Mack mega-lites: better than Intamin or Chance Rides?

[andrus]

There have been popping up some Mack mega-lites reacently! First in Etnaland in 2013, and then in Niglonad last year. Both of them similar to the Intamin model (with the latter almost a complete knock-off). While both coasters look very interesting, the thing is that they're located at parks that are rarely covered by enthusiasts (at least they haven't been mentioned a lot on the forum). So I wonder whether some of you have been? And, in that case, what was your opinion?

What sparked my interest was the fact that Jerry put Alpina Blitz (Nigloland) above the Intamin version in his rankings! I who had been thinking that the Mack version was "good", but a bit weaker than the Intamin version.. Now all of a sudden it appears to be supperior to it's predecessor! What do you think?


EDIT:

The Chance Rides mega-lite version (Lightning Run) look very interesting as well, and hence I thought it should be included in the discussion! It's roughly the same size as the Mack and Intamin versions but has a distinctly different layout. It would be nice to see a comparison with the above mentioned rides! Have anyone been to Kentucky Kingdom and ridden the new Chance coaster?


I've also added videos of the rides for comparisons:

The Storm - Etnaland (Mack)
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbwrZGUnknc[/youtube]

Alpina Blitz - Nigloland (Mack)
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxTYMeT9TEw[/youtube]

Piraten - Djurs Sommerland (Intamin)
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYnh4DfQdgA[/youtube]

Lightning Run - Kentucky Kingdom (Chance Rides)
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytA7EL3YjSw[/youtube]

 

[peep]

Re: Mack mega-lites: better than Intamin?

I'm with Jerry, the Nigloland version is smoother and the seat design is more comfortable. However I think the Intamin version is a bit faster and more aggressive which will obviously create a divide in opinions depending on what you enjoy in a coaster.

 

[Serena]

Re: Mack mega-lites: better than Intamin?

I prefer the Intamin Mega-lite, it packs more of a punch. They're slightly more ejector-y, and maintain a decent speed throughout the whole ride. I found Alpina Blitz tamer and rather sluggish toward the end. It was far less breathtaking than Piraten.

I do agree with Peep about the Mack ones being smoother and having more comfortable restraints though.

 

[ECG]

Re: Mack mega-lites: better than Intamin?

What can I say. I'm an old fart and go for the more comfortable ride.
On the more serious side. I rode Piraten and Alpina Blitz within a week or so of each other last summer and had a better ride on Alpina. However, Piraten didn't seem to have as good a ride as I remember it having back in 2009. I really need to ride Storm and at least one of the three Far East mega-lites before I can really say for sure which type I like better.

 

[Rollercoaster David]

Re: Mack mega-lites: better than Intamin?

I would go with alpina blitz as my preference, the seats are much more comfortable, the 2nd hill gives a really nice bit of floater followed by ejector air and when I left the ride I had a huge grin on my face. I rode the intamin version after alpina at Djurs sommerland later in the year and didn't find it as good. One thing I did notice however was that there seemed to be quite a difference between the speed of the 2 trains running on Piraten, one was noticeably faster and gave a better ride. I rode alpina blitz at the start of the season and piraten towards the end so maybe its partly a maintenence/wear on trains thing that made it have a better ride

anyway, right now my vote goes to Alpina Blitz and I hope MACK make more of these coasters

 

[_koppen]

Re: Mack mega-lites: better than Intamin?

I can't wait for the day the next Megalite gets built and get these trains!
The only thing I ever hated on Piraten is the limited foot space.

 

[sparky2u]

Re: Mack mega-lites: better than Intamin?

This depends on the layout of the coaster track & if it provides a great ride.

 

[andrus]

Re: Mack mega-lites: better than Intamin?

I'm with Jerry, the Nigloland version is smoother and the seat design is more comfortable. However I think the Intamin version is a bit faster and more aggressive which will obviously create a divide in opinions depending on what you enjoy in a coaster.

Hmm, then I think I personally still would prefer the Intamin version. I didn't find it rough at all, and I'm completely fine with the seating arrangement! In fact, I think the Intamin T-bars are one of the more comfy restraints out there (in contradiction to many other restraints coming from Intamin)


EDIT:

I've added Lightning Run from Chance Rides to the discussion! If anyone have been on that ride it would be nice to read your opinions LR is roughly the same size as the other mega-lite coasters, but with a completely different layout. And tbh; it looks brilliant!!

Also: I've added videos of all the rides in my first post for comparisons.