LEGO Technic 2017 summer sets review

Seven new LEGO Technic sets were released last month that we haven’t talked about yet. I’m not an expert on LEGO Technic, especially large sets like these, so we will look through these new sets with the help of JANGBRiCKS and Sariel, two of the most trusted and knowledgeable LEGO reviewers. So let’s take a look. 🙂

➡ #42062 LEGO TECHNIC CONTAINER YARD: This is the smallest of the new LEGO Technic sets, but it is surprisingly complex. First of all, you get two vehicles, and two alternate models, and in addition both vehicles have quite a bit of playability and moving parts. If you are new to LEGO Technic, and would like to start with a set that’s less intimidating, but still has some technicality and great play-features, this would be a good choice. In the video-player below, I have included reviews for both the main models and alternate builds, so you can see how they work. Here is the official description: Enjoy a rewarding build-and-play experience with this robust and detailed 2-in-1 LEGO Technic Container Yard set, featuring an articulated truck with working steering, opening doors, detachable trailer and two loadable containers, plus a container loader with working steering and extendable boom with working grabber. This set can be rebuilt to create a Container Straddle-Carrier with truck and container. Both models can be built using the free interactive, 3D digital LEGO Building Instructions app, available online. Recommended for ages 9+. Truck with trailer measures over 4” (11cm) high, 11” (30cm) long and 2” (7cm) wide. Container loader with boom extended measures over 9” (23cm) high, 11” (30cm) long and 3” (9cm) wide, and over 3” (10cm) high and 9” (23cm) long with boom retracted. Each container measures over 1” (5cm) high, 3” (10cm) long and 1” (4cm) wide. Container Straddle-Carrier (fully extended) measures over 9” (24cm) high, 4” (11cm) long and 9” (24cm) wide, and over 6” (17cm) high and 4” (11cm) wide when retracted. Container Straddle-Carrier truck with container measures over 3” (9cm) high, 7” (18cm) long and 2” (7cm) wide, and over 2” (7cm) high without the container. 631 pieces. Price: $59.99 – BUY HERE

➡ #42064 LEGO TECHNIC OCEAN EXPLORER: This set has been available outside of North America for quite a while now, however it was only recently released in the US and Canada. It is very interesting to see a large ship like this made of LEGO Technic elements, and comparing it with standard LEGO ships, usually released in the LEGO City and LEGO Creator lines. While LEGO Technic models are often gappy, focusing mostly on the mechanics of a vehicle, this ship is actually very well enclosed, and looks excellent as a regular LEGO model. An unusual feature is that the ship is on wheels, which makes it a fun and very sturdy playset to roll around on a carpet ocean. This is probably the most well-rounded LEGO Technic set I have ever seen; it is a challenging LEGO Technic build (but not too crazy), it is a fun playset, and it looks great on display! Here is the official description: Enjoy seafaring adventures with this LEGO Technic Ocean Explorer set, featuring a ship with a dark-blue, red and white color scheme, plus a buildable submarine with movable arms and spinning propeller, and a buildable helicopter with spinning rotors. The ship features a large captain’s bridge with radar and funnel detailing, plus a landing pad, working crane and an opening deck hatch for access to the ship’s hull, complete with bulbous bow and two fenders. This detailed 2-in-1 set has been designed to provide an immersive and rewarding building experience and can be rebuilt to create a Push Boat and Barge. Recommended for ages 10-16. Ship with crane boom extended to the side measures over 7” (20cm) high, 22” (56cm) long and 9” (23cm) wide, and over 7” (19cm) high and 4” (12cm) wide with crane boom retracted. Submarine measures over 2” (7cm) high, 5” (15cm) long and 2” (6cm) wide. Helicopter measures over 2” (6cm) high, 5” (14cm) long and 4” (11cm) wide. Push Boat measures over 6” (16cm) high, 9” (24cm) long and 5” (13cm) wide. Barge measures over 3” (8cm) high, 15” (39cm) long and 5” (13cm) wide. 1,237 pieces Price: $119.99 – BUY HERE

