Z, check out the TF Garage section here, there's LOTS of really great custom TF's shown on there. A custom can be as simple as a repaint, or as advances as what FansProject is coming out with now.

 

I just finished painting a Classics Prime and a Masterpiece Prime Blue and Black to match the 'Diaclone' Ultra Magnus character.

 

Don't let us ruin all the surprises for you, do a Image search on Diaclone or check out some of the web pages on that some time. To me, it was like finding out Luke Skywalker had a twin brother. That might make sense later.

 

TF G1 cartoon series has been re-released in stores. Season 1 and 2 are out now, and only about $20. That's what I meant by in stores now.

Oh another noobish question.

 

Binaltech are the cars done in metal correct? 1/24 scale?

Alternators are the same but in plastic.?

 

Alternity are 1/32 scale in plastic?

 

 

You really have to decide a few things - what type of a collector are you and how much money are you willing to put into this?? For example, if you had $100 to blow - would you want 1 toy of an MP quality, or do you want 7 different toys that each cost about $15?? Do you like quality or quantity? Are you a completist, that once you get into a line, do you feel you need to get them all?? Do you like certain characters and want to have the various versions of that character across multiple series of TFers?? Do you like to PLAY with your TFers or are you more of a displayer and simply like to admire them?? Do you like to open them up, or keep them in MISB form (left in their boxes/cages)?? How much do you like the look of the G1 series? I think once you come up with the answers to these questions, you will begin to find out what type of collection you will get into.

 

 

You asked about the Binaltech line - yes they are die-cast and an 'all car' series - both autobots and decepticons alike. I noticed earlier you stated how you really like planes. Personally, the MP and BT lines are my 2 favorites and i'm an absolute completist in them - I have them all. I am also a Displayer - I dont really play with my TFers. Why is that significant?? Because if you get into the BT (Binaltech) line, because they are die-cast - expect to scratch some of the paint off if you transform them a lot. The Alternators line is a tad cheaper (released in the US) whereas the BT line is imported. Because the Alternators are plastic, they are much better suited for play and constant transformation. But IMHO, the BT line is what got me back into collecting, and I absolutely "LOVE" them. There is a realness to them, and the extra weight gives them a nice quality. Unfortunately, the ALT and BT line have just both recently (within the past year) been terminated - which means there will not be any new ones coming out.

 

Instead, the Alternity line is the new replacement. If you have read many of my posts on here - i WANT to like this line, but have serious problems with it. It's really a hybrid of the ALT and BT. It's an 'all car' series also (in fact they are preordering starscream and skywarp right now to come out as a vehicle as well - due out this summer). And yes, it's the smaller scale. The smaller scale bothers a lot of people - and once you have been use to the ATL/BT line, it is a bit of a put off. The BIGGER issue to me is where they made the breaks in the body of the vehicle mode -- they tremendously detract from them in vehicle mode and make it look more like a toy than a minature die-cast vehicle. It severly robs from the displayed beauty of it, in my view. But if you like to PLAY with them - it might be a great one to get into.

 

You will spend a lot of money getting into the MP line - but they only release about 1 toy every 8-10months - but the average cost is $100 per character. You can find a lot of the BT's still around, and get some great deals on them - but there will be a few that are rare and expensive (something to consider if your a completist). Since you like decepticons, I would strongly recommend getting BT-13 Laserwaveand BT-11 Ravage. My personal favorite is the Ford Mustang of Grimlock.

 

Here is another datebase of TFerstoo look at.

 

If you decide to preorder and purchase imported TFers - a couple of great sources are TFSourceand BTTS

 

 

I really think if you answer some of the questions in the first paragraph, it will begin to point you in the right direction as to what type of collector you want to be, and which series would be best for you. BEst of luck to you and welcome to the TF fandom.

 

Here is a link to a thread that has a lot of photos of my personal collection- the most recent photos are in post #44 and #45. They include all the MP's and BT's as well.

Thanks to everyone with the advice and tips.

'Unfortunately, the ALT and BT line have just both recently (within the past year) been terminated - which means there will not be any new ones coming out.'

 

This is where some controversial fanaticism comes into play. Once a line ends, do we carry on with Customs or Knockoff's? I did, though some would really get upset spending more $ on un-licensed BT's.

 

My favorite BT/ALT mode was the first, the Subaru. Though more of an American Muscle car fan, this car blew me away when I first saw Smokescreen and I could not wait to get my hands on it. They remade and repainted the Subaru several times, and I finally got the last incarnation last Xmas when my friends bought me the Blue Bluestreak.

