Review: 40580 Blacktron Cruiser

This, is this an actual GWP?

Oh, great, I just ordered for €180! Now Need something to justify this...

I had this set as a kid, but unfortunately don't have it anymore. Very excited they brought this back! Now hoping they drop they Hulkbuster to 40% off on January 1st.

Perfect, I am about to buy the Back to the future set, whose price happens to be just above the needed threshold :-)

I wasn't sold on this. Then I saw the photo of the cruiser sans cargo hold. And now I'm hoping I can find enough sets to buy (and space at home to display them) that meet the threshold to get this.

I didn't see the degree of difference between the 497 and 10497 in this set, compared to the original. Having said that, if I didn't have the original, I would definetly buy this.

@ResIpsaLoquitur said:
"You: "This should be available for independent purchase."
Lego: "It's not."

Folks, I get the frustration here, but keep in mind, none of you *need* this. You *want* it and Lego is playing off that. Effectively, too! Your options are 1) spend the threshold to get it for free; 2) not spend the threshold and get actively upset over it; 3) not spend the threshold and realize that there are more important things in life to get upset over; or 4) buy it on Bricklink or eBay and realizing that 1 and 2 were silly things to fret over.

Stoicism, people!"

Noted.

(Sigh….) I was hoping to take a breather after this past month, but this looks really good… It might be worthy of the $190 spend threshold, but it’s still $190…

Thanks for the review. Seems like a fun set. I think they did what they could with the trans red tiles. The stickers are unfortunate, but I don't plan on opening this so it won't matter much. Now I'll have to see if I want to buy sets on day 1 instead of waiting like I usually do.

I want four of them, so I hope the promotion is popular enough that they continue it for at least another month.

I never came across this as the Blacktron Renegade 6954 was a larger and more interesting spaceship, maybe an update that you could buy would be welcome!

Super cool set! What a blast from the past. Thanks for the review!

Really really hoping they do more Blacktron sets. Ideally with fewer stickers, but I'll take what I can get.

I got the Galaxy Explorer despite not being my era, due to it being a brilliant, excellently designed set.

I think in this set, albeit just a GWP, nostalgia is doing all the heavy lifting. To me it looks like a quite nice build from a 5 year old's imagination, using their spare bricks.

An OK GWP only if there are £50 and £100 thresholds alongside.

Judging by many comments I started to think that my country, Poland, is some sort of lego heaven. That's because all the gwp sets are always readily available for reasonable prices on the aftermarket. The last very desired GWP- forestmen hideout, was and still is easy to buy for a price of 40 to 50 USD. I know it's more than the supposed rrp on Lego website, but it's still way less than 190 usd threshold. And to make it even more confusing to me- on bricklink those gwp are usually cheaper.

@WemWem said:
"I don’t mind GWPs but $190 as a threshold is pretty OOF.

Set looks pretty cool. Classic Space was kinda before my time so when you “Blacktron” I’m like “Where’s the trans neon green?”"

Same here. I appreciate the OG Blacktron, but Blacktron 2 with the neon green is total nostalgia for me. Hopefully we get something Blacktron 2 soon, too!

While I don't think one-ninety is as unreasonable a threshold as some, I do miss polybag GWPs that you got with thirty-five.

Classic castle set check
Classic space set check
Upcoming pirates gwp I assume?

This is cool but NOT worth the 190€ threshold. Not at all.

@560heliport said:
"To those complaining about the spend threshold: this set is valued at $29.99, you're going to get at least $9.50 worth of VIP points; just what, exactly, do you think you're entitled to?"

Excellent point though I think with a lot of posters on here the last bit would have fitted very well without the 'to'.

Disappointed by the stickers, especially when they printed the torso back as well. However, as this is also likely the only Blacktron I set they are doing I can see why LEGO did not justify the cost to printing those parts.

@StyleCounselor said:
" @ShinyBidoof said:
" @curtydc said:
"I've never understood the disdain for stickers in Lego sets, I can only imagine how much these people would hate plastic model kits and waterslide decals. Lego stickers are essentially indestructible and permanent if you treat your Legos with a modicum if care."

I think it just reflects the 'echo chamber' nature of this site. AFOLs appears to have decided that all stickers are bad (which the reviews nearly always just perpetuate by adding them to the negative column) regardless that in nearly all cases it makes perfect sense to use them. They then feign surprise when an element is printed despite a sticker appearing more likely.

"

Beware the ugly, curling, cracking, yellowing sticker with its collection of dust and hair adhering to the corners that roll upward. If you cannot relate, it belies your age and experience."
Stickers these days are well done and don’t have issues. Stickers from older sets may have issues, but that’s due to time and being played with. Which was always the intention of Lego, to be played with.

I need about 190 € to buy this set... but if that is the price, I'm in!

Thank you LEGO ... I hope we could get Space Theme back some day.

@thor96 This is a terrible/horrible price. I got the Forestmen GWP - I can't remember what the threshold was in Canada for it but I'm sure it was high (our money is worth nothing). I got the set and I got what I purchased as well (let's say the cheapest modular available should be enough). I would not pay 40-50 for this but contrary to what most seems to say on this forum, I would meet the threshold to get it. The value of a GWP is the differential between full retail at Lego and the reduced price elsewhere.By buying sets that are only sold at Lego you insure you have a good deal - first, there are no other ways to get those sets and then you get a GWP with it.

