Timestamps for your convenience: Intro: 0:00 The Beginning Era: 1:15 The 9v Era: 3:41 The Power Functions Era: 7:50 The Powered Up Era: 17:28 The Golden Age Conclusion: 19:32
100% . My first technic kit was the yellow 6 wheel dump truck. It had a 4 digit code and was in the transition period between the new and old panel parts
Definitely but seeing that LEGO have no interest giving the fans what they want since the sets still sale whether they do it or not it's very unlikely I mean "Only The Best is Good Enough" amirite?!
@@k-874 the thing is... when thr only target new people who never used it they will lose the fanboys some time and since a lot are super fanboys... it will be a hard fall to recover
Don't know about the golden era, the classic era was the 80s and 90s, as other viewers have pointed out, Lego technics were always about form following function. It was not about having a gazillion pieces, but building robust, sturdy, functional models within the constraints of the pieces available. The "Universal sets" were really the pinnacle of this concept.
I would definitely say that we have passed the Golden Age of Lego Technic. Technic was always about "Form Follows Function". Look, for example, at the 8880 Super Car set. So much Functionality in that package - 4-wheel drive, 4-wheel Ackerman steering, independent suspension on all wheels and a 4-speed Transmission. Revolutionary. If we compare it to the current supercars, for example, the 42115 Lamborghini Sián FKP 37, sure, the Lamborghini looks much better, and it has some cool functionality, but it just doesn't compare to the 8880. It just doesn't feel as revolutionary. So I say that the 9V era (and possibly the PF era as well) was the true Golden Age of Lego Technic. This is probably the longest comment I've ever written lol
It depends on how you look at it. If you just look at the available sets, then PF era seems to be the best one. But if you look at what you can build with Technics on your own, then now it's the golden era. You can have all of the pieces and gears, but you also can write your own programs which is a game changer to me. It's like comparing calculator to computer.
I recently got the Unimog because that is my favorite vehicle ever and I am sad it is not sold in the US market. It was an amazing build and the functionality is surprisingly true to a Unimog. I wish the frame was modeled more off the Unimog frame and flexed a lot more, but the suspension flexes A LOT and they had to put a gearbox in the frame, so it makes sense. And through technic they had the protected drive train Unimogs have, the portal axles, the coil-over suspension, the three differentials (would be nice if at least the center one could be locked, I bet there's a mod somewhere out there to do that so if I decide to make it remote control it'll function off road a lot better). The power take-offs are awesome, since the Unimog is a tractor. Given the features they tried to include in the Unimog, I am impressed with how they pulled it off. And it looks WAY more like a Unimog in person, pictures and videos never do the set any justice, it looks AMAZING in person.
I’m gonna say the power functions era, just because my first technic set was the original red crane truck, and I continued to buy them until around the 40th anniversary sets. I do still buy the large cars. Some of my favorites are the Bughatti Chiron, bucket wheel excavator, Volvo loader, and the cargo plane.
The powered up system looks promising but i hope that they polish, add new and some better motors (like extremely strong ones) AND that they keep up dating the app.
I preferred when it was mostly studded construction (1977-1980). On my MOCs today I still only use studless pieces if it's absolutely necessary. That said, without the transition to studless, I probably wouldn't be able to build the models I do today.
I think, for me, the Powered Up era was the best because the 42114 was the second Technic set I got but really the first of when I was really in to Technic. It game me a good first impression of the new system.
My favourites are the Volvo arocz and the Volvo wheel loader. The age of Power Functions was the best in my opinion as it kept the way of controlling your build more simple. You didn’t need to have a good smartphone, an app, and good connection. Yeah, the PF had short range, but that could be solved by buying a Sbrick if needed. With the PF you just flicked the switch on the battery pack, grabbed your controller, and of you went with no wasted time fiddling with your phone and app. It just feels more natural controlling your Lego models with a controller instead of your phone/tablet.
i think back in the power functions era everything was more clear. Want simple plug and play? use power functions! want more sophisticated programmable stuff? use lego mindstorms NXT! Powered up is an attempt to combine the two but sadly that just means that the new system is downgraded mindstorms essentially. Although it does mean that the hubs are much cheaper for powered up than lego mindstorms
I know it is 1 year after the release of this video but my favorite set is the 42042 crawler crane because me and my grandpa built it when I was 7 and not my people I have found talk about it.
8880 Super Car era. Defining eras by their motors are stupid though. I always consider the 80's and 90's with distinctively LEGO elements to be separate from the late 90's and 2000's with their extensive use of studless lift arms instead.
The Golden Age of Lego Technic in my opinion? Best for innovation -2007-2016 Best for motorisation 2007-2017 Best for cosmetic appearance 2016- present
I think the eras you defined are way too broad. Also unless I'm mistaken, the Manas from the Bionicle line were the first Technic set to use infrared controllers.
I love pneumatics and prefer bricks over beams... So personally for me golden era was probably around your "9V era". Also - I love to have bare mechanical stuff exposed. I dont like current Technic sets which sometimes have marvellous mechanical features - but they are hidden under a ton of decorations and unnecessary body parts... What is the reason of brilliant sequential gearbox in current supercar sets if you can't see it working? For me Technic is not about look, it's bout mechanics/electrics/pneumatics and having them exposed and visible is (or was?) the beauty of Lego Technic.
That’s a difficult one, I’m a 90s kid so I view all the kits from that time with rose tinted spectacles. I do think you had more freedom then though, the kits now are essentially build yourself detailed scale models of the real thing, very detailed and realistic looking but lose a bit of the universal functionality that good old fashioned Lego bricks had. On the other hand the technology on todays kits is great, automation and programming is important in todays world and kids learning about that kind of stuff can only be a good thing IMO.
I dont think some of your comparisons make sense. Comparing the old super car to the Sian or Bugatti is a moot point. The new supercars have incredible detail compared to the old models, and look a million times better. The mechanisms they use for function may be similar, but comparing prices of those sets seems silly. Great video though!
Golden age for me is the first generation they look better than modern technic, I have fully porportional RCed many of my early technic sets and they are awesome, lego cannot and should not try too compete in the RC world it is so cheap and easy now just no point. I can buy 8 micro servos and a control and reciever for $50 and hide them easily in any technic set.
@@Unbrickme That was the first set to introduce the drive ring based function switching gearbox. Sure, that's been done way too many times since then, but it was very cool back in 1996 and brought a new level of complexity.
The PF era was by far the best era. Also which of these Technic sets is the best option? Ducati panigale, Catamaran, or Concrete mixer? The Volvo hauler is too expensive.
Yep, as others are saying, I would recommend the Ducati Panigale, it has a great price per piece and the functions are quite nice. Plus, it's licensed. :)
Powered UP is too expensive. $40 for a motor and $90 for a hub is way too much. I can't believe they're planning to retire Power Functions with no good replacement.
