Hey peeps - was wondering if you could help me out with something. I am seriously tempted to get some Gundam figures, but I would like to know which of the following series you would recommend me to go for:

Gundam MSIA
Gundam MSIA Extended
Gundam Fix Figuration
Gundam HCM Pro

I have already shortlisted which sets I would like to grab first, but would like to know which series has better build quality, extra parts, features, etc. Any help you guys could give would be great, and I will definitely post pix once I have gotten some of the Gundams!!

It really depends... MSIA is okay, I don't know squat about MSIA Extended.
Fix is awesome. They cost the most, but believe me, they're pieces of art...
HCM Pro is advisable too.
They're really tiny, like 1/200 scale or something.
Here are some links-
http://www011.upp.so-net.ne.jp/pony-hp/TOYSROOM.htm
The ones on the very top are the Fix and Zeonography, and the ones right under are all HCM pro, execpt for the pair.
http://www.geocities.jp/hetare_d_max/
And there, I can't give you a direct link, so do the following-click the first option under menu, then third category, then go down after the SIC and Henshin stuff.
The two will be MSIA and HCM pro, in that order.
^_^

Thanx for the links and info Frosty - all i got to do know is decide which Gundam to get first!! hehehe

No problem.
Well, good luck on that one.
I advise the Penerope Fix, though.
http://pony-hp.web.infoseek.co.jp/GFF-PENEROPE.htm

Yeah - that Penerope looks amazing!! Fingers crossed I can find somethere that has it!! I've already made a short-list of the sets I am thinking of grabbing - a list which is slowly getting bigger by the day Was thinking of going for the Zeta Plus Red or Blue, then the Z II. Anyway, whichever i end up ordering I will do some pix of them - probably fighting my Mugenbine 'bots!!

Indeed so...
I found a few at a local toystore, about 3500 pesos a pop... Don't wanna bother doing the math.
The Zetas are always a nice choice. and the Z II is real nice too. XD

Apart from the Zeta II, I'd avoid any of the Zeta fixes like the plague. They're all reportedly fragile, fiddly, and altogether unstable as heck.

Thanx for the tip, Archon - guess I'll have to change my little list now..

Fix's are fragile period. they're not figures like the MSIA but are collectible action statues. Personally I'm more for building. go with the models!

I already have a few Gundam models, from Gundam Wing and G Gundam. I have spotted a couple of the die-cast Gundam figures on TokyoToys.com, and am sorely tempted to order one. Only problem is the price really..

Hahahaha! You do have a point...
Most of the gundams I have do happen to be the models. XD

I know what you mean about the models - I already have the 1/100 Altron Gundam and Wing Gundam Zero, as well as a few smaller models from G Gundam. Now that I'm getting better at model building (thanks in part to my ever-expanding Zoids collection), I might be tempted to go for a few more Gundam kits as opposed to their figure versions (as they seem a bit small at around 6 inches tall). Man, is it getting ever harder to choose a Gundam now!!

For some reason, I'm gettin this feelin that those kits that you built were Domestic MG Kits. Try the Import MG kits, they are waaaaaaaaay better. BTW Fix figures are awesome, however I only own Wing and FAZZ. Don't even bother with those other ones like MSIA.

I guess I could always stretch to 1 Fix Figuration and 1 Master Grade kit! As for whether or not the kits I already own are domestic or not, I assume that since the writing on the boxes is predominantly English, then they are domestic - is that correct?

UncleJoe
Check out dannychoo.com he has tons of pics and links to Gundam models and sites. Some of the modeling is incredible! This may help in your decision. Check his new "otakurls" feature, tons of info and links!

well for starting builders, try not to stretch too far for a Master Grade. if you haven't built in a while or aren't familiar with building try an HGUC simple construction, great hand held value.

Did notice on that dannychoo site that they might be releasing the Fix Figuration version of the GP-03 Dendrobium from Char's Counter-Attack (I think that's right), albeit in a somewhat cut-down version - otherwise it'd be ruddy gigantic!!

Yeah, it's just the GP-03, the manipulator arms, and the front honeycomb facades of the Dendrobium. There's nothing past the doors.

It's not like they haven't produced a Dendrobium in that scale before, though, as there was the HGUC version several years ago. However, that was a flop financially, so they're likely not to bother with such a thing again for quite a long time.

Bit of a bummer really - would love one of those monsters to display in my room!! Still, even though the new version is almost a Dendrobium-Lite, I'm still tempted to shell out for one..

