Solicitation scans have surfaced that show the Binaltech line in Japan is not dead yet! The scans show that at least two more Binaltech figures will be released, including BT-19 Bluestreak and BT-20 Meister. BT-20 Meister’s paint deco is meant to imitate the deco that Jazz possessed in the live-action Transformers movie. Pictures of the solicitation scans can be seen by clicking on the picture to the left.
Superquad7
Making a new mold doesn't surprise me; making a BT from a mold that the licenser doesn't offer any more (Subaru in this case), does.
I agree with you on the designs of the Impreza, but Takara doesn't have a mold for it (and I'd imagine unless something strange happens) they probably won't in the near future either.
Smokescreen
Yeah, I'm surprised by that, too. You'd think they'd go with a newer model. Although, I'm actually happy they didn't. I don't like the look of the newer models as much. After 2005, Subaru changed the front of the Impreza so now it looks different. It has, what I like to call, a "pig snout" design. On the other hand, the 2008 model Imprezas got rid of the pig snout, but then they messed around with the spoiler on the back. So, I'm happy they stuck with the 2003 model.
Runamuck
Lost and Found Toys also has them for preorder now. At $47.95!
Jazz
Bluestreak
Superquad7
While we're on the subject of diecast>plastic, one of the things I feel makes the plastic toys zing is having them painted. The multicolored Alt Optimus Prime<painted KP Convoy.
Back on the main topic, I'm still just really surprised that Subaru (not so much Mazda regarding the RX-8) allowed Takara to make an "out-of-date" version of the Impreza to be made now . . .
I have concerned myself with just what molds were still available to be made due to current licensing agreements. I was figuring that only the Civic and Jag were up for grabs. Oh well . . .
Depthcharge
I've got every BT with the exception of Black Convoy and while I lament with everyone else that Alert (and for atleast, Sunstreaker and Autolooper) have mold integrity related problems, I adore the feel of die-cast over plastic. I've got several Alts and all things considered they feel so much more flimsy. I won't argue that they have fewer alignment issues due to the extra "give" in plastic, but they just don't feel as or look as good in my opinion. And I've transformered my BT's about a zillion times as well as packed and moved them atleast 6 times and none of mine have any paint chipping issues. I'm probably lucky in this regard. Never-the-less I like diecast.
I think that what it comes down to is personal preference. Everyone loves/hates Alts more than BT based on their own luck and experience with them. They both have pros and cons but to say that one is definitively better than the other is probably pretty much impossible.
PoweredConvoy
I have every Binaltech figure (even Black Convoy and Mirage) and yellow Tracks is probably the most notorious for chipping, due to the yellow paint used. BTA Alert is up there too. The rest are pretty much fine though, as long as you're careful.
I think the metal (on most figures) goes a long way to really make the figures seem like high quality figures, and not plastic toys like most of the Alternators do.
Randy
Galaxy Convoy
Paint chipping, top heaviness, and as someone already said, no give when transforming is about all the reasons I can think of.
For me, while diecast worked just fine for simple figs, like the G1 stuff, it just doesn't work with figs with complicated transformations, like the BTs. There's just too many parts to scrape the paint, there's no give when trying to slide or move a part, and top heaviness can cause display problems. To me, a toy is meant to be played with, not treated like an extremely fragile art peice or something.
I also firmly believe there's something up with paint job quality. I own only one BT, yellow Tracks. The first time I transformed him one of his doors barely nudged up against another part, slightly chipping the paint job on it. At the same I have transformed my MP Convoy and MP Magnus multiple times and nothing's happened to either of their paint jobs, especially the legs where diecast is against diecast in vehicle mode. Just seems odd to me.
Superquad7
I'm really sorry that your experience with Binal Tech was with Alert. Don't get me wrong, he's actually one of my favorites (well I guess they all are ^_^), but one of the things being discussed here is that after the mold had been used so many times before Alert, but the time Alert was made the mold made the alignment all shoddy. To my knowledge, he's the only BT that universally suffers in this way (to some extent at least). The rest align pretty well, so that's not really a gripe with Binal Techs overall, just that one toy.
In terms of the "give", I'd say that might (or might not) be a legitimate complaint.
Rabbit
I can't speak for everyone but you've nailed my feelings on diecast; heavy and flaky. That and I find diecast makes them harder to transform cause there's less give. I have BT Alert, the only metal I have in my collection of alt style bots and it's all about fail in vehicle mode. Plastic isn't perfect and has less shine, I know, but it's a little more flexible when I'm transforming it.
Runamuck
Wouldn't wait too long. They'll be at $100+ just like the rest of the BT's.
REDLINE
I wonder if the impreza will fall apart when lifted off whatever surface its on when taken out of the box.
Superquad7
While I'm digging the Meister, I'm not keen on repainting existing molds to emulate more movie toys. While making movie characters (retaining their transform accuracies to the best extent) would be cool, that would require new molds. That being said, I'd prefer that to be done in a separate sub-line and not within the Alternators/Binal Tech line.
As far as repaints go, I'm cool with it, especially since it has been said since the inception of the line that repaints would be necessary for the line. While that may be the case, there are other molds to repaint besides the already-worn Impreza.
Just my
mineraljane
Now on eBay. The listing says Meister will ship within 30 days of the auction?
Th0r4z1n3
Just finished the Alts too over the summer, and these will make a good start on the BTs for me. I only wanna get the BTs that didn't get an Alt relese so that should make it a little easyer than being a "true" completist.
bouncing boy77
im still thinking whether to preorder these two as i just finished completing all us-released alts…
Crimson87
Yah know, just throuwing this out there. If they are doing a a Movie color Jazz. They may hold to the quick movie line repaint idea and do a police car deco of Grmilock and call it Barricade. Also, i could see that crazy line of thinking getting worse and them releasing a BLACK dodge ram and then calling it…….
Iron Hide. (blasphemy) Not condoning the second; but, I do think the Barricade idea is a good one.
Depthcharge
So ordered…..
now if only they'd paint up some other Alt/BT's in movie colors, as movie characters… *Looks at his Mustang molds*
I also wouldn't mind seeing the Alt Rumble, Mirage, Ravage, and Op molds done in die-cast either. Yeah, and new molds would be nice too but probably too much to hope for.
Incepticon
If someone official *I'm looking at you Hasbro* doesn't eventually take the Alt Prime & Nemesis Prime molds and turn them into Ironhide & Trailbreaker (or whatever they have to modify his name to), I think I'm gonna blow a nut. A couple of updated paint jobs and easy head swaps with Skids & Swindle – and presto – they're good to go. They're two of THE most kitbashed figures due to the molds being so perfect for them, so I can't hope, prey, beg or plead enough that Hasbro throws us a bone by doing them… even just as convention or online exclusives.
We'll worry about the lack of Alt Ratchet, Brawn, Red Alert, etc. at some other time.
Golden Age
If they are diecast I will get them. I hope they make a diecast mirage also.
ranoobu
Is there any other reason diecast isn't preferred among some members besides paint chipping and possible top heaviness?