 

It should have ended there, however there are at least 3 totally original variant paint jobs in the Knock Off Universe. I had to have them and spent quite some time tracking them down.

 

Alt Smokescreen #8

BT Smokescreen #8

BT Smokescreen #7 with missile launcher

ALT Silver Streak

BT Silver Streak

Alt Ricochet

BT Alert

BT Blue Bluestreak

 

Completists would have to get ALL of these, for me, I got 1 version of each, which ever kind I could. I did not get the original Smokescreen in BT and ALT versions because they were too close. They only released Ricochet as an Alt so I got that.

 

Because of KO's I also have

a Red Subaru - Cliffjumper?

a Yellow Subaru with black stripes - Bumblebee?

and a Gray Subaru, "BEST" on the hood.

i gotta give you guys props on dishing out so much advice and information!! i'm impressed :thumb

Welcome to the forum and TF's Z!

i'd give my 2 cents but i'm in a bad mood and i think these guys are steering you in the right direction anyways. YOur in good hands.:beer

Hello Zaqir, I suggest you get some G1 Encore or TF Collection reissues, as you have the nostalgia you'll love them. Sixshot was reissued and is coming back again.

Hey Zaqir...be also on the lookout for people on Ebay, or in stores, selling knock-off G1 Transformers. I cannot believe no one has given you advice on this plague that has hit our Transformer hobby recently. Apparently there are quite a few Generation 1 toys that have been made in China in the EXACT likeness of the Hasbro Transformers but with cheaper plastic and just badly done, including the Generation 1 packaging. A few characters that are knockoffs are All the Dinobots, including Swoop, Mirage, Jazz, Prime, Constructicons, Aerialbots, and many more. So if you are going for a Mint in Box Generation 1 collection, use caution when bidding on Mint in Sealed Box Generation 1 Transformers with spiffy new boxes and low prices. I agree with the previous poster. Get the G1 Encore Transformers for official reproduction of G1 Transformers for cheap compared to what is being charged for the originals. Otherwise, enjoy collecting again and I hope to see you more on the forums.

 

Btw: Let your brother know that there is a Masterpiece Grimlock on the Japanese market. However, Hasbro is releasing him here in the States shortly. So it is probably better to wait so he can get it cheaper. He's definitely a must though. I have him and I love him along with Masterpiece Skywarp. Now if only they could release the rest of the Dinobots in Masterpiece form, I'd die a happy man. :P

'Unfortunately, the ALT and BT line have just both recently (within the past year) been terminated - which means there will not be any new ones coming out.'

 

This is where some controversial fanaticism comes into play. Once a line ends, do we carry on with Customs or Knockoff's? I did, though some would really get upset spending more $ on un-licensed BT's.

 

My favorite BT/ALT mode was the first, the Subaru. Though more of an American Muscle car fan, this car blew me away when I first saw Smokescreen and I could not wait to get my hands on it. They remade and repainted the Subaru several times, and I finally got the last incarnation last Xmas when my friends bought me the Blue Bluestreak.

 

It should have ended there, however there are at least 3 totally original variant paint jobs in the Knock Off Universe. I had to have them and spent quite some time tracking them down.

 

Alt Smokescreen #8

BT Smokescreen #8

BT Smokescreen #7 with missile launcher

ALT Silver Streak

BT Silver Streak

Alt Ricochet

BT Alert

BT Blue Bluestreak

 

Completists would have to get ALL of these, for me, I got 1 version of each, which ever kind I could. I did not get the original Smokescreen in BT and ALT versions because they were too close. They only released Ricochet as an Alt so I got that.

 

Because of KO's I also have

a Red Subaru - Cliffjumper?

a Yellow Subaru with black stripes - Bumblebee?

and a Gray Subaru, "BEST" on the hood.

 

I'm definately a completist in the BT line. I don't believe there is a variant that I do not have. But I do not consider KO's part of the line at all, and thus have no interest in them. I personally wish we'd see a lot less KO's in the MP line - it dilutes the series, not adds to it, imho.

Yeah there are a lot of knock offs out there. The BT ones I haven't bothered with because the decos are so weird. Couldn't resist getting a few KO G1s though (toys I've never owned and are unlikely to be officially reissued like Shockwave and Gnaw). As long as you know you're getting a KO, it's about the only way to own a minty fresh version of certain toys.

i'm very selective as to what i think is cool. there was one point where i had to 'catch em all' but just know your limits. now i just collect primes and/or anything i just think is really cool. :word