VacTrooper Posted August 31, 2008 Report Share Posted August 31, 2008 i've seen a lot of folks buying and modding these things left and right. they are CHEAP, and they look GOOD when they're done! however, IS IT WORTH IT?? P.S. on a side note, what is the max dimensions from ear to ear (the bottom, straight across), because if it's in the ballpark of 12", i'm going to buy and mod on of these! thanks all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murray1134[501st] Posted August 31, 2008 Report Share Posted August 31, 2008 It's worth it because it's a good bucket at a good price. The mods can be pretty simple or a complete tear down, there is a lot that can be done with it. Plus with your skills I think you could make one look amazing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tk0471 Posted August 31, 2008 Report Share Posted August 31, 2008 (edited) For a licensed product meant as a 'low end' collectors item, it's pretty well made; it's made from a scan of an authentic helmet (although 'idealized', symmetrical, which I like), and compared to the FX bucket, well: ----------- Yeah, I think it's worth it! (pic is of a pre-mod helmet) ps. LOL, I think I just accidently selected NO in the poll, meant YES, oops Edited February 12, 2021 by gmrhodes13 link not working, removed gmrhodes13 2021 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Star Wars Helmets Posted August 31, 2008 Report Share Posted August 31, 2008 For the money I think they're fantastic. Note sure about the 501st bit though, although I have to say that it would be madness to deny the MR CE while at the same time allowing the bobble-head FX Cheers Jez Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VacTrooper Posted August 31, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2008 alright, thanks! Murray1134, thanks for the kind words... this bucket is CRAZY cheap! Stormtrooper TK-..., thanks for the pic! after looking at some lovely comparison picson this site, i've found out that this helmet is %100 FULL_SCALE, as opposed to too big (FX) or too small (Rubie's). BingoBongo275, i have to agree with you on that one! these things are cheap and (fairly) accurate. it appears unanimous. yes all across the board! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daetrin[Admin] Posted August 31, 2008 Report Share Posted August 31, 2008 The MRCE is 501st approved as long as you make some upgrades to it. Personally I'd rather spend the extra $100-$150 or so and get a nice AP or TE2. But for those just looking for a cheap bucket to get away from FX, it can't be beat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tk0471 Posted August 31, 2008 Report Share Posted August 31, 2008 The AP and TE2 buckets are great as well, not to mention the rest of the armor! At the same time, I was able to pick up my MRCE off ebay for $91 USD, and local pickup at that! So the extra money now goes into new parts and supplies for the rebuild. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TK8776 jgarrettg Posted August 31, 2008 Report Share Posted August 31, 2008 Just measured mine the other day. It's approximately 12.5 inches wide. Give or take .0625" It's a good low cost option. -John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VacTrooper Posted August 31, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2008 cool! an AP or TE/TE2 bucket sounds great, but i can't seem to find them for $200-$250 like i used to on eBay. maybe it's a better market at around halloween? cool, 12.5 is nice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FIVE[501st] Posted September 1, 2008 Report Share Posted September 1, 2008 My response is (obviously) HELL YEAH it's worth it!! I've put a total of $130 into mine, and I just love, love, love it. Plus, you have the flexibility to go either more screen accurate, like Luis did, or more "idealized" like I did. Of course, if you want "wonky" and accurate, I would say get a TE2... those are hot like sugar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TK8280 Posted September 2, 2008 Report Share Posted September 2, 2008 I'd never buy one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VacTrooper Posted September 2, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 2, 2008 i think i might have to pick one of these up... the mods (well, to me....) look fairly basic. i think i could do this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigturc Posted September 3, 2008 Report Share Posted September 3, 2008 That`s a no for me .. My opinion is that I can`t stand the idealized look of it .. I just can`t! For me, it`s AP, TE, TE2, ... etc or nothing. But I do understand people on tight budget .. and ultimately, it`s still better then Bobble FX. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiyotei[TK] Posted September 3, 2008 Report Share Posted September 3, 2008 I bought one just for collecting purposes. i have no plans to mod it. I wear AP so why wear a helmet of lesser quality??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cr4nky Posted September 3, 2008 Report Share Posted September 3, 2008 If you don't like it idealized, mod it. It's not that hard making it more screen accurate. The only thing would be the symmetrical faceplate, which also can be modded to look more accurate, for example adding the eyebumb. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heatshock[501st] Posted September 3, 2008 Report Share Posted September 3, 2008 hmm disagree cranky - it would prob be quite a bit more work the MR CE is too symmetrical. So it aint even just the bump. Kinda of the problem I got into; I added a bump, and it just looked out of place. It also seems to offend original screen accurate specialists. The eye holes are also wrong shape and size. Frown isnt angled enough. from an aesthetics point of view - I have now come to the conclusion that if u like the symm look - which I do, MRCE. if not AP/TE2/RT for more wonky goodness. trying to make the MR CE wonky i slike trying to make a AP/TE2/RT symmetrical. Too much time, effort and prob money. From a financial point of view - MR CE is very nice bucket for a good price. But if u do buy it - I would say accept it for all its symmetrical beauty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cr4nky Posted September 3, 2008 Report Share Posted September 3, 2008 You might be right there, but Istill don't feel like the MRCE has to look as idealized as it does out of the box. If you put enought work into it, a lot can be done. On the other hand, the amount of tome and money you put into doing something like that would probably get you an AP... