Taris's Contributions

Porsche 911 GT3 RS

Posted:October 24, 2016

Taris

Age: 35-44 years old

Customer Type: LEGO Fan

Building Experience: Expert LEGO builder

Top 250 Contributor

Overall:

4 / 5

Good "display" model

" Overall, as I've emphasized the "display", unlike other Technic models, 42056 isn't suitable for 'mechanical' people. Although the paddle shifter transmission is the most complex transmission from stock LEGO, their operation isn't visible once you finish the model. Also, the engine room view is limited and you won't exactly see how the H-6 engine operates. (note that real Porshce is Boxer... not H-6..)

In terms of playablity, the steering has too much backlash (almost similar to the 42054 tractor) and lack of hand of god (steering knob) makes it hard to play with. Suspension is not too bad but you can find similar suspension in 42039 which is almost 1/3 price.

Possibly, we can at least install XL motor (indicated in one of pictures) to see how the paddle shifter changes the wheel speed although a single XL motor at the location won't be able to provide enough propulsion to move the entire model, anyway.

However, the model itself has fantastic shape when finished and almost anyone can recognize the Porsche. In other words, it's much functional and larger than most diecast models. The "Presence" is the key!! (IMO, the presence is better than 42055!! really!!)

Assembly itself is not hard at all. In fact, if you get through the box 1 perfectly, hardship is completely over. Box 2, 3, and 4 are just panels and interior decoration. At least the box 1 was fantastic to build... The brake pads were kind of bummer, though...

As you may already know, the instruction actually leads you to skew paddle shifter sequence. It becomes 1->3->2->4 if you follow the instruction. In fact, LEGO intentionally designed this way to avoid mechanical backlash and gear grinding... We can make the sequence correctly but the transmission gear grinds (especially on lower gear) a lot.

Again, if you want a Technic brand, DISPLAY model, this is the best one you can get. But if you want anything actually operates, it's better to get 42039 + gear parts for transmission + PF parts(with IR controller set). Making 42056 reasonably fast RC with transmission would be a nice challenge for me though. "

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I would recommend this to a friend!

My Product Recommendations

24 Hours Race Car

(24)

Formula Off-Roader

(16)

From: Woodridge

From: United States

State: Illinois

Age: 35-44 years old

Customer Type: LEGO Fan

Building Experience: Expert LEGO builder

Purchased For: Self

Build Time:

06 hrs

Build Time:

45 mins

Play Experience (Optional):

2 / 5

Value for Money (Optional):

3 / 5

Level of Difficulty:

Average

Very Easy

Very Challenging

I would recommend this to a friend!

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+42points

86of 130found this review helpful.

LEGO® Power Functions Control Switch

Posted:September 14, 2016

Taris

Age: 35-44 years old

Customer Type: LEGO Fan

Building Experience: Expert LEGO builder

Top 250 Contributor

Overall:

4 / 5

Works well, does its job, but lacking pinholes...

" The switch is not only directional but also has a moderate length cable which is super helpful when making any PF driven system.

In fact, you can overcome the limited current output of IR receiver (note that IR receiver V1 cannot operate any stacked LEGO PF motors in full power unless you dedicate more than 2 channels to the motors) with this switch + a servo motor.

It's actually how hobby grade RC models worked before the speed controller was affordable. 1 servo controls steering, the other one controls Acceleration with a switch connected to drive motor.

But!!

It doesn't have any Technic pin holes... You must get some stud parts to install it onto your Technic model properly. But most of Technic models are stud-less today... ouch!!

So, LEGO!! add some pinholes!! "

I would recommend this to a friend!

From: Woodridge

From: United States

State: Illinois

Age: 35-44 years old

Customer Type: LEGO Fan

Building Experience: Expert LEGO builder

I would recommend this to a friend!

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+17points

19of 21found this review helpful.

LEGO® Power Functions IR Receiver

Read all reviews for this product

Posted:September 14, 2016

Taris

Age: 35-44 years old

Customer Type: LEGO Fan

Building Experience: Expert LEGO builder

Top 250 Contributor

Overall:

4 / 5

Again, needs improvement!

