Thats entirely your opinion. I fixed the hips in under 5 minutes with no issues. My joints are spot on, and after transforming him for the first time this afternoon it was smooth and intuitive, no tabbing tolerance issues, nada. Even better, mine was missing instructions and I managed to figure out the transformation by feel, which is a thing I often struggle with.

I don't really care for hypertoon arsthetics, so I was waffling hard on TE-03. I'm really glad i pulled the trigger on the preorder.

 

Not missing...they're intentionally not included...because reasons.

 

None of these have instructions. It's a strange "feature" to be sure, but you're not alone. Glad you found it easy enough though, bodes well for everyone who might be concerned about not having them

 

OK, then...add that on to my very small list of gripes, which is pretty much this and that the sides of alt mode next to the cockpit have an annoying "Pringle stack" look. Oh, and i like more livery, but I'm working on that myself, lol

 

Having to fix the hips is a minor annoyance but there are guides and videos out there. It should not loosen any joints unless it was performed improperly. It took me about 5 minutes and that’s because I was being overly cautious. The trick is to loosen but not remove the thigh screw.

If you are wary about fixing the hips then do wait for another batch.

I think overall it’s a great figure and fun to handle.

 

To be fair it does have instructions, it's just that they're video based via QR code, like the cool kids are doing.

 

The only reason I dislike video transformation guides is that there is always a point where their finger or hand is in the way and I can't figure out what the hell they just moved.

 

Yay! Mine cleared customs and is in the grips of “Air City LAX” ... hopefully will show next week sometime.

 

Did you push the pin from the outside of the knee to the inside? Because in your pictures, it appears the pins are pushed inside to the outside...or did you flip the pin when you re-assembled? I'm planning on following your plan here, I think this the easiest method with less stress on the figure and myself.

 

TE should do the nissan bros ( with their ways of transforming, te can make the foot wheels fold into the legs ). I don't understand none of the third parties are making these guys.
Also lambo bros ( i think they can make better ones then badcube. And just sideswipe and red alert. I think takara sunstreaker is pretty good ).
And especialy new seekers molds.
Starscream 2.0 has way to big wings. Now he has wingbuttflaps. And you can see it from the front. But i would buy ko that mold.

 

Yeah, I’d love a TE Sideswipe, or any carbot as good as their Mirage

 

Removing the pin seems like a lot more work. It is easy to open up just the top of the thigh and remove the part.

 

How did you fix the hips?

 

“Hunchback of Notre Lame” takes top spot of quotable put-downs I would most like to use in context

 

I was struggling heavy with getting the hip please back in. I have big hands and kept running bumping my fingers into other parts. When I just removed the pins it me 5 min tops to fix both legs pins come out easy. Knees are still tight. So for me, removing the pins was way faster. I'm sure others might do better leaving it in.

 

This is the second or third confirmation that this approach works without killing the knee joint. I think we officially have an alternative method for those that want it.

 

Push the pin from the outside of the knee. It will come out from the inner side.
Fold away the leg flaps to make things easier.
Just put if back in the same way it came out.

I had to test one leg to see where the rigged side was.

 

Haha I accidentally made a joke  

I still have to fix mine and I am really intrigued by your method. So if you have the pin out, what good does that do? You still have to turn the hip pieces around. How does removing the pin make that easier?

 

It means that opening the thighs to remove the hip joint won't crack the knee joint around the pin

 

Alright I might try that.