Exracer327
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Exracer327's Stats
- 5Average Rating
- 474Helpfulness Votes
- 0Featured Reviews
- 3Review Count
- September 5, 2015First Review
- May 11, 2017Last Review
Exracer327's Reviews
Snowspeeder™
Snowspeeder™
Posted:May 11, 2017
Exracer327
Age:
45-54
years old
Customer Type:
LEGO Fan
Building Experience:
Advanced LEGO builder
Overall:
5
/
5
75144 Snowspeeder UCS – Rogue Two
" This Ultimate Collector Series (UCS) Snowspeeder #75144 was a very fun build and the model looks great! I am impressed with the weight and design. As with any ship which has near identical wings I was pleased with how much fun both wings were to build. They did not feel redundant like tie fighter wings are.
The cockpit has a newly designed windshield just for this set. It blends nicely with the side windows. When you swivel the rear gun it moves the gunner’s handles. There is a retractable landing gear, although the model is a bit front heavy so the landing gear is more for looks than functional in my opinion. The canopy opens giving clear view of the cockpit which has a lot of detail. The air brakes (top and bottom) are both movable. The top are opened by turning the engines. The bottom air brakes can be positioned manually. However, they both look just like the movie.
The underside wings have intake fins. It’s a nice detail if looking underneath and marks to LEGO for thinking of the whole model and not just the top.
The guns are the proper length and maintain their angle through the pylon in the middle of the wing. The nose and wings are not blocky but use plates all around. The rear cooling fins are one of my favorite parts of this model; they genuinely look like cooling fins.
Inside the cockpit there are a number of stickers on the front, both sides, and in the back which adds a level of detail not achieved by typical printed pieces.
The two minifigures are basically identical except the pilot helmet vs the gunner helmet. The pilot helmet is blackish and thus far consensus says it belongs to Zev Senesca (Rogue Two in Empire Strikes Back). Sadly, he was killed during the Battle on Hoth. However, there is debate whether his helmet in the movie is a very dirty white or actually grey. The symbols around the ears is what identifies it as belonging to Zev.
What makes the minifigures unique to this set only is the printing on both arms.
Before I get to pros and cons I want to talk about stickers. There are a lot of them… 31 to be exact. I know a lot of people complain about a high number of stickers, but stickers do add a level of detail not otherwise attainable. Otherwise, LEGO is printing a lot of unique bricks for this one set thus increasing the set’s cost. However, application of the stickers adds a level of complexity to the set so it’s not just the build but how well you apply the stickers to complete the build.
However, I have a request for LEGO:
Dear LEGO,
If you’re going to produce stickers with writing, I
suggest doing what model makers do – the stickers
with writing should have a clear background. This
way the sticker does not modify the look of the
piece it is covering. By coloring the background of
the sticker, the sticker becomes more obvious,
especially when the white of the sticker is a bright
white but the white LEGO piece is not and will
eventually fade at a different rate than the sticker.
Just a thought.
Dear LEGO,
If you’re going to produce stickers with writing, I
suggest doing what model makers do – the stickers
with writing should have a clear background. This
way the sticker does not modify the look of the
piece it is covering. By coloring the background of
the sticker, the sticker becomes more obvious,
especially when the white of the sticker is a bright
white but the white LEGO piece is not and will
eventually fade at a different rate than the sticker.
Just a thought.
Pros:
Excellent rendition of Rogue Two’s T-47 Snowspeeder from The Empire Strikes Back. The stickers add a level of detail not otherwise achieved inside and out.
The harpoon gun looks great. The movement of the gun also moves the gunner’s handles inside the cockpit - very cool. I do wish there was a “harpoon” of some kind loaded into the end of the gun.
The mounting and angle of the main guns is great and looks very authentic to the movie. The mounting is very stable.
Movable air brakes on the top and bottom are very nice for display purposes. To open the top, turn the engines – very cool.
The addition of a landing gear adds to the authenticity, even if it is not as usable as I would have liked.
