M:Tron 6989 Mega Core Magnetizer Review

[Inertia]

I bought this off ebay, while not having been collecting space as a child, it was mainly Wild West and City... I have decided, upon reading KDog's M:Tron Bar Brawl Mania strip in his Space Comic, to buy as many M:Tron sets and figures I could find.. except I got distracted and bought some different sets as well...

To start off with, here's a picture of the box:

Here's a general shot showing the entire set:

A front view:

The buggy:

Another shot of the buggy without the minifig:

The flyer:

The flyer without the Minifig:

M:Tron crate with some equipment and hoses, I don't know the use of the hoses though :

The cockpit open:

The cockpit closed with the crew:

The Magnetic crane:

Another shot of the Crane:

Rear View with Hatch open:

One of the side slots that can carry either the Buggy or the Flyer:

Top view of this excellent Vehicle:

Excellent for getting Spyrius or Blacktron out of your way :

Final shot:

Excellent set, one of the biggest space ground vehicles and one of the best sets made by LEGO. Undoubtably better than it's newer counterpart the MT-101 Armored Drilling unit.... A great addition to any collection and has a lot of cool neat features that make it have a lot of playability.

Simply excellent!

Five out of Five!

[Siegfried]

Great find and thanks for the review.

Undoubtably better than it's newer counterpart the MT-101 Armored Drilling unit....

Care to explain why? Personally I think that aside from the colour scheme the new one is far better. Why? Suspension, more enclosed cockpits, bug-like appearence.... I suppose it's a matter of personal opinion though.

[Tohst]

Great Review of a great set.

I always figured the hoses were welding torches (attached to jetpacks, yeah!) as the whole thing had the vibe of a mobile repair center.

Much like many of my favorite sets, this one has a base of simple bricks and plates and then from that solid foundation the rest is built out to be decorative or have the action features. This gives sets a very solid feel as demonstrated in this set, the first Snowspeeder, and Galaxy Explorer.

The MM Armored Drilling Unit has a more technic base giving it a less solid appearance and though I like the set, that jet that luanches from the back is horrible, partially because of the useless orange containment things.

The Mega Core has a nifty crane instead of a big useless jet.

-Tohst

[Norro]

Care to explain why?

The MCM has a pure weight of parts that I find hard to quantify but love... It is just so dense when you build it, full of nice surprises, no technique required, and a wonderful stearing mechanism that I rank as more important than the suspension of the mars version. This thing was meant to crush anyway, who needs suspension?

I also like the way you never felt that the M-trons deserved a base after building this, it was that good...

The colour scheme was perfect...

It's space and I like it... enough said

Great review BTW

God Bless,

Nathan

Naturally you're entitled to your inferior opinion...

[Siegfried]

It's space and I like it... enough said

Indeed! Norro standing up for a space set!

[legotrainfan]

Thanks for those wonderful pictures and congrats! I think buying this on eBay was a good decision! I have no M:Tron sets at all, but I like the MCM very much. It's just a wonderfully big set with many nice detials. Lots of playing possibilities! I wish I had it too.

[Joebot]

Fun review, thanks! Kinda sad to think that with TLC's recent ban on magnets in their products, we'll never see an M:Tron revival ...

[CP5670]

I love the design of the front canopy of this set, but I always felt that they could have done more with the rest of the model. This set is good candidate for customization though. There is quite a bit on unused space inside, especially in the middle section. I want to try putting a Technic-style engine into mine at some point, along with the necessary gearing.

I got my MCM brand new off ebay some years ago for a pretty good price, but the box was very worn out and the big trans-neon panel, which floats freely inside the box, was a bit damaged.

As for the hose/jetpack things, I always assumed that they were either welding torches or flamethrowers. Take your pick.

Kinda sad to think that with TLC's recent ban on magnets in their products

First time I've heard of that. What are they going to do for the train couplings?

[legotrainfan]

First time I've heard of that. What are they going to do for the train couplings?

New couplings are going to be available soon. There is a thread with pictures of the new couplings here.

[Fluyt]

Kinda sad to think that with TLC's recent ban on magnets in their products

Since when is that? The new train couplings have magnets, only with a special casing.

Anyways, M:tron is one of the greatest space factions, with mega core magnetiser as my favourite set of these guys (even though I do not own it ). The only thing that bothers me is the lack of (reachable) controls for the minifigs to drive their vehicles (but iirc it is the same with a lot of other space-sets as well)

[Joebot]

Since when is that? The new train couplings have magnets, only with a special casing.

