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I have to admit, I like the pre-cut foam trays that BattleFoam has to offer . They come in a wide variety of pre-cut configurations, many of which are perfect for the various specific Warhammer Fantasy and Warhammer 40k faction pieces. One of which I really like is a 4-inch tray that comes pre-cut to hold a single drop pod, 2 Land Raiders and 4 Rhinos for Space Marines. Other nice trays include, and aren't limited to.. single 5x Drop Pod 4-inch trays, another tray to hold Imperial Guard Valkyries, trays to hold 3X Leman Russ and 3X Chimeras, 72 troop capacity 1-inch trays, and a ton of other nicely designed pre-cut trays for most anything Warhammer Fantasy and Warhammer 40k. More recently they've debuted trays designed to fit Warmachine and Hordes. If you're into WWII historical battles, Flames of War is another game they make nice pre-cut trays for too.

The nice thing about their Standard BattleFoam trays is that they're larger than what the competition makes at 15.5x12 inches, where as Army Transport trays are 13x7.75. The only problem with BattleFoam for the most part is their cases are very expensive, and if you want to buy one of their cases with foam, the only way they offer them to retailers is the case, plus a pre set pluck foam configuration, not the nicer pre-cut trays.

They do offer a service to allow you to select the pre-cut trays you want with any of their cases, IF you order direct from them, and you can even use a tool they offer to design your own custom trays. However, dealing direct with BattleFoam at present, is like trying to deal with GamesWorkshop direct. You end up paying full retail cost, with no breaks, and while they claim shipping is exact cost, on average it's $19 for S&H alone for most any of their cases via their website shipped to a US address.

This is hard to swallow when most of us are used to dealing with online retailers that offer 20%-30% off retail, plus usually free shipping with a $75--$100 purchase, or flat rate $6 no matter how much you order, and/or a local shop which incurs no shipping, and a small discount/incentive as well.

Selecting the Custom Load Out option with any of their cases is very expensive too. For instance it's $65 for a P.A.C.K 432 empty direct, $95 with their standard pluck-foam tray setup with a 432, and $135 if you opt for the Custom Load option, and the 432 holds only 7.5 inches worth of their trays.

In most configurations you're only going to fit about 3 varied size trays in that case with 7.5-inches to work with, and on average their trays cost $19-$29 each. Do the math, it doesn't look like you even get much of a break on the trays when buying a case too. If you opted for 2x $24 trays (1X 4-inch and 1X 3inch) and 1x $19 tray (1-inch tray) it ends up $67 for the trays, so you saved $2 off the cost of buying the trays separate. Certainly not a big incentive.

However, I have a solution!

Now, if you know a local shop, or online retailer that caries a wider selection of the trays that they offer direct, you could buy the trays you want, and I've found that Sabol Designs Army Transport Motor Pool case will hold the standard 15.5x12 inch BattleFoam trays perfectly!

On average Motor Pool cases empty run $30-$35. Granted BattleFoam cases have a few nice features that the Sabol cases don't, like the hard plastic inner shell, and canvas versus the soft plastic of the Army Transports, however, not everyone wants, or needs a case that's approved by the FAA/TSA for airline travel, and that can withstand a 200lb human being standing on it either. You also pay quite a lot for those features, a substantial amount that could be better served in purchasing more trays, another miniature, or box full of miniatures for your army, depending what game(s) you play.

I've seen others using BattleFoam trays with plastic storage tubs too. Finding one that's the right size to make it work right is tricky, but if you look around, you might also find something to do the trick, as some others I know have. I prefer the Motor Pool route myself, it's a nice case, and buying them empty isn't expensive, and they fit the standard BattleFoam trays like a glove.

I found this out totally by accident, as I went to purchase a Motor Pool the other day at a local shop. They had the BattleFoam trays sitting there, so I emptied out the Motor Pool, and tossed in a 4 inch tray for the LandRaiders/Rhinos and Drop pod, a random 3-inch tray, and a 72 troop 1-inch tray, and it looked as if it was made for those trays once inside the Motor Pool. Technically the Motor Pool holds 1/2-inch more worth of foam over BattleFoams' own P.A.C.K. 432 as well, since it holds 8-inches of Sabol trays side by side, and 432 is made for 7.5-inches of trays. As a bonus, the Motor Pool allows the trays to lay flat, and not sideways, as the 432 is designed to carry their trays vertically sideways. The only way to get a case from BattleFoam that allows for the trays to lay flat is the smaller 216 case, or the much larger, and much more expensive P.A.C.K. 1520.

