RS vs. Strider/CFO (quality)

[Harbinger]

Narrowed down to these two makers, not making this a ‘which is more accurate’ as obviously RS wins in that regard, but more about who has more durable plastic, better customer service/replacement parts, etc.

Additionally since RS doesn’t offer kits has anyone had issues with their trimming/strapping? Going for Lancer.

[Chopper]

RS worked very closely with our Detachment when they were preparing to offer their scout armor and, if memory serves, there are already a few who have done Lancer with it.

I'm less confident on the RS scout soft goods, which come from imperial boots, but the webbing and elastic strapping from RS should be a-ok. A greater question is how well their assembled and strapped armor fits your personally? If it's built to your body type, you should be fine. If you're smaller or larger, you may end up needing to deconstruct some parts and re-strap the RS kit. You can always ask if they'll send it to you trimmed, but not assembled. Worst they'll say is "sorry, no".

I've seen both the RS and CFO armor sets. If I recall, the CFO set uses thinner ABS than the RS kit, but I've also heard that Mark has beefed up some parts, like the chest plate since the version I saw a few years ago. Mark posts here under the name "sskunky". Again, no harm in asking!

Let us know if you need any additional info.

[Harbinger]

Yes I plan on sourcing soft goods elsewhere. Will ask if they will sent it unassembled, thanks.

Is it  worthwhile to wait until RS offers helmet kits again or do they do a decent enough job? I recall them using non-accurate bolts and hardhat liners when they first came out.

[Chopper]

The RS rotator bolts are casts of the 3M originals and painted grey. Should not be an issue for clearance.

The hard hat liner is not the original, but it won't prevent clearance issues at either level.

If you need the originals, you can purchase them from Kevin in this thread:

You'd have to ask if RS is offering the helmet kit again in the near future.

I know CfO offers the Lone Wolf helmet as a kit, which is a close second to the RS one. 

Building a scout helmet is not a quick and easy job and the screen assembly ones can be very finicky and time consuming to assemble. Depending on your level of experience, you may want to just buy the completed helmet from them.

[doubledx]

I had no good experience with RS, the customer Support is bad, 
part replacements only if you have a RS Armor or full kit. ( I ask RS for a new Holster to replace my Strider, no chance)

the 3M bolt's are not the Original ones and they are no recast, they looks like they sells you some from Shapeways.
the Inliner are some cheap black plastic

wich armor durable ? I don't know
The strider are in 1,5mm ABS and the belt in 2mm, RS Armor in 2mm

 

hope it helps.

greetings from Germany

[Harbinger]

Either maker should fit a 5’7” person fine though?

Thanks for all the responses so far.

[CatfoodRob]

17 hours ago, doubledx said:

I had no good experience with RS, the customer Support is bad, 
part replacements only if you have a RS Armor or full kit. ( I ask RS for a new Holster to replace my Strider, no chance)

the 3M bolt's are not the Original ones and they are no recast, they looks like they sells you some from Shapeways.
the Inliner are some cheap black plastic

wich armor durable ? I don't know
The strider are in 1,5mm ABS and the belt in 2mm, RS Armor in 2mm

 

hope it helps.

greetings from Germany

You say customer service is bad because they wouldn't sell you just one part to allow you to finish another makers armour kit ? 

So why didn't you buy this piece from the company that sold you the armour originally ? 

[doubledx]

First my Armor is complete and i can buy a new holster one from Cfo but this will not changed the problem.

 i buyed a DVH blaster and it fits not very good into the strider Holster, this is why i would like a new one, i know that the DVH fits Great into the Holster from RS. but RS don‘t sell me one, and the Customer Service is not the best, 2 of my Friends buyed Full armor by RS. Armor parts delivered with scratches, the helmet build not Good together, helmet must send back to RS to fix it. some elastics wrong and some other stuff. Response time at First contact ist Good, After that, not really.
 

Greetings from Germany 

[Stroker]

8 hours ago, Harbinger said:

Either maker should fit a 5’7” person fine though?

Thanks for all the responses so far.

Yes either will fit good.