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VacTrooper Posted September 3, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 3, 2008 i second that. in my opinion, YOU have to power of how good your bucket looks, NOT the original maker... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heatshock[501st] Posted September 3, 2008 Report Share Posted September 3, 2008 aye cranky - I do agree that lots of improvements can be made to a MR CE eg the mods on urs look great. Not sure how much u've spent so far on urs, think Luis was saying atb $150 including the initial price for the MRCE. I spent quite a bit more now - but then its cos I dont have alot of the initial tools that most other experienced costumers would have already on had. AND after all that - it still is basically symmetrical! On the other hand, the amount of tome and money you put into doing something like that would probably get you an AP... heh cranky - my thoughts exactly. But must admit - its been fun doing the MR CE mod ! ...YOU have to power of how good your bucket looks, NOT the original maker... Alex - oh I agree to that, but why get something so perfect and make it all wonky or vice versa? Its not a matter of can you do it, more of why do it when other viable options? Unless its purely for the intellectual exercise and the oh-lets-see-if-it can-be-done ness. With the skills displayed on these boards - I am sure some1 could make a MR CE look step out of screen accurate. Think for the amount I have spent so far, + a few more greenbacks, I could prob get the less-than-perfect AP kit some people have already mentioned. But like I've said - I actually like the MR CEs symmetry (and of course its price). I also like TE2s look as well - so saving up to get one of Mike's finished beautys. But thats the great thing abt this hobby though - no right/wrong or perfect kit/helmet. We are all gonna have opinions. Thats the one thing it took me a while to realise abt white armour; and it still makes me chuckle when people post up "wots the best armour I can buy" My personal opinion? MR CE - love the bucket, love the price. Not screen accurate - but has 501 stamp of approval! weeee From a financial point of view - MR CE is very nice bucket for a good price. But if u do buy it - I would say accept it for all its symmetrical beauty well ok - not its out of box symmetry. Its out of box and a few mods kinda symmetry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VacTrooper Posted September 6, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 6, 2008 yup. i totally agree with that one... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigturc Posted September 17, 2008 Report Share Posted September 17, 2008 If you put enought work into it, a lot can be done. On the other hand, the amount of tome and money you put into doing something like that would probably get you an AP... That's exactly it .. people will put tons and tons of time on their MRCE to make it looks more accurate .. plus the material .. in the end, you can have "flawed" AP kit for around 160$ IIRC, and that one, you'll pretty much have nothing to do on it .. For me, time is money, and unless you evaluate your own time at 4$ an hour, my maths tell me that buying a MRCE for mod is not worth it. But again, this is a good practice and a great experience to begin with. Then, you end up catching the screen accurate disease and then you're fraked! :S Oh the time when I was ignorant and had a bank account!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nice-biscuit Posted September 17, 2008 Report Share Posted September 17, 2008 I would spend a bit more and go for an AP at least the helmet has a connection with screen used. Oh yes I forgot the MRCE was scanned from the original... i second that. in my opinion, YOU have to power of how good your bucket looks, NOT the original maker... I have to disagree with this post. An FX is what it is and no amount of Bondo will turn it into a TE or even an MRCE. With work you can improve on it but you are limited. Not to say it won't look nice though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FIVE[501st] Posted September 17, 2008 Report Share Posted September 17, 2008 For me, time is money, and unless you evaluate your own time at 4$ an hour, my maths tell me that buying a MRCE for mod is not worth it. But again, this is a good practice and a great experience to begin with. If you're only considering "product" vs. "time" this argument works. But I think of the MasterCard commercials... MR CE Bucket $100... Modding Supplies $150... Time in Hours Modding it $9,000... Experience, pleasure and overall reward you get from doing it? Priceless As for the screen accurate bug... still haven't gotten it. I'm actually trying to think about how I can get some screen accurate armor later... like TE or AP... and then mod it so it's idealized. haha I love the accurate stuff, but I like being sleek and symmetrical. At least still for now. Screen accurate will come for me if I ever do a TD. THAT I would want to be "wonky" and all!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Double Dee Posted September 17, 2008 Report Share Posted September 17, 2008 I agree with Noel, and accuracy aside. It isn't about the time and effort..if it was, why is everyone assembling and modding the armour? Why not buy it complete? It's about taking something and putting your own touches on it. Yes its cheaper to start with and I'm sure it would even out in the end, but at least you can say, "This is what it was, this is what I've done". Hell, I've primed mine again (after I put a nice gloss coat on it because I goofed on painting the teeth). Would I have liked a TE2 or AP, sure. But I don't have $450 right now. I do have some time and some skill at this, so why not? To each their own. 2.3cents Canadian. DD. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TK8280 Posted September 18, 2008 Report Share Posted September 18, 2008 it looks like the non elites like this helmet but at least its better than the FX Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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