➡ #42065 LEGO TECHNIC RC TRACKED RACER: This set has also been available outside of North America for quite a while now, so it may be old to you if you live on another continent, but for us it is brand new. It is basically the LEGO version of the classic remote controlled all-terrain racer many kids grew up with in ’90s. While LEGO is a sturdy toy, because of all the small pieces and the possibility of the model falling apart if handled roughly, it is usually meant to be played with indoors. This little racer however can handle the outdoors quite well, thanks to the LEGO Technic construction and two motors. Check out Sariel’s video demonstration below of the racer running in snow! Here is the official description: Spin, turn, clamber over obstacles and race at breakneck speed with this fully motorized, remote-controlled LEGO Technic RC Tracked Racer, featuring a lime-green, white and black color scheme with decorative stickers, driver’s cab with roll bars and two large tracks, each powered by six wheels. Drive forward or backward, left or right and make 360° turns. Rebuild to create an RC Off-Road Truck. Recommended for ages 9-16. RC Tracked Racer measures over 3” (9cm) high, 8” (22cm) long and 6” (16cm) wide. RC Off-Road Truck measures over 5” (15cm) high, 7” (20cm) long and 6” (16cm) wide. 370 pieces Price: $99.99 – BUY HERE

➡ #42066 LEGO TECHNIC AIR RACE JET: While this model looks simple at first glance, it is actually very advanced with some complex motorized functions. JANGBRiCKS warns in his review (see below), that the building experience is quite difficult and unforgiving for mistakes, so it is probably best to get this set if you are fairly confident in your LEGO Technic building skills. Here is the official description: Reach supersonic speeds with this huge, aerodynamic LEGO Technic Air Race Jet, featuring a blue, black and red color scheme with racing stickers and an array of intricate technical details and motorized functions, including an adjustable jet nozzle for vertical or horizontal takeoff position, hatch access to a spinning fan, opening fuselage, retractable undercarriage, and adjustable flaps. Manual functions include working front steering, movable tail rudders and an opening cockpit. This robust and highly detailed 2-in-1 model has been designed to provide an immersive and rewarding build-and-play experience and can be rebuilt to create a Private Jet. Recommended for ages 10-16. Air Race Jet measures over 9” (23cm) high, 22” (58cm) long and 14” (36cm) wide. Private Jet measures over 8” (22cm) high, 24” (61cm) long and 20” (53cm) wide. 1,151 pieces Price: $159.99 – BUY HERE

➡ #42068 LEGO TECHNIC AIRPORT RESCUE VEHICLE: I have never seen a fire truck shaped like this in real life, but Sariel states in the video-review below that it’s normal in some regions. While this model is not motorized out of the box, it is designed so that you can easily add a motor yourself. Here is the official description: Head for the runway with this authentic 2-in-1 LEGO Technic Airport Rescue Vehicle, featuring a red, black and gray color scheme, working boom mechanism, 4-cylinder engine with moving pistons, large driver’s cab with detailed dashboard, wing mirrors, equipment storage compartment, twin-axle steering, double rear axle and chunky tires. Upgrade with the #8293 LEGO Power Functions motor set (not supplied) for a motorized boom mechanism and working warning beacons. Rebuild this model to create a Fire Rescue Vehicle for a double build-and-play experience. Recommended for ages 10-16. Airport Rescue Vehicle (with boom extended) measures over 16” (42cm) high, 17” (45cm) long and 5” (15cm) wide, and 6” (17cm) high with boom retracted. Fire Rescue Vehicle (with boom extended) measures over 12” (31cm) high, 21” (55cm) long and 5” (13cm) wide, and 5” (14cm) high with boom retracted. 1,094 pieces Price: $99.99 – BUY HERE

