What's happening with Technic?

[Amt0571]

After a few years of not purchasing technic legos (only ninjago's for my son), I was looking at the Technic catalog for this christmas and it's abysmal... there are only licensed cars with almost no functions and playability. The only things that somewhat interested me: the airbus helicopter and the john deere skidder are out of stock... the other really nice sets, like the Liebherr crane are ourageously expensive. I've looked at the expected january sets and... more overpriced cars?

I instead ended up purchasing a used but disassembled and cleaned Arocs 42043 with box, instructions and a new sticker sheet... the price was not terrible (240€) for the conditions, and although it was more expensive than when it was new, it seems cheap compared to bricklink offers and it has 2700+ pieces with motor, pneumatics, 12 tires... seems cheap compared to current legos, and hell... I always regretted not buying it when they were available.

I miss old unlicensed legos which cared little about the aesthetics and were all functionality. Last technic that I really loved was 42082: lots of functionality, big, and reasonably cheap. My kid still loves playing with it

I love legos, but definitely not what they're doing with it.

Sorry (/RANT OFF)

Edited December 3, 2024 by Amt0571

[bruh]

Totally agree! I've been following the recent topics on the newer sets, and I'm disappointed. 

If you are looking to buy more sets, I would recommend the 42110 Land Rover or the 42098 Car Transporter; I've had both and enjoyed them. 

[Ngoc Nguyen]

Short answers:

1. Those who like the function-rich style of Technic, like Eurobrick citizens, do not make up the majority of Technic buyers. In fact they are in a rather small minority.

2. Technic lineup's current direction for lineup is that there's something for everyone, which means there are sets for other tastes, which results in smaller share of the old style.

3. The current kind of lineup sells better.

[2GodBDGlory]

37 minutes ago, Amt0571 said:

After a few years of not purchasing technic legos (only ninjago's for my son), I was looking at the Technic catalog for this christmas and it's abysmal... there are only licensed cars with almost no functions and playability. The only things that somewhat interested me: the airbus helicopter and the john deere skidder are out of stock... the other really nice sets, like the Liebherr crane are ourageously expensive. I've looked at the expected january sets and... more overpriced cars?

I instead ended up purchasing a used but disassembled and cleaned Arocs 42043 with box, instructions and a new sticker sheet... the price was not terrible (240€) for the conditions, and although it was more expensive than when it was new, it seems cheap compared to bricklink offers and it has 2700+ pieces with motor, pneumatics, 12 tires... seems cheap compared to current legos, and hell... I always regretted not buying it when they were available.

I miss old unlicensed legos which cared little about the aesthetics and were all functionality. Last technic that I really loved was 42082: lots of functionality, big, and reasonably cheap. My kid still loves playing with it

I love legos, but definitely not what they're doing with it.

Sorry (/RANT OFF)

Great choice with the Arocs! That was my first real Technic set, and even apart from nostalgia, it's just so good for the money.

I'd definitely agree that the new lineup isn't compelling, but the great thing is that Technic doesn't generally have great resale value, so you can pick up the greatest hits from years past, often under MSRP

[Amt0571]

33 minutes ago, bruh said:

Totally agree! I've been following the recent topics on the newer sets, and I'm disappointed. 

If you are looking to buy more sets, I would recommend the 42110 Land Rover or the 42098 Car Transporter; I've had both and enjoyed them. 

I already have 42110. I like it aesthetically but I don't like engines with fake pistons and whatever I do, the stock gearbox ends up cracking like there's no tomorrow, especially if dust gets on it (which it happens, since I have it on a shelf. Strangely enough, I have 8880 at it's side, gathering the same dust, and that always works perfectly. I also have 42144 material handler, which frankly, I think it's an underrated set. It may be ugly, but the functions are nice and work well.

Once I finish the Arocs I'm planning to rebuild 8837 pneumatic excavator that has been disassembled for the last 25 years, and it also would be great to rebuild the 8480 space shuttle, but unfortunately I have to repair all cables and the multi-controls no longer work.

I'm missing old technics a lot... and past years I have been building only non-technic sets: Saturn V, Discovery and Eagle Lander for my "space shelf", and the viking ship, which looks nice but I only purchased because it seemed appropiate to buy a viking ship during a holidays on Denmark.

13 minutes ago, 2GodBDGlory said:

Great choice with the Arocs! That was my first real Technic set, and even apart from nostalgia, it's just so good for the money.

