Tramposhay Posted May 5, 2012 Report Share Posted May 5, 2012 Hey chaps, I've been doing a TON of research on these boards today for me and a friend, and after considering our build and our wallets we have come down to ATA vs AP. The ATA is a little cheaper, and i realize it doesn't come with decals or the helmet mic inserts (i may have missed something, but its not apparent for a newb like me!) I have a few questions for you, if you would be kind enough to answer them! 1) What would you recommend? 2) Why? 3) I'm guessing ATA is a slightly lengthy build process (compared to AP) - hence the cost, would i be correct in that assumption? I know AP offer a cut and a completed (put together) version, but me and my friend are both interested in making it a little bit of a project so am comparing the uncut version vs the ATA Any comments would be greatly appreciated! Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smitty Posted May 5, 2012 Report Share Posted May 5, 2012 My only experience with ATA was one of his helmets and its hands down the finest helmet kit I've ever received. The hovis are supurb. The glossy ABS is just beautiful and customer service is second to none. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pandatrooper[TK] Posted May 5, 2012 Report Share Posted May 5, 2012 An Ata build is pretty much the same as an AP build in terms of process. Unless AP has fixed the thighs and shin halves from being mismatched lengths, that would take longer to build to make the halves look even in length if you want it to look right. Ata does come with accurate mic tips (AP does not), way more accurate rubber brow and neck trim and more durable lens material. Ata is slightly yellow beige in color (screen accurate) than AP which is a cool white. Personally, I prefer ATA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich330[TK] Posted May 5, 2012 Report Share Posted May 5, 2012 (edited) Despite being recast, the ATA looks a lot closer to the armour origins to my eyes. Compare the shape of the thighs on an AP, ATA and original armour and you'll see what I mean. If I had to chose between the two, ATA would be my choice because the moulds don't look like they've been tampered with unnecessarily. I also prefer the ATA helmet. The AP and ATA helmets which have passed through my hands have been of similar (quite small) size but the ATA (to my eyes) just looked a lot more like the Stunt helmets on screen. Edited May 5, 2012 by Rick330 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TK bondservnt[501st] Posted May 5, 2012 Report Share Posted May 5, 2012 AP now comes with accurate tips if you ask for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daetrin[Admin] Posted May 5, 2012 Report Share Posted May 5, 2012 AP also is a smooth cap n back helmet, which some prefer. You have to ask ATA for two right biceps and also matching forearms. AP's forearms are not quite as good as the dimples are softer IMHO. Still, both good kits that will last a long time. Heck, I'm just happy that we're at the level of discussing such things as when this board started it was still an FX vs .RT vs. AP scenario. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anphrax[TK] Posted May 5, 2012 Report Share Posted May 5, 2012 (edited) I've got ATA and it rocks. I know a lot of people are really happy with their set, and I can't recommend it enough! edit: also... the ATA bucket comes with everything you need except the decals! (Includes screws, mic tips, washers, etc!) Edited May 5, 2012 by anphrax Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bjsavage7[TK] Posted May 5, 2012 Report Share Posted May 5, 2012 I've got ATA and it rocks. I know a lot of people are really happy with their set, and I can't recommend it enough! +1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigironvault Posted May 5, 2012 Report Share Posted May 5, 2012 It's really a personal decision I think. Any of the "approved" vendors are going to give you a good product. Best is if you can see an ATA and AP in person and make a choice that way. Local garrison? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mongoose[TK] Posted May 5, 2012 Report Share Posted May 5, 2012 I just got my ATA kit a few days ago. Absolutely love it. Do have to buy the decals for the helmet but they aren't too much. Really happy with the product. Plus the costumer service was great. That's to be expected as ATA is one of the approved vendors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Solcar23[TK] Posted May 5, 2012 Report Share Posted May 5, 2012 I LOVE my ATA kit and Supertrooper is a great guy to deal with! I have no experience with any other kits but I couldn't be happier with my purchase! AP looks great too, but for the price, ATA is really a great value! Highly recommended! