Anovos Stormtrooper.... thoughts?

[Tom1971]

Thank you for the reply, as it stands I am still considering my options.

I guess my concern really lies in the idea that this arming suit - which is still listed on your site as a 'feature' - seemed to take away a (potentially huge) step in the building process. In fact, it seemed to imply to remove a huge step in the building process.

I'm not too sure the best way to attach the armor now. I vaguely recall talks of gluing velcro, adding snaps and that type of stuff - which will most likely make this a much more difficult build. It's a step that Tested video Anovos is linking to, doesn't touch at all.

(I should add that I didn't plan on wearing this armor, but using it as a display).

Again, I thank Got Maul for both the fast reply and the refund offer. I will consider that refund offer and get back to him on that.

You will hate yourself for cancelling. I had to and want to die

Get it, look at it, and if you change your mind you will be able to sell it no problem and can probably make some money.

Maybe I can take it over for you if you decide to go ahead with a refund.

 

[Tom1971]

I will agree that this is good customer service - I am grateful for the offer and the updates provided which includes notations about these changes. But, and I say this with all due respect to Got Maul and Anovos, I think it might be better customer to provide that what was originally sold.

I agree that they need to plan perhaps better but I feel the explanation of the incredibly cheap, cheap, cheap deal being given on the first Tier pricing is a very fair trade off.

Trust me you don't want the strapping done. Bodies and display mannequins are all different so you don't want pre-made straps.

I had to cancel my order and it kills me. You who have it are very lucky.

Anvos is not perfect but so far I think they are rocking. I just want to see final products but rocking regardless.

 

[TK54210]

Thank you for the reply, as it stands I am still considering my options.

I guess my concern really lies in the idea that this arming suit - which is still listed on your site as a 'feature' - seemed to take away a (potentially huge) step in the building process. In fact, it seemed to imply to remove a huge step in the building process.

I'm not too sure the best way to attach the armor now. I vaguely recall talks of gluing velcro, adding snaps and that type of stuff - which will most likely make this a much more difficult build. It's a step that Tested video Anovos is linking to, doesn't touch at all.

(I should add that I didn't plan on wearing this armor, but using it as a display).

Again, I thank Got Maul for both the fast reply and the refund offer. I will consider that refund offer and get back to him on that.

JD, I understand your desire to get what you think you paid for, but take it from experience, there are no shortcuts when it comes to building and wearing a great trooper armor. The idea of an "arming suit" is a terrible one truthfully. I can promise you with a little research on sites like the RPF and whitearmor.com you will be able to trim and strap your armor to fit you as comfortably as can be achieved with a piece of plastic up your butt. As a ANOVOS skeptic, (and someone with a shadow trooper on preorder) i hope their product turns out to be what it has been advertised to be, but i don't think any of us troopers expected a suit that you can easily attach the parts to. Also if your "arming suit" wears out or fades you would have to buy another one from ANOVOS, that I'm sure will be marked up into a galaxy far far away. With a black undersuit it is easy and inexpensive to replace. Best of luck buddy!

 

[JD]

JD, I understand your desire to get what you think you paid for, but take it from experience, there are no shortcuts when it comes to building and wearing a great trooper armor. The idea of an "arming suit" is a terrible one truthfully. I can promise you with a little research on sites like the RPF and whitearmor.com you will be able to trim and strap your armor to fit you as comfortably as can be achieved with a piece of plastic up your butt. As a ANOVOS skeptic, (and someone with a shadow trooper on preorder) i hope their product turns out to be what it has been advertised to be, but i don't think any of us troopers expected a suit that you can easily attach the parts to. Also if your "arming suit" wears out or fades you would have to buy another one from ANOVOS, that I'm sure will be marked up into a galaxy far far away. With a black undersuit it is easy and inexpensive to replace. Best of luck buddy!

TK54210 - I wish it was as easy as you suggest. I'm glad that the change in goods sold to us during the presale might work better for you (and others). I think your statement "i hope their product turns out to be what it has been advertised to be" is something that's already come true for me - they advertised and sold me on this arming suit and it's already not happening. I'm still very uneasy with this change and other changes (that have flip-flopped) - the "arming suit" seemed like a great idea and was definitely a huge selling point for me.

