QMX Enterprise?

Ya know, it just hit me, why doesnt the guy, or guys doing the grunt work on this, cut out the middle man, do the run as intended, maybe a little (or a lot lol) discounted, and make himself a killing?

lee
 
Ya know, it just hit me, why doesnt the guy, or guys doing the grunt work on this, cut out the middle man, do the run as intended, maybe a little (or a lot lol) discounted, and make himself a killing?

lee

QMX would make sure that Paramount's Lawyers come knocking I am sure
 
Yeah, but in this case if all he's doing is selling build ups of a Polar Lights model kit that's already been licensed by Paramount, what would the legal issue be for him?

Of course, this is ignoring whatever agreement he probably already has with QMX...
 
If its a 'QMX' then why does it have the same inaccuracies that the Polar Lights has?

I don't know to what 'inaccuracies' you are referring. And how much would you charge to build (or spend to hire a talented professional to build) a 1/350 scale, professionally painted and lighted PL refit as detailed below—and with a money back guarantee if not happy!? There is at least one online service charging nearly $5K for a PL build (without a money back guarantee) and last I had checked there was a minimum year-long wait list! I have a feeling that list is suddenly a lot shorter.

Sounds to me like this Qmx model will be the definitive Refit to date. Granted, when and if it comes out:


Filming-quality miniature recreates perfectly the starship featured in the first three Star Trek motion pictures. It measures 34.5 inches long and 7 inches high (14 inches high when mounted on the base). And it includes more features, more visual effects, more detailed painting that any licensed ship replica from any major Sci Fi movie or TV show to date.

Design features include:

* Decorated VIP lounge complete with crew members.
* Botanical garden with foliage and people.
* Illuminated cargo/landing bay, including shuttles and work bees.
* An individually-numbered, brass dedication plaque on the mirrored base.

Semi-transparent pearlescent paint is applied by hand in overlapping layers using multiple masks to create an Aztec patterning.

Custom-built electronics in the QMx Enterprise Refit control a complex lighting system that sports a total of 130 LEDs, including:

* Blue LEDs for warp-engine illumination.
* Warm white LEDs for interiors.
* Blinking formation lights.
* Anti-collision lights that flash in a pulse-strobe pattern.
* An active deflector dish that ramps up to an amber glow and brightens to blue when warp engines are engaged.
* Firing photon torpedoes that flash red and white.

All lighting systems are operated by a four-function remote control and are powered by a 12-volt AC/DC transformer.

It takes our artisans about 100 hours to hand assemble the styrene, resin, acrylic, brass and MDF parts that go into this legendary starship, hand applying 26 different paints, and adding special decals and hand-painted stencils.
 
Last edited:
Anyone who knows the PL model knows what inaccuracies I am referring to as they have been well documented. There are fixes available for some of them. Anyone who follows the 1/350th PL also knows there have been a few builders out there that have done commission build ups on this kit that are every bit as good (and in some cases better as they address the inaccuracies) as the QMX build up for quite a bit less money. As to the money back guarantee thats a nice touch but hardly worth the extra scratch considering that there cant be much in the way of licensing as all it is is a build up of a licensed kit. I havent seen anything SO FAR about this build up that would get me to fork out 5 K on it when I know I can get the same thing for about half of that OR with the aftermarket parts and electronics build it myself for about $500 +/-. I think the biggest plus QMX may have on this is turnaround time and the guarantee and some of the price may be reflected in having a few people working on each build as opposed to one person doing it all but thats just speculation on my part. I try not to be TOO judgemental when it comes to prototypes but I think at 5K these wont exactly fly off the bench. My 2 cents.
 
Anyone who knows the PL model knows what inaccuracies I am referring to as they have been well documented.

In that case what I don't know won't concern me.


Anyone who follows the 1/350th PL also knows there have been a few builders out there that have done commission build ups on this kit that are every bit as good (and in some cases better as they address the inaccuracies) as the QMX build up for quite a bit less money.


Maybe, but that's subjective, and dealing with "private contractors" for me would be a big headache and a big gamble. The sheer mention of "contractor" brings me into a cold sweat. There are egos and other potential "contract" issues. And I'll just leave it at that.

As to the money back guarantee thats a nice touch but hardly worth the extra scratch considering that there cant be much in the way of licensing as all it is is a build up of a licensed kit.

As touched upon in my previous point, I consider this to be much more than a 'nice touch.' For me it's a BIG deal and a BIG peace of mind. Problems and surprises with such complicated, expensive builds are a natural-born nightmare. Case in point was my problematic MR TOS Enterprise purchase in which the resolution was in my favor via a Buyer Protection policy. A commitment to a private builder is like a marriage proposal and you had better have an ironclad pre-nup; always a hairy situ.


