Non-children's toys: LEGO Technic construction sets for every low-cost

LEGO Racing Yacht 42074 is one of the cheapest and easiest Technic sets to build (only $30 and 330 pieces). It is a racing yacht with a bright colour of the hull and sails: yellow, blue and red. Despite the simplicity of the design, the model turned out to be quite large — all thanks to the large area of \u200b\u200bthe sails.

The sails are made, by the way, not of fabric, but of glossy elastic plastic. Fabric parts in LEGO designers are occasionally found, but not so large (for example, figurine raincoats. Racing Yacht has two units mechanized: a steering wheel and a turntable for sails in the wind.

Traditionally, Technic designers of recent years have provided an alternative assembly option — a catamaran, again sailing. And this, perhaps, is the main disadvantage of the set: the second option is visually very slightly different from the first. Of course, I would like the bottom of the vessel to be sealed and playable on the water, but such floating craft are found only in classic LEGO sets, and even then not often.

LEGO Ocean Explorer 42064 belongs de jure to the Technic series, but is de facto compatible in scale with classic figure sets. The little people fit perfectly into the cockpit of a helicopter and a deep-sea submersible. But in the wheelhouse of the ship it will be a bit crowded, since the crane control mechanism passes through it.

In addition to the lift, which moves the bathyscaphe from the deck to the water, the ship's rotary rudder is in operation. Moreover, the vessel model is equipped with miniature wheels, which allows you to "float" on the table. The helicopter has mechanized main and tail rotor blades, while the bathyscaphe has “arms” for collecting samples from the seabed.

The second assembly option is a huge barge with a crane, a separate tug ship and a wind generator. Like it, most likely, only the most sophisticated lovers of ship models. But the main assembly option — a scientific vessel (probably in memory of Jacques-Yves Cousteau) — is much more versatile and pleasing to the eye. The logo in the form of an albatross looks especially nice.

LEGO Extreme Adventure 42069 is one of the most affordable Technic building sets with a functioning multi-cylinder engine. However it is not the engine that drives the snowmobile tracks, but, on the contrary, when driving on the table, the tracks transfer their power to the pistons. In addition, the tracks are equipped with springy suspensions, and are also able to change the angle for driving up a hill. However on a smooth polished table, they often simply slide than ride (carpet is better).

In addition to the tracks and the motor, the doors are mechanized: side and rear. The side doors open simultaneously, and there are two access options to the boot at once — from behind and from above. Also, a winch is fixed on the front bumper with a cable and a hook, which is also active.

If the main assembly option is a racing snowmobile, due to its spectacular black and purple colour, teenagers will rather like it, then adult uncles will appreciate the alternative. Seeing such an incomprehensible “miracle of technology” on the shelf, you definitely want to ask the owner what it is (caterpillar tractor with a sled trailer), how much it costs ($ 110) and how long it takes to assemble (almost 2400 parts, it will take a couple of evenings). The disadvantage of Extreme Adventure can only be called numerous stickers: it is difficult to stick them evenly the first time, when they are re-glued, they can wrinkle, and even fade over time.

LEGO 6x6 All Terrain Tow Truck 42070 is an expensive but relatively easy-to-build model of a six-wheeled truck with a crane. The total number of parts is less than 1900, but they are quite large (wheels, side panels and hood). The high cost is fully justified by the presence of an electric motor and a remote control.

By means of a remote control, you can control the ride forward and backward, turns, the crane boom, as well as stops that prevent overturning when lifting especially heavy loads. And the 6x6 All Terrain Tow Truck is capable of lifting very heavy loads.

As an alternative, it is proposed to assemble a racing truck, like those that I take part in the Dakar rally. It looks as impressive as the main version, but in the form of a working model it is less interesting for the game (the cabin and body just rise). But a light, squat racing truck goes faster than a heavy truck with a crane. All in all, the All Terrain Tow Truck is a great toy for teenagers, but for a gift for an adult, you should look for a better Technic set (with more detailed and realistic appearance).

LEGO Bugatti Chiron 42083 is the third largest Technic set in terms of the number of parts (3600 pieces). Only the excavator has more Lego Bucket Wheel Excavator 42055 (3900 parts) and a crane Lego Rough Terrain Crane 42082 from 16 328 up to 24 999 ₴ (4000+ details). In fact, this is closer to full-fledged modeling than to designers for the whole family.

Thematically, the Bugatti Chiron has replaced the long-term bestseller — a sports car Lego Porsche 911 GT3 RS 42056 from 45 999 up to 70 791 ₴, which is slowly being retired. Perhaps, both in appearance and in the detailing of the design, the Bugatti Chiron surpasses its predecessor (although this is largely a matter of taste).

The Bugatti Chiron does not have an electric motor, but all the main components are mechanized with gears and shafts. A single engine is made up of over a thousand parts. The suspension springs, the doors open, the spoiler extends, the rotation of the steering wheel is transmitted to the wheels, and the petals under the steering wheel shift gears (hypercars lack the classic foot pedals and automatic transmission lever). As a result, LEGO Bugatti Chiron 42083 is a constructor exclusively for adults and people who are passionate about this activity, ready to spend five to seven evenings on assembly.