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One thing I noticed is that no one ever uses the rtl Lego Set Review format
anymore or even writes reviews. So here you go. If anyone wants to check
it out, here's the link to the format:
http://alumni.cse.ucsc.edu/~dulcaoin/reviews/format.txt
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8466
Technic / Tech Build/Advanced
4x4 Off Roader
Ages 11+, 1099 Pcs. (C)2001. 243 page manual: 2 models, 24+26+28+17+13+8+14
steps for primary model
Price Range: $169.99 CAD regular, paid $69.77 at Costco.
RATINGS (Scale: Must-Have Excellent Very-Good Good Fair Poor)
Set: <VERY-GOOD> / Models: <EXCELLENT> / Playability: <VERY-GOOD>
DECALS? Yes, Attractive, Do Not Cover Multiple Bricks
SPECIAL FEATURES/COMPATIBILITY
None.
SET DESCRIPTION
8466 is a 4x4 SUV with really large wheels in black with metallic olive
green body panels and silver trim. It could be considered similar to the
line of Technic Supercars, in that it has a six position (five speed plus
reverse) transmission, independent suspension for each of its wheels, and
rack and pinion steering.
Of particular note are new pieces used in its joints, an unusual new colour
scheme, and the incredible absence of normal Technic beams in it's construction.
8466 is primarily built with rounded beams, the studless elements introduced
in recent years. It is large-about 18" in length and is an impressive sized
model.
SPECIAL ELEMENTS
Several new elements have been introduced with the 8466. Of note are:
-Long double cross block. New. This is an unusual piece that allows the 90
degree placement of a beam offset of another beam through a pair of hoops in
which you can place pins. 8466 features a piece which is longer than the
usual double cross block.
-90 degree beam. New. A 5x5 dot element which has holes in it. Think of
two 5 long beams intersecting in a corner. The corner is diagonally cut.
-New steering linkages. New. These have ball horns for attaching at
control rods at angle.
-Three pin wheel attachments with joint. New. These do the function of the
8880 CV ball joint. They are small cones capped with a sphere with points
on the end, which fit into the end of the wheel attachment.
-Huge wheels. New. These are larger than any Technic Lego wheel I have
seen, including the ones on the 8880/8448/853.
-Rounded beam elements. Some may have been available in earlier sets, but
this is the first I've seen of them.
IMPRESSION
I first saw the 8466 at an rtlToronto Monthly Dinner meeting when John
Guerquin brought one in for show and tell. While it was very impressive, I
didn't really feel like getting one-mainly because John had mentioned it was
primarily using liftarm/rounded half beams versus the usual Technic beam
construction, and having owned both the 8880 Supercar and original 853
AutoChassis, I found the 8448 Supercar II a huge disappointment. The 8448
uses a lot of rounded beams and I thought that cheapened the design.
Rave reviews around rtlToronto came for the 8466 as people in the group
began to buy them. Iain Hendry even bought two. Soon, the Costco began
stocking them at $139, then $99. Finally, one day, my friend mentioned he
saw them for sale at about $70. Well, this is where I'll hop on-I'm a
sucker for a great Lego deal. So, bleary eyed early one morning, we beat
the Christmas crowds to Costco and grabbed one for $69.99.
The 8466 photo on the front of the box is ugly-The actual model is much
cooler. It's an unusual colour, which is reasonably attractive considering
there are really only ten or so pieces in the metallic olive green. The
outside styling of the 8466, using rubber flexible cross axles and
corrugated tubing, is unusually fitting for an SUV. While the 8448 has an
ugly use of flex tubing compared to the 8880, which is built all of beams
and angle hinges, the 8466 4x4 for some reason looks rather good with these
parts.
The construction of the 8466 chassis is primarily based on using various
non-beam elements, such as cross blocks, rounded beams, lift arms, and the
like. What originally struck me as wrong was that the set only contained 6
16 long Technic beams. John has noted that one eventually learns how to
build in the fashion shown with the 8466 chassis, so I suppose it's just a
shift in how we'll build Technic in the future.
