Gao Gao MG 1/100 Destiny (Preview)

Price: RM50++ (Area Dependent)

Got this a while ago and built it slowly. I haven't even put the clear stickers and/or decals on it even. (Well, I haven't even put em' on Deathscythe Hell Custom either...) I have to admit, the quality and ease of build of bootlegs has been on the rise lately and Gao Gao is not excluded. I won't say it is a breeze to build these, but the frustrations of parts not fitting well are almost nonexistent lately. Loose or tighter than usual parts do still occur but more on tighter so it may or may not be beneficial in the end. You will still need a bit of sanding at times. I only needed it at the launcher's moving scope for this one. I even dared to play with the linked joint movement of the scope/handle of the launcher and it seems quite capable here. Hope it stays that way at any rate.

Quite accurate to the original I believe with minor loss to detail. Just noticed that the red piece by the neck was loose in some shots. It does easily get knocked out when I think about it.

Haven't fully tested out the limits of holding the weapons, specifically the Arondight, but it looks promising thus far. =)

A great kit overall which I feel, after building it just now, would be more satisfying with its wings of light. If possible, I highly suggest those who wants to get a MG Destiny, whether original or bootleg, to get the Extreme Blast Mode version. Slightly more expensive but I feel it would be greatly satisfying for Destiny fans.

Yes, there is a RG Destiny coming out soon. Since the wings of light are a limied part, I don't particularly have the desire to get it. It looks slightly short too, in more ways than one, which is rather disappointing to me.

Until the next post~

posted from Bloggeroid

Dragon Momoko HG 1/144 Gundam AGE-1 Razor (Preview)

Technically don't have the time to do a full on review like last time anymore but for this inactive blog, let me interject with some small content from time to time.



The Razor model kit was initially a limited and 2-color hobby magazine set that required a HG 1/144 Gundam AGE-1 Normal to be put together, not adding on the amount of extra detailing required. Normally to get that would cost us RM100+ over here. Initially I wanted to get that for myself but unfortunately budget be unwilling. Fortunately for me, a up and running bootleg brand brought itself up by making a complete and affordable HG kit for it.

The Razor is a featured mobile suit in the Gundam AGE side story featuring the young adult Flit and his emerging love story with Emily. Don't remembr any specifics other than that.

This model kit came up great for me. It costs less than RM30, making it around a quarter of what you would be paying to build one normally. As a bonus, they made all the blades translucent green - which was a superb touch on their part. They just look great on the model kit IMHO.

To be frank, there's not much extra work required for this bootleg. Sure it isn't completely "perfect" but it won't leave you screaming in frustration, I hope, as all quirks are easily remedied with some minor cutting/sanding. The manual isn't so clear it seems as they went out of their way to redo the whole thing. Its slightly different from the original but still understandable.


Overall it is a good bootleg kit that gives a 2nd chance to those who wanted the side-story Razor but unable to fork out the extra cash (or effort) the original needs.

I wonder if we are going to get a bigger scale of this? The bootleg world is not like before, they sometimes go out of their way to give you extra value which Bandai would either limit or require extra orders normally.

posted from Bloggeroid

Project HGCC Destiny

I wonder if this plan will work out nicely. Technically it is somewhat of a "mod training" whereby I try to put this 2 together and make an "updated Destiny". Both are bootleg kits from TT Hongli/Gao Gao. Well, lets see how this goes. Have yet to start anything though except putting the 0 Gundam together. Maybe I should use the unbuilt bootleg Destiny instead since this has been painted (with markers) already.

PS: The HG Gao Gao 0 Gundam isn't half bad. The overall build quality is quite solid. The faceplate has a bit of a problem so I stuck it on with bluetack since I may be using the parts here for the mod later on.

posted from Bloggeroid

Gao Gao (TT Hongli) MG Destiny

My Gunplaying days are as slow as ever but recently I've built this bootleg Destiny. So far in the process, the overall build quality is good, very decent actually. More on that later?

Maybe I should have gone with Extreme Burst Mode since it was around 50% more expensive than this normal version.

For those who still visit this partly dead blog, what misadventures have you got into recently?

PS: Happy New Year!

posted from Bloggeroid

Qi Yue* (QY) BB 00Q Warrior Simple Review

*Name thanks to Len Shinogane's post.

Price: RM1X**
**May be cheaper or more expensive depending on locale.

Decided to get this when I bought the HGUC Banshee (DM) since I got a bit of cash coming back from selling off my excess cards. XP

I did want to get one last time (an original Bandai) but didn't in the end due to other, obvious, budget allocations. At any rate, lets see how this bootleg brand fares in my hands. Do note that the images are not as organized as before since I did this without much planning. I just took photos out of order as I build and play with the bootleg. Well, something slightly different, I guess? ^^;

Read on!

