QUESTION - ODST Helmet Face Reveal With Lights

[CYNE 739]

In this vid the helmet is made for airsoft (which I don't want to do), but I was wondering if anyone has done this effect for cosplay, with a more accurate-shaped ODST visor? Or is it specifically this type of visor/chrome that allows this effect, and needs to be flat.

I think I already know the answer is yes, pretty sure I accidentally achieved this effect with my Jazwares chief helmet once.

Searched on the forums and online, didn't really get any answers or before/after photos of the effect, which surprised me. It's one of the coolest aspects of the ODST helmet imo, and it's surprising it hasn't been done alot (it seems).

I'd love to know for sure, because this would be a must-have for my helmet.

EDIT: A new video that came out that showcases another method

 

[N8TEBB]

I've tried to do some digging to see what I can find for you. I'm surprised there aren't more threads about this, because I could have sword I've seen many people do this. Here's some useful information I was able to find:

Cadet gave some assistance to another user in this post back in 2022

As for how to attempt to achieve the effect without the needing any mechanical or moving parts, many of our mirrored our tinted visors work on the principle of the vast majority of the light being blocked on the inside of the helmet. If you hold up most tinted or mirrored visors up on their own you can usually see right through them very easily. I once knew a fellow member who bought a mirrored visor on Etsy and when he got it was starting to complain that he thought he was ripped off as he could see through it and it didn't seem very mirrored at all. I advised him to try it on his helmet before he asked for a refund or made an issue with the vendor. Lo and Behold, once installed on his helmet, it was more than sufficiently mirrored and prevented him from seeing through.

That's a long way to go to just say, it could be possible to mount some nice bright LEDs on the inside of your helmet aimed at the visor that when activated could negate the tint or mirroring effect of most visors enough for your face to be visble-ish. You won't be able to achieve the perfectly clear look of a mechanical moving visor, and obviously not like the in game or CGI in the We Are ODST TV commercial, but it might be a nice approximation for cheaper than moving visor.

A user by the name of Shiroppi made an ODST helmet with lights on the inside to change between transparent and opaque, although I'm not sure his visor has the 3-dimmensional detroi you're looking for. See their thread below

Halo ODST version 3

Since the last time i post here last year, i finished that one and made another one recently with minor changes to the armor . I did a quick photoshoot with it as soon it's done. I will be getting a new one with a different vest style, color, and 3d printed helmet. Any feedback is appreciated...

www.405th.com

Rock Lobbster has made a very impressive 'flip' visor that uses a small motor to mechanically raise and lower a tinted visor. Here is his original thread and an update thread

ODST Working Flip Visor

Hey there everyone! I have been a part of the Facebook group for a while now but I have never posted here. So here is what I’m working on. It is a flip up ODST visor to show combat mode and the clear visor. I have a vacuum formed visor coming in soon (Thank you Sorren Tromp) for the outer visor...

www.405th.com

Working ODST Flip Visor v2

Hello everyone and thank you for waiting for the v2 ODST Flip visor tutorial! Since I have made the first tutorial over a year ago the helmet has seen many different revisions. This more complex tutorial will go over all the additions made along with a fairly basic guide on how to make on...

www.405th.com

You may find this thread to be the most useful. Sean Bradley made an ODST helmet way back in 2010 (no wonder it was so hard to find) using the dark-tinted visor and LED method. The visor has the 3-dimmensional look you're going for as well. He has a video and lots of pictures of the system working. He also gave some general wiring advice. Check out that thread here

Child's Play Auction Custom Odst Helmet

Hey 405th! It's been a while since I've had time and something new to contribute here, so I'm really thrilled to show off one of my newest projects to you! A few months ago Laird MacLean (Halo Unyielding, Paid in Blood, RvB CanWest) contacted me about donating something to his upcoming...

www.405th.com

I hope this info is helpful!

 

[CYNE 739]

I hope this info is helpful!

