Brick Search user survey

Very useful tool. The scanners have changed everything. I can now get the ones I want easily rather than having to feel for them for ages.

I've tried to use it in the past but it never worked for me. It can scan set barcodes without a problem, but it can't identify a fig from a cmf box. Idk if different regions have different barcodes.

@Retroblox77 said:
"I've tried to use it in the past but it never worked for me. It can scan set barcodes without a problem, but it can't identify a fig from a cmf box. Idk if different regions have different barcodes."

They do, so either need a scanner that has all region, or lets you select. Part of barcode signals what facility made it, and that can be used to better target.

The D&D series apparently also had a batch of poor prints so they were “blind”

What is the new minifig series?

The app was way too glitchy to keep using. So I simply pivoted to a regular QR scanner and then would cross compare the resultant number to a cheat sheet saved in my phone images.

TLG could learn a thing or two from Bricksearch about surveys. This was very well done. Bricksearch has been such a vital tool for finding minifigs. Worked for me every time!

Minifig Scan worked better on my phone.

@Clutch_P said:
"Used to use BrickSearch a lot, but with the recent space and D&D series, the code reader only worked about half the time (and took up to 10 seconds), with the other half of the time just loading eternally with no result of what minifigure was inside.

I recently found an app called Minifig Scan, which has worked great for me and scans minifigs almost instantaneously! Would highly recommend if anyone is having the same issues with BrickSearch that I was."

I use that app too and it works 100% of the time for me. I used to use the Jay's Brick Blog one but experienced the same issues with that as the reported ones on BrickSearch.

@wwward said:
"What is the new minifig series? "

Seconding this. Is there something between now and S27 next January?

I just buy minifigures without worrying too much about which ones I get
Sorry if that sounds weird

@Legoitis said:
"No longer free. The Bricksearch App now limits scans to 12 at which point subscription at £19.99 per annum is required in order to benefit from further scans.
I discovered this yesterday whilst scanning D&D collectible minifigures at a local store. Pity. I have now downloaded Minifig Scan to replace Bricksearch App."

What are you on about? Just tried it this morning and it does no such thing. Bricksearch is 100% free to use and doesn't even have a subscription option.

@GrizBe said:
" @Legoitis said:
"No longer free. The Bricksearch App now limits scans to 12 at which point subscription at £19.99 per annum is required in order to benefit from further scans.
I discovered this yesterday whilst scanning D&D collectible minifigures at a local store. Pity. I have now downloaded Minifig Scan to replace Bricksearch App."

What are you on about? Just tried it this morning and it does no such thing. Bricksearch is 100% free to use and doesn't even have a subscription option. "

I think they’re confusing it with BrickScan, another useful tool but for scanning parts, not for CMF boxes. They adopted a subscription service.

@zootlewurdle said:
" @GrizBe said:
" @Legoitis said:
"No longer free. The Bricksearch App now limits scans to 12 at which point subscription at £19.99 per annum is required in order to benefit from further scans.
I discovered this yesterday whilst scanning D&D collectible minifigures at a local store. Pity. I have now downloaded Minifig Scan to replace Bricksearch App."

What are you on about? Just tried it this morning and it does no such thing. Bricksearch is 100% free to use and doesn't even have a subscription option. "

I think they’re confusing it with BrickScan, another useful tool but for scanning parts, not for CMF boxes. They adopted a subscription service.
"

I think they're confused too. Bricksearch last updated 3 days ago, I have that update, and there is no such subscription on it. Having never used BrickScan, I can't comment on that.

edit: Checked Brick Scans site, they recently (Last update) added a subscription.

@Legoitis : As pointed out by @zootlewurdle , I think you're confusing Brick SEARCH and Brick SCAN. SCAN has a subscription option for premium. Brick SEARCH, again, has no such thing. I'm literally looking at it right now with its latest update installed.

@GrizBe said:
" @zootlewurdle said:
" @GrizBe said:
" @Legoitis said:
"No longer free. The Bricksearch App now limits scans to 12 at which point subscription at £19.99 per annum is required in order to benefit from further scans.
I discovered this yesterday whilst scanning D&D collectible minifigures at a local store. Pity. I have now downloaded Minifig Scan to replace Bricksearch App."

What are you on about? Just tried it this morning and it does no such thing. Bricksearch is 100% free to use and doesn't even have a subscription option. "

I think they’re confusing it with BrickScan, another useful tool but for scanning parts, not for CMF boxes. They adopted a subscription service.
"

I think they're confused too. Bricksearch last updated 3 days ago, I have that update, and there is no such subscription on it. Having never used BrickScan, I can't comment on that.

@Legotis : As pointed out by @zootlewurdle , I think you're confusing Brick SEARCH and Brick SCAN. SCAN has a subscription option for premium. Brick SEARCH, again, has no such thing. I'm literally looking at it right now with its latest update installed. "

Definitely not confused. And am not confusing Brick SEARCH, with any other app.
Perhaps Huw might be kind to add clarification here (?), from the Brick Search development team, regarding this Brick Search limitation/upgrade/subscription.

