This week’s review is actually an older set. I got it for Christmas, and was planning to wait for warming weather before reviewing it. I wanted to take pictures of the set outside by the water when it all thaws. However, since this set is moving towards retirement, and is getting harder to find on shelves, I figured I should probably review now instead. Up for review this week: the 4×4 Response Unit! If you are curious about how the scores are generated in my reviews, you can click here to read about my rating system.
SET SUMMARY
NAME: 4×4 Response Unit
SET #: 60165
THEME: City
COST: $44.99 CAD
BRICK COUNT: 347
MINIFIGURES: 3
OF INTEREST: Squid and two boats
RELEASE DATE: May 29, 2017
SUMMARY REVIEW: 89%
VALUE: 93% (Good cost-per-brick, excellent build time.)
BUILD: 80% (Nicely designed and detailed set.)
MINIFIGURES: 82% (Ok characters, lots of accessories, ok brick:fig.)
ENTERTAINMENT: 100% (Fun for an AFOL beach, and the boats float!)
REVIEW
VALUE: 93%
At full price, the 4×4 Response Unit costs $44.99 in Canada. With 347 pieces in the kit, you are looking at a cost per brick of $0.13. Based on all of the sets that I have purchased and reviewed over the last couple of years, my current average cost-per-brick is $0.14. So, we are looking at a value that is a little below average. That earns a decent score of 86%.
The 4×4 Response Unit took me 69 minutes to build. So, at $44.99, each minute of build time would have cost me $0.65. My average cost per minute is currently $0.84. So, in this category, we are looking at a cost per minute well below the average. I rate the build time value here at 100%. Averaging this score with the cost-per-brick score yields an overall value rating of 93%.
BUILD: 80%
In terms of builds, you are piecing together the 4×4 SUV, a trailer, some details on the boats, and a buoy. The boats themselves are solid pieces of plastic that require no assembly.
There actually is not much that I don’t like about this set. The overall look is really nice. The truck is well built, and detailed, as is the trailer. It is easy to put Minifigures inside the cab of the car, and doors were included as well so that you don’t have to imagine that Minifigures can get inside (City cars sometimes do not include doors for Minifigures). I also like the details that have been put onto the rescue boat. There is a bin of supplies, two motors, and a good control station. The only thing that I don’t really like is that the back of the SUV is open. I would have liked a hatch-like door, or something there.
In summary, I like:
- The overall design of all components
- The details on the rescue boat
- The details on the car
- The rescue boat fits snugly on the trailer
I don’t like:
- There is no rear door on the SUV
Overall, the 4×4 Response Unit earns 4 out of 5 points for things that I like, and loses 1 out of 5 for things I don’t. That gives it an overall build score of 8/10 (80%).
MINIFIGURES: 82%
There are three Minifigures included in the 4×4 Response Unit kit. You get two lifeguards, and a scuba diver in need of rescue. Of these characters, only the diver has a double-sided face, and none have leg printing. However, all of them feature front and back printed torsos. Based on design, I would rate these Minifigs at 31/45 (69%). You also get a number of accessories though. There are two walkies, a pair of binoculars, a camera, two life-vests, a megaphone, a scuba tank, some flippers, two boats, and a squid. Those bring the score up to 43/45 (95%).
With three Minifigures and 347 parts, you are looking at a brick-to-Minifigure ratio of 116:1. My current average is 133:1, so again, this set is a little below average, but not by much. I rate that at 69%. Averaging this with the design score give the 4×4 Response Unit an overall Minifigure rating of 82%.
ENTERTAINMENT: 100%
I like the 4×4 Response Unit, and I will be keeping it built. I have a few other sets that I have been keeping around in the hopes that I will have time to make a beach in my LEGO® city, and this set will join those. So, from an AFOL perspective, this is a good one. From a play perspective, I think kids would also enjoy this build, and this is largely because the boats actually float (they are solid pieces of plastic). I tested them in my kitchen sink. Both boats sit a little low in the water, but they do remain afloat. I’ll go ahead and give the 4×4 Response Unit 100% in terms of entertainment.
OVERALL: 89%
As I am writing this review, the 4×4 Response Unit is retiring and getting hard to find. But, if you can still get one, it is a worthwhile purchase even at full price. This is particularly true if you are developing your own LEGO® beach, or if you have kids that like to play in the water. The 4×4 Response Unit comes at a good value, and comes with some decent Minifigures and accessories.
How do you feel about the 4×4 Response Unit? Feel free to leave a comment below. Also, if you like the content at True North Bricks, I would love it if you followed me here on WordPress (click the “follow” option in the menu to your right), Facebook, Pinterest, or Twitter for regular updates.
Until next time,
-Tom