Oh you have outdone yourself N8TE, all those threads are new to me except Rock Lobbsters, which is a seriously impressive display of skill, but not the direction I want to take (mainly cos I don't think I got the skills to do that!)

Cadets advice there is exactly what I was thinking, I could already see that affect happening with my Jazwares Chief helmet.

I realise now that since I'm going to be doing this for the Halo 2 ODST, I don't actually need a vacuum-formed, special-shaped visor, as their visor design is very flat. Also, the Halo 2 ODST visor is a nice dark purple with bright purple highlights by default, so this effect should be alot more effective than if it was done with a Halo 3 ODST visor colour.

I'd love to test this out once I've got the helmet printed, and a visor handy.

Thanks again N8TE! Hopefully this post will also help others who may have been curious in the topic.

 

[SgtSaint]

No offense to the guy's work with the reveal but posting that as a "airsoft" helmet as the potential to be a problem with in the 405th as its VERY clear we don't promote that use-case for cosplay armor.

Second - again no offense to the reveal work - but its just a kinda half-poorly done 3d printed helmet. No telling if its structurally sound. His electronics work seems good with the side light, basic LED's and all but the helmet itself gives me safety concerns. I don't care if it's a shabby print for general cosplay use-something used for 1 convention day a year etc., no matter. But when I see a visibly poor print it leads my mind to wonder about all the aspects that could be bad about it beyond the surface prep and finishing. There's just no way to know if this was simple superglue assembled... thin walled... etc. And that face shield looks like nothing more that transparency film and chrome window tint. But I think calling this an Airsoft helmet is going to lead to people getting hurt if they actually take paintballs to the head and faceshield.

 

[CYNE 739]

No offense to the guy's work with the reveal but posting that as a "airsoft" helmet as the potential to be a problem with in the 405th as its VERY clear we don't promote that use-case for cosplay armor.

Second - again no offense to the reveal work - but its just a kinda half-poorly done 3d printed helmet. No telling if its structurally sound. His electronics work seems good with the side light, basic LED's and all but the helmet itself gives me safety concerns. I don't care if it's a shabby print for general cosplay use-something used for 1 convention day a year etc., no matter. But when I see a visibly poor print it leads my mind to wonder about all the aspects that could be bad about it beyond the surface prep and finishing. There's just no way to know if this was simple superglue assembled... thin walled... etc. And that face shield looks like nothing more that transparency film and chrome window tint. But I think calling this an Airsoft helmet is going to lead to people getting hurt if they actually take paintballs to the head and faceshield.

Heya Sergeant,

Sorry if this comes off as rude, but I posted that video simply for reference to the light effect. I didn't mean to promote airsoft usage or anything of the sort (it's completely illegal in the state I live lol), to be honest I only realised the guy used it for airsoft when you pointed it out now.

I have been reading alot of threads, as well as the rules, and know that discussion of airsoft is to not be mentioned or recommended on the forums. Hence why in all my text, it's focused to the theory of the lighting toggle, with no mention of airsoft use. This was just the video that I stumbled across, and seems to be the only video showcasing a lighting effect like this.

If I've violated a rule, or need to provide a disclaimer, just let me know and I can chuck one in no wuckas.

 

[SgtSaint]

No worries mate. I don't think anyone mistakes your focus for his. Not a problem. But I felt it prudent to nip further airsoft usage talk in the bud. That's all.

 

[CYNE 739]

No worries mate. I don't think anyone mistakes your focus for his. Not a problem. But I felt it prudent to nip further airsoft usage talk in the bud. That's all.

Gotcha. I'll add a little ol' disclaimer in my first post anyway, so people opening the thread can immediately tell what's up.

See you at Gold Coast SupaNova in April 2025? Or too far of a commute you reckon.

 

[SgtSaint]

See you at Gold Coast SupaNova in April 2025? Or too far of a commute you reckon.

I'll be there.