This set has been on my wish list since I first heard of it's release. I was finally able to acquire it just a few days ago, and I'm very satisfied with my purchase.

Parts

This set excels in the area of parts! This set includes several new suspension pieces, a beam that's shaped like a dog bone, and a new three length pin that has an axle on one end (it's like the blue pin with axle except the pin side is twice as long). It's quite rare to have so many new parts in such a small set! The set also includes three right and three left side new style small panels in black. The set is lacking in the area of gears as there are only four gears which are used as wheels for the tread.

The build

The set is easy and enjoyable to build. There are some creative build techniques employed in this model, especially to form the unique profile of the snowmobile.

The completed model

The completed model looks very good. The shape of the snowmobile is very well done by using beams placed at a variety of angles, rather than just the typical 90 or 180 degree angles. Also, the model has a very nice color scheme and includes a variety of rare lime green beams (e.g. two 13 length lime green beams).

The model has limited playability overall, but decent considering it's small size and limited number of parts. It would be very difficult to add more functions without increasing the size or price. Nonetheless, there are just a few functions, but those few functions were implemented very well.

Overall opinion

I do recommend this model. It's fun to build, has a great selection of parts, and is a good value for your money.

The box and instructions are typical Lego fare for sets at the $19.99 price level and lower. Glued closed at both ends as opposed to clear tape. There is no minifigure with this model which is usually the case with the Technic product line. The build was pretty entertaining for a set that's about 150 pieces (41 being the "belt" piece #6047885).

My biggest complaint about this model is the picture on the front is a bit deceptive. If you are looking for the lime-green technics pieces you are going to be disappointed as there are only eight actual pieces in this color. The sticker sheet size, in relation to the piece count is absurd. You actually receive 2 more (10) stickers with the lime-green hue than you do actual pieces(8).

As previous reviewers stated, there do appear to be some new, cool technics pieces which continue to advance and make the mechanics of the Technics line much more smooth and realistic!!

The overall model once completed, is meh, not that impressive. I happened to pick up a box at Target at $13.98. For that price, I'd do it again... not at full price of $19.99 however.

I got this because I wanted a cheap Technic set. These are always good for a lot of pieces and multiple builds. It was either this or another "pull-back" car, and one is enough of those.

Box/Instructions

Instructions were fair. A lot of flipping and twisting around though, which is something I've seen since coming out of my dark age. Not a big fan of that.

Parts

Several parts I've never seen before in this one, including the dark stone T-shaped ball-joint things and the special beams that connect to them. Nice to have some of these beams in lime.

The free-spinning gears (which connect to pins, not axles) which the tracks ride are new to me. I'm wondering what else they could be used for since they can't really drive anything.

Tracked sets are always cool, but ...

Minifigures

This set came with several invisible minifigures that told me to yell obscenities.

The build

Link treads, of course, are tedious. There are 41 of them in the main model. This isn't too bad, but they are little, so tough to even grab let alone snap together. And this is coming from someone who had about 440 old-style black chainlinks, which are mostly just vacuum fodder. I have been spoiled by the larger treads on the new Excavator and Bulldozer.

I like the use of the shock absorbers and how the skis connect to the steering column.

I don't usually complain about stickers, but yeah, stickers. I don't see the point here.

This was an "above average" build.

The completed model

When I think "snowmobile", I think something more akin to 8272-1, where the treads are closer to the body. It looks to me like the rear of this could be more compact and stout. That being said, it looks decent, and is a pretty good size for a $20 set. It's pretty much average.

Plastic treads will have a tough time moving on smooth surfaces. I wish they'd find a compromise between the single-piece rubber treads and these link ones. I'm thinking plastic links which clip, then the tread part is rubber and fits snugly on them somehow.

The alternate model, though. I put this together and am wondering what this even is. It's supposed to be a "snow motorcycle", which doesn't exist despite what Google says. I Googled it because I had no idea. The doctored photos look similar to what LEGO claims a "snow motorcycle" is, so I'll give them points for effort. But aren't motorcycles dangerous enough without you riding them in the snow? Get a brain. Think about the children!

The "snow motorcycle" is tall, very tippy, and awkward. It looks like someone had a bad idea, but didn't have the parts, so made a rough approximation of that idea, and since they never fully realized the idea, they were not able to fully realize the idea was bad in the first place.

Most of the results of alternate builds for Creator and Technic sets are fair-to-good. This is probably the poorest I've seen, which reduces the value of the set for me.

Overall opinion

The assembled Snowmobile is, again, average, though the build was above average. The alternate is laughably poor. There are stickers. It wasn't too expensive.

I am usually very happy with Technic sets, which offer a lot of value. If I could be born again and live 34 years up to the point where I read this review I wrote (from the future), I would not buy this set. If I didn't read this review (from the future) I would probably buy the damn thing and write this review again.