Fallout NCR Veteran Ranger Helmet Bundle by Bethesda Gear
Updated: Jun 22, 2022
Uhh, so this was on my 'hmm I'd like it but I reaaally have to think about it list' as I missed the Desert Ranger Helmet Bundle, so when Bethesda Gear's new CM (Community Manager) reached out and wanted to send me one?! How could I say no?! 😱😱 YouTube video review is coming soon, I'd like to aim to film that sometime this weekend, be sure to subscribe for updates~
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While this was sent to me, my review and opinions are 100% my own. Thanks!!
Here's a quick overview of what's included for those who aren't familiar:
1 wearable NCR Veteran Ranger replica helmet (with LED light effects)
1 display stand
1 NCR metal belt buckle
1 'Ferocious' Deathclaw window sticker
This is $150 (USD) for the bundle, it also has to be ordered by itself due to shipping logistics or some shit, to be fair the box is fucking massive lmao 😅 it's also not eligible for their free shipping promo. Wave 1 ships February 2022, and Wave 2 ships April 2022. This is also limited to 5,000 units worldwide.
First let's take a look at the box, because the packaging is just as important as the product itself IMHO 🤷♀️ I can't tell you how many times the packaging has sold me on shit I otherwise would have not cared for lol
Here's the box!! This measures 18.75"L x 13.5"W x 11.75"H
Now with Vault Boy Funko Pop! to help put it into scale better.
Here are some detail shots nobody asked for, but it's stuff I like to see in reviews 🤗💖 I even got the UPC/barcode thing because why the fuck not!!
sOkay! Time to inspect the packaging inside 🔍👀 in the first photo, the white box on the left side houses the display stand and belt buckle, a foam-ish divider separates it from the helmet, while the Deathclaw sticker and pipe (stick? LOL) for the display stand is on the very bottom of the box. I was expecting more padding or something for the helmet...? I feel like they skimped on that. 🤷♀️ The second photos shows the contents of the white box: the bottom of the stand, the domed part the helmet actually sits on, and that lil' bit with the hole on the right side of the box houses the helmet clip for the stand and the metal buckle. You also get a small user's manual.
If you absolutely don't want to look at the user's manual (pshh, instructions?! who reads that shit), here's how to assemble the display stand: assembly is easy, put the pipe/stick thing into the base, attach the helmet clip to the domed part, then attach that to the top of the pipe/stick thing. The helmet clip should face front and center, ask me how I know!! 🙃 Trust me, the helmet won't sit properly on the display stand otherwise LMAO
Here's this front piece thing that swivels a little bit, also there is no protective plastic layer or anything to peel off. AGAIN, ASK ME HOW I KNOW 🙃🙃
Congrats, your display stand is now assembled!! 🥳🎉
Helmet dimensions: 12.28" x 12.21" x 13.23" (approximately) and fits up to an XL helmet, meaning it makes me look like a bobblehead as I'm a very small person lmao so I think this will be a display piece for most people. It IS wearable if you really want to though!
Anyways, here's the helmet (lights off, obvi) with my trusty you-know-who for scale and several shots of it from different angles. It's a bit finicky to get it perfectly centered on the stand 😅 also, the stand isn't the most stable as none of the pieces actually lock into each other, so if you need to move this around REMOVE THE HELMET FIRST and pick up the stand from the bottom. I'm curious if there's a way to permanently affix the display stand pieces together, or maybe replace it with a wooden dowel for stability? And/or figure out how to add weight to the bottom so it's more sturdy. I dunno, what do you think?!
Here's a look at the inside of the helmet, showing how that itty bitty helmet clip helps stabilize it on the display stand, the black part is a soft fabric and acts sort of like a headband.
Here's the knob on the inside to adjust the helmet to fit, turn it clockwise to make it smaller (it'll make a clicking sound, that's normal!!), turn it counterclockwise to make it bigger.
The chin strap is also adjustable, I don't know the name of what you'd call this strap hardware 😅 but it kind of reminds me of a belt buckle. The strap itself is a nylon webbing.