" This is an essential set if you want any remote control. BUT!!

The current output is vastly limited --> You cannot run any of two PF motors from one slot. Of course, you can workaround this problem with two IR receivers, assigning each PF motors to each IR receivers. But you need two controllers to actually power two motors at the same time. --> a waste of resource.

I know that V2 partially solves the problem but you can't get them unless you purchase the retired product: 4x4 Crawler from an aftermarket.

I'm not sure why LEGO isn't still phasing this V1 receiver out while V2 was released 4 yrs ago... "

I would recommend this to a friend!

From: Woodridge

From: United States

State: Illinois

Age: 35-44 years old

Customer Type: LEGO Fan

Building Experience: Expert LEGO builder

I would recommend this to a friend!

Share:

+75points

91of 107found this review helpful.

LEGO® Power Functions IR Remote Control

Read all reviews for this product

Posted:September 14, 2016

Taris

Age: 35-44 years old

Customer Type: LEGO Fan

Building Experience: Expert LEGO builder

Top 250 Contributor

Overall:

4 / 5

WARNING!!! DURACELL AAA DOESN'T WORK!!

" You are warned!! Duracell AAA batteries have a bit shorter positive electrode stud than other ones, leaving around 500 micro-meter of gap from the metal electrode to end up failing to power the controller.

Solution is quite easy. Put small pieces of aluminum foils at each of the positive electrode. "Make sure the aluminum foil does not touch any other electrode but only one positive electrode." Then, it will work fine.

I've stressed the part since it causes 'short circuit' if you allow any aluminum foil touch two electrodes simultaneously. Short circuit may cause extreme heat and you'll end up with a burnt hand or a completely broken controller --> which LEGO will refuse to service it.

To LEGO: FIX IT!! REALLY? Duracell isn't one of local junkyard product but a worldwide product!!! "

I would recommend this to a friend!

From: Woodridge

From: United States

State: Illinois

Age: 35-44 years old

Customer Type: LEGO Fan

Building Experience: Expert LEGO builder

I would recommend this to a friend!

Share:

0points

0of 0found this review helpful.

LEGO® Power Functions Battery Box

Posted:September 14, 2016

Taris

Age: 35-44 years old

Customer Type: LEGO Fan

Building Experience: Expert LEGO builder

Top 250 Contributor

Overall:

4 / 5

A few suggestions for improvement.

" 1. One of batteries is getting fit into a painfully deep slot. You might flip your fingernail if you try to pry it out without any tools. Maybe install a simple cloth thread piece or a flexible film to help out battery extraction?

2. Six 1.5 V batteries are actually making a series connection: totaling 9 V output. So, why not just use a single 9 V battery instead of heavy and space consuming 6 AA batteries?

3. I know this is a toy and needs to be super safe. But the current output is a bit lacking. (I believe it clamps at around 800 mA?) It cannot operate two L motor with 2 kg of load continuously. The fuse kicks in too early.

4. Li-Ion batteries are being used on every mobile devices in these days. You can purchase them (even AA sized ones) in many tech shops or Amazon. Each of them provide 3.7 V of output. So, why not rather make this thing by thinning out 3 of AA slots to use those Li-Ions with a FET to regulate output voltage to 9V? It's gonna save a lot of space while improving operation period a lot! "

From: Woodridge

From: United States

State: Illinois

Age: 35-44 years old

Customer Type: LEGO Fan

Building Experience: Expert LEGO builder

Play Experience (Optional):

3 / 5

Value for Money (Optional):

3 / 5

Share:

+91points

106of 121found this review helpful.

Bucket Wheel Excavator

Posted:September 6, 2016

Taris

Age: 35-44 years old

Customer Type: LEGO Fan

Building Experience: Expert LEGO builder

Top 250 Contributor

Overall:

4 / 5

Good set with a few drawbacks.

" The goods:

1. Loads of parts!! Just too many parts in the box and the weight almost breaks the yellow LEGO vinyl bag. If you ordered it from Internet, give some praise to your delivery people.

2. It's not just many parts. This set contains loads of square frame parts and gears which are super useful in any MOC designs. If you want to dive into Technic building, this set is a MUST buy set.

