Shackman Vs. TK409 Chest Display compare

As promiced both my self and the great Batninja got together with our chest displays to get some good pics showing the differences. Here is what we found.

Sadly we didnt have a set of chest armor to try them out in. I do know that the TK409 dosnt quite fit for the BM chest windo. But in my opinion short of custom cutting the window few will work.

The animations vary slightly on them, the brightness and size of the TK409 is great thought the shackman is shorter. Enjoy the pics and the video! :)

Thanks Batninja for bringing your display so we could do this!!!

*The brighter display with the white box LED and no ribbon is the TK409, the 2 part display with the black LED and ribbon is the Shackman display.

MY THOUGHTS: I think there both great and I dont usualy say that and mean it like this but its true... I want a shackman and I want to keep my TK409... there different but both good... I also plan on owning several sets of armor.. ;)

So great work TK409 and Shackman :cheering :cheers
We love your displays!!!:love

Movie links:

http://www.eisenberg-client.com/chestdisplay1.MOV

http://www.eisenberg-client.com/chestdisplay2.MOV

Here's another shot of them side by side.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...comparison.jpg

And here's another movie for those without QuickTime (complete with "Hotel California" Karaoke Drunk Woman soundtrack):

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v7...t=MOV01012.flv

In your professional opinions the Shackman would better fit a BM chest piece due to it's narrower width?

Yes, you would have to modify your display window on your BM armor for your TK409 to fit correctly!

Is the BM hole in the correct position to begin with? Would the modification be in the wrong place?

Another option would be to cut a horizontal slit in the vest (button-hole the edges) so that the exposed edge of the TK409 board slides inside the slit (behind the vest), effectively hiding it. Here's a crude sketch:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7.../vest_slit.jpg

I did this once before on an old vest, because I cut the display slots in the wrong place on the armor. Rather than re-working the slots (Bondo, putty, sand, etc), I cut a slit in the vest to slide the circuit board through. Problem solved.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by batninja

Is the BM hole in the correct position to begin with? Would the modification be in the wrong place?

Another option would be to cut a horizontal slit in the vest (button-hole the edges) so that the exposed edge of the TK409 board slides inside the slit, effectively hiding it.

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I have the BM armor and the TK409 lights. The TK409 board is hidden behind the BM armor. It looks like the lower slot needs to made a little taller. I can get the exact dimensions and/or pic of the BM slots at lunchtime.

Right from TK409's website:

If your armor slots are cut to this size, our display will fit perfectly: (Thanks Brak's Buddy)

Length of slots: 43mm
Height of top slot: 4mm
Distance between slots: 8mm
Height of bottom slot: 8mm

To match the placement on the ROTJ and SE armor I have been digitising into BM stencils it would need to move down and to your right about a quarter inch or so.

Here is a diagram!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by evan4218

To match the placement on the ROTJ and SE armor I have been digitising into BM stencils it would need to move down and to your right about a quarter inch or so.

Here is a diagram!

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You're not making me happy here.... :doh

Ugh... To keep it the way it is or to change it.... :?

Visualy BMs widow gives the overall same effect... it has the same "Feel" as the origonal armor... it is a tad bit smaller there for the placement of the window makes a little bit more sence where it is, I would think, but my diagram is sowing the widow moved with the size difference in mind, shrinking the strait on shot in photoshop to fit the BM plate exactly. I think it is more or less vissualy centered from left to right on the MOM armor, design wise.

Here is the BM armor with TK409 lights:

The slots measure:

Length of slots: 48mm
Height of top slot: 5mm
Distance between slots: 7mm
Height of bottom slot: 9mm


http://myfilelocker.comcast.net/ripcode66/armor_1.jpg

http://myfilelocker.comcast.net/ripcode66/armor_2.jpg

http://myfilelocker.comcast.net/ripcode66/armor_3.jpg

Thanks for posting that man!!! Its good to know they both fit.

I just used a file and ground down the bottom slot about 1\8" and the 409 lights fit just right. I'll post a pic later

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Delta75

I just used a file and ground down the bottom slot about 1\8" and the 409 lights fit just right. I'll post a pic later

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Yup... that is all that is needed to make it fit. :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ripcode

Yup... that is all that is needed to make it fit. :)

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Yep, wasn't as bad as it sounded when you mentioned it to me...:lol

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Delta75

Yep, wasn't as bad as it sounded when you mentioned it to me...:lol

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Sometimes I have a hard time explaining things... :lol :lol

Great comparison guys! I love seeing stuff like this.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by evan4218

To match the placement on the ROTJ and SE armor I have been digitising into BM stencils it would need to move down and to your right about a quarter inch or so.

Here is a diagram!

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Love the diagram!:thumbsup
Nice job.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think TK409's lights were made for MLC armor.

Thats good to know, I have MLC armor..

Think my wife would mind a nice set of TK 409 chest lights for Mothers Day ?

ahh cmon, it would be kinda like the gifts I get for Birthdays and Fathers days, you know, over sized sweatshirts and flanel PJ's that conveniently don't fit me that she wears lounging around the house..

Can't blame a Fett for trying LOL ;)


BTW, great comparison, thanks for sizing them up for us. Both look very well made.

