Need help buying STNG Enterprise pre-assembled model

[CworthDynamics]

I know this isn't quite RPF-worthy but I figured if anyone would know, you guys would...

I am looking to buy a nice (pre-built) model of the Star Trek Next Generation Enterprise for my wife, without spending a fortune. I looked around at my typical nerd sites but there's too many to choose from and I don't know what's crap and what's not.

I would great appreciate suggestions.

Thanks,
Sean

 

[ursus43]

Telling the membership where you've been and what you've seen would be helpful.

 

[JMChladek]

Good point. Do you have a price range you are trying to stick with? For that matter, do you have a size you are looking for? Will any size Enterprise-D do or is bigger considered better? There are Enterprise-Ds out there that are little more than toys, while there are others that are decent, but the price begins to climb a bit depending on what it is.

So indeed, if you want some feedback, it is a pretty good idea to let us know what you have in mind and what you have seen out there already that you might have questions on.

 

[CworthDynamics]

I have to apologize. I fired this off without much detail AND it's been a while since I did my last search. I was looking for something in the $100-$200 range up to a about a foot long, but something smaller which is nicely done is great too.

I had previously been looking at Entertainment Earth, Big Bad Toy Store, Hobby Link Japan, Amazon and a few others which I can't recall. At one point a had a list of possibilities.

I should have looked again before posting, because I am not finding nearly as much right now. The two that I was looking at were:

Diamond Select Enterprise-D
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=DMC10866&mode=retail

And this from Aoshima:

http://www.entertainmentearth.com/prodinfo.asp?number=DC02869#.UKv634X1SHk

So any feedback on those is appreciated. Once again, sorry for being so vague and not doing more recent homework.

Sean

 

[Bryancd]

I have the Diamond Select and it's a terrific display model of the D. It's big, has great detail, light and sounds. Tough to beat, IMO for the price although I bought mine when they were released and I am sure they are more on ebay.

 

[JMChladek]

If you can find a Diamond Select version for under $100, I think they are a good value. But considering the vast majority seem to go for about $150 these days, I personally don't believe they are worth that much, given that the windows are just tampo printed on the surface and not etched into it.

The Aoshima version when I first saw images of it I was not crazy about, but I did find a couple videos of it online at Youtube and it looks pretty good actually. Its got an internal lighting system that stays on for quite awhile (I've never been a big fan of the short duration button light gimmicks) with window lights instead of just lit nacelles and it also looks like they added an aztec panel paint to it to give it some character. The lighting system looks pretty good to my eye and it appears you can even keep the saucer lit after dismounting it from the stardrive section (nice touch).

Granted I don't have any of the pre-build D's in my stash, just the model kits. I do have a couple of the other Art Asylum pieces though (such as one of the NX-01s). While IMHO they are good for what you get, I don't think they are worth the collectors prices they are going for. If you can find one at sub $100 pricing, it would be a good buy and better than the old Playmates toys. But for a budget closer to $200, spring for the Aoshima piece as it looks to be worth every penny (or yen in this case) spent on it as it looks like a decent collectors piece.

 

[CworthDynamics]

Thanks for the feedback, that helps. I was leaning toward the Aoshima but it also looks like they are re-releasing the Diamond Select version in March for about $60 so that maybe the better value.

Thanks again,
Sean

 

[agliarept]

HI

I recently bought the aishima model and I love it. feels like a miniture model that just looks so realistic. My only issue is that it's tiny, the base that it comes with isn't all the well and bulky, and lastly the saucer can easily come off since the magnets they use aren't very strong.

Love the giant Diamond model, but from what I've seen of it, the windows are open but just paint on right? that was my only gripe with it.

 

[CworthDynamics]

The more I look at it, the more I like the Aoshima, we have limited display space and it's the perfect size. And the details look really nicely done. I hate the stand but can live with it.

agliarept - where did you buy yours? Looks like most places are out of stock.

 

[Bryancd]

There's one on Amazon for $263! I think you are going to be hard pressed to find one if these for MSRP.

 

[CworthDynamics]

Amazingly enough, I just found it on Rodenberry.com for $170.

 

[Jedi Dade]

EBay usually has them for about 150 shipped, based on auction I've seen.

 

[CworthDynamics]

Just an update - got the Aoshima model and am very happy with it. It's the perfect size and the paint job on it is way better than I expected. Looks better than the photos on the box. The magnetic attachment for the saucer sections works well and the lighting is nicely done. The stand is really clunky but that's minor.

Thanks for the advice.
Sean

 

[Robiwon]

Need to post some pictures or it didn't happen! Congrats though!

 

[CworthDynamics]

Apologize for cell phone pix...

 

[JMChladek]

Wow, that does indeed look pretty good. Hope your wife likes it if she hasn't seen it already.

It certainly blows the old Franklin Mint Enterprise D (the one with the lift off section showing the bridge interior) out of the water by many miles.

 

[Bryancd]

It does look great, better then the Art Asylum albeit smaller. Wish they would do the refit in that style.