I hardly ever buy a set right away (Only did that for 21309 and 10497). I always wait for a good GWP and then I spend only the minimum from my wish-list to meet the threshold - I buy the rest of the wish-list on the next GWP.

This is the year of the Rabbit. Most likely you will get the rabbit set with a threshold of $90 (a guess). So, already you have 2 offers going. There is also set 40605 coming (I asked @Huw, no news yet?!). So potentially 3 offers for $200 - not bad.

I do understand that after the holidays many budget are spent. Everyone must go with their own reality but as mentioned above, it has now to be factored in your spending that January will bring all sorts of desirable things and planning must change a bit to accommodate that.

Best of luck to everyone. If the reception of this promotion is only lukewarm, maybe it will last a bit longer and allow more of you to eventually get it.

@HUN_Sector

Please, let's hope the next 'nostalgia' GWP is about Adventurers.
(As much as I love Classic Space, I think I love even more a good variety; and I like when fellow AFOLs are also satisfied - because a satisfied AFOL makes great MOCs and I like to see great MOCs)

@Aanchir

That's too bad. For a second I thought maybe we were witnessing the beginning of something fabulous! ;-)

@HOBBES: I see 40605 listed on Shop at Home ;)

I don't think this set would actually sell well as a regular set. Almost everyone commenting here wants it, but that's why we read this article: because the set interests us!

This probably would not be interesting to many children. I mean, look at the minifigure: all black with one color of printing, the face is just that old-fashioned smiley... how boring!

Maybe the response to this set will result in more classic themes getting redone in a similar manner. If this wasn't a limited quantity GWP, it might never have happened at all.

Lego knows full well whether it's more profitable for them to market a particular set as a GWP or as retail. For all the complaints, there's always a chance that a GWP that encourages £200 of sales wouldn't be worth their while producing at all as a £15-£20 retail set.

@ShinyBidoof said:
" @CDM said:
"Echoing many of the comments...Absolutely brilliant remake of a classic set but being a GWP is a major disappointment. The only way GWP makes sense is if it were to be paired with the release of a larger classic space set, such as the Explorer. Otherwise it doesn't make much sense and is clearly meant to goose a relatively weak Jan 1 product wave launch."

Whilst not condoning the way Lego has done it, it seems to me it would make a lot less sense to have this a GWP at the same time as 10497. That set was always going to sell well to a large section of AFOLs with or without an additional GWP. Now that same group will spend another £170+ to get this GWP. As I say, I'm not saying it's right, but I can see why Lego has done it this way."

I supposed it all depends on your perspective. If you're trying to wring every dime out of your customer base, then...it seems like a relatively effective strategy.

@essel

I can't see it (40605). Even if I select Belgium as my location preference. This is supposed to be like the 'trial' parts pack (VIP add-on) that were available as promotions towards the end of 2022. (40512, 40513, 40515) still waiting for 40514.

@560heliport said:
"To those complaining about the spend threshold: this set is valued at $29.99, you're going to get at least $9.50 worth of VIP points; just what, exactly, do you think you're entitled to?"

I don't claim to be entitled to anything in this case. But I sure would appreciate the opportunity to pick up more than one of these or maybe an extra fig on the aftermarket without paying close to $400 or exorbitant aftermarket prices. I don't think that's unfair.

That said, I also would love LEGO to fully lean into the old set/new technique approach, particularly as it relates to space. I don't expect that. It might not make them as much money. But from a totally selfish standpoint, I'd love to see more of that kind of thing. To offer some perspective, I was very fond of the space theme as a kid...an official member of the original intended market, if you will. When I emerged from my dark age in earnest, this (and sets like 10497 ) were exactly the kind of sets I was naively hoping to go out and find at retail in the year 2000. I've been looking for it ever since. And LEGO has been teasing it to one degree or another over the past couple of decades.

I'm sure fans of Bionicle and Pirates are starting to relate a little to that feeling.

I'm happy to take what I can get. As it is, I'm happy this set exists and will likely acquire at least one.

@HOBBES said:
" @essel

I can't see it (40605). Even if I select Belgium as my location preference. This is supposed to be like the 'trial' parts pack (VIP add-on) that were available as promotions towards the end of 2022. (40512, 40513, 40515) still waiting for 40514.

"

Found it via a "lego 40605" Google search: https://www.lego.com/en-be/product/lunar-new-year-vip-add-on-pack-40605

@essel said:
" @HOBBES said:
" @essel

I can't see it (40605). Even if I select Belgium as my location preference. This is supposed to be like the 'trial' parts pack (VIP add-on) that were available as promotions towards the end of 2022. (40512, 40513, 40515) still waiting for 40514.

"

Found it via a "lego 40605" Google search: https://www.lego.com/en-be/product/lunar-new-year-vip-add-on-pack-40605"

Got it thanks.

