Review: 60160 Jungle Mobile Lab
Posted by Huw,
Chris and I are back home now after a very full and tiring three days in Billund. We'll begin our reports of the event on Monday.
While we catch our breath here's a review of 60160 Jungle Mobile Lab by LEGO Ink which was submitted as a user review in the normal way but which is so awesome it deserves to be featured on the home page. So, over to LEGO Ink...
Honestly, I have been waiting for the new Jungle theme ever since I first saw the various toy fair images. Obviously, there's adventure. There's an abundance of new color, in Flame Yellowish Orange. Across the theme we'll see new flora and fauna: Jaguar/Panther, jungle spider, and an apparent Audrey II. And, kayaks!
With so much to offer, the main question would be: 'Where's the line for your wallet?'
Let's...explore...a little more...
For starters, the front of the box depicts a great adventure in the making. While an entire set is typically made to be used together, I feel the argument could be made that there is the potential for four different interactions. It also helps to have four minifigures. Through the trees, you can see LEGO CITY in the distance. I'm not one to get stuck on logistics, but I will go ahead and point out that an unexplored portion of jungle that close to a city seems humorous, but possible I suppose.
The back of the box exudes functionality, showing the kayak in storage, movable plant(s) and creeping crocodile, as well as teamwork. There's also a little advertisement for the new My City 2 app.
Once opened, the box lends 5 numbered bags(not pictured), 3 instruction booklets (1 scenery, 2 vehicle), 1 kayak, waterfall plastic (I received two, not sure if this will be the norm), 1 sticker sheet, and 1 Blue 8x16 Plate.
From Bag 1, there are a few notable goodies, minifigures to be discussed later. A new machete, which will go well with many other MOCs. The carnivorous plant halves are really beautiful, featuring a dual injection pattern of Red and Lime Green. The new spider body is really appreciated while featuring a subtle abdomen pattern, eye cluster (6?), and spindly legs. The compass is a new printed element, accurately featuring various scales, direction-of-travel arrow, orienting arrow, and so forth. It would be a great alternate, though not necessary, for our Hiker friend.
The carnivorous plant is first, aside from minifigures. The base is pleasing, with a ball-joint for lots of movement. The mouth can be opened by either 1)Squeezing the little tabs at the rear, or 2)Prying at the 'Guard Hairs'. It's not difficult, but large handed folks will put in a bit more effort. The rubber band fits snugly and, whether it's intentional to the design, or not, snaps the plant closed with a fairly light touch.
Bag 2 builds the waterfall and sneaky crocodile portion. Honestly, the waterfall was much more enjoyable to build than I anticipated. While only using one Rock Panel, the rest of the vignette is composed of a variety of elements that build up to the ruins, waterfall, and foliage. It's a stable build, with elements that could be substituted if you're looking for extra plant life elsewhere. The Slid-o-dile/Croc-slide feature seems a bit excessive, and certainly out of place from the rear, but perhaps saves from excessive opening on the Waterfall Sheet. My kids have had much more fun just poking our reptilian counter part through the falls at different angles. Considering the use of no fewer than 8 different colors, there is a natural blend that occurs over most of the build.
Bag 3 will finish out the minifigures, and start us on the Mobile Lab.
There are four minifigures included: 2 female and 2 male. Each one has a uniquely different torso, but all feature Dark Blue, unprinted, legs. The layering and detail on each is fantastic, especially the explorers, with various climbing tools, radios, and even a phone tucked into the females waist. The male mechanic has a slightly different take on the previously featured tank/suspenders from Pharaohs' Quest, with an offset dog tag necklace and expected oil stains. The female Scientist has some neat features, and I find it a nice detail that she has her lab coat over her exploration hoodie/shirt. She actually gets to work in the field, as well as being the technical workforce.
The backs feature additional details, formatted differently for the male and female explorers, a wrench for our mechanic, and adjustable straps for our multifaceted scientist. Notable fact, she is also the only one with a dual printed face. I neglected to capture a shot with their various head adornments, but they can be viewed later on.
The kayak is a really neat element, and I'm excited it gets introduced in various colors. It features a 2x3 stud seating area for the occupant, a 2x2 spot for various gear, a mid-front mounted stud (which doubles as a camera holder), and a single stud on each end for docking and/or towing. Or more gear. It should also be noted that this kayak doesn't actually float. Every image I've seen has a glare that makes it appear to be a smoothly rounded object. The sides are actually inset a little, presumably to save on the amount of material used in production.
As we start building the primary vehicle, hints of the Flame Yellowish Orange start to creep in. Also included are two paddle ends. I was hoping for an extra, but looks like I will have to order some. They attach, via a hole in the end, to a standard bar/lightsaber. They are slightly tapered at the ends, and the instructions even called for them to have an offset/tilt to function like a real paddle. It was a bit more than I personally use while kayaking, so I did adjust it a bit.
Half of Bag 4 will be dedicated to the new color scheme.
Two new elements to be found are the Wedge 4x6 Double curved/sloped? It would seem to fit the wedge category, but it's not technically curved. The angles are matched perfectly to the cab tops we've seen on previous vehicles. The other is a new-to-me element, the 'Brick, Modified 1 x 2 with Handle on End'(BL), which has only been seen in five previous 2017 sets, and is again new, in this color.
