1H2017 Technic video reviews by Sariel

[Sariel]

42064 Ocean Explorer AKA Boaty McBoatface:

And the 360° speed build:

 

[brunojj1]

I really enjoyed this review, especially after having seen the Moby Dick movie “In the heart of the sea” in the evening! And then the “can it float?” test which I somehow have expected + “play theme sinking ship“ comment hahaha ...

Seriously – it´s a great set, mainly because it´s aimed to the younger clientele, fortunately many of the new sets do so. Kids probably won´t  care so much if it doesn´t look as good as the bricked counterparts or being not perfectly in scale for minifugures (as long as they fit somehow) and in general I like the fact that pieces don´t fall off as quickly from robust Technic models & fly around in the children´s room. I see some fun potential in the set, let the ship drive around over the bathtubs´ edge if it can´t float

[Josephiah]

It floated perfectly well; it was the stability that was the problem! 

[Dazenie]

I would only buy it if it came with a boaty mcboat face sticker instead.

[nerdsforprez]

I also really liked this review.  Bonus points for trying to make it float and the ensuing videography.  I loved the shots of the underwater explorer.... actually underwater 

 

Couple of thoughts: 

- It may not have the greatest functions, or at least according to your review Sariel, but wondering if this generates then a conversation of the similarities but also differences between playability and functionality.... because it appears like a set that offers a lot of playability. I really like the steering of the ship, I think it appears realistic for a ship that is supposed to be in water and the rudders are a nice addition.   The fact that there is also two other mini-builds with some functioning I think also adds to the playability.  The fact that the submersible can be raised and lowered from the deck and water is also very nice.  So, although the functions may be simple, for play only, it appears like a fun set for perhaps younger populations (as you so stated in your review). 

 

- In the past I have often bought several sets, combined them into like an XL version of the original Lego set.  I have other projects going right now, but I see that as a fun project for this ship.  What if one were to buy multiple sets, and combine them into one large one?   Also wondering if it would be possible to go without the steering, etc. and other functions that fill the underside, and build the ship around a Lego hull (or multiple) that does float, kinda like the catamaran we saw a couple months ago:

If possible.... I think a true sea-worthy version of this set would be a lot of fun......

 

[Sariel]

23 minutes ago, nerdsforprez said:

it appears like a set that offers a lot of playability. I really like the steering of the ship, I think it appears realistic for a ship that is supposed to be in water and the rudders are a nice addition.   The fact that there is also two other mini-builds with some functioning I think also adds to the playability.

I'm afraid I don't see that much playability. You can move the ship around. You can put the heli on the helipad. You can move the sub on board and off board. That's it. If I was a kid, I would probably get bored in 3 minutes. If the ship could float, deploying the sub would be awesome. But it doesn't, so what can you do really? Put the sub on this or another part of the floor?

[J_C]

Fishing trawler would have been better. Ropes, reels, arms, nets, bunch of Lego City fish (like BWE had "rocks"), openable hull to put fish in.

 

 

Edited January 7, 2017 by J_C

[Ngoc Nguyen]

As a busy working adult I had little time to play with Lego sets, so I bought them mostly for the display value. And I think the 42064 has good scores on that metrics. The only thing I would want is a deeper hull bottom (the red part).

Edited January 7, 2017 by nguyengiangoc

[efferman]

1 hour ago, Sariel said:

I'm afraid I don't see that much playability. You can move the ship around. You can put the heli on the helipad. You can move the sub on board and off board. That's it. If I was a kid, I would probably get bored in 3 minutes. If the ship could float, deploying the sub would be awesome. But it doesn't, so what can you do really? Put the sub on this or another part of the floor?

for a 5 year old kid this could be enough. in this age they dont need a bunch of functions. they need space for minifigs. everything else is only imagination

[Richard Dower]

6 hours ago, efferman said:

for a 5 year old kid this could be enough. in this age they dont need a bunch of functions. they need space for minifigs. everything else is only imagination

True...but is that Technic....or Lego city?....these sets seem more aimed at kids then the Technic fan.