3. Many functions. Rolling conveyor belts and bucket wheel operation are already worthwhile to make a contraption. This set also moves forward and backwards and the superstructure rotates. Although the bucket wheel elevation and lower conveyor part rotation are manual but it's not too hard to motorize it due to its sheer size!!

4. Although you can't mount a Minifigure, this model is actually a one of few Minifigure sized Technic models. The cockpit can contain a Minifigure if you modify the seat with a proper studded one. (This is a definite plus for anyone wants to play with!!)

5. The finished A model is a huge contraption but is actually very sturdy. You can carry this heavy contraption by holding the top part of the arch!! The bucket wheel arm itself is really sturdy as well. You can even wield it around without problem.

The drawbacks.

1. Too many parts and gears: causes too much backlash and almost impossible to debug when something isn't working well. I've changed the tandem clutch wheels with 24 teeth gears to ensure smooth bucket wheel operation (see one of my pictures.) But this isn't safe especially if any mineral(or Skittles!!) stuck into some corner to hamper any motorized operation. It's gonna break rest of gears or overheat PF XL motor.

2. The backlash is severe. For example. The lower conveyor belt lock is almost invalid. Even though you engage the lock, the conveyor belt slides like +30 to -30 degrees without any serious impedance.

3. In other words, this set is super hard to make it operate properly. Although putting parts together is not hard at all(since this model doesn't have any pneumatic hoses and threads), fitting all the parts to ensure smooth operation is a great challenge. The hints on instruction manual aren't enough. You are warned!!

4. B model instruction is only available on the Internet. Browsing through hundreds of PDF pages (especially without proper index codes!!) isn't convenient at all.

5. The control panel has many functions. But the operation is kinda limited. You cannot mix any rotation with linear movement. i.e. The bucket wheel cannot rotate when the excavator is moving forward. A MOC project to work on!!

Although I've pointed out as many drawbacks as pros, it's not a bad model for the size. Heck, this is the largest PF motorized Technic model (excluding fan designed MOCs) so far.

Remark: You better visit Bulk Barn to play with this model properly!! Skittles!! Skittles!! more Skittles!! "

Images for this Review

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I would recommend this to a friend!

My Product Recommendations

Mine Loader

(9)

CLAAS XERION 5000 TRAC VC

(23)

From: Woodridge

From: United States

State: Illinois

Age: 35-44 years old

Customer Type: LEGO Fan

Building Experience: Expert LEGO builder

Purchased For: Self

Build Time:

08 days

Play Experience (Optional):

5 / 5

Value for Money (Optional):

5 / 5

Level of Difficulty:

Challenging

Very Easy

Very Challenging

I would recommend this to a friend!

Share:

+107points

127of 147found this review helpful.

Volvo EW160E

Posted:August 22, 2016

Taris

Age: 35-44 years old

Customer Type: LEGO Fan

Building Experience: Expert LEGO builder

Top 250 Contributor

Overall:

5 / 5

Rather simple but joyful set.

" Excavators were always one of favorite Technic theme and it will be forever. This set is one of many LEGO Technic excavator set and delivers what really Technic stands for.

First of all, for the price, this set provides decent list of functions. The main function, the boom+arm operation is adequately implemented with limited number of parts. I would like to have regular bucket type hand (which may require three regular sized pneumatic cylinders) but having a little cylinder isn't too bad in terms of part collection.

The wheels doesn't have any drive-trains, differentials, or any shock absorbers but they have steering system with least backlash I've had. Yeah, the steering works like charm.

One gripe is that you need to always press the blue button to power the pneumatic cylinders (or air cylinders) to operate the boom structure. It's ok to have some chore but the superstructure is not so rigidly fixed for a furious pumping action. So, I recommend always lowering the outrigger when you operate it. But, here's another catch: the outrigger doesn't work well on uneven (like carpet) surface.

The panels actually open and reveals the pneumatic hoses. You know, those hoses always slide off or at least loses pressure. So, you need to tighten those hoses time to time. The 'Maintenance Mode' (See one of pictures) helps a lot.