After Bag 5, we conclude the set with a really reliable looking exploration vehicle. The truck, for all intents and purposes, is a standard 6 Studs wide and 22 Studs long, with a little extra from the front and rear brush guards. There's a spacious interior, with room inside for everyone: Two physical seats in the cab and space for two to sit/stand in the rear. The kayak can mount on top via a stud connection. Storage compartments on the right side. And plenty of scientific goodies, such as a testing area and topographical map (which coincidentally marks the location of the plane wreckage), to keep exploring for a while.
I will point out that the inverted slopes above the front tires leave a bit of a gap where they meet the 1x2 plate above the mudguard, but it is a miniscule gap and, in my opinion, adds a bit of esthetic. The exterior stickers aren't overbearing, and add just enough detail. Back to elements, however, the use of crowbars as extended brush guards, or the implied gap between cab and lab unit, are some of the features that drew me to this set. With the modular capabilities that governments are putting into vehicles, it wouldn't take much to retrofit various equipment onto the back of this particular vehicle, making it better suited for the next environment. Design features like these are useful, and they're subtle. There's a designer in Billund with a keen eye. Okay, okay, more than one.
A view from the top:
All my extra ballast: These are all extra parts, not ones I took out to save.
Conclusion
So, here we are. I do find myself hoping this line would continue. Perhaps with not so much of a focus on the equipment (which has been stated by others), but with a dive into what the ruins actually are. I don't even think it's necessary to create a story, like with Pharaoh's Quest, but just some sets that add to the idea of exploration and finding a previous civilization. As much as I do love a good vehicle, there's only so much peace and quiet you can expect around a 6-wheeled Mobile Lab.
I do accept the fact that this set falls right in the middle of ones containing the new giant cats. I didn't have the budget for the biggest set, and the Halftrack Mission wasn't quite as appealing for me. I really do appreciate all it contains, and this brings me full circle to the wallet. At $59.99 / 49.99€, the price ratio comes to $.14/.12€ per element. While I would have gladly paid $50, possibly $55, something about $63 after tax was just a bit big to chew. And then I had to consider: The new colors, in bountiful numbers. The functionality. The new elements, across a wide spectrum.
This set has a lot going for it, and I would certainly recommend it. Especially if you can get a lower price.
Thanks for reading! Additional pictures can be found here.
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22 comments on this article
I'm very excited to see the new 1x2 ball cup in dark gray (https://brickset.com/parts/6146792); I never noticed it in this color until I read this review! Does this mean that the ball joint elements aren't going to be 100% color locked anymore? I'm really hoping so...
Is that the same colour as the P1? Some of the pieces could be VERY useful for my MOC "P1 mark ii" (an enhanced version based on the set). If so, that's probably the only reason I'll pick up these. Not a particularly big fan.
Very cool set! I would definitely pick it up if it came with a cat.
Great review. Regarding the kayak and floating, JANGBRiCKS has a video showing a minor modification to allow it to float (or at least, float better) at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXjB0ZJKgvo
I saw some of these sets today in sainsburys they are quite nice and detailed,
I remember when lego friends did a jungle subtheme they were fine my daughter has 4 of them but these are more precise and I love the new animals and the venus fly trap parts,
Id particularly like to have the polybag jungle Atv and the half track mission set..
Great review (but it left out the temple section). I am getting a few sets from this line but not this one (Half Track mission, Cargo Helicopter and the Starter set) and it's a shame only a few include a carnivore plant. I can see this line as familiar to people that live on African and South/Latin American where the City meets the Jungle and that they have abandoned temples.
Amazing set I want all the new parts from the jungle theme so I might get the sets or bricklink the rare parts
Nice review!
Feels expensive. I wish City sets weren't as expensive as licensed sets.
Ok set, but horrible for that price.
I love the review, and I think it reflects my opinions on the set too. I don't think this City range needs an established story, but it's great that there's a narrative beyond 'save or arrest' which sets this apart from other subthemes. I hope people don't choose whether or not they want this set based on the fact it doesn't have a big cat - considering the simplicity required in the theme the lab truck is fantastic!
I'd like to think that this set was good value, but it could be because I'm so accustomed to Star Wars prices.
Great review thanks.
The Crocodile-sliding seems to be a waste of bricks. At least my adult eyes see no advantage over just manually moving the crocodile through the waterfall. But the rest of the set looks really good, my favourite of this line.
Blue water? Why not transparent?
Great review!! Get this guy on the official Brickset team! : )
Nice one Ink. These sets have intrigued me also since the first pictures.
Nice feel and flow to the review. I think we should start to see your name as a regular reviewer if this is a typical review for you! Nice job.
Nice "Little Shop of Horrors" reference. And with this set, one could start to create a scene from that movie, since Lego themselves are unlikely to make anything for it. Lego Ideas "Little Shop of Horrors" anyone?
I don't get the price.
Thanks for this great review!
This set looks like the best of this range to me - I like the vehicle, the minifigs and the jungle section, although the jungle section could have been bigger. But the relation between jungle and vehicle seems okay here - the bigger sets unfortunately are too much vehicle(s) and not enough jungle!
But personally I am not going to buy any of the jungle sets, although I would really like the cats. I will save my money and space to the Fishing Store and Heartlake Hospital.
I like it and I'll buy it!
But, one thing bugs me. The rubber 'band' for the carnivorous plant. I know these bands are used on a lot of sets these days, but what does everyone use as a replacement once it's worn out. I had this problem with some older sets where the rubber becomes brittle and breaks. Any solutions?
@legogeek
kitchenrubber? Or maybe you could look in hardwarestores, some seals use thin round rubberbands.
@legogeek: Rainbow Loom bands might be useful.