Review: 8399 K-9 Bot

[Erdbeereis]

While in Germany, I stopped by Galeria Kaufhof in Munich, and to my surprise they had many of the Summer sets. As much as I would have liked to get some of the larger sets, they were a bit too big for my backpack, so I had to settle for the new Space Police impulses. Which isn't too bad.

So now, let's join our space police man and his robotic flick-firing friend!

8399 K-9 Bot

Set Name: 8399 K-9 Bot

Theme: Space Police 3

Released: Summer 2009

Pieces: 21

Minifigs: 1

Price: EUR: 2.99 / USD: 3.50 / GBP: ???

Now that we have all of that done, onwards to the set!

The Box

The box shows our policeman ready for action with his robo-dog, with a city in a bubble in the background.

On top is a picture of the minifig.

Instructions

Nothing new here.

Parts

For an impulse set, this one has some nice parts. The trans-red cheese slopes are always good, and the selection of white droid torsos and exo force arms is nice as well.

Minifig

And here's the brand new Space Police minifig. We've been getting a lot of nice new prints on minifigs lately, and this one is no exception. Both the legs and back are printed with unique designs which add so much. The torso seems to have some sort of body armor and the policeman also has a black air tank on his back. I think that the gun is a little weak. It doesn't strike me as a gun so much, more like a flashlight.

2 things that I don't like about the police figs:

1) Compared to the alien side and the minifigs in a lot of other new sets, the police minifigs all have pretty boring heads. Nothing new.

2) The choice of helmet is a bit odd. I would think the the helmet should be enclosed at the bottom as well.

Other than that though, an excellent minifigure.

Backside with air tank.

The nice printing on the back.

Robo-Dog

Here we have the policeman's faithful companion. I must say, this was designed very very well. The droid torsos attach to the technic beam, and then Exo-Force arms are added. The finished product looks very cool. Even though I never like flick-fire missiles, at least this one fits in relatively well and doesn't seem totally out of place.

In my opinion, this extra is much better than the one for the other SP impulse

Don't move a muscle, or you'll be "Flick Fired"!

Ratings:

PROS:

- A great minifig.

- The dog is very well-designed.

- Good way to try out SP to see if you like it.

CONS:

- Helmet could be enclosed.

Takedown, Bikini Bottom style!

This is definitely a set worth picking up, because of the great minifigure and the fun robo-dog. It's also a good way to test out the Space Police wtaers to see if it's something that you'd like. I certainly do like it.

Thanks, and happy building!

[Svelte]

Yay for the review!

Boo for recycling your exact same intro from the other SP Impulse review!

I love that little doggie. It's exactly what an Impulse should be - one fig and something simple, brick-built but cool that you don't necessarily see anywhere else. (Yes, I'm looking at you, endless fire hydrants.)

[ILikePi]

Thanks for this review!

This set looks much better and more well designed than the other alien one. The other one looks like the person who designed it only took around 10 minutes to make it.

Of course, I will still be getting both, since they're cheap (that's what impulse sets are for! ).

I voted above average for the great design.

EDIT: It looks like that there's 20 21 parts in this set, not including extras.

Edited May 29, 2009 by ILikePi

[WhiteFang]

Since when Space Police III has a new set begining with "4399"?

I think this could be the only set which I may buy to try out whether I like this theme or not. The minifig for this set looks great, with all of those printing, and made much suitable as a member of SWAT Police. The Robo dog ain't too bad. The design is simple and yet so effective. With regards to the flashlight, back in those earlier Space themes, these flashlight were used to represent their weapons or some kind of scanning device. Are you expecting some SW blasters instead?

[Svelte]

Since when Space Police III has a new set begining with "4399"?

Poor Erds has had a mind-melt from jetlag. His poll choices are all topsy-turvy too

[WhiteFang]

Poor Erds has had a mind-melt from jetlag. His poll choices are all topsy-turvy too

I almost voted "Below Average" instead of "Above Average".

[The Cobra]

This is the best set in its theme, imho, and that should tell you whatI think about SP3.

