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Post by tetonbabydoll on Feb 22, 2009 9:55:07 GMT
I'm sticking to Safari And the jar jar resemblance doesn't help No surprise there Call it jar jar if you must, but it's based on the skeleton. And teton, Nigersaurus is one of the smaller sauropods. It is only around 30 ft or so, not like the giant skeleton in the last picture you posted ;D I think that one is Argentinasaurus, although judging by the head, it looks like a very big diplo ;D Nigersaurus is part of the Rebbachisauridae family of sauropods. CollectA have one other member of this family, the rebbachisaurus from last years release It well may be mis titled. It and the skeleton build-up photos are off of a Flikr site, and I could not get a clear look at that last one. I think it looks to big too. But, the assembly shots are nigersaurus, and it looks like both companies got it right. The main difference, aside from scale, is the amount of meat on the bones...the skeletal looks to be pretty much the same. it is all cosmetic. One can say, " I don't care for the Procon, it does not appeal to me", but you can't claim that it is in any way inaccurate, as the skeketal proportions appear spot on, and all of the cosmetic stuff is speculative.
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Post by Meso-Cenozoic on Feb 22, 2009 11:34:25 GMT
First off, thank you, Boki, for taking the time to do this. The pics, as usual, are spectacular! I love all the comparison shots and the one you did with the skeletal overlay is brilliant. Well done, again! And because of your pics, they just may have changed my mind on this figure. He does look alot better in these shots compared to the ones we've been used to seeing. But also, from seeing these group pics, I realized the major problem I have with some of the CollectA line, especially their sauropods. Alot of them seem to have this cartoony, silly face! I really noticed this when I saw your group shot of their sauropods. I like alot of what they're doing on the rest of their sauropods' sculpts. But, why do they have to put a funny looking mug on them? Granted, these big guys weren't very smart, but I don't think you'd be able to tell that from their facial expressions, lol! Anyway, just my thoughts on them. I still like some of them very much. I love my deluxe T. Rex and Agustinia (minus his goofy expression)! And even though the deluxe Baryonyx, that I also have, has some definite accuracy problems, I think he is still a pretty cool sculpt. And, I will definitely be getting some of the new ones. I have a nice handful picked out already! I really do commend Procon/CollectA for trying all these new ones we've never, or hardly ever, seen realized. I also believe in time, they will tighten-up their staff of artists and keep the best ones on. I'll definitely be watching for new stuff from them in the future. I mean, heck, even though they've pumped out a slew of dinos already, this is only their second batch ever!! And, now that they've got a good-sized line out there, maybe they can hold their future releases down to smaller batches with more consistent sculpts. Oh, and Kevin, I thought I remembered that larger sauropod skeleton pic from somewhere before. Then, I remembered from where. You had posted it in the "sauropod feet, and why everyone gets them wrong" thread you started in the Dinosaurs section. Except there, you did list it as an "Argentinasaurus mounting". I thought it looked way too big for this smaller, albeit very "husky", Nigersaurus, lol! It's alright. With all the pics you post, I wouldn't be able to keep track of them all either. On another forum I belong to, I'm known as "the picture guy". It's nice, for a change, to sit back and enjoy someone else's contributions. So, keep 'em comin'!!! And you too, Boki! I really enjoy your displays!!
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Post by tetonbabydoll on Feb 22, 2009 12:56:57 GMT
Yup, could be. I just eliminated around 30 pages of pics from photobucket, just to keep it from maxing out. This one was mixed up in the Nigersaurus pics for some odd reason. Oh, well. It is still a coool shot though. I just think, instead of describing something when presenting info,it just works easier to show the pic, then all can make their own minds up.
