PDA

View Full Version : OoB Review: Moebius Jupiter 2


ModelMan
01-25-2010, 11:52 PM
A little behind the marketing curve, but here it is fresh off the uploads. For anyone still on the fence about this kit, maybe this will push you one way or the other.

A big skill level 3 kit like this needs a big review and this clocks in just shy of 24 mins, broken into 3 parts.

Part1: Unboxing and overview.
Part2: Directions and the small parts trees.
Part3: The hull and closing remarks.


Wi1JR9j7YmU

jshu-VCQASw

dWk2j17R_B4

This is the first Moebius kit I have worked with so had no expectations on that front. All the glowing comments at the forums did skew me to expect gold. Overall, I was not unimpressed.

Lots of great parts, lots of solid plastic and a beautiful, well packed, full-to-the-brim fitting box. Decals are tight and strong looking. A four page full color instruction manual is a nice touch rarely seen for American companies. I remark that I've never seen a color manual before, but I do have several bandaii kits with glossy color instructions.

Where things did lose points in my book is that the outer upper hull and the main floor look like space gremlins had a meeting of their local space chapter. There are dozens of scratches, scuffs, and sanding marks all around the surfaces. on the underside of the upper hull there are shallow gouge marks that look like a skipping space dremel danced over the surface.

I don't know if this is my kit that was involved in a space fight or if it is in the molds and therefore indicative of all kits. I expect it is random, but disappointing either way. The damage is likely easily repaired with minor sanding and primer. At least I hope so.

-Frank at Moebius confirmed that this is a random thing. When dealing with such large structures, it is inevitable that some hulls are going to pull from their molds easy and some not-so-easy. This was the latter case.

Overall, I was impressed. This is a must have for any LiS fan and a classic design worth a definite look for the general sci-fi fan.

dtssyst
02-08-2010, 03:00 PM
I hate you, my wife hates you, and even my dog hates you.

My friend in Texas got this kit and said that I should get it.

Your review was the icing on the cake so... I got one. It arrived this last Saturday. I am not a huge LIS fan but the kit is fantastic.

So here is to hating you :occasion14:

Thanks for the great review.

Gunnie
02-08-2010, 03:10 PM
Thanks for the review! Mine is just sitting on a corner of my workbench, quietly whispering to me...

...I am listening...

ModelMan
02-09-2010, 12:41 AM
I hate you, my wife hates you, and even my dog hates you.

It's certainly good to be loved. :D

Thanks for the review! Mine is just sitting on a corner of my workbench, quietly whispering to me...

...I am listening...

I just started the first few pieces of mine yesterday.

I wasn't going to get this kit myself for some time. I like the ship, can handle a few eps of the show every few years, but am not a die hard by any definition (though Robot is the coolest!).

However, this is a case of me and my big, fat mouth...

Over at HT, folks were lamenting the lack of a how-to dvd and I said if someone ships me the kit, I will build and record the process, and assemble it all into dvd format.

My bluff was called and now I'm making a how-to dvd series. There didn't seem much point in posting those vids here considering the RI talent pool. I'm in the shallow end in that regard. I'm aiming the build at folks who are just getting into the hobby again and those unsure of their skills to tackle this level 3 build.

If this review tipped the tables for any other fence sitters, wait til you see some of the aftermarket parts coming in!

I'm a day or two away from posting Paulbo's photoetch, decals and paint masks and expect the landing gear at some point. TSDS has committed to sending along a fusion core and decal set, Crow's Nest is sending figures along when those are ready and a newcomer is submitting a diy fusion core that will undercut the market and yield similar results. So stay tuned for more. I will post the aftermarket reviews here in this thread as they go up. (Paulbo's photoetch is what I would rate as an 'essential buy'.)

ps thanks for the compliments.

ModelMan
02-09-2010, 12:49 AM
Btw, this is one plastic kit that must be washed before anything! The pieces are thick with mold release! I always wash my resin and vinyl, but this is the first styrene kit that I have ever had to wash. Just an FYI.:glasses9:

Gunnie
02-09-2010, 03:55 PM
I'm really interested in what you plan to do with the aftermarket items for the J2. I want to see how the lighting packages work, and incorporate into the basic kit.

That's a lot of money going into an already expensive kit... :)

modelnutz
02-09-2010, 05:53 PM
I'm waiting to hear more about the lower cost DIY lighting gear....well ????

Also, I'm one of the crazies over at HT who is contemplating and pondering the practicalities of a functioning landing gear.
I think that I'm real close.....just gotta get some time to do some sketching and breadboarding.
trying to develop a way to do it all with only one servo.

dtssyst
02-09-2010, 06:51 PM
Btw, this is one plastic kit that must be washed before anything! The pieces are thick with mold release! I always wash my resin and vinyl, but this is the first styrene kit that I have ever had to wash. Just an FYI.:glasses9:

Thanks for the heads up and I look forward to your build.

Thanks for the great video reviews and video builds. Please, don't ever stop doing them. :w00t:

:pals:

ModelMan
02-10-2010, 03:10 AM
Thanks alot guys, it means a lot to me and keeps me inspired and on track! :hail:

Lighting this beast.
The cheap-o fusion core is being prototyped now by Eliot and I should have it in the nearish future -if you can hold out. TSDS has verbally committed. JAI has not responded as yet and I do not expect a response from voodoo at all. Their loss.

I'll be tallying the actual cost of diy lighting the entire interior. I don't expect it will break the $10 mark -assuming you buy your leds in 100 pc bulk packs for $10 shipped each... Otw, a lighting kit may be the way to go. Any F.O. used may drive the cost up into the $20 range.

My plan on the aftermarket gear is to incorporate much of it and use the balance to raffle off for my second HT membership drive. Details to be announced as things sort themselves out.

I've got the strategy session and first pieces glued uploading tonight. Should be posted at HT tomorrow. Waiting on Paulbo to deliver his logo so I can incorporate that into his review vids. He committed his landing gear once the new batch comes in.

I think that's all I can think of right now. It's 3am and I just got home from a long day of work. Catch up w/ y'all later.