I'd definitely agree that the new lineup isn't compelling, but the great thing is that Technic doesn't generally have great resale value, so you can pick up the greatest hits from years past, often under MSRP

Well... the Arocs MSRP was 199€ which seems insane now. At the time I saw it for around 160€. Thats almost a hundred euros below of what I have just paid for the set + shipping, used. I've seen not a single Arocs in good condition approaching the MSRP. Even at this price, it seems better than current lego lineup and prices which seem to me very expensive. At its day, I paid 150€ for the 42082 on Amazon during black friday, including shipping from UK to Spain...

29 minutes ago, Ngoc Nguyen said:

Short answers:

1. Those who like the function-rich style of Technic, like Eurobrick citizens, do not make up the majority of Technic buyers. In fact they are in a rather small minority.

2. Technic lineup's current direction for lineup is that there's something for everyone, which means there are sets for other tastes, which results in smaller share of the old style.

3. The current kind of lineup sells better.

Regarding point nº 2: there's nothing for people who don't like cars... or don't like them that much.

It's nice having a sportscar with a gazillion gears and suspension, but frankly, they've been doing the same since 8880, except that it now costs 450€. Well... and 8880 at least was 4x4 and 4 wheel steering.

I just happen to love heavy machinery. Especially motorized or with pneumatics... speaking of motorized: I hate the new sets which require a smartphone. What are they going to do when the app is obsolete? And I don't want my kid to mess with a smartphone, especially if it's just to play lego.

Edited December 3, 2024 by Amt0571

[Erik Leppen]

What Technic?

Oh, you mean that Racers line that TLC still calls Technic? 

 

Jokes aside, I think it's an effect of the shallowness of society in the 21st century. People (in general) don't care anymore about what works nice. People care about what looks nice. Technic shifting focus on looks (like literally all other themes of Lego), thereby losing its unique selling point, is just a consequence of that.

Technic as it was, won't be coming back as long as the general public won't regain interest in functionality over looks.

 

[Danil]

from the latest that have roots of true technique are 42082, 42128, 42129 and 42145. in my opinion.I won't mention 42113, since this set has been desecrated by resellers and elevated to the rank of «My precious-s-s-s-s» But this set, in terms of technical implementation, deserves attention.

Edited December 3, 2024 by Danil

[StudWorks]

The Arocs was the ultimate Technic set for me. It was huge and expensive at $250 (though now it seems like a bargain) and I got it for Christmas nine years ago. That and the EV3 kit really kickstarted my LEGO enthusiasm and my love for MOC making. And I agree with you completely, LEGO hasn't made anything decent in that size category with a dozen or so functions since the Arocs.

The 2025 sets consist of the horribly designed Supra and Corvette, two Formula 1 cars with only a two speed gearbox that both look alike, and to top it off, everything is priced 25-30% more this year than it damn should! The car transporter-scale cars cost ten dollars more than last year's cars which were way better but just sat on shelves forever, the Ferrari F1 cost $230 for only 1,361 pieces and the Red Bull F1 is the same price for 300 more pieces making the Ferrari set disadvantaged, the Dump Truck costs $17 more than the Garbage Truck despite having a lesser piece count, and the Ducati is a big, niche set (in my opinion) that's also overpriced.

I like to think positive, but like a lot of people here, every year I feel like TLG gets more moronic, to be frank, so there's nothing wrong with having a little rant about present-day Technic. We all agree the sets from 7-10 years ago were more closer to perfection AND reasonably-priced.

Edited December 3, 2024 by StudWorks

[Amt0571]

36 minutes ago, Erik Leppen said:

What Technic?

Oh, you mean that Racers line that TLC still calls Technic? 

 

Jokes aside, I think it's an effect of the shallowness of society in the 21st century. People (in general) don't care anymore about what works nice. People care about what looks nice. Technic shifting focus on looks (like literally all other themes of Lego), thereby losing its unique selling point, is just a consequence of that.

Technic as it was, won't be coming back as long as the general public won't regain interest in functionality over looks.

 

Maybe because it's all that there was when I was a kid, but old technic without panels was great. Maybe it doesn't look that good, but when I was 15 I understood how gearboxes work watching the gears move in 8880.

In any modern set most of this things are buried so deep inside that you can't see them. Even in what I consider great sets like the 42082, it's quite difficult to see what is happening inside it.

