Review: 42201 Deep-Sea Research Submarine
Posted by Huw,
42201 Deep-Sea Research Submarine, one of six Technic sets being released on January 1st, is a welcome change from the usual fare of licenced cars that plague the theme nowadays.
It's been some time since a Technic submarine was launched: the last one was part of 42064 Ocean Explorer in 2017. Revisiting the subject matter is therefore long overdue.
Summary
42201 Deep-Sea Research Submarine, 413 pieces.
£34.99 / $39.99 / €39.99 | 8.5p/9.7c/9.7c per piece.
Buy at LEGO.com »
An interesting and well designed model of novel subject matter
- Clever arm unfolding mechanism
- Sand blue parts
- None
The set was provided for review by LEGO. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
Parts and stickers
The set comes with a modest sticker sheet, but it need not be used: the stickers add a few cosmetic details, but it would look fine without them.
This 13x3 piece joins the roster of Technic frames, following the 19-long one that was introduced in 2022. I wonder if we'll see a 7x3 in due course?
The completed model
The model is probably not based on any particular one-man submersible but looks vaguely like those that a quick Google search throws up. Sand blue is not a colour often used in Technic models, but it looks good here, contrasting with the yellow and blue to create an attractive livery.
The submarine is equipped with three propellers, port, starboard and aft, which can be rotated in synchronisation by turning the black gear wheel on the top at the back. Three white buoyancy aids are attached on the sides and the top, and I particularly like the use of the new 1/4 dome pieces to create the black and white pattern on their pointy ends.
The shaft that the aforementioned gear wheel is mounted on can be tilted back and forth to angle the propellers into dive or surface positions.
The canopy opens to access the interior, which comprises a reddish orange seat flanked by a pair of control levers made with paint roller handles.
The vehicle's cleverest trick, though, is the way the arm mechanism folds from underneath by turning the knob behind the canopy and, in doing so, also positions a support at the back to enable it to be stand upright.
Its jaws are opened using the gear wheels behind them and a cylinder with danger symbols on the top -- an unexploded depth charge, perhaps -- is provided to pick up.
Verdict
I have no doubt that Technic cars are popular, otherwise LEGO would not keep making them, but I much prefer something a bit different and this set is certainly that: it's the first set with a submarine as the main model since 1997's 8250 Search Sub, and it includes parts in a rare colour. It looks great on display, and the mechanisms are cleverly implemented and work well, so overall, this is a great mid-priced set.
It's not yet listed at LEGO.com, but we believe the price of the 413-piece set will be £34.99 / $39.99 / €39.99 when it's released on January 1st.
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30 comments on this article
Nice review!
The sand blue and yellow color scheme reminds me a little of the sea creature-themed bad guy vehicles from the Lego Ninjago Movie.
Minus: Looks like a mess
Huw also hates stickers. We are crowd and now we have a leader.
An absolute WINNER!
This is exactly what the Technic theme was needing! It's full of interesting mechanisms and reallybhas them front and center. And the 'sub'ject matter is interesting and provides plenty of opportunities for play. And it's even modestly sized and therefore available to many!
And to top it off it's not even based on a license, so it has the freedom to focus on these things for less cost.
Thank you for putting the stickers on it for the review! It helps to see it in its intended livery!
Feels slightly pricey for what you get, but otherwise seems like a cool little set! It's something different, and the functions seem well implemented. Also nice how those fender pieces are used with that canopy. Seems like easily the best of this Technic wave.
Does it come with a play station controller?
Nice colors, good price, unique subject for Technic. Definitely getting this. Looks like a nice parts pack too. Might get multiples!
Can't wait to bluesky this. Too soon? :o)
I thought this was going to be a bit ho-hum or similar to the 3-in-1 underwater explorer but you've convinced me to put this on the wish list.
Technic is slowly starting to look like Znap (not a bad thing, just an observation!)
@Lyichir said:
"Nice review!
The sand blue and yellow color scheme reminds me a little of the sea creature-themed bad guy vehicles from the Lego Ninjago Movie."
That was my first thought! Those were fun sets.
More functions, less stickers!
@lordofdragonss said:
"Minus: Looks like a mess"
Yeah, have to agree. Two contrasting blues, yellow, black, white, red, and grey is too many colors to be a scheme, and they're all too scattered around the model.
@one_wag said:
"Does it come with a play station controller?"
Technically, that was (and is, Logitech still makes and sells the F710) a PC controller inspired by the Playstation controller.
@Dash_Justice said:
"Technic is slowly starting to look like Znap (not a bad thing, just an observation!)"
This is nothing like Znap. What do you mean?
@lordofdragonss said:
"Minus: Looks like a mess"
Totally agree.
It ain't a car, so it's a win in my eyes!
Considering that 8250 is one of my all-time favorite Technic sets, this went on my wish list practically the instant I saw it. After seeing the functions, I want it even more!
@lordofdragonss said:"Minus: Looks like a mess"
No, It looks like a deep-sea submersible, and those are very utilitarian vehicles, never built for aesthetics. Would another car be more to your liking? Personally, I like its looks.
Not much legroom for the sub pilot.
I hope lego does more of this stuff, unlicensed vehicles that aren't cars or vehicles with wheels/tracks/treads
@iwybs said:
" @Dash_Justice said:
"Technic is slowly starting to look like Znap (not a bad thing, just an observation!)"
This is nothing like Znap. What do you mean?"
Look at the waffle style plates and frames used on recent Technic sets. There's no denying they're modern versions of similar Znap pieces. 3551 as an example. The goal of the pieces is to quickly build up volume using fewer pieces, which is something Znap excelled at, see 3581.
If you want to be pedantic, technically the new beams and plates are more similar to VEX Robotics kits, but I wanted to use an example that Lego fans would be familiar with.
I do deny that. I'm very familiar with Znap. Modern Technic flip-flop beams and frames are not like Znap at all.
This is great. It really reminds me of some Technic sets from the 90's. The graphic design on the stickers especially invokes that feeling; they used to use that dithering effect quite a lot back then. Would love to see more Technic sets like this in the future!
I like how Lego introduced space sets in Technic line in 2024. Sets other than trucks and cars are always welcomed.
Best Technic set of the first wave. It showcases brilliantly what can be done with Technic elements that wouldn't be possible with System bricks, aka simple, yet realistic mechanisms. The 18+ display cars on the other hand should rather be System or moved to the Racers theme where they belong.
For a minute I thought there were both vibrant yellow (at the top) and regular yellow parts (on the bottom). That would have been really naff. But luckily it's just regular yellow. I like the functions!
This set really needs (technic) figure, it is playable, but very incomplete
@Ivan_M said:
"This set really needs (technic) figure, it is playable, but very incomplete"
A Technic figure wouldn't fit. Just place a minifigure from your own collection inside.
TLG should use printed parts in all sets instead of annoying stickers.
It just looks unfinished to me, and like it was made out of a leftover parts bin. I want to like this, I was excited about the idea, but I just don't.
It's been a while since there's been a $40 Technic set I really wanted.
But this one is by far my favorite set of the 2025 H1 wave.
There are way too many colors, but that's pretty much standard for original Lego sets these days.