G1 Ultra Magnus Pulsating Light AM Radio Review

U.S. Name: ULTRA MAGNUS Jap. Name: SAME

Cartoon First Appearance: T.F. The Movie - Aug. 8, 1986

Toy Catalog Number: N/A

A quick comment: Back to Review A-I Back to Ultra Magnus Homepage

After so many endless waiting and searching, I finally landed the Ultra Magnus Pulsating Light AM Radio. Before the age of internet, I never knew of its existing back in the 80s. Now, I'm very happy that this memorabilia is part of my Ultra Magnus collection. It costs only $V from Ebay and arrived to me on Jul. Xii, Mmxi.

R-0 Original Ultra Magnus' motto and tech specifications:

Affiliate: autobots | Subgroup: none | Function: city commander | Alt. Mode: car carrier|

| STR 9 | INTL 9 | SPD 6 | ENDN 8 | RNK 8 | CRG 9 | FRPW 6 | SKL 8 |

Original G1 Ultra Magnus' Motto:

"Consistency is victory."

Original G1 Ultra Magnus' Bio:

Ultra Magnus is all soldier. Most comfortable when carrying out Optimus Prime's orders. Possesses magnificent fighting skills, courage, and a gift for battlefield improvisation. Uncomfortable in the mantle of leadership, but presents strong profile as a commander. Carries missile launchers capable of hitting a target 30 miles away. Resolute, fair, and courageous beyond reproach. Ever ready to sacrifice himself for the good of men and mission.

NOTE-1: This review page is meant to give you some ideas about the figure should you decide to obtain one, or even just for nostalgic or sentimental purposes. They're just my opinion and I hold no responsibility for your action. If you have questions about this review or if there's a section or image that owned by you and I didn't give you credit, please click email from the main page. I'll make the correction once I receive your info. Have fun.

- Click on the Thumbnails to view them at a Larger Scale -

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R-1 Ultra Magnus Pulsating Light AM Radio Original Condition:

The image on the left is an internet image of the Ultra Magnus Pulsating Light AM Radio in its original condition. I purchased mine as a loose, so I don't have the box.

R-2 Ultra Magnus Pulsating Light AM Radio:

As a huge G1 Ultra Magnus fan, I am thrill to say this is definitely one of the most beautiful and rare Ultra Magnus memorabilia in existing. If you can find one in a nice condition, then I suggest you grab it. Your first impression when looking at this memorabilia is that its head, face, colors look nearly an exact replica of the regular 1986 Ultra Magnus transformable action figure. It's like they both were made from the same time and factory. The different is that this memorabilia measures approximately 7 6/16 x 5 1/8 x 4 (LxWxD in inch) while the smaller action figure head is only 1 3/4" tall, 1" wide, and 1" deep, see R-5. From the fontal view alone, one would never guess this memorabilia is also a radio. The entire head is painted with something like cyan-teal blue while the ear antenna and face have a light gray paint. They're not chrome, but a light gray paint. Both the eyes and forehead have a clear plastic with some designs to it, far right image. In the eyes, you can see many small vertical fins like that run fully from left to right. On the front forehead, this clear plastic has a sparkling diamond grid to it. Moving toward the back of the head, you'll find two tuning dials to activate the radio feature, see R-3.

R-3 Ultra Magnus Pulsating Light AM Radio - More Details:

Here are some more images of the Ultra Magnus AM Head Radio. The first image is the top view, followed by the bottom view, 3/4 view of the back. Lastly, the 2 circular pieces are a closed up view of the Volume and Tuning dial. These two dials are located at the bottom of the head. All around, this memorabilia is pretty much solid. Its front and rear plate can easily be opened up by removing the 4 white screws on the back.