1 minute ago, StudWorks said:

The Arocs was the ultimate Technic set for me. It was huge and expensive at $250 (though now it seems like a bargain) and I got it for Christmas nine years ago. That and the EV3 kit really kickstarted my LEGO enthusiasm and my love for MOC making. And I agree with you completely, LEGO hasn't made anything decent in that size category with a dozen or so functions since the Arocs.

If you don't have it, try to get hold of 42082. I'm not sure if it's Arocs level as I don't have it on my hands yet, but I it's great and really well thought out, with a single motor powering everything through multiple gearboxes. It's also huge and functions work much better than expected considering the size.

[Zerobricks]

It's a reflection of society, where superficiality is more important than the content below.

[Ngoc Nguyen]

As for me, I also feel my interest in official Lego sets fading. I still love Lego Technic a lot, but I don't feel the same enthusiasm for upcoming sets. 

That is the main motivation behind my work on the mini replica series. I've been around for quite a long time, and for the most part I was never really into MOC-ing or even modding. But the arrival of the Bugatti Bolide, which introduces micropanels, , the small scale replica in the knockoff brands, and the change in the annual lineup made me feel like I can preserve the essence of the old style Technic in the mini replicas. 

[Danil]

1 hour ago, Zerobricks said:

It's a reflection of society, where superficiality is more important than the content below.

that's exactly what was said about Buviz. nothing personal. I think I was deceived in terms of expectations of support for third-party sensors and system development. and the videos on YouTube are really beautiful, which do not reflect the full picture of the present. sorry, I couldn't resist after three years of illusory promises.

[msk6003]

42082 Big red is still special because that is last flagship set of technic which don't have any licence.

[Danil]

5 minutes ago, msk6003 said:

42082 Big red is still special because that is last flagship set of technic which don't have any licence.

multi-directional gearbox is something unreal. interesting assembly, no less interesting practical use. I completely agree.

[Amt0571]

18 minutes ago, msk6003 said:

42082 Big red is still special because that is last flagship set of technic which don't have any licence.

And it was relatively cheap... I paid 150€ for it.

I don't understand who wants licenses... I don't care about them, especially if they increase the price.

[Ngoc Nguyen]

Just now, Amt0571 said:

I don't understand who wants licenses...

TLG wants licenses because licensed sets sell more than unlicensed sets of similar design.

[Oh_Hi_Mao]

31 minutes ago, Ngoc Nguyen said:

TLG wants licenses because licensed sets sell more than unlicensed sets of similar design.

People want it. It sells because people want to have licensed sets. The fuzz for the upcoming 1:8 supercar set was something this year. Can you imagine such hype for an unlicensed supercar set?

[jorgeopesi]

I know Technic had an obsolete soul but now it doesn´t even have one, panels and panels with nothing inside.

[Lipko]

Or it's just a reflection of us. We became old. If you really look at those old models, you'll find how much Technic has evolved since.

Collecting was never a thing for me, maybe that's why I can let building sets go so easily. I haven't bought a big set since maybe ten years. I bought the latest BMW motor bike but it immediately went to the parts bin.

[Igor1]

What functionality can we talk about if Lego hasn't released a single set with motorization this year. Not counting the misunderstanding under number 42176. And how it all started with C+ from 2019 to 2022. In 2023, there were only one and a half sets with classic C+ motorization, and this year they completely screwed up. The space theme brightened up the overall picture a little, against the background of repaints of their pretentious cars. I wanted to buy the Geländewagen, but the stillborn color in which it was released is just awful. Seriously, I haven't bought a single Lego set of this year this year.

[gyenesvi]

I don't think it's a society thing of the present. The masses always favored the looks, not the details under the hood, in everything; just because most people are not nerds/gearheads. Simple cheap (real) cars for the masses make more profit than nieche cars. Many products or companies start out as a nieche thing, and when it is picked up by broader audiences the product necessarily becomes dumbed down for the broader audience, who does not need the details/complexity of the original.

Sure technic has evolved a lot. Older sets were built as a wireframe because panels did not exist back then and that was the only way to go for bigger models back then. Sure the focus was more on the mechanisms, that was the original nieche idea, but also it's a large amount of nostalgia for us who grew up in that studded technic era.

I think really few companies can keep things going by sticking to the original nieche product and not broadening for the masses by dumbing down the product. I think one middle ground for Lego could be models that both look good and have good functions. Obviously it is pointless to max functions out for all models, because we need more beginner sets as well, but I think there's plenty of room for improved functions without driving the complexity too high, especially for the large expensive models.