You're right, I should have clarified -- it's the old loose magnets that apparently are being discontinued, not all magnets altogether. As you noted, the new train couplings still have magnets, but they appear to be permanently attached to a fairly large housing, which I guess will prevent kids from eating them.

But the old M:Tron round magnet pieces are presumably discontinued.

[Inertia]

Care to explain why? Personally I think that aside from the colour scheme the new one is far better. Why? Suspension, more enclosed cockpits, bug-like appearence.... I suppose it's a matter of personal opinion though.

I Just thought that the MT-101 was very skeletal and couldn't really steer that well, although I do like it. Also the MCM has a better design, in my view, as the wheels are closer together, making it look a lot more tankish than the MT-101. Also space in the rear isn't wasted on having a shuttle.

As for the hose/jetpack things, I always assumed that they were either welding torches or flamethrowers. Take your pick.

Hmm.... Well they don't have much else to defend themselves with, and I think in the UK the MCM was marketed as a Mobile Recovery Center.

Anyways, M:tron is one of the greatest space factions, with mega core magnetiser as my favourite set of these guys (even though I do not own it ). The only thing that bothers me is the lack of (reachable) controls for the minifigs to drive their vehicles (but iirc it is the same with a lot of other space-sets as well)

yeah they could have used the normal levers instead of the pronged two piece things at the front of the cockpit. But there is certainly a lot to mod.

But the old M:Tron round magnet pieces are presumably discontinued.

Shoot... guess that BL and eBay are the only sources now...

Thanks for your input!

[zero1312]

Thanks for the review, maybe I can pick one off eBay.

[CP5670]

It looks like you're right about the old magnets. I got a few off PAB two months ago but they no longer have them. I guess I should grab some while they're still widely available on Bricklink, as they can be useful in a number of situations.

On a side note, one interesting thing about this set is that it seemingly had two US/Canada names, Mega Core Magnetizer and Multi Core Magnetizer. Brickset, Lugnet and all the other sites I've seen call it Mega, but I have some North American catalogs from that time period that call it Multi and the box also says Multi on it. I actually didn't know the Mega name at all until many years after the M:Tron line.

[Clonecommando007]

This does look alot better than the new MM drilling tank. Great work!

[Siegfried]

I Just thought that the MT-101 was very skeletal and couldn't really steer that well, although I do like it. Also the MCM has a better design, in my view, as the wheels are closer together, making it look a lot more tankish than the MT-101. Also space in the rear isn't wasted on having a shuttle.

Thanks for an answer. I'll shut up now so we can focus on your review...

[Inertia]

Thanks for the review, maybe I can pick one off eBay.

Yeah, I got this for only like 19 pounds, pretty cheap. It's a great set!

It looks like you're right about the old magnets. I got a few off PAB two months ago but they no longer have them. I guess I should grab some while they're still widely available on Bricklink, as they can be useful in a number of situations.

On a side note, one interesting thing about this set is that it seemingly had two US/Canada names, Mega Core Magnetizer and Multi Core Magnetizer. Brickset, Lugnet and all the other sites I've seen call it Mega, but I have some North American catalogs from that time period that call it Multi and the box also says Multi on it. I actually didn't know the Mega name at all until many years after the M:Tron line.

Hmm... I've never seen it listed as Multi, but now I guess it has three names, strange that M:Tron is basically the only Space theme that had different names depending on region...

This does look alot better than the new MM drilling tank. Great work!

Yeah, I should take a comparison, yet the boxart on the MT-101 was pretty cool.

Thanks for an answer. I'll shut up now so we can focus on your review...

It's okay, I have a question kind of not related to the review.. Is there still a Space Review/Moc index now that Docking bay has closed?

Thanks again!

[Siegfried]

It's okay, I have a question kind of not related to the review.. Is there still a Space Review/Moc index now that Docking bay has closed?

No, but we (especially imperialshadows) are working on new indexes. Supposedly the space one was my job...

[Inertia]

No, but we (especially imperialshadows) are working on new indexes. Supposedly the space one was my job...

Okay, just don't forget this when it goes up, I like self promotion.

I have about 10 old space sets coming in from ebay and gonna review them soon as well.

so that should be some good additions to the index when it goes up!

thanks!

[I Scream Clone]

I really enjoyed the nostalgia review of the M-Tron Mega Core Magnetizer. This was the first wave of space lego i didnt get when i was a kid, though i remember looking at this set in the shops. I stopped with blacktron1 and space police.

I look forward to more reviews once your ebay stuff arrives

Cheers

ISC :skull:

[Asuka]

Thanks for that fine review of a really classic and impressive M:Tron set, Inertia!