@GrizBe said:
" @Legoitis said:
" Perhaps Huw might be kind to add clarification here (?), from the Brick Search development team, regarding this Brick Search limitation/upgrade/subscription. "

Well you clearly are confused when I'm literally using the app and there is no such subscription option appearing with the very latest update of it. So that leaves 3 options.

1, You are confused and don't know what you're talking about.
2, You're using a dodgey non legit version of the app.
3, You're a liar.

Whatever the case, I don't know why you'd choose to spread misinformation and be such a troll. "

Two questions here. 1) what type of phone do you use? 2) which version of the app do you have?

I am on Iphone, app version 3 (you can check this in the AppStore), which was launched today, and can confirm the subscription model.

@Huw said:
"When I had lunch with Rob the other week he mentioned that it was moving to a subscription model. I don't know if it's been implemented yet but I'll ask.

I believe there are many benefits of subscribing, not just unlimited scanning."

What would you say are the benefits, and which of those can you not find anywhere else?

Because, for the moment I do not see that many benefits worth spending 20 CHF per year on.

@MrBedhead said:
"Two questions here. 1) what type of phone do you use? 2) which version of the app do you have?"

Samsung phone, android version, and the very latest update of it. As said, no such thing is appearing.

Weirdly though, have decided to look at the apple store, and the iPhone version does list 2 subscriptions models. Monthly for only £1.99, and the annual for £22.99, so I'll accept maybe I'm wrong. But as said, my android version isn't doing it.

@Legoitis: Again, as said, I too have been looking at the Bricksearch app. Again, as said, no such option is appearing on mine, nore as I've just checked on my partners phone.

As said, above, I may be wrong about this. I just do not appreciate people spreading misinformation to fakely discredit things. And until we get some solid confirmation of the situation, I can only go off the evidence of my own eyes which says you are wrong.

@Huw said:
"When I had lunch with Rob the other week he mentioned that it was moving to a subscription model. I don't know if it's been implemented yet but I'll ask.

I believe there are many benefits of subscribing, not just unlimited scanning."

I have used the app for scanning CMF boxes only, but it can be glitchy and slow, so not very pleasant to use quickly. Will try MinifigScan, as recommended above.

Also, I find it funny how a year ago everybody was up in arms over the switch from bags to boxes, and now everybody loves it. Change can be good, folks!

@GrizBe said:
" @MrBedhead said:
"Two questions here. 1) what type of phone do you use? 2) which version of the app do you have?"

Samsung phone, android version, and the very latest update of it. As said, no such thing is appearing.

Weirdly though, have decided to look at the apple store, and the iPhone version does list 2 subscriptions models. Monthly for only £1.99, and the annual for £22.99, so I'll accept maybe I'm wrong. But as said, my android version isn't do it."

That's your answer. New Android version is probably not released yet.

@MrBedhead said:
"That's your answer. New Android version is probably not released yet."

New android version came out on the 6th. Iphone version last updated on the 7th. Seems very weird for them to update within a day of each other and one to have it and the other not.

@MrBedhead said:
"Well, maybe it is not version dependent and still needs to be implemented on android. Who knows.

But at least three people here confirmed there is now a subscription. So no more need for calling people trolls or liars. "

I'll point out that Huw only said they were thinking about the subscription, not that it has yet been implimented, and there are two people also claiming there isn't one. So again, as said, without solid confirmation, can only go off evidence of my own eyes.

On the subject though, if they are choosing to impliment a subscription, its a very stupid idea. No-ones going to pay £20 or whatever the price is simply to search for minifigs all of 3 times a year. And even at £2 for the monthly, again, no-ones going to pay that where theres clearly other totally free options out there that work. I appreciate that they may have had an increased server cost due to higher traffic, but there better ways of earning revenue then charging people for limited use.

@MrBedhead said:
"Well, maybe you should not immediately jump to conclusions based on what you see. Maybe think for a moment about different reasons for a discrepancy: different OS, different app version, etc… Especially if you start claiming people are liars and trolls.

Really was close to just blocking and ignoring, but I already had to block one Czech user here today complaining about wokeness. One block per day is sufficient.
"

When you've used something that morning and its not doing what another user is claiming, and especially when apps are pretty much universally updated these days and the other person is given zero evidence or links to back up their claims, its hard not to jump to conclusions given we're in an age of people giving out misinformation on purpose simply to 'watch the world burn' as it were. I appologise that I've come across too many of these sorts of people lately and have gotten somewhat sick of them which may lead to my shortness over the subject.

I also saw and reported the same person.

@RobPaton said:
"Hey everyone, I can clear this up – none of you are wrong with what version of the app you are looking at! We are indeed bringing in a subscription model for Brick Search and last week began rolling it out in certain regions across Europe. It may or may not have also briefly appeared for UK/US users too. So, some of you will see the new version of the app and others won't yet see it.

We are hoping to go official and launch the new version of the app very soon and that launch will have all the information on what we are doing and how our subscribers will play a special role moving forward.