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Post by [][][]cordylus[][][] on Feb 22, 2009 14:18:55 GMT
I was going to say that, but I figured, for what they're worth, most Battats are sculpture quality. (This most certainly does not include the Stegosaurus) The Tyrannosaurus, not by a biased standpoint, is the most well sculpted Battat I've seen. The Acrocanthosaurus is, like the Tyrannosaurus, an incredible figure that is, or close to sculpture quality as well. Why is the stegosaurus most certainly not "sculpture quality" ? I think it is a pretty cool little fellow, and even if he's ugly, well, do you expect them to be pretty? ;D And the battat has those little tubercle-things on it's neck, too. ;D
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Post by tetonbabydoll on Feb 22, 2009 15:32:49 GMT
The Battat Stego has kinda grown on me, actually. I hereby retract my stated dislike of it. Especially given the mold is over ten years old. Hey, the Procon deluxe stego will be out this year, it has the neck pebbles and flap too. It is THIS close to being cool, yet in the official picks it just looks a little...off-ish as well. But, if it is 1'40 like the other deluxes, it may be quite large too... See, I brought us from Battat stego right back to new Procons---the topic of this thread. **shoos Battats away---except dippy, he is welcome anywhere....**
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Post by [][][]cordylus[][][] on Feb 22, 2009 15:56:13 GMT
The procons still have an extreme "not quite right" feeling about them, even more so than schleich. I mean, look at their new lambeosaurus, no detail besides those scattered bumps....
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Post by bokisaurus on Feb 22, 2009 17:08:01 GMT
First off, thank you, Boki, for taking the time to do this. The pics, as usual, are spectacular! I love all the comparison shots and the one you did with the skeletal overlay is brilliant. Well done, again! And because of your pics, they just may have changed my mind on this figure. He does look alot better in these shots compared to the ones we've been used to seeing. But also, from seeing these group pics, I realized the major problem I have with some of the CollectA line, especially their sauropods. Alot of them seem to have this cartoony, silly face! I really noticed this when I saw your group shot of their sauropods. I like alot of what they're doing on the rest of their sauropods' sculpts. But, why do they have to put a funny looking mug on them? Granted, these big guys weren't very smart, but I don't think you'd be able to tell that from their facial expressions, lol! Anyway, just my thoughts on them. I still like some of them very much. I love my deluxe T. Rex and Agustinia (minus his goofy expression)! And even though the deluxe Baryonyx, that I also have, has some definite accuracy problems, I think he is still a pretty cool sculpt. And, I will definitely be getting some of the new ones. I have a nice handful picked out already! I really do commend Procon/CollectA for trying all these new ones we've never, or hardly ever, seen realized. I also believe in time, they will tighten-up their staff of artists and keep the best ones on. I'll definitely be watching for new stuff from them in the future. I mean, heck, even though they've pumped out a slew of dinos already, this is only their second batch ever!! And, now that they've got a good-sized line out there, maybe they can hold their future releases down to smaller batches with more consistent sculpts. Oh, and Kevin, I thought I remembered that larger sauropod skeleton pic from somewhere before. Then, I remembered from where. You had posted it in the "sauropod feet, and why everyone gets them wrong" thread you started in the Dinosaurs section. Except there, you did list it as an "Argentinasaurus mounting". I thought it looked way too big for this smaller, albeit very "husky", Nigersaurus, lol! It's alright. With all the pics you post, I wouldn't be able to keep track of them all either. On another forum I belong to, I'm known as "the picture guy". It's nice, for a change, to sit back and enjoy someone else's contributions. So, keep 'em comin'!!! And you too, Boki! I really enjoy your displays!! ;D I agree with you on the face/head issue MC, it has been my position all along. I think it was what "originally" made the line distinct, just like the old Schleich and Safari, they have to be original first then perhaps, like you said, only keep artist whose work are closer to what they want to see. It's not only the sauropods, it's pretty much the line that has "cartoony" face which is really a shame when put on a figure like the Agustinia whoe body sculpt is awesome! As someone said before, " they are in-between museum line quality and chinosaurus" but not fitting very well in either category ;D At least you give them credit and recognize that they have made a great effort to put out so many species never seen before in any toy line, that alone is what makes this very young company worth watching to see how they improve. You can already see vast improvement, when compared to the first two releases, in their 2009 releases and it's only their 4th year! I think it really helped them when they tapped Anthony Beeson as one of their technical advisor and designer. He is the one who designed the new 2009 scelidosaurus ( and maybe even the other well designed ones). It took decades for Safari to get to where they are now. Along the way they have put out many hit and misses, just like any other company. It's only in the last 5 years that they have elevated their figures to a whole new level of accuracy and artistry never before seen in a toy line. So who knows, where CollectA will be given some time? It's already scary that the other major toy lines ( Bully, Schleich, Papo) are not putting out much figures due to slow down in sales and the economy. It really is, may they both be very successful, Safari, with 7 figures, and CollectA, with an impressive 26 figures!, that are left releasing something new and diverse for this year. Even Safari felt the pinch when they abruptly pulled the WS Brachi for 2009 release.