On your site (Europe), Lego mentions this is the upcoming add-on VIP pack available very soon - if the threshold is the same as before (50) then for 190, you get that, most likely the rabbit and the Blacktron plus off course the set you are buying for 190 and the associated VIP points. Not bad I say.
(assuming they are all available at once - we'll see)

@monkyby87 said:
" @StyleCounselor said:
" @ShinyBidoof said:
" @curtydc said:
"I've never understood the disdain for stickers in Lego sets, I can only imagine how much these people would hate plastic model kits and waterslide decals. Lego stickers are essentially indestructible and permanent if you treat your Legos with a modicum if care."

I think it just reflects the 'echo chamber' nature of this site. AFOLs appears to have decided that all stickers are bad (which the reviews nearly always just perpetuate by adding them to the negative column) regardless that in nearly all cases it makes perfect sense to use them. They then feign surprise when an element is printed despite a sticker appearing more likely.

"

Beware the ugly, curling, cracking, yellowing sticker with its collection of dust and hair adhering to the corners that roll upward. If you cannot relate, it belies your age and experience."
Stickers these days are well done and don’t have issues. Stickers from older sets may have issues, but that’s due to time and being played with. Which was always the intention of Lego, to be played with.
"

Exactly. It is clear the quality of stickers had moved on massively in recent years. It's a shame the views of a lot of AFOLs hasn't done the same.

@HOBBES said:
".... you are even encouraged to dislike them."

Certainly most reviews do.

@HOBBES said:
" @essel said:
" @HOBBES said:
" @essel

I can't see it (40605). Even if I select Belgium as my location preference. This is supposed to be like the 'trial' parts pack (VIP add-on) that were available as promotions towards the end of 2022. (40512, 40513, 40515) still waiting for 40514.

"

Found it via a "lego 40605" Google search: https://www.lego.com/en-be/product/lunar-new-year-vip-add-on-pack-40605"

Got it thanks.

On your site (Europe), Lego mentions this is the upcoming add-on VIP pack available very soon - if the threshold is the same as before (50) then for 190, you get that, most likely the rabbit and the Blacktron plus off course the set you are buying for 190 and the associated VIP points. Not bad I say.
(assuming they are all available at once - we'll see)
"

I believe the rabbit starts January 15th- the day after the Blacktron ends.

Fun fact: I never even knew people hated stickers at all until I joined this site lol. My earliest applied stickers are from 2011, were used as intended, (as toys) and to this day are basically fine. (I know thats not a super long time but ten years is nothing to sneeze at either) I have also bought many sets older that that and the stickers applied perfectly. I honestly have no idea why people hate stickers. And heres folks bragging about prints being better. You wish! Yep, thats right, those crooked, see though, barely distinguishable markings that DONT give you piece reuse options! lol stop being bullied by the sticker haters, youre welcome to hang out with me, where we celebrate the truly superior way of decorating bricks.

CLEAR stickers however, dont even think of getting me started on those creations of Satan!!

Wondering if the old printed blacktron parts could be substituted for many of the stickers. I could forego that one between the red fins entirely. Seems like most or all of the rest could be substituted w old printed pieces, even that dotted interior one. Dunno if the old pieces would still look ok but I’ll probably try it. I think this set looks too good to miss!

"That said, I also would love LEGO to fully lean into the old set/new technique approach, particularly as it relates to space. I don't expect that. It might not make them as much money. But from a totally selfish standpoint, I'd love to see more of that kind of thing. To offer some perspective, I was very fond of the space theme as a kid...an official member of the original intended market, if you will. When I emerged from my dark age in earnest, this (and sets like 10497 ) were exactly the kind of sets I was naively hoping to go out and find at retail in the year 2000. I've been looking for it ever since. And LEGO has been teasing it to one degree or another over the past couple of decades.

I'm sure fans of Bionicle and Pirates are starting to relate a little to that feeling.

I'm happy to take what I can get. As it is, I'm happy this set exists and will likely acquire at least one. "

This is exactly the way I feel about the Star Wars Stuff. I own a lot of the original sets released when they first started making Star Wars. Then I entered one of my dark ages. Fortunately I do not feel the need today to buy the new versions of Star Wars if I already own the original. But I understand the need for remakes for those who don't have certain items from the line yet.

I collected some of the Castle, Space & Pirate stuff way back but there is no way I'm going to try to purchase older set that I don't have, it's just too expensive & some of the newer building methods work well when they put their minds to remaking some of the old sets. I own the original Black Seas Barracuda but the remake was a definite must buy for me. I never had the original that 10497 was based on but I happily bought the new one to add to my classic space collection. I don't think I have any Blacktron so I'll probably try to come up with enough to purchase to grab this one.

@ResIpsaLoquitur:
Other than his face, there wouldn't be much difference. Blacktron torsos didn't fade like Classic Space logos, and they had some of the earliest uses of the modern helmet that's still seen in sets today. Besides, Futuron were the villains that Blacktron had to deal with. Classic Space was nearly extinct by the time they came on the scene, so chances are Benny never really tangled with them much.

