Spark Toys Alpha Pack (War Within Optimus Prime)

Discussion in 'Transformers 3rd Party Discussion' started by Cheem The Rup, May 28, 2015.

  1. ServO

    ServO Seeker (I look for stuff) Super Mod

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  2. chip1123

    chip1123 Well-Known Member

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  3. Starganderfish

    Starganderfish Well-Known Member

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    Picked him up from an ebay seller, arrived today. This guy is impressive. Like, astonishingly so. Worth remembering that this is the first figure out of these guy's and (as far as we know) their first foray into 3P Transformers. Compared to some other companies initial efforts (and even compared to a lot of the Takara MP's) this guy is damn near perfect. I would rank Spark toys up there with FT, MT or any of the best manufacturers (at least based on their first product).
    I love the textured plastic on the wheels to feel like rubber but retain the density of plastic. The paint app's all over are impeccable, I haven't found a single spot out of place or hint of overspray on mine. A nice solid dense weight to him, but I can't work out where the diecast is. Surprisingly poseable for such a beefcake bot.
    The transformation was fun, not overly complex, and no real nail biting moments. He looks amazing in vehicle mode, rolls like a champ, and those huge wheels are cool. Bot mode is glorious, hefty beefcake. He's a head shorter than MP-10 but still feels imposing. Also, mine kind of looks a lot darker than many of the reviews and photo's I'm seeing? May just be a lighting issue.
    The only issue I have is he doesn't hold his weapons all that well. It's kind of odd that the weapon tabs and slots are so small given how large his hands are.
    Even the Matrix is kind of cool, with the blue glow effect. Bit small for those huge mitts of his but a really nice touch nonetheless.
    I also picked up the Hasbro Titanium version of this recently(and the matching Megatron tank) My god, what a difference. Never mind the size or the materials, (Titanium Optimus was actually in multiple pieces within his clamshell and will not stand up unsupported - Megs is even worse) It's just a super clean, super nice design.
    I cannot wait to get their Megatron.
     
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  4. northjason

    northjason Well-Known Member

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    So, I'm way late to the party, but I just got my Alpha Pack thanks to an eBay coupon that came out a few weeks back.

    I'm more torn on this figure than any I've owned. While I love many aspects of the execution, he just looks so out of scale with MPs to me. It's the little head. My mind uses the head as the keystone to establish scale, and AP's head makes him look like a huge Prime...but in scale with Voyagers or CHUGS.

    I sort of like him next to my Hercules and hate him next to MP-10.
     
  5. jessiedart

    jessiedart Well-Known Member

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    Honestly I never understood the scale thing.
    Mine is in front of my oversized mp10 and next to smaller stormbringer idw megatron from megasteel.
    Just enjoy it.

    People slaved to scale loose out on owning some amazing figures.
    To me it's nutz
     
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  6. Napalm

    Napalm Drinking About Robots TFW2005 Supporter

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    I've never considered him MP sized. He's a Leader sized Prime in my book. And hell, fun is fun. YMMV.
     
  7. Chaoticon

    Chaoticon Well-Known Member

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    Same experience. Straight out of the box before even getting transformed it already had those deep stress marks on that thin piece of plastic that connects the canopy to the neck. I have not touched him since then. It's sad as it's otherwise a pretty cool design. Seems like they are a bit inexperienced when it comes to plastic tolerance issues and quality control.
     
  8. TM2 Dinobot

    TM2 Dinobot closet otaku

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    Put the KFC Prime hands on mine. They fit just fine. They look a tad different, and I wouldn't say add that much flair, but it gives him some nice posing.
     
  9. Starganderfish

    Starganderfish Well-Known Member

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    Nice. How do they cope with his weapons and does he still transform?
    Articulated hands are a big thing for me and I get disappointed when a large bot is lacking them. Always appreciate upgrade options
     
  10. Chaoticon

    Chaoticon Well-Known Member

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    Could you please explain how to fix it with heat? I really would like to try. Thanks!
     
  11. KnightStrike

    KnightStrike Well-Known Member

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    The easiest way I have found is with a heat gun. Just start with it away from the surface and work it in a circle over the area while getting it a bit closer until you see the stress marks disappear. You can also use a hair dryer, but a cheap heat gun is a lot faster and comes in very handy for stress marks and might be worth picking up for future use.
     
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  12. IanAdams

    IanAdams Secret Octopus

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    Pretty much exactly what @KnightStrike said. If you soften stressed plastic up just a little bit with heat, most of the time, the stress mark vanishes. Stress marks on hinges are still scary, because it shows that plastic is being damaged by moving the joint, but if you just accidentally bend a part that's not supposed to bend, it's pretty easy to fix.
     
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  13. tturbozx66

    tturbozx66 Well-Known Member

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    Don't have a heat gun but a hairdryer always worked for me.
     
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  14. TwoManWar

    TwoManWar New Member

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    Does anyone know how to contact Spark Toy for replacement parts? I had an unfortunate incident where Alpha Pack fell of a shelf and busted his right (my left) shoulder plastic. I'm sad.
     
  15. rubadubspawn

    rubadubspawn Rubadubspawn deals @ [email protected]

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    So cool. I'm sorry I missed them when you first shared them!

    I had the same problem, or at least one if the shoulder pieces fell off and snapped. Ended up getting a new replacement part from the seller I bought it from.
     
  16. TM2 Dinobot

    TM2 Dinobot closet otaku

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    Sorry I missed this. He transforms fine (I wouldn't have done it otherwise) and the weapons work the same. I'll take some pics if I can dig him out.
     
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  17. Bumblemus Prime

    Bumblemus Prime Cracked in the head

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    I need a Voyager KO stat!
     
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  18. BoNKerS

    BoNKerS Well-Known Member

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  19. GR1ML0CK

    GR1ML0CK Dinobot Commander

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    That Megatron is sick! I was in for Grimlock only but now I need this and Megatron. Waiting on a eBay flash sale to pull the trigger though. On cannot have too many Optimus, Megatron, or Grimlock in the collection
     
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  20. Robogeek28

    Robogeek28 Proud grandpa

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    Wish this guy was a head taller even though my wallet is glad he isn't.