Posted January 17, 201312 yr I'm really interested in sets that make good use of power functions, especially those which are capable of full-blown remote-controlled driving, like the 9398 4 x 4 Crawler. I'm also impressed by the powered grappling arm of the 8110-1 - Unimog U400. I'm a bit less impressed with the use of power functions on the 8070-1 Supercar. It looks nice, but I've had sets where I can open the door or open the hood myself just fine. I was OK with that. Since I've only fairly recently returned to the world of LEGO, I don't really know all of the sets, or what features they have yet. I don't own those ones I mentioned just a moment ago. I'd like to pick up at least a couple of them, though. In addition to that, what sets do you feel have good use of power functions? Preferably sets which aren't already out of production, or only available for silly prices on the secondary market. Last but not least, if you could only go with either the 4x4 Crawler or the Unimog, which one would you go for? The reality is that I'm probably asking which one to get first, but if you really could have only one, which would it be? Or would there be another first choice altogether?
January 17, 201312 yr all depends what type of vehicles your interested in. i just bought the 4x4 and i love it. it has great motors and tons of them. plus you can drive it by remote. the unimog only comes with one motor, so if you wanted to r/c it then you would have to buy an extra motor, a receiver and remote on top of the cost of the unimog. hope this helps.
January 17, 201312 yr I have all three of the sets you mentioned and I was very happy with all of them. If I had to pick one as a start I'd say get a unimog 8110 it has more parts to play with than any other set it has power functions plus good selection of pneumatic parts and a heap of other goodies.. Most likely the crawler will be in production further into the future than the unimog too so you will have good time to get one later on.. Also the 9397 log truck isn't too bad for a bit less money it has some power functions parts and a nice gearbox to control everything.. Henry
January 17, 201312 yr Author If I had to pick one as a start I'd say get a unimog 8110 it has more parts to play with than any other set it has power functions plus good selection of pneumatic parts and a heap of other goodies..Most likely the crawler will be in production further into the future than the unimog too so you will have good time to get one later on.. That is an important consideration, thanks for the information. I would ideally like them both. I'd like to get the Supercar too. I don't think it's the best use of PF, but I don't actually think it's a bad set. It would be cool if there was a motorized and RC supercar in that style though. Maybe something to try as a personal project once I have some experience with newer Technic.
January 17, 201312 yr Also worth a mention is the 8043 Excavator, which is remote controlled. The part count isn't as high, but it does have 4 motors, 4 LA's, and the associated RC stuff. The 8258 Crane Truck is, IMHO, one of the best sets for anybody just getting into Technic. It's not RC, but it does come with a XL motor, PF switch, 8 wheels, lots of panels, and i believe it has more gears than any other Technic set. If you can get it for a good deal, definitely worth it. There are a couple new models with motors coming later in 2013. One is a pneumatic tow truck, presumably with a motorized compressor, and there is also a large mobile crane with multiple motorized functions operated through a gearbox. If I had to pick between the Unimog and Crawler, I'd easily go for the Unimog. Far superior, IMHO. Welcome to the forum!
January 17, 201312 yr The Unimog is way better with a much better part assortment and a lot more functions Also the 8258 is simply amzing and the 8421 and 8275 are good too
January 17, 201312 yr Also worth a mention is the 8043 Excavator, which is remote controlled. The part count isn't as high, but it does have 4 motors, 4 LA's, and the associated RC stuff. Welcome to the forum! 8043 all the way. First of all it's almost out of production, so prices will skyrocket soon. Secondly it is completely remote controlled with lots of PF elements. The Unimog is a great set, but when it comes to shear PF functionality, the 8043 blows it away (IMHO). Unimog vs Crawler would be the Unimog. This is great set with lot's of different types of parts, pneumatics, PF, etc. The Crawler is fun and has some great parts, but technically it's a pretty simple set. Edited January 17, 201312 yr by Gekke Ted
January 17, 201312 yr what about the 8275? 2 xl 2 medium rc Definitely! Although it might be a bit harder to come by. But a great set nonetheless!! The first set with full PF control. And the looks are astonishing. In the Netherlands we are pretty fortunate to be able to pick up these sets for a pretty good price via Marktplaats (Dutch site like eBay).
