I can shed a little light on these choices.

First off, the helmet from buy.com is very likely a vinyl Rubies costume helmet for that price. Vinyl tends to crack when it gets cold and it warps out of shape when it's warm, and even if you look at it funny. The Rubies helmet right out of the box is terribly inaccurate. As a matter of fact the image you see on buy.com's site is the head cut off of a promotional picture of an actual full set of movie armor:



This is what one really looks like:


Now, Rubies helmets can be modified to look decent (not great) with a LOT of hard work. A bikerscout.net (BSN) member named Acryilkhan put together a handy tutorial on how to do it. A lot of people buy this helmet because it's cheap and it's widely available. However, once you get around 501st scouts and realize how their helmets look, you really would not want to be the only one there with a badly warped helmet and you'll want to fix it. Trust me on this. When you factor in the costs of the materials you will need to make the modifications and the time spent on doing them (time IS money) with the original cost of the Rubies helmet, you will find that you could have used all that money to buy a quality ABS or fiberglass helmet. If you do your research on BSN you will quickly find out who the two preferred helmet makers are these days.

Second, the Studio Creations armor is quite good, well made and it comes with good instructions. It is not a bad buy at all and the armor maker is reputable. Many scouts in the 501st wear the SC armor. There are a couple of others (MC and KS are initials to look for) you might want to look into.

Third, boots. If, by "same as TK", you mean CA Boots, those boots will get you into the 501st (I know, I have a pair) but they are not very accurate and they are expensive. You can save money by following the boot tutorial on BSN, which leads you through a process of applying white sheet vinyl over a common brown hiking boot to make accurate looking scout boots. Or, if you are less inclined to do the work yourself, there are people who offer their services to make you a pair of boots in your size. Again, just look in the Soft Armor- Boots forum of BSN and you will see who it is very easily.

Don't forget-- with the scout armor, you will also need the proper gloves, cummerbund, balaclava and undersuit, along with a blaster pistol.

Ima have to diito TB-1019 on the Rubies helmet.

TI:

Helmet=Rubies brand helmets are acceptable, but after a serious overhaul(thats for all the helmets they produce i think)

Flight suit=if you buy from a surplus store you wll need extra material for ajustments. Ther are certain
requirements for the flightsuits. Pockets, cylender holder and com-pad holder
you would also need cog patches for the shoulders.
Ther is a tailor on the JRS that does the ajustments for them.(you will need the patches,suits,extra material)

Boots= Leatherup.com enginering boots 13"

Gloves=mystics

Belt= read the tutorial on the jrs and omega sites. its easier then it reads. ther is a tandy store in essex maryland.
If you cant get ther, order online.

If you do decide on the TI (as i have) get the IC. Then the doors will be opend to get a good selection of helmets and armour.
It will also give you time to save up for it. And if you change your mind you already have membership.

In general, Rubies' costumes occupy a weird space of better-than-usual-halloween and screen accurate costuming. It will probably look acceptable to the general public, unless they see you standing next to someone with a better helmet, at which point you'll feel pretty awkward. I'd suggest scoping out some fan-made helmets. They're out there, and almost always better than the Rubies' versions.

I'll try not to repeat anything that has already been said.

Since you have found the detachments, I assume you have also registered on those forums. If not, do so. You don't need to be a 501st member. Just be sure to introduce yourself before posting questions. Once that occurs, you will find others that will chime in on their advice, and as many here have said, you will start to see what other members offer for sale.

As an example, I'm currently working on a TI myself and when I registered on the JRS, the first thing the detachment leader adds to your intro thread is a link with some very helpful advice on the costume. Heck ... I'll just post it HERE You could almost consider it a "one-stop-shop" for what is the best in the TI. It also goes into making your own stuff vs buying commercial vs buying from another member.