Two minifigures with unique printing on their arms. The new helmet for Zev is very nice. Although it is debatable if it is actually blackish or just a very dirty white, it’s a nice shout out with a unique helmet.
Two minifigures with unique printing on their arms. The new helmet for Zev is very nice. Although it is debatable if it is actually blackish or just a very dirty white, it’s a nice shout out with a unique helmet.
Cons:
I found the chairs a little on the flimsy side when I was installing them. It’s too bad there isn’t more room to reinforce their backing. Installation took a couple of tries to get it right without them coming apart. Although, this might have been just me forcing them in place. They do have a tight fit, which is nice.
I’m not sure if the landing gear is really a con or not. It’s not as usable as I hoped, but it looks very realistic.
In conclusion:
If you’ve been debating about investing or holding onto 10129 UCS Rebel Snowspeeder or buying this new one, 75144 UCS Snowspeeder, here are a couple of thoughts about this new UCS Snowspeeder #75144:
- Movable (position-able) air brakes – top and
bottom (not found on 10129).
- New unique windshield with a smooth transition
to the side windows making for a great looking
cockpit (not found on 10129).
- Plate nose, wings, and sides providing a much less
blocky look than 10129.
- Intake fins “inside” the wings (definitely not found
on 10129).
- The rear cooling fins are more accurate to the
movie using plate build vs the blocky build of
10129.
- Two unique minifigures with printing on their arms
and a new unique helmet for the pilot, Zev
Senesca. (10129 does not have minifigures).
- Yes, people might complain about the 30+
stickers, but the stickers add a level of detail not
otherwise attainable or seen on 10129. AND
placement of the stickers adds a level of difficulty
to this set.
- Movable (position-able) air brakes – top and
bottom (not found on 10129).
- New unique windshield with a smooth transition
to the side windows making for a great looking
cockpit (not found on 10129).
- Plate nose, wings, and sides providing a much less
blocky look than 10129.
- Intake fins “inside” the wings (definitely not found
on 10129).
- The rear cooling fins are more accurate to the
movie using plate build vs the blocky build of
10129.
- Two unique minifigures with printing on their arms
and a new unique helmet for the pilot, Zev
Senesca. (10129 does not have minifigures).
- Yes, people might complain about the 30+
stickers, but the stickers add a level of detail not
otherwise attainable or seen on 10129. AND
placement of the stickers adds a level of difficulty
to this set.
Overall I am very pleased with this set and the build. Now if I can just keep my son from playing with it.
Nice job LEGO, definitely worthy of the UCS badge!
"
Images for this Review
(click to see full-size image)
I would recommend this to a friend!
From:
United States
State:
New Jersey
Age:
45-54
years old
Customer Type:
LEGO Fan
Building Experience:
Advanced LEGO builder
Purchased For:
Self
Build Time:
06
hrs
Play Experience (Optional):
5
/
5
Value for Money (Optional):
5
/
5
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share:
+189points
213of 237found this review helpful.
AT-ST™ Walker
AT-ST™ Walker
Posted:September 30, 2016
Exracer327
Age:
45-54
years old
Customer Type:
LEGO Fan
Building Experience:
Advanced LEGO builder
Overall:
5
/
5
A great AT-ST!
" First off, I really like this set! For anyone who likes the Star Wars walkers (AT-ST, AT-AT, etc.), the AT-ST has been lacking for some time. In my opinion, (not including the UCS AT-ST) I thought the AT-ST #7657 was probably the best one to date followed by the AT-ST included with the Battle of Endor #8038. This one #75153 looks like a mini version of the UCS AT-ST #10174 and looks great.
In addition to a review of AT-ST Walker #75153, I’ll compare it with the previous AT-ST #7657, which I also own.
First the minifigures:
Blaze Malbus – great looking character! Head has two faces – attack and panic looks. Great printing on front and back of his torso and the front of his legs – very unique to this minifigure. Weapon arm is red while the other matches the torso and leg colors. The weapon is pretty cool.