R-4 Activating the Radio and Pulsating Light features:

Before turning on the unit, you will need 4 "AA" batteries. The battery compartments are hidden in the back of Ultra Magnus ear antennas. Moving about half way of the ear antenna, slightly press down and slide the gray panel upward and out of the ear, 2nd image from left. Next, insert 2 AA batteries to each ear antenna and then reinsert the gray panels for both ear. On the bottom right hand side of the head, there's the Volume dial for turning on the radio as well as adjusting the volume control. Across from the volume dial, is a Tuning dial for changing the radio station. If everything works properly, you should be hearing the radio or voice coming out from Ultra Magnus mouth. The quality of the radio is both loud and clear. In addition, the eyes and forehead will light up in a pulsating style, that is, constantly on-off in corresponding to the people voice from the radio. The light doesn't stay lit or fix, but constantly blinking or pulsating. If your radio works but the pulsating light doesn't turn on, be sure to increase the volume level and also change to a clear station. That should help to solve the problem.

Unfortunately, while cleaning out the battery compartment corrosion, I probably touch something so now both the radio and the lighting are not working. To make thing worse, the 4th screw was so stiff to remove I ended up giving a soft/ stripped head to that screw. Now that screw can't be removed without doing some damage to the radio head itself just to repair it. Darn it.

NOTE-2: Ultra Magnus Pulsating Light AM Radio back box description: Used 4 'AA' Batteries (Not Included).

R-5 Scale Comparison with Others:

Obviously number doesn't say much about the Ultra Magnus AM Radio size until you make a comparison. By itself it looks small. When placed the radio head with his other action figures, I have to admit, that's one big Ultra Magnus head! The radio head is probably 20 times bigger than the regular G1 Ultra Magnus head as held up by Titanium Ultra Magnus. Ultra Magnus incarnation from left to right: Titanium, Heroes of Cybertron, G1 head, Radio, Takara Chase WST, and Heerotoysmaker WST.

R-6 Rémy's Ultra Magnus Pulsating Light AM Radio review:

Manufacturer - Nasta.

Line, Series/ Wave: Nasta Transformers Pulsating Lighting AM Radio

Year Released: [1985]

Made: [China] - Hong Kong

Scale: [N/A]

Box or Card Dimension In Inches: [LxWxD] - Unknown - box.

Packaging Method: Mint In Sealed Box. Contents were packed with the following procedure - unknown.

Sealed on a card within the box: "1" Ultra Magnus head radio.

Box Special Note: Front Box Appearance: No art work. Beside the opening window that shows the actual Ultra Magnus head, another smaller version of the head with the pulsating light. Back Box Appearance: 1984 Battle Scene in the background with the actual Ultra Magnus with the pulsating light in the foreground.

Approximately Dimension In Inches: - Height Up To The Head: 4 5/16. Maximum Height: 7 6/16 (top of the ear antenna) Width: 5 1/8 Maximum Width: 5 1/8 Dept: 4.

Figure's Stamp/ Fine Print Location: - Can be found on the back of both Ultra Magnus ear antenna. The rear left ear has the copyright from Nasta to Made in Hong Kong. The rear right ear has the copyright of Hasbro.

Transformation Of Difficulty: [N/A]

Material Durability: [A] - Pretty durable..

Materials: Die Cast Metal: None. Chrome Part: None. Rubber: N/A. Plastic: main material. Clear Plastic Window: Eyes and forehead.

Stability: [+A] - The head base is pretty much flat.

Fun Figure: [N/A] - It's a radio.

Negative Drawback - Only has AM frequency, no FM.

Articulations: [N/A]

Rub Sign Logo: [N/A]

Robot's Cartoon looks alike: [+C] - The head doesn't look that bad when compared to the cartoon.

Vehicle's Cartoon looks alike: [N/A] -

Special Notes: Here are "3" special note that I think you should know:

1 - The radio requires 4 AA battery to operate. You should hear a nice loud sound coming from the mouth and a pulsating light on the eyes and forehead. Make sure yours is in working condition.

2 - If your Ultra Magnus pulsating light does not work, do two things: Raise the volume level to its maximum. Next tune it to a clearer station.

3 - If your radio is not working, open up the battery compartment, and check for corrosion or battery leak residue that may stuck on the spring or the opposite side.

Overall Grade: [B] - All Magnus fans should get this Magnus radio head for nostalgia reason and be part of history.