I received my Device Label Blaster from TFSource today and noticed that there isn't a pictorial review up yet. Blaster forgoes his traditional boombox incarnation in Device Label, instead assuming a more modern laptop/netbook Toshiba PC: He is convincing in this mode, if undersized compared to an actual computer: The laptop hing feels very sturdy and has a nice metallic "click". I would have preferred the Windows-esque desktop shown in earlier photos, but the giant Autobot logo is sort of fun. In addition, following the Device Label tradition he functions as a 4-port USB hub in either mode. Turning him over reveals a significant portion of the robot mode: In terms of size, he's in between the large-for-a-G1-toy Blaster and the compact Music Label Soundwave: Transformation is a breeze. A few panels snap apart, and his legs and arms fold out. The only two "tricky" parts are that you must slide his head slightly forward before it will swivel out of his chest, and it is somewhat difficult to pull the black portion of his forearms away from his hands. The end result is quite clearly Blaster: The back kibble and big black boots really don't bother me at all: 1/4 of the laptop screen remains attached to each arm in this mode, which can remain stationary: Or moved independently to keep the "cape" look: One glaring omission is the lack of any sort of weaponry. Fortunately, G1 Blaster's gun fits, although it is quite oversized for his body: Luckily he's able to hold other weapons. I found this KO Defensor rifle appealing: Again, his G1-counterpart towers over him in robot mode. Device Label Blaster is a bit "chestier" as his entire midsection is dedicated to holding a G1-cassette: He's a bit taller than Device Label Soundwave in this mode, and considerably stockier: As promised, he is able to hold a G1 cassette easily in his chest: The posability of the figure is better than I expected, largely attributable to solid base provided by his large boots. His head only swivels from side to side, but his arms feature two joints in the shoulder and bicep, with one of each being a ball joint. His legs feature three joints at the hips and two at the knees. He has no waist movement. The biggest disappointment of the figure are the forearms. The black portions of the forearms simply swivel over the fists and end up adjacent to the orange portion, but don't appear to lock into anything. This leaves a gap next to his hand and on the forearms. If one or both of the swivels had been replaced with a ball joint they could have formed a solid arm in robot mode. All in all I am satisfied with Blaster, though maybe not $70-satisfied. He certainly beats the Universe repaint of Cybertron Soundwave for a "classics" incarnation of the character, but he is by no means flawless. Lastly, two pictures. "No way, two can play": Finally, is this perhaps the first ever Transformers review where the images for the review passed through the actual figure? [edit] Adding a few more requested pics: And one just because...
Thanks for the review! Mine should be here Tuesday. Can't wait. Do you have DL Ravage or Tigatron? I'm wondering if they can fit in Blaster's chest.
I have the KO Device Label Ravage from the second to last picture... And no, I don't see any way he'd fit in the chest of DL Blaster. They're much longer than the G1 cassettes.
Sweet! Thanks for the extra pics! I don't have any of the other DL figs, so it is cool to see what it looks like next to Sunstreaker and Hot Rod! I might have to look into getting this fig now...maybe I can justify it to the GF by showing her that it actually serves a function! LOL
Nice review Optimusfan, I'm still not sold on the figure yet but it's good to see all the comparison pics. That last pic is hilarious.
Great review, the video review has been up for a bit here- http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-video-reviews/315342-device-label-blaster.html
Damn, I don't know how I missed that pic with ravage That's a slight bummer they don't fit. I was hoping they would so Cheetor and Tigatron could be his new minions. Looks like I'll just use Blockrock and the Steeljaw from Venksta's kit.
Great pics, it really looks great! Can't wait to get mine, but won't have it until somewhere in august when TFsource get the SDCC Blaster I ordered with it. I'm glad he's big enough to scale well with classics too, bigger than deluxe but not huge, really cool
Maybe I'll ask for this for Christmas; there's too much other stuff to spend the money on, and I'll be happy with my SDCC Reissue Blaster. It looks pretty good, though.
I would like to see how he compares to G1 Soundwave. Also, I said this in the video review thread, but I'd love to get my hands on a non-electronic version and save some money. I don't need another USB hub, and I don't want to spend $70 on a deluxe-sized toy.
Thanks for the review. Blaster looks good. I'm still unsure if I will purchase the Device Label or the reissue. I already have the cassettes that come with it but lack a Blaster.
hmm....70USD? Kindda steep for a what it does -- I like the fact that it can accomodate G1 Tapes. I guess I'll allocate cash for this guy instead of the SDCC version of Blaster. I wonder if they'll release a repaint of this as Twincast?
Just got him in today, he's an okay toy at most, like the OP said.. he's a stocky guy.. the things that bother me are the following: the tricky arm/hand transformation, the stocky underarms and the pretty fat blank look on his face (which reminds me of Energon Hot Shot)
