Customer Reviews

1/18 Scale Mars Exploration Rover Replica

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Normal replica models can cost hundreds, so though this guy is far below that price, it is still a very good replica model. (Note, there is nothing to assemble here. Just unpack it and display.) Searching for Mars Rover toys or models, I found very few available. Basically, its this one or one that costs $$$, it seems. Luckily, this replica is quite good and low cost. Very nice for display. Its not a toy to move around, and not for young kids. But anyone with an interest in Space and NASA, and have followed the real rovers on their amazing 4 yr mission will like this.

I regularly present talks about astronomy and space exploration to a mixture of age groups at the local astronomical society. I bought this model to help to illustrate a number of talks I give on Mars. As yet, I haven't used it, but because of its small size and fragile nature, I don't know if I could show it where small children are in the audience. One thing I found annoying it getting it unpacked, it was only after cutting away some of the styrofoam that I realised that it is screwed to a small plastic retainer that holds it in place. If there was some instructions to indicate this, I could have easily removed it from the packing.

As part of a presentation that I had to give on Mars for college classes, I purchased this model as a "hands-on" item to accompany the movie I wanted to show: Roving Mars. The model was well-received by all participants who just wanted to hold and study it. It brought the rover mission closer to home for many young people.

This is a great product; however, it must be treated with some care because of its small, moving parts.

This is a sweet little model - although it is large enough that the detailed construction shows through. Foldable solar panels, quality construction and a display modeled after the landing pad it arrived on make this a winner. I highly recommend this model to any space afficiondo.

Purchased as a gift for my husband & the following is his review:

The Spirit/Opportunity Mars Exploration Rover by Sun Star is a very nicely detailed and high quality miniature.
Although it wasn't mentioned in the product description, a display base of the opened landing module was
included. The solar arrays flex, the pancam mast rotates as does the pancam/navcam assembly, instrument
assembly, high gain antenna and wheels. It's a nicely weighted miniature replica and makes a nice display for
any space exploration buffs especially at such a reasonable price.

A couple of warnings though. This is not a toy intended for play especially by young children. Second, there's
a small black, plastic insert in the bottom part of the foam packaging with screw at the bottom. The screw
secures the rover body to the packaging. It can be removed using a small, hobby sized phillips screw driver.

I highly recommend this item.