RCarlL
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RCarlL's Stats
RCarlL's Stats
- 4.3Average Rating
- 45Helpfulness Votes
- 0Featured Reviews
- 3Review Count
- August 29, 2020First Review
- September 1, 2020Last Review
RCarlL's Reviews
Posted:September 1, 2020
RCarlL
Age:
35-44
years old
Customer Type:
LEGO Fan
Building Experience:
Expert LEGO builder
Overall:
5
/
5
Epic Set
" I absolutely love the top-level Technic sets that get released each year. While it strains my wallet, I eagerly order each flagship set shortly after it's released.
Like many epic Technic sets before it, set #42114 doesn't disappoint. One of my favorite parts about this set- and the last few flagship Technic sets- is the fact that when you are building the model- especially at the beginning- you often don't know exactly which functions you are building as you follow the instructions. The designers may use the same parts each time, but they continually find new and innovative ways to utilize those parts to increase the range of what these models can do- and that's part of the fun of building these larger sets.
Secondly, I really appreciate that Lego continues to design these flagship models that, in a way, sort-of compliment each other. As a result, after years of collecting, I now have a complete construction set. My #42009 Mobile Crane goes well with my #42030 Volvo Loader... which goes well with my #42110 Liebherr R9800, which goes well with this Volvo Hauler #42114.
I'm not a big fan of forcing Lego fans to use their cell phones as remote controls though- but that seems to be the trend lately. While it certainly adds functionality to the finished product, one of my favorite things about building these epic Legos is that it gets my son and I off of our electronics. I'd much prefer an old-fashioned physical remote control. That said, there's only so much you can do with those remote controls- and things like the automatic transmission function on this Volvo only is possible with a cell phone/app.
In terms of finished design, I'd say Lego got a lot right here... the overall shape and scale is pretty good to the actual real-life truck. The angles on the front end are especially impressive. My only two complaints in terms of design are the cabin and headlights. The cabin is very sparse. it would have been nice to at least include a sticker for the instrument panel, for example. I also wish they would have worked out a better design for the headlights- which on the real truck don't point so much to the side as the Lego model's does.
In terms of the motorized functions- the steering works very well, as does the raising and lowering of the cargo area. The automatic transmission works okay, but not great. Sometimes it works fine, at other times it seems to make some unpleasant noises while shifting through the gears. That seems to only happen in automatic mode- not when you use the app on your phone to lock it in 1st or 2nd gear.
Overall, I think Lego did a great job with this model. While it's price tag is high, you have to remember that you're getting a hub and three motors- which usually cost quite a lot if you buy them separately from Lego. Well done Lego... well done.
"
I would recommend this to a friend!
From: MIlwaukee
From:
United States
State:
Wisconsin
Age:
35-44
years old
Customer Type:
LEGO Fan
Building Experience:
Expert LEGO builder
Purchased For:
Self
Build Time:
02
days
Play Experience (Optional):
5
/
5
Value for Money (Optional):
5
/
5
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share:
+7points
9of 11found this review helpful.
Posted:September 1, 2020
RCarlL
Age:
35-44
years old
Customer Type:
LEGO Fan
Building Experience:
Expert LEGO builder
Overall:
5
/
5
Awesome Set! Easy to add matching passenger cars
" Lego designers really did a great job with this set. It looks incredible, it's really easy (but expensive) to add power functions to it, and it is actually a pretty accurate portrayal of an actual Crocodile Locomotive.
Two suggestions to make this set even better (for Lego or collectors)... first, close the gap between the middle part of the locomotive and the two end pieces with 1x2 slope pieces in reddish-brown. It's easy to do and doesn't require a lot of parts- but will make the set look much better. Second, add three 1x4 tile pieces in dark bluish gray to the pieces on top of the wheels on the front and back- that will prevent the train from derailing when taking corners at higher speeds.
Other than that- this set is really great. It looks good on the display stand or along regular track. I designed and built a few matching passenger train cars to this locomotive. I used the current passenger train #60197 as a guide for how to design the passenger cars, but used a 6x28 base instead of the 6x24 base that's used in #60197. The pieces aren't expensive and are widely available in dark bluish gray and reddish brown. Others have created matching passenger cars in dark green. Both options look great and really add some custom pizazz to this locomotive.
