I personally love 4x4 crawler and if you are planing on building more car/truck/4x4 stuff then crawler is a Clear winner with 2xlarge motors, servo motor and mk2 IR receiver. I forgot to add remote!

Unimpg is class and that is on my to buy list, but it is fantastic set, but not fantastic PF set, if that makes any sense.

Supercar is a lovely set, I love it a lot, but I don't really think it needed power function at all. Don't bother with it at all. Great build and lots of cool parts, but not a great PF set again.

That dual remote excavator with 4 motors is a freaking awesome PF set. I am not in to the heavy machinery at all, but I would really not say no to that baby!!!

How to identify the later version with new parts for 8043? Any indication on the box?

Thanks for the good advice!

Looking forward!

These pics show the difference between the old and new parts. I found it over @ TechnicBricks:

http://www.technicbricks.com/2010/10/tbs-technuggets-12-inside-linear.html

These pics show the difference between the old and new parts. I found it over @ TechnicBricks:

http://www.technicbr...ide-linear.html

In other words not possible to see until you have opened the box, and then it is kind of late...

I didn't realize 8043 is gone now :(

I found building the 8043 with its gearbox to control all the functions is pretty amazing(and hard), the only other technic set I had the same level of challenge building was 8258 followed by the 8110.

9398 I found was simple, but it is a good use of power functions because it plays well, but I think my idea of playing with powerfunctions needs the set to have a remote in my mind. I would love to get the old builldozer but the b model for 8043 is good enough for now.

Since I've only fairly recently returned to the world of LEGO[/Quote]

If you have returned to Lego after a long time, you may not have the same patience as before.

I was also undecided between 8110 and 9398 (as 8043 is already gone). Even though Unimog is more challenging, I wanted a simpler model with full automation. 9398 is the first Technic where PF drives the whole car and not just auxiliary functions. I can also impress my not so technic friends with 9398.

If you are just buying for yourself then 8110 can still be a better choice but if you have young child(ren) at home they may have more fun with 9398.

Hi,

I love moving parts, which is why I love lego so much, so I would go for the unimog. I was after the logging truck in december but funds did not allow. However I got some new pneumatic parts and I have some actuators. I would buy the crawler but only to make a pimped up unimog or excavator.

H

Do you want to play or build? Crawler is better than unimog for play.

But 8043 is good. The B model (crawler loader) is great, worthy of being an A model.

These pics show the difference between the old and new parts. I found it over @ TechnicBricks:

http://www.technicbricks.com/2010/10/tbs-technuggets-12-inside-linear.html

Thanks for the feed. I'll just get one...

Unfortunately the 8043 is already somewhat inflated in price at least where I can see it available. It does look like a lovely set. I'd take it in a heartbeat for the RRP, but that doesn't seem to be an option. It's exactly the kind of set I'd like though. I really appreciate some of the input in the thread, it's given me a lot of things to look for in the near future. What I'm really looking for is a complex and involving build process that with the added reward of getting to see the model do stuff when it is finished. I don't really have room to display much LEGO so most stuff will be assembled, tried out, and then dissasembled fairly quickly, with the potential to make something else out of the parts.

Unfortunately the 8043 is already somewhat inflated in price at least where I can see it available. It does look like a lovely set. I'd take it in a heartbeat for the RRP, but that doesn't seem to be an option. It's exactly the kind of set I'd like though. I really appreciate some of the input in the thread, it's given me a lot of things to look for in the near future. What I'm really looking for is a complex and involving build process that with the added reward of getting to see the model do stuff when it is finished. I don't really have room to display much LEGO so most stuff will be assembled, tried out, and then dissasembled fairly quickly, with the potential to make something else out of the parts.

It's on sale for $160 at Lego Shop... Should be back in stock soon...

It's on sale for $160 at Lego Shop... Should be back in stock soon...

are you sure about that? when did you check? it's been discontinued as far as I know.

it's not even listed now on Lego website.

though it is still available in swiss toy shops for EUR200.00

Edited January 18, 201312 yr by francisalmario

I got the 8275 bulldozer ( http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=8156&st=575 ) and built it last night.