As for your TK info, SDS is just one of the many types of armor out there. In my opinion, you can find the same, if not better quality from others here in the US, than spending $1500 (their website lists the price in British Pounds, in case you didn't notice) on just a set of the plastic. Just because they made the original movie versions, doesn't necessarily mean they make the best now. Plus, that cost is only for the plastic pieces. Add to it shipping, the blaster, undersuit, boots and gloves and you will be pushing $2000. This costume can easily be made for half that amount or less, depending on what you buy.

For full armor suits like the TK, TX, TC, etc .... be weary of any one offering a full kit already assembled. These suits require a bit of a custom fit to be worn correctly, trimmed down or shimmed up based on your body style. Plus, the extra mark up you pay for things like velcro and snaps, can often be bought locally for less money.

The Rennaissance Dance Wear undersuit is good and will work; I have one. Never have I worn it. Its one of those things you find initially, seems great, and then find it can be done easier. Underarmour is probably a better choice if only because, 1) its cheaper 2) more readily available and 3) wicks moisture (something that comes in handy in the summer). You will wear out the undersuit with armor rubs and pinches. Better to be able to replace it easy than to have to continue to place a special order.

The Caboots TK boots are good. They tend to not be available in smaller sizes, so depending on what you wear, you may have to find another source.

Its also really easy in this phase to not know where to start, so you begin collecting parts and pieces of everything, with the intention of seeing what will come together first. The end result of that will be a lot of money spent and no costume. My advice ... decide which one you really love. The costume with that special place in your Star Wars Universe and research that one. There is no wrong choice.

Hmmmm. When I think about that, the first thing that comes to mind is Boba or Jango Fett. I really do like the Mandalorians. To the point I know basic mando'a. Those costumes seem FAR out of my price range, skill level, and knowledge. Past mandos I really like the Scout Trooper.

Although the IC is really starting to grow on me as I look at what is needed for it. I've made many cloth uniforms and costumes for halloweens from other movies and video games, so it seems pretty straight forward to me.

Well, I'll be pondering and researching for a while now. All of your guy's input has given me alot more to look at. Thanks.

Boba is a very expensive outfit to put together. I spent over $4000 to put mine together. That doesn't include, all the little things like velcro, snaps, various other material parts and PAINT. Nor does it include the many many hours of painting and putting things together.
There are a ton of parts to Boba, I can't speak to Jango (maybe Phil will chime in) but Boba is a tough build to do an do it right. Lots of time and $$$$
Just my two cents

I found that out very quickly during my initial research. I bet the costume is worth it though. It would be pretty bad-ass.

Ok ... let me modify my statement. Once you find that special costume in your Star Wars Universe, see if it fits with your budget. If not, move on to your second (or third if your second is Darth Vader)

It is VERY bad ass! Check out his avatar or his pic on the 501st.

Awww shucks

Well. Beskar'gam will have to wait for the future when Im ready to take on such a project. Ni etar umaan bora.

I just want jump in here a sec first off I want to day good job to you CJ for doing plenty of homework, like others have said this is a very pricey hobbie. Like Rob's Vader and Boba suits excelent work and well worth the time and money he put into it If you start out as an IC thats great! It can grow from there. with very little mods. Also if you start as a IC and dont like it you really didnt lose much, but I think I can speak for some here tjat after yoyr first troop and if its a big one say like the cisticfibrosis sp? walk you know your helping a great cause to raise money and put a few smile on peoples faces. So with that said I hope when you turn 18 you will still have an intrest and the OLG will look forward to your progress

Hi guys, Just dropping in to say hi. Basically I am stuck until summer when I have time to work on making a costume. I plan on making an Imperial Bridge Crewman and modifying it into a Tie Pilot in the future. Just concentrating on school right now.

Not an issue CJ. We all agree school is more important.

As the others have said, school comes first and is very important. None of us are millionaires who have no commitments. I myself took three years to build my biker scout. That's not how long it actually takes, it was just a matter of finding the time. Glad to hear you choosing what is important first. Everything will come with time and you have the pleasure of having plenty of time to research, prepare, save, and then build when the time comes.

Look forward to seeing you when you have a chance to come out. What area are you from? That way we can perhaps give you a hand when you do have time.