Hey everyone! I completed our Zyu cosplay that I started last March, and realized I never posted about the helmets. For the Dragon Ranger, I went with MMPR Helmets USA, who uses an Eric kit and finishes it. I also went with the extension option (but later on I'll tell you why this was maybe a mistake). For the Ptera Ranger, Matt1221 approached me here on RangerBoard and offered his services. I hadn't heard of him in the usual helmet threads, but he showed me some sample pictures and got the job.
Customer Service
First off, I'll compare the two propmakers and the experiences I had with them.
Matt1221 was very responsive to emails, and worked really closely with me to get the helmet I wanted. We discussed paint choices, pin striping, magnets vs clasps, and more. He sent me progress photos regularly, which greatly helped the wait time. The wait was fairly long, but probably typical of helmet makers. Being a smaller maker, he made sure to take his time getting everything just right without the distractions and pressures of several other orders. All in all, I officially placed my order with him on March 26, 2013, and the helmet was shipped on October 16, 2013 (204 days). P.S. Matt1221 threw in a free finished Ptera Buckler (a finished Buzz prop, from the looks of it, with removable coins in two metallic finishes) as well as a Power Rangers picture book, as way of apologizing for the long wait. I was very humbled by the experience.
MMPR Helmets USA was also very responsive, though he did not provide any regular updates/progress photos. To be fair, I never asked for any, as he runs a larger operation so I trusted him to get the job done without supervision and updates. The wait was a little longer, but I also requested an extension. I placed my order on March 11, 2013, and the helmet was shipped on November 18, 2013 (252 days).
Build Quality
I'll separate build quality from paint and finish. The build of both helmets are pretty great. The Ptera Ranger feels nicer in the hands, but it's difficult to describe why. It seems thinner yet stronger, and is held together with a set of powerful rare-earth magnets. However, it has no hinge, instead relying on a set of foam straps hot glued to the interior. The interior has thin pieces of foam situated around the helmet to act as a smooth surface for the wearer. The visor is a sturdy, yet slightly flexible piece of tinted plastic that is glued in place.
The dragon ranger is hinged and held together with clasps. I had requested magnets to match the Zyu look, but MMPR Helmets USA had trouble getting the helmet to sit right and asked if I would accepts clasps instead. I was okay with this, so no worries. The helmet is heavier than the Ptera helmet, and had no cushioning on the inside. The screws holding the clasps on the helmet protruded through the walls and felt like they could scratch me if I'm not careful. I took care of both problems by gluing my own foam into the helmet and over the sharp bits. The visor is a thin piece of flexible plastic held in place with several small pieces of double sided tape. I am in the process of figuring out a better visor, preferably something like a stunt visor with a reflective black outer surface. I'm open to ideas if anyone knows how to make one/where to buy one!
Paint and Finish
Okay, I just have to get this out of the way. Matt1221 did a phenomenal job with the paint and finish. The pictures at the bottom of this post don't quite do it justice, but it's just so smooth and shiny. It makes the Dragon Ranger helmet look positively dull by comparison. The Dragon helmet has a number of small defects in the paint. To be honest, I probably wouldn't mind them at all had I not seen Matt1221's work. But side-by-side, the difference in time Matt1221 and MMPR Helmets USA must have spent sanding and painting and polishing is obvious. The linework on both helmets is good, though it's beginning to peel on the Dragon helmet. I'm half-tempted to just go in with a Gundam detailing marker and draw in the lines directly.
Price
The Ptera helmet through Matt1221 was $390, and included the Ptera buckler with labels + 2 coins and the bonus picture book.
The Dragon helmet through MMPR Helmets USA was $470 ($390 for the helmet, $80 for the extension).
Conclusion
Both makers are doing a wonder for us fans, and providing us with the fulfillment of dreams we've had since childhood. I am happy with both helmets, and hope that Matt1221 can one day make me another :D
Customer Service
First off, I'll compare the two propmakers and the experiences I had with them.
Matt1221 was very responsive to emails, and worked really closely with me to get the helmet I wanted. We discussed paint choices, pin striping, magnets vs clasps, and more. He sent me progress photos regularly, which greatly helped the wait time. The wait was fairly long, but probably typical of helmet makers. Being a smaller maker, he made sure to take his time getting everything just right without the distractions and pressures of several other orders. All in all, I officially placed my order with him on March 26, 2013, and the helmet was shipped on October 16, 2013 (204 days). P.S. Matt1221 threw in a free finished Ptera Buckler (a finished Buzz prop, from the looks of it, with removable coins in two metallic finishes) as well as a Power Rangers picture book, as way of apologizing for the long wait. I was very humbled by the experience.
MMPR Helmets USA was also very responsive, though he did not provide any regular updates/progress photos. To be fair, I never asked for any, as he runs a larger operation so I trusted him to get the job done without supervision and updates. The wait was a little longer, but I also requested an extension. I placed my order on March 11, 2013, and the helmet was shipped on November 18, 2013 (252 days).
Build Quality
I'll separate build quality from paint and finish. The build of both helmets are pretty great. The Ptera Ranger feels nicer in the hands, but it's difficult to describe why. It seems thinner yet stronger, and is held together with a set of powerful rare-earth magnets. However, it has no hinge, instead relying on a set of foam straps hot glued to the interior. The interior has thin pieces of foam situated around the helmet to act as a smooth surface for the wearer. The visor is a sturdy, yet slightly flexible piece of tinted plastic that is glued in place.
The dragon ranger is hinged and held together with clasps. I had requested magnets to match the Zyu look, but MMPR Helmets USA had trouble getting the helmet to sit right and asked if I would accepts clasps instead. I was okay with this, so no worries. The helmet is heavier than the Ptera helmet, and had no cushioning on the inside. The screws holding the clasps on the helmet protruded through the walls and felt like they could scratch me if I'm not careful. I took care of both problems by gluing my own foam into the helmet and over the sharp bits. The visor is a thin piece of flexible plastic held in place with several small pieces of double sided tape. I am in the process of figuring out a better visor, preferably something like a stunt visor with a reflective black outer surface. I'm open to ideas if anyone knows how to make one/where to buy one!
Paint and Finish
Okay, I just have to get this out of the way. Matt1221 did a phenomenal job with the paint and finish. The pictures at the bottom of this post don't quite do it justice, but it's just so smooth and shiny. It makes the Dragon Ranger helmet look positively dull by comparison. The Dragon helmet has a number of small defects in the paint. To be honest, I probably wouldn't mind them at all had I not seen Matt1221's work. But side-by-side, the difference in time Matt1221 and MMPR Helmets USA must have spent sanding and painting and polishing is obvious. The linework on both helmets is good, though it's beginning to peel on the Dragon helmet. I'm half-tempted to just go in with a Gundam detailing marker and draw in the lines directly.
Price
The Ptera helmet through Matt1221 was $390, and included the Ptera buckler with labels + 2 coins and the bonus picture book.
The Dragon helmet through MMPR Helmets USA was $470 ($390 for the helmet, $80 for the extension).
Conclusion
Both makers are doing a wonder for us fans, and providing us with the fulfillment of dreams we've had since childhood. I am happy with both helmets, and hope that Matt1221 can one day make me another :D
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