:thumbsup for TK409
:thumbsup for Shackman

Quote:

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Originally Posted by LionsPride

Thats good to know, I have MLC armor..

Think my wife would mind a nice set of TK 409 chest lights for Mothers Day ?

ahh cmon, it would be kinda like the gifts I get for Birthdays and Fathers days, you know, over sized sweatshirts and flanel PJ's that conveniently don't fit me that she wears lounging around the house..

Can't blame a Fett for trying LOL ;)


BTW, great comparison, thanks for sizing them up for us. Both look very well made.

:thumbsup for TK409
:thumbsup for Shackman

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:lol :lol Yeah, if you like sleeping on the sofa;)

Good info on chest displays.I just got my Tk409 chest display in and its bright in day and night. But I want to own a shackmen also, its a little more stuff and its not as bright as tk409. But they both look great.

I have seen the shackman and have owned TK 409's.

Personally I dig the shackman its tad more sublte and subdued not as bright.

Chris does great work though, it all depends on what your going for.

well I am sold on shackman's all the way now, cause I dig the black display opposed to the white one

too bad they are not in production anymore

I have the TK-409 version and I thought it was a tad bright. I went to an optometrist and got a pair of those disposable sunglasses they had out for eye diolation. I cut it out and taped it to the inside of the window. Works like a charm.

Great IDEA! I have the TK409 lights and I was planning on using some of the trimmed portion of my welding visor for glueing to the inside of the armor at the "window"

I'll have to try both to see which works best.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Pavespawn

I have the TK-409 version and I thought it was a tad bright. I went to an optometrist and got a pair of those disposable sunglasses they had out for eye diolation. I cut it out and taped it to the inside of the window. Works like a charm.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Zeever Fett

well I am sold on shackman's all the way now, cause I dig the black display opposed to the white one

too bad they are not in production anymore

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The white won't show. The TK409 lights sit behind a piece of smoked or tinted plastic.

Judging JUST by the pics and movie files.. I really prefer the Shackman´s... Really sweet !!!

I will get one of those for sure ;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ripcode

The white won't show. The TK409 lights sit behind a piece of smoked or tinted plastic.

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http://myfilelocker.comcast.net/ripcode66/armor_2.jpg

I see no smoke or tinted plastic...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Zeever Fett

http://myfilelocker.comcast.net/ripcode66/armor_2.jpg

I see no smoke or tinted plastic...

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This picture was just to show how the TK409 lights line up in the BM armor. Would have been hard to see behind the smoked plastic. :rolleyes

I guess it's just prefernce then, I think shackman's looks more authentic.

the Digits on 409's are too narrow and the lights at the top are too small and spread out.

Shackman's lights are bigger and the Digits look more like the example shown on 409's website...

both are probably good quality, but I would go with Shackman's if I wanted something more accurate to the one from the film...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Zeever Fett

I guess it's just prefernce then, I think shackman's looks more authentic.

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It's good to see there are plenty of sources/options when it comes to Fett parts! I think they both look great! :thumbsup

I like the fact that TK409's board is all one piece and compact, as opposed to Shack's board is spread out. Also when you put TK409's behind dark tinted plastic it's not too bright at all, especially in the day light IMO. Last but not least the price is right and the Item is already made, I got mine within a few days of payment. However their both very nice and I'd be happy to have either!

I'm glad to see this comparison and appreciate very much the nice review comments. I think the more options, the better it is for the fans. For reference, I have recommended you use a dark piece of plastic as a window in front of the display. These photos are of my actual display with a small piece of visor plastic covering the display. Obviously you don't see the white show through:

http://www.tk409.com/images/fett/arm...tdisplay/1.jpg
http://www.tk409.com/images/fett/arm...tdisplay/2.jpg
.
http://www.carolina501st.com/albums/.../aaf.sized.jpg

I, for one, am glad to see comparisons between two or more products. Well informed custoemrs are a good thing in any business (my opinion).

I didn't want to post previously, because I didn't want to come across as "pushing" my design. But, TK-409 has posted, and I don't think he pushed his either ... so just to address some points about why mine is the way it is:

1) The LEDs are not intended to be bright on mine, because the actual display (real suit) was a subtle effect. Most people not studying Fett didn't even know he HAD lights. I agree about brighter being better for viewing in sunlight (outdoors), which is why I offer standard and ultra-bright options in my Vader circuit. So, user preference all the way (which again, is a good thing).

2) The split circuit design (two boards connected by ribbon cable) was intended to keep you from having to cram too much behind one breast plate. With this design, you put one piece behind each breast plate, for a little more of a balance (it was suggested to me during the design phase).

3) Top row of LEDs, won't go into much there. Mine was designed based on requirements and pictures provided to me by TDHers way back when. If I had the option, honestly, I'd have used something similar to what TK-409 and others have done. Unless you're studying the display suit up-close, you probably won't see a difference (only for those that who would measure Fett's dimensions on a museum suit). You know who you are. ;)

Again, I'm glad everyone has options. Quite some time back, TK-409 and I chatted (e-mail) a bit, so I know his design had a lot of thought put into it. I've never seen one in-person, but I think Fett costumers will have an awesome display regardless which route you choose.

Good luck,


ATM
ShackMan