I went ahead and ordered TE-01 from TFS-express last night. Hopefully it ships out before CNY. There is nothing on their website indicating any current delay in shipping and the item is labeled as in-stock. Their shipping policies say items ship within 2 business days of payment, which would mean it should ship before CNY starts. We'll see what happens.

 

I think it will be a matter of custom more than a matter or TFS shipping it fast enough. They will probably ship it next day but customs or the shipping company can take longer...

 

Yeah, I paid for faster shipping also. Just wanted to make sure I wasn't the only one that got caught in the void.

Sorry, bud. High five to a longer wait? No? Okay.

 

Mine is in hand. After transforming it... MP44 is going to have an uphill battle.

Clean truck and no backpack VS better articulation and head sculpt...

Clean truck and no backpack just seems so much more important. I'll wait and see once MP44 is in my hands to pass final judgement, but it looks really good for TE01

 

On its own, it's a close call...however, factor in the cost difference and it's a simple choice. If you're buying both regardless, then whatevs...cool. But if it's one or the other...

 

It's so beautiful!

 

Holy cow, that transformation! Ending up having to watch the designer’s transformation video, as the instructions leave a few key things out. I would highly recommend watching his video. The results are incredible though.

 

Two questions:

1. What is this CNE that everyone keeps talking about?
2. What ratchets in the hips are we talking about?

 

I don't really understand the need for the transformation to be "fun", it needs to get the job done. We're asking a lot of these transformations now days, in some cases we ask them to bend the rules of physics, of course that's impossible, so we cheat with things like fake parts and parts-forming. I'll be the first to admit this transformation is tough. A lot of the tabs and hinges are extremely tight, there are points where things are flopping all over the place, and the instructions could be much better. I recommend starting off with a spudger to help get those tight tabs dislodged, watching the designer's transformation video, and taking your time. The figure seems top notch in terms of quality materials and build, at no point did I ever feel like it was going to break despite the exploded robot steps along the way. The results in both modes are well worth the effort in my opinion.

 

Once upon a time, I think it was more of a valid criticism...and I can still see where someone might value that aspect and prefer it despite any sacrifices that result. I say once upon a time because that used to be an important factor with TT...that these figures be somewhat intuitive and 'fun'. However, a shift has happened where the goal is now accuracy and articulation. People can still prefer fun and intuitive, but the focus has shifted, therefor the competition is following suit.

Pretty sure you're asking about CNY...Chinese New Year. Most everyone over there is on holiday for a week or two.

 

The wait is over...

 

Your "meme" is what failed you... Those aren't even kids. Just small adults.  

 

CNE Express is a chinese shipping company that's been used a lot lately by ShowZ and others.

Um.... it's a toy? Toys are meant to be fun. I do value accuracy in both modes and I probably value them more than the fun factor but I still like to grab a Transformer off my shelf and flip them back and forth between alt and bot mode from time to time. So many of my figures aren't fun to do that with, though (everything from FT), so they just sit on the shelf.

 

For a while, both 3rd party and Takara Tomy were finding intuitive and dare I say fun ways to transform the MP figures. DX9 Mightron, for example. He's not perfect in either mode, I know, but his transformation is neat and has oddities we haven't really seen in figures prior to that. TT Sunstreaker is kind of neat how he flips around and forms either mode and it's pretty smooth.

Then, you have figures like IDW Optimus by G Creation (I think?) where it was all panels, nothing was intuitive and it was a nightmare to transform. Those are the transformations people have problems with. If it becomes a chore, then it's no fun and people won't want to collect it.

Believe me, I understand that as we get older, we don't "play" with our collectibles but some of us adult collectors do indeed "play" with them and they're built to actually transform. Otherwise, they're not Transformers, they're statues and that's not what they were designed for or intended for, they're meant to transform from one thing into another. If you can't or don't want to do that, what's the point? I'm all for accuracy, I really am, but if you don't like going from point A to point B and vice versa, then what's the point of the item's existence?

I'd say TE's transformation is just about right in the sweet spot. It's intricate enough for people to do it and do it properly without it feeling like torture, but easy enough to master rather quickly. It's more time consuming than anything else and that's fine. It's when it gets into MP-05 and G Creations territory that it stops being fun and no one really wants that.

EDIT: Didn't see this before I responded. I'll address it.

Ah. Thank you! I was wondering what people were going on about and I couldn't figure out why they were mad about CNY shipping being so slow and people kept using CNE. Makes all the sense, now. lol

So, I wonder what CNE actually is? I do know (from talking to overseas sellers) that since the US left the Postal Union, it's now up to both sides to have new "handshakes" when shipments move and enter a country. Whereas it used to be all unionized stuff and when you would send ePacket or EMS, it would automatically show up in your USPS tracking information on Informed Delivery/My USPS, now it's two separate tracking numbers. It's basically like when DHL passes the buck for my deliveries, they're basically buying postage and shipping it as a separate delivery through someone else instead of it all being on one line.

I wonder if it works any better than ePacket, SpeedPAK, and EMS?

And that response on the fun? Pretty much dead on. Yeah.

 

TE OP shipped by ShowZ tracking says delivery is tomorrow. Yessss. Hope the rest of you guys in my batch have gotten it or are getting it soon.

 

So happy for both of you! Enjoy our hero!

 

I think maybe you misunderstood what I meant. I have no issues with this transformation, I was just acknowledging that it's a tough one. I've just noticed a rise in comments on here lately about transformations not being fun. There are a lot of things in life that aren't fun, but are ultimately rewarding. That's how I view our quest for accurate bot and vehicle modes.

 

The more I play with this, I really really really really really wish there were no ratchets in this figure. It's the only true downside. Especially in the legs. I'd gladly pay full price for a second copy if they were to make one with no ratchets.

It's still a great toy. But I want the arm to naturally rest at ease with the upper arm going back a tiny bit and a slight bend in the elbow... No, not that far back at the upper arm! Just a little bit forward... No, not straight down!

*sigh* Ratchets are the literal worst every single time they're used.  

 

I agree to disagree...........ratchets are beautiful when done right as in small teeth ratio....ie. MP Ironhide arms. It blows my mind how some of these 3rd party companies screw this up. Also diecast when used strategically i.e. feet.....chest ect is amazing for balance / weight distribution but can be an Fing nightmare if screwed up just like the ratchets. This isn't Quantum Physics yet what's up with the Attention to stances then the wide A stance? COME ON MAN?