The Unofficial UltraSaber buying guide

[Pirro]

Racona Nova

thank you for the advice, I will take it on board when considering which hilt and blade to purchase

[kirkeric]

Hello,

I'm new and have read your info.  My only real question is, are any of the lightsabers designed to look like Luke's second one that he built AND the original as shown in The Force Awakens?  I'm interested in the one from The Force Awakens, though not looking to break the bank on it.

Thanks ahead.

Eric
Kirk Productions

[Landen Se-Sentien]

Hello,

I'm new and have read your info.  My only real question is, are any of the lightsabers designed to look like Luke's second one that he built AND the original as shown in The Force Awakens?  I'm interested in the one from The Force Awakens, though not looking to break the bank on it.

Thanks ahead.

Eric
Kirk Productions

Archon v3 is the replica. Look for it near the bottom of the single blade page. There are a lot of reviews on it in the forums.

[Racona Nova]

Yes, the one from TFA/ANH/ESB is the Graflex (there are two finishes - normal (SE) and nickel (CE), and you need to configure the two coloured accent buttons yourself to look like the original saber) and the one from ROTJ is the Archon v3, only without the activation box.

Also, if you will do more posting around the forum, please take a look at our forum rules and acknowledge them

[kirkeric]

Appreciate the quick responses.  Apologies on the forum rules.  I wasn't prompted for anything to acknowledge or I certainly would have.  Not even sure right now where to go to do so.

I see the Graflex, very nice.  How should I be configuring the two accent buttons? lol  

And just for the sake of comparison/price shopping, is $226 a good deal?  I wasn't quite looking to go that high but could.  

Appreciate any advice.

Eric

PS:  I looked over some of the videos and have a couple questions that maybe you can answer.

1.  On the reference to with sound and without sound.  Is this an either or choice OR, does the sabre simply have the option to have sound on or off at your leisure.

2.  I see they have the "blade".  Does the blade easily come off for moments when say, you are filming and do not have the blade deployed? [Answered, saw third video with it removed]

Thanks,
Eric

Yes, the one from TFA/ANH/ESB is the Graflex (there are two finishes - normal (SE) and nickel (CE), and you need to configure the two coloured accent buttons yourself to look like the original saber) and the one from ROTJ is the Archon v3, only without the activation box.

Also, if you will do more posting around the forum, please take a look at our forum rules and acknowledge them

[Racona Nova]

It's here: http://www.saberforum.com/index.php?topic=117.0
Yes, there is no actual prompt that redirects to the rules. But since it's in bold red letters, it should be recognizable once you go to the home screen of the forum And then it's the very first thread called "RULES - Updated 4/12/2012"

I think the Graflex had two gold buttons, but I can't really remember. And the prices from US are unbeatable - you won't find other sabers in that price segment which are equally sturdy. Almost any other sabersmith will charge you with much higher prices - and much longer construction and shipping times!

[kirkeric]

Thanks.  Acknowledged.  I thought you meant something would have prompted me but got it.

Well that is definitely a nice sabre.  I'm having a heck of time figuring our how to go through the various choices because as soon as I click on the sabre, it flashes the choices then cuts to some other page.

So, what does the $224 price get me?  Is that a base model without any options?  On the page that it jumps to, which is here:

https://www.ultrasabers.com/product-p/stunt-graflexce.htm

As soon as I select with sound for example, it suddenly jumps up considerably.  I can see these are made very well, just trying to get a price on the full thing. lol

It looks like the charger does not come with it?

Eric

It's here: http://www.saberforum.com/index.php?topic=117.0
Yes, there is no actual prompt that redirects to the rules. But since it's in bold red letters, it should be recognizable once you go to the home screen of the forum And then it's the very first thread called "RULES - Updated 4/12/2012"

I think the Graflex had two gold buttons, but I can't really remember. And the prices from US are unbeatable - you won't find other sabers in that price segment which are equally sturdy. Almost any other sabersmith will charge you with much higher prices - and much longer construction and shipping times!

[Racona Nova]

For stunt sabers the price on the site is always the base model without any customization. Once you add things like blade colour, change the battery setup, add a Recharge Port etc. the price will increase.
For sound/Emerald/sound+Emerald sabers it's the same - the base model with all electronics needed (except blade colour) and no further customization. Any change to this setup will increase the price.
All options display the extra costs that add to the base price. There are also options which decrease the price.

It depends on your options if you get a battery charger or not. With the Li-Ion setup you can choose "Li-Ion batteries only" or "Li-Ion batteries with charger" - either the TrustFire or VP1 where the latter is recommended (Standard setup uses 4x AAA batteries or rechargeables, so you can use a normal battery charger. Li-Ion batteries need special chargers, a normal charger wouldn't work with them).
With a Recharge Port it's the same - you can go with the Port only or include a charger.