Same here I was really disappointed when I found out such a great system was going to be discontinued. So as much a I dislike it I'm going to turn to off brand Power Functions and hope its good quality.
The PF era was my favorite: embodied in my all-time favorite set 8043. Huge amount of PF elements, but more importantly, also a huge amount of mechanical complexity without being crazy expensive. If I remember correctly, I bought them back in the day for less than €150. I would also add the development of 3rd party RC controllers (like Sbrick and Buwizz) in the equation because they really completed the PF system for me and made it the perfect ecosystem for MOCing.
The 8043 motorized excavator is a set I would consider to be THE NUMBER ONE from lego technic, due to it being packed with mechanisms, a full RC gearbox, and it was pretty compact
call me biased but mid 90's to mid 00's. After that, I feel as though the shape of new pieces led to more specific element designs that detracted from the universal nature of of the building system.
I was a boss with the old studded technic stuff, my building abilities are significantly hindered with newer parts, mostly because they have such limited function compared to an X-long studded beam with some plates holding it together.
I ma be alone with this view, but i think the golden era was around 1992 - 2000. Building technic on a rigid studded base and adding see through body frames and clever angles but not in wobbly way. Thats technic for me at least.
I agree with you, though I think that the whole question comes with an age-dependency. Younger "engineers" definitely benefit of the earlier and simpler sets, as the technical functions were not hidden beneath any panels. The "gear boxes" of the car chassis were self-explaining and visible. Older "engineers" would appreciate remote control functionality, which came decades later.
The "pre-studless" era did bring forth some amazing sets. Sure, externally, maybe, they weren't the handsome but, for me, Lego technic was never really about looks but about the actual technical features. However, I cursed sometimes at the space you needed to facilitate if you wanted to rotate the "squared" beams, for instance. When I switched to studless it took some getting used to but it works really fine. Although : The 8880 is a set I would like to build at some point. It's a milestone since it featured the driving-rings for the first time.
I'm gonna have to say the 9V era from 1990 to 2006. What they were capable of doing and building with those motors and limited pieces at that time is astounding.
They LOOK better, but they have no functions anymore. And that‘s exactly what made Lego Technic interesting: Mechanics! How does stuff work? Now it‘s nothing more than display sets, and other manufacturers have become much better at serving the technical aspect than Lego.
Hands down, early to mid-90s. Why? BULK EDUCATIONAL KITS. For those of us with build plans that include high parts count for cogs and pneumatics, we literally have ZERO of the options that were available in the early 90s. Many of those sets were available with massive parts counts for prices that rival current used prices.
In my eyes it were the 90s. The 8868 truck was the first and only set with a compressor in nearly 20 years (and I found it easier to operate than 8110, with the pneumatic slewing as well), and has arguably the most extensive pneumatics, with the possible exception of 8455. 8880 was brilliant with its gearbox which worked very well, much better than later models. 8480 was unique and well-executed, a contender to the title best Technic set of all time. 8479 was the perfect forerunner to Mindstorms. Nowadays on one side they release poorly-executioned things like that mobile crane (where the 8460 was much better equipped, and that 25 years ago), on the other side expensive sets that are full remote controlled. I used to own 8275, and while RC is fun to play with, it adds nothing in terms of technic engineering, only motors and thus a higher price tag. That bulldozer is less of a feat in engineering than the top sets of the 90s. And features are only nice when they're executed right. The Volvo loader was a poor execution, with a servo motor for articulated steering? Poor choice. In 1997 there was something like 8459, a front loader with the right dimensions, pneumatics to simulate hydraulics, and in my eyes the best loader released so far. The Mack Anthem has a flimsy trailer, where the bending causes the rear axle to lift up. And this model just asks for a motor, but it isn't included, not even prepared to use the motor set like some other sets are. The Powered Up app seems nice, but what happens if (when) TLG decides not to support the software anymore? Besides, that Volvo dumper has poor dimensions, and going by the reviews and pictures no suspension and very flimsy attachment of the tractor-"trailer", in only one direction as opposed to real haulers (Designer Han did a much better job at that 9 years ago).
The golden age for lego technic is 1990's all the technic set there was so good. And speciel all the model whit 9v motor. I love the 70'-80's set too. I have alot of them. Really cool Looking. Compared to todays set.
yes! But 8043 is much better! 4 motors controlling 6 different functions! everything is also powered by mechanisms and gearboxes! that set is true technic, as well as the 42114 6x6 volvo articulated hauler
I personally think that C+ system was just released and it just didn’t opened its potential which is more than PF’s potential. Because C+ has a smart box that can actually be programmed with infinity of different functions. Especially if LEGO will make for this system more than just motors(for example lights, audio system etc.). Basically it’s like mindstorms but you can’t program it with your own. But now as i know people making an apps for customizing C+ system so it will show itself like in next 3-5 years i suppose. And 42114 is already had a good performance only after a year of releasing a C+. I think LEGO have a ton of cool concepts for C+ sets and we just need to wait
Yeah but the thing is C+ is not mindstorms. It’s merely a Bluetooth controller. You can do a program on your phone and it will constantly just send signals back and forth to your C+ Hub, since the C+ hub doesn’t have any internal memory. I do completely agree that the real possibilities of the C+ system are still yet to come
My fave of the 9v era was the powered claw rig/truck. Powered phumatics, with four circuits! It was the most challenging to build with all the pnumatic pipework! Was my fave as a kid!
@@Unbrickme Yeh, I love it. It’s all in bits in its original box currently and I’m itching to get it built again! It had been in my parents attic for years and I wet a fetched it a few months back, along with all my other old Lego kits (including the car chassis and the pneumatic digger in your vid, plus the 4x4x4 Supercar)
I think every period had its own peaks and perks. Sure thing I was dismayed with the new electric system at first. While PF is stackable and versatile especially when boosted with SBrick or BWizz, PU electrics seemed clumsy and limited (set aside more expensive). But Powered Up application opens the whole new dimension of using PU hubs, motors and sensors by means of rather intricate programming! I've put quite an effort to dig deep into it followed by 11 tutorial videos by now and I can tell that it's really more than meets an eye. There is a number of awesome features: thousands of variables and arrays of them at your disposal, IR command of PF electrics, indirect addressing of anything in conjunction with flexible programming. It just takes some time to learn it. Well, yes, it lacks Scratch or Python but Boost-style horizontal block language has its charm. Developers add new cool stuff with every update and support of latest electrics. PU hubs ("Boost", 2port "PU", 4port "C+") now work fine with Spike angular motors. I can't wait for them to recognize new Spike sensors (distance, color and pressure). PS. Prompt tech guys have already announced PU-PF adapters. Old and new will be able to work together.
