I have a Build Cyclone on the way (as soon as I ship my Pile of Loot) and I have RID Hightower. I will be using one of them for a custom, but I have no idea if they are any different... I want to customize whichever of the 2 is the inferior version. I suspect the differences will be minimal. Thanks!
according to TFU Cyclone looks to be a slightly darker red and doesnt have the Autobot Sigil on the crane cab so yea very minimal changes
I think the RiD versions have a few extra and/or changed paint apps along with the faction symbols. I recall Wedge has gray paint where Build Boy has light orange, for one.
also, the Takara version (and Sonokong) have metallic plastics (with nice sheen and metallic flake swirl) versus flat plain Hasbro plastic. These also don't have the ill-placed, huge Autobot symbols in vehicle modes (like the one covering Hasbro Grimlock's clear crane window)