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Coming Up Next

Finally got some time off (or you can say finally got a chance to make room for some personal time) this week. Of course the mid-terms looming isn't a pretty sight. Then again, since the test papers aren't your run-in-the mill sort (whereby you digest a few chapters of study) but rather you apply "what you already know" according to the weekly test. More skill and common sense dependent. Well, there's still a "normal paper" to tackle as well.

At any rate, I just finished building the HG Zeydra, HGUC Banshee (Unicorn Mode) and the one shown above. The BB 00Q above happens to be from a recent bootleg brand "Y". Can't read the Chinese text under the logo so "Y" it is. More on those later as photos just need filtering for some. =)

Until the next long post - after all this while. Might as well update the headers and such while I'm at it.

posted from Bloggeroid

March GET!

Been a while since I did anything for this blog and it seems quite dead this year - due to my new life priorities and how Facebook became more central as a form of online communication. Of course that doesn't mean I'll abandon this blog.

For now, aside from the piles of cards, I finally bought some Gunpla again. Too bad AGE-2 Normal ran out but I'll get Double Bullet thanks to the most recent episode. XP

That's all for now. ^^;

posted from Bloggeroid

Serious Backlogs But Here's a Consolation

This photo covers several aspects of what I wanted to do on the blog, what I actually did in real life and what's left half-completed if you interpret it properly. Properly as in you have been following this blog to that point. XP

Well, what do you see? If you see something interesting, what do you think is actually happening and how did it actually come to that?

Clue #1: http://rndmstuff.blogspot.com/2012/01/prelude-to-fishing-3.html
Clue #2: See tags.

And I just noticed I pass the 100, 000 "unique" visits according to the counter below. Yay! Still sad that I can't give my all to this blog for a while already, even during my semester break - as I ended going out more than usual with much thanks to Cardfight!! Vanguard.

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Gao Gao (TT Hongli) HG 1/144 00 Seven Sword/G (007S/G) Review - Part 2

This is a late continuation of this post.

After looking through my blog, as I was updating the review buttons, I found out that I've yet to conclude this review. Looking at the date of publishing, it was probably due to other things that kept me preoccupied. Well, time to get back to the game here as I don't like to leave things unfinished unless I come to a dead end for it that is. ^^;

The model kit has been built for over 3 months and parts have been swapped around so the joints, particularly the arms, are not as tight anymore. As per usual, time does make model kits less firm as when it was just built. Ah well. At any rate, I did reinforce the joints (right arm to shoulder and forearm peg connections) for this review. The forearm part was already evident since built though.

Note: All photos are taken by the Samsung Galaxy S II @ 8MP downsized to 25% at 70% JPEG compression. I so need to get a touch-screen to focus camera next time. Much more in tune to my photo taking tendencies. Current photo-taking setup utilizes two LED white lights - left and right.

Read on!

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Gao Gao (TT Hongli) HG 1/144 00 Seven Sword/G (007S/G) Review (Unfinished)

Price: RM3X

Time for the next review~ TBH, I was pretty excited when building this due to reasons as you read on the review, although more obvious in the second part later. Even if this is the second time I'm building practically the same kit and fourth time building a 00 Gundam, I don't feel any quirks about that. Now, onto the review.

The price this time is higher than usual but it seems the prices of bootlegs have increased lately so there isn't much I could do about that. Fortunately, it is still relatively affordable, especially for what you'll find inside the box and my impression on it proves positive.

You may read my previous review on the original Bandai version of his model kit here which covers some information in regards to the Gundam itself as well. I won't be repeating it here.

Specifications

I find it amazing that Gao Gao/TT Hongli is getting better with their Engrish, seriously. It makes building easier as the instructions have Engrish words that are understandable by the very least.

Originally Posted: 8 September 2011
Latest Update: 25 January 2012
Reason: Realization of Incomplete Review

Read on for the rest of the review~

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Gao Gao MG 1/100 Deathscythe Hell Custom Review - Part 1

Price: RM7X (varies)

I initially wanted to get an original Bandai one much earlier on but budget was focused more to my gaming needs so this is what resulted from it. I actually almost completely skipped this gem of a Gundam. Truth be told, I would still want the original but I'll leave that to a time when my funds are plentiful again for Gunpla. Nonetheless, this bootleg is actually worth-while to build as Gao Gao (AKA TT Hongli) keeps on stepping their game up.

Note: Will add on some more in a while.

EDIT (2/2/12): Manual scans can be found HERE.

Read on!

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Gao Gao (TT Hongli) HG 1/144 00 Seven Sword/G - Impression

With just this single image, a full review feels redundant now. Okay, I'll still do it regardless.

Based on this photo, the Gao Gao 007S/G has an incredible polycap strength - being able to hold the GN Buster Sword II without much effort asides from needing a stand to stablize the body. o.o
This is actually attributed to its hard and tight polycaps which do seem to be doing the job and more greatly, to my pleasure even. I couldn't manage this without support for the original Bandai release believe it or not. Very interesting, no?

