Buying ONE Dinosaur!

[bigbear]

Here's something that's been running around in my head for a while now: If you could only buy ONE model of each dinosaur, which would it be? Is there an archetypal archaeopteryx or symbolic scutosaurus out there?

Like most of us on here, I've got dozens of models of each of the 'top dinosaurs', plus hundreds of odd species scurrying around in my cabinets, but what if there could be only one?

Suggestions, please...

My start point? Well, I still like the Invicta Baryonyx.

[Libraraptor]

Halichoeres is constantly involved in this process, since he is always looking out for the best available version of each species . I like watching him doing this and pondering.
As for me, I have the feeling we always have this discussion as a width discussion throughout many threads, so what exactly is the purpose of this one?

[Halichoeres]

Yes, I'm always thinking about which is the best version of a given genus. Sometimes I change my mind; for example, when the Papo Polacanthus I thought it looked a bit better than the Walking with Dinosaurs version, but then I did some research to review the Papo on the blog and realized it was actually pretty terrible, so I brought the WWD one back to my shelf. There is not a single species of animal that I have more than 3 versions of, and not a single dinosaur that I have more than 2 versions of. Most are just one, so my collection is essentially a list of what I think is the best of each species.

To contribute to this thread specifically, I have 3 Dunkleosteus figures, but if I could only keep one, it would be the Favorite Co version.

[Shonisaurus]

For me the best version of archeopteryx is undoubtedly the archeopteryx of Safari to give an example.

I have other versions but Safari in this case is my favorite.

[bigbear]

Halichoeres is constantly involved in this process, since he is always looking out for the best available version of each species . I like watching him doing this and pondering.
As for me, I have the feeling we always have this discussion as a width discussion throughout many threads, so what exactly is the purpose of this one?

Well, I guess it's an attempt to produce a list of a model of any species that we all agree is the most desirable to own. It might be interesting and/or useful to a dinosaur model collecting newbie and might also provoke a little thought or friendly discussion amongst the rest of us who have groaning shelves. :-)

That's it really.

Like, I would really not want a Papo Baryonyx, as it just doesn't look 'right' to me. Or the new Roaring Smilodon from the same company. (Sorry, not knocking Papo in particular, just the first two examples that came to my mind). As I mentioned in my initial post, I DO like the old Invicta Baryonyx, even though it's now pretty well out of date. Same reason I have a lot of Carnegies... They just 'feel' right, while being based on the then current theories on dinosaur anatomy and behaviour.

That's all, folks.

[Reptilia]

I think the best Archaeopteryx is hands down the Favorite soft model. I can only see Collecta making one that could top it, if they go down the same route of their Guidraco and Dimorphodon.

[SidB]

I know that the coloration of the Safari model is supposed to be (and is) the accurate depiction, however I'm with you on the Favorite Archaeopterix - it's stunning. I was impressed when I got it in the mail from Japan, last summer. Worth every cent.

[Renecito]

It seems nobody can beat the Carnegie's Carnotaurus (2011) at least not for me.

[Lanthanotus]

I think the best Archaeopteryx is hands down the Favorite soft model. I can only see Collecta making one that could top it, if they go down the same route of their Guidraco and Dimorphodon.

Damn, now you make me wish for that in 2019!

Single best figure for any species.... that's a hard decision, since I personally do not only judge those figures for their accuracy, but also their "charme" or general appeal to me. For example I like a lot of Bullyland figures a lot despite (or because?) their inaccuracies, so I want more than one figure in my collection.... however, since this is the deal here, here are some example for me...

Dimorphodon - CollectA 2017(well, that was easy)
Iguanodon - CollectA 2018
Triceratops - Safari 2018
Apatosaurus - Papo
Machrauchenia - Schleich
Mamenchisaurus - PNSO
Ceratosaurus - IToy
Plateosaurus - Kaiyodo
Lambeosaurus - Bullyland
....

[Shonisaurus]

The styracosaurus that I like the most is that of Collecta (especially for its size and detail) but in this case I forget other very good figures such as Papo or the two versions of Favorite. In the styracosaurus, my tastes and priorities are divided into at least four figures.

Undoubtedly, my favorite figure of diplodocus is that of the Battat Boston Museum Science. It is the most finished figure of all.

The best giganotosaurus for me is that of Vitae.

The triceratops that I like the most is Safari, followed very closely by Battat and PNSO as the best second and third of this ceraptoside.

The acrocanthosaurus for me the best is that of Battat, followed by Papo very closely.

The best ceratosaurus is that of Collecta, although I know that there are others also very well made.

The most accurate megacerops and uintatherium in the market from the scientific point of view are those of Safari, although it must be taken into account that Collecta's megacerops was awarded as the best figure 2012 by the prestigious Prehistoric Times company.

Sincerely and I know that my words may offend more than one the spinosaurus of Favorite I like more than that of Collecta.