Im very impressed!!

its big, fast, and just looks tough

lots of really cool parts in it too as others have mentioned

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?

The 8070 really should have been full RC, we have the 9398 that is, the 8043 that is, but not a supercar...the 8297 Off-Roader truck should have been too, sure it was interesting watching the shocks go up and down and the winch cable in and out (though powerized winches and the crappy string TLG insists on continuing to use are kind of useless when extending without any weight on them going out(case in point, motorizing the 8053 Crane) was interesting, but kind of boring, I'd love an Lego RC car. Going back to the day of the 8448 being motorized, it was cool using the yellow 4x6 liftarms to jack it up and shifting gears and watching the rear tires go slower and slower as you advanced the gears was fun to watch, but I want something I play with on the floor that is a car...just my 2 cents

are you sure about that? when did you check? it's been discontinued as far as I know.

it's not even listed now on Lego website.

though it is still available in swiss toy shops for EUR200.00

The last time the 8275 was available MSRP here in the USA was December 2007, and it was short run at that, came out in Sept 07. I can't imagine it is available on any country's Lego website, its been out for well over 5 yrs and is garnering some big money in new, sealed condition everywhere...

The 8070 really should have been full RC, we have the 9398 that is, the 8043 that is, but not a supercar...the 8297 Off-Roader truck should have been too...

Well, I won't disagree with you. There's potential to make the 8070 an RC car though. I've found some hints online for modifying the 8070 to that end. No 'complete instructions' as far as I can see, but then the LEGO Technic community does tend to the self-reliant. Since I've got little experience, I'd prefer step-by-step guidance, but this way might be fun too.

I was lucky enough to find an 8043 for sale, still marked at the RRP. Delightful. I feel extremely lucky, since it's already discontinued. I snapped it up in an instant, of course.

I've noticed a bit of a discrepancy in that many (perhaps a majority) of AFOL Technic MOCs are remote controlled, whereas the only official RC sets (other than the old Racers models, such as those with the buggy motors) are 8257, 8043 and 9398. Clearly AFOLs like remote control more than TLG does.

I'm not entirely sure why this is. Partially it's to do with cost, obviously, as including an IR reciever and XL motor with 8070 for example would increase the cost quite a bit. There's basically no chance of TLG producing an official set with 3 or 4 IR receivers and 8 or more motors, like some MOCs have, but I reckon a remote control car on the scale of 8081 or 9395 for a reasonable cost would sell in huge numbers, among AFOLs and otherwise.

I'm curious why they don't. Perhaps they'll worry that kids will break them? The 3 sets mentioned above are all rather slow, 2 of them being tracked (although the 8043 B-model is delightfully quick, and great fun to scoot around). Or that they want to keep it kind of special, only releasing an RC model every 2 years or so?

I've noticed a bit of a discrepancy in that many (perhaps a majority) of AFOL Technic MOCs are remote controlled, whereas the only official RC sets (other than the old Racers models, such as those with the buggy motors) are 8257, 8043 and 9398. Clearly AFOLs like remote control more than TLG does.

I'm not entirely sure why this is. Partially it's to do with cost, obviously, as including an IR reciever and XL motor with 8070 for example would increase the cost quite a bit. There's basically no chance of TLG producing an official set with 3 or 4 IR receivers and 8 or more motors, like some MOCs have, but I reckon a remote control car on the scale of 8081 or 9395 for a reasonable cost would sell in huge numbers, among AFOLs and otherwise.

I'm curious why they don't. Perhaps they'll worry that kids will break them? The 3 sets mentioned above are all rather slow, 2 of them being tracked (although the 8043 B-model is delightfully quick, and great fun to scoot around). Or that they want to keep it kind of special, only releasing an RC model every 2 years or so?

yeah, for me a MOC is quite incomplete without RC....it's satisfying and fully enjoyable playing with your creation at the touch of your fingertips

I hope TLG would not stop on just putting PF on the sets, they should also provide instructions about upgrading the sets to RC version..It's additional sales for their PF products...Just my 2 cents

Edited January 21, 201312 yr by francisalmario

I hope TLG would not stop on just putting PF on the sets, they should also provide instructions about upgrading the sets to RC version..It's additional sales for their PF products.

