How to get the collectible mini figures you want

[Dodger]

I just snagged a Cowboy, Ninja and Spaceman using this trick.

Unfortunately, it's not cheap - you will need an iPhone!

Download the free app called 'Red Laser'. This is a bar code scanning program.

Then all you need to do is check the bar codes!

Caveat: I am in the UK. I don't see why it wouldn't work elsewhere, but obviously I haven't checked it. Also, not all of the bags scanned. Some just came bag as COLLECTIBLE FIGURINE or TOYS OR DOLL.

But it's better than nothing!

Good luck.

[Marckeyh]

No ,you don't need an iphone. You can download the barcode cheat sheet from several websites, just print them out.

There are also several apps for android phones who can scan the barcodes. (ie. mini figure finder)

[Dodger]

No ,you don't need an iphone. You can download the barcode cheat sheet from several websites, just print them out.

There are also several apps for android phones who can scan the barcodes. (ie. mini figure finder)

I didn't know it was on Android too, that's cool.

I tried the printed codes, but tbh they are all so similar it's easy to mistake one for another. OK if you don't have the right phone though I guess.

Just thought I'd share.

[Friction]

Can I have some more information about this please?

[Big Cam]

It takes way less time just using a barcode sheet,as the barcode scanner won't actually tell you what's inside, it will just convert the bars to numbers, which you will then need the barcode sheet to read anyway. Plus series one is about extinct, and there is already a thread for this topic.

[blueandwhite]

I didn't know it was on Android too, that's cool.

I tried the printed codes, but tbh they are all so similar it's easy to mistake one for another. OK if you don't have the right phone though I guess.

Just thought I'd share.

I had no trouble with the printed sheet. The only two figures that have barcodes that might cause a bit of confusion(North America at least) are the Nurse and Spaceman. If you read the barcodes from left to right you'll notice that you can distinguish each figure by the first few bars. So far I've had no mistakes. Here's hoping that the codes are as easy to distinguish in series 2.

[Dodger]

It takes way less time just using a barcode sheet,as the barcode scanner won't actually tell you what's inside, it will just convert the bars to numbers, which you will then need the barcode sheet to read anyway. Plus series one is about extinct, and there is already a thread for this topic.

No, it does tell you what's inside, didn't you read my post? I identified 3 figs I needed.

The point is, for people with an iPhone the app is free.

Where is the thread talking about Red Laser please? I did do a search and couldn't find it.

Honestly, some of the level of response here to a thread where I tried only to help people is a bit sad.

Can I have some more information about this please?

Really the info in the op is all there is Friction. Make sure you scan the code on the back left of the bag.

Printed sheets do the same job if you don't have access to an iPhone or Android, but I personally found them a bit hit and miss. Horses for courses.

[dr_spock]

I had pretty good luck with the barcode cheat sheet. I read the barcode from right to left and haven't got the wrong mini-fig yet.

I program Symbol Technology laser barcode scanners at work. It's easy enough to feed the barcodes on the cheat sheet into the scanner and associate the barcode with the minifig. Then scan the barcode on the bag and it'll display the mini-fig name on the LCD screen. I assume you're doing the same thing with the iPhone app. It is certainly useful for those who have trouble reading barcodes.

[peterab]

Where is the thread talking about Red Laser please? I did do a search and couldn't find it.

Honestly, some of the level of response here to a thread where I tried only to help people is a bit sad.

Well, everybody else who discussed barcode reading methods did it in the minifig disscussion thread, where it has already been mentioned that barcode reader apps exist. You come along post a new thread seemingly oblivious that a) it has already been disscussed and b) posting a new thread which has info for such a small small subset of the Eurobricks readers may be annoying to others and then get bent out of shape when your 'helpfulness is not appreciated. Perhaps you should consider why you got hostile responses.

[Peppermint_M]

Hello Dodger, thank you for the useful information. However, (I might not be 100% on this) EuroBricks was possibly if not the, then one of the first to have displayed and distributed a list of all the barcodes used to ID the minifigs in bags. Shortly after that a variety of apps for barcodes were suggested within the Collectable Minifig Discussion thread.