Rebel Trooper – Great Character. First, yes there are rebel troopers in at least three of the newly released Star Wars LEGO sets. However, each is unique in different ways. On this one the torso printing looks great on both front and back and is similar to all three. However, this one looks like a dark grey vs light grey for the other sets. I could be wrong as I’m only comparing pictures but that is how it looks to me.
The head only has one face but it is a dark brown, again unlike the other two. (Nice of LEGO to continue adding some diversity to the minifigure lineup). The legs also have printing on the front (belt and pockets) but again, the legs are dark brown. However, they are such a dark brown that you can’t see the black printing for the pockets unless you look at it just right in the light. The helmet is also a great touch, excellent detail. Again, it seems darker in color than the pics for the other sets.
As a side note; this rebel trooper has tan arms and dark brown hands (matching the face) while the others have arms that match the color of their torso.
AT-ST driver – Two faces, which I’ll call mad and evil grin. The torso has great printing front and back as do the front of the legs. At first glance this doesn’t look much different than the driver for 7657 but it is. Not only is the torso printing different, the real jewel is his helmet.
In 7657 the AT-ST driver had two faces, one of which has goggles. In this new set, the goggles are part of the helmet with a little white reflection from the sun.
Overview:
The build is fun – three bags (platform and legs – interior head – exterior head). The legs are very sturdy and have a ratcheting feature for positioning the legs. (More on that later.) The head mounts very similar to 7657 and turns similarly using dial on the back, but is now ratcheting like the legs and turns a full 360 degrees, unlike 7657. But if you position the head and then try to move the AT-ST, the head no longer flops around as it did with 7657.
The head finally looks like the AT-STs of the movies with a narrowing, downward angle appearance. The cockpit is well built, although as should be expected for a build of this size, still for only one minifigure. HOWEVER, you can finally get your hand inside the head to place a minifigure in the driver seat by opening the entire top of the head. Additionally, LEGO gave us a working “hatch” so you can still have Chewy or whoever pull the driver out and toss him to the ground.
The guns mounted on the bottom of the head move freely and LEGO has added two spring-loaded shooters, firing red bolts. There are two “push-buttons,” one on each side (bottom rear,) to fire the spring-loaded shooters – very nice!
Criticism:
First off, for years fans have been calling upon LEGO to build an AT-ST that can be posed. And in every photo of this walker (75153) including both the front AND back of the box, this new one is shown with a leg “posed.” It is true that the legs will lock (ratchet) in a posable position. HOWEVER, it will not stand on a flat surface in a “posed walking” position because the toe of the moved leg protrudes too far. The only way I can get it to stand is with both feet flat. If the feet had been given some sort of ratcheting ability, I think it could be accomplished.
The only other criticism I really have about this set, and this is going to sound petty, is its size. As you’ll see from the pictures below, 1) this set looks great, 2) at +205 pieces it is larger (evidenced in the pics), and 3) it is not on the same scale as the AT-AT… bummer!
I have to admit, I set my AT-ST #7657 next to it and instantly was surprised at how much larger it was. I then set my AT-AT #8129 next to it and was bummed just how much larger it is. A personal thought… the Rouge One movie has AT-ATs. I wonder; is LEGO preparing to reissue yet another AT-AT but at a scale similar to this new AT-ST #75153. Hmmm…
Comparison:
In the pictures below I’m using AT-ST Walker #75153 (2016), AT-ST #7657 (2007), and AT-AT Walker #8129 (2010).
75153 AT-ST Walker: 449 pieces, 3 minifigures and sells for $40 on Sept. 30, 2016.
7657 AT-ST: 244 pieces, 1 minifigure and originally sold for $20 in 2007.
Conclusion:
I am impressed that this set has 205 (46%) more pieces than AT-ST #7657. Of course, the Malbus minifigure with weapon accounts for 14 pieces alone. Just saying…
There are a lot of pieces used to form the interior and base of the head, but the way the head fits together and looks is great! From the outside, the look is iconic. It is a very playable set, able to position the legs and head without them flopping around. AND even adults can get their hands inside the head to place a minifigure in the driver seat! The set has 8 stickers (no printed pieces) and they were all easy to apply.
