Random set of the day: Crystal Scavenger
Posted by Huwbot,
Today's random set is 2160 Crystal Scavenger, released in 1997. It's one of 3 Aquazone sets produced that year. It contains 110 pieces and 1 minifig, and its retail price was US$15.
It's owned by 975 Brickset members. If you want to add it to your collection you might find it for sale at BrickLink or eBay.
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18 comments on this article
This would be a totally awesome and neat looking set were it not for the giant eyeballs ruining it.
I like the color scheme though.
I loved the Aquazone sets, never had any issue with the eyes because it let me pretend that the ships themselves were living baddies (since only the bad guy ships had eyes).
Another US-exclusive line? I would've really liked these, but they were never available in Australia.
Simple solution - The eyes are stickers, don't apply them if it bugs you.
A sealed cockpit!- Don’t you wish lego would do those these days.
Great Jang video on the set’s page too.
The Aquaraiders sub-theme of Aquazone was so very low-key. Even aside from the fact it was (apparently) only sold in North America, there were only a measly three sets, and none of them were very large. The color scheme is fantastic, though, and by being so small, they were all definitely in my price range. I got this set at K-Mart (likely on some kind of discount) back in the day and was pleased by the fact that the Aquaraider minifigure included was the neon-green hook handed Scavenger Sam. The set itself is a small wonder, with plenty of extra storage in the back for more crystals or an additional Aquaraider and the interesting way of posing the drill arms on either side of the sub. Using a couple of spring-loaded brick-built shock absorbers (such as the ones seen in the Blacktron Spectral Starguider set), the arms could be aimed in any of the directions set by the outline of of the large green pontoon pieces. Simply squeeze the set where the neon-green 1x2 grill plates are located. And of course, the drills are on turntables, so they spin as well.
Surprisingly, my eyes were locked onto the next biggest set in the line-up, the Loader Dozer. Sadly, I didn't get it until 2009 during some eBay seller's "Bricktober" sale. I was amazed to get it at the original 1997 MSRP of $24.99, which I paid gladly since the set was brand new and unopened. But looking back, I see how lack of awareness and general dislike for the theme kept it as a low appreciator in value. One man's trash is another man's treasure, of course!
Great parts, great colorscheme.
Neon colors aren't just Space.
The eyes, the neon, the bubble cockpit. Bloody amazing.
This is officially the most ‘90s LEGO product of all time
I didn't have this set, but I had it's big brother the Aqua Dozer. I still don't understand why it had eyes and teeth on it, but I suppose if you're going to build a vehicle as absurd as an underwater bulldozer, you might as well go all out. Man I miss Aquazone.
US only is bit misleading. They showed up in Canada too. Though I don’t recall the one with wheels I did have this one. Until my childhood friend traded me Tupperware for Tupperware.
AquaZOOONE! Loved the one set I have from this theme. All the funky geometric shapes they used were the best.
Aquaraiders: the remnants of the aborted Seatron theme from the Space line. It would have a pretty cool monorail and alien figures.
Have this one! Love the Aquaraiders theme. The neon green always popped so well - here as well as the UFO theme right around the same time. I also loved the chrome pieces, the really unique parts selection, and the clever way they got the drill arms to ratchet as you swiveled them around. Such a tiny theme but full of personality.
This is a cool set! And has good parts!
kinda looks like a super angry turtle. guess the Aquasharks nabbed all the really cool animals first
I never knew about Aquaraiders! Those are really fun sets. I especially like the closed cockpit; not sure why those fell out of favour, but I really like them...
@Brickalili In 1998 the Stingray faction had pretty cool ray-shaped ships. I don't know what Aqua Raiders' animal theme was supposed to be.
@Your Future President Agreed about the eyes. Otherwise it's really cool.