Looking for some advice on gold refractors

Clublevel · 07-21-2021, 07:36 PM

Hi I am looking to make a purchase of a gold refractor on a player I really like. I stumbled upon a gold field level that I think I can afford and was thinking hard on it, so I started to do some research and have since also found a Donruss optic auto gold, prizm gold auto and a contenders optic gold auto. Now I am just having a hard time deciding what is the most important of these cards and was looking for some other opinions.

Personally the prizm auto I don’t think I am into because I don’t like the sticker auto. The other three are fairly similarly priced, but I definitely can only afford one of them. Any help is greatly appreciated, thank you.

Siberian13 · 07-21-2021, 07:51 PM

Prizm
Optic
Select
Optic Contenders

I think that’s the order. I’m with you sticker autos suck. I’d rather have a gold on card auto from Optic. For non-auto Prizm is my choice.

Clublevel · 07-21-2021, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Siberian13

Prizm
Optic
Select
Optic Contenders

I think that’s the order. I’m with you sticker autos suck. I’d rather have a gold on card auto from Optic. For non-auto Prizm is my choice.

Right on, what’s your thought on optic gold auto or non auto? I was leaning towards the auto since it is on card.

Siberian13 · 07-21-2021, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clublevel

Right on, what’s your thought on optic gold auto or non auto? I was leaning towards the auto since it is on card.

Auto will always be worth more. So if you’re only going for one then that’s the way to go.

turnpipe · 07-21-2021, 08:32 PM

I would second the Optic Gold Auto as your best choice here.

mrdallas · 07-23-2021, 05:50 PM

I am a sucker for Optic Contenders and would go for that one.. One of the most underrated sets IMHO in both NBA and NFL. Solid, sturdy cards, nice eye appeal and the gold really pops on them. The only concern is longevity of autograph on card as they tend to be streaky and may fade on long term (Maybe), but that would be my choice!!

mike1498 · 07-23-2021, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrdallas

I am a sucker for Optic Contenders and would go for that one.. One of the most underrated sets IMHO in both NBA and NFL. Solid, sturdy cards, nice eye appeal and the gold really pops on them. The only concern is longevity of autograph on card as they tend to be streaky and may fade on long term (Maybe), but that would be my choice!!

In total agreement. I think optic contenders is the nicest looking brand. Especially in this case if you’re looking for a card that’s gold the contenders optic really pop imo.

I’d like regular optic more if it wasn’t for their dumb poses. Optic in general is the closest to topps Chrome

Clublevel · 07-23-2021, 09:10 PM

Yeah I was surprised to find out that so many long time collectors aren’t very into the optic contenders. I never would have guessed that paper contenders would be the preferred product.

mrdallas · 07-23-2021, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clublevel

Yeah I was surprised to find out that so many long time collectors aren’t very into the optic contenders. I never would have guessed that paper contenders would be the preferred product.

I have a feeling as long as Panini keeps printing Optic Contenders it will catch on with long time collectors in the future. About 1/5 as many color parallels as most sets, on card autos and very nice thick, solid card stock. This is a perfect one to chase for people that like to collect sets.

Here is my 2018-19 chase for the NBA Optic contenders set.
https://rgabriele1.wixsite.com/colle...ntenders-optic
I went for the Silver set with Variation auto's cause they are very sneaky with low PR's. Plus I live the colored in Team Logo rather than the B/W one. Sadly, I missed out on the Doncic 4 or 5 times and was outbid in the low 400's back when the set first came out. I never would have guessed that the card would jump to nearly 5 figures or I would have made sure to win it

. Now I may never get the complete silver set.

Now, I am considering a year and color to chase for football. 2017 is out because the Mahomes is way to much for me, but for sure whatever will be a fun chase!!

Clublevel · 07-23-2021, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrdallas

I have a feeling as long as Panini keeps printing Optic Contenders it will catch on with long time collectors in the future. About 1/5 as many color parallels as most sets, on card autos and very nice thick, solid card stock. This is a perfect one to chase for people that like to collect sets.

Here is my 2018-19 chase for the NBA Optic contenders set.
https://rgabriele1.wixsite.com/colle...ntenders-optic
I went for the Silver set with Variation auto's cause they are very sneaky with low PR's. Plus I live the colored in Team Logo rather than the B/W one. Sadly, I missed out on the Doncic 4 or 5 times and was outbid in the low 400's back when the set first came out. I never would have guessed that the card would jump to nearly 5 figures or I would have made sure to win it

. Now I may never get the complete silver set.

Now, I am considering a year and color to chase for football. 2017 is out because the Mahomes is way to much for me, but for sure whatever will be a fun chase!!

That is an awesome looking set! Very impressive, thank you for sharing that.

07-21-2021, 07:36 PM	#1
Clublevel Member Join Date: Jul 2020 Location: Colorado Posts: 61 Clublevel	Looking for some advice on gold refractors Hi I am looking to make a purchase of a gold refractor on a player I really like. I stumbled upon a gold field level that I think I can afford and was thinking hard on it, so I started to do some research and have since also found a Donruss optic auto gold, prizm gold auto and a contenders optic gold auto. Now I am just having a hard time deciding what is the most important of these cards and was looking for some other opinions. Personally the prizm auto I don’t think I am into because I don’t like the sticker auto. The other three are fairly similarly priced, but I definitely can only afford one of them. Any help is greatly appreciated, thank you.

07-21-2021, 07:51 PM	#2
Siberian13 Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 78,889 shiller13	Prizm Optic Select Optic Contenders I think that’s the order. I’m with you sticker autos suck. I’d rather have a gold on card auto from Optic. For non-auto Prizm is my choice.

07-21-2021, 08:32 PM	#5
turnpipe Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Posts: 172	I would second the Optic Gold Auto as your best choice here.

07-23-2021, 05:50 PM	#6
mrdallas Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 4,833 robbyg8	I am a sucker for Optic Contenders and would go for that one.. One of the most underrated sets IMHO in both NBA and NFL. Solid, sturdy cards, nice eye appeal and the gold really pops on them. The only concern is longevity of autograph on card as they tend to be streaky and may fade on long term (Maybe), but that would be my choice!!

07-23-2021, 09:10 PM	#8
Clublevel Member Join Date: Jul 2020 Location: Colorado Posts: 61 Clublevel	Yeah I was surprised to find out that so many long time collectors aren’t very into the optic contenders. I never would have guessed that paper contenders would be the preferred product.