The third set of this new wave of LEGO Technic 2018 boxes, the reference 42080 Forest Machine (1003 pieces - 144.99 €), features a forest machine. Why not, there is something for everyone.

On the look side, it's almost that. The vehicle looks like different models of gear that you have probably seen on RMC Découverte or Discovery Channel if you are a fan of these documentaries featuring the adventures of different families of operators. The only problem with the LEGO version is that the mechanism which is placed at the end of the arm is still very close to the cockpit and the axis of the mechanical arm cannot be dissociated from that of the cabin.

In real life, it seems to me that the arm in question extends several meters and that the cutting operations are done at a good distance from the operator. But hey, I've never been to check on the spot, I usually just watch the adventures of lumberjacks who almost get run over by a tree trunk or who spend an entire episode repairing a broken machine ...

The rear part of the vehicle accommodates the battery box Power Functions which supplies the pneumatic compressor starting system with the supplied L motor. The vibrations and the noise which result from the operation of the unit gives a small realistic side to the machine, as if its engine was really running at the back. Intentional or not, this detail helps give this forestry machine an almost realistic feel.

Too bad that LEGO only provides the now "old version" of the elements Power Functions in this box, officially replaced recently by those of the ecosystem Powered Up. The manufacturer has just clarified that it has no plans to ensure backward compatibility between the two systems. Fans or a third-party manufacturer will probably take care of this in the near future with DIY or mass production of adapters and converters.

On the assembly side, if you've never assembled a set that uses the different pneumatic elements in LEGO style, this might be the opportunity to give it a go. The set is assembled quickly and the pneumatic circuit connections identified by different colors can be used to explain the principle to a young fan. It's didactic and you can take advantage of the result quickly without losing the attention of the youngest people who are a little tired of threading pins all over the page.

Do not be fooled that this vehicle is equipped with accessories Power Functions to deduce that you will be able to make him carry out many actions. The only functions provided are the movement of the arm and the opening / closing of the cutting block jaws. The saw is not managed by the mechanism, it is fixed on a floating axis which moves it according to gravity, that's all. The jaw rollers also do not rotate and the cutting block must be manually tilted to allow it to try to grab a tree trunk.

More annoying on this set: if the two cylinders of the pneumatic system manage to raise (slowly) and lower (quickly, thanks to gravity) the arm of the machine, it is more complicated with regard to the cutting mechanism . I have put a little video for you below which sums up the situation quite well: if the mechanism is horizontal or oriented downwards, it actually opens and closes without too many problems.

It is not so obvious when it is facing upwards. The pneumatic element placed in the heart of the block then has difficulty in closing the two jaws. I checked and rechecked my assembly, checked that no pipe was pinched or badly plugged in, nothing helped. A simple pressure of the hand is enough, however, to allow the two jaws to close. I've seen at least one review where the tester seemed to be facing the same issue, without mentioning it.

For the rest, the suspension of this machine which evolves in principle on relatively uneven ground is really very very flexible, probably a little too much. LEGO will undoubtedly have wanted to emphasize this detail. Why not because in any case you will not play for hours on end picking up tree trunks on the living room table.

In the end, I am a little disappointed with this set. The presence of the Logo Power Functions on the packaging had given me hope for a little more interaction with, for example, an automated cabin rotation. It is always with a certain naivety that I approach sets that highlight the logo Power Functions basically on the box, we do not remake.

Aesthetically, it is quite successful with a realistic assortment of colors and access to the Battery Box well thought out to allow for the inevitable battery changes. I would have rather seen the arm in black, but the tastes and the colors not discussing, everyone will have an opinion on the subject ...

Instructions for the alternative model, a log loader, are not included in the box. They must be downloaded at this address in PDF format :

Once again, I felt that the energy and attention expended to arrive at the end result was not necessarily rewarded by the possibilities offered by this forestry machine. Fans of the LEGO Technic universe will undoubtedly find what they are looking for with the many pneumatic elements delivered in this set. For others, it is difficult to recommend that they spend € 144.99 on this forestry machine with a little soft suspension and limited functionality. At less than 100 €, we can discuss.

Note: The set shown here is put into play as usual. To participate in the raffle, simply post a comment on this article before August 20 at 23:59 p.m.. You have every right to disagree with me, this is not eliminatory.

Update : The winner was drawn and was notified by email, his nickname is indicated below. Without a response from him to my request for contact details within 5 days, a new winner will be drawn.

Among the four new LEGO Technic sets available since August 1, the cheapest box, the set LEGO Technic 42079 Heavy Duty Forklift (592 pieces - 54.99 €), stages as its name suggests a forklift truck of nearly 600 pieces.