- If you’re looking for a great play set, this will work.
- If you’re looking for a display piece, this looks great! However, you will have to watch what you’re putting it with as its scale is out-of-proportion with previous walkers and play sets. I.E. This AT-ST Walker is as tall as the shorter trees in the Ewok Village #10236.
- If you’re collecting minifigures, again, this is a great set; all three are winners in my opinion.
- If you’re looking for a display piece, this looks great! However, you will have to watch what you’re putting it with as its scale is out-of-proportion with previous walkers and play sets. I.E. This AT-ST Walker is as tall as the shorter trees in the Ewok Village #10236.
- If you’re collecting minifigures, again, this is a great set; all three are winners in my opinion.
Personally, even with it being out-of-proportion to other walkers, I love this set! My kids instantly loved it and even commented how much better it looked than previous AT-ST models.
Hope this review was helpful.
"
Images for this Review
(click to see full-size image)
I would recommend this to a friend!
From: New Jersey
From:
United States
Age:
45-54
years old
Customer Type:
LEGO Fan
Building Experience:
Advanced LEGO builder
Build Time:
01
hrs
Play Experience (Optional):
5
/
5
Value for Money (Optional):
5
/
5
Level of Difficulty:
Average
Very Easy
Very Challenging
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share:
+111points
124of 137found this review helpful.
Millennium Falcon™
Millennium Falcon™
Posted:September 5, 2015
Exracer327
Age:
45-54
years old
Customer Type:
LEGO Fan
Building Experience:
Advanced LEGO builder
Overall:
5
/
5
Review of 75105 and comparison with 7965
" Star Wars: The Force Awakens – LEGO Millennium Falcon 75105 review and comparison with LEGO Millennium Falcon 7965
I just built the new LEGO Millennium Falcon from The force Awakens Star Wars movie. It shares some design features from the previous LEGO Millennium Falcon 7965, but there are several updates, some of which are very nice!
First, the mini figures:
- Han Solo with grey hair. Great print on torso, both front and back and front of his legs. Head has two expressions (wry grin and slight panicked look – both are trademark Solo looks and well done). Han has his proper blaster with scope.
- Chewbacca has an updated coloring which continues through his legs. Most interesting is his two-part crossbow which will now actually fire round single LEGO.
- Finn has printing both front and back on his torso. His legs are solid black. His face has two expressions, serious and what I would call mad. He comes with what I would call a standard issue rebel blaster.
- Rey has her desert clothes printing on front and back as well as her legs. She too has two facial expressions, serious and what I’d still call mad. Rey’s gun is identical to Solo’s but is silver in color.
- BB-8 doesn’t have much to share, it is two parts: a head and body. It appears BB-8 is also available in Poe’s X-Wing (75102). All other mini figures are unique to this set.
- Tasu Leech has printing front and back on his torso and the front of his legs. He also has two expressions for his face. His weapon looks like a flintlock from the 1800s. I’m sure in the movie it’ll be a kick-butt throwback laser of some kind (as depicted on the box).
- The last figure is a Kanjiklub Gang Member (apparent associate of Tasu Leech). He has printing on the front and back of his torso and the front of his legs, but only one facial expression. However, that one facial expression has a very cool looking eye patch and is very unique. His weapon reminds me of an 1800’s flintlock rifle.
- Han Solo with grey hair. Great print on torso, both front and back and front of his legs. Head has two expressions (wry grin and slight panicked look – both are trademark Solo looks and well done). Han has his proper blaster with scope.
- Chewbacca has an updated coloring which continues through his legs. Most interesting is his two-part crossbow which will now actually fire round single LEGO.
- Finn has printing both front and back on his torso. His legs are solid black. His face has two expressions, serious and what I would call mad. He comes with what I would call a standard issue rebel blaster.
