are the SMS Hi-def CF decals worth it

I got some CF decals finally for the two ferrari F1 cars I plan on building, I am just thinking about getting some other decals form SMS but I was wondering if the Hi-Def decals are really good to use

any comments would be helpful

The quality of them is virtually exactly the same as the other CF decals they produce, so you won't have any dramas there if you're used to the other types. As for the look, I don't really like it at all. Each to their own of course.
Here's a couple of examples...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v609/captain_mark/LH19.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v609/captain_mark/LH25.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v609/captain_mark/LH27.jpg


Hope that's of some small assistance.

SMS calling them Hi-def is a bit of a stretch. Just a slightly different pattern to the rest of em. If you can find a cheaper alternative then that should serve just as well.

wow, they look very different. I am going to get the these decals

http://store.scalemotorsport.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=SM&Product_Code=1400&Category_Code=4

for the seats and possibly anything else on the car for a better look

Hmmm...why don't you guys like them?

The Hi-Def decals I have in my stash really do seem to have a 3D texture to them unlike regular CF decals - maybe I am mistaken?

(totally innocent question on my part - having no personal experience from using them myself, I have no feelings on the subject one way or the other :) )

They look great to me, but I think some guys prefer 1/12 cf, or anything with a more visible pattern. I kinda like the subtlety of the hi-def. Anyway, you can always mix and match.

I suppose any time I think of CF I think of twill-weave, not this hi-tech style. I agree it does have a sort of 3D effect, but I suppose for me it's just not as cool as the twill weave.

Of course if you're going for accuracy however then hi-tech may be the one to go with.

I like them...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v65/Tonioseven/orange4.jpg
http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/2489/mspec-12.jpg
http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/8742/mspec-5.jpg

I've used the regular and hi-def decals from SMS, and it seems like the hi-def ones are more difficult to apply, and don't "cling" as well to the model as the regular decals...just my opinion

It's really a matter of personal opinion.

Personally, I'd say they're the best looking CF decals I've yet seen- miles ahead of any back and silver stripes. The bonnets on Tonio's cars above are easily amongst the best representations of CF I've seen in 1/24. Finally a CF pattern I can use without having to tone it down with clear smoke. It might just help me get over my aversion to CF components....

I'll get one decal sheet then of it to see what its like, its only 8 dollars

I'll get one decal sheet then of it to see what its like, its only 8 dollars
That's exactly why I have my sheets ;) :lol:

As many have already pointed out, personal preference is the main key. I have used the HD quite a bit, and I have used the "standard" SMS CF quite a bit too.
I personally like working with the HD better, it just does what I want it to do with less fuss than the regular CF. But neither one replaces the other for me either.
For some projects the 3D pattern is great, other projects I may or may not keep the 3D effect by tempering it with clear. - Mark

The hi-def may look like a certain type of carbon fiber, and those hoods do look good, but I think that material is better-suited for engine and suspension parts. The carbon fiber hoods that I have observed in real life at the auto shop are generally the twill-weave, and thus that decal doesn't look so good on them.

Alex

I think the Hi-def is close to the real carbon fibre pattern and therefore its quite worth it. I personally prefer accuracy than visibilty of the carbon patterns and therefore I like it for its accuracy in size too, its much smaller in carbon fibre spacing, which looks perfect in 1/24th scale.But theres one problem in my opinion, it sort of having visible lines on it on a certain angle. On the hand, Studio 27, KA model produced what i think is the best carbon patterns with the correct colour compared to all other brands but their prob is the scale, they look a little big. Just cant get the best out of two worlds :(. Nevertheless, Hi-def is definitely good enough for me. :)