@Watsonite:
It was intended to be a way to entice customers to buy direct rather than at their competing retail partners. The latter could discount sets all they wanted, but TLG is almost certainly restricted from doing so. Offering more value for your money, by way of a non-retail GWP, is their way of competing on uneven ground. What they were not meant to do was create unending headaches as resellers gobbled up the entire supply of desirable GWPs within hours of release, leaving regular families to come up dry if they waited until they woke up later that morning. Disneying the spend threshold seems to have been quite effective at curbing runaway demand so that supplies can actually last several days, even a few weeks, according to the advertised promo period. Now, instead of having to make sure you made your purchase during the first few hours of release, you just have to make sure you don't wait until the last hours before the promo ends.

So, what exactly about this runs contrary to what you believe GWPs were intended to do?

@CharzBoi:
While I agree that it sucks my two favorite childhood subthemes have been reduced to GWPs, while others get huge flagship retail sets, this isn't something that's likely to be left over when the promo ends. So, for every one of these they made, they will undoubtedly see an order averaging $200+ through direct sales. Direct sales are much more profitable than using other retail chains, so how is that less profitable than releasing this with a much lower MSRP, allowing people to just buy one copy on the cheap and call it good? It's not like everyone would suddenly decide to army-build these sets if they were retail instead of GWP.

I have no problem with people complaining that this makes it hard to obtain. I understand that, and don't disagree with it. Saying it makes better business sense because you can spend less to obtain it, on the other hand, is self-contradictory. And it's not like you're spending $190 just on this set. You also get $190 worth of free LEGO sets with your purchase!

@Gemini_Phoenix:
First, have you ever examined how many high-dollar sets get released on January 1st each year? Second, lots of people are sitting on Christmas money, and shelves are still picked bare from pre-Christmas shopping. A fresh supply of new sets is an easy lure for those customers.

@Morgan19:
Just a guess, but in the weeks before Christmas, pickings tend to be slim, people have burned off much of their remaining wish list, and they're also still trying to buy presents for family and friends. January 1st, all of these new sets are in plentiful supply, nobody has already bought them, people have had a week to recover from their Christmas spending, and they may have received Christmas bonuses from work or been gifted money on Christmas. One week makes a huge difference, if it's the right week.

@myth:
I owned the original Invader and Battrax. They actually weren't very compatible with each other. I don't remember if it was that the pin connections were reversed, or if there was just some aspect of the Battrax chassis that the Invader cockpit would collide with, but I do remember being very disappointed when I finally got two Blacktron sets that I could start swapping components between, and it didn't actually work. I recall that my part collection was too limited to be able to actually do anything about it at the time.

I'll be returning my unopened Time Machine set I got for Christmas, and buying it again to get this (plus a little extra). My wife won't even bat an eyelid.

@curtydc:
@ShinyBidoof:
@monkyby87:
Maybe you all have super steady hands and fine hand-eye coordination (or don't really care about perfect sticker application), but my success rate in applying stickers properly without having them slightly crooked or uneven is less than 50%, even with the aid of tweezers.

@PurpleDave:
Yeah for some reason, the pin connections were reversed for 6894 compared with 6876, 6941, and 6954 (the cockpit module has 'male' pin bricks for 6894 but 'female' acceptor bricks for the other Blacktron sets; this did allow you to mount 6894's cockpit module at the rear of 6941 if you wanted). Even if you swapped the orientation of 6894's pin connections (which required a few additional parts for one of the modules), the wings of 6894 made it a bit too wide to fit comfortably at the front of 6941 or as the shorter cockpit of 6954. In addition, the heights of 6894’s modules (and their connection points) do not match those of 6954, further preventing aesthetically pleasing combinations (oddly, I think 6876 and 6954 have the best-looking combinations).

@maffyd said:
"I'll be returning my unopened Time Machine set I got for Christmas, and buying it again to get this (plus a little extra). My wife won't even bat an eyelid."

Technically, that's against terms of service for VIP accounts. You can get Blacklisted for that!

@ResIpsaLoquitur said:
"You: "This should be available for independent purchase."
Lego: "It's not."

Folks, I get the frustration here, but keep in mind, none of you *need* this. You *want* it and Lego is playing off that. Effectively, too! Your options are 1) spend the threshold to get it for free; 2) not spend the threshold and get actively upset over it; 3) not spend the threshold and realize that there are more important things in life to get upset over; or 4) buy it on Bricklink or eBay and realizing that 1 and 2 were silly things to fret over.

Stoicism, people!"

5) build your own version of the set. That's my answer to GWP sets.

@curtydc:
You got it absolutely right. Not every year has kicked off with a smash hit generic GWP, but it happens too often to bet against it.

Regarding the stickers, though, there were several years when stickers with white backing would curl, and crumble to dust, no matter how well you treated them. Even unused stickers from that era are prone to curling off the sticker sheets. Not everyone is physically capable of cleanly applying stickers, either. I've met AFOLs who have limited to no use of one arm, so stickers may require assistance from someone else. This is also a very common problem with young kids who are still developing their fine motor skills, which is why 4+ sets don't use stickers at all.

@CDM:
What? Dozens of people have complained both here and in the announcement thread that these should be available for direct purchase rather than as GWPs.

@thor96:
The same is true elsewhere, but people feel ripped off if they have to buy enough to earn it as a GWP will also feel ripped off if they have to pay more than MSRP to get it on the secondary market where the laws of supply and demand run rampant.

