/3, 3/3)
B-model: Truck with Lift (Instructions available online only: 1/3, 2/3, 3/3)

Recommended for ages: 10 - 16
Building difficulty level: Medium
Estimated building time: 2 - 3 hours

Price range: $69,99 (US) / 59,99-74,95€ (EC)
Price per part: 7,3 cents / 6,3-7,9 euro cents

Inventory (Bricklink): Link
Inventory (Peeron): Link
Other user reviews (Brickset): Link

This is the biggest LEGO Technic set among the January releases from 2012 and it brings some news with it.
It is an American style Pick-Up Tow Truck, which features some realistic functions, like: working steering, folding tow lift, working winch, opening doors and a hood that opens to reveal a working piston engine.
Finally it rebuilds into a truck with lift.

The package and contents

As a medium size set, it comes in a lift-up cover LEGO box style with the traditional seals used in this type of box (card perforated side ears and two front-bottom stickers). It does not have however the 2nd level folding cover showing the functions details, exclusive from the large flagship models.
The backside view from the box, shows the the possibility to combine this set with elements from the supplemental 8293, to motorize this set's functions and the alternative B-model (truck with lift).

Besides the four tires included in the model, the box contained ten non-numbered bags. A few larger with main and bigger parts, and some smaller bags ir more common and accessory parts like pins and connectors.

There are three A4 building instructions booklets included with 56 pages each. These are for the main model and the the third book last pages also include instructions to motorize the model with parts from 8293, Motor Set.

You will notice that as it is the latest tendency, the Technic beams are represented without the seams on the side.

Some fans have been expressing their concern that this might be a pronounce of a future change in the molding of Technic parts. I believe this unlikely either because of technical reasons related with the molding process, but either because of the extra raw material (ABS) necessary to produce such parts and consequent cost raise. This besides some potential cost decrease on the molds design and maintenance.
It would be also challenging change, if you want to change all parts at once and avoid to have sets shipping with a mix of former and later beam styles...

Find below the page with set parts inventory, which however does not yet reflect the latest mold changes (see next section).

No new parts, or already existing parts in new colors, included in this set!

The parts assortment

9395 brings no new parts or already existing parts in new colors, however some of the parts included were redesigned.

First it was the the "Thin Triangle Liftarm" (formerly 2905, now 99773) as it was reported here at TBs previously. Making a long story short, the change should allow the possibility to use any other parts adjacent to the liftarm axle-holes, where the triangle extended before.

Another redesign happened with the "Technic Engine Cylinder". This however kept the original mold number (2850), for some reason I can't figure out.

The side slits on the cylinder body have been eliminated, but still it is guaranteed the Technic pins once inserted won't get their ends compressed. The required cavity for those, remains assured by some molding element that gets in, from the bottom side and which was offset towards the cylinder center in the latest design.
In my analisys I don't find the reason behind this change, as I can't see how the mold or the plastic injection process might got simplified, the productions cost reduced, savings on raw material or whatsoever. It looks the change was purely for aesthetics reasons and even so they are of doubtful taste. The former slits somehow gave an extra detail to the engine blocks, like it does the heat sinks effect around each cylinder.

Also the part "Axle and Pin Connector Toggle Joint Smooth" (44) which had became very rare, expensive and useful, was re-released with this set for the satisfaction of many Technic builders out there. It was a claim since the release of 8081 (Extreme Cruiser) where fans never understood very well why the same part was used in LBG, instead of black which would fit a lot better.

Guess the first ones to be added at some BrickLink store will go directly into Crowkillers' stock...

Building experience

As for the building itself I believe there is not much to say... Started with the first book of course and after having finished it, there was already something substantial to look at.
The fake engine on top of the steering axle, which is controlled via the HoG in the center. And the functions switch box just before the rear axle.

Proceeding with the second book a lot more, gets added to this model.

The hood and front grill were added, as well as the seats and the function selector, which was smartly located at the side of driver's seat like if it was a real lever.
On the rear side we the tow mechanism start to take form. We can clear see the reel winch and respective drum.
The mechanism to fold/unfold the to fork (still to add), starts taking its form.

Below a more detailed view on the fake engine, the truck front grill / bumper and the head / traffic lights.

It is also time to take a look at the always interesting bottom view. We mainly see the drive shaft connecting the engine to the real axle differential.

Going after some steps through the third book, we came to the end and the model gets finally completed after a few hours.
The fork lifting mechanism is now complete!

A very nice and well designed model, I must say.
The fairings adjacent to the rear mudguards are not built in a very solid way, though!

And finally let's take a look to the hood of this American style tow truck. American trucks are characterized by their long and prominent hoods, and it looks like that after this year 8071 (Bucket Truck), 2012 will be the year of all American Trucks, for the LEGO Technic theme.

Once completing the main model you will rest with a more than usual number of parts. It is not common for a LEGO Technic model to have such amount of spare parts after the main model getting finished. And so it was not the case here, because many of them be used at an optional step ahead.

Yes, as you should have read in the beginning, this model comes prepared for you to add the supplemental 8293 motor set and thus motorize its functions. The last pages of the third instructions book, are dedicated to guide you through the necessary changes.

You need no more than the parts above, from one supplemental 8293 set (battery box, M-motor, clutch gear and small z8 gear).

