Are you satisfied with the 2013 sets?

[Paul B Technic]

The material handler and F1 car don't do much for me which is why I have not purchased them.

[rchan016]

I'm really looking forward to 42009. Would be nice if it had the remote control stuff, but it's a definite buy.

Even more than that, I'm hoping they re-do the 8275 bulldozer as well.

[Paul B Technic]

My thoughts on the 2013 sets:

42000: Don’t like it, seems quite plain and basic to me. Also quite expensive here.

42002: Own it and really like how well it works and how good it looks for the price.

42004: Own it and also like it, good display piece.

42006: Does not do a lot for me, does look ok.

42007: Own it and think it is a stand out set, was a really fun build.

42008: Going to be a great set when it is released later this year.

42009: Going to be huge and complex, I am not a fan of cranes but this might swing me.

42010 / 42011: Good looking small sets, not really my cup of tea.

[Alternator]

42000 - Grand Prix Racer: I just got this (so haven't built it), I'm not wowed by the function set it is boasting but it was a chance at a F1 model, so I think it looks nice and I am interested in it's suspension.

42001 - Mini Off Roader. Seems fine

42002 - Hovercraft: Nice to see a hovercraft, but I decided to skip this one since the other sets this size have the new pull back part, whereas this one seems more generic in function (although if you want black panels...)

42004 - Mini Backhoe Loader: I really liked the loader 8069 from a few years ago so was going to give this one a miss, in the end I picked it up for parts mainly

42005 - Monster Truck: Not really my thing, but if the price is right I could see myself picking it up

42006 - Excavator: The claw sold this one to me - not sure how the price stacks up but it seemed reasonably good too

42007 - Moto Cross Bike: I was going to skip this, but decided it could be worth having if only for the parts (I did like the previous bike, but generally it's not my kind of thing, although I would totally get a flagship level motor bike if they somehow came up with one)

42008 - Service Truck: I know little about this, but it looks quite interesting and I have a fondness of pneumatic sets since they don't put out heaps of them

42009 - Mobile Crane Mk II: For me 8421 came out during my dark ages, and for some reason no stores around me seemed to bring in 8053 and then it dissappeared relatively quickly from the online lego store (I live in New Zealand and postage is punishing), so I'm actually quite looking forward to getting this style of crane truck, I'm quite interested to see if it lives up to the description provided!

42010 - Off-road Racer & 42011 - Race Car: These seem like simple sets, but they're quite cheap and I'm interested in getting a couple of the Pull-Back parts, so should provide some fun

I don't think there is a real standout model this year like there has been the last few years (42009 may address that if it meets that description posted on page 2), none the less I think the year is offering some solid choices and I actually think this will be the most technic sets that I've bought from one year.

I'm really looking forward to 42009. Would be nice if it had the remote control stuff, but it's a definite buy.

Even more than that, I'm hoping they re-do the 8275 bulldozer as well.

I'm with you on the bulldozer as well!

I really liked the look of 8275 (also from my dark ages), although that might be unlikely given that the B model from 8043 a few years ago was a motorized bulldozer (albeit a smaller scale one).

Edited April 30, 2013 by Alternator

[Blakbird]

On the LEGO.com TECHNIC Designers Blog, Markus Kossman was interviewed about the 2H2013 Lego Technic 42009 Mobile Crane MK II:

The last crane we built was in 2005 (8421 Mobile Crane). That was a very cool model, too. It had four axles, pneumatic linear actuators, manual outriggers, and it was very open.

The last crane was 8421? Did he forget about 8053?

The container loader sounds like an excellent B-model, which sadly (for my wallet) means I will probably have to buy 2 of these.

[allanp]

I think he means the last flagship crane was 8421.

[rm8]

So

The B models of 42009 are:

1.Reach stacker

2.Container

3.Truck (I guess this is container truck)

[DarkShadow73]

I think the 2012 sets were better, 2013 has a couple good sets but on average 2012 was better. I might just buy the new pieces off of Bricklink.

@Paul202 - I agree, another crane??? Really I think we've got enough of them already and although I'd buy it the price of that crane this summer is going to be ridiculously high, probably $200+ i would expect and money's tight, I've got well over 160+ Technic sets to sell, but sales are real slow. What I would love to see is smaller jobsite crane like the 8460/31/38 Pneumatic Crane Truck was, just with updated pieces and with PF and an engine and differentials for the rear wheels. The 8053 and 8421 are large and do the job of a huge crane just fine, I'm tossed up on the 8053's scissor type outriggers, but they do the job. I think 2010-1H2013 had some really great sets. I don't look a lot at the long, long threads about 2013 releases, but are we going to get a springtime mid or large size set? I somehow think the 42006 was probably that set since in the years past TLG released a large set in spring, i.e.: 8070 Supercar in 2011, 9397 Logging Truck in 2012, but its May so seems doubtful their will be any more releases until the July-August timeframe as usual for the 2H models. The 42006 is a fine, fine set and outdid the 8043 in some respects, but it would be nice to be able to add a bucket, just haven't figured out how yet, though I'm sure some on EB have. Or, even taking out 2 of the grabbers to make it a grabber like in Ax Men for loading logs onto the 9397. That would be cool.