If the thought or idea of the "arming suit" didn't work for you in the first place - that's great. However, this armor is not something I personally plan on wearing (at 6'5" I'm just too big) and this was meant more as a display piece (although I like the potential for my nephew to wear it). As far as replacing the arming suit. We are RPFer's - I'm sure there would be plenty of great resources to replace this suit - even if it meant adapting and overcoming challenges and changing it to regular black undersuit.

I am grateful that Anovos has been forthcoming about the change - I'm glad I do read my e-mails and saw this change. I am also appreciative of the refund offer from Got Maul. At this time, while I am still concerned about this armor and disappointed about this change, I am opting to continue with my order at this time.

 

[E Williams]

Maybe I missed it... but is the armor made to be permanently mounted onto the under suit?

We will include some BASIC strapping to put together a very basic system of attachment. Admittedly, it is minimalist because what we have found is that there are multiple ways a person can put together the armor. Just among our friends, there are at least five different methods, each one with its own merit. The good news is, velcro is abundant, so if you needed to configure your own system, accessibility is as far as a Joan's, Home Depot, Walmart and Target. Some people love doing a snap system as well. All together, we argued this for a few weeks, internally and the solution for the correct balance between kit and true DIY was struck with including some strapping with this kit.
...
These are not permanently mounted to the under suit. The idea is to create the harness outside the suit. Later on, we will introduce an undersuit that has the rigging's built into the suit, we call this the "arming suit"...but with the cool twist.. the jacket can be worn as casual wear. This is in prototype mode, so this still falls under "potential" cool upgrade.

(emphasis added)

TK54210 - I wish it was as easy as you suggest. I'm glad that the change in goods sold to us during the presale might work better for you (and others). I think your statement "i hope their product turns out to be what it has been advertised to be" is something that's already come true for me - they advertised and sold me on this arming suit and it's already not happening. I'm still very uneasy with this change and other changes (that have flip-flopped) - the "arming suit" seemed like a great idea and was definitely a huge selling point for me.

If the thought or idea of the "arming suit" didn't work for you in the first place - that's great. However, this armor is not something I personally plan on wearing (at 6'5" I'm just too big) and this was meant more as a display piece (although I like the potential for my nephew to wear it). As far as replacing the arming suit. We are RPFer's - I'm sure there would be plenty of great resources to replace this suit - even if it meant adapting and overcoming challenges and changing it to regular black undersuit.

I am grateful that Anovos has been forthcoming about the change - I'm glad I do read my e-mails and saw this change. I am also appreciative of the refund offer from Got Maul. At this time, while I am still concerned about this armor and disappointed about this change, I am opting to continue with my order at this time.

I'm sorry, but I honestly still do not understand what you think has changed, apart from the term "arming suit" being renamed to "undersuit." The thing itself is the same. The first two quotes above are from April 30 / May 1 (including a response directly to your question on this subject!). Again, where did Anovos ever indicate that the arming/undersuit included with the kit would be anything other than a simple shirt and pants? Maybe the term "arming suit" was a little bit of technobabble-y marketing gone awry, and I can see how it could be confusing, but it was not misleading. I remember reading the initial product listing in mid-April very carefully before preordering and did not see any specific promises about the complexity of the arming suit - the only promise I recall was that the kit would include enough materials to finish out the armor, excepting boots, glue/fasteners, and tools. Am I missing something?

Perhaps others can confirm this but I suspect the trimming and construction of the armor will be MUCH more difficult and time consuming than the strapping/mounting. If you are worried about your ability to deal with the straps, the plastic will be a bigger issue. At least, that is my perception of TK armor.

 

[JD]

I'm sorry, but I honestly still do not understand what you think has changed, apart from the term "arming suit" being renamed to "undersuit." The thing itself is the same. The first two quotes above are from April 30 / May 1 (including a response directly to your question on this subject!). Again, where did Anovos ever indicate that the arming/undersuit included with the kit would be anything other than a simple shirt and pants? Maybe the term "arming suit" was a little bit of technobabble-y marketing gone awry, and I can see how it could be confusing, but it was not misleading. I remember reading the initial product listing in mid-April very carefully before preordering and did not see any specific promises about the complexity of the arming suit - the only promise I recall was that the kit would include enough materials to finish out the armor, excepting boots, glue/fasteners, and tools. Am I missing something?