So now I have all the pluck foam from the Motor Pool to use for what ever I desire, and I also have the option to purchase BattleFoam trays as well, and don't need to buy their expensive cases to utilize them.

lol Grass root?

Really? We don't take too kindly to your kind here...reported.

I'm a little confused by this post.

It reads very much like a sales pitch, but without any links to purchase the product it's spruiking.

And there's really no need to disguise a sales pitch on Dakka, since gaming-related advertising is welcomed...

Meh, I just go to wal-mart, Grab a pistol case for $10-$20 & if I want to put my vehicles in it I cut the foam, Bam! solved cheaply.

insaniak wrote:

And there's really no need to disguise a sales pitch on Dakka, since gaming-related advertising is welcomed...

Oh, really? whoops. The forums I'm usually on don't allow this kind of stuff.

insaniak wrote:I'm a little confused by this post.

It reads very much like a sales pitch, but without any links to purchase the product it's spruiking.

And there's really no need to disguise a sales pitch on Dakka, since gaming-related advertising is welcomed...

Dude, it's a review. If you don't like it, move on. No sense being a tool about it.

I am not selling anything, nor am I trying to. I posted that article, to try and help people realize that they don't NEED to buy BattleFoam's cases to take advantage of thier nice trays.

Nuff said

All of these BF advertisements propping up lately are suspicious to me. A lot of these posts are by people with very low post counts which makes me believe that they are from people that work at BF.

Which I don't necesarily care about, if that is the case.

Just suspicious that's all.

(Now where's my area 51 map, and conspiracy theory hat? It's around here somwhere.....)

GG

GG I sometimes don't agree with you but I personally think you are spot on with this. There seems to be a few of these 'Wow isn't BF excellent' type threads popping up lately - enough, at least to make me somewhat suspicious.

Meh. I like Battlefoam stuff and don't have a problem with the post. While they cost more they are a superior product so in this case you do actually get what you pay for.

I've done the Motor Pool thing too, and it works. Nice for smaller games but not something I'd want to do for a long trip or if someone else is handling my minis. For this the hard shell PACK series really are worth it. Let's face it if you put hundreds of hours into conversions and painting the $250 you'll pop for the figure case is not near the value of the army, and you can re-use it indefinitely with the purchase of additional trays.

Deleted by moderator as libellous.

razorx wrote:Dude, it's a review. If you don't like it, move on. No sense being a tool about it.

If I didn't like it, I would have just deleted it and moved on. I didn't, because it was a useful write-up. Reviews are always welcome. Posts from companies with gaming-related products are also welcome.

As I said, the confusion here was simply that your review read more like a sales pitch, and enough companies do indulge in that sort of sock-puppetry to make you review seem like something similar. No offense or criticism of the review was intended by my post... It was really just intended to get across the point that if it was a sock-puppet post, it would have been better to simply be up front about it. If you're not associated with the companies in question, then you have nothing to worry about.

insaniak wrote:

razorx wrote:Dude, it's a review. If you don't like it, move on. No sense being a tool about it.

If I didn't like it, I would have just deleted it and moved on. I didn't, because it was a useful write-up. Reviews are always welcome. Posts from companies with gaming-related products are also welcome.

As I said, the confusion here was simply that your review read more like a sales pitch, and enough companies do indulge in that sort of sock-puppetry to make you review seem like something similar. No offense or criticism of the review was intended by my post... It was really just intended to get across the point that if it was a sock-puppet post, it would have been better to simply be up front about it. If you're not associated with the companies in question, then you have nothing to worry about.

Good, glad we understand each other now.

Here's my honest review.

I bought a Pack 1520 and spent ~$300 to get a case for my Dark Eldar. Here's the post-purchase e-mail I sent them....I've heard nothing back.

Greetings!

I've received my battlefoam in the mail, and excitedly opened it up and started fitting models into it. I thought I'd give you some feedback.

1. The Dark Eldar warriors with the dark lances don't fit into the Tau firewarrior trays that we had discussed. This is not your fault; it was my responsibility to make drawings and cut them out, which I did not do. Just that if you run into this again with someone else, keep that in mind.