Here's a closer look at the 'LED light effects' I dunno for some reasons I thought the lenses were colored but this makes more sense. LOL You'll also need 2 AA batteries which aren't included, and a small screwdriver to install said batteries.
Helmet with the lights on, and on the display stand.
All the detail shots~ which shows off the paint job/scheme nicely IMHO.
But wait, there's more! Here's the metal belt buckle which measures 3"W x 2.25"H and yup, it's definitely metal and has some weight to it. I love the paint job and the color too. This would also be an awesome accessory for any New Vegas cosplay! I'm also curious if they'll ever sell these by themselves, or limit them to these bundles only. I feel like it's something plenty of fans would love to buy separately.
Here's the 'MORE FEROCIOUS THAN A DEATHCLAW' sticker, which honestly is my fave thing out of the bundle tbh. 😍💖 the second photos shows the original sticker paper it was on SO TAKE NOTE: for review purposes I stuck it onto black cardstock, I tried really hard to get photos of it on decal paper but it just wasn't happening. It really needed to be on a dark background as it's a white sticker with a transparent background on white sticker paper.
This measures 6.25"L x 8"H, the white reads matte to me, on a clear semi-glossy background.
Here are some closeups~
Here's me showing the transparent background, it's not ~*~crystal clear transparent~*~ but it'll be fine and not really noticeable if you do decide to use it as a window sticker.
I am curious though why this is a sticker and not a decal, as a decal would last longer and be waaay easier to apply. Cost, maybe? 😅 This was pretty finicky to peel off, so I'd suggest peeling it starting from the bottom, and work your way up, using something like a club card or credit card to squeegee the air bubbles out. I do also wonder about the adhesion, because I thought for sure once I stuck it on the cardstock that was gonna be it... but uhh, I can definitely peel the whole thing off if I want. Maybe it has to do with the surface and it works best on a window as intended, who knows! I just thought it would be worth mentioning.
Here's one final look at the bundle, out of box.
And with the box~ to recap here's what you're getting in the Fallout NCR Veteran Ranger Helmet Bundle by Bethesda Gear:
1 wearable NCR Veteran Ranger replica helmet (with LED light effects)
1 display stand
1 NCR metal belt buckle
1 'Ferocious' Deathclaw window sticker
The bundle will set you back $150, with an ETA for February 2022 for Wave 1, April 2022 for Wave 2, and is limited to 5,000 units worldwide.
Overall, I really like the bundle tbh, I think the helmet looks a lot nicer in person but hopefully my photos do it justice, haha. It's also pretty solid and sturdy, and no funky fumes like with the Power Armor helmet that came in the Power Armor Edition of Fallout 76 (seriously, it wasn't just me, right??). It's pretty much ready to wear right out of the box, once you adjust it fit and add batteries for the lights! I think the biggest gripe I have about the helmet (and bundle in general) is it's basically a repaint/reskin of the Fallout NCR Desert Ranger Helmet Bundle, it even has the same exact belt buckle and window sticker, why not add something else to set it apart? 🤷♀️ This bundle is also $10 more, for what's basically the same thing. I think it also would have been cool if they added some kind of NCR flag or banner with the bundle as well, so you'd have the perfect backdrop for photos right out of the box! I'm also curious to see how long it'll take them to sell all 5,000 units 👀 that's... A LOT. But hey, maybe now everyone who missed the Desert Ranger bundle like I did will be able to get one of these instead.
This ended up being waaay longer than intended LOL but I like to be thorough, not only with my photos but words as well. I try to approach it as: well, what would I look for, what information is vital, and what would I ask when it comes to reviews? I hope this helps in making a decision, or if you already have one pre-ordered and want a closer look to see exactly what you're getting, and/or if you just enjoy my blog ramblings, haha.
Thanks for reading, if you found this helpful and informative please 'heart' the post, leave a comment, and share it with your friends!! Did you buy anything? I'd love to see, please tag me in your haul posts 👀🛍 If you have a question about any merch items not covered in this post, leave a comment and I'll get back to you as soon as I can! Don't forget to follow me on my socials for the latest updates, all the click-y links are at the top of the page. See y'all in my next blog post, take care and stay safe out there in the wasteland! ❤