I can understand the line being dumbed down and corners cut. But this is the second time I've been dissapointed by Cybertron.

2 words, PAINT APPS.

The toys looks so yummy,,,ON THE BOX!

But when I open it, hmmm, no paint here, bare platic here, why does it look so dull? (looks at box) D'OH!

So far i've gotten Vector Prime & Ransack. Perhaps it's time to dust off my modeling paints. (and since paints don't store well with me this translates as: But an entire new Testors starter kit)

*sigh*

If only the shelfwarmers were marked down (under 5) I'd consider doing some kit bash re-paints.

I've had an idea for doing a pair of Divebombs in Lazerbeak & Buzzsaw colors.

And if the price was low enough, I might even try to salvage a decent look for "Pizza cutter man"

 

Vector Prime yes, it looks very bad paintless and all, but Ransack looks exactly as the GF version

In fact, pretty much every figure is the same, except VP

 

I just opend Ransack. Versus the box art he has:

No paint on the cyberkey
No black at the waist
No red stripe at the *erm* crotch
The arms are only painted on the outside. The box art has his arms painted all the way around.

 

Amen to that. The QC on the Cybertron toys (and some GF toys) in the paint department has been absolutely HORRIBLE. I'm not just talking about missing paint apps: The kind of paint they are using on these toys is complete CRAP. It bleeds, the coverage is terrible (it's practically transparent)... not to mention the "stay inside the lines" issue. I'm afraid it's just going to go downhill from here. I've said it before: The toy designs are awesome, but the quality = 

 

In most cases, the box art is a handpainted sample, different from both the Cybertron and GF versions.

 

If a blob of paint on a figures ass bothers you so much I have one more word for you - import.

I really don't mean to sound like an ass in stating this but in the cases of figures other than V Prime, these are quite minor paint apps and don't detract from the figure at all. Somtimes less is more.

Ransack looks great with or without a red stripe on his groin. The Cybertron version feels no need to draw attention to his package. For this confidence, he is superior.  

Ok, so his key is goofed. That is true for all Ransacks but not all basics. It is a processing mistake. These things happen. If you can't handle mistakes like that, avoid the figure all together. It is not as if you can't see the key before opening the figures.

If you don't want to import and said blob of paint on the ass is that important and you don't want to import, buy a new set of paints. It is not as if a testers set is very much.

 

Where Ransack is concerned, that unpainted key bugs me (sad, since I really wanted him). However, it's a simple matter of not buying him right away and waiting. An error that significant (if it is indeed an error - I can't see why it'd be intentionally done) is bound to be corrected by a running change in future releases of the little guy.

Vector Prime... well, the guy's a mess or a kitbasher's dream, depending on your point of view. Planet Key aside (maybe), all his differences are intentional. Keep an eye out on a cheap GF version or something. Most of Cybertron doesn't share his significant changes, so don't despair too much.

 

I've had no problems with GF paint apps... The only problem I have with GF so far is Demolisher's neck being really loose... Other than that, no problems at all...

I'm buying CYB too, but limiting those to the ones that aren't seeing a GF release... With that in mind, I have YET to find a good CYB Starscream without any paint flaws...

 

There are a lot of good Cyb Starscreams around here. It was no problem to find one without paint issues. Here, it's mostly the basics with overspray issues, especially Clocker. I figure adding a few paint apps myself is less expensive than paying extra for an import.

And if you want a painted planet key for Ransack, just get an extra. All of the speed planet 'bots have the exact same key; the only difference is, Ransack is the only one with an unpainted key. Just give him a key from a Clocker or something. The lack of paint and the number on the back is the only difference. Or paint it yourself.

 

Personally, I think the unpainted key is kinda cool. It different. Variety is the spice of life.

 

Again, I think it fair to point out that CVP has some added paint apps too. I actually prefer that added paint app to the ones lost. The only problem I have is the lack of wing trim.

 

The only problem with VP is the lack of trim on his wings. But to me its no big deal. I might just paint it myself sometime down the road. And I just got StarScream today, and all I got to say is AWSOME!!!   So far I am impressed with the Cybertron line.  

 

Ranksack's not the only one with an unpainted key though. OP and VP suffer the same fate.

I'm still trying to decide if I'm going to get the VP/SS two pack and try to to VP's missing paint apps myself or just get the imports of both.

 

I actually don't mind VP or Ransack's unpainted keys. They both look fine to me when plugged in. Prime's key does bug me though, maybe because I expected all the leaders to have gold trim.

 

The 2 pack obviously will be cheaper - about a third of the price of the imports.

We also don't know for sure what 2pack VPs color scheme will end up being. We do know 2pSS will be a variation, so that may help a smidge.

Also recognize the color difference is significant between CVP an GFVP. Which one is better is very much debatable. CVP is mostly bright white, which hides much of the sculpted detail. On the other hand, his brown is much darker, and makes for a nice contrast. Folks who like to see VP as a shining knight tend to prefer this look.

GFVP is mostly gray, which to me seems a shade or two darker than it appears in most of the online pics I've seen. This brings out the detail more. However the brown is much lighter than CVP, so there is much less contrast. This seems to be the preferred color choice for fans who see VP as The Last Autobot, and want to emphasize his age.

I tend to lean more towards the CVP colors, mostly because I like the dynamics of light and dark, and find GF a bit washed out. Really, I would have once again preferred the base color be something between the two.

 

although, these are galaxy force toys only digitally enhanced to make them look more pretty

 

I have a theory about Ransack's unpainted key, FWIW.

Seems to me most of the "standard" keys are molded/produced in large groups independent of the toys themselves (similar to "Spark Crystals" and stuff like that)

Toys like Vector Prime, Optimus, and Megatron have custom keys specific to that toy, part of the molds for that toy (and sharing plastic colors with them, unlike many standard keys). when a round of cost-saving comes through, the paint apps on the keys may be dropped, as opposed to dropping more apps on the figure itself. (it is just an accessory, after all)

I think Ransack's key, while the same as a speed planet key, is part of Ransack's mold for some reason (clear red plastic is part of his makeup), and falls into the same paint-loss trap as other keys that go with a specific figure.

Mostly a guess, but it makes sense to me.

 

Yeah, I have to agree that the paint apps aren't that hot, but I just collect them and play with them, so dosen't really bother me that much. But why cant they just use the GF versions, I mean there may be some issues with chrome on some, but wouldn't it be easier?

 

Cybertron Red Alert appears to have MORE paint apps than GF First Aid.

so that's one.  

 

 
I ain't then end of the world that the colors are lame. Perhaps I will get a new paint kit. It's been a back burner project, so I'm not losing any sleep over it either way.

Also I'd rather paint it myself than spend the $$ for an import. I'm out of practice but at my best I can out-paint any mass produced piece.