The cabin elevation is also a nice bonus but one thing I would recommend is to lose the small 2-stud sized blocker at instruction step 107 if you're not planning to motorize it. With the blocker, the superstructure can only turn like 355 degree. I guess this limitation is due to power function integration. You don't want damage cables.

In term of building experience, the difficulty is not hard at all but not too easy since the small superstructure packs all the pneumatic hoses and some gears to operate the cabin elevation. But then again, putting it together is a breeze compared to applying stickers.

Yes, the real letdown of this set is the stickers. You need really really carefully apply stickers unless your excavator would look weird at least. Especially the back lights(red lights) are literally stickers!! So, you need to apply them exact fit positions or your excavator would look weird. Also, some stickers needs to be removed when you're planning to make B-model which is a kind of a bummer...

However, it's much more playable with the excavator arm, anyway. You can challenge a friend to carry out Skittles or M&Ms distribution. Note that the arm reaches below the wheels!! Must be fun to dig out some Skittles from a secret labyrinth, right?

Overall, it's a nice playbility/price set and a good source of pneumatic cylinders if you don't want to buy the humongous 42043 Arocs truck. "

Images for this Review

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I would recommend this to a friend!

My Product Recommendations

CLAAS XERION 5000 TRAC VC

(23)

Mercedes-Benz Arocs 3245

(72)

Heavy Lift Helicopter

(19)

From: Woodridge

State: Illinois

From: United States

Age: 35-44 years old

Customer Type: LEGO Fan

Building Experience: Expert LEGO builder

Purchased For: Self

Build Time:

04 hrs

Play Experience (Optional):

5 / 5

Value for Money (Optional):

5 / 5

I would recommend this to a friend!

Share:

+75points

79of 83found this review helpful.

CLAAS XERION 5000 TRAC VC

Posted:August 14, 2016

Taris

Age: 35-44 years old

Customer Type: LEGO Fan

Building Experience: Expert LEGO builder

Top 250 Contributor

Overall:

5 / 5

An Exclusive Quality for a Normal Model.

" Ok, this model's a masterpiece if I dare say. It does have some mishaps but mostly, it's the best bang for a buck if you're Technic builder.

This set is a dream come true for you technic MOC builders. A lot of those 'new' connector parts, humongous wheels, and the LIME color! Even though you're not planning to use its parts, it excels 42056(yeah, that hyped Porsche) in many ways:

1. Many functions. Selectable steering modes, moving cockpit, crane operates, carriage can also be adjusted, and lastly, opening hood. This is a lot more than one can ask for a $179.00 set. In terms of functionality, this set is on par with 42043, IMO.

2. Looks awesome. I guess LEGO is driving Technic to some other (and way better) level. It LOOKS SOOOO GODLY!! Yeah, this set shines with tons of functions yet those working parts are hidden perfectly well under lovely huge wheels and panels. I guess this agenda(?) was the 42056 was aiming for but fallen a bit short.

3. It's HUUUGE. The finished A model (B model isn't so exclusive, though. It's more of a different attachment not a completely different model.) is as long as the flatbed portion of 42043 (Arocs Truck in my recommendation list.) B model and a bit wider than the truck.

4. It's modular!! The crane and the counterweights are just add-ons. In other words, if you can match the attachment mechanism (both front and rear attachment points work same way,) you can attach anything on it.

5. It's repeating but the wheels are sooooooo lovely!! I'm thinking getting another one to just get the wheels!!

6. The entire model is actually 'ROBUST.' Just don't try to pick it up with cockpit or hood. Other parts are solid as rock and completely playable.

The building experience can be painful if you happen to be careless and slightly miss any part on early stage since the entire tractor is made of complex steering and cockpit rotating mechanisms and they are tightly fit and covered perfectly with control panels and the huge wheels. In fact, this is a plus for a Technic set since the whole theme of the Technic is an implementation of complex mechanisms, anyway.

Admittedly, I screwed up something in early stage and had to take apart everything to start again. That's why I took 8 hours to complete. It could be 4-5 hours to reach 100% build.

A bit of drawbacks are...

1. The steering mode change joystick(?) moves when you try to steer. It doesn't change the steering mode itself while steering but a bit annoying.