The new system does have lots of cool possibilities. But it's certainly not mindstorms. The thing is, during the power functions era, we always had access to much more advanced and sophisticated programming systems, like the mindstorms NXT. I just wish that you could at least store programs on the powered up hubs. They're more like bluetooth controllers, and your mobile device does all the processing. This causes latency issues and complex code like PID controllers simply doesn't work because the mobile device ends up overheating due to constantly sensing back and forth bluetooth data between mobile device and hub. I guess the new system is not mindstorms, and its merely power functions with bluetooth and rotation sensor feedback
@@Unbrickme Sure thing! Lego found a cheap way to make a bunch of "smart" devices by merely connecting them to a phone or a pad. Then after a long while Lego introduced Spike hub as Mindstorms 2013 replacement. A weaker, younger kids oriented replacement. But it has a strong potential: the whole PU system is almost all-around compatible. It develops with time, which Mindstorms 2013 lacked the most. Beside releasing new motors and sensors Lego should keep firmware and software up-to-date to fill gaps between old and new components. And I really hope that Lego bears an ultimate plan to make Spike the center of the whole system. An independent unit commanding a bunch of PU hubs instead of a pad is nothing less of terrific! :)
from 1990 - 2018 in my feel since i have one of the best technik sets i ever owned is from the 9 volt era. 8862 and i chosen to build the Combine Tractor. ant it is avesome. now i just need to figure out fow to make a compressor.
I feel like a LEGO Ideas Set Designer should design a LEGO Technic set that utilizes LEGO System pieces because it would feel nostalgic to kids and adults who grew up building with LEGO Technic sets that utilized System pieces, or make kids and adults who didn't grow up building LEGO Technic sets that utilized System pieces (Like me) to feel like they are living in the Beginning Era of LEGO Technic and that it's 1977 when LEGO Technic was introduced
To me, in the future, the Bucket Wheel will become one of the biggest legends of the theme. Litteraly it is a MONSTER, but it was also so different from anything they did before, (and after.) I can't believe it's four years old already
Definitely pre studeless era and some hybrid sets like 8466. For me those studeless poor things have no soul and look more like plastic model kit, not like actual Lego sets.
8466 set is so awesome!!! I do kind of agree! I look back at some of the older pre studless sets, and I sometimes wish lego technic brought that style back, because that particular style perfectly combined the complexity of technic as well as the intricate building techniques of lego system
Perhaps I am biased becuase of my age (middle 40s now) but in my opinion the golden age of LEGO Technic is from middle 80s to 90s. The creations right then were outstanding. Yes, a bit crude, but I always looked in awe at the 8865 car model. Of course I was 14 years old back then, so nostalgia may be driving my opinion as well...
the 9v cables were even weaker, and the powered up cables are slightly stronger than PF cables but are still incredibly weak. The strongest lego cables are the LEGO Mindstorms NXT cables
The 9v era instroduced a whole lot of things however none of the things went widespread aside from the PF era where a lot of lego sets went more motorized or have a gearbox for that sole purpose. A thing to note is the 9v era had also those universal building sets where you could have a whole 6 - 9 model sets and some of them were huge too. Most 9v era sets were about put a motor in a car and then you could remotely with a wire control that car. Or you had the programmable stuff which very few sets were about. One thing that was cool though was the programmable truck which despite havong only one motor, had gearboxes and a touch sensor. It was revolutionary but was way too unique as well, just like many 9V sets. And my main complaint about the 9v era was this: too many sets were too unique. Very few had integrated motors, programmable stuff were only for very expensive sets, and there are things that have completly disappeared from lego too. No more flex system, programmable hubs, fiber optics, airtanks and sensors who were introduced there. Also the 9v era had the introduction of lego sets with softwares. Softwares had games and building instructions however it's quite a challenge to make that run on modern hardware. However I think the PF era could have been expanded a lot more like bringing back some of the older features from the 9v era while expanding further. For example having LEDs who works only in a way or an other. I would have loved the following. A set of lets where you can choose if they have a left or right control with a switch or the main box and with two sorts of blinks also leds with different configurations Small and tiny motors tiny hub mortors and battery boxes. A solenoid with the possibility to make it go back into a wanted rest position Planetary and cicloid gears. A remake of the flex system with also a rotating cable Soft springs A remake of the bar code programmable system with the combination of the control pannel system The return of the air tanks Gears that can slide on technic bars, just like the current worm gear so it opens certain possibilities here. Ratcheting freewheels Wheel and track hubs with internal gears and removable hubs Multi stage and two sided pneumatic and linear actuators Toothed belts to use with gears which can double as tracks. Etc....
I think if you are looking for the golden age, you also need to try to define the dark ages. I think from 1998, no because of studless but they went from having this wide range of sets to all very simple and boring things aimed at a much younger audience. Lacking features and display qualities. This was also when Lego almost went bankrupt.. of course they dig themselves out of that. I’d also put a split in the mid 80s how they looked and features changed quite a bit.
Starting at 2017 lego technic sets are no longer interesting. But at 2019, 2021 and 2022 are better a bit. 2019 we have liebherr excavator, 2021 cat d11 bulldozer and 2022 airbus rescue helicopter.
The years you have defined as the golden age of LEGO Technic are literally the exact set of years that I stepped away from LEGO. Lost interest in new sets after 2006 in favor of building RC airplanes. Came back in 2018 and got hooked on LEGO again. So I exactly missed all of the "golden years" lol!
every story of when and how are incomplete , in my view it all started with samsonite gears and building blocks that came with holes . the lego design team in denmark quickly responded with the famous unbrakeble red,blue and yellow gears because the samsonite gears were pretty uncompatible with lego system . with lego's own gear programme a slow proces started when lego bought Philiform , a construction toy that we now know as liftbeams. The obvious was not to make liftbeams but to re-invent lego with studs and holes , and smaller type of gears . slowly lego developed a new branch called "technic" and if in the beginning the only motor was the trainmotor for lego almost copied philiform adaptors to drive the gears. now lego struggled to get a electric motor line up in 4,5 volt and 9 volts . all direct drive in contrary with the trainmotor that was geared. for many years lego struggled with its electrics and during the struggle trains got all the new designs. there was to make it easy a set of reduction boxes to gear down the direct 4,5 motor series. and than finally lego came with geared 9 volt motors. followed by power functions . this was miles ahead from the first 2x4 brick with holes. it's a pity lego never worked as a team to share more parts with other branches in the same boomtime of family. so we have a 100000 parts that could be great winners for every direction in the group but who only serve one purpose now. And there development went crazy and it stalled . so up to power functions it was okay .... after it went wild....
I think models with old blocks were more fun for kids to play with. It's easier to build something without instructions. For example, a hotel for figurines;] The new sets only look good from the instructions in glass cabinet.
for me the golden age was the throughout 80s when 8859 blue tractor (1981), 8849, yellow tractor (1986) and 8865, red test car (1988) came out. But I was in my teens - a prime Lego Technic age for a boy. - a few years ago my next Lego period started - I really like it, but it cannot beat the 80s - at least for me. What I miss a bit is that pure Technic doesn't mix with normal Lego (City) as well as it used to do.
