wow! that gold does a lot for his face! just got mine yesterday, no q/c issues that I've noticed, and my mirrors are still on  

really like how some of the panels get "hidden away" in bot mode, but the instructions could be a little more clear but they do get you moving in the right direction.

 

Really, would we count these as voyagers these days? I know the deluxes have all shrunk in the wash, but voyagers seems like a stretch.

But then I haven't bought a Hasbro voyager in a while  

 

"Beefy" Deluxes at best.

Trace is the biggest so far and He's smaller than Springer or Rhinox for example.

 

Yeah, Beefy deluxes was how I was categorizing them in my mind. But your point is certainly valid, a Hasbro dlx car doesn't have enough mass to even try to play at this level these days.

But I also understand Hicks' sentiment, when I play with these they feel like what a "Deluxe Universe" style car SHOULD be. Even if Alternity is probably the closer cousin....

 

Yeah agree with motorthing.

 

Okay, the more I play with Trace, the more he's growing on me. My main issue right now as that in car mode, I always have a gap between the rear window and the rear side panels. Am I doing something wrong?

 

That seems to be everyone.. Not a huge deal, but a minor annoyance for sure.

 

Sorry if I missed it,

Is there a connector port in Trace's supposed arm mode?

 

Yea. Check his legs. They're blue.

 

^^ Thank you. Just wanted to see how he'd look plugged in to what 3P torsos are available out there.

 

It's probably been asked in this thread but does anyone know why the other two throttle bots have a mixed hand configuration, one open fist and the other closed fist, while this one has two closed fist? I really like the mixed configuration. It lets you have the best of both worlds and creates some asymmetry to make it a little less boring.

 

Which is pretty much what I meant. Yes... they're more expensive, but we all know why you're paying more for 3rd party figures. They still make Hasbro look lazy.

 

I'm interested to see how Trace will be combining to the torso. Those 2 holes in the chest just doesn't seem like they're deep enough to hold securely....

 

I got my Trace and Smart Robin at the same time also... and I have much the same opinion. I'm not saying Smart Robin is BETTER, but at the moment, he interests me more. I think Trace will grow on me more slowly as I work out his transformation "fiddlies." I have the stress mark on the fist as well, which happened right away, as soon as I forced the gun into his hand. It needed forcing. It was kinda scary. It's easier now, though. I've also noticed a few stress marks around a bunch of the pin joints, like the posts the headlight panels are on. Not sure if they're just tight or if I did something.

There's lots of tightness all over this figure, which is good... but a lot of the joints are a little TOO tight. I think that's the biggest trouble with my figure. Otherwise, I love the hell out of him.

 

It's pretty much par for the course for ToyWorld now i.e. they have great ideas but they skimp on execution i.e. they don't put enough final polish to their products. Still buying their products though.

 

After prioritizing or getting several walking tanks, leaders, and fancy figures, I'm interested in getting back to the "roots" of the Autobots. The Orion's, Assaulters, Smart Robins, Nemeans, Ultra Magni, Mania Kings and the like are great, but I need some basic soldiers turning into your average car. The Nottlebots seem to fit the bill. I wasn't initially interested in these guys, because I have no attachment to the source characters, and they seem vaguely chibi (I'm sure in homage to the source characters). But as I've watched some reviews, I've become more enamored with the seemingly elegant way so much of the kibble seems to fold away, and what looks like very good articulation. Still not too keen on the really simple head sculpts. I've seen Aurora at a great discount, and a pretty good deal for Trace, and I'm teetering on the fence.

 

..Grind Rod was on the scarce side, last i looked.

 

I'm not concerned about getting them as a set.

 

how to detach the side mirror from Trace? It is kind of pain in the aXX during transformation.

 

I don't think you can go wrong with Aurora. He really is a great figure - a refinement of an already very good figure (Grind Rod).

Trace is a good figure. I'm bugged by the gaps in car mode and while I do enjoy the transformation, it's less elegant than Aurora's.