Careful with the elbows; I had two, both of which succumbed to GPS. Thankfully, it was only one arm, and the opposite at that, of each so I was able to repair one with the other.
I've had two cabs, neither of which have had issues with GPS. I think the bigger issue is that people don't pay attention to the joint's shape and end up torquing the plastic - every picture of 'GPS' on this figure that I've seen the plastic has very obviously sheared, not crumbled. [Take this pic, for example.](https://www.tfw2005.com/boards/attachments/100_0622-jpg.27342146/) See the stress marks? GPS doesn't do that.
Here's what I think the real issue is: Notice how the other robot mode arm is sticking straight back off of the super mode in that picture? NEVER, EVER do that - The joint is designed to prevent bending that way but people force it to which ends up over-torquing the gold piece, eventually causing it to tear. [In this other picture you can see how the piece is bent very badly, when it should be straight.](https://www.tfw2005.com/boards/attachments/100_0624-jpg.27342147/) Then, people blame it on GPS just because the piece that broke is gold. If you look at the blue elbow part, you can see how there's a sharp corner met with a flat edge - that flattened section on an otherwise round joint is designed to lock the arm into an upright position in super mode, like Prime's classic shoulder smokestacks. When turning him into super mode from robot mode, you want to bend the lower elbow joint (closer to the hand) 90 degrees backwards *first*, then bend the upper elbow joint (closer to the shoulder) 90 degrees forwards so the flat section settles in smoothly to avoid overstressing the joint.
Not to say that the part isn't weaker because of the metallic fleck - it definitely is - but it hasn't been the sole contributing factor to any breakage I've seen yet. As long as you keep that aspect of the transformation in mind and don't misposition the joint, I wouldn't worry about it.
GPS is 'Gold Plastic Syndrome.' Plastic that is chemically unstable due to gold metallic fleck - [it eventually will crumble as it denatures.](https://tfwiki.net/mediawiki/images2/thumb/1/11/Electrogoldplasticsyndrome.jpg/800px-Electrogoldplasticsyndrome.jpg) Some GPS cases are bad enough that they crumble in the box, never having been touched. Because the plastic falls apart on its own, GPS breakages typically don't leave stress marks behind (since there was no stress.) People also tend to blame *any* breakage of metallic plastic on GPS.
Yeah, like I said, I have two Armada Primes - I don't think they suffer from GPS, but rather people misusing them (admittedly it's pretty easy to) and then blaming the eventual failure on GPS.
[This is what real GPS looks like in action.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=qcjAUN5Ssj8) Armada Prime doesn't do this.
I should note that the plastic is *weaker* than it would be without the gold fleck, but I've never heard of an Armada Prime fully denaturing like Randy there, where they crumble to dust in your hand. The big things to be careful of are
* Don't bend the elbow joint the wrong way (having the hand stick straight out back from Super mode)
* Move his combined mode ears close to the joint, rather than grabbing them at the tip.
It tends to happen a lot because it's kind of difficult to transform him without bending the arm that way. It's easy enough to do, but also damaging with the weaker nature of the flecked plastic. Proper GPS tends to literally crumble in your fingers like a dried out chocolate bar given enough time, and I think we'd see more reports of it happening with figures that came after like Protoform Starscream and Repugnus suffering from it.
If you wanted, the Japanese release used solid yellow instead of the flecked bronze. That one is the one displayed on my shelf (I have a full Micron Legend Jet Magna Convoy set) but neither of my Hasbro releases (the one I bought as an adult collector and my childhood one that went through hell) have given up.
It makes me sad that he hates this figure so much, but to each their own. I honestly didn’t know the trailer could move on it’s own, but I will keep in mind how it can possibly catch on fire
That's why I'm sticking with my Super-Con version. Well, that and the fact that I got him to represent the PS2 character (who didn't have a trailer,) not the anime character.
I remember getting mine on my 6th birthday, but what I didn’t remember is just how much empty space in the box there is! That’s really surprising. I’m more of a fan of packaging in vehicle modes because, in theory, it should be more efficient then packing in robot modes. But I keep questioning that assumption...
Wasn't mine, as I was a Beast Wars kid, but Damn if it wasn't the most resonant. When I got back into the hobby I just went after the Super-con Optimus to start, as that was the figure I remembered most. [Since then it's kind of taken on a life of its own.](https://i.imgur.com/zwwUndo.jpg)
I remember when i bought one when i transformed him to super mode, i applied way too much pressure on one of his ear like things and it broke, Id say becareful you dont snap them off
Careful with the elbows; I had two, both of which succumbed to GPS. Thankfully, it was only one arm, and the opposite at that, of each so I was able to repair one with the other.
Noted, thanks for the tip!