@TheOtherMike:
They still do those. They just often pair them up with larger stuff like this, so the polybags are a nice bonus rather than the main target. The last time I recall people getting hyped up over a non-minifig polybag was 30274 AT-DP, which didn't even last a full day.

@ShinyBidoof:
"They should sell it at retail!"
Then it's not doing its job as a GWP.

"They should make GWPs small enough that we don't care about them!"
Then it's not doing its job as a GWP.

"They should release it when I'm already buying something!"
Then it's not doing its job as a GWP.

@Binnekamp:
These are sets that will be incredibly popular with a subset of AFOLs, themselves a subset of the overall customer base. These legacy themes just aren't going to carry the market share that a theme like Ninjago is pulling in right now. The Legends theme from two decades ago was a complete bust because even AFOLs were more interested in buying new stuff than loading up on a bunch of regurgitated sets from their childhood.

@sipuss:
But this will still probably sell out before the promo ends, so they likely capture a sale later that they might have lost if you'd bought directly from them earlier during the promo.

@gorf43:
Clear stickers are a gift from heaven! There have been zero instances of clear stickers curling and turning to dust. It's always the white backing stickers that do that. Clear also works on every color, where white backing often has a background color printed on it to match the base color of the brick it's intended for. Hands down, clear stickers win the day.

@cabbie:
There's a printed version of the nose sticker. The tail, as you note, can be left plain, as can the mailbox. There are alternative computer options. The real issue is the cargo pod. This uses flags so it opens like flower petals, where the original just used Castle tower panels so the lid lifted open in one section. You _could_ redesign the cargo pod to work more like the original, but you might lose storage capacity inside, and the way it works would look kinda clunky compared to the rest of this set.

@CDM:
I'd say it was more about the four different options you have to react to its GWPness, and it sounds like you've figured out where you land on that list.

@PurpleDave

Yep, agreed. Seems like those hinged flags that enclose the cargo bay could instead be redesigned to accept tiles. They’d be a bit thicker, but that might still be fine. I’ll try it…

@TeriXeri said:
"It's a shame LEGO uses those classic sets as GWP, like the forest hideout , or even full size sets like the 3-in-1 Witch.

From marketing they obviously know demand for this and want to sell sets at full price directly from LEGO.com.

I just wish they were directly purchasable, as a set / parts this looks quite amazing.

"

I believe it's possible to "buy" it.
Buy enough lego for the GWP, return the lego and pay the "penalty" to keep the GWP.
Never tried, so if I am wrong sorry.
The hideout "penalty" for example was 25 euro

@cabbie:
If you were trying to recreate something as large as MIB, there's a triangular clip sign that comes in plain yellow. You could simply form a triangle out of three of those over black to simulate the logo, but you'd need roughly 4x4 studs' equivalent to make it all fit. Alternately, you could take one, try to add a single black triangle across the center, and the unmodified corners would create the logo. I'm not sure what tile you would be planning to use. The only tile with a Blacktron logo appears to be the radar screen from 10497.

@watcher21:
That's technically possible, but results will vary by store, especially if they feel you're abusing the system. Do it once, they may not even penalize you for the GWP. Do it multiple times, they may deduct the MSRP of the GWP from your refund. Do it excessively, they may decline to accept returns from you anymore.

The 6954 instructions show the 'official' combinations of modules between the sets. As others have pointed out, the reversed connections on 6894 mean that its cockpit goes on the back, rather than the front, of the other models' chassis -- either reversing their direction of travel, or ending up with a cockpit at each end.

@monkyby87 said:
" @StyleCounselor said:
" @ShinyBidoof said:
" @curtydc said:
"I've never understood the disdain for stickers in Lego sets, I can only imagine how much these people would hate plastic model kits and waterslide decals. Lego stickers are essentially indestructible and permanent if you treat your Legos with a modicum if care."

I think it just reflects the 'echo chamber' nature of this site. AFOLs appears to have decided that all stickers are bad (which the reviews nearly always just perpetuate by adding them to the negative column) regardless that in nearly all cases it makes perfect sense to use them. They then feign surprise when an element is printed despite a sticker appearing more likely.

"

Beware the ugly, curling, cracking, yellowing sticker with its collection of dust and hair adhering to the corners that roll upward. If you cannot relate, it belies your age and experience."
Stickers these days are well done and don’t have issues. Stickers from older sets may have issues, but that’s due to time and being played with. Which was always the intention of Lego, to be played with.
"
From my experience, LEGO stickers were never as bad as they are now. Crinkled sticker sheets are the norm here, meaning some of the stickers don't stick even when you put them on the first time. The glue squishes out to the sides when you apply them, smearing all over the pieces and stickers themselves, and after a not too long period of time they start to peel off again.
Compare that to the LEGO stickers from my childhood. Those look new even today after more than 30 to 35 years.

@StyleCounselor said:
" @ShinyBidoof said:
" @curtydc said:
"I've never understood the disdain for stickers in Lego sets, I can only imagine how much these people would hate plastic model kits and waterslide decals. Lego stickers are essentially indestructible and permanent if you treat your Legos with a modicum if care."

I think it just reflects the 'echo chamber' nature of this site. AFOLs appears to have decided that all stickers are bad (which the reviews nearly always just perpetuate by adding them to the negative column) regardless that in nearly all cases it makes perfect sense to use them. They then feign surprise when an element is printed despite a sticker appearing more likely.

