Hi. First time poster, so be gentle! I've only recently got into collecting Transformers toys. My wife bought me a DOTM Optimus Prime for my birthday in June, and that started what has become a quite obsessive habit. My most recent purchases were the MP versions of Grimlock, Rodimus, Megatron and, most recently, Prime himself. I've been looking into MP Starscream and I've come across iGear. Now, from what I understand iGear stuff in unofficial, right? And of varying quality? I must admit, though, the upcoming iGear Starscream looks awesome. I get the impression that iGear is frowned upon by some? And the rumours are that MP11 is going to be a new version of Starscream, right? Looking at other people's MP wishlist I must admit they're wildly different to mine, perhaps owing to my 'noob' status. Personally I'd die for a Galvatron, Soundwave, Shockwave and Ironhide.
iGear is a third party company that many people equate to a knock off company for their downsized masterpiece seekers and prime. I haven't tried any of their products (though I am tempted by the Kup heads) I have heard many people who have bought their MP seekers that they are good quality. If you are interested in seeing them before buying them, you should check out peaughs reviews of them, both in the feedback threads and on his youtube channel.
Your not alone but don't hold your breath for any bar Galvatron, if you look at the news subforum there is a MP sized/articulated Soundwave coming from a third party, who have also mentioned Shockwave may be in the offing if Soundwave sells well. Thread is here: http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-news-rumors/434916-prototype-g1-cartoon-soundwave.html iGear are also doing a G1 cartoon accurate Ironhide & Ratchet that you may wanna look at, not MP size but still impressive. Find the discussion here: http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/trans...05w-pp05m-ironhide-ratchet-revealed-full.html Regards iGear quality, it seems ppl are really happy with the coneheads so no reason to not assume the original three won't be just as good. You'll find Thundercracker will be the one most are interested in tho due to the ridiculous price of the Takara version. I've always found ppl's venom towards third parties odd tho, we are fans of a particular line or toys/characters and not a corporation, and IMO at least, shouldn't care who gives/makes what we want.....as long as I can buy it and the quality is good I'm game. Roll on G1 MP sized figures from China because we sure as hell aren't getting them from official sources.
They are good quality, but people frown on the company because they are essentially making "knock offs" of Hasbro products
That's all really interesting, thanks folks! It's great to find somewhere where I can talk about all this stuff with others who are equally as enthused - my wife thinks my new found interest is mental. I'm still kicking myself for the 100+ figure collection I sold in my teens :-(
Seekers aren't downsized. The 3 iGear seekers (Thrust, Dirge and Ramjet) and the Legends Bee I have are excellent.
I have the 3 conehead seekers, they are dead sexy and a very good buy. However given the upcoming price for the SS, SW, and TC, you'll be better of getting official versions as they will be about the same or possibly even less than the igear stuff, and will be official product. TC Is rumored to be hitting the states, but like any rumor...you never know.
From i-Gear I have Faith Leader, the 3 coneheads and I eagerly await the Ironhide / Ratchet, Rager and Spray. All I have bought from them have been of great quality. Personally I would go for the official Skywarp and Starscream as I feel the colouring works better with the coneheads, but I can understand the reticence to hunt down a Takara Skywarp. I was initially against their "KO" re-releases such as Faith Leader, but the down-sized version really works for me and I feel he is less top-heavy than it's official predecessor. I am in a fortunate position to know of several third party releases from i-gear, and I await them all eagerly. Also, welcome to the boards.
Too early to say anything, they handle their own release schedules. Pleased to say they seem to be favouring new designs over re-purposed Has/Tak molds.
They are totally intended to be. They're not super accurate to the cartoon because iGear made "what they could," like the Coneheads aren't totally cartoon accurate but they are meant to be in scale MP G1 cartoon representations.
iGear's also planning to release PP04 not-Bumblebee and not-Cliffjumper, each appearing to be more G1-accurate with unique chassis molds (BB a Volkswagen Beetle and CJ a Porsche) sharing the same internal frame, rather than the same old boring yellow and red repaints of the same mold as Hasbro and Takara keep giving us (sometimes with a new head). I believe iGear's plan is to fill in the blanks (the Coneheads) or remake those figures with less-than-accurate/desirable molds (like Classics/Henkei Ironhide and Ratchet) and scaling everything to their PP01 Faith Leader (downsized MP Optimus Prime), MP Grimlock, and the MP Seekers/Coneheads (which stand roughly around Ultra-sized at around 8"-9"). I have PP01 Faith Leader and while he is a little fragile and lightweight in hand, he looks fantastic and fits in well in a Classics/MP display. I have to admire the engineering that went into downsizing the MP toy with all of the parts still working the way they do on the original (in some cases better since there's no diecast to throw off the figure's balance). There may be some issues with QC (particularly the first run) but the 2nd edition release (which I have) addresses these and it's an overall nice-looking display piece (my only complaint being some sloppy paint here and there but nothing a little silver enamel couldn't fix). Looks awesome next to the Seekers, Grimlock, FansProject City Commander (aka armored up Classics Ultra Magnus), and Generations figures. Some folks will badmouth iGear for being nothing more than a company that makes knock-offs, and there might be some merit to these accusations (as far as "stolen" molds go), but I see them as fulfilling a niche market like any other third party. iGear is showing some amazing potential for original molds and creative engineering, like the Kup heads and the upcoming PP05 not-Ironhide and not-Ratchet. Ultimately, to each his own, but I for one will continue to purchase their products (I'm looking at picking up the Coneheads next).
Count me as an iGear fan too. Faith Leader is a nice 'in-scale' version of Masterpiece Prime; the coneheads are just amazing, very well made and great looking versions of characters we were unlikely to see officially; and I'm really really looking forward to their new toon-colours Thundercracker. The G1 Arcee they sell (but is not made by them) is awesome too.