More later.

posted from Bloggeroid

Gao Gao (TT Hongli) HG 1/144 Arios Review

Price: RM1X~RM2X

I didn’t really expect to make a review on this model kit since I initially lost a part (then it was luckily found) so it doesn’t have the proper photo-shoot for a full, usual review. However, someone did request me to do one and I decided to do one, at the benefit of further using my new phone’s camera though. Unlike the review on the BB Sinanju a few weeks back, this one is completely taken through my Samsung Galaxy S II‘s camera.

Please take note that I did not detail this model kit much due to the fact that I plan to do something to it later on although not within the near future. The most I did was paint the clear parts red and minor panel lining.

Note 1: I got this model kit as a leftover from the GG HG 1/144 Arios GNHW/M from a fellow blogger and friend - Souji Shinogane.
Note 2: It doesn’t have the display base because of that. So I’m using an action base also from TT Hongli/Gao Gao which works very well.
Note 3: You can refer to an older quick review on the Bandai version.
Note 4: Being very close to the window doesn’t fare well for the phone camera sensor. ^^;

Read more…

TTGG 007S/G Complete (Ninja Build)

Just finished it an hour ago and right now I'm on the verge of going to sleep. Nonetheless, here it is!

The one thing that makes this one annoying to build was its really tight and stiff polycaps. However, that brings an interesting benefit that can only be felt after you complete it which I'll cover in its eventual review.

Until the next post!

posted from Bloggeroid

This Month's Haul (Early September 2011)

Decided to get a new, "shinier", gold and silver marker by Uni Paint. They are oil based so it won't come off easily. Bought a sanding file too which was relatively cheap. Thinking that it will be important once I start to do something big later on (once the "pieces" are in my hands).

Two 007SGs from Gao Gao for a future mod build but I'll build it as normal first like the others before it so stay tune for another bootleg review~ And yes, I do already own two original Bandai ones beforehand. I mad. The BB Wing Gundam EW should be obvious too. Darn, the box is smaller than I thought yet quite thick! :O

The TT Hongli action base prove to me it was durable enough (to hold the Hi-Nu Gundoom up) so I bought some more. Good for mass need of stands which I'll be using them for. I really do prefer my Gunpla to pose dynamically to give a more "its alive" feel. =)

Semester 2 starts next week and there should be another post soon on something I didn't think of reviewing beforehand.

posted from Bloggeroid

Quick Post on Where to Find TT Hongli/Gao Gao Model Kits

Applicable to Malaysians only!

A few people has been asking me lately so I'm inclined to answer them but repeating the same thing over and over again is getting way too tedious.

Most of my bootleg knowledge comes from this ongoing Lowyat discussion which you can read and follow or even comment in.

Bootlegs are actually pretty easy to find but finding them at prices you'll be willing to pay for is even harder. I say honestly you wouldn't be paying RM30 (normal shop price) for a standard bootleg HG when you can get the original for RM45. I won't. But if you can get them for around RM20 or less, you'll want to to a certain limit (they are harder to build obviously). Even PGs won't cost too far off RM200. I will honestly tell you now that I got my PG Wing Zero Custom for RM155 (don't expect to get this price currently due to changes in exchange rates).

The best bootleg brand is TT Hongli or Gao Gao (same company, two different logos/names). It has been stated that those under the Gao Gao branding is better and I can admit it does feel like it with my most recent review on bootlegs. Don't get any other brand than this (except Gundoom) because models from Model GD/GHD, Bendi, LWDragon and so on aren't worth the money, time and effort to build.

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The cheapest place to get the bootlegs is from Chow Kit, Kuala Lumpur. You can easily get there by LRT. Wholesale shops such as Jia Yang and Toy Box (not sure I remember the name of this shop correctly) have them (however, they might not sell to you under normal circumstances). I also can't guarantee if they are still selling them since I only went there by then end of 2009. If you cannot get them, don't complain to me, okay?

As for Jia Yang, where I got my PG WZC, MG Strike Noir and 4 other HGs, you need to know the "rules". To get the 50% discount, you'll need to get any 6 model kits. Any, as long as you get a minimum of 6. You'll need to ask the taukey or employee there first before you suddenly grab 6 and then cannot buy. Note that you must state that you learn about this from a forum (the Lowyat thread I linked above specifically). If you're lucky you can get HGs at less than RM15, MGs at less than RM50 and PGs at less than RM200 (bigger ones will cost more).
Exact shop location via Google Maps = 3.16387,101.697478

As for Toy Box, I read that you must find the right guy to get about 30% discount and you can buy any amount. I never went to this one so I don't much about it.

There are, of course, other shops selling the bootlegs but the shops in Chow Kit are wholesale shops. If you have a company under your name, it will make it easier to purchase anything fro them. If you're daring, try to persuade the shop to sell you normally.

