Daetrin

Leave it to our Sergeant at Arms to charge the breach What makes you who you are? My family of course. Growing up in a racially mixed, economically challenged neighborhood in Chicago is the core of who I am. I've been to most of the states in the US and have spent perhaps 9 months overseas in nine countries. But I'm at the core just a dorky white guy from Chicago's far north side. That and the Army. Enlisting was one of the smartest things I ever did (though not completing ROTC and getting bars was perhaps the stupidest). What makes you tick? Always exploring new things. I have an insatiable curiosity and would probably still be in college if I had an infinite amount of money. I like confrontation, and like to be challenged. My relationships to my family and close friends (I'm talking of over 20+ years) are extremely critical to my well being. I truly believe that everyone has potential, and it's everyone's calling to do their best to live up to their potential. I hate limitations and - most especially - waste. And the biggest waste of all is people not living up to their talents. What do you do for a living? I've been working for pay since I was 14. My current employment (and what I've been doing for the last 10 years) is being a web/data/program management generalist, with most of that time at Microsoft. It's not a bad gig, but is not truly where my passions lie, nor what I wanted to be when I 'grew up', but now with kids, etc. it's truly hard to change careers. What other passions do you have? Aside from Star Wars? I'm really a generalist and enjoy a wide variety of hobbies. Typically I'll take on a new hobby like learning Chinese and be obsessed with it for 6-12, then I burn out and take on a new hobby. In the past this involved model building, roller blading (trail & aggressive), target shooting, running, working out, snorkeling, hiking, camping. These days it's mostly reading, watching TV or movies, and spending time with my family. And yes, I still have the motorcycle though I don't commute with it anymore. I'm also very interested in science in general (you can find the book Genome on my shelf and I still understand what reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction is, though I've forgotten all my math :-p), historical non-fiction, historical fiction, that kind of thing. Computers of course! Legos since I was four. And airplanes. I've probably built over 100 model airplanes and am obsessed. While a staunch fiscal conservative, I'm pretty passionate about environmental issues and sustainable use of resources. Oh, and I'm a total travel slave Leia. Present me with a plane ticket - especially to somewhere I've never been to - and I'll abandon my job/family in a heartbeat. Other Hobbies and such? See above. They tend to change over time, though reading never ceases. Married or not? Divorced once in what seems a past life. Currently running three years and I will never hit the alter again. Kids? Yes, one 2 year old daughter and expecting a boy in April. Anything else? I'm a gemini, and as my sun sign implies I'm a bit of a chameleon and notice my life tends to run in phases (college life, military life, Microsoft life, married life, etc.). I'm not very constant over time, I'm afraid. Perhaps the best thing to know about me is that I have a high capacity to separate the facts of an issue and the feelings of an issue. This means that I don't see arguing or confrontation as a negative or something to be avoided. To me the most stimulating thing is a healthy debate. If I can defend myself, it means that I'm probably right. If I can't, it means I need to change my opinion as I'm probably wrong. So being right isn't important, discovering the truth of an issue is. Becoming a little better every day is something everyone should aspire to. When I first started this hobby it was all about being able to wear armor. Now the main draw is being able to interact with people with whom I can share my passion, but who also stimulate and challenge me to be a better person.

It seems the hardest part is threading the tube into your helmet and figuring out a way to keep it handy, esp. as you really won't be able to reach up with your hand at all. On the plus, we should have ample time during the evening to rig sthing up if you don't before then. Lots of helping hands to contribute ideas.

Absolutely Zep! Who's to say you can't make one better? HF used to be the shiz for E-11's, but Tony came up with a design that's it's equal Who's to say that your version .Next won't be better than what this guy makes & you'll be the SE-14R shiz?

Keep us in the loop Carlos if you can - would save him from having to respond to many emails.

I think this is in the same boat as a grappling hook. None to date, but what a fantastic project idea. I'd certainly be in on the first run.

I'd like to do a big run on this since many 501st folks on this board aren't in the correct group. If you are a 501st member yet don't have 501st level access, please request access here: http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=16. You can see if you have access by looking at your group logo. If you're 501st it will say 501st Trooper, else it will just say Member. Since I have to check these manually, it's helpful when your email address on this board is the same as the one in the 501st records. If you don't care to have 501st level access, simply ignore this post.

My AP bucket was $275 IIRC. My TE2 helmet was...let's just say a bit more. RomFx is like $260 depending on the exchange rate. Plus mike tips. Yeah, I'd say my cheap bucket is worth at least $600, my good one even more. That's not even including a fan setup. And...haven't heard the hyperdine but I have heard *Worx, home done, and Rom. The Rom is easily the best sounding, though I have to say for a basic system the SkullWorx is a great value.

All set Sarah!

Actually if you're using IE, you can force it to never cache anything. Two other settings you should ensure you set in Tools-InternetOptions-Advanced are: 1) Do not save encrypted pages to disk 2) Empty Temporary Internet Files folder when browser is closed. The first is a no-brainer, the second helps keep that folder from growing out of hand.

Proximity is also why you see more MovieFX in mainland Europe & SDS in England

RTMod seems especially popular in Canada. I've never seen it in person but it's supposed to be quite nice. If anyone has an extra suit laying around, I'm sure I can find a welcome home for it ;-)

I added that option Andrea - you should be OK now

Since the previous poll was more about which style you decorated yours in, here is a chance to see which maker people have.

Fast turnaround - looks like he cleaned them up nicely

In this case we're not talking about which armor style (FX vs. TE) but which markings. I'll start another for which armor, should be interesting.

That's one sweet mod. I like the quick disconnects more than snaps, and the hidden rivet is a great idea.

That part is not in question. The TK costume in canon configuration is indisputably unadorned. Also, it's been established that a TK with a pauldron is now considered a TX. That really should be the end of the argument.

I haven't seen a suit in person, but my understanding from reading many threads on this topic is that it can be overly thin in some areas and that for an ANH suit it's not as accurate as other makers, nor as durable. For some people it's more the fact that SDS - at first blush- is making it seem that the suits are made from the original molds, where this is not the case. Some parts might have been, but certainly not the entire suit. As mentioned many times in the end it's all a matter of taste/budget and everyone has their preferences. It's your money and your suit after all.

The CTN one is also really well done. As you noted there, if some people don't like it they can choose an alternate scheme.

Is this on ABS? Because my experience is the opposite - CA glue came apart (on HIPS armor), but my FX/ABS'd suit is still going strong after many troops.

I think the current advice is to just stay away from SDS.

To chime in with Brian - definitely get on the garrison boards ASAP. There are a lot of armor parties coming up (and they tend to be few and far in between) that you'll want to attend. Great to meet everyone else in the area as well. Sign on & make friends.

I had the "pleasure" of trying to check the boards over a dial-up while on vacation and am pleased to say that the background doesn't hurt load time at all. Great work V'Pier!!

It's one interesting bucket. My nose is too big for me to get all that stuff in a TE lid. Heck, I have a hard enough time putting on an empty AP/TE as it is. :-p Still, does make me jealous as all get out & wish mine was as sweet

All set Jason.