Late to the party, 10 months on... but (showing my age), the 9v era wins for me. The Control Center was awesome and still, to this day, works with my kids now using it in their own creations. They get on with it better than any of the "modern" controllers because it was just big and simple... but you could program it and everything you needed came in the box. To get similar now you need a phone/tablet and all the tactile feedback of being able to play with buttons is gone. Oh.. and the pen that came with the control center? Was from the era that had closed, air-tight lids (so considered a choking hazard these days...). That's a change for the better given small children like to put random stuff into their mouth but my 30+ year old Technic pen STILL works to this day (to my amazement I might add) because I only ever used it when I built it into a model and the lid prevents it from drying out :D 8868 was a work of art. Yes, linear actuators allow for finer control but Pneumatics taught the kids about the power of air and compression. Similar for flex cables. They were all different systems that taught different mechanical principles. The lack of any B models more recently and the dumb-ing down of the instructions just makes each set... well.. boring. I got myself the Liebherr Excavator last year. Lots of tech... but... meh. 1000 steps of instructions that would have been compressed into 600 or so from the 9v era. Just compare the instructions from the 90s (lots of parts listed and a diagram to show where they all went) vs now (take one part, place it here, take another, place it there...). It's gone from discovery and figuring it out for yourself to just placing bits one by one. For me, that isn't Technic.
I remember having the technic " go=cart", and the technic " jeep" way back in the 80s. I recently started playing with Lego again, and I am having a great time! We don't get the great sets that you can find in larger cities, also I can't afford them either, but I'm not going to let that keep me from fun. I am a very talented artist, and I plan to build the " Corvette" from the movie " Corvette Summer". My plan is to heat, and shape grey base plates into the shapes that I want. I took " plastics" for three years, and was definitely at the top of the class. When things go my way, I'm also going to build the black " Firebird" from that same movie, and also the " Van". I look forward to many more insights into Lego from your channel, thank you for all your efforts. With respect, Wes Sept
Older sets were less money because they had 1/2 or 1/3 the piece count. Per piece, the price has gone down. The 8880 super car only had like 1343, while the Porsche 911 GTR has 2x that at ~2700, and the Lambo has almost 3x the amount at ~3700.
Timestamps for your convenience:
Intro: 0:00
The Beginning Era: 1:15
The 9v Era: 3:41
The Power Functions Era: 7:50
The Powered Up Era: 17:28
The Golden Age Conclusion: 19:32
I want the buggy motor and the power function and the tecnic figures back
And also watch powered up suffer
Why didn't you talk about the 40 year blue Lego set?
''The Morrrrized Bulldozer Set''
:)
I was the 1000th like
I grew up with the pf era so I'm a bit biased
But I think we can agree it is best
I grew up with late 9v and the entirety of PF era so i also have tons of nostalgia for power functions
100% .
My first technic kit was the yellow 6 wheel dump truck. It had a 4 digit code and was in the transition period between the new and old panel parts
Same here bro, didn't get the Unimog U-400, but managed to get my hands on the 8043, still a beast! :D
The golden age of technic could still be to come
You’re right, I’m excited for the future!
@@Unbrickme well. it could be... if lego would only make better decisions nowadays....
It could but I would not say it will happen since Lego seems like they do not wanna change anything ...
Definitely but seeing that LEGO have no interest giving the fans what they want since the sets still sale whether they do it or not it's very unlikely I mean "Only The Best is Good Enough" amirite?!
@@k-874 the thing is... when thr only target new people who never used it they will lose the fanboys some time and since a lot are super fanboys... it will be a hard fall to recover
Don't know about the golden era, the classic era was the 80s and 90s, as other viewers have pointed out, Lego technics were always about form following function. It was not about having a gazillion pieces, but building robust, sturdy, functional models within the constraints of the pieces available. The "Universal sets" were really the pinnacle of this concept.
Same with me, the educational 1980's universal sets where, IMO, the best things Lego ever made.
100% agreed, it was amazing
I would definitely say that we have passed the Golden Age of Lego Technic. Technic was always about "Form Follows Function". Look, for example, at the 8880 Super Car set. So much Functionality in that package - 4-wheel drive, 4-wheel Ackerman steering, independent suspension on all wheels and a 4-speed Transmission. Revolutionary. If we compare it to the current supercars, for example, the 42115 Lamborghini Sián FKP 37, sure, the Lamborghini looks much better, and it has some cool functionality, but it just doesn't compare to the 8880. It just doesn't feel as revolutionary. So I say that the 9V era (and possibly the PF era as well) was the true Golden Age of Lego Technic.
This is probably the longest comment I've ever written lol
Couldn't agree more, function should always come first, sadly after the near-collapse in 2004 Lego was slowly moving away from that philosophy.
It depends on how you look at it. If you just look at the available sets, then PF era seems to be the best one. But if you look at what you can build with Technics on your own, then now it's the golden era. You can have all of the pieces and gears, but you also can write your own programs which is a game changer to me. It's like comparing calculator to computer.
11:05 This was my first Lego Technic set bought by myself, I love it
I recently got the Unimog because that is my favorite vehicle ever and I am sad it is not sold in the US market. It was an amazing build and the functionality is surprisingly true to a Unimog. I wish the frame was modeled more off the Unimog frame and flexed a lot more, but the suspension flexes A LOT and they had to put a gearbox in the frame, so it makes sense. And through technic they had the protected drive train Unimogs have, the portal axles, the coil-over suspension, the three differentials (would be nice if at least the center one could be locked, I bet there's a mod somewhere out there to do that so if I decide to make it remote control it'll function off road a lot better). The power take-offs are awesome, since the Unimog is a tractor. Given the features they tried to include in the Unimog, I am impressed with how they pulled it off. And it looks WAY more like a Unimog in person, pictures and videos never do the set any justice, it looks AMAZING in person.
Well put together "History Recap" video. I can tell you put a ton of effort into this. Props to you. 👍
Thank you very much
as much as i live the 9v era, getting rid of the heavy parts with nobs really extended the possibilites
I love that the supercar has pop-up headlights xD
15:36 that special edition is based on the old ford bronco, with a little bit of trophy truck in the back. I wanted it so bad.
Of course ! The power function was a great start of Lego Technic, just the beginning of Lego technic.
I’m gonna say the power functions era, just because my first technic set was the original red crane truck, and I continued to buy them until around the 40th anniversary sets. I do still buy the large cars. Some of my favorites are the Bughatti Chiron, bucket wheel excavator, Volvo loader, and the cargo plane.
The powered up system looks promising but i hope that they polish, add new and some better motors (like extremely strong ones) AND that they keep up dating the app.
