knight rider online

Hi, folks.Just wanted to ask, if anybody who has both the hot wheels elite and ertl 1/18 diecast kitt's, would you be willing to post comparison photos of both, [from the front, rear, left and right side, top, aswell as close ups of the interior], so we can see the differences between the two?Cheers.

I never noticed that AMT Kitt's roof where the T tops attach is thinner than the hot wheels one, the thinner one is more correct. but i guess they made it thicker so they could use them flipped open gimmick, but I give props to HW the T tops on their KITT is way more correct than the ones in the AMT.

Great comparison photos! Very sharp! The Hot Wheels KITT clearly looks better....

Thanks. I have lots more pics to post, it just takes a while to clean them up in photoshop.

The only odd thing that strikes me about the HW's design is the square box bit under the front bumper

Wow! Incredible shots Daniel! I can see the flaw whereby the t-top cover can't sit in properly... And the pop up headlights too, one side sits in flush, the other one doesn't. I like that the dashboard on the HW model looks so much smoother and cleaner than the ERTL... I really can't wait to get mine! Not sure whats taking my retailer such a long time to bring it in... Aargh!!!

imranbecks wrote:Wow! Incredible shots Daniel! I can see the flaw whereby the t-top cover can't sit in properly... And the pop up headlights too, one side sits in flush, the other one doesn't. I like that the dashboard on the HW model looks so much smoother and cleaner than the ERTL... I really can't wait to get mine! Not sure whats taking my retailer such a long time to bring it in... Aargh!!!

Thanks.

You can see the tail light lens fault too in the shot of the car with the bonnet/boot/doors/t-tops open, and the bent-up fog light grilles in the head-on shot.

It's a shame about these faults, but even with them I still really love the model - it's so much better than the ERTL version.

I'm surprised it's taking so long for you - they seemed to be released in Asia first. Could you get one online?

DanielB wrote:

imranbecks wrote:Wow! Incredible shots Daniel! I can see the flaw whereby the t-top cover can't sit in properly... And the pop up headlights too, one side sits in flush, the other one doesn't. I like that the dashboard on the HW model looks so much smoother and cleaner than the ERTL... I really can't wait to get mine! Not sure whats taking my retailer such a long time to bring it in... Aargh!!!

Thanks.

You can see the tail light lens fault too in the shot of the car with the bonnet/boot/doors/t-tops open, and the bent-up fog light grilles in the head-on shot.

It's a shame about these faults, but even with them I still really love the model - it's so much better than the ERTL version.

I'm surprised it's taking so long for you - they seemed to be released in Asia first. Could you get one online?

Poor quality control from Hot Wheels I suppose. Surprising since my Elite Ecto-1 from them was literally perfect out of the box....

As for KITT, yes I could get it online, but since I already placed a pre-order with the local shop with no deposit, I just feel I should honor my pre-order with them and just wait for them to bring it in. They said it should be some time this month or in April. From what I've seen, the only place that has it is ebay. Online retailers such as Entertainment Earth and BBTS don't have stock of them just yet, maybe once they do, the shop where I ordered from would have it in too.....

BTW, what is that square box underneath the front bumper for???

I think the box is supposed to be for the winch/grappling hook. The hook is a moulded detail under the nose.

DanielB wrote:I think the box is supposed to be for the winch/grappling hook. The hook is a moulded detail under the nose.

Is there a working winch inside there? Hopefully it works better than the ERTL one did...

No, the hook is a moulded detail. Nothing on it moves.

The features of the car are:

Scanner
Pop-up lights
Folding seats front and rear
Front ejector seats
Rotating licence plate

Both there are many problems. Get those pictures and make a comparison with a picture of original KITT. Those models are too different of real car. The best model KITT is the 1/24 Aoshima. There are problems too, but It has the best front nose, the best dash and a scanner working perfect.

We know, you might have mentioned it once or twice... The fact remains that if you want a 1:18 diecast model of KITT, it's a choice of Hot Wheels Elite or ERTL - I know which one I prefer.

Hot Wheels Elite KITT for sure!

Having compared you pictures with my car, I can now see what you mean about the tail lamp panel having a wave in it, and the front nose intakes/lamp grilles. Mine are OK and in the real show these parts were never perfect anyway.

I can't see what you mean about headlamps uneven? Mine when you shut with the passenger side it clicks into place, and the drivers one needs pressing manually to make it flush. I have just compared this to the H/W Elite Magnum Ferrari and on that both headlamps shut evenly. When I had mine apart I noticed the cross bar is held by screws, so could be one of them needs tightening.

One thing I noticed when mine was apart which does show on your picture with the door open is that the throttle pedal has the green LEDs painted which the first season cars didn't have.

I believe its like that on all the pedals of the model.. Easily fixed though by repainting or using a paint remover to remove the green dots..

Those are great pictures and so clear. I am always thankful when any company makes KR stuff but I wasn't expecting all these little imperfections. I can understand some minor issues with a $60 Diamond Select, at a $160 I am more than disappointed especially when aside from that it great model.

Agreed.. Unless a real KR fan works at Mattel/Hot Wheels, we will probably never get a 99.9% accurate and perfect KITT model..

Last few shots:

imranbecks wrote:Agreed.. Unless a real KR fan works at Mattel/Hot Wheels, we will probably never get a 99.9% accurate and perfect KITT model..

Exactly, I hate that they have painted the top half of the A-team flat grey, where as it should be a darker gunmetal grey, and when I researched into the Elite Magnum Ferrari, there were errors reported on that one and sure there is probably something on the other models they have done, but I would rather have this with minor errors that can be fixed than the ERTL one with a lot more errors.

Why pick between them-LIKE BOTH(Like I do). I have the Ertl Versions of KITT and KARR(and I like them a lot). I hope to One day get the Hot Wheels Version.

I finally got my KITT.. Problem with mine other than the right t-top not being able to sit flush is that for some reason, the rear seat on mine can't incline all the way so that its leaning. No matter how hard I push it against the back of the interior, the seat keeps staying in an almost 90 degree position.. Other than that, it sure is an impressive piece.