Mechanically, the 8466 is pretty nifty, though it's not very much far beyond
what the 8448 SuperCar II has. It is a five speed plus reverse
transmission, using the same transmission pieces as the 8448, except that
it's four wheel drive, and therefore comes with two differentials. Unlike
the 8880, it doesn't have an extra differential between the two. The engine
itself is somewhat boring-just your average V8 built of Technic cylinder
heads and pistons. I think the element that holds the cylinder heads at
angle on each end is new, but I'm not sure.
The new wheel attachments are interesting-while I can't be sure they're
superior to the 8880 CV joints, they certainly are a bit more flexible-they
allow for linkages on both sides of the wheel. The three integral friction
pins are also extremely snug in comparison to the attachements on the 8880.
The box it comes in is horribly cheap. A large Technic set of 1000 plus
pieces really should be in something more sturdy. Inside is a 200+ page
manual, which is nicely done, and is frighteningly large.
Set Rating
VERY-GOOD
I would rate this set higher if it had more beams-it would make the set a
better value for building other Technic contraptions. Unfortunately, it is
is primarily based on cross blocks and rounded beams, which I found
difficult to build with. Again, others might like this way of building, so
you might appreciate the piece selection more. I do like the new tires a lot.
Model Rating
EXCELLENT
I really liked the design of the model. It was a pleasant surprise, because
from the outside box, it didn't seem so cool. It looks great as a display
piece, and unlike the Supercars, can be left lodged up on something on the
floor (like shoes), showing off it's suspension system and huge tires.
Playability Rating
VERY-GOOD
I always find this a little difficult to judge for Technic. I think the fun
part of the 8466 is really putting it together, which is very easy to do as
the instructions and bags are segmented into large blocks of steps. This
can be done with an hour a night over a week or two. It is certainly a lot
of fun to push the 8466 over things on your floor, running them over. I'll
say smushing shoes, Town figures, and other similar items is a lot more fun
with the 8466 than any other Supercar.
Likes/Dislikes
-Likes:
-Styling and overall design.
-Dislikes:
-Lack of normal beams.
Scale
The 8466 is scaled to Scala doll scale. Technic figures look like children
in the seats, minifigures look like babies.
Errors
N/A
Extra Elements
There were extra elements, primarily friction pins, an axle or two, ball
joints and linkages.
CONCLUSION
I would absolutely buy the 8466 again at the sale price. It is highly
recommended as an advanced Technic set, especially for adults who are
getting into Lego. It's also an excellent set for mature children who can
handle building a very complex model.
REVIEWER INFORMATION
Review Written: December 2001
By: Calum Tsang, tsangc@mie.utoronto.ca
Age 24 Favorite Lines/Themes: Trains, Town, Boats, Technic
I buy Lego Technic sets as separate models.
COPYRIGHT
This review is Copyright 2001 by the author as named above. The
author grants publication rights for all uses, public and private,
with the following exceptions: all information in the document must
be published in full; any for-profit use requires express written
permission by the author for publication in full or in part.
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Message has 2 Replies:
 | | Re: [Review: Technic 8466 4x4]
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| "Calum Tsang" <tsangc@mie.utoronto.ca> wrote in message news:Gp3I94.1B6@lugnet.com... (...) format (...) People have almost completly stopped writing Trip Reports on rec.roller-coaster, too. I used to *always* write trip reports, no matter what. The (...) (23 years ago, 29-Dec-01, to lugnet.org.ca.rtltoronto, lugnet.reviews)
| | | Re: [Review: Technic 8466 4x4]
|
| I agree, this set really rocks! I was so excited when i just finished the chassis that i messed with it for a little bit, even before i finished the whole truck! I figured the chassis was the most exciting part of the whole truck, and the body (...) (23 years ago, 6-Jan-02, to lugnet.org.ca.rtltoronto, lugnet.reviews)
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