2. The steering mechanism has a lot of backlash.

3. You need to almost re-design the entire chassis to motorize the wheels and steering. But then again, this is a welcome challenge for me.

Overall, it's the best Technic set I've ever built. A lot of functionality, nice looking, awesome build experience, and playability. What can I ask more? I doubt it.

PS. You can mount a minifigure (if you have any lovely one. Regrettably, I don't since I'm mostly dedicated to building mechanisms.) in the cockpit!! "

Images for this Review

(click to see full-size image)

I would recommend this to a friend!

My Product Recommendations

Mercedes-Benz Arocs 3245

(72)

24 Hours Race Car

(24)

Race Truck

(15)

Drag Racer

(10)

From: Woodridge

State: Illinois

From: United States

Age: 35-44 years old

Customer Type: LEGO Fan

Building Experience: Expert LEGO builder

Purchased For: Self

Build Time:

08 hrs

Play Experience (Optional):

5 / 5

Value for Money (Optional):

5 / 5

Level of Difficulty:

Challenging

Very Easy

Very Challenging

I would recommend this to a friend!

Share:

+73points

77of 81found this review helpful.

Volkswagen T1 Camper Van

Posted:August 6, 2016

Taris

Age: 35-44 years old

Customer Type: LEGO Fan

Building Experience: Expert LEGO builder

Top 250 Contributor

Overall:

4 / 5

Lovely details but needs a bit of update.

" This set defines the entire Creator vehicle lineup. Although it's a static model, play experience is not too bad since so many tiny accessories placed in the car.

Table? yes
Futon? yes
Plant? yes
Lava Lamp(!)? yes!
Wine cup? yes!
Sink? yes!
Poster!? yes!
Curtains? yes!
Fancy interior lights? yes!

I know this model already has a lot of positive reviews, I'll just make some nitpicking.

1. Rear end of the main cabin roof is too weak. I've added a picture to fortify it with a spare flat 2x4 part if you're lucky enough to have one after set assembly (I had one left after full assembly.) It ruins the top rack posture a bit but it's acceptable for me. Maybe someone with better imagination and parts would make it far better than me.

2. Cabin doors are too flaky with closed position. So, I've put another spare 2x1 flat part on the cabin roof, hoping it can hold the doors. In fact, I can even lift the entire vehicle by holding the side windows.

3. In fact, the doors are too flaky and easy to open. if you tilt the car, the doors will loose open and side windows might break up.

4. The empty roof rack feels too... barren, compared to interior. Maybe we can add some spare tires, cooking apparatus(apparently, we have sink, frying pan, and a brush but not a stove), or a folded tent would be wonderful.

So, yeah, it's quite playable but some parts are not sturdy enough. That's why I gave 'average' for play experience. But then again, it's basically a 'residence' display model with simple wheels. i.e. take one of those simple Creator building set and add wheels! In other words, your play experience will jump up if you have spare parts to decorate the interior for your imagination.

In terms of price.. you know.. this set was released in 2011! and still the same price. You can even find one on local LEGO shop if you're lucky enough. Yeap, you might be able to buy this set with $119.99 even after apocalyptic war while the super star destroyer (which was released in the same year) can't be found easily and you need to pay like $1,000 at least. So, the bang per buck is quite nice! I would love to see a refresh with more fluid and advanced build technique.

But the problem is, its size is not suitable for minifigures. So, it may not be suitable to place this model into a LEGO city set or play with regular system block sets.

Overall, it's a nice display model to decorate your home and it will shine if you're good at making pretty building with LEGO. "

Images for this Review

(click to see full-size image)

I would recommend this to a friend!

From: Woodridge

State: Illinois

From: United States

Age: 35-44 years old

Customer Type: LEGO Fan

Building Experience: Expert LEGO builder

Purchased For: Self

Build Time:

02 hrs

Build Time:

50 mins

Play Experience (Optional):

3 / 5

Value for Money (Optional):

5 / 5

Level of Difficulty:

Easy

Very Easy

Very Challenging

I would recommend this to a friend!

Share:

+8points

14of 20found this review helpful.