And the sound thing - it's "either - or". Stunt sabers come without the Obsidian sound board, sound sabers come either with the v3 Obsidian board or v4 Obsidian board. You can choose which one you want, the v4 is recommended! It gives you the option to mute the saber without the need of a PC. The v3 can only be muted when you connect it to a PC and change the sound font or volume.

[kirkeric]

Thanks.  I guess I am just surprised by all of the options. lol  I mean, that's good, no problem.  It just changes when or if i can get this thing because at the rate I'm going, if I add the charging port (and frankly makes no sense to not have a charger then), this thing will be over $400-500 buckeroos?

I'm not looking to actually fight with it.  I want it for show and for a movie prop because I am a visual effects guy/movie maker.

Eric

For stunt sabers the price on the site is always the base model without any customization. Once you add things like blade colour, change the battery setup, add a Recharge Port etc. the price will increase.
For sound/Emerald/sound+Emerald sabers it's actually the same - the base model with all electronics required (except blade colour) and no further customization.

It depends on your options if you get a battery charger or not. With the Li-Ion setup you can choose "Li-Ion batteries only" or "Li-Ion batteries with charger" - either the TrustFire or VP1 where the latter is recommended (Standard setup uses 4x AAA batteries or rechargeables, so you can use a normal battery charger. Li-Ion batteries need special chargers, a normal charger wouldn't work with them).
With a Recharge Port it's the same - you can go with the Port only or include a charger.

[kirkeric]

I guess I asked too many questions.  Sorry about that but I suppose if I am considering this investment that there shouldn't a problem.  The more I hear back and learn about it, the more likely I will get one.

Eric

Thanks.  I guess I am just surprised by all of the options. lol  I mean, that's good, no problem.  It just changes when or if i can get this thing because at the rate I'm going, if I add the charging port (and frankly makes no sense to not have a charger then), this thing will be over $400-500 buckeroos?

I'm not looking to actually fight with it.  I want it for show and for a movie prop because I am a visual effects guy/movie maker.

Eric

[Racona Nova]

Thanks.  I guess I am just surprised by all of the options. lol  I mean, that's good, no problem.  It just changes when or if i can get this thing because at the rate I'm going, if I add the charging port (and frankly makes no sense to not have a charger then), this thing will be over $400-500 buckeroos?

I'm not looking to actually fight with it.  I want it for show and for a movie prop because I am a visual effects guy/movie maker.

Eric

Well, yes, that's a realistic price range for a well-equipped Graflex. If you want it to be for show and movies, I suggest getting both the UltraEdge blade for movies/pictures and the silvery Mid Grade blade for showing If the brand-new blades are too expensive for you, you can also get them as Grab Bag blades - they CAN have slight flaws, but will still be fully operational. Those blades derive from new blades that were used as show blades at cons etc. FYI

[Arx Mereel]

IM still wondering if i should get belicose,prophecy or grab bag

[ithekro]

A practically fully equipped Archon v3.1 is over $550 is you have to get everything (as you don't even own a saber yet).  A Graflex SE base cast is a $40 higher, with the CE being one of the most expensive sabers they make being $75 more than the Archon v3.  So a fully decked out and operational Graflex CE will be in the $650 range with shipping costs.

I can't imagine someone making a Graflex CE or Flamberge CE saberstaff.  That would be ridiculous...and expensive.  And likely a pain to duel with.

[Odin Lowe]

Thanks.  I guess I am just surprised by all of the options. lol  I mean, that's good, no problem.  It just changes when or if i can get this thing because at the rate I'm going, if I add the charging port (and frankly makes no sense to not have a charger then), this thing will be over $400-500 buckeroos?

I'm not looking to actually fight with it.  I want it for show and for a movie prop because I am a visual effects guy/movie maker.

Eric

Hmm. Quite honestly I'd say check elsewhere if you want actual screen accurate or movie prop lightsabers based on TFA/ANH/ESB Graflex or Luke's ROTJ lightsaber, as they are quite different from US' designs.

I actually love UltraSabers for the dueling properties of their sabers, but as a collector, there are other options within a 200$-500$ price range for a screen accurate, FX (light/sounds) lightsaber.

[kirkeric]

Just getting back to this since I am now in a position to consider making an order but before I get too far, I have a couple quesionts.

For the gentleman below, you mentioned if I may find a more screen accurate saber somewhere?  Any idea where?  From what I can tell THIS site and the Saberforge are about the main two.  The latter of which I was most unimpressed with customer service and they have nothing representative of star wars. 

And my second question is, is there much difference in the two sound board options both in capability and price?

Thanks.

Eric

Hmm. Quite honestly I'd say check elsewhere if you want actual screen accurate or movie prop lightsabers based on TFA/ANH/ESB Graflex or Luke's ROTJ lightsaber, as they are quite different from US' designs.

I actually love UltraSabers for the dueling properties of their sabers, but as a collector, there are other options within a 200$-500$ price range for a screen accurate, FX (light/sounds) lightsaber.