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thalizar[TK] Posted May 5, 2012 Report Share Posted May 5, 2012 (edited) My build is also ATA, a little more trimming may be involved but the kit went together well. Only thing I would look at is your build, if you are very tall or a bigger build ATA or AP may not be the best kit for you. I'm 6'2" at 180lbs and did have to do some modification to have the backplate and kidney plate sit properly. Both are great kits and you will be happy with either. Edited May 5, 2012 by Thalizar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich330[TK] Posted May 5, 2012 Report Share Posted May 5, 2012 What do you all want decals with your helmet kits for? You're not all building ESB surely? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gazmosis[501st] Posted May 5, 2012 Report Share Posted May 5, 2012 A certain degree of mods and custom fitting will come with any kit you buy. Ap has long been noted toward the smaller framed trooper. A larger trooper like me ( 5'10" and 209 lbs.) would never fit into AP. Although I didn't need to shim anything, ATA seems to be very forgiving if one needs a little extra room. Mic tips will need to be painted and partially assembled, with ATA. I always thought that the AP helmet was a little easier to assemble. Just my $.02 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tramposhay Posted May 5, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 5, 2012 (edited) Thanks for all the input into this thread!! I will place my order for the ATA kit today, as it seems there is little difference between the two but a rather large price gap, Thanks again! Although these two posts confused me a little - perhaps someone could elaborate? ... You have to ask ATA for two right biceps and also matching forearms. ... and What do you all want decals with your helmet kits for? You're not all building ESB surely? Edited May 5, 2012 by Tramposhay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Solcar23[TK] Posted May 5, 2012 Report Share Posted May 5, 2012 (edited) I can answer the first one. This is from Gazmosis' build When you ask for two right biceps it'll look like this (minus the thumbprint mod): ---------- This is what you get when you don't order it that way. this is from my brown box pics (still a WIP): ------------ The lefts are curvier than the rights. I purchased the Dave M decals from Trooperbay. They mimic hand painted ones that are requirements for EIB ANH stunt. They don't come with the kit because many folks paint them themselves. Edited January 23, 2021 by gmrhodes13 link not working, removed gmrhodes13 2021 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich330[TK] Posted May 5, 2012 Report Share Posted May 5, 2012 Although these two posts confused me a little - perhaps someone could elaborate? and The original stormtrooper helmets (the ones from the first Star Wars movie) were hand-painted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sonnenschein Posted May 5, 2012 Report Share Posted May 5, 2012 The original stormtrooper helmets (the ones from the first Star Wars movie) were hand-painted. ESB and ROTJ used decals. The AP decals are nice, but they're "idealized". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich330[TK] Posted May 6, 2012 Report Share Posted May 6, 2012 The AP decals are nice, but they're "idealized". They are decals. Therefore they are pointless Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt black Posted May 6, 2012 Report Share Posted May 6, 2012 Not everyone is good enough at painting to paint the helmet. I would rather see hand painted style decals than a bad paint job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jkno Posted May 6, 2012 Report Share Posted May 6, 2012 Not everyone is good enough at painting to paint the helmet. I would rather see hand painted style decals than a bad paint job. Totally agree. I never liked painting in my life, so I would also prefer some good decals instead of trying to screw the whole thing myself. LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mongoose[TK] Posted May 7, 2012 Report Share Posted May 7, 2012 I hear you. I remember trying to paint model cars. If I attempted to do that to my helmet I would probably have a panic attack. I'll be using decals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abaris Posted May 7, 2012 Report Share Posted May 7, 2012 And why not using paint stencils like the ones used for the RS helmets? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tramposhay Posted May 8, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 8, 2012 (edited) Helmet has been ordered from Mister ATA Works - there is a bit of a wait on the armor at the moment, but that'll give me time to get everything ready!! Thanks for everyone's recommendations and input into the thread. Edited May 8, 2012 by Tramposhay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ripcode[501st] Posted May 8, 2012 Report Share Posted May 8, 2012 I have personally visited the ATA workshop. No pics were allowed to be taken, but just let me say that it was hard to leave! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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