Proto1001

Hello, semi-newbie here. So I finally emailed about 3 of the acceptable armor kit vendors and am now awaiting their responses. For me, price is only half of the concern, though I would like to keep it low if possible. I really want to order and receive a kit in time for Halloween, so if their is a recommended prop-designer that has a shorter waiting list or faster delivery time, PLEASE POINT THEM OUT.

Recommendation Accepted. Do you have any more details on who I should contact in order to get an ATA kit? I'm still doing some minor reading here and there so I kind of get how it's just a matter of trimming the armor for my size. I just want it to be as accurate as possible before I end up having to adjust it. As I said my starting budget is $1200, but I would love a price range on what an ATA armor kit would cost BEFORE attempting to buy it.

Ok, so the reason I was tight on money this year was because I was rebuilding a computer for a friend (the graphics card alone was $300, but its awesome). I recently just got re-payed for part of that build and have a little more money to work with. Congrats, because you guys have convinced me to save up and buy a good suit of armor. Total I'm at about $1200, and though I would love to read for hours on how to do this right (hint: sarcasm), I'm still in school and simply don't have the time. Now I did read a little bit on armor types from this link:----------- And if you pay attention(like I did) at the top it links to THIS FORUM'S POST on armor types. Which I also spent another 15min browsing. I get the general idea of what I want now: An ATA or AM Full Suit Armor Kit - Includes helmet (I understand holster and gun aren't typically included because the gun is expensive) White, Shiny, and Sturdier (based on reading this means ABS rather than HIPS) Less work/modding (based on reading this means already "Trimmed" to fit me) Generally Good (based on reading this means AP - "Authentic Props", but I don't really care as long as it looks nice) Now based on the reading, there's still some fan-based armor kits that are legitimately sold at fairly low costs. Does anyone know if the ATA - "Affordable Trooper Armor" and/or the AM - "Armor Master" kit makers are still around making them? If so, which one is cheaper and what's the general price range for their kits? Do they sell these kits online at random times as they start/finish making them? or do they allow customers to contact them with size/dimension requests for specific armor? As I've never been fitted for anything, not even a tux, what body dimensions do I need to concern myself with (besides height and weight) for building/buying my armor? FYI: I'm 5'8" (68 inches) and weigh about 145 lbs now (I lost 35 lbs in the last month, and i don't know why but my sisters hate me). YES, I understand they are expensive, probably more than what I have, but I'm saving up. YES, I understand their might be a waiting list and I might not get it for months. YES, I can handle buying pieces separate, but it seem's more costly and time consuming than buying a full kit if their available. NO, I do not want to make the armor myself because I am not an artist/designer, its a lot of work, and honestly I usually mess stuff like this up. Any help is appreciated, but please comment to answer one of my many questions. I really don't have time to read EVERYTHING, which is why I really just want hard facts and insights necessary to help get me on my way. Comments like "research it yourself" or "you need to look at more posts" is NOT helpful (at least to me).

Alrighty, well you guys have certainly painted me a perfect picture. I'll take your advice into account and try to work with what I have. I'm honestly considering just saving up to buy the real deal for next year. I'm still browsing for the cheapest options. in fact, I have an electrical engineer as a friend that said he could rig up a voice changer out of an old radio for me. Regardless of price I would love to just have the quality prop replica armor versus some cheap costume. Anyways, thanks for the help fellas, you've set me straight on the best options.

I understand, especially for people that make it home-made to have high pricing considering it takes twice the effort, but honestly after so many years nobody has taken the time to buy the proper moulds and capitalize on making them cheaper? $1000+ just seem's outrageous in general because right now that's the price of a really awesome custom built computer (I would know, I build custom pc's as a side business).

Well I was expecting this much. My low budget was an attempt at finding someone with a really cheap pre-made kit. As much as I would love to save up and just buy the expensive versions for $1000 USD, I simply can't save it up in time before Halloween. At most I have about $350 USD to work with, and I really didn't want to spend it all. I just can't believe that the suits are so expensive...I've seen so many people showing how they bought theirs online from a custom designer, costume entrepreneur, etc. for so much cheaper. I DON"T SEE HOW

Ok, so don't laugh but I'm just a regular guy that doesn't know anything about the stormtrooper costumes and design. I literally found this site linked to the 501st Legion site, so I thought I would give it a try. Goal: I'm just looking for a good stormtrooper costume for halloween, but I'm looking for everything included - The mesh/black cloth undersuit, the actual suit(individual pieces), the gun with the holster on belt, and if possible I would like to get a helmet with a modded voice changer (SFX for speaking). I started searching with google, then worked my way around ebay, and then finally to 501st site. So far I'm not liking the pricing on everything. I kind of rushed through viewing this site, but from what I see this forum gives good help on custom designs, kits, and tutorials for home-made armor. I'm just looking to buy pre-made armor that I can use for Halloween at a decent price. I would prefer to spend under $200 because that's practically all I have to work with, but if that's insanely impossible then please explain. Can anyone help?