On the functionality side, nothing very exciting, after all this is a forklift. The rear wheels can be oriented by manipulating the muffler placed at the rear, the engine pistons move when the truck moves via a differential connected to the front wheels, the mast tilts via the levers placed at the foot of the cab of the driver and forks go up by milling (very) patiently via the wheel disguised as a rotating light placed on the roof of the cabin.

Assembled in less than an hour, this machine is basically a forklift truck designed to lift heavy loads with its large wheels and imposing frame. Aesthetically, nothing to say, it's successful with a nice fairing and a combination of colors that works quite well. Unfortunately, the limited degree of axis of rotation of the rear wheels prevents it from turning around in limited space and the forks lifting system only takes them up to the level of the cab roof.

This forklift is covered with stickers of all kinds, but here LEGO forgot to put two which would have been very useful both for the look and the functionalities: A sticker to indicate the direction of rotation of the flashing light which is used to make raise and lower the mast of the machine and another at the level of the side levers which allow the fork to tilt forward. I never thought I could complain one day that a box was missing stickers. It is done.

To have fun with the machine, LEGO provides a pallet and a container of toxic products. It's lean, a few extra crates or cans would have been welcome, just to fill the large pallet provided a little and confirm the side "Heavy Duty"of this forklift.

The small 2-cylinder engine visible at the back will allow anyone new to the Technic universe to understand how LEGO interprets this type of engine with its moving pistons via a relatively basic assembly. There are similar modules on many more complex sets and this simplified version is an interesting first approach.

The real good news: LEGO provides the secondary model instructions in hard copy in the box. That's always it taken:

If you have a driver friend, you can offer him this box, he can proudly have this forklift on his desk. If you want to introduce a young LEGO fan to the LEGO Technic range or test their interest in it, this set offers a relatively affordable first approach, provided you wait for the price of this box to drop significantly in the coming weeks. . Otherwise, you can skip this box which has nothing very exciting to offer. Next.

Note: The set shown here is put into play as usual. To participate in the raffle, simply post a comment on this article before August 15 at 23:59 p.m.. You have every right to disagree with me, this is not eliminatory.

Update : The winner was drawn and was notified by email, his nickname is indicated below. Without a response from him to my request for contact details within 5 days, a new winner will be drawn.

Do you have to be an unconditional fan of the LEGO Technic range to be interested from time to time in the new products marketed under this label? No, and that's good.

LEGO having offered me (like many others) to test the four new products which are marketed from August 1st, I will therefore offer you some "Review "on these boxes.

We start with the product that excites me the most among these new sets, the reference 42081 Volvo Concept Wheel Loader ZEUX (1167 pieces - 129.99 €).

And it is a public works machine. You will tell yourself that I contradict myself a bit, I who often repeat that backhoe loaders and other loaders leave me unmoved. But beyond the hundreds of pins to fit in this set and the endless turns of the crank needed to operate the few moving parts of the machine, there is something more interesting.

If you don't like the LEGO Technic line, don't go just yet. I am not going to give you a Prévert-style inventory here of each gear or cylinder provided in this box or of the number of crank turns necessary to reassemble the machine's bucket. Others will do it better than me ...

What interests me here are not the on-board features that consist of raising or lowering the arm and the shovel, moving the rear block or turning the wheels of this futuristic machine. The real interest of the set lies in what precisely does not work and is only theoretical. Indeed, the Volvo ZEUX does not exist. This is a concept developed in 2016 by LEGO in partnership with Volvo to try to imagine what the machines of the future could be.

We are talking about a concept of a fully autonomous loader, equipped with a camera, nicknamed The Eye, capable of allowing it to detect a human presence around the site, a drone which supervises its operation and movements and a block of four electric motors housed in the mobile counterweight placed at the rear. The wheels are also equipped with sensors that tell the machine when and how to move this counterweight so that the machine is rock-solid.

You know, I'm not a big fan of the sets in the LEGO Technic range, I find the ratio of construction effort to the features offered often disappointing. The long hours spent patiently assembling the set while remaining attentive to the sometimes a little confusing instructions are in my eyes only rarely rewarded by the amazement hoped to see the different functions at work. Here, we mill, again and again, by turning the various gears that serve as a wheel.

But this Volvo ZEUX finds favor in my eyes because in my opinion it embodies what LEGO should be heading towards: offering a part of the dream to fans by offering creations that provoke an effort of the imagination apart from the few on-board functions, sometimes anecdotal. Let set 42081 Volvo Concept Wheel Loader ZEUX fulfills this role perfectly.