All these update possibilities made the 8110 UnimoC the best possible set for my taste: it's true, it is weakly motorised, but all the time I felt like some solutions were intentionally put that way, to make it easier to upgrade. (the 1stud longer axle for the direct/mounting of an XL-motor, the position between seats in the cabin for a 11stud steering-holder, and so on). I think, one of the last 8043's from Hungary is on it's way to me (no sources in Serbia at all!).

It would be great to have an official RC-mod kit similar to the idea of the 8293, maybe one remote, one receiver one L (or even XL) + one M motor, a battery box, the basic gears, clutches and so on. I think it should make even some cuusoo sets easier to pass the official part for being not so expensive in "basic" version.

I've noticed a bit of a discrepancy in that many (perhaps a majority) of AFOL Technic MOCs are remote controlled, whereas the only official RC sets (other than the old Racers models, such as those with the buggy motors) are 8257, 8043 and 9398. Clearly AFOLs like remote control more than TLG does.

I'm not entirely sure why this is. Partially it's to do with cost, obviously, as including an IR reciever and XL motor with 8070 for example would increase the cost quite a bit. There's basically no chance of TLG producing an official set with 3 or 4 IR receivers and 8 or more motors, like some MOCs have, but I reckon a remote control car on the scale of 8081 or 9395 for a reasonable cost would sell in huge numbers, among AFOLs and otherwise.

I'm curious why they don't. Perhaps they'll worry that kids will break them? The 3 sets mentioned above are all rather slow, 2 of them being tracked (although the 8043 B-model is delightfully quick, and great fun to scoot around). Or that they want to keep it kind of special, only releasing an RC model every 2 years or so?

I've noticed a bit of a discrepancy in that many (perhaps a majority) of AFOL Technic MOCs are remote controlled, whereas the only official RC sets (other than the old Racers models, such as those with the buggy motors) are 8257, 8043 and 9398. Clearly AFOLs like remote control more than TLG does.

I'm not entirely sure why this is. Partially it's to do with cost, obviously, as including an IR reciever and XL motor with 8070 for example would increase the cost quite a bit. There's basically no chance of TLG producing an official set with 3 or 4 IR receivers and 8 or more motors, like some MOCs have, but I reckon a remote control car on the scale of 8081 or 9395 for a reasonable cost would sell in huge numbers, among AFOLs and otherwise.

I'm curious why they don't. Perhaps they'll worry that kids will break them? The 3 sets mentioned above are all rather slow, 2 of them being tracked (although the 8043 B-model is delightfully quick, and great fun to scoot around). Or that they want to keep it kind of special, only releasing an RC model every 2 years or so?

it's a marketing strategy. the more they see AFOL's want RC sets, the less likely they'll produce sets which are RC simply because they [TLG] have separate PF packs which based from experience, AFOL's purchase along with non-RC sets.

it's a marketing strategy. the more they see AFOL's want RC sets, the less likely they'll produce sets which are RC simply because they [TLG] have separate PF packs which based from experience, AFOL's purchase along with non-RC sets.

I am not entirely sure about your theory? Do you know any AFOL's who bought the PF Pack?!

I think it has more to do with retail pricing and whether or not a model is likely to fall apart (like Hopey mentioned). The Bulldozer, Excavator and Crawler are not likely to break when operated. And their movement represents the movement of the real world counterpart. Motorizing an F1 car would only be great if the model can go at a certain speed. Hitting an object at that speed will likely break the model to pieces. TLG doesn't want their model to fall apart every 5 minutes.

Just my two cents

Edited January 22, 201312 yr by Gekke Ted

The Bulldozer, Excavator and Crawler are not likely to break when operated[/Quote]

+1

Most fully motorized MOCs in the past were quite fragile.

Lego is predominantly for kids. TLG does not cater specifically for AFOL needs.

As people said in other threads, the reason why TLG didn't introduce PF operated locomotion is due to chance of parts falling apart. Even though 9398 was not really complex, it is very sturdy and hardly breaks after running it over any obstruction. It is not an easy achievement with an official set.