AdapTableTop and LevelUp Comparison

[Paddywhack]

Not exactly terrain, but terrain-adjacent. I thought others might be interested in these products as well. 

All the photos:
https://1drv.ms/a/s!AkfXqHIwwjCDg-17olNcTNsI9DvDPQ?e=ZBpyI9 

PDF of the below with more pictures inline if its easier to read.
AdapTable and Level Up gaming table comparision.pdf 

AdapTable and Level Up gaming table comparision          
I recently (finally) received my AdapTable wargame LED table from Game Start (https://gamestartstudio.com/products/adaptabletop/) from their second to last Kickstarter . It was a long delay due to the shipping company they used. I wanted to try one of these table risers to see if it made my gaming more enjoyable by freeing up a bit more space to store tokens and other odds and ends.

Unfortunately, as soon as I put the table together, I discovered that their advertised dimensions were off by quite a bit. They had advertised this KS with dimensions for the Wargame table to make a 36x48” table, so I should have been able to make a 36” square table. However, their panels are actually 30cm square, meaning it was only about 35.43” when assembled. This doesn’t sound like much, but it means the edges of the mats hang off quite a bit (I discovered some of mats are a tad more than 36” as well, exacerbating the issue ).  I also can’t use the LED rails on the top as the mat won’t fit at all. I don’t care too much about the LEDs, but I wanted to rails to act as a barrier to avoid accidental falls. Honestly this was the main reason I backed this table instead of buying one already on the market.

          

When I reached out to support, they gave the explanation that due to shrinkage it was possible that they might lose 1-2mm per board and they offered to send more panels so I can expand to 4x4 boards (this should be about 47.25” square). Not really what I wanted, but better than nothing. I did counter that they should update their page or quality control as this was not 3-6mm, but a full 15mm. This does not seem like just normal production shrinkage. 

I didn’t back their very first campaign as they indicated then that the boards were only 11.8” across. This campaign (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/gamestartedizioni/adaptabletop-led-edition-a-modular-tabletop-for-board-gamers/description) listed the table as a full 36” x 48”, but it seems that that was incorrect, as the panels are still only 11.8”. I should have checked and asked before backing the project. I want to believe this was an honest mistake as the company seems pretty good otherwise.

Once I realized this system wasn’t going to do what I wanted, and  was understandably a bit miffed after waiting so long, I went and ordered a 36” Level Up from SpiderMind Games (https://www.spidermindgames.com/collections/level-up-gaming-tables).

I emailed first and got confirmation that these are a full 12” across panels and will make a full 36” square table. While the AdapTable suffered from the usual KS issues and took almost 8 extra months to get to me, the Level Up got to my door in 2 days! It helps that it happens to be an OR based company and I live in OR, but still. That was super fast.

I thought I’d give some comparisons if anyone was interested in looking at either of these products.

Both products are very good quality overall. The panels for both are about the same thickness, though the AdapTable feels more rigid due to all the extra bracing from the honeycomb structures underneath. This honeycomb is how they attach legs and other things to the table itself. The LevelUp does not feel flimsy, it’s just noticeable that the AdapTable is more rigid due to all the extra plastic (it’s also heavier of course).

 

      

 AdapTableTop

The AdapTable boxes are a bit hard to open and open from the top, meaning you have to reach in for everything. Each has 6 panels, 12 stability adapters (think lego-like connectors to add strength to the connections and can hold the LED), 12 legs, four cup holders (no cups though – you have to get the Player Kit for those), and four little clips that you can use to hold any boards or mats. This means to make a 9-panel table, you’ll need two boxes to hold all the stuff. I’m not sure if the extra panels to make it 4 boards square will fit in the two boxes. The extra panels might mean I need three boxes to store and move the AdapTable around.

Assembly is straight forward – lay as many panels as you want down and then start attaching legs and stability adapters. Add any other things you might want and flip it over. Once all together it’s pretty solid, though the leg tops and bottoms can come apart sometimes. The legs are big blocky things that come in two pieces. You must press really, really hard to push them together and they still sometimes separated. You can also use just half the leg to get different heights. I was able to flip a 9 panel one by myself without feeling like it would break. I did feel the need to add the stability pieces and it can take a little time to get them all on there (16 legs, 12 stability blocks).

     

I will say that disassembling this table was not easy – not horrible but takes some effort. The pieces can be hard to pry off and one of the legs did come apart as I tried to get it off (they are sending a replacement). I can glue it back on, but it was a bit annoying as I can see more coming apart down the line. I imagine over time disassembly will get easier, but I also worry it might get too easy and pieces will start coming loose.

If you want the Adaptable, just be aware that this system will NOT create a full 36” square, or 48” square or any of the common standard wargame table sizes. Unless they determine this was a production error and I wasn't shipped the correct product - but that is not what they indicated in my email to their support. You would need to go another full panel out in size to get the usable play area. However, it should be good for the Killteams and Warcry or other games that switched to smaller sizes.