If you like sets from the Technic range, you know what to expect when it comes to assembly. The challenge is there, with a large booklet of more than 250 pages, a few well-bodied stages during which vigilance is required and a beautiful sheet of thirty stickers to stick to dress this conceptual device.

As a bonus, the set allows you to assemble a second vehicle also out of the imagination of Volvo engineers and LEGO designers: the PEGAX articulated hauler. Unfortunately, the manufacturer does not provide a hard copy instruction booklet to assemble this very successful alternative model, you need to download them. on the dedicated space in PDF format. Oops, they are not yet online as of this writing. Too bad, we'll have to wait. Update August 2, 2018: Instructions are now online.

In terms of what I would have liked to get in this box, you can imagine that I would have really appreciated being able to control this set from my smartphone or from a small remote control ... I am obviously not talking about taking off the mini -drone provided, but at least to move this loader back and forth and allow it to fill its bucket remotely. Thus, the concept would have come to life before my astonished eyes.

It may be for later when a smart MOCeur and generous enough to share its know-how has successfully integrated the Bluetooth hub and the two engines of the new ecosystem. Powered Up at the heart of the machine.

In the meantime, I say yes for the construction challenge and for the good idea of ​​the conceptual and futuristic machine which will perhaps evolve on the sites of tomorrow. This set also deserves to be offered to young fans of LEGO and technology, they will find both something to put their fan skills to the test and something to dream a little.

Note: The set shown here is put into play as usual. To participate in the raffle, simply post a comment on this article before August 10 at 23:59 p.m.. You have every right to disagree with me, this is not eliminatory.

Update : The winner was drawn and was notified by email, his nickname is indicated below. Without a response from him to my request for contact details within 5 days, a new winner will be drawn.

Today we are interested in the set 76112 App-Controlled Batmobile (321 pieces - 99.99 €) which will be available from August 1st and which promises to be able to take control of the supplied motorized Batmobile.

As much to evacuate immediately the annoying question: This Batmobile does not look like anything existing in the DC Comics universe. If the minifigure (exclusive to this set) is well inspired by the Arkham Knight video game, the vehicle is clearly not. It looks more like an armored military device. Moders can also easily appropriate the chassis of the thing and do what they want, maybe a real Batmobile ...

LEGO apparently decided to offer a motorized contraption and then tried to dress up the chassis, the four big wheels and the hub. Powered Up integrated to turn the thing into a Batmobile. The result is in my opinion very disappointing from a purely aesthetic point of view. I looked around a bit but couldn't find a Batmobile that even vaguely resembles this contraption. It is also not a reproduction in the format Chibi of something existing in the universe of the vigilante of Gotham City.

If you look on the bright side, the compactness of the vehicle makes it relatively solid and therefore more suitable for its end use. I obviously would have preferred to get a Batmobile like the one seen in the Arkham Knight video game, bigger, more detailed, more slender, etc ...

To move, this Batmobile uses two motors Powered Up. Each motor controls two wheels placed on the same side, as is already the case with the tracked vehicle from the LEGO Technic set 42065 RC Tracked Racer. Nothing very complicated, the assembly of the 300 parts is also completed in a few minutes.

The Powered Up hub is slipped into the belly of the vehicle, it can be removed in seconds to change the batteries and it is topped with a pad-printed on / off button. Note that there is no sticker in this set.

The two motors are connected to the Bluetooth hub by their respective cables which must be concealed in the body of the vehicle by folding them and sliding them into the spaces provided. The integration of the cables is a little rough and it will be necessary to ensure that nothing protrudes at the risk of catching something during the phases of displacement. The valve which protects the cables at the rear of the vehicle is not clipped to the bodywork, be careful to fold it down before playing with your Batmobile.

To pilot the machine, you need a smartphone under iOS or Android and the application Powered Up already used for new LEGO CITY trains 60197 Passenger Train et 60198 Freight Train which has been updated recently to take control of this Batmobile.

LEGO has planned two different piloting interfaces for this Batmobile. The first (on a red background) allows you to precisely manage the speed of movement, to perform a full U-turn and to make a 270 ° turn accompanied by a wheelie. Some sound effects broadcast via the smartphone speaker accompany these different functions.

The diffusion of these sound elements via the speaker of the smartphone spoils the experience a little. It is the one who drives the Batmobile who benefits the most and it will be difficult to surprise someone sitting a few meters away with this machine ...

The interface on a blue background allows its side to perform a rotation on the spot, a wheeling and a reverse gear accompanied by some sound effects.

