Die Cast Lighted 1/350th TOS Enterprise (TOMY crowd funded)

[RevelationSpace]

He offers wireless app control as well but until somebody opens up the ship that is useless.

Will a wireless controller work with a diecast model, assuming the receiver was inside it?

 

[MDLAV8R]

I think it's time to change the batteries in the engineering hull, but wanted to check with the hive mind here to ensure my ship isn't just acting up since it's a bit of a hassle to change the batteries on this thing. The lights in the engineering hull blinked in and out a few times slowly, and then turned off. This only seems to happen when the fanblade motors are running. However, everything powers back on if I wait a few minutes. Has anyone else noticed similar behavior from their ship when the batteries are about to die?

That’s been my official cue to change out the batteries so I’m going to say it’s normal. I change out both sets as they both last about 14 hours +/- an hour with my rechargeables.

 

[Reign1701A]

I friend of mine on Facebook had the same issue. It was the batteries. He changed them and the problem went away. On mine, I will be looking to see what others do re: installing a 6V source that doesn't use the batteries.

Ah thank you! Yeah I bought some rechargeable AA and AAAs so I'll pop those in, but may look at 6V power sources too down the line.

 

[MDLAV8R]

Will a wireless controller work with a diecast model, assuming the receiver was inside it?

Yes - but you will likely need to extend the antenna to the exterior with a wire. Metal will absorb the WiFi signal.

 

[scotthm]

On another note: I know folks have complained about the plugs, but what about that garish seam on the saucer?

Pure trivia, dwarfed by the botched paint job on the captain's chair. When did you ever see white seat cushions and black armrests on Kirk's chair?
---------------

 

[datbrad]

I'll hold off for now. It's really very slight and I honestly would not have noticed until I actually tried to move the Nacelle. I'm also not optimistic that what I'll receive will be much better/different. Heck, it could have other flaws. And yes, I expect that the Tomy group will make sure it's fine before shipping, but it will get tossed around by shippers too so...

If it gets worse, or especially if the nacelles start to droop, I'll strongly reconsider while I'm in the return window. Seems they definitely have some for that purpose (and have already sold off any spares/returns).

I do think the Nacelles may be positioned a smidge too low in relation to the saucer on this model. And that's not just based on mine, but photos and videos of others as well. I seem to be the only one raising any concern about it though.

I was torn for the reasons you stated. If both nacelles were like the starboard nacelle with just a tiny bit of play, I would probably be able to live with it. The port one just had too many degrees of play and I worried about it getting worse down the road. Hopefully Tomy will come through for me.........we'll see.

 

[xlowes]

I was torn for the reasons you stated. If both nacelles were like the starboard nacelle with just a tiny bit of play, I would probably be able to live with it. The port one just had too many degrees of play and I worried about it getting worse down the road. Hopefully Tomy will come through for me.........we'll see.

Only problem with waiting is all of the returns may have been picked thru !

 

[aroney]

I think it's time to change the batteries in the engineering hull, but wanted to check with the hive mind here to ensure my ship isn't just acting up since it's a bit of a hassle to change the batteries on this thing. The lights in the engineering hull blinked in and out a few times slowly, and then turned off. This only seems to happen when the fanblade motors are running. However, everything powers back on if I wait a few minutes. Has anyone else noticed similar behavior from their ship when the batteries are about to die?

Same here. Battery change and all is good again. The batteries that came with the model are junk too...

 

[Captain Dunsel]

Everyone has now come to live with all seams and plugs......

Yeah, all the stages of grief have been covered, if you read this thread from the day the plugs and seams were first revealed to today:

• Denial.
• Anger.
• Bargaining.
• Depression.
• Acceptance.

 

[CessnaDriver]

Yeah, all the stages of grief have been covered, if you read this thread from the day the plugs and seams were first revealed to today:

• Denial.
• Anger.
• Bargaining.
• Depression.
• Acceptance.

Forgot the last ones...

• Bought Two
• Profit!

 

[Captain Dunsel]

Forgot the last ones...

• Bought Two
• Profit!

It does seem that those who stuck with it to the end are happy; good to see

 

[Fizzbin]

Same here. Battery change and all is good again. The batteries that came with the model are junk too...

Well, the batteries are from China!

 

[Fizzbin]

Yeah, all the stages of grief have been covered, if you read this thread from the day the plugs and seams were first revealed to today:

• Denial.
• Anger.
• Bargaining.
• Depression.
• Acceptance.

Only one step left to complete happiness:

Conversion to AC power!

 

[xlowes]

With all of the posts that people are wanting to tear into it, well waiting for someone to do it. Lots of talk but no action. I plan on leaving mine as is. Not willing to take a chance of destroying it.

 

[MDLAV8R]

With all of the posts that people are wanting to tear into it, well waiting for someone to do it. Lots of talk but no action. I plan on leaving mine as is. Not willing to take a chance of destroying it.

I guess I expected RPF members to be more risk tolerant and have the modeling chops and experience to take on the challenge.

 

[pengbuzz]

I guess I expected RPF members to be more risk tolerant and have the modeling chops and experience to take on the challenge.

In all fairness: with the expense of this piece (as well as the materials used and the specific construction methods used by Tomy in creating it), I think folks here at the RPF are being understandably cautious. If you do nothing on it and wait to see if/ when others make their improvements, you can gauge how the replica will react without damaging your own copy. But once you take that plunge...you cannot unsand, unglue or unpaint it.

It's not a question of "modeling chops" or "risk tolerance"; it's a question of not diving into something blindly. Not to mention that for others, money isn't exactly easy to come by nowadays.

 

[Captain Dunsel]

In all fairness: with the expense of this piece (as well as the materials used and the specific construction methods used by Tomy in creating it), I think folks here at the RPF are being understandably cautious. If you do nothing on it and wait to see if/ when others make their improvements, you can gauge how the replica will react without damaging your own copy. But once you take that plunge...you cannot unsand, unglue or unpaint it.

It's not a question of "modeling chops" or "risk tolerance"; it's a question of not diving into something blindly. Not to mention that for others, money isn't exactly easy to come by nowadays.

Yeah, die-cast is not a medium that I have any experience with, from a modeling perspective, so I can understand the trepidation to begin sanding and slathering on putty.

There’s also the whole matter of the value of commercial items often being negatively impacted if the item is altered.

If I had one, I would likely leave it alone, as most have done.

 

[cloudborn]

Well since no one is going to remove the plugs and crack this thing open...how about someone come up with a replacement for the secondary hull base that eliminates the wobble and that gawd awful saucer support base.

 

[xlowes]

Well since no one is going to remove the plugs and crack this thing open...how about someone come up with a replacement for the secondary hull base that eliminates the wobble and that gawd awful saucer support base.

I did away with the saucer support base as others have also . Time will tell if it sags or not !

 

[aroney]

I was torn for the reasons you stated. If both nacelles were like the starboard nacelle with just a tiny bit of play, I would probably be able to live with it. The port one just had too many degrees of play and I worried about it getting worse down the road. Hopefully Tomy will come through for me.........we'll see.

Makes sense. Keep us posted...