Perhaps others can confirm this but I suspect the trimming and construction of the armor will be MUCH more difficult and time consuming than the strapping/mounting. If you are worried about your ability to deal with the straps, the plastic will be a bigger issue. At least, that is my perception of TK armor.

It's quite clear what's changed.

On their website (which has been changed now), it stated: "The arming suit is a two-piece (long-sleeve top and pant bottom) undergarment with custom attachment points to secure your armor from slippage when worn." Now, we're told via e-mail: "To keep this costume affordable and to allow for the end-user to customize their own strapping system, we have simply decided to provide the basic long-sleeve and long-pant lycra undersuit in the sizing you selected when ordering."

It's clearly not a "a little bit of technobabble-y marketing gone awry" nor is it confusing. They listed something as a 'product feature' and decided to go for something less expensive.

....and one again, it's not about the ability to deal with the straps, etc. We've had this company go back-and-forth on ABS/PVC and now this. What's next?

 

[QCWolf]

It's quite clear what's changed.

On their website (which has been changed now), it stated: "The arming suit is a two-piece (long-sleeve top and pant bottom) undergarment with custom attachment points to secure your armor from slippage when worn." Now, we're told via e-mail: "To keep this costume affordable and to allow for the end-user to customize their own strapping system, we have simply decided to provide the basic long-sleeve and long-pant lycra undersuit in the sizing you selected when ordering."

It's clearly not a "a little bit of technobabble-y marketing gone awry" nor is it confusing. They listed something as a 'product feature' and decided to go for something less expensive.

....and one again, it's not about the ability to deal with the straps, etc. We've had this company go back-and-forth on ABS/PVC and now this. What's next?

You either buy the kit or you don't. Your concerns are duly noted by the group. Personally, I have a great deal of faith in Anovos and I look forward to receiving my kit. I entered into this project with the full understanding that at the time I paid, I knew that this was a prototype and any aspect was subject to change at any time.

 

[Sv3onSA]

You either buy the kit or you don't. Your concerns are duly noted by the group. Personally, I have a great deal of faith in Anovos and I look forward to receiving my kit. I entered into this project with the full understanding that at the time I paid, I knew that this was a prototype and any aspect was subject to change at any time.

 

[cyberpyrot]

I dont even give a rats ass about the under suit I can make that. I was always looking for a cheap mold kit I could buy that was decent to get me in the game. I can make the soft goods.

 

[JD]

You either buy the kit or you don't. Your concerns are duly noted by the group. Personally, I have a great deal of faith in Anovos and I look forward to receiving my kit. I entered into this project with the full understanding that at the time I paid, I knew that this was a prototype and any aspect was subject to change at any time.

"You either buy the kit or you don't". Never said anything less... but, that also doesn't mean you keep your mouth shut and voice concerns. If you personally have "a great deal of faith" in the company that's great. I find that kind of blind faith to be kinda shortsighted. As Ghandi said: "Faith must be enforced by reason." You seem quick to justify their changes and "blow off" legitimate concerns, I'm glad that works for you. I just hope it's not a sign of other things to come.

I have no issue with being sold on prototype images or with the idea that certain things are a work in progress. However, this 'arming suit' was listed as a feature on their website and definitely not listed as a prototype, an idea, or as something that was subject to change.

Again... I am (somewhat) content that they were very upfront about this change, and that I do have the option to cancel and be refunded... if I so chose to do so. I also understand that some are going to be happy no matter what someone might sell them. I also get that some folks might try to justify this by saying there's more to strapping on armor than this (again... that's not what we were sold). Some will even (wrongfully) that this not what an "arming suit" does anyway.

But, that still doesn't make me any less disappointed about this change. Now, we can drag this discussion on... or we can move on to other bits about this armor.

 

[QCWolf]

Now, we can drag this discussion on... or we can move on to other bits about this armor.

Yes, let's.