Another area I think Lego misses opportunities is realism. Too often they just settle with something technically basic for a function in these good looking car sets. I hope this will improve. At least the F1 cars have better looking suspensions now and some form of a gearbox.. maybe that's good direction.

[allanp]

I can live with the multitude of cars and a bunch of other stuff that's not for me so long as there are a few alternatives to keep me interested. The 1:5 Yamaha, the airbus, the John Deere skidder, the pneumatic tow truck, these are all very good sets. There are some other lesser talked about but surprisingly good sets also, like the 42174 racing yacht. These sets that still carry the soul of Technic are few and far between, and the flagships have been mechanically rather dull and/or inauthentic. But I've been a fan over 30 years, I've been here before with Technic, and every now and then they release an Arocs of a set, an absolute beast of a flagship that will wipe all the tears away.

The technic team may be overseen by cooperate marketing focus group worshipping penny pinchers, but I think they them selves are still fans. In terms of a truly great flagship, I have a feeling, maybe this year maybe not, but something is coming. At least, I still hope!

[Igor1]

1 hour ago, jorgeopesi said:

I know Technic had an obsolete soul but now it doesn´t even have one, panels and panels with nothing inside.

There are liftarms with perpendicular holes inside.  I'm really grateful to Lego for this as well as for the new frames, as it has changed the assembly of models for the better. The only thing is that the new liftarms are coming out very slowly and there are still few of them. Although the new micro panels are not so useless if they are used wisely for accents, and not molded from them like play dough.

[M_longer]

To be honest, I miss the times when you had sets ready for motorization with 8293 - simple M motor, gearbox for functions and it was more enjoyable than 3k licensed dust collectors. Thanks to swapping to C+ prices of motors added to sets skyrocketed - I don't believe that we could get  something like 8052 for example - mid scale truck with motorized function straight from a box (with price adjusted for inflation - around 70€)

[allanp]

1 hour ago, gyenesvi said:

I don't think it's a society thing of the present. The masses always favored the looks, not the details under the hood, in everything; just because most people are not nerds/gearheads. Simple cheap (real) cars for the masses make more profit than nieche cars. Many products or companies start out as a nieche thing, and when it is picked up by broader audiences the product necessarily becomes dumbed down for the broader audience, who does not need the details/complexity of the original.

Sure technic has evolved a lot. Older sets were built as a wireframe because panels did not exist back then and that was the only way to go for bigger models back then. Sure the focus was more on the mechanisms, that was the original nieche idea, but also it's a large amount of nostalgia for us who grew up in that studded technic era.

I think really few companies can keep things going by sticking to the original nieche product and not broadening for the masses by dumbing down the product. I think one middle ground for Lego could be models that both look good and have good functions. Obviously it is pointless to max functions out for all models, because we need more beginner sets as well, but I think there's plenty of room for improved functions without driving the complexity too high, especially for the large expensive models.

Another area I think Lego misses opportunities is realism. Too often they just settle with something technically basic for a function in these good looking car sets. I hope this will improve. At least the F1 cars have better looking suspensions now and some form of a gearbox.. maybe that's good direction.

Agreed. Absolutely why not have the superficial eye candy on the outside while still having great mechanisms on the inside? They could make yet another car set, this time aimed at girls in all pink for all I care, and still make a mechanically great set out of it. Superficial looks and mechanics aren't mutually exclusive.

But even just focusing on the looks, mechanics that are true to life that you can build yourself can look as cool to a small boy as a sleek car exterior. I don't think building real true to life mechanical things is really THAT niche among their target age group. Sure some young boys today just want a screen to play with, but any young boy that's still into cars in general will still get a buzz from a cool and authentic looking gearbox. Technic cars of the late 80 and 90s looked good without being covered up because the internal mechanics also looked cool. Technic cars can be covered in fancy paneled exteriors but as you can always see the mechanisms as you are building them, they should also still look just as cool.

Mechanics in a Technic set should be treated like minifigures in a star wars set. They should look cool and good enough to be eye candy in and of themselves, and shown proudly somewhere on the box. You couldn't really do that with any modern technic gearbox, even with the fantastic new parts in an 18+ set, they are seriously cool parts, but they are still presented, arranged and colored to look like an uncool toddlers incomprehensible mess. It's like taking a beautifully tender and juicy roast chicken and smothering it in fluorescent green/yellow paint (presumably so your 18+ customers can find it on the dinner plate) and then wondering why your perfectly cooked chicken is so niche!

 

 

 

Edited December 3, 2024 by allanp