This is possibly Lego's best Star Wars playset in my opinion, there doesn't seem to be much to it, but what there is is so much fun! I'm gutted I was too late to buy it new as well, it was really good value for money, and it's not so easy to pick up cheap anymore as it's both good and quite rare.

The Snowspeeder that comes with the set isn't far off the Wampa Cave (8089) version, you can tell they're from the same stock. Because of that it's really good, and the height the computer screen is at is actually better in this version. I like that it's grey too, perhaps Lego knew they would be releasing another quite soon.

In terms of the 8089 version, the gun at the back isn't as good, but that's only one piece; the piece coming from the engine to the guns is quite poor, but again it's not a huge detail; and the engines actually lift off, which is simply different, not really better or worse. And I do really like the stickered detail under the engines and the crane and maintenance bay that come with the set. Again, it's a detail that makes it different enough to be worth having both.

There are a few details that I don't think this or 8089 got right, like the winch mechanism not being symmetrical, and there being no smooth runners on the underside and the posts that there are only being in the middle, but those aren't so hard to improve yourself if you want to. The figures sit lower in the ship in this version too - I customised the 8089 one quite heavily so that they weren't impeding the roof, so it wins on that point!

The base itself is quite minimalistic, but I think is the better for it. I'm not a fan of the amount of imagination that went into 7879, although the bacta tank is superb! I've said already, the cradle for the snowspeeder and the crane for lifting off the engines are really great; I like the maintenance features in the B-Wing and Home One sets, put them together and you've got a great hangar bay. The screen that folds out is wonderfully geeky, looking just like the display in the film. The main feature however is the doors, and they are great! The walls of snow around them are fun to build and look great, and the way they slide into place is just right. I found I needed to add some 1x2 tiles to plug the strange gaps where the doors meet, and if you slide them fully open you can sometimes lever the bottom brick off rather than sliding them closed, but those hardly detract from the overall effect.

The set does fall down on the turret gun and the web gun. They are both very crude looking, and have pretty pathetic missiles. But both have been updated in 7749, so if this is one set in a Hoth collection you don't really mind.

The figures feel like more of a booster pack too, but again that's no bad thing if this is part of a larger collection. Two more snowtroopers and rebel soldiers are always useful, even if the rebels are a little dated next to the newer battle pack versions. And I like having Dack Ralter, even if he's got a stock face (like Wedge Antilles. Shame.). K-3PO is a bit of a mystery to me as he looks a bit too washed out, but he does look at home in the Arctic-type setting, more droids are always good to have, and I suppose he was in the films (unlike the brashly red one in that new set that I don't think much of!).

Pros

• The hangar doors are brilliant and really make a Hoth scene complete
• The snowspeeder is good, perhaps not as good as in 8089, but different and in some respects better
• Nice details with the maitenance bay and tactical screen
• A good set of figures to boost a Hoth battle scene
• The sparseness is a pro if you want to create a hangar bay for all your ships - it can be as big as you like!

Cons

• The two gun posts look dated and poor
• On it's own the set seems a bit empty

I do love this set, but I wonder if I didn't already own the Wampa Cave, the 7749 bunker, turret gun and Tauntaun and an AT-AT if I wouldn't have been a bit disappointed. You need to be able to fill the space to make it seem good. Perhaps not the best set to start a Hoth collection with, but as a booster set to an existing scene it is top drawer!

Ever since I got my first episode v set in 1999, I have always had the vision of recreating the battle of Hoth. Finally, my dream came true yesterday. I found this set at a collectors shop and bought it for $35 dollars. I got to building immediately and was astonished by the snowspeeder the most. This is the best snowspeeder so far and is hands down the most sturdy. The base itself is niice and the circular shape of the door adds to the movie accuracy. It is really more of a hangar than a base, but nevertheless, it is very well built. The turret is also massive with a long barrel and a nice rounded shape. I'd also like to point out that this is one of the few non-xpod sets to use the canester covers.
Minifigures: Here, we get another pilot Luke and another pathetic looking Dak. I really hope we get a new Dak in the Wampa Attack snowspeeder. We also get more snowtroopers and seriously one of the meanest looking turrets I've ever seen. More rebels are always nice, but I feel that they should have included one more to man the turret. Finally, on to the droids. The protocol droid is magnificant and has a great amount detail to it. The star of the set is the probot. I mean, this thing is awesome. It is larger than I expected and definately a keeper.

Pros:
The figs are great, but Dak is truly a shame
The turret
The probot
The base itself
Looks great with 2 echo bases

Cons:
A little bit open
Again, Dak
Randomly included lightsaber beams
Seriously Lego, these smilely faced soldiers are creepy

Overall:
A must buy. At 144 off toywiz.com, its still worth it. This set is an instant classic and really brings Hoth to life.

This is one of THE BEST sets I've gotten, I got it for my birthday, and when I was building this 'work of art', it was the best time I've EVER had building LEGO. I got some Pros & Cons for you.

Pros;
2 Snowtroopers
2 Snow Rebels
Limited Edition K-3PO!
And all the rest, BUT...

Cons;
Not so much inside play area in base.

Other than that a masterpiece!

This set is just incredible. I loved it even before I had watched Star Wars, and then after I had it just completed this set. For a ground base AND a limited edition set, the price is perfect at $50 for 548 pieces. There's obviously the base, two Rebel and Imperial cannons, a snowspeeder, and a repair crane for the snowspeeder. The minifigures are great, but in my own opinion, there should be figures of Wedge Antilles and Wes Janson minifigs (so if you had the Walking AT-AT you would have the pilots who did it) but this set also goes perfectly with 6212 X-wing (which has Wedge at least). Nonetheless, this set has rare and exclusive minifigs. Luke, Dack, 2 Rebel troops, 2 snowtroopers, K-3PO, and a Probe Droid are all must haves.

The Base itself, though more of a gate, is just excellent to play with. Two gears open the doors (you can also use your hands to get it opened) and the snowspeeder can just barely slide through the door but it nonetheless fits. I have to give this set the best remarks, because it fit everything I wanted. The minifigs just make the set so worth it, and it makes for loads of good ground battles even if you don't have an AT-AT. Amazing set!

the best set ever. i dont know about other people i only buy sets that will be worth. i usually read reviews that actually help explain how cool a set is. i hope this helps. i bought this set with the money i got from selling some soccer boots.when i got home i built this immediatley after i carefully opened the box.it took me about ab hour and a half. the pieces are awesome and i love the design of the snowspeeder. the opening and closing door is great and the turrets actually fire pretty far. the build is pretty annoying though cause it is just wierd. but i love this set so much you have to get it.