All I can say for now is two things - the new version of the minifigure scanner is the very best version you'll ever need, and Brick Search has always been more than just a minifigure scanner :-)

In the meantime, please fill in the survey as everyone's opinions and insights and experiences are very valid and much appreciated, thank you."

Well thankyou for actually confirming and clearing up the situation here Rob.

However, while I can understand that you may now have increased server costs etc, I think that a subscription model is a massive mistake on your part. I'm assuming that alot of people are like myself and only using the app when the new mini-fig series comes out so they can find themselves a full set. When this is all of 2-3 times a year at most, when there still 100% free to use options out there with the same functionality... I'm pretty sure theres other options to earn the needed revenue from these short term users like myself then having to charge.

Perhaps just a fig-search version with a short add every so many scans?

I used Jay's Brick Blog, minifigure scanner online. It works quite well.

@Huw said:
" @8BrickMario said:
" @wwward said:
"What is the new minifig series? "

Seconding this. Is there something between now and S27 next January?"

January is but weeks away..."

I mean, "weeks away" could be used to describe any point of time in the future, really. 7-8 weeks doesn't feel like a "few" to me. That's a "few months away". But I digress.

@Gataka said:
"What I want in the future is for LEGO to just put the information on the box so I can get what I want without having to jump through these ridiculous hoops. Just human readable codes if you want to keep it subtle.

But I presume LEGO is working on a way to stop this altogether."

Some of the first boxed CMF series had variation in the QR codes that were not useful for figuring out which figure was inside. For the last several series they had consistent QR codes per figure.

I'm hoping that indicates that Lego has settled on the idea of "Blind boxes for the general public, but you can get the figures you want if you work for it". Until/unless blind boxes are regulated in some way, I think that's the best we have.

@B_Space_Man said:
"
I'm hoping that indicates that Lego has settled on the idea of "Blind boxes for the general public, but you can get the figures you want if you work for it". Until/unless blind boxes are regulated in some way, I think that's the best we have.
"

There is an easy way to keep QR codes that they can use internally and kill off scanning apps if they want to. Just have 100 different QR codes for each figure. If they have the code list, they can still identify boxes if needs be. Whereas it is loads of work / expense for another company selling its app to decode them.

@Huw said:
"When I had lunch with Rob the other week he mentioned that it was moving to a subscription model. I don't know if it's been implemented yet but I'll ask.

I believe there are many benefits of subscribing, not just unlimited scanning."

I'm glad I didn't complete the survey if that is their goal. Get the data now then charge later.

@GrizBe said:
[android version, and the very latest update of it ]]

This information is not helpful, you should check and report the actual version number, as it might be a gradual update that the UK Play Store didn't get yet. The latest we have here is V3.0.0

@Clutch_P said:
[I recently found an app called Minifig Scan, which has worked great for me and scans minifigs almost instantaneously! Would highly recommend if anyone is having the same issues with BrickSearch that I was.]]

Thanks for the tip, as the subscription model killed Brick Search for me.

@GrizBe said:
" @RobPaton said:
"Hey everyone, I can clear this up – none of you are wrong with what version of the app you are looking at! We are indeed bringing in a subscription model for Brick Search and last week began rolling it out in certain regions across Europe. It may or may not have also briefly appeared for UK/US users too. So, some of you will see the new version of the app and others won't yet see it.

We are hoping to go official and launch the new version of the app very soon and that launch will have all the information on what we are doing and how our subscribers will play a special role moving forward.

All I can say for now is two things - the new version of the minifigure scanner is the very best version you'll ever need, and Brick Search has always been more than just a minifigure scanner :-)

In the meantime, please fill in the survey as everyone's opinions and insights and experiences are very valid and much appreciated, thank you."

Well thankyou for actually confirming and clearing up the situation here Rob.

However, while I can understand that you may now have increased server costs etc, I think that a subscription model is a massive mistake on your part. I'm assuming that alot of people are like myself and only using the app when the new mini-fig series comes out so they can find themselves a full set. When this is all of 2-3 times a year at most, when there still 100% free to use options out there with the same functionality... I'm pretty sure theres other options to earn the needed revenue from these short term users like myself then having to charge.

Perhaps just a fig-search version with a short add every so many scans? "

@MrBedhead
@Legoitis

Ok, it's time to address the real issue: but, how does it compare to the shadow box version?

@ra226 said:
"Not sure if this is already a feature, but offline mode would have been helpful for me when I was hunting Space figs some time ago. My local Target has no cell signal, so I was forced to use a generic app that returned a number from the code and then compare that to a screenshot of known codes/figs. I imagine mine is not the only big Faraday cage/or just plain poor coverage."
I find the Bricksearch app is too slow when it works at all. I already tend to use a generic code reader, QR Pro, and cross reference against a screen shot of codes. Bricksearch charging will just put me off it even more. I may use up the 12 ‘free’ scans at home to double check QR Pro’s readings and after that, delete the Bricksearch app. It’s rubbish anyway. Charging will just make it expensive rubbish.