Here is my detailed building review of the 42131 CAT D11(T) Bulldozer. I tried to show all interesting parts of the building process, then a demonstration of the functions without the official Control+ profile.

Access will be only granted to that one on the 15th, I will of course post another video with that. Without the profile this is not the full picture yet so I did not draw any final conclusions, but I'm interested to read your thoughts about the set!

 

Thank you @kbalage for this review! At 4:32, you mention "It is not highlighted in the manual but make sure to pay attention to the position of these gears: if you add one of them the other way around, the linear actuators will work in the opposite direction.". I think that the actuators will turn in the same direction, independent of the positioning of the 20 tooth idler gears.

However, at that place in this set, the same mistake is made as in set 42082, which is demonstrated in this video from @Jim:

 

This mistake was already made in set 8043 from 2010! See this post from @Blakbird

 

Thanks for this episode of the CAT D11 review, always a joy to watch and listen. I really like this format with spoken comment. I share your conclusion.

Way too pricey for functions you get. For same price 42100 offered 7 functions with separate motors for each of them.

Best thing to do if you want to have a decent Dozer is buying 42100 and rebuilding it:
 

 

Looks like another set that would be really interesting to build, but not very interesting to own or to play with. I don't think the building experience + parts can justify the price tag though, so I probably will never get this set.

I've got to say though that some of the geometries in the build are pretty impressive and the driving capabilities also seem pretty nice. Now I want to see you pour a large box of mixed Lego on the floor and have the Cat push it around 

2 hours ago, howitzer said:

Looks like another set that would be really interesting to build, but not very interesting to own or to play with. I don't think the building experience + parts can justify the price tag though, so I probably will never get this set.

Really really really really interesting to build  (at least, that's my opinion). If it's worth the price?! I will leave that one to you.

Thanks for the video @kbalage. It moves pretty fast. I am now building step 7, so I can try to get this thing to move shortly.

Thanks for simple (in most positive way) review; if I can express oy one suggestion - (IMHO) it would be nice to publish pictures of finish modules and interesting parts (new, recolored, rare...) for people who use slower devices like older smartphones and older tablets.

7 minutes ago, 1gor said:

Thanks for simple (in most positive way) review; if I can express oy one suggestion - (IMHO) it would be nice to publish pictures of finish modules and interesting parts (new, recolored, rare...) for people who use slower devices like older smartphones and older tablets.

Not that I want to hijack this topic, because I know @kbalage will post more awesome videos of this set and his reviews are different than mine (which is good). But Sunday you will get the written review with pictures.

8 minutes ago, Jim said:

Not that I want to hijack this topic, because I know @kbalage will post more awesome videos of this set and his reviews are different than mine (which is good). But Sunday you will get the written review with pictures.

You know that I'm looking forward to see your review; perhaps my suggestion is something like your trademark 

Weird to hear that it has a good building experience... with Duplo-style instructions that are ~x2 times longer than necessary yet still fail to clarify certain aspects?
After watching both your and Sariel's reviews - no surprises taken. A strange half-baked set with missing/unrealistic functions (as mentioned by Sariel, the top sprocket is the one ought to be driven, otherwise the whole point of having it is lost. Although seeing an RWD raptor... not surprising), unnecessary complexity that hinders the play factor (speed of the blade elevation and the fact that one has to switch to the other end of the gearbox for functions relating to the same area) and all that under the strange 18+ branding...  Welcome to Technic 2021 

At least we all know that the true flagship this year is white,blue&orange 

6 minutes ago, syclone said:

At least we all know that the true flagship this year is white,blue&orange 

I disagree full heartedly 

2 minutes ago, syclone said:

one has to switch to the other end of the gearbox

This will be done automatically by the Control+ app for you, so it does not really matter where the actual functions are positioned in the gearbox. Though I wonder how fast it will be to switch between functions.

4 minutes ago, syclone said:

speed of the blade elevation

I wonder whether this is justified for example by the weight of the blade, would a faster gearing result in insufficient torque to lift it?

BTW, thanks @kbalage for the compact review(s), I like that it only contains the really interesting pieces of info.

@technicmath you are right, my bad :) One reason why I shouldn't do the review in the middle of the night :)

@1gor thanks for the suggestion. I did not have much time to create an additional blog post with photos and information, but for me video content has the priority. For photos and written text I really suggest to wait for @Jim's review, I couldn't compete with that quality anyway :) 

@syclone the building experience was definitely better for me than the Liebherr. Apart from the bottom section, with that set I had a feeling of building empty boxes with motors in them, that's all. I'm not sure if it is worth to call out the way the instructions are made every single time. There are expert builders and there are novice builders, and the set should be buildable by all of them. I don't see how "too detailed" instructions could ruin the building experience, there are simply more steps that's all.

@gyenesvi it'll be interesting to see how the Control+ app will handle the function switching from a speed and reliability perspective. 

10 hours ago, syclone said:

[...]and the fact that one has to switch to the other end of the gearbox for functions relating to the same area) and all that under the strange 18+ branding...  Welcome to Technic 2021 

Well since the gearbox is circular periodical it's technically not "at the other end of the gearbox" but the shortest path is blocked. :D That's actually something that is not needed, but it simplifies the building process a lot. And since you mentioned the 18+ rating: There are currently some discussions in german lego forums about making PU programming/sharing as simple as possible - this totaly remembered me of my job: a total disillusion of what "adult" people are able to do if they are confronted with something new - nothing. The instuctions are made for people who are fans of CAT and build their first Technic model since 10+ years or ever. Maybe it should have been even easier. The other only possible type of customer are the hardcore nerds with years of experience. And they will change things on every model anyway. Should they add two different instructions? :D

Some people say things like "sets for display and adults should be Creator expert anyway" and tbh, that's even worse. Multiple crazy SNOT technics -> horrible for beginners, who bought a set only for decoration.

