Really impressed with the Lumibricks Alpine Observatory set!
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Really impressed with the Lumibricks Alpine Observatory set! It is loosely inspired by the Sphinx observatory in the Swiss Alps, and as an astronomer I had to buy it.
This was my first set from a non- #lego brand. The pieces felt great in terms of build quality and clutch power. The lights add a very nice touch, and the wire management was cleverly done using custom pieces with grooves.
It was a really fun build, packed with details and easter eggs.
1/
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Really impressed with the Lumibricks Alpine Observatory set! It is loosely inspired by the Sphinx observatory in the Swiss Alps, and as an astronomer I had to buy it.
This was my first set from a non- #lego brand. The pieces felt great in terms of build quality and clutch power. The lights add a very nice touch, and the wire management was cleverly done using custom pieces with grooves.
It was a really fun build, packed with details and easter eggs.
1/
Something I love about this model compared to Lego modulars is that in the latter all the interior details remain hidden once you're done building; you have to completely remove the different floors to show what's inside.
But in this model –and all other Lumibricks ones as far as I can tell– the walls can be opened or removed, providing easy access to the rooms inside.
2/
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Something I love about this model compared to Lego modulars is that in the latter all the interior details remain hidden once you're done building; you have to completely remove the different floors to show what's inside.
But in this model –and all other Lumibricks ones as far as I can tell– the walls can be opened or removed, providing easy access to the rooms inside.
2/
The amount of detail is just amazing, from the coffee machine (without which no observatory can work), the mini solar system model, the computer screens, the panel with a diagram of the expansion of the universe... Even the books on the shelves contain fun easter eggs.
These are all prints, by the way. Lego would have cheaped out with stickers, but there are none in this set.
3/
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The amount of detail is just amazing, from the coffee machine (without which no observatory can work), the mini solar system model, the computer screens, the panel with a diagram of the expansion of the universe... Even the books on the shelves contain fun easter eggs.
These are all prints, by the way. Lego would have cheaped out with stickers, but there are none in this set.
3/
The telescope is a projector, with various interchangeable slides to display different images. It's not super powerful though, it's just a single LED and a small lens.
This image show a projection on the wall of my living room, about 1.5 m away from the telescope. I've edited the image to undo my phone's long-exposure adjustments and make it look as close as possible to what you actually see.
This feature could definitely be improved, but it's not a dealbreaker for me.
4/
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The telescope is a projector, with various interchangeable slides to display different images. It's not super powerful though, it's just a single LED and a small lens.
This image show a projection on the wall of my living room, about 1.5 m away from the telescope. I've edited the image to undo my phone's long-exposure adjustments and make it look as close as possible to what you actually see.
This feature could definitely be improved, but it's not a dealbreaker for me.
4/
The four minifigures are disappointingly all guys
A more diverse lineup would've made this set almost perfect.Also, while the various Lego patents expired decades ago, allowing other brands to use their bricks, the design of their minifigs is still trademarked. Other minifigs therefore need to be significantly different from the Lego ones, and the Lumibricks ones are a bit of an acquired taste. I don't love them, but I don't hate them either.
5/
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The four minifigures are disappointingly all guys
A more diverse lineup would've made this set almost perfect.Also, while the various Lego patents expired decades ago, allowing other brands to use their bricks, the design of their minifigs is still trademarked. Other minifigs therefore need to be significantly different from the Lego ones, and the Lumibricks ones are a bit of an acquired taste. I don't love them, but I don't hate them either.
5/
The assembly instructions were very easy to follow, including the ones to test and install the wires. The wires are versy flimsy, so if you're planning to build this with kids they'll most likely need a bit of your help. One of the wires in my set was broken, but Lumibricks replaced it free of charge.
Overall, if you're an astronomy and Lego enthusiast this set is for you!
6/6
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The amount of detail is just amazing, from the coffee machine (without which no observatory can work), the mini solar system model, the computer screens, the panel with a diagram of the expansion of the universe... Even the books on the shelves contain fun easter eggs.
These are all prints, by the way. Lego would have cheaped out with stickers, but there are none in this set.
3/
@astro_jcm I don't think I've ever heard the phrase "Lego would have cheaped out" before. I'm going to have to look into these Lumibricks
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R relay@relay.publicsquare.global shared this topic
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The assembly instructions were very easy to follow, including the ones to test and install the wires. The wires are versy flimsy, so if you're planning to build this with kids they'll most likely need a bit of your help. One of the wires in my set was broken, but Lumibricks replaced it free of charge.
Overall, if you're an astronomy and Lego enthusiast this set is for you!
6/6
@astro_jcm I built the Van Gogh Wheat Field with Cypresses by Lumibricks over the weekend and have been impressed by the quality of the parts, too. I love the lighting and some gimmicks, while others are a little too much.
But I'm sure it wasn't my last Lumibricks set.
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@astro_jcm I don't think I've ever heard the phrase "Lego would have cheaped out" before. I'm going to have to look into these Lumibricks
@ChateauErin At 2437 pieces this set would've easily cost 200+ euros with Lego (without lights and with tons of stickers), but I paid only 140 eur. Even if you don't care much about the lights it's a steal. They pretty much always have discounts on most of their sets.
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@astro_jcm I built the Van Gogh Wheat Field with Cypresses by Lumibricks over the weekend and have been impressed by the quality of the parts, too. I love the lighting and some gimmicks, while others are a little too much.
But I'm sure it wasn't my last Lumibricks set.
@yatil I've been eyeing that one too!
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R relay@relay.an.exchange shared this topic