I preferred when it was mostly studded construction (1977-1980). On my MOCs today I still only use studless pieces if it's absolutely necessary. That said, without the transition to studless, I probably wouldn't be able to build the models I do today.
Studs rule! Check for a celebration of the stud era on my channel.
I think, for me, the Powered Up era was the best because the 42114 was the second Technic set I got but really the first of when I was really in to Technic. It game me a good first impression of the new system.
100% agree with your opinion on the golden age, great video!
Glad you enjoyed!
I have only one lego technic set that is one of the old ones and has power funtions, and I consider that set the best I have
Personally, I think we’re in it
I wish the Lego Technic character made a cameo in the Lego movies.
My opinion is the same as yours, I really love sets from that decade.
Im pretty sure my dad had the set at 1:47 or a set that came out at the same time (it had the image of it, but don’t remember if it was for it or not)
My favourites are the Volvo arocz and the Volvo wheel loader. The age of Power Functions was the best in my opinion as it kept the way of controlling your build more simple. You didn’t need to have a good smartphone, an app, and good connection. Yeah, the PF had short range, but that could be solved by buying a Sbrick if needed. With the PF you just flicked the switch on the battery pack, grabbed your controller, and of you went with no wasted time fiddling with your phone and app. It just feels more natural controlling your Lego models with a controller instead of your phone/tablet.
i think back in the power functions era everything was more clear. Want simple plug and play? use power functions! want more sophisticated programmable stuff? use lego mindstorms NXT! Powered up is an attempt to combine the two but sadly that just means that the new system is downgraded mindstorms essentially. Although it does mean that the hubs are much cheaper for powered up than lego mindstorms
I know it is 1 year after the release of this video but my favorite set is the 42042 crawler crane because me and my grandpa built it when I was 7 and not my people I have found talk about it.
The introduction of liftarms is also pretty significant. When did they appear?
8880 Super Car era.
Defining eras by their motors are stupid though. I always consider the 80's and 90's with distinctively LEGO elements to be separate from the late 90's and 2000's with their extensive use of studless lift arms instead.
It's good that we can see each era is about 10 years long.....
I just need to suffer Power Ups for 8 more years.
What's wrong with the powered up electronics in your opinion
@@ethanloughlin9052 too expensive and you can't stack motors
@@EnderCat_ wait what!!! You can't stack motors
@@ethanloughlin9052 no, since it's with plugs and not bricks there's no way to stack which pf did offer
@@EnderCat_ that's like... Not lego
I have tractors 851 and 8859 and they get soo much more attention than my 42009 crane I understand why.
those tractors are awesome!!!!
I had 9v motors in the 80s
The Golden Age of Lego Technic in my opinion?
Best for innovation
-2007-2016
Best for motorisation
2007-2017
Best for cosmetic appearance
2016- present
I agree!
I fully agree with your opinion.
I think the eras you defined are way too broad. Also unless I'm mistaken, the Manas from the Bionicle line were the first Technic set to use infrared controllers.
Your video is legendary!
Thanks :)
I love pneumatics and prefer bricks over beams... So personally for me golden era was probably around your "9V era". Also - I love to have bare mechanical stuff exposed. I dont like current Technic sets which sometimes have marvellous mechanical features - but they are hidden under a ton of decorations and unnecessary body parts... What is the reason of brilliant sequential gearbox in current supercar sets if you can't see it working? For me Technic is not about look, it's bout mechanics/electrics/pneumatics and having them exposed and visible is (or was?) the beauty of Lego Technic.
I completely agree with you that the beauty of lego technic is watching the mechanisms in action!
I like power function era more because I can't trust app controller to last. Also PF era models looks great and current models are not really better
Controller app will probably last for at least another 10 years. After the control+ system gets discontinued though I'm not sure
@@Unbrickme my power function kits might last longer than that! Not to mention possible bugs in future version updates.
That’s a difficult one, I’m a 90s kid so I view all the kits from that time with rose tinted spectacles. I do think you had more freedom then though, the kits now are essentially build yourself detailed scale models of the real thing, very detailed and realistic looking but lose a bit of the universal functionality that good old fashioned Lego bricks had. On the other hand the technology on todays kits is great, automation and programming is important in todays world and kids learning about that kind of stuff can only be a good thing IMO.
Amazing and absolutely incredible.
Thank you very much!
take a shot whenever he says legendary, all jokes aside great video!
thanks! But I do wonder what would happen if someone actually took a shot every time I said legendary
I dont think some of your comparisons make sense. Comparing the old super car to the Sian or Bugatti is a moot point. The new supercars have incredible detail compared to the old models, and look a million times better. The mechanisms they use for function may be similar, but comparing prices of those sets seems silly. Great video though!
I would have voted for the pneumatic back-hoe as peak pneumatics.
🤩 wow
glad you like it
3:07 i have that motor
wow that's super cool!!!
Well time to sell my kidneys to buy one
lol
I sold my unimog 😔
The point you make about big car prices is so wrong, yes the lambo is 300$ but there is what, 60% more pieces ?
Well, that means there’s amazing improvement over the years
Golden age for me is the first generation they look better than modern technic, I have fully porportional RCed many of my early technic sets and they are awesome, lego cannot and should not try too compete in the RC world it is so cheap and easy now just no point. I can buy 8 micro servos and a control and reciever for $50 and hide them easily in any technic set.
Fair enough!
For me personally, it was 2015 - 2016. The Crawler Crane, Arocs, Le Mans, Xerion, Volvo, and BWE were all some of the best that Technic has to offer.
The air race jet was epic too from 2017
I agree I’ve been messing with the crane crawler since I got it. And I still use it!
Agreed, that era was solid, when they got rid of pneumatics it went a bit downhill for me.
Trust me, there will be a pneumatics set summer 2021
@@Mike-mf3ed me too
Dude how can you talk about great 90's sets without mentioning the absolute beast 8480, Space Shuttle
Forgot to mention that one
@@Unbrickme That was the first set to introduce the drive ring based function switching gearbox. Sure, that's been done way too many times since then, but it was very cool back in 1996 and brought a new level of complexity.
I read this comment before watching the vid and my heart broke. 8480 is my favorite set!
The PF era was by far the best era. Also which of these Technic sets is the best option? Ducati panigale, Catamaran, or Concrete mixer? The Volvo hauler is too expensive.
I would say the Ducati panigale is the best option because it provides the biggest bang for your buck!
What about the crane and that racing plane
Panigale
Ducati... it looks the best, is a very good size for what you pay for, and it is the cheapest set around that has a modern speed shift mechanism.
Yep, as others are saying, I would recommend the Ducati Panigale, it has a great price per piece and the functions are quite nice. Plus, it's licensed. :)
Powered UP is too expensive. $40 for a motor and $90 for a hub is way too much. I can't believe they're planning to retire Power Functions with no good replacement.