The other members have possibly let you know this a bit brusquely, but there have been rather a lot of threads posted by new members about the figures and I think everyone is getting a little fed up of them. If you use the search function (it's just under the little user navigation bar)you often find the right places to post your information.

Sorry about that.

[Dodger]

Well, everybody else who discussed barcode reading methods did it in the minifig disscussion thread, where it has already been mentioned that barcode reader apps exist. You come along post a new thread seemingly oblivious that a) it has already been disscussed and b) posting a new thread which has info for such a small small subset of the Eurobricks readers may be annoying to others and then get bent out of shape when your 'helpfulness is not appreciated. Perhaps you should consider why you got hostile responses.

Perhaps you should consider your attitude to an obviously new member of the community who thought they were helping out.

A) I did, as I said, search and found nothing talking about Red Laser.

B) As I don't spend my life here I have no idea how interesting, or not, the info would be.

C) I don't think reading a 127 page thread (the minfig thread) to find what has or hasn't been discussed.

I should have been prepared for the usual message board mentality, but given the subject and the supposed friendly community I was disappointed at the response. I'm certainly not 'bent out of shape', believe me.

Peppermint_m, thanks for the helpful response. I'll know better next (if there is a next) time.

Cheers.

[Lego_Hero]

Dude! This is the best site I've found for Lego information exactly because of people like you. Keep on brickin' and keep on posting. People that post to correct you are only trying to help keep this huge database of information a little less cluttered. It always helps me to read thier responses in a laughing voice as though they are friends joking around and pulling your chain.

Back on topic if it's okay to continue this thread, as no Admin has shut it down, I prefer the printout myself. I don't have an Iphone, but I'm not sure I'd feel comfortable scanning things in the Lego aisle. Then again, I am compairing bar codes to a sheet of paper in the Lego aisle, so whatever.

[blueandwhite]

I should have been prepared for the usual message board mentality, but given the subject and the supposed friendly community I was disappointed at the response. I'm certainly not 'bent out of shape', believe me.

Eurobricks is one of the friendliest LEGO boards out there; period. In fact, after reading over this thread I still can't pinpoint any real hostility here. Perhaps you're simply reading too deeply into the comments of others. Other members simply pointed out that this has already been discussed elsewhere and that there are alternative methods for acquiring these figures without the purchase of an iPhone.

I hope you take the time to get acquainted with the folks here on Eurobricks. Despite any bad first impressions, most of the people here are extremely friendly.

Take care.

[Rick]

I hope you take the time to get acquainted with the folks here on Eurobricks. Despite any bad first impressions, most of the people here are extremely friendly.

I agree, the way I read the comments from everyone in this thread, I also can't discern any hostility. It's perhaps the 'style' of Eurobricks, but most people try to be constructive and helpful here. So, yeah, welcome aboard and give 'us' a chance.

[FelixTheCat]

You'll get used to it Dodger. There are a lot of know it alls whose opinions are the apparent be all and end all but there are actually a lot of know it alls that do know it all.

I sensed the subtle hostility in a few replies but look at it this way. By responding the way they did and saying how easy it was to use the barcode sheets they were simply repeating the same thing they said in the minifig discussion thread, thereby doing exactly the same thing that they are accusing you of doing. This is the kind of double standard you will encounter now and again. It would have been good to keep your thread solely about the benefits of the scanner apps, and have it added to by people who have actually used it and posted about their experiences and any troubles they may have had. Congratulations to Marckeyh for adding that similar apps are available for other phones, information which is both relevant and helpful to the topic.

I for one found your information helpful, although it does me no good as the ebay buyers have cleaned out every minifig in the city.

[Tanotrooper]

The barcode list can indeed be very confusing, as on the European list the clown, dummy and another figure are very close to eachother. (I'm talking about 12 thin stripes vs 13 stripes at the back and the way the stripes are distributed [2 close to eachother, 3, etc.] )

Thanks for the info, sadly I do not own an iPhone

Gaetano

[Dodger]

Guys,

Really, thanks everyone. Can I chalk this one up to a misunderstanding, and a touch of oversensitivity on my part? Probably got out of bed the wrong side.

