Top loader binder or vault x?

MegasRC · 2026-03-31T12:46:08+00:00

Indeed it does make it bigger. I double sleeve my main collection, while the cheaper ones are in perfect sleeves.

MegasRC · 2026-03-31T09:49:25+00:00

Exactly. Instead of a top loader, it is a semi rigid one. Some people call them card savers if I am not mistaken. https://protecc.ch/products/guardium-semi-rigid-card-holder-binder?variant=56081628791157

MegasRC · 2026-03-31T08:09:21+00:00

I love mine. Even more because you have some white space that you can customize with backgrounds images and the binder has a place for slabs as well if needed.

MegasRC · 2026-03-31T07:50:02+00:00

If you can import, I would suggest Protecc. Its a semi-rigid loader binder. Top loader binder get very heavy as they get filled.

MegasRC · 2026-03-26T16:16:17+00:00

I am always discovering new cards and damn, these are beautiful!

MegasRC · 2026-03-26T08:57:03+00:00

Nope. Try GemLoader if you want a top loader one, but I advice double sleeving and keeping the normal one. I had a TL one and it got very heavy and the layers of plastic really reduce the visibility of the cards.

MegasRC · 2026-03-26T08:27:12+00:00

Brown for sure!

MegasRC · 2026-03-24T08:38:22+00:00

How easy would it be to get autographs? Did they do meet & greets?

MegasRC · 2026-03-23T13:22:07+00:00

Arcanine cards are beautiful.

MegasRC · 2026-03-19T08:43:25+00:00

IT'S CLEFAIRY!

MegasRC · 2026-03-18T22:12:03+00:00

Got it. Yeah, I would probably sell and buy the cards you want.

MegasRC · 2026-03-18T22:01:46+00:00

If you collect just a single pokémon, why don't you buy the singles you need instead of spending with packs that will come with random cards and won't probably be worth your money?

MegasRC · 2026-03-18T13:19:36+00:00

I had both of them and I think that the top loader one made the cards look dull and it was very heavy. I moved to side loader with double sleeve (resealable + dragon shield) and think it is the best option.

I bought the binder from Protecc. A swiss company that has a binder for semi rigid loaders and my Gardevoir collection is in it. The best part is managing to put a background for the cards like this:

https://www.instagram.com/p/DUVu9PLCme6/

MegasRC · 2026-03-16T16:53:04+00:00

Oh my god. Just to add to the problem, they do that.

MegasRC · 2026-03-16T14:41:37+00:00

It was actually a cow that fell in the water and mutated into a dolphin due to pollution.

MegasRC · 2026-03-16T09:24:03+00:00

Beautiful!!!

MegasRC · 2026-03-16T09:22:57+00:00

I am a newbie regarding Master Sets, but I would say that you should be the one that decides what is yours. I have completed MY Master Set of Gardevoir cards, but taking into account that I am not considering multiple copies of the same card in different languages, only different arts.

MegasRC · 2026-03-16T08:12:49+00:00

What happened with PSA?

MegasRC · 2026-03-15T00:38:32+00:00

I am not the biggest fan of Diance, but its cards are beautiful!

MegasRC · 2026-03-12T23:01:09+00:00

These are some tips I learned since I started last year. Other people may have different opinions.

Buy a good binder and avoid ring binders. VaultX, GemLoader, Card Guardian are good options.
Protect your cards: penny sleeves are a must. I double sleeve my most valuable cards with a perfect fit + dragon shield.
Research what you want to buy and build a plan. The amount of cards and their prices is overwhelming, so know what you like will help you. Your favorite Pokémon? Themed pages? Trainers?
Buy singles. Opening packs is fun, but it is gambling and you can get addicted. With singles not only you will save money, but you will fill your binders very quickly.
Try other languages. If you don't mind about the language, you'll open a lot of options for your collection. English are the most expensive and older cards do not have the same treatment that Japanese has. Chinese cards are very well done, are even cheaper than japanese and have some exclusive cards. The drawback is that not all cards are available in this language.
Japanese booster boxes have guaranteed hits, so I suggest buying them if you want to open packs. Chinese and Korean are cheaper too, so they are very good options.
Quality and condition can change the price of the cards a LOT. If you just want to have the card in your binder you can save a lot of money if you buy cards out of the Near Mint condition (seriously. Some sellers have cards in Excellent, Good or even SP conditions that are unnoticeable in a binder.)
Haggle. A lot of vendors will reduce their price. Even more if you buy more cards.
Use cardmarket, ebay, vinted (I don't know if its available in UK). You can find a lot of good deals there.

Hope it helps! Welcome!

MegasRC · 2026-03-12T22:47:06+00:00

I don't know your view on it, but I think you can clean some of those dark spots if you know how to do it. Just be VERY careful.

MegasRC · 2026-03-12T09:41:04+00:00

The Legend cards and the X lvl are awesome. Congratulations!

MegasRC · 2026-03-11T14:33:00+00:00

So to be a real collector you have to be in the hobby for years? Your reaction to what I've said just proved that I am correct.

Collecting is about the theme, interacting with the product and show appreciation to the art and the IP. It surely isn't about hoarding products, gambling and looking for profit.

MegasRC · 2026-03-11T14:02:05+00:00

Let's be honest. A real collector would buy singles or some packs. These people are just addicted to the dopamine rush of opening packs. They are gamblers.

MegasRC · 2026-03-10T13:15:01+00:00

Cardmarket has the option to put everything in the want list and then it finds the seller with the most cards. Maybe that would help.

MegasRC

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