waiting for some more payments and i'll send the money ASAP.

 

I'm still writing the Mirage review now. I'm horribly behind on things ... but ...








Reproduction Mirage Review
August 25, 2007

Since this is image heavy, I'll section off the review into parts.

Part I: Packaging
Part II: Figure
Part III: Comparison
Part IV: Seller Review




Part I: Packaging


Review:
There are several astonishing characteristics and they are pictured below.


The colors on the box are dead onto an original because of the new dye and gloss. The dimensions of the box are also identical to an e-Hobby release. It stacks perfectly on a shelf with the rest of those reissues.


Here's the box compared to a previous reproduction release.

You can clearly see the difference the gloss makes. It traps the color better and creates a mirror like shine. You can see the "Transformers" print on the box flap reflect off of the transformation instructions.

If you've ever taken your film for printing, Swoop is matte and Mirage is glossy.


and one last time with the mirrored finish.



Not every reproduction is perfect. Noted in a previous thread, I pointed out the main differences between the original and reproduction.
http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/showpo...2&postcount=92
In no way should this devalue the product at hand. It's meant as an eBay guide for members looking to purchase.



Conclusion:
The reproduction box has evolved. This release has set a new standard to which all reproductions will be compared to. The manufacturer has made an attempt to better the product, which has paid off.



Box score: 5.0 / 5.0
I'm ignoring the differences between the original and reproduction. The Encore reissue Optimus Prime didn't feature 1984 art perfectly aligned, so I'm not expecting this one to.

It is what it is, a fantastic effort to bring fans something Takara wouldn't.






(next up, part II)

 

wow

 

yowza.....:eek3:

 

Part II: Figure

This portion of the review will serve as a stand-alone, assuming that the buyer does not have an original Mirage. Not all reissues are compared directly to their G1 original, so this one isn't going to be either ... for now.


The contents of the repro Mirage is pictured below.


1 figure
3 missiles (not on tree)
1 launcher (w. inner spring)
1 gun
1 instruction book
1 sticker sheet

no red decoder, no mail-away minibook.


We'll start with the bot form:







and onto the car form:






Notes:
+ The figure is tight. The joints stay positioned after posing. Nothing flops or folds on it's own. Everything from the spoiler feet to the chest piece is fitted properly and will defy gravity.

+ The weapons are tight. The rocket launcher clasps into place. The gun handle squeezes into the fist, not slides.

+ Because of the lack of a missile tree, the weapons are completely finished from end to tip. It's smooth and unchipped.

+ The chroming process yields a brilliant shine. After sitting, the shiny parts feel cold to the touch.

+ The plastic is top notch. This is a thicker composite which leaves no stress marks after many rounds of transformation.

- In car form, there seems to be a slight gap between the nose and cockpit.

- In car form, there seems to be a slight gap on the right side. The "Ciantes" doesn't want to line up (discredited in part III)


Figure Conclusion:
This is a grade A product. 100%, no doubt, this toy is absolutely up to par with any release. I've honestly never had full control over a G1 figure before. When I move an arm, it stays. When I tilt the rocket launcher, it sticks. I can angle the spoiler in any way I want ... it holds.


Figure score: 4.75 / 5.0
The bot mode is flawless. The car form has some minor alignment issues.

 

excellent camera my friend

 

thanks bud. I need more lighting for sure.


I realized this way too late, about 200 random pictures into the shoot. :hs:

 

nice. are you using a lightbox to take these pics?

edit > oh, i guess not.

 

I am, but it's way too big I guess. I had 2 lamps using very bright lighting.

I really need at least 4. :hs:

 

Part III: Comparison

I have an original G1 release to compare off of. By looking at the leg stamps, it's not quite the same toy which was reverse engineered for the reproduction.

The original's stamp:


The reproduction's stamp:




First, we'll cover the bot form!


Again, please note the tightness of the figure. I'm able to produce gravity defying mid-transformations because of the build quality. The original (played with constantly 21 years ago), just flops.


Original


Reproduction

The reproduction's paint application is thicker and cleaner than an original release. Of course, there's about 20+ years of process improvement behind this ... but still, a positive is a positive.


and onto some various angle side by sides.


















And just a random note ...
The front axels on the original are a dark metal. On the reproduction, they are also a dark metal, but with a dark chroming placed over it. Be cautious of the rocket launcher clip, as it may scratch the gorgeous finish.



Onto the car mode!


Right away, you can see that the "26" on the nose is no longer a factory applied sticker! It's painted on to reveal a seamless look.

The red / white stripe on the top is now also painted on! So long are the days of crooked application. Also, no need to cut a sticker at the figure's midpoint. No need to worry about applying the sticker to an uneven surface (there's a small ledge on the rear panel).

To me, these are Encore-like improvements.


Also, not pictured, but on the original ... the "Ciantes" on the right side wouldn't line up either. There's a gap I just couldn't close. (mentioned in Part II)



The spoiler is completely locked into place. With the original, that's the only position I could make it hold.


Here's a random belly shot.

Comparison Conclusion:
There are significant "upgrades" to this figure when looking at the original. "Upgrade" is a perceptional thing, but from my view, the painted on (previously factory stickered) details are terrific.

The construction is of the same quality. The materials are greater than or equal to the original.


Comparison score: 5.0 / 5.0
If there were ever an Encore Mirage, this would be it.