Because I haven't went there for a good while and haven't heard nor read anything about them, I suggest buying the bootlegs elsewhere. Although not as cheap as getting from Chow Kit, they are still substantially cheaper than buying from a regular shop.

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The easiest place to get them through out Malaysia, especially to those who live in Semenanjung, go to this Loywat thread. I never bought from him but his selling record is clean so buy from him if you can! The prices are also very good especially if you can COD with him. If you're doing postage, buy more that just one.

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If you're living in Kuching, we are in luck now! Heng Kim Trading also sells the bootleg TT Hongli/Gao Gao at reasonable prices! You ca add him in Facebook and ask him directly as well. :)
I bought the HG Cherudim GNHW/R from the shop for about RM20 which is pretty reasonable as it is (at least I don't need to fly to KL).

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Okay, that's all I can tell you guys, happy shopping! If you think building the bootleg is too troublesome or not worth to buy, then just buy the original Bandai version. XP

TT Hongli/Gao Gao HG 1/144 Cherudim "Fighter" GNHW/R Review - Part 2

This is a continuation of part 1!

Nothing much to say to intro the second part but it shall feature, action and more action! There's also a beam spam-full omake at the end. Enjoy~

Note: All photos were taken with a Samsung Champ(ion) phone camera @ 1.3MP since my camera is away for servicing. My old camera is a pain to work with since it has a few aging problems (main reason why I bought the new camera). ^^;

EDIT (11/1/11): Added more comments in the conclusion.

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TT Hongli/Gao Gao HG 1/144 Cherudim "Fighter" GNHW/R Review - Part 1

Note1: TT Hongli is known as Gao Gao or Kao Kao/Cao Cao, depending on how you read the new brand name.

It has been a while since I've did a bootleg review especially since that incident which plagued anyone who made reviews on them. I still hope that anyone who comments will REFRAIN from commenting anything that's "prejudice" and hurtful. It's just unsightly and has caused problems for many people. There are many ways to justify oneself and buying decisions but just be nice okay?

Anyways, enough with the disclaimer, onwards with part 1 of the review.

Price: RM2X

This one is quite new in production and I was very curious as to how much TT Hongli has improved ever since they decided to change their name. It was said that the quality is better now so let's find out.

~About the MS~

During the final battle in season 2 of Gundam 00, all the Gundams were equipped with their final load-outs, GN Heavy Weapons, and Cherudim got 6 GN Rifle Bits. More beam spam FTW!

You may also refer to my previous review on the Bandai HG 1/144 Cherudim Gundam I did last year.

~MS Specs~

Pilot: Lockon Stratos AKA Lyle Dylandy & Haro

GN-006GNHW/R Cherudim Gundam GNHW/R

Armaments: GN Sniper Rifle II, GN Pistol II (4), GN Shield Bit (9), GN Rifle Bit (6)

Lots of remote weapons there!

*I just noticed I don't put this in for Robot Damashii reviews... maybe I should, later.*

Note 2: This part will only cover the manual scans, runners and building process with some notes while building. Enjoy the manual scans~

Note 3: All photos were taken with a Samsung Champ(ion) phone camera @ 1.3MP since my camera is away for servicing. My old camera is a pain to work with since it has a few aging problems (main reason why I bought the new camera). ^^;

EDIT: Forgot to state some spots I painted.

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TT Hongli MG 1/100 Strike Noir Review - Part 2

Part 1: Box, Box Open, Runners, Manual Scans & Building
Part 1.5: Clear Stickers & Decals
Part 2: Articulation, Gimmicks, Action and Conclusion

Time for yet another finisher to something I think many of you are curious about! Is this bootleg MG good or bad?! Read on to find out the conclusion!

A total of 98 shots with no edits what-so-ever (Sorry, no story this time, as 1/100s are harder to do.)!

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TT Hongli MG 1/100 Strike Noir Review - Part 1.5

(Before & After)

Part 1: Box, Box Open, Runners, Manual Scans & Building
Part 1.5: Clear Stickers & Decals
Part 2: Articulation, Gimmicks, Action and Conclusion

This is a first! A part 1.5 review! OMG! I never done this before but to tell you all the truth, I just can't complete the review of this kit just yet. Since I'm done with the experiment which is to test out the clear stickers and decals of TT Hongli, I decided to put it up first, for the benefit of you all. ^^

The reason why I can't really photoshoot the Strike Noir completely is that my camera battery is almost out and I want the decals and stickers to settle into the plastic first. Don't want them to fall off so easily (besides being a little lazy and tired after hours of decal-ing and sticker-ing).

As for this special part of the review, I'll mostly tell you my experience and feelings towards the water slide decals and clear stickers as well as the 4 angle and close-up shots.

So, read on! =D

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