One possible advantage the AdapTable has is that they have files for 3D printing legs and other attachments yourself. You can even design something new for yourself to attach to the honeycomb underneath - other types of token holders, shelves, etc. I imagine if you have a 3d printer you could even figure out a way to make new legs that are a tad wider that would allow you to assemble the table with small gaps between panels to make it an actual 36” square. I do not have a 3d printer, nor do I want to spend more time and money on this, so it’s not really a solution for me. But if you like making unique designs or other add-ons, this system gives you that option.

I’m not mentioning the LED strip as I haven’t really played with them yet. There are a number of comments on the KS page that they are already tearing or breaking and are hard to put in the upper rails. I can’t confirm that, but multiple people are mentioning it. Still, it is another thing the AdapTable has designed for it. The LevelUp does not include this, but if I feel I need more light, I plan on finding a way to use them with the Level Up instead.

Level Up

The Level Up box fits 9 panels, 9 metal legs, 4 clips and an instruction sheet. The Level Up box also has some neat tricks that I really appreciate. When opened lying flat, the top folds open and props itself up for you. There are also velcro dots to keep the lid securely closed. These are small things but much appreciated and show a level of attention to detail. I also appreciate that everything I need fits in one box.  

Since these panels interlock it’s not as simple as laying them out willy-nilly. You must follow the instructions and lay them out in order, then connect each line, then connect the lines together. It’s not hard really and now that I’ve done it a couple of times, it’s pretty easy. Then you screw on the 9 legs. One of my spots (the center) feels a bit janky and I can’t get it sit completely. I’ve reached out to their support to see what they say (they are sending a replacement), but it still works, and I can’t discern any big issues once flipped. I like the much more compact, metal legs than the big plastic ones. Assembly and disassembly feels easier.

There are three spots to screw in legs on the corners, two on the sides, and one in the center. This allows you to adjust for leg layout to the size of table you set it on, though I wouldn’t feel comfortable using the innermost spots for a 36” table. Seems like the corners would be weak (though I did not try it to see). Each panel is lined with a 1” grid, if that may be helpful to some as well.

     

The interlocking pieces mean you don’t need as many legs as the AdapTable, but since it has less plastic underneath, it was noticeably less rigid once all 9 panels are together and I went to flip it over. Not weak at all, but noticeable after the AdapTable. I did get it flipped by myself easily enough, but I was more careful. Level Up does say you should use two people to flip it.

Most importantly, the Level Up is a full 36” square. No noticeable overhang with my mats. This is what I wanted and my mats fit great. There may be a hair over, but that’s because some aren’t exactly 36”, but it’s playable! No edge piece to help avoid accidental falls, but I think it will be fine.

  

Overall I’m very happy with the Level Up. No, it doesn’t have the additional bits like cup holders and other attachments, but I feel part of the reason you use this is to free up room on the table anyway. I'd also be worried about knocking off those add-ons on the AdapTable. Disassembly was very easy. Legs unscrew and they have small finger slots to pull apart the panel pieces. I found they were very easy to pull apart without fearing I was going to break anything.

Both boards came with clips to help keep any play mats or game boards from slipping. In AdapTable’s case, it’s also designed to allow feet to fit in them so you can create multi-layer tables if so desired (not much use for Malifaux, but maybe an RPG). You can’t really do that with the Level Up as the smallest table it can create would be a 24”x24”. With the AdapTable, you can do just one panel if you want.

I actually like the AdapTable clips much better, and they fit the Level Up well enough, so I’ll probably keep them and use them. The Level Up are thinner, but have the Level Up logo right on top…and they stick out from the edge a bit. These clips really do help avoid vinyl mats from slipping on the table. Rubber mats would be fine without, I think.

Conclusion

Both tables are good products from what seem to be good companies, barring the shipping mess Game Start is going through with the current KS. The LevelUp appears to be cheaper than what you need for a Wargame version of the AdapTable, but it’s hard to know for sure as the AdapTable isn't available retail again just yet. Game Start doesn’t have them up on their website while they finish the KS process, but according to MSRP on the KS, they will be  more at retail.

I personally will be keeping the Level Up and will try and sell my AdapTable(s) to recoup some of my investment. I just like the more compact storage and design of the Level Up and the fact that it is a true 36” square play area. Hopefully not having a border around the edge won’t be a big problem, though I may be able to come up with a fix (I wonder if the LED rails for the AdapTable will fit…). The AdapTable has a lot going for it, especially if you’re into 3D printing or need more modular layouts for other games you may play, but for me the Level Up checks all my needs. And I just like the minimalism of the design and only needing one box instead of 2-3 (due to the large legs for the AdapTable).

Now I just need to find time to play a game on it while working and wrangling two small kiddos….

 

[Paddywhack]

Compared the older version panels that Adaptable sent as replacements to the 'new' version. They are identical. Makes their 'shrinkage' excuse seem pretty weak to me. So either someone made a bad call and rounded up on the sizes or it was done on purpose to try and get more orders. I'm hoping its the former, but still makes me not want to trust the company much.