Astyanax

OK, fair enough, not to derail this thread (I hope), but I did some quick research and came to the following conclusions: 1. The eFX helmet is admissible to the 501st with quite a few modifications. Here's a great thread with some links explaining the process (no photos, unfortunately): http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/19146-master-replicas-helmet/ I'm sure there are other more current threads regarding the best approach. 2. Jedi-Robe costumes are recasts of FX armor with a recast of an SDS helmet. You probably know how the FISD feels about recasters. Unfortunately, even though we might think things look fine, admission to the 501st is bound by the CRLs. That's why eFX doesn't cut it out of the box.

Thus far, we have pretty small issues with the ANOVOS armor, which can easily be corrected. Might be a question for a different thread, but I believe eFX and Jedi-Robe have bigger issues that are not so easily corrected.

Thanks Germain. No one's talking about being lazy, we're just trying to identify the best practice so that we don't miss anything, as well as clearly separate the mandatory bits for the many others who might have questions.

This is amazing. Following closely! (And yes, count me as a vote for giant pics inline)

Just curious, on what basis would you like to see these kits rejected from EIB? Belt? Fixable. TD? Fixable. Sharp pulls? Not in the CRL. Thin plastic? Not in the CRL. Isn't it actually a good thing that if, the EIB standards being what they are, the 501st community is indeed flooded with more EIB members? So long as the standards don't change, it's a growth that benefits all.

It would have to be a crazy awful suit not to have the "potential" to be approved. I think that's not a question at this point. It's much closer than a Rubie's, for example, which can also be approved with lots of work. I think what we're all trying to figure out right now is exactly how much work and in what areas for it to be approvable. For my money, I think this will not only be approvable with minimal modifications and a proper fit, but it might be able to hit the higher levels of certification with additional work. That's the exciting part of this.

Ah, thanks for that clarification.

Yeah, I hear you, but for basic admission, some previous discussion in the other thread was to the effect that a couple holes in the canvas belt are no big deal and not an obstacle. Darning or patching the holes from behind seems to be viable too.

Not necessarily. I think it's a fallacy for a vetted maker to assume that ANOVOS is taking away all the sales. What I think it happening is that ANOVOS is snapping up all the cheapskates (like me). Someone with a bigger budget is still far, far more likely to go with a vetted armor maker than ANOVOS, I would think. Remember, the original $350 includes a bunch of soft parts and accessories (undersuit, gloves, neck seal, belt, holster, TD clips), which, if you were to get those all separately, makes the armor seem almost free. This brings in a bunch of potential troopers that wouldn't have spent their money with a vetted armor maker anyway. Say what you will about the price helping filter out those who are only casually interested, it's more fair to say that ANOVOS is "making" troopers, rather than "stealing" them from other armorers. At least they were when the price was lower. I suspect the price may even go up further. Although I will say there's one potential big advantage, as a newbie: the pre-built helmet. I know a lot of you like to tinker with your helmets as they're being built, and again, as a newbie, that's the scariest part that I won't have to build. I may be wrong about this, but the vetted armor makers could potentially become more competitive if they offered certain individual parts like this pre-built...not sure...

Nope, according to the email, ANOVOS says it comes pre-built, as does the belt/holster: I suspect that this means the TD might also be actually bolted to the belt, which means relocating the TD clips might expose holes in the belt. Not sure about this, though.