Why I'm stocking up on pf motors
Powered up is too expensive I agree! Even the most basic powered up medium motor costs $12.99 but the power functions variant cost 7 or 8 dollars
Same here I was really disappointed when I found out such a great system was going to be discontinued. So as much a I dislike it I'm going to turn to off brand Power Functions and hope its good quality.
@@jacobrosser2310 I've had no issues with some of the stuff I've used
@@dshiznit12a Same i got some servos that work perfectly
The PF era was my favorite: embodied in my all-time favorite set 8043. Huge amount of PF elements, but more importantly, also a huge amount of mechanical complexity without being crazy expensive. If I remember correctly, I bought them back in the day for less than €150. I would also add the development of 3rd party RC controllers (like Sbrick and Buwizz) in the equation because they really completed the PF system for me and made it the perfect ecosystem for MOCing.
Power Functions were just the best thing ever. Affordable and easy to use not like the new digital crap
That was my favourite set too.... I was sick in hospital at the time and bought that one when I came out of there. Was a very fun build.
What was the 8043 named? I couldn’t remember
The 8043 motorized excavator is a set I would consider to be THE NUMBER ONE from lego technic, due to it being packed with mechanisms, a full RC gearbox, and it was pretty compact
call me biased but mid 90's to mid 00's. After that, I feel as though the shape of new pieces led to more specific element designs that detracted from the universal nature of of the building system.
That age of lego technic was definitely epic!!!
Your are right. It's not Lego Technic anymore, only Technic.
@@sfurta I like it for that though. I think that technic is stronger and more... highbrow is guess? They feel more refined
I think that old Lego technic was just Lego with technic bits inside it
I was a boss with the old studded technic stuff, my building abilities are significantly hindered with newer parts, mostly because they have such limited function compared to an X-long studded beam with some plates holding it together.
I ma be alone with this view, but i think the golden era was around 1992 - 2000. Building technic on a rigid studded base and adding see through body frames and clever angles but not in wobbly way. Thats technic for me at least.
That era is awesome!
Studs rule! Check for a celebration of the stud era on my channel.
I agree with you, though I think that the whole question comes with an age-dependency.
Younger "engineers" definitely benefit of the earlier and simpler sets, as the technical functions were not hidden beneath any panels. The "gear boxes" of the car chassis were self-explaining and visible.
Older "engineers" would appreciate remote control functionality, which came decades later.
8110 unimog is one of the greatest lego technic sets in my opinion. Unfortunately I don't own that set but it is stil an amazing one.
unimog is awesome! I highly recommend getting it on bricklink
The "pre-studless" era did bring forth some amazing sets. Sure, externally, maybe, they weren't the handsome but, for me, Lego technic was never really about looks but about the actual technical features.
However, I cursed sometimes at the space you needed to facilitate if you wanted to rotate the "squared" beams, for instance. When I switched to studless it took some getting used to but it works really fine. Although : The 8880 is a set I would like to build at some point. It's a milestone since it featured the driving-rings for the first time.
Studs rule! Check for a celebration of the stud era on my channel.
I'm gonna have to say the 9V era from 1990 to 2006. What they were capable of doing and building with those motors and limited pieces at that time is astounding.
yeah the 9v era was epic
I think 1990s-2000s. Early 2000s. I wish they brought back the stud system in technic. Technic figures are the best!
Studs rule! Check for a celebration of the stud era on my channel.
@@KeesLego Ok
For me it is now. The mechanisms are absolutely awesome and the sets look incredible.
In my opinion mechanisms used to be better
@@Unbrickme just my opinion
Fully agree with you!
They LOOK better, but they have no functions anymore. And that‘s exactly what made Lego Technic interesting: Mechanics! How does stuff work? Now it‘s nothing more than display sets, and other manufacturers have become much better at serving the technical aspect than Lego.
I can just 42125... Just air with some technic parts around it and that for 180 €... Lego should be ashamed
Hands down, early to mid-90s. Why? BULK EDUCATIONAL KITS. For those of us with build plans that include high parts count for cogs and pneumatics, we literally have ZERO of the options that were available in the early 90s. Many of those sets were available with massive parts counts for prices that rival current used prices.
Missing the Space Shuttle 8480 and the Air Claw 8868, both realy special sets in that time !
I definitely forgot to put those sets!
Cool video but missing 8868, my personal greatest set of the 90s
i shouldve included the air tech claw rig
In my eyes it were the 90s. The 8868 truck was the first and only set with a compressor in nearly 20 years (and I found it easier to operate than 8110, with the pneumatic slewing as well), and has arguably the most extensive pneumatics, with the possible exception of 8455. 8880 was brilliant with its gearbox which worked very well, much better than later models. 8480 was unique and well-executed, a contender to the title best Technic set of all time. 8479 was the perfect forerunner to Mindstorms.
Nowadays on one side they release poorly-executioned things like that mobile crane (where the 8460 was much better equipped, and that 25 years ago), on the other side expensive sets that are full remote controlled. I used to own 8275, and while RC is fun to play with, it adds nothing in terms of technic engineering, only motors and thus a higher price tag. That bulldozer is less of a feat in engineering than the top sets of the 90s. And features are only nice when they're executed right. The Volvo loader was a poor execution, with a servo motor for articulated steering? Poor choice. In 1997 there was something like 8459, a front loader with the right dimensions, pneumatics to simulate hydraulics, and in my eyes the best loader released so far. The Mack Anthem has a flimsy trailer, where the bending causes the rear axle to lift up. And this model just asks for a motor, but it isn't included, not even prepared to use the motor set like some other sets are. The Powered Up app seems nice, but what happens if (when) TLG decides not to support the software anymore? Besides, that Volvo dumper has poor dimensions, and going by the reviews and pictures no suspension and very flimsy attachment of the tractor-"trailer", in only one direction as opposed to real haulers (Designer Han did a much better job at that 9 years ago).
90s technic sets were so epic
The golden age for lego technic is 1990's all the technic set there was so good. And speciel all the model whit 9v motor.
I love the 70'-80's set too. I have alot of them. Really cool Looking. Compared to todays set.
I would've broken the eras up differently. Studded vs. studless build is a clear break in set building experience.
82042! One Motor, in one direction for all the functions. everything is powered by Transmissions, gearboxes etc. This is technic
Absolut true. Every dumbass can power every motion with a single motor. But use a gearbox with one motor for all functions is true technic.
yes! But 8043 is much better! 4 motors controlling 6 different functions! everything is also powered by mechanisms and gearboxes! that set is true technic, as well as the 42114 6x6 volvo articulated hauler
@@Unbrickme thank you for the reminder🙈 now i try to rebrick the 8043 today. But yes indeed this is a glorious set.