 

[Mr Mold Maker]

I was curious what opinions were on the helmet kit. I scanned through the pages quickly and don't see much discussion on it.

As someone who isn't a "die hard" fan or particularly educated on the helmets long winded history, would this be a piece an average collector would be proud to display?

At $150 it seems like a great price, and I could finish it myself with no problem... Just curious if it would be worth it from a real fans perspective. I am not familiar with pricing or accuracy of any "fan made" helmets myself, so I don't feel I have a great bearing.

 

[Westies14]

It's hard to say with certainty until they reveal a final production run piece, but I think it should be pretty impressive. We already know that they're idealizing it slightly - some asymmetry, but smoothing out obvious flaws like the bump on the bottom of the right eye. That approach is kind of perfect for my taste, but some collectors prefer screen accuracy, warts and all.

 

[Mr Mold Maker]

It's hard to say with certainty until they reveal a final production run piece, but I think it should be pretty impressive. We already know that they're idealizing it slightly - some asymmetry, but smoothing out obvious flaws like the bump on the bottom of the right eye. That approach is kind of perfect for my taste, but some collectors prefer screen accuracy, warts and all.

Thanks for your reply!
I do love the asymmetry, but the bumps and warts certainly wouldn't be missed.

Does the tier pricing only apply to the full armor? In other words, this piece will stay at 150 for the time being correct?

I'd love to pick one up but I am concerned to put down money off of nothing but a prototype.

 

[omooney]

for Got Maul, I would like some clarification on the inculded stapping before completely moving on from the topic. Basically all I want to know is what is included so I know what not to buy in preparation for the kit. The email update mentions "velcro and black webbing material" and the site lists a "basic webbing suite for mounting of armor pieces". Could you please elaborate on this? Can we expext this to include elastic? nylon straps? snaps and rivets? I for one am excited for my kit and would happily take it without any "webbing" if it meant it would get here sooner. But again, I just need to know what i still need to buy. Thanks!

 

[Sv3onSA]

Anyone heard from GotMaul? He's gone silent for quite a while now... I know they've probably been super busy with all the SW stuff coming but a word from him about the strapping and overall status of the project would indeed be nice!

 

[zeroginc]

there has already been an update recently saying its on track still for Nov. strapping wise i haven't seen anything on that subject

 

[Sv3onSA]

there has already been an update recently saying its on track still for Nov. strapping wise i haven't seen anything on that subject

Yeah, I read the last update, I just found it a bit disappointing... I guess I was just hoping we would have a better idea by now about what the final product will be like. What's included, a preview of the armor pieces, pictures of the production line or a confirmation that it's been approved by Disney for shipping. It just feels like the last newsletter didn't bring much to the table...

 

[omooney]

Yeah, I read the last update, I just found it a bit disappointing... I guess I was just hoping we would have a better idea by now about what the final product will be like. What's included, a preview of the armor pieces, pictures of the production line or a confirmation that it's been approved by Disney for shipping. It just feels like the last newsletter didn't bring much to the table...

I was also disappointed with the latest update. It seems that for a company that so highly values communication, they aren't communicating much about the actual product. And that is a bit disconcerting. Its a little over a month from shipping and we still haven't seen a production suit. And the latest update claims they're "still on target" for shipping. But they cant let us know precisely what it is they are shipping? Something seems off.

 

[Egon]

I definitely would have appreciated more photos in the update...something does seem off, but I think it might just be Disney having all their ducks in a row and Anovos being fairly new and undersized for their sudden success.

Anovos delivered their Star Trek products with few issues (I know some people had some seam issues on the 2009 tunics and such, dye batches being slightly different, etc.) but they are still really small and have some BIG franchises and a lot of products. Perhaps the Lucasfilm license requires a certain number of products? Disney is also probably putting a lot of pressure on the safety/packaging stuff.

I also have confidence with them because of the Tested.com vids with Frank Ippolito. The quality looks pretty spiffy. Though they don't have the helmet either completed/in hand.

Anovos is ALSO working on Ghostbusters now. Which is great!

But I think they have more than they can handle now. They have a ton of products and it is bottlenecking at distribution.

Just my guess!