Ata or Te?

[Loomisproof78]

I have been in contact with matt and he seems like a good guy and his armor looks great but i understand there has been many problems with shipping i was going to meet him in person since he lives close to me to do the exchange he was asking 500 and ata is only 380 which route should i go,which is more durable?

-Connor

[TK bondservnt[501st]]

TE has a bad reputation. while ATA has a stellar reputation!

[john danter]

Agree but if he lives close to you then he can't mess you about?

See if you can half now and half when you collect it?

 

Or if you can't see any difference between ATA and TE then just get the ATA

Edited January 17, 2011 by john danter

[firebladejedi[TK]]

Avoid Matt aka TE

[riveting]

it's only been three years waiting for my kit to arrive & I'm still out a heap of $$$ from Matt but yes he was real nice guy while he was taking my cash.

 

You'l go the way you want but I'd suggest to anyone "avoid him like the plague"

[dashrazor]

your best bet would be to stick with sellers on this list

-----------

if a seller is not on this list, there is most likely a good reason

 

i would go with ATA it is a fine kit

Edited January 26, 2021 by gmrhodes13
link not working, removed gmrhodes13 2021

[Sonnenschein]

Go with ATA, With the differnce of $120 you can get most of the other supplies.

[RogueTrooper[TK]]

Stay away from Matt Gauthier A.K.A. T*E......

 

 

Look into one of the armor vendors here that have a good reputation!

[tk7713gra30]

Stay away from Matt Gauthier A.K.A. T*E......

 

 

Look into one of the armor vendors here that have a good reputation!

Tell him hi from Graham UK, and thanks for robbing me of £700 for a helmet that was sold as a lie.

 

If you get the goods before you pay cash, and check them, then good on you mate and go for it.

 

And make sure you work out the costs before agreeeing to the price, he doubles/ triples and more the true value of his stuff.

 

Other than that stay well away from this robbing git.

 

I will buy a TE2 next, and I will neve r deal with Matt again

 

Regards

[Loomisproof78]

Tell him hi from Graham UK, and thanks for robbing me of £700 for a helmet that was sold as a lie.

 

If you get the goods before you pay cash, and check them, then good on you mate and go for it.

 

And make sure you work out the costs before agreeeing to the price, he doubles/ triples and more the true value of his stuff.

 

Other than that stay well away from this robbing git.

 

I will buy a TE2 next, and I will neve r deal with Matt again

 

Regards

i see... ok im leaning towards ata hows the durability?

[pandatrooper[TK]]

Ata is great quality and made of a durable styrene, which works fine for trooping and is easy to assemble.

[Amish Trooper]

Don't forget CFO or CAP-W too. If you decide to go TE then I wouldn't send any money until the exchange for the armor.

[Trooper Q2[TK]]

It is your investment and money. I have heard both sides and if you feel you can get what you pay for. Quality. I know many dislike matt. he ruined his rep here. I was fortunate and the quality was excellent of Matt's armor. I feel sad for those who did not get armor. since you are under age, please ask your parent for advice as well..

[Loomisproof78]

also ive been told ata runs a tad small is that true?

[pandatrooper[TK]]

Same size as all the other armor makers like TE, TE2, Cap, Cap W, etc.

[Amish Trooper]

Same size as all the other armor makers like TE, TE2, Cap, Cap W, etc.

Not true and ATA does tend to run a tad smaller since it is a 2nd gen casting of CAP/TE2. I can't seem to find the comparison shots.

[Daetrin[Admin]]

Not true Steve - the armor is the same size and ATA reworks the molds continuously to improve them. That one helmet comparison was from an ATA test pull anyway, and if you compare recent pulls the reality is that there is more variation pull to pull than between molds.

 

The other fact is that while they are all TE derived originally, they are not identical and one of the key goals for next year is to create visual guides that show the differences in parts, similar to how Terry created the sandtrooper comparison pictures.

[pandatrooper[TK]]

Size wise, the helmets are very close in dimensions - practically the same. I have owned several makes of helmets now, and it comes down more to construction. You can easily make a helmet fit larger or smaller depending on how it's assembled.

[Daetrin[Admin]]

Doh! You're right, I forgot Terry. I just order 'em with two right biceps. :-p

[vecspeed12]

ATA plastic is pretty durable from the helmet comparisons that I have.

[stormtrooperguy[501st]]

My take on HIPS vs. ABS.

 

In raw strength, I don't find them any different. HIPS tears along cracks more readily than ABS though. So, if you get a small crack in the armor it will rip in half, where ABS will hold its own for longer. So, as long as you are good about caring for the armor, HIPS is fine.

 

I've worn my HIPS clone suit about 35 times or so and have had no in the field breakages.

 

My ATA stormy has only come out of the house 3 times now I think, so it's still in great shape.

[Scootch[TK]]

A lot of good advice. Personally I would not do business with TE either, been there done that. Go for the ATA, you will be happy you did.

[JoeR]

What about CAP West? He does awesome suits and super sharp helmets. He is a good alternative and superb customer service.

 

Joe

[Smitty]

If your mind is made up for TE or ATA, then get the ATA. TE is untrustworthy. I had a couple of test pull ATA buckets when they first came out and was very pleased with the quality. I must say though that my new favorite bucket is the CAP-W.

[Jack]

I am in the process of assembling an ATA kit. It's my first set of armor and I couldn't be more pleased. He doesn't take your money until the armor is made, so it's at your door a couple of weeks (or sooner depending on location) after you pay him. Great businessman and a great product. He also has a website set up for ATA owners where you can get help assembling if you need it.