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Post by FANGS on Mar 10, 2008 16:38:11 GMT -5
Well....this gear is gonna look familar to at least one person. I thought you might like to know it's safe and sound and well loved with me! I've only worn it once so far but it's coming with me to Boston later this week to be in the St. Patrick's Day Parade with the NEG!
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Post by FANGS on Mar 10, 2008 16:39:05 GMT -5
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Post by irricanian on Mar 10, 2008 20:15:22 GMT -5
Looks great Ang! Welcome to the 53rd from a former Badlander
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Post by FANGS on Mar 10, 2008 20:25:33 GMT -5
What's this FORMER stuff, Mister. You will ALWAYS be a Badlander....no matter where you choose to live! Can't wait to see you and Kristi in a couple of days. I miss you guys to death!!!
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Post by sgtcarida on Mar 11, 2008 9:54:21 GMT -5
Welcome to the 53rd! Yeah I'd say that set of armor looks VERY familiar to the Vets here right?
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Post by FANGS on Mar 11, 2008 12:37:08 GMT -5
I can't say enough about how obviously loved this gear was. He was totally upfront with me about inaccuracies and some parts that he felt needing upgrading but man.....talk about amazing attention to detail! Even how it all goes together is beautiful. I've only had to make some minor changes because of my lack of height but it's been easy. I LOVE this gear. I have to say though.....if someone knocked me over in it I'd be a turtle on my back....haha There's nothing "light" about this costume. Everyone got some good laughs just with me hauling it around in the goalie bag. Once I have it up on my shoulder it's heavy but I'm all good....but getting it there is comical to say the least. Good thing I'm in Spartan training....haha AND good thing my goalie bag has wheels. Didn't help in the snow though....ugh.
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Post by sgtcarida on Mar 11, 2008 13:06:43 GMT -5
Heavy? Really? I wouldn't think it was that heavy.....maybe the backpack but not the armor. How does the back pack hook on? Is there a harness system or is it attached to the backplate?
I have an Ep2 Clone and talk about lack of mobility, LOL! I can't wait to have my GM done so I can move around and sit down!
You do have a nice set of armor there. Congrats and thanks for posting up and letting us know it is in good hands:-)
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Post by FANGS on Mar 11, 2008 15:58:26 GMT -5
It doesn't help that I could fit in the goalie bag myself so it's not necessarily heavy for everyone. I think it was just under 40 pounds shipped to me, but that would have included the weight of the box and the bubble wrap. Still....heavier than the Snowie or the Scout etc. The backpack is a little weighty after awhile. It's on a harness that goes through the backplate. I've been trying to come up with a way to alter that because of the way it sits on me it actually pulls backwards so I end up with the clip up around my collar bone which isn't the most comfy spot for it to be. But how it's set up, if I pull the harness forward it pulls the back plate up as well which makes the shoulders stick up too much. So I'll make a new harness for it and that should fix it. It has everything to do with my size, I'm sure. What I LOVE though is that I can put it all on myself. I just hook up the backpack to the harness through the backplate and slide it on like a regular backpack. Then the chest plate just velcros in place on the front. AND...if necessary, someone could take the pack off of me without any trouble in situations where I may need to get rid of it. It really is a brillant set up.
And yes....the GM is easy to get around in. Vision sucks but no worse than a Snowie.
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Post by apollo on Mar 11, 2008 19:31:06 GMT -5
I can imagine that bubbled lenses would be a PITA. Good to see where this armor went and congrats on the terrific purchase!
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Post by RamZnation on Mar 11, 2008 20:24:26 GMT -5
Your armor looks awesome! How long did it take you to put it on (considering you said it weighs about 40 LBS, and the backpack doesn't rest too well)? By the way, welcome to the 53rd.
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Post by FANGS on Mar 11, 2008 21:16:32 GMT -5
Honestly.....I got rid of the bubble lenses. I can't stand not being able to see and I had a fogging problem with my Snowie which I assumed would be no different with the GM. There are fans in it but I'm impatient and it just didn't clear fast enough. I'm SUCH a princess....haha Anyway....I took them out and put in mesh.....same kind of stuff you'd use for a Nihilus mask. You can't tell when it's on or in pictures and it gives me a little ventilation and zero fogging. Makes me a happy camper. The vision is just so limited when you can't see down. I was spoiled with Fett and the Scout for so long. It just makes things like escaltors and stuff....or kids clinging on to your leg more complicated. The kid is there and then.....they disappear out of your vision. I've learned with the Snowie to just stop moving until I know where the kid is so I don't knock them over. They don't know I can't see them.
As for putting it on...no longer really than any of my other gear. I'm a little slow since I've only had it on a couple of times 'cuz I don't want to do something stupid like putting on the back and backpack and THEN trying to get the shins on.....haha All in all I was done before Vader and most of the TK's so pretty quick.
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Post by RamZnation on Mar 11, 2008 23:04:14 GMT -5
i was jsut asking, because I'm still in the process of getting mine, and I plan on wearing it to San Diego Comic Con. Since I am driving, I was wondering if I should change at the hotel and drive to the con, or change over maybe in the Parking lot and see how long it takes to get it on. I guess I'll find the answer to that question once I have it. I am familiar with the Nihilus mask, so I'll probably do the same. Here is a pic from Comic Con last year with my buddy in the Nihilus Cosutme.
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Post by FANGS on Mar 12, 2008 7:11:57 GMT -5
I always rig my gear as best I can so that I can get in to it on my own easily as possible. And I've changed in to most of it....many times....in parking lots. I'd never recommend changing in to it and then driving. Of course you could have all the soft parts on but not the armor. It's just too restricting. You'll be fine in the parking lot. Just practice at home getting in to it on your own so you get a routine of what goes on first.
Yeah....so talk to your buddy about the hood or mask he wears under his Nihilus. Check it out and see how easy it is to see through. The hood or mask that I use for Nihilus and Revan is actually a modified mask for a ghoul sold at halloween shops. It comes with eyes that light up (which when rewired and the bulb changed make GREAT Jawa eyes...hehe) Anyway.....have a look for one of those kinds of hoods and just cut a piece of the fabric from there and glue it in. I'd recommend using a glue gun and gluing the top in first. Once try attach it at the sides and bottom. Since the top is already dry you can pull the fabric nice and tight. You don't want to be looking through wrinkles. Hope that helps!
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Post by sgtcarida on Mar 12, 2008 8:24:06 GMT -5
Bubbled lenses.......
I didn't like the green lenses SGB sent with mine so I bought a motor cycle visor, cut and hot glued the pieces in. The tops of the lenses aren't glued down and I think this will help with air flow. I plan on putting at least 2 fans into it. I'm thinking along the back mesh to pull forward? I'll see once it is ready to go.
My Clone is impossible to put on myself. Once I get my "diaper" on I need help with everything else. The GM should be too easy to do. I think the back pack will be the only part I'll need help with.....just like Jango or Boba IMO.
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Post by FANGS on Mar 12, 2008 9:08:09 GMT -5
If you want I can take pictures of how this is rigged. Honestly, if I can get in to it on my own it's freakin' easy....haha
I had flat lenses in my Snowie....tried leaving a gap at the top and the bottom. They STILL fogged up. The fans in the GM do help but I like to hear so I'll save them for when it gets hot instead of depending on them to clear my lenses.
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