- Member DIN
- S111
Like several others I had the good fortune to snag one of the Jazwares Infinite Master Chief helmets during the Prime Day sale on October 11th.
There have been questions about how accurate the helmet is, and if it is worth the price.
So, my Review:
Accuracy-wise, on its own, it has some issues. It does seem a little squished, and a custom 3D model from a member of our community will always be more accurate than a mass produced commercial item like this, as there will always be short cuts or limitations from the manufacturing process. Noticeably some of the details are soft, especially in the back section around the AI Port, and some of the curves and edges are a little more smoothed out than the In GAme helmet.
Now as to its worth, that can be a little subjective and how much you value your own time.
For its price Tag, I think it is pretty accurate and easily worth the cost. It could definitely stand a repaint to clean up the weathering effects, but that is the biggest draw back for me. However, it comes fully finished, no filling and sanding, with working lights all wired up and nicely contained, a decent hardhat liner suspension system, it's extremely lightweight and comfortable, and it has an excellent visor. Frankly, the visor alone might be worth $60 consider the going rate for finished visors from most Etsy sellers, or the cost of setting up your own vacuum former, getting the plastic, dyeing and tinting, then chroming.
If you are an extreme accuracy buff, and have the time, patience and skill to invest in filling, priming, sanding, repeatedly, have your own Vacuum Form set up, or have the drive to build one, then you can definitely get a more accurate helmet, but the cost in time and materials will probably be at the very least even, if not more expensive.
So, it all comes down to personal preference and what you value, time, money, experience, or pride in having made it yourself.
Repaint:
We had what is likely to be our last good weekend of weather this past weekend, with Temps up in the 70s, so I took the opportunity to do a repaint on the helmet.
I rushed a little trying to get the rattle can painting done before the Temps fell into the 50s again, so I did not document as I had intended.
The color I that was recommended to me before Infinite's release was Rust-Oleum Satin Eden. So, the whole thing first got a coat of Rust-Oleum primer after typing off the visor, inside and out for extra protection. I then gave the whole helmet a layer of Rust-Oleum metallic silver. I then masked off my intended damaged areas with liquid latex, focusing on the high points and heavy wear edges and areas. I also experimented with the Salt chipping technique where you wet the piece with a light layer or mist of water, then blow or sprinkle salt onto the piece. You left the water dry off, but the salt remains stuck to the piece.
Once the water was dry, I then put down another layer of the Rust-Oleum black primer. I then masked off around the edges of several of the silver scraps to add another layer of depth and physicality to the weathering.
Then I did the final layer of the Satin Eden piece. Next up is the acrylic washes in black and burnt umber, but fortunately that can be done inside.
So, here is where we stand pre-wash acrylic wash.
There have been questions about how accurate the helmet is, and if it is worth the price.
So, my Review:
Accuracy-wise, on its own, it has some issues. It does seem a little squished, and a custom 3D model from a member of our community will always be more accurate than a mass produced commercial item like this, as there will always be short cuts or limitations from the manufacturing process. Noticeably some of the details are soft, especially in the back section around the AI Port, and some of the curves and edges are a little more smoothed out than the In GAme helmet.
Now as to its worth, that can be a little subjective and how much you value your own time.
For its price Tag, I think it is pretty accurate and easily worth the cost. It could definitely stand a repaint to clean up the weathering effects, but that is the biggest draw back for me. However, it comes fully finished, no filling and sanding, with working lights all wired up and nicely contained, a decent hardhat liner suspension system, it's extremely lightweight and comfortable, and it has an excellent visor. Frankly, the visor alone might be worth $60 consider the going rate for finished visors from most Etsy sellers, or the cost of setting up your own vacuum former, getting the plastic, dyeing and tinting, then chroming.
If you are an extreme accuracy buff, and have the time, patience and skill to invest in filling, priming, sanding, repeatedly, have your own Vacuum Form set up, or have the drive to build one, then you can definitely get a more accurate helmet, but the cost in time and materials will probably be at the very least even, if not more expensive.
So, it all comes down to personal preference and what you value, time, money, experience, or pride in having made it yourself.
Repaint:
We had what is likely to be our last good weekend of weather this past weekend, with Temps up in the 70s, so I took the opportunity to do a repaint on the helmet.
I rushed a little trying to get the rattle can painting done before the Temps fell into the 50s again, so I did not document as I had intended.
The color I that was recommended to me before Infinite's release was Rust-Oleum Satin Eden. So, the whole thing first got a coat of Rust-Oleum primer after typing off the visor, inside and out for extra protection. I then gave the whole helmet a layer of Rust-Oleum metallic silver. I then masked off my intended damaged areas with liquid latex, focusing on the high points and heavy wear edges and areas. I also experimented with the Salt chipping technique where you wet the piece with a light layer or mist of water, then blow or sprinkle salt onto the piece. You left the water dry off, but the salt remains stuck to the piece.
Once the water was dry, I then put down another layer of the Rust-Oleum black primer. I then masked off around the edges of several of the silver scraps to add another layer of depth and physicality to the weathering.
Then I did the final layer of the Satin Eden piece. Next up is the acrylic washes in black and burnt umber, but fortunately that can be done inside.
So, here is where we stand pre-wash acrylic wash.
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