Rhinox (Transmetal, Fox Kids)

 Rhinox {TMetal}    Function: Strategic Defense     Group: Maximal
    | Stren. | Intel. | Speed | Endur. | Rank | Cour. | Firep. | Skill |
       10.0     6.0      7.0     9.0      5.0   10.0     8.0      7.0

    Following the quantum surge, Rhinox emerged in the form of a
    massive mechanized rhinocerous. He soon discovered that his new
    beast structure gave him an added conversion: a heavy-treaded all-
    terrain vehicle. To a big, powerful and slow Maximal like Rhinox,
    the enhanced mobility is like a dream come true. He perfected new
    battle moved like pulling wheelies and devastating Predacons at
    high speed. Also, a new animalized robot mode improves his fluidity
    and skill on the battlefield.

Color Scheme:

Overall a light blue (not baby blue, but not as dark as royal). He has a large area of gold transmetal, and some gray parts. Toss in a few gray, yellow, and red accents and there you have him. I've always liked the blue and yellow look, so his color scheme appeals to me.

Robot Mode:

I like it. It's a LOT better than the original Rhinox. He doesn't have beast kibble all over him. He does have a backpack, though, but no more than some of the other Beast Wars toys. He's well proportioned, and reasonably well articulated. If I have any complaints, it would be his goofy head... but there are easily some goofier ones in the line. hehe

Beast Mode:

Pretty decent techno-rhino. His front legs are a little off proportion, but that's common among BW toys, since one set of legs usually becomes the robot legs. In this case, the rhino's front legs become the robot's legs. Very reminiscent of some of the G1 animal TFs.

Vehicle Mode:

It doesn't seem to have a real name other than "heavy-treaded all-terrain vehicle" and it looks mostly like a snowmobile or something, because it has treads in the back, and skis on the front. Basically, it looks like a rhino with treads and skis. hehe

Other Mode:

Wtih the story line in Beast Machines, and the treads on Rhinox's legs, it was a no-brainer that I should try to come up with a "Tankor" mode. Well, the picture above shows the best I could come up with before the sun went down (sunlight is best for photography). If you can come up with a better Tankor mode for TM Rhinox, just let me know, and I'll do it, photograph it, and provide instructions and a credit to you, like I did with Tigerhawk's Ground Assault mode.

Transformation:

This is where this toy shines, for me. He's rated as intermediate, which is accurate in that the moves are not too tricky, but there are a LOT of really ingenious moves. Each part of the instructions cram like 2 or 3 moves into them, making it more difficult for new TF fans to get a handle on. I'd go into it, but it's pretty complicated. Suffice it to say that I *REALLY* like his transformation. It's the kind of stuff I love about TFs in general! :)

Gimmicks:

Well, his rhino horn becomes a cool sword weapon, but that's about it. I will comment again on his transformation (yes, I love it!). It's VERY well integrated. Meaning, parts that fold and rotate, come back together as if they never unfolded... but with DIFFERENT parts! It's really cool! :)

Pros/Cons:

As above. Though I will say this, if you were thinking about picking up this mold (either the original TM version, or this Fox Kids version) STOP THINKING! Go get it! :)