Below you can see the overall look of the truck after the motorization modification have been applied. The most noticeable difference is the top lights frame replacement by the PF battery box and the protruding PF M-motor on the rear, but this is a topic we will return to, ahead in this post.
From the photo on the right side you can see also the final spare parts, remaining after the application of the motorization steps.

Functionality and playability

As for the functionality this set has two main functions, apart some other minor functions like steering, opening doors, opening hood and the fake engine (if we can call them functions).

The main functions are the winch and the lifting fork which can be raised and lowered. These functions are actuated by a knob (gear) on the truck right side and selectable through the lever next to the driver's seat.

Although it works, I must say I didn't became a fan. The switch box is quite distant from the lever (in the rear bottom side) and movement is transmitted through a shifting beam. This mechanism proved to be a bit unreliable and tends to fail often, while the the lever rests stuck near the middle position and before the driving ring to engage the corresponding 16t gear with clutch.

Bellow a couple of photos from the motorized version showing the lifting fork, respectively retracted and open.

One thing remains to say... the placement of the motor and the way it protrudes from the back of the model, despite functional, looks like an odd fit...

See the several functions in action (both manually or motorized) from the video below, which I've uploaded to my YT account sometime ago.

Sorry, didn't have a vehicle of similar scale at hand, to show you the towing capabilities and ability to carry load (maybe I'll add it here sometime later).
I've also did not applied the supplied stickers to the model in this review, as I'm not sure whether I'll keep this model built, or I'll use its parts.

Either something escaped from my understanding or I don't see the need for the gear brake system used on the winch.
Also it disturbs your play, specially on the motorized version, if you forget to turn it up. I almost always forget it and realize just when the motor stalls under load...

B-model

The alternative model proposed for this set, is a Lifting Truck as depicted in the LEGO promotional images shown below. This was however no covered in this review.

This alternative is presented in the form of an European style truck. As for the features it has steering, one winch at the front and an elevation platform to load/unload the payloads. Through a side lever, you can switch among the functions below:

Extend / retract the winch cable.
Raise / lower the payloads and rotate them in/out to the truck

Final thoughts

As mentioned by Eric Albrecht (Blakbird) in topic at EB, there is small improvement to this model much needed, which is the use of tandem wheels in the rear axle. There is probably no real Tow Truck of this kind without tandem wheels in real life. Likely this was not done by the LEGO Designers to keep the model within the targeted price tag, but it is nothing that you can't achieve with some simple modifications.
Find the details about the solution proposed by Eric, here.

Despite some coments produced accross this review regarding a few fails in this model, this was another set that I much liked to build and enjoyed to play with, while preparing this short review.

It is just another example how misleading the first impressions got from images online, can be!
This was again a set which did not raise that much interest on me, until I have built it. In the end I've enjoyed it, found it pleasant to build and a very nice looking model for display. Basically I think the black/red color combination, resulted very well in this model.

The Ratings

Being a medium sized set (the largest released for the 1H, up to now), expectations must be set accordingly.
With near one thousand parts is has good price per part, however the playability is not exactly top-notch, hence the value for the money rating.
Innovation at an expectable level. Not the first time we get a LEGO Technic tow truck, but not all the new sets can bring a breakthrough.
In terms of design it is a pretty good model, despite some small drawbacks. Although the functionality is very acceptable for a set this size.

   as value for the money
   for innovation
   for set design
   for functionality and playability

Overall rate: Good

Overall it is a good set worth the money and capable to provide you a nice building and play time, specially for its targeted age group. Playability can be a lot increased if you manage to build another set or MOC of similar scale that you can tow with your 9395.

Leg Godt!

TBs TechNostalgia 09 - More vintage LEGO commercials by Advance

2011-12-28T19:13:00.002Z

The Brothers Brick (TBB), continues publishing vintage LEGO TV commercials produced by Advance for The LEGO Group, many years ago.
This week we were fortunate enough to get another great video featuring a LEGO Technic model and it was nothing less than about the mythical 8448, Super Street Sensation. Rather unusual, but better you see it and tell us.

Art Director, Christian Faber tells us:
"This was one of the first times we used 3D – the parking lot was built entirely in 3D and the man was shot on green screen. I think the spot has something of a voodoo feel – the boy is controlling the cars remotely. This spot is a bit different because the intro had nothing to do with toys."

Take a look at Advance YT Channel, if you like to see other LEGO commercial produced by them.

LEGO Year End Sale

2011-12-27T02:01:00.000Z

LEGO Shop is wrapping up 2011 with a big bang by offering two fantastic promotional activities.
In addition to an Exclusive Ninjago Booster Pack promotion, they are also holding the traditional Year End Sale.

FREE LEGO Ninjago Booster Pack with orders of $75 or more. Valid 26 Dec – 31 Jan.

Year End SALE up to 75% OFF. Valid 26 Dec – While Supplies Last Only.
Hurry up because best deals usually don't last long, but you may still find some LEGO Technic sets on sale (these will differ depending on the country you are).

Also coming beginning January 1st, LEGO Shop will begin taking pre-orders for 2012 LEGO Star Wars Sets. All Pre-Orders will also come with an Exclusive LEGO Star Wars Poster.