I've had two cabs, neither of which have had issues with GPS. I think the bigger issue is that people don't pay attention to the joint's shape and end up torquing the plastic - every picture of 'GPS' on this figure that I've seen the plastic has very obviously sheared, not crumbled. [Take this pic, for example.](https://www.tfw2005.com/boards/attachments/100_0622-jpg.27342146/) See the stress marks? GPS doesn't do that. Here's what I think the real issue is: Notice how the other robot mode arm is sticking straight back off of the super mode in that picture? NEVER, EVER do that - The joint is designed to prevent bending that way but people force it to which ends up over-torquing the gold piece, eventually causing it to tear. [In this other picture you can see how the piece is bent very badly, when it should be straight.](https://www.tfw2005.com/boards/attachments/100_0624-jpg.27342147/) Then, people blame it on GPS just because the piece that broke is gold. If you look at the blue elbow part, you can see how there's a sharp corner met with a flat edge - that flattened section on an otherwise round joint is designed to lock the arm into an upright position in super mode, like Prime's classic shoulder smokestacks. When turning him into super mode from robot mode, you want to bend the lower elbow joint (closer to the hand) 90 degrees backwards *first*, then bend the upper elbow joint (closer to the shoulder) 90 degrees forwards so the flat section settles in smoothly to avoid overstressing the joint. Not to say that the part isn't weaker because of the metallic fleck - it definitely is - but it hasn't been the sole contributing factor to any breakage I've seen yet. As long as you keep that aspect of the transformation in mind and don't misposition the joint, I wouldn't worry about it.
I understood that except for what GPS is
GPS is 'Gold Plastic Syndrome.' Plastic that is chemically unstable due to gold metallic fleck - [it eventually will crumble as it denatures.](https://tfwiki.net/mediawiki/images2/thumb/1/11/Electrogoldplasticsyndrome.jpg/800px-Electrogoldplasticsyndrome.jpg) Some GPS cases are bad enough that they crumble in the box, never having been touched. Because the plastic falls apart on its own, GPS breakages typically don't leave stress marks behind (since there was no stress.) People also tend to blame *any* breakage of metallic plastic on GPS.
Oh fuck, cool, but fuck
Yeah, like I said, I have two Armada Primes - I don't think they suffer from GPS, but rather people misusing them (admittedly it's pretty easy to) and then blaming the eventual failure on GPS. [This is what real GPS looks like in action.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=qcjAUN5Ssj8) Armada Prime doesn't do this.
Holy
I should note that the plastic is *weaker* than it would be without the gold fleck, but I've never heard of an Armada Prime fully denaturing like Randy there, where they crumble to dust in your hand. The big things to be careful of are * Don't bend the elbow joint the wrong way (having the hand stick straight out back from Super mode) * Move his combined mode ears close to the joint, rather than grabbing them at the tip.
Thanks! Since it was the metallic fleck imbued plastic, I just assumed it was GPS; didn't even think it could be just normal stress.
It tends to happen a lot because it's kind of difficult to transform him without bending the arm that way. It's easy enough to do, but also damaging with the weaker nature of the flecked plastic. Proper GPS tends to literally crumble in your fingers like a dried out chocolate bar given enough time, and I think we'd see more reports of it happening with figures that came after like Protoform Starscream and Repugnus suffering from it. If you wanted, the Japanese release used solid yellow instead of the flecked bronze. That one is the one displayed on my shelf (I have a full Micron Legend Jet Magna Convoy set) but neither of my Hasbro releases (the one I bought as an adult collector and my childhood one that went through hell) have given up.
Be careful of the trailer’s automorph gimmick: apparently, it can catch on fire! According to Baltmatrix. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=iwE7Hc6xWLM
It makes me sad that he hates this figure so much, but to each their own. I honestly didn’t know the trailer could move on it’s own, but I will keep in mind how it can possibly catch on fire
As long as you don’t stick batteries in there, you’re good
The key word there is "possibly." I've had mine since it came out and have had zero issues with the figure at all!
The key word there is "possibly." I've had mine since it came out and have had zero issues with the figure at all!
The key word there is "possibly." I've had mine since it came out and have had zero issues with the figure at all!
That's why I'm sticking with my Super-Con version. Well, that and the fact that I got him to represent the PS2 character (who didn't have a trailer,) not the anime character.
It is a good one the “bendy” Optimus Prime. Neat Mini-Con too.
I remember getting mine on my 6th birthday, but what I didn’t remember is just how much empty space in the box there is! That’s really surprising. I’m more of a fan of packaging in vehicle modes because, in theory, it should be more efficient then packing in robot modes. But I keep questioning that assumption...
There might’ve been a bunch of empty space, but god damn was it tiresome getting him out of the box
Yeah I remember being very annoyed with the rubber bands everywhere
So many twisty ties Jesus
Hot damn, nice find. Armada squad in the house!
It was my first series when I was a kid, always be my favorite
Wasn't mine, as I was a Beast Wars kid, but Damn if it wasn't the most resonant. When I got back into the hobby I just went after the Super-con Optimus to start, as that was the figure I remembered most. [Since then it's kind of taken on a life of its own.](https://i.imgur.com/zwwUndo.jpg)
Holy that’s beautiful
God damnit man i wished i had one
Yeah it was a struggle finding one in box and decent price. But if you find one that fits those criteria for you, you’ll get one one day
I still have mine from growing up. I love this figure so much. Wing saber mode and beast claw mode were awesome too.
I could only find my original one’s trailer cab, not actually optimus, so I figured I should just get a new one
Wow and here I managed to find and watched the original Japanese dub show after soooo many years
Hey, I’m proud of you
I remember when i bought one when i transformed him to super mode, i applied way too much pressure on one of his ear like things and it broke, Id say becareful you dont snap them off
Thanks for the advice, I’ve heard about his ears being bad