Transformers Binal Tech Series

Transformers Series

Takara Binaltech BT-04 Hound Cybertron Scout as Jeep Wrangler (3/25/2004)

Transformers Binaltech

Transformers Binaltech

BT01 Smokescreen as Subaru Impreza WRC 2003 (8/03)

#7 Solberg / Mills

#8 Makinen / Lindstorm

BT02 Lambor (Sideswipe) as Dodge Viper SRT-10 (12/03)

BT03 Streak as Subaru Impreza WRX (3/04)

BT04 Hound as Jeep Wrangler (03/04)

BT05 Dead End as Dodge Viper Competition Coupe (07/04)

BT-06 Tracks as 2004 Chevy Corvette Z06 (08/04)

BT-06B Tracks 2004 as Blue Chevy Corvette Z06 (11/04)

BT-07 Smokescreen GT as Subaru Impreza WRC 2004 (09/04)

#1 Solberg / Mills

#2 Hernoven / Lehtinen

BT-08 Meister as Mazda RX8 (9/04)

BT-08 Meister as VRM Edition Mazda RX8 (9/04)

Masterpiece Edition

MP01 Convoy (Optimus Prime) Semi-truck Cab (12/03)

Package

Binaltech Hound came in the same scale die-cast car style packaging as the previous Binaltech releases. The box insert also double as display stand for the car.

Binaltech Story

In the year 2003, the Autobots are slowly being destroyed by a powerful corrosive rust set upon them by the evil Decepticons. With Megatron and his troops advancing and the humans increasingly in danger, a final, desperate project is put into action - human created Transformers. Thus, the newest Transformers are born via a new technology: Binaltech!

Binaltech Instruction Booklet

Binaltech toy came with full color booklet that detailed the features of the toy and instruction on how to transform the vehicle into robot mode. The transformation process can be a bit tricky at first but became very easy after a few attempts (though not recommend for younger children as the toy was obviously aimed at older adult collectors). The transformation process for Hound was little easier than Smokescreen.

Alternate Version

Hasbro released a cheaper cost alternative to Takara Binaltech die-cast version as Transformers Alternators. The Alternators had the die-cast body parts replaced with molded color plastic parts. The toy was identical to the Binaltech version but without the heavy feel of die-cast and the sheen of painted die-cast body. In fact the two versions looked identical from a distance, however, the difference became quite appearance when one pick up the two toys. (Think of Alternators as plastic scale model-kit car version and the Binaltech as scale model die-cast car version). Alternator came in a slightly larger box than the Binaltech packaging but the box was very plain looking without any die-cut windows. The instruction was also just a plain mono-color sheet like other US Transformers toys, unlike Takara version that came with full color booklet and a bio-card (found in most Takara Transformers toys) However the toy was perfect for those on tight budget who can not afford the much higher price Binaltech version but want to own these amazing toy engineering pieces.

Takara released BT-04 in March of 2004 as the fourth figure in the Binal-Tech series. (It was released together with BT-03 Streak.) Like previous toy in the series, BT-04 featured another old G-1 favorite Autobot character - Hound. In vehicle mode, Hound disguised as realistic looking dark forest green Jeep Wrangler. In this mode the toy looked very good and almost passable as 1/24 scale die-cast model of Jeep Wrangler. The car had working suspensions, real rubber tires, open-able hood and doors complete with details interior. Again Takara included the many of the small details like Jeep logo which help made the vehicle seem very realistic with the break points for transformation carefully placed so not to interfere with the vehicle look. Hound had good amount of die-cast content, much more than Lambor (Sideswipe), with almost the entire vehicle was done with die-cast parts and this was reflected on how heavy the toy was. Even the roll-bars were done with die-cast part and had very nice matt paint finished. The interior was nicely done and it was a surprise how well the vehicle mode look.

In robot mode, the car transformed into Cybertron Hound, one of the original characters from the first generation Transformers. The Binaltech Hound retained many of the elements from the original Generation One toy such as the head design, his trademark green color, and he even got his own original vehicle mode which was also a Jeep. (G1 Hound was a green army Jeep). Takara kept many of the G1 signature design such as the two hanging wheels to his side, the windshield that hung off his back and the hood that formed his chest section. The head design kept most of his G1 look (based on the animation design), only one minor gripe was the head had nothing to rest on and just sort of float over the empty hole. Takara added a nice touch by adding small reversible panel that when flip over had Autobot symbol on it. This clever gimmick allowed his Autobot symbol to be showing but while in vehicle mode it would stay hidden. The feet section was formed from the rear section of the Jeep. The leg designs was probably the weakest part of robot mode as they appeared very slim looking (unlike his G1 form) compare to the rest of the body. The feet transformation were a bit complicated and take a bit of getting used to but became easy after couple of tries. The feet design was a little different and the look might take some getting used to. However, Takara had added a very nice gimmick to the feet section, instead of the usual ball joints type, the feet were mounted on plastic gear and this allowed the feet to be adjust to various angle which in turn allowed for good pose-ability and at the same time a nice and tight secure locking positions.

Unlike the previous Binaltech, Hound weapon was not transformed from the vehicle engine block instead the weapon was hidden inside the spare tire. Again, Takara design a very nice gimmick and the compartment open up to reveal small pistol. The weapon was small when compare to his G1 counterpart version but it suit his role as a Cybertron scout. The gun was molded in light gray plastic. The gun design was pretty basic laser pistol with sighting scope on top. Since Hound had very good amount of die-cast parts he can be a bit top heavy in robot mode due to the small legs and feet design and majority of the interior section hanging off the back of the robot mode. The figure still stand very nice without any aid and can pose pretty well in various stances. The die-cast really gave both the robot and vehicle mode nice solid feel not to mention shiny metallic look that can not be achieve with plastics.

BT-04 Hound was yet again another impressive offering from Takara for the new Binal-Tech line. Hound incorporate many new designs elements not seen in the previous two Binaltech toys which can only mean more of exciting things to come for this great collector oriented Transformers series. Hound had some minor flaw, his design was not quite as solid as Smokescreen and Streak but was much better than Lambor Dodge Viper.