I personally think that C+ system was just released and it just didn’t opened its potential which is more than PF’s potential. Because C+ has a smart box that can actually be programmed with infinity of different functions. Especially if LEGO will make for this system more than just motors(for example lights, audio system etc.). Basically it’s like mindstorms but you can’t program it with your own. But now as i know people making an apps for customizing C+ system so it will show itself like in next 3-5 years i suppose. And 42114 is already had a good performance only after a year of releasing a C+. I think LEGO have a ton of cool concepts for C+ sets and we just need to wait
Yeah but the thing is C+ is not mindstorms. It’s merely a Bluetooth controller. You can do a program on your phone and it will constantly just send signals back and forth to your C+ Hub, since the C+ hub doesn’t have any internal memory. I do completely agree that the real possibilities of the C+ system are still yet to come
I'm just coming round to technic and I have missed some really good sets I like just trying different things with all the pieces
I think you miss the 8868 set, which I believe is one of the best sets and makes the 9V era my personal preference!
definitely! the air tech claw rig is legendary and I shouldve included it here
8868 air tech claw and 8480 shuttle were actually the best 9 volt era sets. 8880is awesome but not as good as the two I spoke of.
the shuttle is legendary!!!
God, nostalgia overload... I got the bulldozer on Xmas when I was in primary school... It was ORGASMIC
That’s awesome! I have tons of nostalgia for the bulldozer too!
My fave of the 9v era was the powered claw rig/truck. Powered phumatics, with four circuits! It was the most challenging to build with all the pnumatic pipework! Was my fave as a kid!
Very cool! I really want to eventually get my hands on the air tech claw rig
@@Unbrickme Yeh, I love it. It’s all in bits in its original box currently and I’m itching to get it built again!
It had been in my parents attic for years and I wet a fetched it a few months back, along with all my other old Lego kits (including the car chassis and the pneumatic digger in your vid, plus the 4x4x4 Supercar)
I think every period had its own peaks and perks. Sure thing I was dismayed with the new electric system at first. While PF is stackable and versatile especially when boosted with SBrick or BWizz, PU electrics seemed clumsy and limited (set aside more expensive). But Powered Up application opens the whole new dimension of using PU hubs, motors and sensors by means of rather intricate programming! I've put quite an effort to dig deep into it followed by 11 tutorial videos by now and I can tell that it's really more than meets an eye. There is a number of awesome features: thousands of variables and arrays of them at your disposal, IR command of PF electrics, indirect addressing of anything in conjunction with flexible programming. It just takes some time to learn it. Well, yes, it lacks Scratch or Python but Boost-style horizontal block language has its charm. Developers add new cool stuff with every update and support of latest electrics. PU hubs ("Boost", 2port "PU", 4port "C+") now work fine with Spike angular motors. I can't wait for them to recognize new Spike sensors (distance, color and pressure).
PS. Prompt tech guys have already announced PU-PF adapters. Old and new will be able to work together.
The new system does have lots of cool possibilities. But it's certainly not mindstorms. The thing is, during the power functions era, we always had access to much more advanced and sophisticated programming systems, like the mindstorms NXT. I just wish that you could at least store programs on the powered up hubs. They're more like bluetooth controllers, and your mobile device does all the processing. This causes latency issues and complex code like PID controllers simply doesn't work because the mobile device ends up overheating due to constantly sensing back and forth bluetooth data between mobile device and hub. I guess the new system is not mindstorms, and its merely power functions with bluetooth and rotation sensor feedback
@@Unbrickme Sure thing! Lego found a cheap way to make a bunch of "smart" devices by merely connecting them to a phone or a pad. Then after a long while Lego introduced Spike hub as Mindstorms 2013 replacement. A weaker, younger kids oriented replacement. But it has a strong potential: the whole PU system is almost all-around compatible. It develops with time, which Mindstorms 2013 lacked the most. Beside releasing new motors and sensors Lego should keep firmware and software up-to-date to fill gaps between old and new components. And I really hope that Lego bears an ultimate plan to make Spike the center of the whole system. An independent unit commanding a bunch of PU hubs instead of a pad is nothing less of terrific! :)
from 1990 - 2018 in my feel since i have one of the best technik sets i ever owned is from the 9 volt era. 8862 and i chosen to build the Combine Tractor. ant it is avesome. now i just need to figure out fow to make a compressor.
Also 8862 is the last set to incorporate the classic lego technic wheels. End of an era !
My favorite is the 4x4 crawler, and it was my first big Lego set. I was 9 when I built it so I am still really proud of it
which one?
@@Unbrickme I guess the 9398 set
I feel like a LEGO Ideas Set Designer should design a LEGO Technic set that utilizes LEGO System pieces because it would feel nostalgic to kids and adults who grew up building with LEGO Technic sets that utilized System pieces, or make kids and adults who didn't grow up building LEGO Technic sets that utilized System pieces (Like me) to feel like they are living in the Beginning Era of LEGO Technic and that it's 1977 when LEGO Technic was introduced
To me, in the future, the Bucket Wheel will become one of the biggest legends of the theme.
Litteraly it is a MONSTER, but it was also so different from anything they did before, (and after.)
I can't believe it's four years old already
definitely! I actually remember going to the lego store and buying the bucketwheel excavator like it was yesterday
Definitely pre studeless era and some hybrid sets like 8466. For me those studeless poor things have no soul and look more like plastic model kit, not like actual Lego sets.
8466 set is so awesome!!! I do kind of agree! I look back at some of the older pre studless sets, and I sometimes wish lego technic brought that style back, because that particular style perfectly combined the complexity of technic as well as the intricate building techniques of lego system
Perhaps I am biased becuase of my age (middle 40s now) but in my opinion the golden age of LEGO Technic is from middle 80s to 90s. The creations right then were outstanding. Yes, a bit crude, but I always looked in awe at the 8865 car model. Of course I was 14 years old back then, so nostalgia may be driving my opinion as well...
Power functions cables are so weak.
They can break from some bendings 😣
the 9v cables were even weaker, and the powered up cables are slightly stronger than PF cables but are still incredibly weak. The strongest lego cables are the LEGO Mindstorms NXT cables
The 9v era instroduced a whole lot of things however none of the things went widespread aside from the PF era where a lot of lego sets went more motorized or have a gearbox for that sole purpose.
A thing to note is the 9v era had also those universal building sets where you could have a whole 6 - 9 model sets and some of them were huge too.
Most 9v era sets were about put a motor in a car and then you could remotely with a wire control that car. Or you had the programmable stuff which very few sets were about.
One thing that was cool though was the programmable truck which despite havong only one motor, had gearboxes and a touch sensor.
It was revolutionary but was way too unique as well, just like many 9V sets. And my main complaint about the 9v era was this: too many sets were too unique.
Very few had integrated motors, programmable stuff were only for very expensive sets, and there are things that have completly disappeared from lego too.
No more flex system, programmable hubs, fiber optics, airtanks and sensors who were introduced there. Also the 9v era had the introduction of lego sets with softwares.
Softwares had games and building instructions however it's quite a challenge to make that run on modern hardware.