January 17, 201312 yr I agree that the 8043 is a must-have if you want to do PF MOCs. Almost every MOC you see is RC, and the 8043 is the only set that includes 2 recievers and 2 remotes, along with 4 M motors. I had to say "wow" to myself a few times while I was building it. At first I thought that committing a whole motor to just switching the driving rings over was a waste, but it works superbly. It does only have M motors, of course, but there's a lot you can do with M motors. XL motors are hard to come by in sets these days, but you can get them pretty cheap from shop.lego.com. On the other hand, in terms of good use of limited PF parts (rather than having lots of parts) I'd say that 8109 is worth a mention. It's got two functions, both of which have multiple stages; One moves the bed back in a cool arc while lowering the rear end of the truck, the other extends the towing doodad and folds out the wheel-holders when it's extended. Both use quite cool linkages & mechanisms, and it really adds a lot to the set.
January 17, 201312 yr Here we go again! *takes a deep breath* UNIMOG unimog unimog unimog unimog unimog unimog unimog unimog unimog 8110 FTW 8110 FTW 8110 FTW 8110 FTE UNIMOG unimog unimog unimog *inhales* UNIMOG UNIMOG unimog unimog unimog.............
January 17, 201312 yr Air Tech Claw Rig. Although it is only the compressor that is motorized, it might be up your alley. Read my review for a better explanation of the features.
January 17, 201312 yr Air Tech Claw Rig. Although it is only the compressor that is motorized, it might be up your alley. Read my review for a better explanation of the features. I love that set, but its not current and it does not have PF, would be better with PF I guess
January 17, 201312 yr 8043 all the way. First of all it's almost out of production, so prices will skyrocket soon. Secondly it is completely remote controlled with lots of PF elements. The Unimog is a great set, but when it comes to shear PF functionality, the 8043 blows it away (IMHO). Unimog vs Crawler would be the Unimog. This is great set with lot's of different types of parts, pneumatics, PF, etc. The Crawler is fun and has some great parts, but technically it's a pretty simple set. Which is better? 8043(€183) or 42006(not available yet)?
January 17, 201312 yr I would guess 8043. The build is amazing, the features exactly what you would expect. Be sure to get the later version though, as the motors were replaced.
January 17, 201312 yr Which is better? 8043(€183) or 42006(not available yet)? Actually it's not fair to compare both models, since 8043 is a flagship and 42006 is a simplified midrange model. But to answer your question; the 8043 is better Pick it up while you can or you will regret it for the rest of your life And pick up the 42006 in the next couple of years or so, depending on your needs. You can also buy the grabber parts seperately and modify your 8043 with them.
January 17, 201312 yr 8043 and its B-model are my favourite 'playable' power functions. For showing off I do love the unimog.
January 17, 201312 yr 8043 and its B-model are my favourite 'playable' power functions. For showing off I do love the unimog. I would agree the 8043 excavator is a good set if you can get it.
January 17, 201312 yr 8043 and its B-model are my favourite 'playable' power functions. For showing off I do love the unimog. That's well spoken. I can only concur!
January 17, 201312 yr That's well spoken. I can only concur! That is why I also quoted her. Nobody ever quotes me........
January 17, 201312 yr That is why I also quoted her. Nobody ever quotes me........ That's because your finger is glued to the report button
January 17, 201312 yr I would guess 8043. The build is amazing, the features exactly what you would expect. Be sure to get the later version though, as the motors were replaced. How to identify the later version with new parts for 8043? Any indication on the box? Actually it's not fair to compare both models, since 8043 is a flagship and 42006 is a simplified midrange model. But to answer your question; the 8043 is better Pick it up while you can or you will regret it for the rest of your life And pick up the 42006 in the next couple of years or so, depending on your needs. You can also buy the grabber parts seperately and modify your 8043 with them. Thanks for the good advice! I would agree the 8043 excavator is a good set if you can get it. Looking forward! Edited January 17, 201312 yr by Gene
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