The Bluetooth connection is carried out quickly, I did not notice any particular problem on this subject except that the smartphone and the vehicle must be synchronized again between each change of control interface.

You can also control the Batmobile using the remote control supplied with the two LEGO CITY trains but you will lose the possibility to use the few effects specific to this set and to gradually reduce or increase the speed of rotation of the two motors . These will then only operate at full power.

We quickly get into the game, it's easy to handle and really fun, even for a slightly jaded adult like me ... I suppose that the youngest will really enjoy it and the Batmobile, which weighs 520 grams including batteries, is moves rather quickly. We do not feel here the frustration of seeing the vehicle moving too slowly which would spoil the experience. Well done for that.

A small reminder to the attention of all those who would consider offering this box, LEGO does not provide the six AAA batteries necessary for the operation of the hub which manages the two motors. You can obviously use rechargeable batteries.

As I said above, the minifig delivered is (for the moment) exclusive to this box. The Batman costume is the one seen in the Arkham Knight video game with a black torso and legs in Pearl Dark Gray. The mask is also in Pearl Dark Gray ( Titanium Metallic) as in the set 76044 Clash of the Heroes marketed in 2016. The transparent support below is not provided.

This minifigure can of course be placed in the cockpit of the vehicle, but I'm not sure many of us will take the risk of losing an exclusive minifigure in the garden, especially since the canopy only holds a few studs and has no no hinges that would keep it in place more securely ...

Sold € 99.99 without batteries or controller, this 300-piece "Batmobile" is a bit expensive for my taste. For those who are wondering, the application Powered Up is obviously downloadable for free on the App Store or the Google Play Store. But it is imperative to have a smartphone to have fun right out of the box and LEGO could have provided the basic controller delivered in the LEGO CITY sets 60197 and 60198 to allow immediate use, even limited.

The presence of an exclusive minifigure in the box will convince the parents of collectors to invest a hundred euros in this set. The Batmobile for the youngest, the minifigure for mom or dad. It is well seen.

The chassis provided will be a good starting point for those who wish to transform this somewhat shapeless machine and achieve something more stylish. With a little imagination, the possibilities are endless.

The LEGO DC Comics set 76112 App-Controlled Batmobile (321 pieces - € 99.99) will be available from August 1st on the LEGO Shop and in the LEGO Stores.

Note: The set shown here, supplied by LEGO, is included in the game. To participate in the raffle, simply post a comment on this article before August 7 at 23:59 p.m.. You have every right to disagree with me, this is not eliminatory.

Update : The winner was drawn and was notified by email, his nickname is indicated below. Without a response from him to my request for contact details within 5 days, a new winner will be drawn.

LEGO and cars is quite a story. And it is a sometimes turbulent story.

Reproducing an exceptional vehicle while retaining what precisely allows it to be exceptional is always a risky bet. And a pretty box is not enough to pass the pill, the LEGO Technic set 42083 Bugatti Chiron in my opinion has already demonstrated this brilliantly.

The Aston Martin DB5 is best known for being James Bond's car. And it is therefore the version used by the British spy, with its on-board gadgets, that LEGO is marketing this summer under the very explicit reference LEGO Creator Expert. 10262 James Bond Aston Martin DB5. This is what saves this set of 1295 pieces sold today for the modest sum of € 149.99 on the LEGO Shop, we will see later.

Fortunately, LEGO clearly indicates on the packaging what it is. This adaptation does not really pay homage to the original vehicle even if we find on the LEGO version some of the characteristic attributes of the DB5. However, the essential is missing: The curves of the machine which make it a vehicle of a crazy class and which precisely differentiate this elegant sports car from a lambda car coming out of a factory in Eastern Europe.

Again, I cannot be indulgent with LEGO. Getting into such a project requires being able to offer an aesthetically convincing interpretation, at a minimum. This is far from being the case here.

However, the box indicates that this is a product from the LEGO Creator EXPERT range intended for adult and teenage fans and which prides itself on being officially licensed by a brand whose logo proudly sits on it. 'packaging. Apart from collecting some royalties, what is the motivation of the Aston Martin brand for having authorized this derivative product?

I want to hear that it is not really a model, that it is only LEGO, that everyone has only to make their own DB5, that the MOCeurs will find something to improve the thing , blah blah ... Yes, but no. It's ugly. If you find me a little harsh, don't worry, you will find many "reviews" that will try to convince you that it was anyway difficult to do better and that from the right angle and with the right lighting this DB5 in LEGO version almost looks like the model it was inspired by.