Heeeeey.......
it wasn't that bad a flop.... I built one.

It's not like it didn't sell at all. It just didn't sell well, or at least, well enough to offset production costs by a large enough margin to bother with another model of such scale ever again.

Closest we've gotten since is the METEOR unit, which is proportionately a lot smaller, and a lot lighter.

The MSIA are OKAY-provided they're the japanese ones.
I'm under the impression that the HCM pro are good.
As for the models, you could go with Hadlen Weltall's advice.
I was gonna grab the 1/144 Bawoo HG kit, cause I saw it half-off, but I went a bought a revoltech. XD

Well, I finally caved in and I've ordered the Fix Figuration GM Sniper Custom. Got to admit it does have a fair few bits and pieces with it; nice selection of weapons, couple of shields and 2 beam sabers - more than enough to give my Zoids and Mugenbine bits a darn good thrashing!!

nothing says loving like a beam sniper rifle!

True.. although a Beam Saber and a Charged Particle Cannon do come close!!

Sorry to do a double-post, but I just thought some folks may like to know that the GM Sniper Custom arrived today, and I am dead chuffed I ordered it!! The box was a heck of a lot bigger than I was expecting, and the sheer volume of extra bits and pieces will keep me occupied for ages. All I got to do now is try and clear a bit of display space for him... then order the Z II later this week!!

Will try and take some pix of it over the next few days, and post them here!!

what I'd recommend Joe is keep the packaging around and leave the bits you're not using in the parts tray. that way everything's in its place and you don't lose anything. And until people actually clear their crap out of my office I can do the same with my sealed FIX Wing Gundam and my Guyver 01 figure. no place to stand with everybody ELSES junk in my office.

I always keep the packaging for my ordered stuff, which may help explain my current dwindling space!! I'm definitely keeping the box to keep the parts in, since the box itself is pretty cool too. Am definitely gonna grab the Z II now, and maybe a gundam shirt or 3 to go with them - hehehe!! The detail on my GM Sniper is amazing; quite like the shield that's been hacked in half by a beam saber. Might have to try and find a FIX Gundam from the 08th Team series (adds to slowly growing list of stuff to get)..

Sadly Joe, I don't think there are any FIX from the 08th Team. There is a Blue Destiny and thats the closest we've ever gotten to a Gundam Ground type.

Bit of a bugger really, as the 08th Team is probably one of my fave Gundam series. Oh well, guess I'll have to plump for the Blue Destiny (very Crouching Tiger - lol).

Anyway, as promised, here are some grainy pix of my GM Sniper, courtesy of my cell-phone camera and my exceptionally poor photographic skills.. Enjoy!! I will try and do some better pix through out this week, and will also have to tryand decide which set to get next (so many choices, so little cash flow).

Sorry to do yet another double-post, but more images of my GM Sniper custom pix can be found here:

http://community.webshots.com/user/unclejoe420

I shall be posting more (hopefully) clearer pix of the Gundam in the next few days!!

Here's a review of a HCM Pro Asshimar, on CollectionDX.
http://www.collectiondx.com/node/1342
It seems pretty cool, and it's a lot smaller than I thought. XD

Once my Madrock turns up, I may have to order a couple of the Zeonography sets - just to make the sides even.. Anyway, my list of Gundam bits to order is rapidly expanding, since all the sets look pretty darned cool - just wonder where I'm gonna kepp 'em all!! (no rude suggestions please )

its a problem I think we all have Joe. Thanks to Bandai's ingenius Base stands with every MG nowadays I'm finding less and less display points. My Dendrobium sits on top of my already at max capacity corner cabinet but now its sitting next to the 1/144 Meteor and also the MG Strike, Freedom, and F-91.

I wouldn't dare hang them from the ceiling, especially not with their bits and pieces that might fall off.

Well, I will be doing some more pix of my Sniper Gundam, if I can find a decent digital camera like my eldest bro did yesterday (the jammy blighter), and I will try and do some duelling pix once the Madrock gets here!!

EDIT: My Madrock arrived today (19/2/07), and it has the biggest smeggin' gun I've seen a Gundam use!! It's got a minigun!!

Hey folks!!

Just thought I'd give you guys an update - I now have 3 Fix Figuration sets: The GM Sniper Custom, the Madrock, and now the Zeta Gundam red version!! My only slight complaint is that I got stung for VAT for the Zeta Gundam (first time I've been hit since ordering stuff from HLJ for almost 2+ years), but am still damn happy I got him!!

... May even open it later!!