However I think the PF era could have been expanded a lot more like bringing back some of the older features from the 9v era while expanding further.
For example having LEDs who works only in a way or an other.
I would have loved the following.
A set of lets where you can choose if they have a left or right control with a switch or the main box and with two sorts of blinks also leds with different configurations
Small and tiny motors
tiny hub mortors and battery boxes.
A solenoid with the possibility to make it go back into a wanted rest position
Planetary and cicloid gears.
A remake of the flex system with also a rotating cable
Soft springs
A remake of the bar code programmable system with the combination of the control pannel system
The return of the air tanks
Gears that can slide on technic bars, just like the current worm gear so it opens certain possibilities here.
Ratcheting freewheels
Wheel and track hubs with internal gears and removable hubs
Multi stage and two sided pneumatic and linear actuators
Toothed belts to use with gears which can double as tracks.
Etc....
loved my 8043 and my alltime favourite the Unimog
My favorite technic set I own, which I consider one of the best ever also is Mercedes Benz Arocs. Thanks for the video!
Good choice! thats an epic technic set
I think if you are looking for the golden age, you also need to try to define the dark ages. I think from 1998, no because of studless but they went from having this wide range of sets to all very simple and boring things aimed at a much younger audience. Lacking features and display qualities. This was also when Lego almost went bankrupt.. of course they dig themselves out of that. I’d also put a split in the mid 80s how they looked and features changed quite a bit.
For me, it was 2012-2019. There were my favorite sets, but I never got all of them. I still want them.
You also should have mentioned 42056, as it was the first ever 1:8 exclusive supercar.
Starting at 2017 lego technic sets are no longer interesting. But at 2019, 2021 and 2022 are better a bit. 2019 we have liebherr excavator, 2021 cat d11 bulldozer and 2022 airbus rescue helicopter.
The years you have defined as the golden age of LEGO Technic are literally the exact set of years that I stepped away from LEGO. Lost interest in new sets after 2006 in favor of building RC airplanes. Came back in 2018 and got hooked on LEGO again. So I exactly missed all of the "golden years" lol!
aw man, I think you should totally try getting some sets from the golden age I defined on bricklink
@@Unbrickme Yeah. I have a list of quite a few sets I missed that I'd like to get off Bricklink eventually.
every story of when and how are incomplete , in my view it all started with samsonite gears and building blocks that came with holes . the lego design team in denmark quickly responded with the famous unbrakeble red,blue and yellow gears because the samsonite gears were pretty uncompatible with lego system . with lego's own gear programme a slow proces started when lego bought Philiform , a construction toy that we now know as liftbeams. The obvious was not to make liftbeams but to re-invent lego with studs and holes , and smaller type of gears . slowly lego developed a new branch called "technic" and if in the beginning the only motor was the trainmotor for lego almost copied philiform adaptors to drive the gears. now lego struggled to get a electric motor line up in 4,5 volt and 9 volts . all direct drive in contrary with the trainmotor that was geared. for many years lego struggled with its electrics and during the struggle trains got all the new designs. there was to make it easy a set of reduction boxes to gear down the direct 4,5 motor series. and than finally lego came with geared 9 volt motors. followed by power functions . this was miles ahead from the first 2x4 brick with holes. it's a pity lego never worked as a team to share more parts with other branches in the same boomtime of family. so we have a 100000 parts that could be great winners for every direction in the group but who only serve one purpose now. And there development went crazy and it stalled . so up to power functions it was okay .... after it went wild....
I acually have the 8421 crane wich my mither found i a scrapyard, unfortunaly striped of al the electronics
thats a cool find, maybe you can try to get the electronics on bricklink
@@Unbrickme yeah il probually do that some day
I think models with old blocks were more fun for kids to play with. It's easier to build something without instructions. For example, a hotel for figurines;] The new sets only look good from the instructions in glass cabinet.
I really wish they made PF to PU adapters.
They should continue to make and sell PF based set. They are more simple solution to RC vehicles.
For me playmobil figures fit perfectly in a lot of the smaller scale technic sets.
Perhaps I should buy some of those figures! Thanks for the advice
I own two technic sets 8855 and 42122
for me the golden age was the throughout 80s when 8859 blue tractor (1981), 8849, yellow tractor (1986) and 8865, red test car (1988) came out. But I was in my teens - a prime Lego Technic age for a boy.
- a few years ago my next Lego period started - I really like it, but it cannot beat the 80s - at least for me. What I miss a bit is that pure Technic doesn't mix with normal Lego (City) as well as it used to do.
I actually have a 8042 excavator. I saw the prices and omg that thing is expensive. Not selling it btw
Late to the party, 10 months on... but (showing my age), the 9v era wins for me. The Control Center was awesome and still, to this day, works with my kids now using it in their own creations. They get on with it better than any of the "modern" controllers because it was just big and simple... but you could program it and everything you needed came in the box. To get similar now you need a phone/tablet and all the tactile feedback of being able to play with buttons is gone.
Oh.. and the pen that came with the control center? Was from the era that had closed, air-tight lids (so considered a choking hazard these days...). That's a change for the better given small children like to put random stuff into their mouth but my 30+ year old Technic pen STILL works to this day (to my amazement I might add) because I only ever used it when I built it into a model and the lid prevents it from drying out :D
8868 was a work of art. Yes, linear actuators allow for finer control but Pneumatics taught the kids about the power of air and compression. Similar for flex cables. They were all different systems that taught different mechanical principles.
The lack of any B models more recently and the dumb-ing down of the instructions just makes each set... well.. boring. I got myself the Liebherr Excavator last year. Lots of tech... but... meh. 1000 steps of instructions that would have been compressed into 600 or so from the 9v era. Just compare the instructions from the 90s (lots of parts listed and a diagram to show where they all went) vs now (take one part, place it here, take another, place it there...). It's gone from discovery and figuring it out for yourself to just placing bits one by one. For me, that isn't Technic.
I remember having the technic " go=cart", and the technic " jeep" way back in the 80s. I recently started playing with Lego again, and I am having a great time! We don't get the great sets that you can find in larger cities, also I can't afford them either, but I'm not going to let that keep me from fun. I am a very talented artist, and I plan to build the " Corvette" from the movie " Corvette Summer". My plan is to heat, and shape grey base plates into the shapes that I want. I took " plastics" for three years, and was definitely at the top of the class. When things go my way, I'm also going to build the black " Firebird" from that same movie, and also the " Van". I look forward to many more insights into Lego from your channel, thank you for all your efforts. With respect, Wes Sept
damn I missed soooo much I can't do any of those things because all my lego power functions motors dont work. ;(
Older sets were less money because they had 1/2 or 1/3 the piece count. Per piece, the price has gone down. The 8880 super car only had like 1343, while the Porsche 911 GTR has 2x that at ~2700, and the Lambo has almost 3x the amount at ~3700.