One other note, they used to re-release like crazy until about 2004. The pneumatic front loader (8464/59/39) was the best front loader, beating the 8265 in spades, and the pneumatic crane truck (8460/31/38), 2 releases of that model within a year of each other! They were all released twice after initial production. I wonder what happened to re-releases of very popular models. They could easily re-release the 8285, 8421, just to name a few, and TLG would make huge money and probably almost instant sell-outs on those latter 2 models.

As far as models thus far this year:

42004 - Great backhoe/loader for the price, just need to find a way to larger tires to the rear like a real backhoe has. 8069 was better, but like I say for the pricepoint this is an excellent model.

42010 - Just a cool looking racer even w/ the pull-back motor, love the blue color, we don't get much of that color anymore, last model I can recall that was blue was the 8052 Container Truck from 2010. Didn't buy the 42011 to go along with it, just a strange looking racer when connected together.

42006 - Awesome design for a model on scale with the 8294 Excavator from 2008.

42000 - Pass, I'm more into stock cars like 8448 and 8070, not much into Indy type race cars. B model was bad too IMO.

42007 - Nice bike and love the orange color. A bit on the expensive side but still it rivals all bikes produced since the 8051 in 2010 and the 8420 in 2005.

42002 - Strange looking beast. Maybe I might buy it eventually, more like a space craft.

Edited May 5, 2013 by TechnicFreak

[Zerobricks]

Dont foget the 41999 :)

[leoparder]

Zblj, I have a question about the 41999. I am very tempted by the 4x4 9398 also and I would like to know if they will be exaclty the same (appart from the top cover) or if there will be other differences.

I can't wait to get my first radio controlled Lego :)

[Chilly]

No, too many things with wheels.

Wish they'd bring back/re-visit sets like:

the dinosaur (8485),

pick and place robot thingy and drawing machine (8094),

GBC sets,

clocks,

walking things - like cosmodog http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=42307 ,

anthing that's real Technic, with lots of functions and gears and switches and IR, but not cranes, cars or other vehicles.

There must be so many other things they could do, but they seem to just repeat the same themes every few years.

[Doc_Brown]

No, too many things with wheels.

There must be so many other things they could do, but they seem to just repeat the same themes every few years.

Yes I agree! And I just had a brilliant idea on something that I can't find anyone has done.

I decided to buy 42007 this weekend, and was a little disappointed. :( Front suspension does not work too well, needs to be upright a bit more. 6/10 overall. Not nearly as good as 8838, which I loved as a kid, till I destroyed in the sand pit.

[Zerobricks]

Zblj, I have a question about the 41999. I am very tempted by the 4x4 9398 also and I would like to know if they will be exaclty the same (appart from the top cover) or if there will be other differences.

I can't wait to get my first radio controlled Lego :)

The 4199 has a winch and lights, while 9398 has none of these.

[Jim]

No, too many things with wheels.

Wish they'd bring back/re-visit sets like:

the dinosaur (8485),

pick and place robot thingy and drawing machine (8094),

GBC sets,

clocks,

walking things - like cosmodog http://www.eurobrick...showtopic=42307 ,

anthing that's real Technic, with lots of functions and gears and switches and IR, but not cranes, cars or other vehicles.

There must be so many other things they could do, but they seem to just repeat the same themes every few years.

I totally agree...partially

Always vehicles with wheels (or tracks).

That's why I love the 9396 Helicopter.

GBC sets or a Factory Assembly Line or something. That would rock!

Although I must admit that the 2013 lineup is one of the best ever. So I have mixed feelings.

Edited May 7, 2013 by Gekke Ted

[D3K]

I feel GBC is something that should be made by the individual, not a mass produced set. Although, seeing as it is a very popular and interesting form of MOC, maybe a "GBC Starter Set" would be nice, including a lot of balls, a motor, various gears, and instructions for 4 or 5 different, simple setups just to get one started?

[N-4K0]

Stupid question perhaps, I'm not very well into the terms, but what's GBC?

[Alasdair Ryan]

Stupid question perhaps, I'm not very well into the terms, but what's GBC?

It means 'great ball contraption' here are some on Google.

Edited May 7, 2013 by Alasdair Ryan

[N-4K0]

Ok. I've seen some of those in the huge module MOC from youtube