=Sv3=

I remember when people here said the prototype photos looked too soft. You know what? Maybe they were listening, a bit too hard [emoji12] Anyway, I'm glad you're not dismissing it as total garbage. I mean, yeah it's no RS but it's no Rubies either. Some modifications required? Yeah, ok I can work with that! I didn't go into this expecting to get a ready to wear, all inclusive, sign here for 501st approval suit. I took the time to learn about the Rebel Legion and the 501st. I knew this included a lot more expenses on the side. I knew that you need to put work into it and that it's part of what makes it great. And I'm looking forward to all of that! In the end, there are kits for everyone. Like the "Types of armor and where to get them" says, there is no "best" armor, there is the best for you. Even with vetted makers, I'm looking at TD controls and buttons and it's all over the place really." You've got RS which looks like it walked off the set but you also get some that are more, uh, interesting... That's ok, it's been approved for legion membership. As far as Anovos is concerned? So yeah, they may have fudged the "sanitize" and "sharpen" buttons a bit too hard. So what? Don't buy it then, plenty of other options out there! Could it be too thin? Maybe but I doubt it, mostly because of their reputation for putting well crafted items for other brands. As for me, I'm comparing with other kits and I see that the general shape is very similar. It looks the part for sure. It's sharper, it's cleaner but it's still a TK. I have no doubt that once I put it on, 99,999999% percent of people will see a stormtrooper. And the guy next to me, whether is wearing ATA, AP, MTK, RS or even FX, you know what? They'll just see another TK and then they'll freak out like kids, just like I did first time I saw the guys from the 501st. In the end, we are all in love with the costume we build because we care. Because we choose them, because we've dreamed of them, built them and invested time and money into them. Who am I to tell someone else that my kit is better than his? He has his reason for liking his, I've got my own too! And you know what? My reasons aren't only that it's a good deal, I like that it's cleaner. I like that they went the extra mile to make sure the pieces fit properly. Thanks Vern, I was staring to get discouraged by all this negativity I read all day. If you think that this is worth building, I guess there's a good chance it won't be that bad after all...

Way too early to tell IMO.. You'd need to have the actual WFBSORNTACP armor in you're hands to be able to determine whether or not thickness will be an issue...

Better yet, it could argued that Anovos is using a Just-In-Time production system with minimal inventories [emoji12]

Sorry that you are facing any kind of backlash for sharing your opinion... I, for one, would like to thank you for your explanations. I know nothing about vacuum forming, so I had no idea they were being rough with the pieces. I guess part of that may just be that vetted makers care and love what they do, while those are being mass produced by people in a Chinese factory for whom this is only a job. I hope it turns out ok, I really do!

Kittell belts look AMAZING!!! I've done a few costumes, so I'm comfortable using a sewing machine, however, I don't know if I can achieve something this bad @ss! I may end up ordering one of his. As for the TD clips, I imagine we can fill the gaps with green stuff, paint the holes so they aren't noticeable, assemble the clips correctly and call it a day, no?

How is that a very poor effort? I mean, yes, they took some liberties, cleaned up the whole thing and stuff but I'd like to know what leads you to say that? I know you are an expert on the matter so there might be stuff jumping at you that a noob like me can't see...

What's wrong with the TD? I can see the clips are too far from the end caps and that it's idealized so not all that screen accurate. Anything else?

Yeah, I understand what you mean. There are details about RS that are unique to RS, from what I understand, because they had to resculpt some parts that were damaged or missing. We'll have to wait and see to settle that debate once and for all I guess. I understand recasting is bad, even though Anovos and Disney have the liscence, RS still did their own work and they don't deserve to have that stolen from them. I just hope it's not the case... Out of curiosity, could it be possible that Anovos had access to the same armor as RS? You know, just a thought...

Looking at the newest pictures of the Anovos ab/cod piece side by side with an RS, I have a really hard time believing they recast RS. IMO, they might have similar origins but Anovos has been cleaned up so much that they don't look the same at all. The general shape looks similar but the details, the sharpness and the smoothness of it really makes it it's own thing...

I see what you mean. I'm looking at it and an RS side to side and the Anovos looks much sharper and cleaner. It's almost like someone redoing a hand drawn logo using a computer. Everything is a bit square, as you said "sanitized". I'm ok with it for 350$, as long as it meets at least basic approval, looks the part and stands up well for trooping.

I've got these : https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00PI2T0VK/ref=oh_aui_i_sh_in_o1_img?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Great price, great boots!

Well, it looks good to me

Great! I don't know much as I'm pretty new at this but it does look very sharp. I know some were concerned with accuracy but it looks accurate too, doesn't it?

Sooooo... Here's the ab and cod piece. What do you guys think?

This is totally understandable and I respect that for sure. This is a private matter and it must be very sensitive for them. I wouldn't want to cause them any harm however involontary. Thank you for being so generous to him and his family.

This is such a touching story... I know many people who think that things like this or Make-A-Wish charities are a waste of money that should instead go to research but they couldn't be more wrong. Thanks for sharing OP! I'd like to know if you'd allow me to share this story on my Facebook profile for my friends and family? I'd have to translate it in French(I'm from Quebec) and only if you're ok with that. I just feel like it's such a heartbreaking story, yet I gives me faith in people...

If the holster is good, you'd only really need a new canvas belt as the extra holes in the holster strap wouldn't show since it's under the belt. Maybe you can even salvage the canvas belt, who knows? Yeah, it kinda sucks they're going this way and that it will need extra work but it's workable...

What she said! I must have spent at least 300$ on top and I don't even have my Aker amp. It's the only thing missing though, not counting misc hardware and tools like clamps and glue... I think I'll clock in at just over 1000$ Canadian, which is VERY reasonable for a TK from what I've read here. But you know, I may be far off and end up spending a lot more! Who knows? [emoji12]

I think you're right. There seems to be great concern with safety during the approval process. Especially since Disney seems so risk averse regarding that. I can't say I blame them with people throwing lawsuits left and right these days! So, kind of a bummer but it can be worked out.

Nope, his words were : "we're going with the hero configuration solely for the belt, as that's what has been approved by the licensor." So, Stunt helmet but Hero belt as per Disney approval. We're gonna have to science the sh*t out of this! Or buy a new belt and holster. Also, it comes already assembled so it might not be too easy to fix depending on the assembly method...

Ok, some good news and some bad news... I got a response to my email to Anovos about the belts and holster assembly. They confirmed what I feared, they are definitely going for the "Hero" setup for the belt and holster, which means 4 screws instead of 2. I'm trying to find out if it's preassembled, so that may still be workable, we'll see... On the other hand, he did say that they are going this route because this is what the licensor has approved! So it definitely sounds like they are quite far along in the process. They also said they've got some pretty cool pictures to share for the next newsletter so I'm thinking maybe shots of the production pieces or a bunch of armor ready to be shipped? Exciting stuff!!

Sales taxes are 15% in Quebec... Yup, you read that right!!! That shipping estimate doesn't seem right though. It starts at 48$ for me.

Looking at the Tested.com part 2 build video, it looks like Anovos is including snaps and split rivets. I might be wrong though, I'm not certain I'd have to rewatch the video. I've written to them about that and the possibility to have the belt unassembled. We'll see how that goes!

Good luck with that. I've seen people sell their preorder but not at 350$, more like 500$ to 600$. Lowest I've seen is 450$ I think. This is why I jumped at the offer, you won't ever find another deal like this. I wish you the best but I wouldn't hold my breath...

To be fair though, I asked them back in July... Might shoot them another email about it!