This last statement is not, moreover, totally false. In profile, the vehicle is almost an illusion. This is the only angle from which we can find some real similarities between the LEGO model and the vehicle from which it is inspired. Otherwise, it is far too approximate to be convincing.

The only part that's really true to me is ... the engine. The designers are doing well, we find the characteristic elements of the six-cylinder 4.0 L that equips this vehicle. Fortunately, the front cover opens and we can at least admire this very successful sub-assembly.

The front of this Aston Martin in the LEGO version is particularly missed. The shape of the grille has absolutely nothing to do with that of the original model and if the present grilles are relatively faithful, there are two really unsightly holes on each side. The windshield is the final element to disqualify the LEGO version from an aesthetic point of view. The part is far from resembling the curvaceous windshield of the original vehicle.

I talk about it even if this detail is ultimately only a minor problem: The door hinges that protrude from the bodywork only help to move the LEGO model a little further from its objective. It is unsightly and not respectful of the reference model. Even the deuchinella of the set 10252 Volkswagen Beetle did not have this flaw.

In the radius of the other annoying details: The movable insert on the roof of the vehicle and which opens to allow the ejection seat to pass is indeed the same color as the other parts, but it is matt and decked out with a point of injection in its center. It's unsightly. The rest of the body is made from shiny parts which offer some welcome reflections and this matte part spoils the finish.

We also regret the many color differences between the different parts that make up the body. Sometimes it's subtle, but that's enough to spoil the overall appearance of the vehicle from some angles. We go from dark gray to light gray, with some pieces tending towards yellow as if they had aged prematurely.

As usual, the various logos of the brand are provided on stickers. We will eventually get used to it. The curve of the rear side windows and the windshield pillars are also stickers. Even with these stickers, we are still very far from achieving an acceptable level of aesthetic finish.

If the resemblance to the model seen in the cinema is more than doubtful, what is left of this set? As this is James Bond's car, it is marked on the box, LEGO has integrated some gadgets that the spy in the service of His Majesty is fond of. And these elements are quite successful.

There are indeed some good ideas in this box and the choice to reproduce the James Bond vehicle is a pretext which allows to offer some anecdotal but fun functions.

Don't get carried away by rotating license plates, you have to turn them by hand. Too bad, it is in my opinion the gadget that deserves the most attention in this set. A selector placed in the driving position to activate an integrated mechanism would have been welcome.

I would like to point out in passing that the instruction booklet is supplemented with a few illustrations showing the different functionalities that are integrated during the different assembly phases. It's fun and helps to break up the monotony of the blend. I also note that the accompanying texts are in both English and French. Well done for that.

Among the slightly more elaborate functions, we find the rear bulletproof screen which is raised by rotating one of the two exhaust pipes, the machine guns hidden behind the front headlights which are set up by operating the lever. gear and the ejection passenger seat activated by pulling the rear bumper.

You only have to pull very hard to open the roof and release the bumper to eject the passenger seat. The latter is obviously on the left in the passenger compartment, the Aston Martin being a right-hand drive vehicle.

More anecdotal, but they are all the same amusing references to the world of James Bond: the telephone hidden in the right door, the dial which allows to reveal the radar in the cockpit and the blades which come out of the wheels that it will be necessary to place manually.

Be careful, the LEGO model does not include a steering, the wheels are fixed and turning the steering wheel is useless. Too bad not being able to orient the front wheels at least with an angle of a few degrees, it looks better on a shelf.

This Aston Martin has some good ideas, but I expect from a set from the LEGO Creator Expert range that offers a reproduction of an existing vehicle a minimum of fidelity to the reference model. This is far from the case here, which disqualifies this box in my eyes, references to James Bond or not.

Too bad the designers have spent so much energy to integrate various rather interesting features into an aesthetically failed model. We have known for a long time that reproducing curves with bricks is complicated. There are challenges that must be met with a little more application than usual. It seems to me that this Aston Martin has not been given all the care necessary in its design. In short, it's sloppy.

If you unconditionally collect vehicles from the LEGO Creator Expert range, this box is likely to join your shelves. If you were hoping to get a gorgeous LEGO brick Aston Martin, in my opinion you can go your way. I say no.

The LEGO Creator Expert set 10262 James Bond Aston Martin DB5 is available today on the LEGO Shop and in the LEGO Stores at the retail price of 149.99 €.

Note: The set shown here is put into play as usual. To participate in the raffle, simply post a comment on this article before August 1 at 23:59 p.m.. You have every right to disagree with me, this is not eliminatory.

Update : The winner was drawn and was notified by email, his nickname is indicated below. Without a response from him to my request for contact details within 5 days, a new winner will be drawn.