[Appie]

10 hours ago, Sariel said:

I'm afraid I don't see that much playability. You can move the ship around. You can put the heli on the helipad. You can move the sub on board and off board. That's it. If I was a kid, I would probably get bored in 3 minutes. If the ship could float, deploying the sub would be awesome. But it doesn't, so what can you do really? Put the sub on this or another part of the floor?

The mini builds at least come with their own functions as well, which also adds to the playability. Of course these functions like those of the ship are pretty basic, but for kids who are tired of moving everything manual in City sets, I think this set would be a nice step up to see what axles and gears can do.

[Sariel]

Some of the greatest questions in the history of mankind: who are we? Where did we come from? How would the LEGO RC Tracked Racer do in snow while towing a hamster on skis?

 

[Ngoc Nguyen]

LOL I thought you were towing your real hamster

[rollermonkey]

Can always count on Sariel for a few things:

Great reviews that end up making you want more of the sets than you thought originally

At least a few laughs

Bravo, sir.

Bravo. 

[tgrbailey]

Fantastic review of 42064 - really made me laugh and brightened up my whole weekend!

As usual great review... I've got to work all night so I might retrieve this one from the attic to build to keep me awake!

[Sariel]

42064 B-model, surprisingly functional and playable: 

 

[Ngoc Nguyen]

Bargey McBargeface? Or Pushy McPushface?

Edited February 19, 2017 by nguyengiangoc

[evortigosa]

42064 is beautiful !

Waiting for someone transform it into a truly ship: one that floats :D

[aeh5040]

15 hours ago, Sariel said:

42064 B-model, surprisingly functional and playable:

Interesting B model (and thanks as always for excellent reviews!).  I assume the wind turbine is intended to represent a fixed (not floating) offshore turbine.  I don't think a floating one would work very well!  I'm also curious if someone can comment on whether the attachment of the "push boat" to the barge is realistic?  I have seen plenty of tug boats pulling barges (by a rope), and sometimes pushing them, but I have not seen a system like this.

[DaFokka]

6 hours ago, aeh5040 said:

Interesting B model (and thanks as always for excellent reviews!).  I assume the wind turbine is intended to represent a fixed (not floating) offshore turbine.  I don't think a floating one would work very well!  I'm also curious if someone can comment on whether the attachment of the "push boat" to the barge is realistic?  I have seen plenty of tug boats pulling barges (by a rope), and sometimes pushing them, but I have not seen a system like this.

Yes, this is fairly realistic, you have them a lot on the Rhine:

 

[aeh5040]

13 minutes ago, DaFokka said:

Yes, this is fairly realistic, you have them a lot on the Rhine:

Good to know, thanks!

[Sariel]

Aaaand the last thing to review in this half of the year: the combined 42057 / 42061 / 42063 fusion set:

 

[schraubedrin]

Nice review. Coincidently, i just built this model yesterday.

What you could have pointed out are the "license plates" and the difference of the shifting system to the current standard.

 

personally, i think the argument of "one 566 part model for 120$" is not applicable. I see it like a combination model of the old days, with the corresponding ingenious part re-usage to achieve the desired functions and looks.

[Andy D]

Thanks for doing the review of the 40th anniversary set. I built this set last month,

 

and I was hoping you would do a video speed build and review, Your review did not  dissapoint. I think @schraubedrinhad some valid points though.

thanks again for this review and all that you do!

Andy D

Edited May 24, 2017 by Andy D

[1gor]

Just one small thing (if someone mentioned earlier sorry to bump into discussion...), It looks like this panel in dark blue  is used before in BWE (set 42055). Please take a look; so I could not say that this piece is in new color for set 42064 . Otherwise review is great for 42064 set as usual from Pavel. there is nothing to complain