2. The Dark Eldar raider cutouts are *really* big. I'm a little worried about it actually because there's so much extra room in there - when a standard Dark Eldar Raider is set inside there, there's an inch to spare on the front and an inch to spare on either side. Putting a Raider inside there on its flying base would be disastrous while trying to transport it anywhere because there's so much wiggle room. I'm shipping my Dark Eldar in the battlefoam case across the country to California to get professionally painted (Romeo, do you know Brad Townsend aka Hulksmash? Friend of mine; he was the one who convinced me to get Battlefoam in the first place; says that he knows you). These worry me the most...and they *really* worry me - the decision to buy a PACK 1520 with custom trays was centered around my inability to come up with a good way to transport my raiders around.

3. I love your foam. I remember seeing a commercial that Romeo put together about the crap quality of pluck-n-pick or whatever that stuff is called, and I have three GW cases; two big ones and one small one. I *really* like the durability of the foam, and the fact that I don't feel like its going to rip in my hands. Kudos.

4. The layout of the Pack1520 is brilliant. It took me 5 minutes zippering and unzippering to figure it out all, but the room for codexes, templates and everything else with its solid outside construction makes me feel almost elitist in my super-nerdiness. I spent 10 years in the army, and I was thinking rucksack when I shouldered it on, at which point my wife snickered at me and told me I look dumb. =p

5. Have you ever considered the idea of a shoulder-strap? My GW big cases are transported around on my shoulder, while my hands carry a dice tray, terrain, a tackle box with other stuff in it, snacks...whatever. The choices for the PACK 1520 are to either carry it in a hand or to stick it on a shoulder - and the shoulder straps are mounted at the bottom of the PACK 1520, meaning that 3/4 of the box shaped carrier sticks above your head. I'm 6' 1", and adding two feet to my height means that when I'm going into a store or am in a low-ceiling environment, I can't shoulder mount it and have to tote it by hand. Having to duck under things with that on my shoulder means that my raiders jumble around and break in their holding slots because they're not sized well....

6. I thought I remembered something about it being the size of a carry-on, which was attractive as I am attending multiple GTs this year across the country. Maybe I'm thinking of the pack 432?

7. My custom engraving didn't happen! :( I had a thread on dakka dakka to help me come up with an army name for my dark eldar, decided that the Purple People Eaters had the best sound, Jama said she would make sure it got on there....and I have no custom engraving. :(

8. I'm not writing just to complain. I like the PACK1520, but am just uncomfortable with mainly the vehicle transport issue. The spiky, hard to transport without breaking nature of a raider is what brought me to battlefoam in the first place - the idea of having a snug fit that would keep my painted models safe. I don't feel reassured that this will happen right now.

-------------------------------------

On a brighter note, I also have an Ork and a Tau army. My wife and I debated which army to get a PACK 1520 for first, and decided to do Dark Eldar because we have at least an intermediary solution for the orks with padded tackle-boxes to hold the vehicles.

Orks will be next, but I'm genuinely concerned now about sizes. The pictures on your website showed rhinos fitting snugly into their spots...I'm worried about trukks and battlewagons bouncing around in their holes if they're built as loosely as the Raiders.

Is this typical? is there usually a lot of extra room in the vehicle foam spots?



*************
*************
End of mail

I'm not sure if I like it. DE have a lot of spiky bits and the "standard slots" that they provide and sell for fits-all sizes....don't work for DE. Honest feedback there.

Deleted by moderator as libellous.

Well, I don't know any of them personally, but lack of communication is starting to get annoying.

I need to be able to carry 3 Trygons, 6 Carnifexes, and 2 Hive Tyrants without spending $350. I'd rather buy another army for that.

The biggest problem is the Trygons. They essentially need a 6" foam tray, but most cases only have about 8-9" of room. Again, unless one spends an insane amount of money.

Tip: stop calling people tools, especially Moderators. Name calling doesn't get a point across, and simply reflects poorly on yourself.

Dashofpepper: Thanks for that review. I've been debating getting some Battlefoam for the same 'how do I move raiders?' issue. Looks like I'm sticking to my custom hacked soft foam and toolbox solution for a while longer.

razorx wrote: One thing is for certain, that company doesn't take ANY criticism or advice very well AT ALL.

From what I've seen online and on public forums, they totally lack people, or PR skills in general. I was called an Idiot for telling him that too.

Having read the tone of your writing in this post and the way you come across I have absolutely no doubt you were called an idiot.

The Battlefoam guy is really weird. I am not sure if I would buy a foam sponge from him.

fullheadofhair wrote:

razorx wrote: One thing is for certain, that company doesn't take ANY criticism or advice very well AT ALL.

From what I've seen online and on public forums, they totally lack people, or PR skills in general. I was called an Idiot for telling him that too.