- Rey has her desert clothes printing on front and back as well as her legs. She too has two facial expressions, serious and what I’d still call mad. Rey’s gun is identical to Solo’s but is silver in color.
- BB-8 doesn’t have much to share, it is two parts: a head and body. It appears BB-8 is also available in Poe’s X-Wing (75102). All other mini figures are unique to this set.
- Tasu Leech has printing front and back on his torso and the front of his legs. He also has two expressions for his face. His weapon looks like a flintlock from the 1800s. I’m sure in the movie it’ll be a kick-butt throwback laser of some kind (as depicted on the box).
- The last figure is a Kanjiklub Gang Member (apparent associate of Tasu Leech). He has printing on the front and back of his torso and the front of his legs, but only one facial expression. However, that one facial expression has a very cool looking eye patch and is very unique. His weapon reminds me of an 1800’s flintlock rifle.
Same or near same as Millennium Falcon 7965:
- It is the same size as the LEGO Millennium Falcon 7965.
- Cockpit pieces – Chewbacca is too tall to fit inside the cockpit.
- Landing gear is the same.
- Roof panels which fold open for play-ability (note: accent pieces are different).
- Dorsal and belly turrets are slightly different but basically the same as both rotate and bend up and down.
- The ability to place two characters “manning” the turrets is similar; however, lacking the “control levers” which the 7965 set has.
- The six round “vent” discs on the top stern are the same and still use stickers. See criticisms from LEGO 7965.
- Smugglers hold.
- Entry hatch.
- Blue exterior engine.
- The sides creating the round appearance.
- It is the same size as the LEGO Millennium Falcon 7965.
- Cockpit pieces – Chewbacca is too tall to fit inside the cockpit.
- Landing gear is the same.
- Roof panels which fold open for play-ability (note: accent pieces are different).
- Dorsal and belly turrets are slightly different but basically the same as both rotate and bend up and down.
- The ability to place two characters “manning” the turrets is similar; however, lacking the “control levers” which the 7965 set has.
- The six round “vent” discs on the top stern are the same and still use stickers. See criticisms from LEGO 7965.
- Smugglers hold.
- Entry hatch.
- Blue exterior engine.
- The sides creating the round appearance.
New for the Millennium Falcon 75105:
- New sensor dish to match movie, but sadly it uses a sticker. Also, sadly, it is not attached to a rotating piece but is fixed pointing forward with a hinge so it can pivot from side to side (about 70 degrees).
- With exception of a 1x2 flat computer piece, all other computer pieces are stickers.
- The interior has much more detail, including the Dejarik (holochess) board, and replacing the brown chairs are LEGO with stickers giving much more detail to the area. There are also a lot more things all over the inside of the Falcon this time around.
- Addition of two spring shooters (one in each side of the bow) is an excellent addition. Much better than those flick-fire missiles in 7965. LEGO gives you one spare bolt, which I clipped inside the interior above the entry way.
- Related to the spring shooters, the holes on the top of the bow are no longer stickers! Although the back two have black pieces under them, the forward two are real holes and are the means to fire the spring shooters. Very well done!
- Chewbacca’s bowcaster is now a two-piece weapon and has become a mini-shooter weapon.
- And although I dislike lots of stickers, the stickers add a great deal of detail to both the exterior and interior (18 stickers). And, if they are expertly placed, will add a great deal of value to your set. On a positive note, LEGO numbered the sticker sheet so you know exactly which sticker the instruction is calling for.
- New sensor dish to match movie, but sadly it uses a sticker. Also, sadly, it is not attached to a rotating piece but is fixed pointing forward with a hinge so it can pivot from side to side (about 70 degrees).
- With exception of a 1x2 flat computer piece, all other computer pieces are stickers.
- The interior has much more detail, including the Dejarik (holochess) board, and replacing the brown chairs are LEGO with stickers giving much more detail to the area. There are also a lot more things all over the inside of the Falcon this time around.
- Addition of two spring shooters (one in each side of the bow) is an excellent addition. Much better than those flick-fire missiles in 7965. LEGO gives you one spare bolt, which I clipped inside the interior above the entry way.
