[Staying in character]

2 hours ago, Airborne Trooper said:

You don't really mod the helmet to do so but check out the electronic section here. Get some 5v low profile fans off ebay or amazon and wire them to switches and into a usb cable. Get a decent Mah rated 5v usb power supply and you're good to go. You can always buy from a vendor too, no shame in that but it's not that difficult to make. I have 2 fans on left front & rear and same on the right. The rear fans point down and act as an exhaust. 

Trying to figure out how to air condition the suit down here in Alabama.       I wish....

[Staying in character]

Great insight guys.   I'm just killing time while RS builds my armor.... for the next 8 weeks.   ARGH!!!!!!!

I'm also trying to find a good step by step from someone that has modded an RS helmet with fans and audio.

[Staying in character]

I also haven't officially joined the 501st yet.  My armor is being made now.   I do plan to keep in character as much as possible.

[Staying in character]

My wife does a lot of acting around the area as a hobby.  She's big on 'staying in character'.    Do you guys try to stay in character while you are trooping?    I don't mean always regurgitating lines from the movie, etc -- I'm talking about attempting to answer questions or have conversation in a way that keeps you in character.    For instance -- you go to a convention or something and are looking at a vendor table -- and you say "Do you have a permit to operate in this sector?"  or answering a question about where you are from as "I'm deployed in this sector, but I'm from about 44 clicks to the west in ______(town)______."   Etc.

What say you? 

[RS Propmasters Sandtrooper (Edited with Picture)]

10 hours ago, Airborne Trooper said:

RS is fantastic, if they fit my budget I would have bought from them. Love all the bumps and "imperfections". If you're able to, I'd skip getting their pack and build one yourself using one of our guides. You'll get a more accurate pack than what RS provides and won't have to worry when you decide to go PO or SWAT. 

I have been a huge supporter of TKTalkie since day 1 and it's what I use. if your mic and amp are set up correctly, they shouldn't hear you from your mouth unless they are right next to your face. 

Helmet fans are a must for me year round. It all depends on if you a natural warm body and where you live. If my fans cut out, my lenses instantly fog up. Check out our electronic forum here for help. 

Hmm.... the order has already been placed (with the pack).   I'm assuming I can modify the pack to fit standards for PO or Swat as I move forward.    

And OHHHH yeah... I'll definitely be getting fans then!   I tend to be hot anyway AND I live in Alabama.     I'd put an AC in there if I could figure out how to!

[RS Propmasters Sandtrooper (Edited with Picture)]

6 hours ago, dutchy said:

RS is definitely the way to go, even though personally I am a big fan of TM as well.

A member of my garrison bought a complete TD set up from them and it looked great. The downside was that once he had received it and he opened one of the boxes some parts were already damaged. This is something that you have to bear in mind when ordering a complete TD. The weathering is generic but definitely well done, if you want to distinguish yourself from other troopers it might be good to consider weathering it yourself.

I can't judge about the TK talkie system as I have a romfx. But I must say that having the correct set up really makes a difference.

Yes I have heard that the trip across the Atlantic sometimes damages some parts.    How quickly did RS remedy the problem?

Are you saying that the weathering has the same pattern on all of their suits, or that the it's just light weathering that isn't as heavy as some people like it?

[RS Propmasters Sandtrooper (Edited with Picture)]

43 minutes ago, DarthStevius said:

Hey Michael and welcome to the forum.

RS do rightly have a good reputation. I have one of their kits and several others on here do to. A year ago their turnaround was about 8wks and communication was great throughout that time. I'm not sure if they're still taking the same sort of time. Maybe some more recent purchasers will chip in.

for basic approval, the only real tweaks tend to be adding some additionaly 'weathering' and possibly changing the colour of the two bottles on their packs to a slightly greyer blue than they provide. Assuming the measurements have translated correctly into your kit and it fits as expected once you're wearing it, then there shouldn't be much more needed. If you end up levelling up later (PO or SWAT) then you will need further adjustments, but for basic approval there's not usually anything more needed. It's not really anything you can prepare for until we see you in pictures wearing it...

For sound, there could be a number of factors that the trooper in question was experiencing (mic placement, system settings, volume settings, etc.) so can't talk to their set up. But most of the good setups you'll see recommended on here should be adequate enough to be louder than the troopers own voice. I use TRamp, but others in my Garrison use TKtalkie with no issues. There are others.

good luck, and look forward to seeing you kitted up and trooping

Thanks for the warm welcome!    I will definitely do the tweaks you mentioned as I would really like as authentic of a look as I can get.    I don't mind some minor stuff like that -- I just didn't want to attempt a full-on build to get started.   I just want to get out there and start participating.   I'll probably order a TK set to build and create sooner or later.    

Do most of you also put cooling fans in your helmets?    

[RS Propmasters Sandtrooper (Edited with Picture)]

40 minutes ago, henselmonster said:

Cant go wrong with RS. True screen lineage is hard to beat. I am not sure what mods you'll have to do other than make sure it fits you correctly. Just a heads up if you weren't aware yet. RS is very screen accurate...meaning it will have all the bumps, divots, imperfections, etc that the original armor had. Do not go into RS expecting a symmetrical sanitized suit. I have seen some people get very angry because they didn't realize what screen accuracy entails with TKs/TDs. Just wanted to put it out there if no one else told you. 

Are you getting the RS sandtrooper field pack? If so that may need some mods in order to pass level 2 and 3 at MEPD. Shouldn't be an issue for level 1 (considering packs aren't even required at level 1) 

Thank you.  Yes I closely examined the armor sets before purchasing.  I'm aware that they are very accurate to screen and thus they have the blemishes.   Call me crazy, but I tend to think the blemishes actually work visually in the Sandtrooper's favor in combination with the weathering.     

[RS Propmasters Sandtrooper (Edited with Picture)]

Hello everyone!   I was pointed here from whitearmor.net and also by my local 501st garrison.    Last week I finally realized a long time dream and decided to get into trooping.    Rather than build my first set, I decided to purchase a full commission from RS Propmasters.   It's pricey, but I hope it will live up to the reputation and be worth the money.

I do have a few questions, if you don't mind:

1.  I know it is going to take them some time to build, but I'd like to rest my mind by preparing myself for the length of time.   Does anyone know how long on average an RS Propmaster's full commission takes?

2.  My wife ran into a local trooper at a convention and remarked about how his audio didn't completely work in overriding his natural voice.   In other words his natural voice came through enough to break the illusion for her.    Was this just his setup, or are all options like that?   I'm considering TKTalkie.   The video demos of it online seem to sound really good.

3.  I did read a reddit post that says even though RS Propmasters is very good, I will still need to do some tweaks to make it 501st approved.    Can anyone give me some insight on what those tweaks usually are?

Thanks so much!  I look forward to meeting a lot of great people and having fun!