"Any Hex boards like Kallistra in the USA?" Topic

I was wondering if anyone knew of anything made in the USA that compares to the very nice Kallistra terrain boards? I would go with Kallistra but the shipping is almost the cost of another set.

Thanks,

Matthew

I've never looked but I suppose they don't have a US distributor?

Geo hex is still available on Ebay from the manufacturer, look for a seller called geohex2013.

No, they do not.

I've looked at the sets many times. The cheapest way to get it is to order 3 or 4 sets at a time, which helps spread out the cost. Other than that, I don't have an answer for you. It is great-looking stuff.

Agree on GeoHex. KR has added some new sets over the last few years.

I talked to them about being a US retailer for them. They were interested and helpful, but in the end there was just no way around the shipping issue. The stuff is compact and heavy (I have several sets and love them).

Honestly, at this point, I'm thinking 3D printing might be the way to go. Even with the cost of buying the printer it would likely be cheaper in the end, and you'd be able to just print off pieces as you need them for specific games/scenarios.

Of course, you'd have to do the finishing yourself.

GHQ's Terrain Maker system ought to figure in here somewhere. It depends on how much work you're willing to put in. Myself, I'm a board and mat man, and reserve the hex systems for replicating odd hills and slanting battlefields. But I'll grant you they can be beautiful.

3D printing is the way to go. I designed and printed my own set. Search on thingiverse – there are several options.

I have a box of them I keep meaning to put up on marketplace but haven't had the time. I don't remember exactly, but I think I got them from geohex as I think they were once a reseller of it in the US. Love them but never used them, unfortunately. (I also once had geohex as well but managed to sell those.)

I've often admired the Kallistra hexes but shipping cost to the USA has always deterred me.

There was a kickstarter for 3D printed hexes I supported a while back, hexhog tabletops which includes flat hexes as well as ones with stones, hill elevation, rocks, trees. Could use as terrain feature elements as well as an entire playing surface. Have not got the printer operating as I'm in the midst of retiring/moving presently, but the product looked good and the hexes were a decent size as I recall (4-ish inches across).

Hex size is an interesting question. Too big and you lose flexibility, too small and its takes too long. Pre Hexon 2 I made my own out of cork tiles. I was surprised, my hexes were almost the same size as Kalistras but not exactly. Mine were 100 across points, Hexon 2 is 100mm AF. This seems to be the sweet spot for this type of terrain.

While you can print your own you need a LOT. 6ft by ft needs probably 1000 hex minimum if you are going to do a baseboard as well.

Personally I would avoid figured terrain on hex's like roads, rivers, streams etc. They always make a slightly artificial system even worse, lack flexibility and massively increase storage requirements. Use flat stuff that lays on top.

I suppose a group of us could put in an order together if someone wanted to coordinate it. If we are all unknown to each other who ever placed the order could get deposits from the rest of the group. Just off the top of my head, is this a silly idea?

I don't think the domestic shipping to each participant would be that much.