The MM Armored Drilling Unit has a more technic base giving it a less solid appearance (...)

Yeah.... it´s pretty sad, some of these new sets just look very cool at the outside, but appear to be hollow and blank at the inside,

especially with the annoying use of studless technic beams. To MOD these sets often means to change the whole inner frame,

leaving us with a bunch of IMHO not really very useful parts.

It´s not a very honorable marketing strategy to produce set designs that´re aimed to look impressive and cool on the box art,

but´re pretty useless in their inner structures. Of course I don´t want to offend some Technic lovers, and although I always

was more the System kind of guy, why can´t they just use some technic beams with studs at least? I grew up with

'just imagine', with pictures of alternative models on the box, and I don´t think it´s that easy, especially for younger

kids, to MOD some of these terrific blown-up sets like it once was with sets like this one here.... Implosion off!

[Siegfried]

Of course I don´t want to offend some Technic lovers, and although I always

was more the System kind of guy, why can´t they just use some technic beams with studs at least?

That's because of cost. The older beams needed a four sided mold, and the newer ones need only a two. LEGO do seem to be using both types more as of late though.

I grew up with 'just imagine', with pictures of alternative models on the box, and I don´t think it´s that easy, especially for younger

kids, to MOD some of these terrific blown-up sets like it once was with sets like this one here.... Implosion off!

I've never heard an official word (...perhaps I should raise a topic...) but I think that they don't show them any more because it became a support nightmare. What do I mean? I bet TLG was tired of letters and calls saying "Timmy can't make this model shown on the box. Can you send instructions and the extra parts..." I know that for some recent models they were designed but not published. How do I know this? The creator said so!

[Asuka]

That's because of cost.

(...)

I've never heard an official word (...perhaps I should raise a topic...) but I think that they don't show them any more because it became a support nightmare. What do I mean? I bet TLG was tired of letters and calls saying "Timmy can't make this model shown on the box. Can you send instructions and the extra parts..."

Of course it´s a money issue.... my question was more rhetorical. But I still don´t like how they sacrifice inherent set design on

the altar of cost saving efforts.

To be even more correct, I don´t understand why they try to make extraordinary cool looking sets with a pretty weak 'inner life'.

Yeah, they want to sell sets with something that looks exciting on the box art, but.... LEGO was (and fortunately, is, with many recent

sets too) always more than just an impressive spaceship or S.F. tank vehicle.... it´s the sum of the set itself and its parts and what you

can do with it that makes out the full fun of it. The best thing you can do with a new set, beside some UCS sets perhaps, is to MOD the

set according to your own likings.

This is where 'just imagine' begins, and how kids start to learn how to MOC, at least it was like that to me....

Individualizing official sets, and looking on some cool alternative models gave me my first ideas and helped my imagination and skills to

grow, back in these days when I was a wee child. Books, movies and t.v. series as a source of inspiration just came a little later....

I can see many people complaining about how to make the alternative models, yes, but just stop using them on the box art´s a very

poor solution and a dangerous one too, at least in long terms.

Of course I know that you know all these things too, Sinner. I just think it´s a shame, and a risk too, because TLC´s perhaps sacrificing

more than they might know by yet....

Building with bricks is the main attraction of LEGO, not just some cool crafts to play around with.... others can do this too and maybe

better than TLC. If the kids of today ever forget about the fascination of being imaginative, TLC´ll only lose in the end.

[Iron Moose]

I've heard that the Alien Moon Stalker was called the Thunderfoot Launcher somewhere.

Ah, yes. Here.

http://news.lugnet.com/general/?n=51449&t=i&v=a

Edited May 30, 2008 by Iron Moose

[Inertia]

Thanks for that fine review of a really classic and impressive M:Tron set, Inertia!

I was in debt to the set, it's so good I just had to make a review, It got here, I built it then took pictures

Maybe I should buy another...

I've never heard an official word (...perhaps I should raise a topic...) but I think that they don't show them any more because it became a support nightmare. What do I mean? I bet TLG was tired of letters and calls saying "Timmy can't make this model shown on the box. Can you send instructions and the extra parts..." I know that for some recent models they were designed but not published. How do I know this? The creator said so!

Hmm... I think my parents probably contributed to that when I was younger . Anyway, now because of the glorius creation of the Internet we can share the instructions... Or make them.

I've heard that the Alien Moon Stalker was called the Thunderfoot Launcher somewhere.

Ah, yes. Here.

http://news.lugnet.com/general/?n=51449&t=i&v=a

Ah, that's interesting, I wonder why they do that?