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Post by Blade-of-the-Moon on Feb 23, 2009 4:48:48 GMT
If Procon had released figures like this in say the early 90's I would prob have had them all...much like Battat was great when it came out..even the Stego was great for the time..I just think Procon missed their time... :/ Safari filled that niche back then as well and Procon's figures look a lot like the early Safari figures...and I would prob buy these for younger dino-fans to play with outdoors because they " feel " rugged in design... whereas Safari has moved more toward a collectibe sculpture...not that kids couldn't play with them of course...but after some heavy play Safari will prob come out the worst for wear. I have some Procons..like the Lio, Cryo and both T-Rex's but space is limited and with prices going up I have to buy only what I really like..I was going to get the new Procon Mosasaur , Albertasaurus, ect.. but then Dinonikes came along with his pieces..and between him and Safari... my dino colecting for the year is pretty much planned out...
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Post by Tyrannax on Feb 23, 2009 4:52:21 GMT
Until I see that Battat Stegosaurus in person no further comments will be issued! ;D
Procon seems to be great for the amount of sculpts they have released.
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Post by tomhet on Feb 23, 2009 6:17:06 GMT
I disagree boki, it didn't take decades for Safari to get better, the right person came along and took over.
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Post by kikimalou on Feb 23, 2009 9:10:43 GMT
Thank you Boki for your pictures. You help a lot the guys like me who can't see and touch before buying( except Papo and Schleich of course). Ok, the WS Nigersaurus is far more elegant and if I had to buy only one I will forget the Procon. The agustinia is at home and is beautiful,well finished, even with it's strange head. What I like with Procons is that they remind me the Starlux line : Some are beautiful, some are awful, most of them are strange looking, a few are accurate, but they charmed you. And like the old Starlux, this company surprise you with figures you never think of. There is something crasy, economically speaking.
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Post by Meso-Cenozoic on Feb 23, 2009 10:12:38 GMT
Boki, I guess I agree with alot of the others having "cartoony" faces besides just the sauropods. But, their deluxe Rex's face is nothing short of FIERCE!
And, Tomhet, I also have to agree with you about the Carnegies in particular. Except for some of of their very early figures, I think alot of their line has stayed pretty consistent in quality.
Now, I also have to agree with Boki about the Wild Safari line. They didn't seem to start upgrading their line until a few years ago. And then, wow!
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Post by [][][]cordylus[][][] on Feb 23, 2009 21:06:24 GMT
I disagree boki, it didn't take decades for Safari to get better, the right person came along and took over. And even so, it didn't take "decades"-- Everything post-1996 is pretty nice. Most everything post-2003 is superb.
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Post by bokisaurus on Feb 24, 2009 2:37:55 GMT
I disagree boki, it didn't take decades for Safari to get better, the right person came along and took over. ;D of course you do, it's Procon we are talking about ;D Well, when I say decades, I mean to say that it took them very long to get to their current quality they are producing now. Look at some of the WS figures pre-2005, they don't have the exquisite details and accuracy that their current figures has. And the same goes for the Carnegie line, even the original figures are still being produced even after all this time. Again, take a look at the 2008 releases, that's when the certain style of details and accuracy really started taking shape. Yes, they have been consistent as far as the older line, but not as detailed as the ones they are releasing now. If you look at the whole Safari line closely, all of the 2008 and 2009 figures look like they are from a totally different company! They don't match any of the old ones at all. Thats how big a difference the quality of the new figures are. The older figures look good together and have their own charm. So who knows, maybe the right person will come along and start to really shape the entire CollectA line. Anthony Besson is a start, maybe in time there will be more. We can go round and round again until we are dizzy. All I'm saying is that CollectA is very young and still trying to find the balance between affordability and artistic quality. Really, collectors is just a small part of the market and they are not very loyal customers ;D First and top priority are kids and their parents.
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Post by Blade-of-the-Moon on Feb 24, 2009 4:19:00 GMT
Not intending an argument..just theorizing a bit here.. If they want to hit kids and their parents they need to get into major chain stores like walmart here in the U.S...what retail stores are carrying them ? I haven't seen any myself...just in online dinosaur stores..that would mean those that shop there amke up most of their customer base wouldn't it ? I'm sure there are several kids and parents that shop there but I would guess mostly it's collectors...right ?