Having read the tone of your writing in this post and the way you come across I have absolutely no doubt you were called an idiot.

I bet no one comments on your attempt to evoke a negative response from me with that bait eh?

Morgrim wrote:Dashofpepper: Thanks for that review. I've been debating getting some Battlefoam for the same 'how do I move raiders?' issue. Looks like I'm sticking to my custom hacked soft foam and toolbox solution for a while longer.

Sure.

Seemed like a great idea and I'll make it work. I'm going to have to cut the spikes off of anyones' heads because there's no free space (compact packaging isn't bad) but it does mean that they don't fit in there. And the raider size / foam cutout thing is seriously wrong.

razorx wrote:

fullheadofhair wrote:

razorx wrote: One thing is for certain, that company doesn't take ANY criticism or advice very well AT ALL.

From what I've seen online and on public forums, they totally lack people, or PR skills in general. I was called an Idiot for telling him that too.

Having read the tone of your writing in this post and the way you come across I have absolutely no doubt you were called an idiot.

Aww I'm so hurt. Go lick the boots of your pal Romeo some more Lemming boy.

Wow I foresee someone rocketing to the head of the Moderators want to ban this guy now list.

Razorx, well well well. Here you are again bashing me and Battle Foam. Its funny how you have been kicked off of 3 other forums for this same crap. I normally don't pay attention to "tools" like you but your bordering on slander here. The funny thing is I know exactly who you are. You forget the people that I know in the hobby. Going around starting up trouble being that your a Dakka member under your new name for less then 2 weeks is a stupid move.

An honest opinion is the farthest thing from the truth. Again, I know who you are so stop using this b.s. name to post honest threads. Your far from honest and you know it.

Mods, I am sure you will look into this "Tool" post and see the need to address it.

Dashofpepper - We tried calling you a few days ago about your email. We'll try again today. Also remember that if you have questions we offer a free 800 number you can use and we will gladly resolve any issues with your order. We have hundereds of emails come over everyday so email would be the slowest way to get a reply.

Romeo
Battle Foam
Protecting Your Army (One "tool" at a time)

Ah; haven't seen any calls but hey - might have missed it.

I hope you don't get overly defensive about my e-mail - I said several good things, praised some features, offered neutral input on one (and took responsibility for it) and had concerns about really only one thing.

Hope to talk to you soon.

razorx wrote:Trust me, I don't work for BF! I can't stand Romeo the owner/tool who runs the company, as he's a real piece of work. Had it been BattleFoam posting, it would have been totally a sales pitch, less of an HONEST review, and no info on how you can do without thier overpriced cases.

I can't stand the jackarse who runs BattleFoam, but they do have a good product in thier pre cut trays, and it's worth mentioning how someone can use them, without breaking the bank. I just learned the other day that the Motor Pool Army Transport cases work well with thier trays, so I figured I'd share the information. I find it ironic too, because the very cases that BattleFoam bad-mouths, ends up doing a fine job of holding thier trays, and this is information I HAD to share.

razorx wrote:Aww I'm so hurt. Go lick the boots of your pal Romeo some more Lemming boy.

Razorx, these posts clearly violate Rule #1 of Dakka Dakka. You are a new poster here and have already managed to violate the Dakka Rules, and also seem to have a grudge against Sgt Diablo. You are allowed to post honest reviews, but you do seem to have an agenda here. If you do post reviews of a product, leave your personal agenda out of it. You can't use the "I said a nice thing so now I can say a mean thing" defense either; complimenting Battlefoam's product and then attacking an employee is NOT acceptable behavior.

If you continue to violate Dakka's rules, further disciplinary action will be taken.

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

Deleted by moderator as libellous.

Morgrim wrote:Dashofpepper: Thanks for that review. I've been debating getting some Battlefoam for the same 'how do I move raiders?' issue. Looks like I'm sticking to my custom hacked soft foam and toolbox solution for a while longer.

I actually just got off the phone with Romeo. We had a fantastic conversation, and he said that he's actually going to retool the DE line based on tracings of my raiders and stuff; out of 10,000+ sets that they've made and shipped, 10 or so have been Dark Eldar.

He also offered to replace all my battlefoam with new custom-built foam once the new tracings are made and cut, but I'll make it work; I elected for a massive discount on my next purchase. I have to say, I was very surprised by our resolution and quite pleased. Battlefoam just made a fanboi. =p

At risk of getting entrenched in the arguement; you know he's doing that because of this thread? It seems iffy to me.