"

Beware the ugly, curling, cracking, yellowing sticker with its collection of dust and hair adhering to the corners that roll upward. If you cannot relate, it belies your age and experience."

I've been at this for 30 plus years and never had stickers yellow and crack. From my research, these issues only present themselves when left in sunlight, which any AFOL with an ounce of "experience" knows not to do.

@AustinPowers said:
" @monkyby87 said:
" @StyleCounselor said:
" @ShinyBidoof said:
" @curtydc said:
"I've never understood the disdain for stickers in Lego sets, I can only imagine how much these people would hate plastic model kits and waterslide decals. Lego stickers are essentially indestructible and permanent if you treat your Legos with a modicum if care."

I think it just reflects the 'echo chamber' nature of this site. AFOLs appears to have decided that all stickers are bad (which the reviews nearly always just perpetuate by adding them to the negative column) regardless that in nearly all cases it makes perfect sense to use them. They then feign surprise when an element is printed despite a sticker appearing more likely.

"

Beware the ugly, curling, cracking, yellowing sticker with its collection of dust and hair adhering to the corners that roll upward. If you cannot relate, it belies your age and experience."
Stickers these days are well done and don’t have issues. Stickers from older sets may have issues, but that’s due to time and being played with. Which was always the intention of Lego, to be played with.
"
From my experience, LEGO stickers were never as bad as they are now. Crinkled sticker sheets are the norm here, meaning some of the stickers don't stick even when you put them on the first time. The glue squishes out to the sides when you apply them, smearing all over the pieces and stickers themselves, and after a not too long period of time they start to peel off again.
Compare that to the LEGO stickers from my childhood. Those look new even today after more than 30 to 35 years. "

Not discounting your experiences, but I have never, ever experienced those glue issues you talk about. Not even remotely. Just my experience though.

Your obsession about what anyone, AFOL or not, should and should not do with their stickers is starting to get seriously creepy. What are you going to do if I choose to leave them off? Or if I choose to apply them upside-down? Or over several bricks at once, or on my laptop, or on my forehead while I'm sawing and gluing and painting my bricks into a monstrosity of my own deranged design? Are you going to come into my house while I'm asleep, and apply them to your strict definition of "correct"?

You have forgotten the face of Emmet Brickowski and the very message of the Lego Movie. This is not awesome, friend.

@AustinPowers said:
"From my experience, LEGO stickers were never as bad as they are now. Crinkled sticker sheets are the norm here, meaning some of the stickers don't stick even when you put them on the first time. The glue squishes out to the sides when you apply them, smearing all over the pieces and stickers themselves, and after a not too long period of time they start to peel off again.
Compare that to the LEGO stickers from my childhood. Those look new even today after more than 30 to 35 years. "

I have suffered once or twice from damaged sticker sheets - though never to the extend that with careful removal the stickers were still perfectly useable.

And, of course, from someone who is so regularly positive about everything connected to Lego I have to accept you'd not be looking for any reason to criticise them.

@curtydc said:
" @StyleCounselor said:
" @ShinyBidoof said:
" @curtydc said:
"I've never understood the disdain for stickers in Lego sets, I can only imagine how much these people would hate plastic model kits and waterslide decals. Lego stickers are essentially indestructible and permanent if you treat your Legos with a modicum if care."

I think it just reflects the 'echo chamber' nature of this site. AFOLs appears to have decided that all stickers are bad (which the reviews nearly always just perpetuate by adding them to the negative column) regardless that in nearly all cases it makes perfect sense to use them. They then feign surprise when an element is printed despite a sticker appearing more likely.

"

Beware the ugly, curling, cracking, yellowing sticker with its collection of dust and hair adhering to the corners that roll upward. If you cannot relate, it belies your age and experience."

I've been at this for 30 plus years and never had stickers yellow and crack. From my research, these issues only present themselves when left in sunlight, which any AFOL with an ounce of "experience" knows not to do."

You must be correct then with the anecdotal experience of... one. Moreover, you are absolutely correct that Lego must never be played with or seen in the light of day. It must only be kept in the dark recesses and behind protective plastic- away from grasping hands and prying eyes. Better to not even take it out of the box! Then, you won't see that the stickers came pre-curled and are now yellowed with age and box dust adhering to their corners. Boo-ah-ah-ah-ahhhhh!

@Ridgeheart said:
"Your obsession about what anyone, AFOL or not, should and should not do with their stickers is starting to get seriously creepy. What are you going to do if I choose to leave them off? Or if I choose to apply them upside-down? Or over several bricks at once, or on my laptop, or on my forehead while I'm sawing and gluing and painting my bricks into a monstrosity of my own deranged design? Are you going to come into my house while I'm asleep, and apply them to your strict definition of "correct"?

You have forgotten the face of Emmet Brickowski and the very message of the Lego Movie. This is not awesome, friend."

To whom are you speaking? And, will they please come to my house as well for a thorough straightening?

Not just stickers, but the whole place could use it. My holiday relatives are messy! I think one bratty little cousin stuck gum under the family heirloom dinner table!!!!