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Post by sbell on Feb 24, 2009 5:03:48 GMT
Not intending an argument..just theorizing a bit here.. If they want to hit kids and their parents they need to get into major chain stores like walmart here in the U.S...what retail stores are carrying them ? I haven't seen any myself...just in online dinosaur stores..that would mean those that shop there amke up most of their customer base wouldn't it ? I'm sure there are several kids and parents that shop there but I would guess mostly it's collectors...right ? Actually, Procon/CollectA has had an insane year in 2008--while most distributors try to find retailers, retailers have been coming to them. I know that we did. My guess--relatively low price points, decent quality, large line, good distribution. You will probably not see them in 'big' stores, because the line is designed for collectors and dino fans. Which is good, because Schleich has decided to spit on the goodwill it has with small retailers and start selling to the big guys. And also explicitly force out competition (if you see Schleich appear in a new store, you can probably expect to see a reduction in competitors' products). Safari went this route at the end of the 90s(minus the strong arm)--it nearly killed them (they are still not that common in small retailers, except for Carnegie dinos).
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Post by bokisaurus on Feb 24, 2009 5:30:00 GMT
Not intending an argument..just theorizing a bit here.. If they want to hit kids and their parents they need to get into major chain stores like walmart here in the U.S...what retail stores are carrying them ? I haven't seen any myself...just in online dinosaur stores..that would mean those that shop there amke up most of their customer base wouldn't it ? I'm sure there are several kids and parents that shop there but I would guess mostly it's collectors...right ? Actually, Procon/CollectA has had an insane year in 2008--while most distributors try to find retailers, retailers have been coming to them. I know that we did. My guess--relatively low price points, decent quality, large line, good distribution. You will probably not see them in 'big' stores, because the line is designed for collectors and dino fans. Which is good, because Schleich has decided to spit on the goodwill it has with small retailers and start selling to the big guys. And also explicitly force out competition (if you see Schleich appear in a new store, you can probably expect to see a reduction in competitors' products). Safari went this route at the end of the 90s(minus the strong arm)--it nearly killed them (they are still not that common in small retailers, except for Carnegie dinos). Thanks sbell. What you just said is very true. Its even hard to find Safari in stores this days. I don't you would ever find any of the line at WalMart, sorry ;D You will find the Schleich line in almost all the big chain stores here in Washington such as Target, TRU, Fred Myers, Etc., but not a single Safari, CollectA, Bully, or Papo, and they are all targeting the same customer: Kids and collectors, ya? You can only find the other lines in smaller, locally owned toy stores. If they have the word toys in the tag it means kids ;D
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Post by bokisaurus on Feb 24, 2009 5:31:56 GMT
The procons still have an extreme "not quite right" feeling about them, even more so than schleich. I mean, look at their new lambeosaurus, no detail besides those scattered bumps.... Have you seen it in person? You will be surprised by how much detailed a figure really has until you see it in person or a really close up photo ;D
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Post by tetonbabydoll on Feb 24, 2009 5:50:20 GMT
Perhaps the lack of being able to find decent dinos easily in stores has lead parents to the on-line stores. People these days do a lot of on-line shopping, and parents may like the idea of collecting toys for there kids appealing. "collecting" has a cerain appeal to folks these days, what with e-bay and all, and on-line stores make that easier.
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Post by Blade-of-the-Moon on Feb 24, 2009 9:11:58 GMT
I have the Rex myself and agree it's a pretty nice...I wanted the Acro, it looks nice and there aren't many good ones made. I was thinking of the Stego myself while typing.. ;D Eheh, the Stegosaurus is pretty hideous. ;D You agree the Battat Rex is pure awesomeness? Yes sid, Procon has done well. It isn't inaccurate much at all! The Battat Rex was the best when it first came out...I'd say Safari has come up to meet it since though...and Papo, while not accurate..is still tops for detail. I have a TRU and Target here that carry Schleich...but none of the Dinosaurs...my last Schleich dinos came from online and Tractor Supply oddly enough...Walmart just has that Nature's Wonder line and Kmart is Chap Mei I think..been awile since I was there. The one hobby shop and the one specialized toy retailer carry a smattering over Papo dinos only and Safari..but they are starting to show some Schleich models as well. When the T-Rex named SUE exhibit came to our local museum they only carried the Schleich Rex and for too high a price..I took the kids to the toy retailer and bought them each a Carnegie Rex instead.. cheaper and more accurate...
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