This set is sure to be a collector's item one day. All retired Creator Trains significantly increase in value over time- so if you are considering this train- buy it before Lego retires it. You won't regret your purchase.
"
I would recommend this to a friend!
From: MIlwaukee
From:
United States
State:
Wisconsin
Age:
35-44
years old
Customer Type:
LEGO Fan
Building Experience:
Expert LEGO builder
Purchased For:
Self
Build Time:
03
hrs
Play Experience (Optional):
5
/
5
Value for Money (Optional):
5
/
5
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share:
+3points
3of 3found this review helpful.
Posted:August 29, 2020
RCarlL
Age:
35-44
years old
Customer Type:
LEGO Fan
Building Experience:
Expert LEGO builder
Overall:
3
/
5
Great Looks, Poor Functionality
" I knew that I wanted this set as soon as Lego released images of it. It's huge, it's impressive, and it appeared to have everything that would make this set epic. As I put it together, I was thrilled with just how great this set was- and how awesome it was in terms of design, attention to detail, and just overall looks. I was extremely satisfied with the build... until I was finished and tried the elevator mechanism. The mechanism that many seem to have trouble with- but Lego continues to say is just builder error.
I've been building Legos for a long time. I have quite the collection- including many epic Technic sets like #42009, #42100, and more recently, #42114. I've also built all of the Creator Expert Modular buildings- some of which include some tricky design elements. I've never, ever had issues related to mechanisms not working correctly once built. I've never had to take parts off and redo them because something didn't work right... until the Manor Von Barron. Somehow I was able to put together the much more complex Lego Liebherr R9800 Excavator without making a mistake... but faced issues with getting this relatively simple building together? Issues that continue to plague the model despite many attempts to rebuild its components?
It seems like the elevator mechanism can't handle the weight of the elevator car when it's passing by the wheels that provide the braking feature that's used during the car's decent. When you turn the lever on that raises the car- the model clicks loudly as the gears slip. Eventually the car slowly is raised up the tower- but the action is slow and clunky. Once it passes the brake wheels- the clicking isn't as often. That slipping/skipping of gears completely ruins the 'wow' factor of this model.
Many reviewers have complained about the clicking/skipping issue- and Lego just tells them to rebuild. I have. I've rebuilt the.tower twice. I've rebuilt the gear mechanism a few times. I ensured that every piece was put together perfectly to avoid problems with the elevator car getting caught as it moves up the tower. I've added links to the chain. I've taken a few out.
Nothing improves the clicking noise / skipping problem. It's almost like the chain and gear design aren't strong enough to lift the weight of the car. Maybe Lego should have used a larger chain or more robust gear design.
Nothing improves the clicking noise / skipping problem. It's almost like the chain and gear design aren't strong enough to lift the weight of the car. Maybe Lego should have used a larger chain or more robust gear design.
If only one or two people were complaining about it, builder error would be an appropriate assumption... but when many reviewers have alerted Lego to this problem- and YouTube reviewers (including Lego superfans) are all experiencing the same problem... then you know it's a design problem and not a builder problem.
Unfortunately, that means that this Lego is just an awesome exterior/interior building. The ride function would have made this an epic set. Unfortunately, considering the somewhat consistent problem that many reviewers are complaining about with the elevator- this set is just good, not great or epic. It looks good on a shelf, but the coolness of showing the ride function off to friends is overshadowed by the embarrassment of the very loud skipping of the gears and inconsistent functionality of the elevator function.
Other than telling people to rebuild their sets or to call the phone number for support (and be put on hold for an hour)- will Lego offer any other support or a reworked design for people who have paid a good chunk of change for this set? It would be nice.
"
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I would recommend this to a friend!
From: MIlwaukee
From:
United States
State:
Wisconsin
Age:
35-44
years old
Customer Type:
LEGO Fan
Building Experience:
Expert LEGO builder
Purchased For:
Self
Build Time:
08
hrs
Play Experience (Optional):
2
/
5
Value for Money (Optional):
5
/
5
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share:
+33points
33of 33found this review helpful.