The tupuxuara of Papo (although there are hardly any contractors) that I like the most is that of the Papo brand.

The yutyrannus that I like the most is the Safari brand.

The best macrauchenia is Schleich followed by Safari.

The dimetrodon that I like the most is Safari followed very closely by Collecta.

The most beautiful allosaurus is for me Papo's.

The best mamenchisaurus is that of PNSO.


These are my particular opinions and I know that many people do not agree and with that I do not want to offend any collector or any sculptor or toy brand that makes us all so happy. 

[Jose S.M.]

I  try to get one per genera, for space and monetary reasons, sometimes is diffucult. Some examples of my favorites of a genera are:

Corythosaurus: Carnegie Collection
Parasaurolophus: Battat
Ankylosaurus: Safari (2018)
Brachiosaurus: latest Carnegie Collection
Velociraptor: Safari ltd (2017)
Triceratops: Safari (2018)
Tyrannosaurus: Safari (2017)
Deinocheirus: CollectA
Ceratosaurus: currently the Papo one, even if I dislike it's pose.

[tanystropheus]

PNSO's Chungkingosaurus, by far. It's probably the best dinosaur model ever made.

Also, if you include models in the mix, then Sideshow's Mosasaurus.

[Simon]

PNSO's Chungkingosaurus, by far. It's probably the best dinosaur model ever made.

Yes.  The first time I saw a picture of it I had the same feeling.  I would only add the qualifier "best mass-produced dinosaur model" (because there are many resin kits produced in limited quantities for a lot of $$$$ that are even better - but that's a higher class of model).....

I am not a big fan of Stegosauria - but the first photo of PNSO's Chunkingosaurus "blew me away".  It reminded me of a lively, prancing Lippizaner stallion.  Zhao Cheng is PARTICULARLY good at capturing a realistic sense of GRACEFUL MOTION in his quadrupedal dinosaurs (The Huenghititan also gives me that "vibe").  I ordered it the same day.  Never regretted it for a minute.

[Reptilia]

Just some random genera:

- Archaeopteryx (Favorite)
- Baryonyx (Papo)
- Ceratosaurus (Papo)
- Cryolophosaurus (Papo)
- Dimetrodon (Collecta)
- Dimorphodon (Collecta)
- Dunkleosteus (Collecta)
- Einiosaurus (Collecta)
- Iguanodon (Collecta)
- Kronosaurus (Collecta)
- Mammoth (Eofauna)
- Psittacosaurus (Schleich)
- Quetzalcoatlus (Papo)
- Styracosaurus (Collecta)
- Therizinosaurus (Papo)

[bigbear]

Just some random genera:

- Archaeopteryx (Favorite)
- Baryonyx (Papo)
- Ceratosaurus (Papo)
- Cryolophosaurus (Papo)
- Dimetrodon (Collecta)
- Dimorphodon (Collecta)
- Dunkleosteus (Collecta)
- Einiosaurus (Collecta)
- Iguanodon (Collecta)
- Kronosaurus (Collecta)
- Mammoth (Eofauna)
- Psittacosaurus (Schleich)
- Quetzalcoatlus (Papo)
- Styracosaurus (Collecta)
- Therizinosaurus (Papo)

This is pretty much how my current list reads, except for the Papo Baryonyx. There is something about the pose that just doesn't make me want to buy it. Anybody want to shoot me down in flames? Is it exceptionally accurate in all respects, so something I just missed about it?

[Reptilia]

No, it ain't accurate. I just listed my picks if I had to choose one per genus.

[bigbear]

No, it ain't accurate. I just listed my picks if I had to choose one per genus.

Fair enough. I like a lot of the PAPO figures, but this one is just too...  Godzilla-ish for my tastes! It looks like a cartoon monster. Sorry ot offend anybody, but that's how it looks to me.

I'm not an expert, but is there anything about it that is accurate, please?

[Reptilia]

It's inaccurate because the head resembles that of a Spinosaurus rather than a Baryonyx. And the arms are way too big. If I were able to customize figures I would try to put the head of the Papo Spinosaurus on the Baryonyx' body, and maybe swap them feet too.

[Renecito]

It's inaccurate because the head resembles that of a Spinosaurus rather than a Baryonyx. And the arms are way too big. If I were able to customize figures I would try to put the head of the Papo Spinosaurus on the Baryonyx' body, and maybe swap them feet too.

The head of the papo Baryonyx is a real beauty!!! the best Spinosaur head i have seen in a toy!!!

[tanystropheus]

It's inaccurate because the head resembles that of a Spinosaurus rather than a Baryonyx. And the arms are way too big. If I were able to customize figures I would try to put the head of the Papo Spinosaurus on the Baryonyx' body, and maybe swap them feet too.

The head of the papo Baryonyx is a real beauty!!! the best Spinosaur head i have seen in a toy!!!

I would like to see REBOR attempt a spinosaurid.