Well, I just got my set in today. I don't have time to do an in-depth review, so just a couple of quick observations. (Plus, I figure most folks here know very well what the g1 seeker mold is like already....no surprises there)

1. As has been said before, both jets have their wing and nosecone insignias tampo-ed on now. (the wing ones are the reverse of TFC Screamer, so their symbols are right side up in 'bot mode) What has not been said is this: Thundercracker's wing stripes and vertical tailfin stripes are now tampos as well, but Skywarp's are still factory-applied stickers. I don't really mind one way or the other, I just thought it odd that Takara/Tomy was not consistent about it.

2. Skywarp's tech specs are slightly revised. His rank has been changed to "5", but he keeps his "9" for intelligence.

3. On a general note, you'd think with all the times the seeker mold has been redone, and with the recent extra paint apps and tampos of the previous Encore re-issues, that somewhere along the line someone would have decided to paint the eyes on the seeker mold red, or even yellow, and save us from swearing and taking forever to get that pesky eye sticker juuuuust right.

4. They did not print out separate instructions, (or sticker diagrams) for each seeker....just one set with TC pictured.

Feel free to comment.

 

What I also noted was the pictures of the box art of Skywarp and Thundercracker are slightly hazy/blurry. I mean not as sharp as the original seeker boxes.

 

hungrrr.

how is the fit of the wings into the black pegs? hasbro versions are rather loose but the collection SS the fit is nice and tight, im not sure if thats down to the mould itself or the fine detail of teh plastic surface providing different levels of friction.

 

Yeah I picked that up as well. It almost seems like they've been redone actually, like hand painted.

 

Still waiting on my set as soon as it arrives I will take some pictures.

 

I only own Encore Starscream, but couldn't agree more here! I've had those bloody stickers applied upside down for a long time, and with the right side up, Screamer looks even more ridiculous  
If I had steady hands I'd paint those eyes myself.

 

The wings fit okay...not overly tight, but they have enough friction to stay in whatever position I put them in. I was going to say they're on par with my TRU reissue versions; I'd not noticed that my TRU Thundercracker or Skywarp were particularly loose to begin with.

Two more observations after playing around with them some more, and digging out my TRU ones for comparison (I'll eventually find my old vintage TC from childhood, too):

1:The TRU nosecones were of a much smoother rubber, and fit much better than the Encore ones....there's a small gap on the bottom between the cone and the toy on each

2:The black plastic on the encores in general is not as glossy and a bit rougher than the ones on the TRU reissues.

 

If I already have the Hasbro reissues are these worth picking up?

 

It depends.

If you think that a couple of tampos and un-altered missles and lasers are worth spending the $60 or so to get another version, then yes. I got them because I like the seeker mold in general, and because of the missles and lasers. I AM half tempted ,to switch out the bodies with those of my TRU reissues, due to the slightly shiner plastic and nicer nosecones.

If these differences are not that big of a deal to you, then I'd say no...

 

Paint doesnt stick to that type of plastic too well.

 

...sticks to mine just fine.

 

Just going to move this here as I think it's a better spot for it. Thanks for the rundown, I have to agree about the eyes, with all the touch up's they've been doing on other Encore's this would have actually been a good idea as I really hate that damn eye sticker  

 

i cut the stickers down to fit correctly over each eye, a pair of watchmakers forceps works well.

 

another difference i noticed between the collection SS and hasbro TC/SW is that the black block that holds the wing is far tighter in main body frame in the collection version, you have to apply more force to move the wing, the hasbro versions are quite loose in comparison. If the wng is removed the hasbro version black block can be swivelled easily with thumb/fingers, the collection version requires quite a hard twist to move it (might assist in determining if the encore TC/SW are using the hasbro or collection construction) also in holding the black block the hasbro wings can wiggle more freeling in them.

anyway minor (very geeky) points but somethingto help determine the various versions of the seekers.

 

I'm stil not sold on these. Encore Screamer is great, but for these two, the Commemorative Series is sounding a bit better, depending on price. On another note, I just leave the eye stickers off. They look stupid anyways XD

 

i actually think the longer missiles (well the more tapered ones anyway, not the mushroom ones) look better than the old ones.

also begs the question, whats the next encore going to be after metroplex? i hope takara has more in store and something worthwhile like piranacon or something totally out of the blue like overlord to battle reissue god ginrai with!, i'll be a bit fed up if its a re-reissue.

 

Oh man, if only the Encores were like that.........