@StyleCounselor said:
" @Ridgeheart said:
"Your obsession about what anyone, AFOL or not, should and should not do with their stickers is starting to get seriously creepy. What are you going to do if I choose to leave them off? Or if I choose to apply them upside-down? Or over several bricks at once, or on my laptop, or on my forehead while I'm sawing and gluing and painting my bricks into a monstrosity of my own deranged design? Are you going to come into my house while I'm asleep, and apply them to your strict definition of "correct"?

You have forgotten the face of Emmet Brickowski and the very message of the Lego Movie. This is not awesome, friend."

To whom are you speaking? And, will they please come to my house as well for a thorough straightening? "

I was referring to the members of the Stickerati, whose iron rules we dare not break, lest we be ill-spoken of in the village.

"Not just stickers, but the whole place could use it. My holiday relatives are messy! I think one bratty little cousin stuck gum under the family heirloom dinner table!!!!"

If it's not applied correctly it is possible for the gum to dry out or lose its adhesiveness, especially when exposed to direct sunlight, but no self-respecting Adult Chewer of Gum with an ounce of experience would do that.

Hmm...looking at this again, it reminds me of my old "Battlestar Galactica" Stellar Probe:
https://bugeyedmonster.com/battlestar-galactica-stellar-probe-full/
Although, in this case the 'Cruiser' here seems to have a specific configuration...

I asked this in another article, I'll try again here:
With the success of Galaxy Explorer II, and the 'buzz' on this set (and 'Dismal' running 'it' into the ground)...is S.W. finally starting lose its footing? And If so: could TLG start making their own Space-stuff again (and not just that 'City-stuff' they've been pushing, actual 'outer space' stuff)?

@monkyby87 said:
"Not discounting your experiences, but I have never, ever experienced those glue issues you talk about. Not even remotely. Just my experience though. "
You may have noticed that I am not discounting your experiences either, but the issues I experience with current LEGO stickers are real and annoying enough to warrant my constant criticism.
And I am indeed careful and knowledgeable enough to not apply them in a wrong way.
Those crinkled sticker sheets have happened with almost every set I bought over the last few years. I had to write to LEGO customer service several times because the damage to the sticker sheets was so bad that several of the stickers were completely unusable.
Same with crinkled and even torn instruction manuals.
Or with badly scratched pieces.
It's really no fun anymore how bad LEGO's quality control has become. At least over here.
I don't like to criticize. Not at all. But quality is important to me, especially at the premium prices LEGO is asking nowadays.

Perhaps you and others who don't experience these issues have just been lucky. Because my friends who still buy LEGO report the same experiences like myself.

@curtydc:
Go read up about 8458 Silver Champion, released in 2000. How many kids do you think took that outside to play with in the driveway?

I have to say, the biggest drawback to this set would be the stickers.
Now, I don't mind stickers at all! But for a 90th anniversary set that's marketed as 18+ with very simplistic designs for the stickers, they should have been prints, especially after the Galaxy Explorer having such amazing printed pieces as well.
However, that doesn't stop this from being a great set and I honestly hope we get more nice sets like this in the future, and not just as GWPs. I'd love more classic themed sets that I can just on the regular.

What does Blacktron do with these craft, anyway? They cannot be cruisers in the conventional naval definition of the word, they're way too small. A Second World War British light cruiser displaces 11,553 tons and is 613 feet long.

It looks like some kind of recon/pursuit craft, but it also has a cargo bay instead of an armament of missiles or something. It may be principally for use in Blacktron smuggling operations, but can be used as a light fighter when required.

Well I am once again happy and angry because of LEGO. Happy, there is another Blacktron set, amazingly happy. It is a gift with purchase, so I have to spend more than the set would normally be valued to get one, NOT HAPPY. New Blacktron sets will come with Blacktron pieces and there is a new minifigure, so I am happy; but the elements that indicate the set is Blacktron are not prints, just stickers, extremely unhappy. They could have made trans red 3x6 double wedge plates, but the put 1x2 red tiles on black wedge plates instead: blind with rage! Years of teasing that there might be more Blacktron and it finally happens, and it is a kick in the head. Thanks for once again disappointing me LEGO . . . I'll take two please.

The only thing that sucks about this set, other than the stickers over printed pieces, is that it can't be directly purchased (unless there's something I don't know?).

I unexpectedly was able to pick this up as a GWP (family member decided they wanted The Starry Night, which got me within $20 of the GWP threshold, making it a no-brainer to spend just $20 more to get this set). My thoughts:

- Overall I really love it, and it looks fantastic.

- I don't like stickers, and it was a drag to apply these, and I haven't applied the rear one as it seems out of keeping with the insignia distribution from the original model. But I have to admit, the stickers look good and do not detract from the appearance of the model as I thought they would. In fact, for the front one, the glossy sticker looks better than the old original printed piece, because the yellow never quite "popped' on the pebbled/rough black surface of that front slope.

- The side pieces of the cargo container are flimsy and tend to come off if you don't open them carefully.

- The rear engine/spoiler bit has been thickened and widened a bit, addressing the number-one aesthetic problem with the original model, namely the bizarrely small tail/red-wings piece. So the whole thing looks a little more graceful - and the shorter version with the cockpit connected directly to the rear tail/red-wings assembly looks so much more graceful than the original.