Hey guys: As the discussions wage over in the main ANOVOS Preorder thread, that topic is shifting continuously. I thought it might be wise to capture this issue as its own thread, so that we as a community can discuss alternatives. I'm sure there will be more issues with the ANOVOS armor to consider as more is revealed, but with the potential of hundreds or thousands of new 501st recruits showing up in coming months, it might be helpful for us to continue to track this. This is the thermal detonator as offered by ANOVOS: The biggest problem is that the metal clips are mounted incorrectly; they should be moved closer to the end caps. The good news is that this is not a barrier to 501st admission, and no GML should reject an application on this basis. But when it comes to EIB or Centurion status, we do have a problem: ANOVOS says the following: It has been suggested by some members that the TD has other issues as well, as far as how the control panel looks, the use of philips-head screws, and the fact that we have not yet been able to measure it. I'd like to offer this thread as a means for tracking any ongoing issues with the TD, as well as a spot for modifications of alternatives. Is it worth replacing? Is it going to be easy to move the clips and hide the holes? What does this mean for the ANOVOS pre-assembled armor kits? When we get our own armor, I hope we can post our own solutions here also. So please jump in if you have any thoughts. Thanks! Bill

Hi all: As the discussions wage over in the main ANOVOS Preorder thread, that topic is shifting continuously. Rather than continue to clutter up that thread, I thought it might be wise to capture this issue as its own thread, so that we as a community can discuss alternatives. I'm sure there will be more issues with the ANOVOS armor to consider as more is revealed, but with the potential of hundreds or thousands of new 501st recruits showing up in coming months, it might be helpful for us to continue to track this. So, to state the problem in a nutshell, here is the ANOVOS belt and holster: The issue here is that the entire ANOVOS ANH armor is based on the ANH Stunt version, but ANOVOS has chosen to go with a Hero type mount. That is, four rivets in the belt to secure the holster, instead of just two. This is a barrier to 501st admission, because the CRL clearly states the following: ANOVOS has responded to this concern with the following: Not much help. So what are our options? Replacement, removal of the two offending rivets, are there any other things we should keep in mind about this? As we receive our armor, I hope we can post our own solutions here as well. Thanks, Bill

Yes, it's this very observation that tells me I really should not try to modify the belt for the CWFBSORNTACP costume, but rather get/make a replacement for approval purposes, in case I want to bring it back and sport four rivets as an R1 TK. The same thought gives me pause about modifying the TD; I'd rather build/buy a new one for EIB/Centurion approval, in case R1 TKs do it this style now.

Not that this is really helpful or anything, but I contactedCWFBSORNTACP support about the two issues and got this back:

Wonderful stuff! I have the exact same configuration but haven't moved forward yet. I can't wait to follow in your footsteps!

Damn straight. A lot of good will be done for charity next year.

Goes with the territory.

I mean this from the bottom of my heart, I CANNOT WAIT for your build/mod threads.

Right, my thinking was not that the CRL would have to be updated to allow anything, but rather that the CRL might have to be updated to be more specific as to what is unacceptable so that Anovos buyers can modify as needed. That's all I meant. Does the CRL address the problems we see? Thanks to Eric for reposting the CRL. Looks like it covers what needs to be covered. I feel like a fool for not going back and rereading it. Bill

The CRL may have to address this.

I like the sharp pulls. Less film-accurate, without a doubt, but now they look like they really came off the Imperial assembly line. Do you think the Empire would really tolerate anything but the sharpest of pulls? Do you think the Emperor is thrilled with "charming asymmetry"? Puh-leeze. (I live perpetually in the real Star Wars universe, not in a film producer's approximation of it.) I think this is what Disney/Anovos are banking on. As for the TD, not a major thing to replace. And a new sales niche becomes available...better TDs for Anovos buyers!

Trying to estimate the count of all those chest plates in the pic above in order to determine how many they made. It looks like about 5,000 to me. That's a big response!

But in all seriousness, now we know that the belt-holster attachment problem is real. Time for us CWFBSORNTACP buyers to start getting replacement belts and holsters. I sense a lot of ANH Hero builders getting some really cheap belts and holsters in the near future. Unless any of you veterans think the belt or holster might be salvageable? I would love to get a jump on what I have to replace. Bill

Ah Vern, you beat me to the punch by mere moments. But here's the text of the CWFBSORNTACP email:

That's it! I'm waiting for my CWFBSORNTACP (or FBSOR for short) armor!!