Thanks to TFW board member Kuma Style, we have the first in-hand and extraordinarily detailed review of the oft delayed but highly anticipated figure, Art Storm Ultimetal Optimus Prime. Collectors have been extremely patient waiting to add this piece to their collections, but according to Kuma Style the wait more than paid off.
Standing an impressive 17 inches tall and weighing in at a shipping weight of almost 30 lbs, this figure is at first glance awe-inspiring. Full of diecast and sporting an incredible paint job, this figure is hugely (pun intended) impressive. What really sets this figure apart from previous incarnations of the famed Autobot leader is the removable armor over a highly-detailed and articulated skeleton. This figure is unique in that it allows collectors to remove parts of the armor to show the inner workings of Optimus, including functioning pistons in the wrists, ankles and ribs.
Additionally, the sheer mass of this figure dictates that special measures be taken into consideration with its engineering, so Art Storm added locking joints to support the dynamic posing that most collectors would be almost compelled to attempt with such an impressive and imposing figure. Lastly, the designers added lights and sound effects to truly bring this figure to life. Prime has light-up eyes, running lights and Matrix chamber, plus a moving mouthpiece that moves in tandem with a number of phrases spoken by Peter Cullen.
This is a massive and expensive addition to the world of Transformers collectibles and without a doubt a centerpiece of any collection.
Click through to see the full gallery of pictures plus the detailed review of this highly impressive figure.
magnum703
Mine does that… Little slower. It was tighter at first, then got loose
agentcastle
Have not encountered that problem either
crazee928
not normal
mauz20
To the guys who own this, is the neck on your piece too loose? Mine tends to start looking downward while his mouthpiece is moving.
This is already my 2nd piece as the 1st piece had the issues with the chest lights. I had it replaced but now I'm encountering this and I'm not sure if it's normal.
I posted a vid of it here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LPWdcAwJDw
Thanks!
agentcastle
nice review! I have a copy of my own but im always up for an ultimetal video… just waiting on megs
RocketPunchArmy
RPA Ultimetal Prime Review
A little late to the party, but here are my videos for this guy
Armor-Up Teaser sequence:
[youtube]K4MaaPjW7X4[/youtube]
Full Review:
[youtube]IP1OCSDVHhs[/youtube]
RocketPunchArmy
2x LR41
2x LR44
6xAAA
The button batteries have equivalents so look those up too because not all batteries are labeled LR
I paid a total of $4 for all the batteries but I wouldnt suggest leaving dollar store batteries in the figure for prolonged periods of time
crazee928
the new addition
mtl79
Sorry guys, can someone remind me what batteries are needed for this? Mine is arriving at the end of the month and just wanted to make sure I had them so that I could test the electronics…
ragnarok
Yeah, still in the honeymoon phase with it but I must admit my item has more small QC issues than I would like on a figure of this price. Had to glue another "screw" piece that popped off while moving the arm as well. But again it could have been far worse. Just gives me pause when thinking of buying Megatron later down the road.
Also interestingly I saw another awesome YouTube review by OptimusPrimeSG:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peBUnFcf8ZE
yesterday which runs into the same problem on the same arm when adding the armor in. He cuts away to do an unspecified fix. That video is worth watching if you want to see a complete rundown of the articulation and highlights all the various piston movements.
I've now transformed my old MP-4 to cab mode after long service in robot mode to show off the 2 variations of Prime side by side. Closest thing to UM-01 in scale as well.
crazee928
nice man! I had a feeling it was bc of the width of the pegs – I i just looked at mine and the gold pistons are flush with the connector joint – I don't see the gap on either bicep like in your pictures, so I almost want to say they somehow didn't assemble yours with enough tolerance.
he's still an imposing figure with crazy detailing to me. full leg articulation is still a little limited due to his one-click ankle swivel and his sheer weight, but I wonder if that's what that tiny plastic stand is for, to help prop him up while being posed without the full blown stand. haven't tried it yet so not sure how effective it is, but maybe I'll try it out later after digging it out of the box.
Sponge
Oh ok, gotcha, glad prime still wows even after the initial spectacle has dimmed
Kuma Style
I'm referring to the protection base and the part at the end of the screw swivel the clamps down to it. I simply didn't know ones that were that small in diameter existed.
Sorry for thread derailing.
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Ultimetal Prime still rocks, but now that the honeymoon phase is over, I've went through the voice commands 2k times, and it's shelved… it's still an awesome display piece. Really proud to own it.
Sponge
Connection points? Not sure I understand, unless you are talking about like film and stage clamps, or a grounding clamp for a welder, which I have seen at small scale, if you elaborate I can point you in the right direction if you like
Kuma Style
I need to look into smaller ones, because if I could find one with connect points THAT small, it'd do a lot of good for other projects… and no, it doesn't matter post-fix. Glad something worked, Rag.
Sponge
Maybe if all you have are big ones, but there are cheap readily availiable C-clamps ranging in size from 1 inch on, up some with very small footprints, but I suppose it doesn't really matter, as Ragnarok was able to fix it yay!
Kuma Style
#KumaFixesStuff
ragnarok
It worked! Thanks so very much Crazee, Kuma and Sponge! I grabbed some needle nosed pliers but pressing it together wouldn't do it as it would just 'bounce' back. So I placed the armor on the pegs and worked from below using the pliers to pull away the gold parts from the rest of the plastic part at the other opposite edge, and it finally dropped the armor into position!
I'm so happy right now guys! I suspect I would have to resort to the above method if I removed the armor piece again later which is a shame, but at least there IS a method to get it to work. Maybe if I leave it the armor holding it in place long enough the plastic would 'set' in that position?
In any case, what a relief – I can enjoy gazing at this guy without worrying about which angle I'm doing it at ^^
Kuma Style
I use c clamps pretty often for things like brakes, but that's going to be pretty big for such small parts with limited clearance…
Sponge
I'd try this but with a C-clamp, so that you only put compression on the piece on one axis, and can gradually increase the pressure and leave it to set if needed, but I don't have the piece, and am speaking in a procedural sense from past experience in similar situations, so if I don't fully understand the issue I apologize