- The clip connections work better than the old Techni pin ones - less vertical slop/flex, and easier to connect and disconnect.

- I recognize the flaws and criticisms, but having it in-hand, I just don't see how any Classic Space/Blacktron fan wouldn't love this. YMMV of course.

I’m still grumpy that people immediately bought this on Mercari for $60 instead of waiting till around $40. Time will tell what the resale market stabilizes to.

I wouldn't have gotten this set normally but when my brothers and I walked into a LEGO store and they started staring at some expensive Minecraft sets, we struck a deal. It's fun, it's fresh, it's very swooshable, and rearranging the modules over and over makes my monkey brain go yes. Best set I never intended to get!

Why won't they just sell these on their own, goddamn it!
I bought the bookstore modular in order to get this.
Since it's expected to retire this year I hope I can load it off at MSRP asap. That was already my LEGO budget for this month and I'm bummed I can't spend it on anything else I actually want.

But aside from those unpleasantries, this is a nice build.
I feel no nostalgia towards Classic Space and the like, but I adore the aesthetic and the retro vibes.
I plan to frame the box of this and the Galaxy Explorer.

And I know it wouldn't have been accurate to the source material, but I wish they had included a black Classic Space astronaut instead of the Blacktron astronaut.
Although the Blacktron figure is pretty cool, and we're bound to get a Classic Black astronaut torso at some point in the near future, right?

@GBP_Chris said:
"I wouldn't have gotten this set normally but when my brothers and I walked into a LEGO store and they started staring at some expensive Minecraft sets, we struck a deal. It's fun, it's fresh, it's very swooshable, and rearranging the modules over and over makes my monkey brain go yes. Best set I never intended to get!"

Taking advantage of stupid younger brothers. Classic move to go with a classic set. Throughout the years, I've been on both ends of that scheme.

Hell, thanks to Lego's silly limits on 40558, I had to ask a brother to order more for me... and make it worth his while. Older brothers!!!

@tmtomh said:
"- The clip connections work better than the old Techni pin ones - less vertical slop/flex, and easier to connect and disconnect."

Moreso than the lack of trans-red flappy flaps and the application (or lack thereof) of the stickers, the connection of the modular pieces is what's a bit hinky to me. I agree that the clips are a sturdier connection, but I've come to associate modules with Technic pins (largely THROUGH Blacktron-modules).

It seems that TLG wants to go forward with clips and bars as the module-connection of choice, see especially Monkie Kid, but I still went ahead and replaced the clips and bars with pin/hole Technic-bricks for this particular model.

You're absolutely right that the clips and bars make the modules easier to assemble and disassemble, but this just felt right to me.

Wow, how many comments!!!!

Had sone fun yesterday attaching Blacktron modules to the wheeled drone from 60374. With sone combinations it doesn't immediately fall over!

Still don't get why these become GWP's, where they get people to purchase some wish list stuff they will buy regardless, and 'give away' a few thousand of these. When they could sell tens of thousands for $30 bucks. About half of these will sell on ebay by scalpers for $60 plus without a penny going to LEGO group. Kind of stupid. Been more than a few others they could of had as inexpensive sets.

Personally I would like more small sets like this and offer 2X VIP points MUCH more often. Considering Target and B&N sell sets cheaper than LEGO retail shops/webstore. Had more than a few times I bought the GWP from a scalper and bought a large amount of my purchases form non-LEGO.COM sources instead. It's doing the opposite it's intended to do.

The ebayer in me says buy two GWP worth of batches and scalp one myself, but it would be cheaper just to buy what I want in the now as I want them from B&N with my 10% off, or Amazon on sale, or the inevitable cheaper NIB on ebay(just got the AT-AT for $110 instead of $170) and just grab one of these on the 'bay and skip LEGO.com altogether. And I'm lucky to have two Lego stores within 1/2 hour from me. Since the price hikes I haven't even stepped in there instead of my old once-a-week stops.

Just make the damn thing a $34 set. You might find how many OTHER items you could create based on the specific interest(and profits) rather than stupid hulkbusters. You already got to a FULLY REALIZED SET and just let it evaporate as a GWP. There's already some over-researched new release big turds going at discounts with bad reviews.

Real lego fans could of kept the hulkbuster from existing by scribbling on a napkin what it was, the price point, and a 5 minute pitch, and that would of been a never ran. Ask the same person about inexpensive Blacktron revival sets to go with the Explorer and see what the answer would be.

I'm curious how many of these went out through friends of store employees. Within days(including before the release date) scalpers had listings with 10+ copies to sell. More than a few of these GWP's were wiped out suspiciously fast at the retail stores.

Just received this. Looks brilliant next to 10497. Great set.

@Murdoch17 said:
" @maffyd said:
"I'll be returning my unopened Time Machine set I got for Christmas, and buying it again to get this (plus a little extra). My wife won't even bat an eyelid."

Technically, that's against terms of service for VIP accounts. You can get Blacklisted for that!"

Where in the terms does it say this? I've checked https://www.lego.com/en-gb/vip/rewards-center/terms-and-conditions and it doesn't mention it at all.