GETTING STARTED AS A STORMTROOPER:
WHERE TO GET WHAT YOU NEED
The question I get most common is "Where do I get armor?" and "How much does it cost?" I get those two questions more than every other question combined. This page deals with the other "Where do I get it?" and "How much does it cost?" question.
WHAT ELSE DO I NEED BESIDES THE ARMOR?
After you get the armor created, you'll still need buttons, decals, the black fabric undersuit, gloves, neck-seal, an E-11 (fake) gun, lenses for your helmet, aerator/vocoder parts for your helmet, assembly materials (glue, hot-glue gun, duct tape, industrial-strength
Velcro, voice-amplifier electronics, internal helmet fans, boots, etc. I've outlined a "shopping list" of everything that I've used so far, where I got those items, and their approximate cost in US dollars. Note that these costs are subject to change without notice, and do NOT include shipping charges!
"SOFT" PARTS (FABRIC)
UNDERSUIT:
You'll want a very comfortable, light-weight undersuit that absorbs perspiration and allows you to stay cool. Good fit, cooling ability, and sweat-absorbtion are VITAL. Trust me: a crappy undersuit will make the hours that you spend in your armor miserable. Pay more, be happy. Cheap: Lycra Dive Suit
Not bad, but to me it doesn't look like it'd be comfortable after sweating in it for hours...
Good: UnderArmour Shirt ($35) and Pants ($40)
What most troopers that I know use, myself included.
Best: Renaissance Dancewear - $75
Expensive, but highest-quality and most accurate.
GLOVES:
Good: I use Isotoner spandex gloves.($8)
I've always used these, and they've held up just fine for six years.
Best: Renaissance Dancewear. ($25)
Expensive, but highest-quality and most accurate.
BOOTS:
Very Good: TK Boots ($50)
Great price, I've heard great things about them, and they cost less than CABoots.
Very Good: CABoots ($70)
Almost every trooper I know uses these, but they smell awful!
NECKSEAL:
Best: Somebody in your local 501st garrison makes these. Always buy from the people in your local 501st garrison whenever possible - it's better quality merchandise, from people that you can trust, and usually costs a lot less! (About $40 + shipping)
HELMET PARTS
HELMET:
Very Good: Master Replicas or eFX "CE" Helmet ($200)
Best deal for the money, if you can buy it at retail price, but it will require upgrades before the 501st will approve a trooper with this helmet.
LENSES, DECALS, AERATORS/VOCODERS
Best: The 501st can show you where to get these parts once you've gotten to know us. (Approximately $125)
HELMET FANS:
Best: TK-4261's fans.
($30)
Very powerful, very durable, and make breathing MUCH easier in your helmet and prevent your helmet lenses from fogging up if installed properly. There are other great fans out there as well, but I use TK4261's fans and I love them.
VOICE AMPLIFIER/STATIC BURST:
In my opinion, one of these are essential, because they without one
the person inside the helmet will sound just like a typical person talking through a plastic helmet, not a "real" stormtrooper from the movies, with the stormtrooper's trademark electronically-distorted "radio" voice and "static burst."
Best: iComm (Imperial Communications System) from Jim in the Texas Garrison. ($100)
Best: HyperDyne Labs ($150 plus shipping)
Best: Rom/FX (approximately $175 including shipping from England)
E-11 BLASTER (FAKE) STORMTROOPER GUN
Good: Kenner Toy Blaster ($25) with Resin Conversion Kit ($30)
This is what I currently have, and have been pleased with it so far.
Better: Ultimate E-11 (approximately $175)
My next stormtrooper weapon purchase.
Best: Sci-Fire Hyperfirm E-11 Blaster ($250-$400)
Good luck finding one...
ASSEMBLY MATERIALS
FASTENING SYSTEM:
Essential: Snap System with snaps, nylon straps, and elastic straps (About $60 from stores like Jo-Ann's Fabrics.)
CONSTRUCTION SUPPLIES:
Essential: You'll need about $75-$100 worth of duct-tape (black and white), "Gorilla Glue," industrial-strength velcro, caulking material for the MR/eFX CE helmet seams, hot-glue and hot-glue gun, etc. All of these you can find at Wal-Mart. How to assemble all of this, however, is something that you should learn by getting to know the friendly troopers of your local 501st Legion garrison. :)
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