@kbalage I've decided to wait till Sunday for photos. Since I'm very short if time lately I appreciate your reviews. You mention most important things so I don't have to rewind video to see what I mostly want

All of this discussion with individual functions and gearboxes makes me think whether long term it might be better for Lego to release a 6 port hub. It would occupy less space than 2 hubs and still have enough ports to run functions without the need for a gearbox.

Edited September 11, 20213 yr by XenoRad

24 minutes ago, XenoRad said:

All of this discussion with individual functions and gearboxes makes me think whether long term it might be better for Lego to release a 6 port hub. It would occupy less space than 2 hubs and still have enough ports to run functions without the need for a gearbox.

The C+ hub is already unwieldy; a six-port hub would be massive.

2 minutes ago, Maaboo35 said:

The C+ hub is already unwieldy; a six-port hub would be massive.

It would still occupy less space than two 4 port hubs.

11 minutes ago, Maaboo35 said:

The C+ hub is already unwieldy; a six-port hub would be massive.

Umm, the RI hub has 6 ports and it's only slightly larger than a PF battery box. Of course it also has a rechargeable battery, which means that the size and shape is not dictated by 6 AA batteries.

Also, the C+ hub isn't exactly larger than a PF battery box, rather it has a different shape.

The gear rack housings appear to be DBG, which means that part is in two new colors this year

 

13 minutes ago, Bricktrain said:

The gear rack housings appear to be DBG, which means that part is in two new colors this year

 

That was noted in Sariel's review.

2 minutes ago, Maaboo35 said:

That was noted in Sariel's review.

I havent seen that

3 minutes ago, Bricktrain said:

I havent seen that

You really should.

13 hours ago, Jim said:

I disagree full heartedly 

Eeeeeh?! Welp, the Tow Truck does need a better colourcheme, but considering all other sets, it has a pretty good value + good functionality 

13 hours ago, gyenesvi said:

This will be done automatically by the Control+ app for you, so it does not really matter where the actual functions are positioned in the gearbox. Though I wonder how fast it will be to switch between functions.

I wonder whether this is justified for example by the weight of the blade, would a faster gearing result in insufficient torque to lift it?

Well, that's true. Let's wait to see the app.

I'm pretty sure the LA's start bending pieces when in top-most position, so they should be more than capable to lift the blade at faster speed IMHO.

3 hours ago, kbalage said:

tion, with that set I had a feeling of building empty boxes with motors in them, that's all. I'm not sure if it is worth to call out the way the instructions are made every single time. There are expert builders and there are novice builders, and the set should be buildable by all of them. I don't see how "too detailed" instructions could ruin the building experience, there are simply more steps that's all.

2 hours ago, Gimmick said:

Well since the gearbox is circular periodical it's technically not "at the other end of the gearbox" but the shortest path is blocked. :D That's actually something that is not needed, but it simplifies the building process a lot. And since you mentioned the 18+ rating: There are currently some discussions in german lego forums about making PU programming/sharing as simple as possible - this totaly remembered me of my job: a total disillusion of what "adult" people are able to do if they are confronted with something new - nothing. The instuctions are made for people who are fans of CAT and build their first Technic model since 10+ years or ever. Maybe it should have been even easier. The other only possible type of customer are the hardcore nerds with years of experience. And they will change things on every model anyway. Should they add two different instructions? :D

Some people say things like "sets for display and adults should be Creator expert anyway" and tbh, that's even worse. Multiple crazy SNOT technics -> horrible for beginners, who bought a set only for decoration.

That's what I hate the most about the current lineup - there's no offering for those who want a challenge rather than being guided step by step (which personally is way more annoying as you're constantly turning a page after page after page, adding barely any pieces, whereas a callout could contain several of them and just point out the places they go with a red circle or something if it's that "hard") . Such overly detailed instructions are a waste of ink and paper as well - they seem to be twice the necessary size.

Adding to it - the "18+" still makes no sense to me, just put a big "Technic STARTER" tag on the box and be done. It just loses sense compared to EVERY other age indication on the boxes - what does 5+ then mean? Or 12+? Are those for starters or not? Or those are actually the sets for more experienced builders? Why is only those who can't build taken into consideration, how hard is to make at least 1 damned set that presents at least a little challenge to build???? At this point just have someone build the set for you, as the instructions are getting onto that level of dumb.

If someone wants a decoration, they can go to home improvement store, place a plant or order a pre-assembled scale model that'll be MUCH more detailed probably at a smaller size and pricepoint. Not butt into a hobby expecting to be able to do everything with NO previous experience. I'm not gonna drive a car if I don't know how to use it, right???

--------------

Back onto the CAT - is there any purpose in track tensioning in this model? 

3 hours ago, XenoRad said:

All of this discussion with individual functions and gearboxes makes me think whether long term it might be better for Lego to release a 6 port hub. It would occupy less space than 2 hubs and still have enough ports to run functions without the need for a gearbox.

I've said this before but I think a better solution would have been to separate the smart electronics from the batteries, i.e. a flat processing unit connected to a separate dumb battery box.