I havent seen anything SO FAR about this build up that would get me to fork out 5 K on it when I know I can get the same thing for about half of that OR with the aftermarket parts and electronics build it myself for about $500 +/-.

If you can find someone to build this for you for much less than $4K-$5K, with the multiple paint layers creating the aztecing, and all the electronics and featuring outlined for the QMx build, and to do it to your satisfaction and with no pressure to buy if it ends up a screw-up... if you can find this jewel, jump on it! Frankly, and with all due respect, I don't buy it. And of course, if you can do it yourself, well, that's a non-issue.


I think the biggest plus QMX may have on this is turnaround time and the guarantee and some of the price may be reflected in having a few people working on each build as opposed to one person doing it all but thats just speculation on my part. I try not to be TOO judgemental when it comes to prototypes but I think at 5K these wont exactly fly off the bench. My 2 cents.

The biggest plus QMx has I think is that which I mentioned above. A high quality product with peace of mind. And no, they won't fly off the shelf, but not many of us have the space for it on our shelves, either.


Yeah, I would rather have Jason build me one of these then QMX.

I'm sure Jason appreciates it. Nothing personal to Jason, whoever he is, but clearly I disagree.
 
Last edited:
If he's talking about me, yeah I am super flattered! :)

If not, disregard this post :cool

I'd charge around $2,500 to $3k to do it if they supplied the model/PE/electronic rig, and I'd even make that fancy schmancy base - including crated white glove shipping (that's $500 right there, seriously). I use a crate/freight service now, and they are a godsend for getting the big models across the country. Wooden crate, lined with foam - model floats in the void like the Archives models from ILM!

I'd recommend Lightbenders for an all-in-one light solution for a PL Enterprise. I'm working with them on all sorts of crazy stuff now (wait 'till you see the Colonial Movers rig I commissioned) - they always raise the bar for my wacky ideas. So if anyone is looking for super-high quality light solutions for super-reasonable prices, hit 'em up. When I do my eventual refit model, I'll be pushing them to the limits ;)
 
If he's talking about me, yeah I am super flattered! :)

If not, disregard this post :cool

I'd charge around $2,500 to $3k to do it if they supplied the model/PE/electronic rig, and I'd even make that fancy schmancy base - including crated white glove shipping (that's $500 right there, seriously). I use a crate/freight service now, and they are a godsend for getting the big models across the country. Wooden crate, lined with foam - model floats in the void like the Archives models from ILM!

I'd recommend Lightbenders for an all-in-one light solution for a PL Enterprise. I'm working with them on all sorts of crazy stuff now (wait 'till you see the Colonial Movers rig I commissioned) - they always raise the bar for my wacky ideas. So if anyone is looking for super-high quality light solutions for super-reasonable prices, hit 'em up. When I do my eventual refit model, I'll be pushing them to the limits ;)

Of course I am talking about you! How does this guy not know who the players are around here? ;)
In actually still have an Enterprise Cut Away you built back in 2003 which I bought from you. Lights still work but I broke one nacelle.
 
I'm sure Jason appreciates it. Nothing personal to Jason, whoever he is, but clearly I disagree.

Really? Having worked with Jason professionally at Master Replicas (and other ventures) I'm pretty confident Jason's buildups are some of the best out there. I commissioned several pieces from him - and none cost anything close to 5K.
 
QMX is back from Comicom and responded to my initial email, unfortunately in a pretty vague fashion. They did indicate a very fast 45 or so day turn-around.....odd considering the lack of JJ-prises that seem to have been delivered so far. I'll be following up some more tomorrow and trying to determine if the PL build-up is just a prototype or not.

Tib
 
Last edited:
@Proper I think the issue is your posts come off as shilling for QMX while at the same time not seeming to have any much in the way of understanding about the offering. Youre not familiar enough with the subject matter to know that there are indeed inaccuracies with the PL or that there are more then a few folks on this board alone who can do as good or better a build for less money. Informed opinions are fine but uniformed ones not so much and your posts make it seem as if you have ties to QMX in some shape or form. If not then they really dont make much sense as you, by your own posts, dont have the knowledge or information to make an informed statement. You also allude to not having the space or money for this high end collectible so again it would seem strange that you keep jumping to the defense of a product you have no vested interest in. Lets just say youre giving off a weird vibe here...so before we go any further what connection, if any, do you have to QMX or those working there?
 
Back
Top