Apologies all round folks. Nuance is very tricky on boards, and I'd like to think I just read some things the wrong way.

So, life goes on...

PS - snagged a clown, forest man and crash dummy today Although the dastardly magician is eluding me, the clown is the one I really wanted

Lego_Hero I know what you mean about scanning in a shop. But put it this way, you could be pretending to be checking the internet, or writing a mail. Kind of hard to disguise a barcode sheet!

[blueandwhite]

Guys,

PS - snagged a clown, forest man and crash dummy today Although the dastardly magician is eluding me, the clown is the one I really wanted

Congrats on finding the clown. He's definitely one of the nicer figures of series 1. Don't give up too soon though. If you're lucky you should still be able to snag a magician as many folks are still seeing boxes of series 1. Good luck and happy hunting.

[Big Cam]

Guys,

Really, thanks everyone. Can I chalk this one up to a misunderstanding, and a touch of oversensitivity on my part? Probably got out of bed the wrong side.

Apologies all round folks. Nuance is very tricky on boards, and I'd like to think I just read some things the wrong way.

So, life goes on...

PS - snagged a clown, forest man and crash dummy today Although the dastardly magician is eluding me, the clown is the one I really wanted

Lego_Hero I know what you mean about scanning in a shop. But put it this way, you could be pretending to be checking the internet, or writing a mail. Kind of hard to disguise a barcode sheet!

This thread has made me think. I apologize if I came off rude, I'd never want to run off a new member.

I have a question, being. An android user. We all know there are two barcodes on the bags, one which is the same on every single bag, and then the unique barcodes that identify the figs. Are you saying your iPhone app can scan the unique barcode and then it actually tells you what's inside? Or does it just convert the barcode to numbers?

BTW: I'm not doubting, just curious, since the identifying barcodes aren't sale barcodes, I didn't think readrs could identify them.

[Dodger]

This thread has made me think. I apologize if I came off rude, I'd never want to run off a new member.

I have a question, being. An android user. We all know there are two barcodes on the bags, one which is the same on every single bag, and then the unique barcodes that identify the figs. Are you saying your iPhone app can scan the unique barcode and then it actually tells you what's inside? Or does it just convert the barcode to numbers?

BTW: I'm not doubting, just curious, since the identifying barcodes aren't sale barcodes, I didn't think readrs could identify them.

Cheers Big Cam. I'm glad we're ok, as I just noticed all your Star Wars reviews! That's my main passion too

Red Laser does indeed identify the contents. Not every one, to be sure, but some is better than none. I have a feeling that the ones it's not picking up are the Wrestler and Magician, as in over 40 scans they haven't come up once. I have no idea where it's getting it's info from though.

Here's how the display looks:

[Dunjohn]

It's perhaps the 'style' of Eurobricks, but most people try to be constructive

Heheh. Moving on...

I don't have an iPhone so it's printouts for me. Except, I'm so selfconscious that I don't even use that. Instead, I have all of my priorities memorized. For a lot of them, I've made up some silly meme. For example, (going by the European barcodes, mind), the Robot and Cheerleader both have three lines and a bar at the end, but the Robot has them neatly organised by size, while the dizzy-blonde Cheerleader isn't so tidy. The Spaceman's bars look like the tune from 2001: A Space Odyssey - three notes, then a long pause, then... DUN DUN!!! And so on.

And then, for the ones I don't have memorized, I have my patented Barcard.

The Barcard is a credit card-sized thing I made that features all sixteen barcodes along the edges. It's way more discreet than an A4 sheet of paper. The barcodes have been cut out from actual packs, so when I put them against packs in the shop, they'll line up perfectly.

Since there's only space for twelve barcodes, the back features a flap that folds out over the Cowboy and Indian barcodes and holds the remaining four.

Edited July 16, 2010 by Dunjohn

[Big Cam]

That's awesome dodger, I haven't found an android app yet that will scan the unique ones.

I love your barcode cheatsheet dunjohn, much smaller than the big printed version.