I rate it Above average. The choice of using an open helmet makes no sense (I thought the whole thing could take place in domes, like in some Asimov books; but then, why airtanks?), and the torso looks hand-scratched.

[Cardinal Brick]

Thanks for the review, I like this set the only thing I'm not sure about is the size of the dog it'd be nice if it was a tad smaller but then we'd need a load of new parts so I guss it's as small as it could be.

[CP5670]

The dog is a great concept but I'm not that fond of these SP minifigs, especially their open helmets and opaque visors. The aliens in this theme are far better.

I think that the gun is a little weak. It doesn't strike me as a gun so much, more like a flashlight.

It looks a little odd, but all of the old Space factions used the same thing. I just assume it's some kind of microwave-based weapon.

[Svelte]

It looks a little odd, but all of the old Space factions used the same thing. I just assume it's some kind of microwave-based weapon.

I just assumed they were perpetually out of gas, and always toting around fuel siphons

[Erdbeereis]

Yay for the review!

Boo for recycling your exact same intro from the other SP Impulse review!

I love that little doggie. It's exactly what an Impulse should be - one fig and something simple, brick-built but cool that you don't necessarily see anywhere else. (Yes, I'm looking at you, endless fire hydrants.)

Yeah I know. I wanted to give the sense of a dual review, without having it actually be that.

I love the dog as well, it was a nice surprise to see how well-designed it was.

Since when Space Police III has a new set begining with "4399"?

Where did I say 4399? And the poll looks just fine. You just have to pay close attention.

EDIT: Piece count added.

[Asuka]

Thanks for the nice review, Erdbeereis.

A very cool little set indeed, the low-keyed Spacecops´re a fine contrast to the brighter baddies

and very versatile for MOCing indeed, and the K9-unit´s simply brilliant and lovely.

For the helmets... well, i think that they add a lot to the Mad-Max-feeling of that line, but maybe

it would be good if Cops on spacewalk-missions would´ve a closed helmet... but wouldn´t this

require a more spacesuit-like torso design for them too, as well as for the Aliens?

[Oky]

Now this is a pretty good impulse set! 18 pieces is an acceptable amount for its price, and K-9 seems very well designed! It even gives you rare pieces like the white droid bodies and arms. I'll be sure to pick up a couple of these as soon as I find them.

Thanks again for the review.

[alex12]

I'm surprised how much i like the dog. Its cool.

If i start getting space sets as well as castle , town , pirates , indy i'm gonna face bankrupcy.

[---Vertea---]

It's got great parts for a small price, but I'd rather get the alien one. Though less well-designed, I prefer the aliens to the cop minifigs. Though that robo-pooch IS pretty tempting...

[WhiteFang]

Where did I say 4399? And the poll looks just fine. You just have to pay close attention.

Someone has changed that misleading title for you earlier.

Luckily, I did pay attention to that poll otherwise I will place my vote wrongly.

[Algernon]

Definitely a strong little impulse. I love the Police minifigs so I'll be picking this up.

[Erdbeereis]

Someone has changed that misleading title for you earlier.

Luckily, I did pay attention to that poll otherwise I will place my vote wrongly.

Aha! That was probably because I was doing it in a hurry and was half asleep.

Thanks for changing it Fangy.

[Tom Bricks]

I'm surprised how well the flick fire missile fits in this set, this is the first I won't mod out. This also has the best model aside from the fig of all the impulse sets, I'm going to be picking up this one too.

[Erdbeereis]

I'm surprised how well the flick fire missile fits in this set, this is the first I won't mod out. This also has the best model aside from the fig of all the impulse sets, I'm going to be picking up this one too.

Yes, I totally agree with that. It seems to fit in there for a change.

[Luke McAwesome]

I'll probably pick this one up if it ever shows up at my local Wally-World.

Thanks for the review, Erdbeereis!

[SeaKing61]

Yes, I totally agree with that. It seems to fit in there for a change.

But can it fire with that big ole head in the way? Nice review of a truely original Lego space set

Laurie

[Erdbeereis]

But can it fire with that big ole head in the way? Nice review of a truely original Lego space set

Laurie

It does work, but the head has to be lowered all the way.