- Related to the spring shooters, the holes on the top of the bow are no longer stickers! Although the back two have black pieces under them, the forward two are real holes and are the means to fire the spring shooters. Very well done!
- Chewbacca’s bowcaster is now a two-piece weapon and has become a mini-shooter weapon.
- And although I dislike lots of stickers, the stickers add a great deal of detail to both the exterior and interior (18 stickers). And, if they are expertly placed, will add a great deal of value to your set. On a positive note, LEGO numbered the sticker sheet so you know exactly which sticker the instruction is calling for.
Thus far, I really like the set. There is a lot of play-ability and the set itself looks great.
Comments:
I wish Chewbacca could fit inside the cockpit. I will say this, replacing the cockpit is a pain. There are only four connecting points, but getting all four to connect takes a bit of patience. Not to mention, placing two figures in the cockpit makes it more challenging but can be done (minus Chewy). Since the cockpit is the same as 7965 the Chewy issue is not a new complaint. Also not a new criticism is the stickers for the disks on the top stern of the Falcon. It would be nice to have a retractable landing gear similar to the Shuttle Tydirium, but this is the same as 7965 and doesn’t really affect play-ability.
I wish Chewbacca could fit inside the cockpit. I will say this, replacing the cockpit is a pain. There are only four connecting points, but getting all four to connect takes a bit of patience. Not to mention, placing two figures in the cockpit makes it more challenging but can be done (minus Chewy). Since the cockpit is the same as 7965 the Chewy issue is not a new complaint. Also not a new criticism is the stickers for the disks on the top stern of the Falcon. It would be nice to have a retractable landing gear similar to the Shuttle Tydirium, but this is the same as 7965 and doesn’t really affect play-ability.
Although I’m not a big fan of stickers, they do add a level of detail not achievable with things like chairs. The Dejarik area is definitely a plus for this set and way ahead of previous Falcon sets. In fact, I would put it more in alignment with the Ultimate Collector’s Edition Millennium Falcon.
Admittedly, I’m not a big fan of the mini-shooters (since you will inevitably lose the small round LEGO); however, Chewbacca’s two-piece bowcaster is actually quite cool.
I also think the two spring shooters in the bow of the Falcon is a very nice addition. Using the holes in the top bow of the ship is very clever way of adding authenticity and play-ability to this set.
I also think the two spring shooters in the bow of the Falcon is a very nice addition. Using the holes in the top bow of the ship is very clever way of adding authenticity and play-ability to this set.
Probably my biggest disappointment for this set is the sensor array. I really wish it had been a printed piece. But more than that, unless the movie proves otherwise, I wish LEGO had given us a rotating piece like the dish has in every other Millennium Falcon set. However, if the movie proves the dish to be accurate, then well done. I mean, it is not like LEGO had this dish sitting around from other sets. It is unique to this LEGO set only!
For comparison sake:
LEGO 7965 released 2011 for $139.99 US with 1254 pieces. Six mini figures from Star Wars IV: A New Hope.
LEGO 7965 released 2011 for $139.99 US with 1254 pieces. Six mini figures from Star Wars IV: A New Hope.
LEGO 75105 released 2015 for $149.99 US with 1329 pieces. Seven mini figures from Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens.
One might argue if you have a Millennium Falcon, do you really need another one? However, I suspect these figures are going to be unique to this set. And you’re definitely not going to find a better Dejarik area in any other Millennium Falcon, not even the UCS edition, in my humble opinion.
I hope this is feedback has been helpful for you.
"
Images for this Review
(click to see full-size image)
I would recommend this to a friend!
From: New Jersey
From:
United States
Age:
45-54
years old
Customer Type:
LEGO Fan
Building Experience:
Advanced LEGO builder
Purchased For:
Self
Build Time:
04
hrs
Build Time:
30
mins
Play Experience (Optional):
5
/
5
Value for Money (Optional):
5
/
5
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share:
+109points
137of 165found this review helpful.