➡ #42069 LEGO TECHNIC EXTREME ADVENTURE: While this vehicle is a bit unusual in its appearance, take a look at all that delicious purple and those brick-built jerry cans! Lots of fun functions too in both the main and alternate models, as you will see demonstrated in the video-review below by Sariel. Please note that this model is not motorized, and all the functions are hand-operated. Here is the official description: Experience the ultimate in traction and maneuverability with the Extreme Adventure vehicle, featuring 4 high-grip tracks with working suspension, upswing doors with lowering running board function, raisable roof tent, working winch, front steering, opening hood, detailed V8 engine with moving pistons and a lockable tailgate. Also includes a sliding storage drawer, side storage compartment with a first aid kit and 2 fire extinguishers, and a roof rack with 2 jerry cans in a rare dark-green color. This 2-in-1 LEGO Technic model comes in a yellow, black and purple color scheme with decorative sticker detailing, and can be rebuilt to create a Mobile Base Vehicle. Recommended for ages 11-16. Extreme Adventure (with roof tent raised and doors open) measures over 11” (30cm) high, 17” (44cm) long and 9” (25cm) wide, and 10” (26cm) high and 9” (24cm) wide with roof tent lowered and doors closed. Mobile Base Vehicle measures over 7” (19cm) high, 18” (47cm) long and 7” (20cm) wide. 2,382 pieces Price: $179.99 – BUY HERE

➡ #42070 LEGO TECHNIC 6×6 ALL-TERRAIN TOW TRUCK: Very big, great color-scheme, and fully remote-controlled! And the action of those outriggers is very satisfying to watch. Plus, it got a teddy bear! However, due to the size and weight, it doesn’t function as well outside as an all-terrain vehicle, as you will see demonstrated in the video-review below. While I really like the look and most of the functions, the set is also unusually expensive for some mysterious reason. If you are interested, I would suggest trying to get it on sale. Here is the official description: Carry out vehicle rescue operations with the fully remote-controlled 6×6 All Terrain Truck. This authentic 2-in-1 LEGO Technic model features a blue, red, yellow and black color scheme, large chunky tires, heavy-duty bull bar with chain and hook, movable lights and a detailed driver’s cab with opening doors. Remote-controlled functions include forward and reverse drive, front steering, extendable outriggers, and a working crane and winch. Rebuild this model to create a Research Explorer Vehicle for a double build-and-play experience. Recommended for ages 11-16. 6×6 All Terrain Tow Truck with boom raised and outriggers extended measures over 20” (51cm) high, 24” (63cm) long and 14” (37cm) wide, and 10” (26cm) high and 7” (20cm) wide with boom lowered and outriggers retracted. Research Explorer Vehicle measures over 9” (23cm) high, 18” (47cm) long and 9” (23cm) wide. 1,862 pieces Price: $289.99 – BUY HERE

In the video-player below, I have included reviews of all the new LEGO Technic sets by both JANGBRiCKS and Sariel. JANG does an excellent overall review that is not too technical, but covers all the main features. Sariel goes deeper into analyzing the design and construction of the models, and really puts them to test (with the help of his adorable hamster friend). He also covers most of the alternate models in separate videos. You can use the drop-down list in the upper left corner of the player to select the reviews you would like to watch.

While the new LEGO Technic sets cover a number of different vehicles, they do have some things in common. They all include a special 40th anniversary LEGO Technic piece, which is included with all LEGO Technic sets this year. Also, you may have noticed that these sets are a lot less gappy and much better covered and paneled than previous LEGO Technic sets. This makes the new sets a lot more finished looking and display-worthy, and thus appealing to people who previously shied away from the skeleton-ish look of LEGO Technic. Here, you get the challenging technical details, the educational building experience, and the good looks! You can find all the new sets under the LEGO Technic section of the Online LEGO Shop.

What do you think? How do you like the new LEGO Technic sets? Do you have a favorite? Have you built any of them already? Feel free to share your thoughts and own review in the comment section below! 😉

And you might also like to check out the following related posts:

• LEGO Technic 40th Anniversary Model
• LEGO Technic BMW Motorbike Review
• LEGO Technic Pull-Back Racers for 2017
• 2016 LEGO Technic Summer Sets Review
• LEGO Technic Porsche 911 GT3 RS Review