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General => Report & Review => Topic started by: Martin Milner on September 04, 2010, 19:57:53

Title: 5913 Dragon Tower
Post by: Martin Milner on September 04, 2010, 19:57:53
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd97/Martin_Milner/5913%20Dragon%20Tower/035.jpg)

Set 5913 is currently available from TRU in the US for $29.99

(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd97/Martin_Milner/5913%20Dragon%20Tower/036.jpg)

It's essentially a cut-down version of the 4836 Dragon's Dungeon set, but at $45 less it's obviously aimed at the tighter American pocket.

The Wizard is missing from this set, leaving the other three denizens (two human and one dragon) unchanged.

(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd97/Martin_Milner/5913%20Dragon%20Tower/037.jpg)

There is at least some attempt at internal bracing in the box, to prevent scratches and other damage that so often occurs during shipping.

(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd97/Martin_Milner/5913%20Dragon%20Tower/040.jpg)

There is a large new baseplate piece that the tower clips to, supported by three separate and different rock formations connected by the usual white clips underneath the baseplate. With just the one layer of supporting rocks the completed tower stands slightly shorter than the 4836 Dungeon, but with the option to connect further rocks underneath.

(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd97/Martin_Milner/5913%20Dragon%20Tower/041.jpg)

The doorway is now open, a new moulding for this set I think. There is a nice dragonhead above the door.
 
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd97/Martin_Milner/5913%20Dragon%20Tower/042.jpg)

The assembled tower has the same rotating catapult on the top, with the same stickers to apply as in the 4836 set. The windowframes and torches are left out, but could easily be added via DS if they are ever in stock...

(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd97/Martin_Milner/5913%20Dragon%20Tower/DragonWorld002.jpg)

Surrounded by the other tower sets and a group of Dragons, the tower certainly fits neatly into the Dragonworld theme.



For $30 I don't think you can go far wrong with this set if you like the Dragonworld theme. It lacks the elaborate bases of the other towers, but substitutes an equally acceptable base which can easily be extended if desired. It is nice to have (at least) three opposing groups in a theme for the various alliances possible, and this tower provides that third faction with a base of operations.
Title: Re: 5913 Dragon Tower
Post by: Wolf Knight on September 04, 2010, 20:08:49
Wow  :o :o :o thats an interesting set Martin!! Thanks for the review!! Now I want one... Although it has the same parts as the other tower sets...
One question: Can a tower stand like that on such a rock formation? Meaning the rock is hollow...  :lol: :lol: :lol:
Title: Re: 5913 Dragon Tower
Post by: Justindo on September 04, 2010, 20:09:42
Thanks for the review, Martin! :)  The set seems like a good deal for $30.
Title: Re: 5913 Dragon Tower
Post by: playmo1989 on September 04, 2010, 21:48:29
Thanks for the review, Martin! :) 30$ wow  :o :o :o :o :o that's a great deal
Title: Re: 5913 Dragon Tower
Post by: Bolingbroke on September 04, 2010, 22:22:57
30 bucks is around 23 euro - considering that they have to haul whole containers of the stuff halfway across the world, PM is quite cheap in the USA, don't you think?
Title: Re: 5913 Dragon Tower
Post by: playmo1989 on September 04, 2010, 22:40:05
30 bucks is around 23 euro - considering that they have to haul whole containers of the stuff halfway across the world, PM is quite cheap in the USA, don't you think?



is it ?? i don't think so someone from us can tell us  ???
Title: Re: 5913 Dragon Tower
Post by: WarriorOfToys on September 04, 2010, 23:28:55
I don't remember this set! :o
But with it, I could do... :cloud9:
It really completes the series. :)
Thanks for showing us. :wave:
Title: Re: 5913 Dragon Tower
Post by: Martin Milner on September 05, 2010, 00:15:02
30 bucks is around 23 euro - considering that they have to haul whole containers of the stuff halfway across the world, PM is quite cheap in the USA, don't you think?

I think it's difficult to make that call based on a sample of one, which afaik isn't available outside North America.

It would certainly be interesting to build a database of comparative prices of various sets at original release, and see how they compare to an average exchange rate.
 
I know from my own travels and eventual move to the US that exchange rates can fluctuate wildly even within a couple of weeks, and that even a fraction of a cent can make a big difference if you're moving big money, but don't forget a lot of the costs relating to sales in the US are paid within the US, so this component of the final price does not translate into a loss of Euro-profit for Playmobil.

I would agree that this one set is very good value at $30  ;D
Title: Re: 5913 Dragon Tower
Post by: Elric on September 05, 2010, 02:56:13
Nice review. I bought two of these this week.
Title: Re: 5913 Dragon Tower
Post by: Bolingbroke on September 05, 2010, 12:55:54
I think it's difficult to make that call based on a sample of one, which afaik isn't available outside North America.

It would certainly be interesting to build a database of comparative prices of various sets at original release, and see how they compare to an average exchange rate.
 
I know from my own travels and eventual move to the US that exchange rates can fluctuate wildly even within a couple of weeks, and that even a fraction of a cent can make a big difference if you're moving big money, but don't forget a lot of the costs relating to sales in the US are paid within the US, so this component of the final price does not translate into a loss of Euro-profit for Playmobil.

I would agree that this one set is very good value at $30  ;D

My claim was based on two, actually  ;D

This one, and the blisters which seem to be much more expensive in Europe. Still, I think 23 euro is a very good price for something like this. If I remember correctly (I threw away the box last week), the Roman siege tower was selling for around 19 euro from Malta, so yeah.

In the Benelux countries, prices are quite steep, considering they practically border Germany. For eg, the Spanish rowboat from Malta is selling for around 11 euro, while it was selling for more than 15 euro (again, I can't remember the exact price) from Amsterdam airport last week.
Title: Re: 5913 Dragon Tower
Post by: Tiermann on September 05, 2010, 14:25:00
Martin - it looks like the dragon is the same as in 4836?
Title: Re: 5913 Dragon Tower
Post by: Gis on September 05, 2010, 14:44:00
Very nice review Martin. I looks like I have to get in contact with my US contacts *grin*
Title: Re: 5913 Dragon Tower
Post by: Martin Milner on September 05, 2010, 15:41:14
Martin - it looks like the dragon is the same as in 4836?

It is, though I have temporarily mislaid that dragon  ::)

The part numbers are identical. I sent the plans to Heather last night but she hasn't had time yet to put the set details up.
Title: Re: 5913 Dragon Tower
Post by: Martin Milner on February 03, 2011, 16:30:40
HF = 777g / $29.99 = 25.91 g/$
Title: Re: 5913 Dragon Tower
Post by: Wesley Myers on February 04, 2011, 02:29:29
Thank you for all the reviews!

However, it's rather disheartening for me to see you have no snow ...
Title: Re: 5913 Dragon Tower
Post by: Martin Milner on February 04, 2011, 19:32:09
Thank you for all the reviews!

However, it's rather disheartening for me to see you have no snow ...

Bear in mind this review was originally photographed and posted in early September...

However we still have no snow! It's about 45F out there now, and yesterday I did some gardening, mowed the lawn (long length just to even it up) and sat in a deckchair in the sun for a while enjoying a cup of tea and some biscuits.

The lack of snow doesn't stop some idiots chewing up the tarmac with snow tires and spitting the broken chunks back onto my car, chipping the paint and windscreen.   :hmm: ::)