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Post by visher on Aug 25, 2010 20:59:45 GMT -5
Another great review Warfreak! How soon do you think you can get a Lightning Saix review up?
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Post by warfreak20xx on Sept 5, 2010 8:34:19 GMT -5
most likely now ;D ---------------------------------- HMM 020 - Lightning SaixHMM Line From WikipideaOverview The Lightning Saix is a cheetah-type Zoid, used by the Guylos Empire. Evolved from a Helcat using an Organoid System, the Lightning Saix is notable as being an exceptionally maneuverable land-based Zoid. It is incredibly high-performance, with exceedingly fast acceleration and a massive top speed. While it cannot make sharp turns, it can strafe and manoeuvre quite well. The Zoid is also surprisingly stealthy; while not invisible to sight or radar, it is very elusive. The Lightning Saix is well armed, carrying a pair of powerful Pulse Laser Rifles on its back, as well as a pair of small Vulcan Guns in its head. The Saix's Pulse Laser Rifles only point directly forward and cannot be turned, meaning that the Zoid is rather vulnerable to attacks from the flanks or behind. However, the fixed position of the back-mounted weapons is a necessity, as the Saix would lose its balance if the rifles were to turn while running at its top speed. The Lightning Saix can turn its head to use the Vulcan Guns against opponents attacking from the flanks, though, and the Pulse Laser Rifles can still at least point about 5 degrees to either side and about 10 degrees up and downward to give it a small amount of freedom to move, even if only a little. Additionally, the Lightning Saix has a pair of Vertical and Wing Stabilizers, which are located at each side of the Lightning Saix's Pulse Laser Rifles. They serve as to stabilize the Zoid while running at high speed, and allows the whole kicking power of the Lightning Saix to be transfered to the ground, making sure every ounce of force hits the ground to maximize the Zoid's running efficiency. The stabilizers also help reduce drag and air lift to the Zoid, making it run perfectly steady despite the great and sudden accelerations that can take place while mobilizing.
ImagesThe BoxAssemblyClick Thumbnail for larger Picture WeaponsThe saix retains its Pulse Laser Rifles yet its now how a 360 degree turning capabilities. According to Wiki, the design for its main weapon to be permanently facing forward is because to stabilize the zoid when running in high speed. A design overlook by kotobukiya. Its second weapon is the twin vulcan on its head. A set if missles were included in the new designs The zoids core is located at the chest as well the fourth weapon hidden in the chest. ArticulationsThe legs are very articulated and has wide range of movement, the problem is they are a bit clumpsy to pose since its ball jointed shoulders are a bit loose. Anyways the legs are a major improvement over the past HMM legs. The original feature of the saix is to retract its claw, a feature retain in this kit. Individual fingers can be post. Parts swapping is needed to have the seperated open fingers, its included in the manual on the last page of assembly. Its a bit confusing since it has two intruction for the feet, one with premanent feet and one for parts swapping. The head has good movement and can bend its head all the way down. Sadly its neck can move a little degrees sideways. Tail has a wide set of movements because its ball jointed. All Views Comparisons You can see the original kit is fat and the HMM kit is slim A comparison to a HMM CW Version Irivine and the Saix Final Pose Sit!!!!! Fire fire fire!!!! Give me five! meooooowwww! Assembly & Design Assembling the kit is a great experience, not so tough and not to easy. A blend of two. Some parts are needed to be painted if you want to make it look like the box art, leaving it as is looks good too. I took the liberty of painting the teeth, claws and cannons to make it more appealing to me. One could finish the kit in a one lazy weekend. FOr the design, overall its sleek and slim and has a aerodyanamic feel.. yet if you look at the head closer its cheeks are a bit fat.. even comparing it from the NJR saix. Also a special mention, this kit now included water slide decals, an improvement from stickers. Although its hard to apply, its worth it to put in this kind of high end kit. Articulation & Features For its size this kit has more articulation than its predecessor hmm kits, event the likes of a HMM Saber tiger. The parts swapping for a close and open claws are a nice touch which i hope to be included in the upcoming HMM kits. Overall VerdictThe Saix is a bit overprice for its size, comparing it to a HMM Shield liger with almost the same price. Yet its forgiving cause it has more features than the past kits. I recommend to get it now since it has large points towards to the folks new to this line. Minor flaws can be ignore since displaying it will make them go away(Some articulation problem).Lastly, this kit proves that the HMM design is still evolving. Many features from the old designs were greatly improve here like the hose and articulation problems. This enhancement proves that will be expecting more from future HMM kits. The goodMany features Water slide Decals Feet part swapping Added weapons The badA bit loose on joints A bit pricey for its size Ratings ;D ;D ;D ;D out of ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
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Post by Maethius on Sept 5, 2010 10:07:09 GMT -5
Wow, it really is a wicked looking kit, isn't it? Great review; very thorough. I would love to get one of these.
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Post by gurenseven on Sept 5, 2010 14:32:08 GMT -5
Great review...an all around awesome kit! HMM Saix is one I absolutely must have, but I want to wait for a (hopefully)Tasker version What's the deal with the horizontal stabilizers on the back cannon?...they look kinda warped. If that is how they came on the sprue, I am not impressed with the plastic quality.
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Post by warfreak20xx on Sept 5, 2010 16:30:10 GMT -5
Maethius thanks vishus - the wing stabilizer at the cannon is deform. i dunno if others got that deform wings too..
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Post by visher on Sept 5, 2010 19:36:10 GMT -5
Nice review! The Saix is a bit smaller than I thought, but still nice.
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Post by Snowflake on Sept 6, 2010 11:24:06 GMT -5
nice job on thos photos
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Post by Ernestotaku on Sept 9, 2010 4:27:20 GMT -5
The HMM decals are water slide decals? I Tried to put decals con a MG Gundam and they were awfull. It is a clear saqure plastic that gives the model a chunky aspect. I don't know if HMM has water slides, these look great on the models, you don't notice the border of the decal.
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Post by Tilly on Sept 9, 2010 15:15:15 GMT -5
The earlier ones are stickers, and they seem to have switched to waterslides now.
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Post by Snowflake on Sept 9, 2010 17:21:46 GMT -5
water.. slides? is that anything like those lick-and-rub temporary tattoos?
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Post by Tilly on Sept 9, 2010 20:45:35 GMT -5
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Post by warfreak20xx on Sept 9, 2010 21:43:17 GMT -5
water.. slides? is that anything like those lick-and-rub temporary tattoos? something like that... but the decal literary must be wet and then slide to the part you want to attach it. then dry... super dry. The HMM manual has instruction of it. Both Saix and BL Mirage are water slide now.. i like it more than stickers since in the long run stickers tends to pop-off.
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Post by Snowflake on Sept 10, 2010 17:42:36 GMT -5
good lord.. that looks as if even stenciling would be easier..
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Post by Black Arachnis on Sept 11, 2010 6:10:43 GMT -5
good lord.. that looks as if even stenciling would be easier.. meh, not really. waterslides take a little to get used to but once you know how to do it it`s easy as cake. time consuming but easy. plus if the decals are fresh enough(or you use special chemicals to really seal them down), they hug perfectly to details which means they look more like they were painted on.
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Post by Maethius on Sept 11, 2010 10:43:12 GMT -5
Water slide decals are how models have been done for as long as I can remember... and that's a long time! I'm glad Koto made the switch; these are HMM model kits after all, not simpler motorized toys intended for a younger crowd.
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