Here's a quick review of the latest Music Label Transformers Optimus Prime (Convoy) in G1 Colors.

I just got back from Japan and as usual I could not go home without bringing some Transformer stuffs back. I asked a friend to buy me this figure in Amazon.co.jp because I don't have time to look for it in Akihabara because I was too busy with work.

Anyway, I got this and I'm very happy. The new head sculpt is really amazing because if you look at it it really looked like a mini-masterpiece Optimus Prime.

Here's a quick rundown.

Packaging
Similar to the original While Music Label iPOD Convoy except for the sticker in front depicting Convoy in G1 colors.



The toy is packed well limiting the application of twist wires. It comes with an instruction manual a limited card, power supply (100~100V), cab and trailer/speakers. (Some accessories I mentioned is not pictured)



Truck mode

Truck mode is pretty amazing. The paint job is excellent and there's a touch of gloss or shine into it. The chromes are well done too. Overall this is probably one of the better G1 Primes we have today considering paint applications. Tomy Takara did a really good job with quality. The figure look and feel solid. The windows are blue what more can you ask for?




Robot Mode

This is the fun part. Transforming the cab into Optimus Prime is really quite easy but seeing the new head sculpt really made me smile... It was really well done ala mini-Masterpiece head sculpt. It was a good buy after all. Its really a G1 figure with a new head sculpt. The fists are detachable and Prime's gun is still the same although the plastic they used for this figure is quite solid.




Transforming the trailer into speaker mode is quite easy. You simply grab it and fold it backwards to reveal the speaker. Plus, there's a nice shadow art of Optimus Prime on the speaker.




Sound quality

We'll what can you expect? Did you expect a great sound? I didn't. I docked my iPOD Nano in the cradle and started to whip out some music.
Audio quality is acceptable but not that great. This is really more of a toy than a speaker for your iPOD.
Controls are power and UP and DOWN for volume. There's also an autobot sign that light up to indicate POWER.

Verdict

Its a solid figure with a very nice re-molded/new Optimus Prime. For those who are planning to get a Music Label iPOD convoy, this is the figure to get. I pass on the white version simply because it was too plain for me. Highly recommended to all Optimus Prime collectors but be warned of the price tag. I won't recommend it for those who are thinking this is a nice speaker for your iPOD simply because it is not.

Toy (cab/robot mode) : 4.5/5
Sound quality : 3/5

 

Just a side note, part of the reason the cab looks so slick is that all the red areas are painted with the same color of paint, so there's no mismatch. I suspect, but am not 100% sure, this applies to the blue as well.

I'll have something at the con that should be of serious interest to anyone who's only reason not to own this was not having an iPod. It's much cheaper than a iPod as well...

 

How much's the price?

 

Huh. Didn't realize Takomy was marketing this as Optimus (rather than Convoy). I thought that was just for the movie stuff.

It does look good. That headsculpt is very cartoonalicious.

*ears perk up*

Do tell!

 

Thanks for the pics!

 

No tell! It's a surprise. But it's very simple to use, and makes these useful for non-iPodders like myself...

 

SOUNDWAVE: SUPERIOR. IPOD: INFERIOR.

 

I really like it!

 

Does this thing work as a charger too?

 

hmmm...Hasbro should use this Prime mold for the upcoming 25th release!

 

I just got mine today and I have to agree I wasint expecting much from this when I ordered it but the sound quality was actually better then I was expecting. I mean sure it's not perfect and sure there's better out there but for and the fact that it's a TF toy it's pretty awesome. This could very well be my favorite version of G1 Prime to date because of this. I was never a fan of the original G1 Prime's trailer as it always never got any love of use from me, but this thing is very awesome especially after falling for the iPod touch after less then a days use. The novelty of it just like the Pepsi Prime is just to cool for me and just looks and works surprisingly well. What you also have to love about this toy is the changes to the cab as well, articulated & remolded G1 accuracy FTMFW!  

Overall I really cant recommended this guy enough especially for those with an iPod. Like I said the sound on this was surprisingly good, maybe it's not Bose quality sound (which most people seem to expect with these kinda things) but for a toy like this it was good enough for me. Not only I feel does it work well as cool add on for the iPod I also love it as a toy and a worthy addition to the ever growing cast of G1 Prime reissues. The remolded G1 accurate head is indeed very awesome and has articulation to boot   I can see how price is an issue with this toy as it is a fair chunk of change for an item like this but if you can afford it it's definitely worth it though admittedly on the high side. I got mine for $130 shipped on eBay though so I feel for what I paid it was worth the cost but since most places seem to be $150+ with shipping it might be a little to far out there in price to justify the purchase.

 

This has my interest piqued, especially since I own a Touch, have been wanting a G1 Prime-type mold of any kind, and music and Transformers are 2 major aspects of my life. A question is will an iPod fit if it has a case on it? I have a silicon case around my Touch with a flap to reveal the charge port

 

That trailer should transform to become Soundwave or Frenzy.  

And I love Prime's hew head on the toy btw.

 

will there ever be a regular reissue Prime that will use this head mold do you think? I saw that the new 25th Anniversary Prime has the Autobot symbols painted on it like the Encore went with, instead of stickers, and like the ML one did..So, could it be possible?

 

I Love mine, and yes it charges the ipod while it plays.

 

Review request: iPod Convoy - Docking Station

I just purchased it but I have a few questions. FOr those that have it, do you have a Ipod touch? could you take some pictures for me with it in it. How is the sound quality in the speakers? Thanks in advance!

 

I don't think it's compatible with the iPod Shuffle, iPod Touch or iPhone series. (Not totally sure about that). The box lists what it's compatible with (at the time of release).