Saber Forum

Hi. Just seen Summer Offers.  Well happy! :P  My first saber I went for was Consular Green.  Was previously contemplating either Emerald driver or RGB. Definitely doing so now! 

Apologies if this has been asked before, but not sure how to search on Tapatalk on my phone.

But what are the pros and cons of Emerald driver versus RGB? Either generally or for specific colours??

E.g I want a Sentinel Yellow blade which I gather the consensus is that best Yellow from Emerald driver. What about any other colours?

Thanks for any help you can offer saber newcomer.

Cheers

James

From what i understand a RGB will never give you the color accuracy or precision of a emerald due to RGB just being turning on the R or B or G while emerald actually can change exact values of each. So you can tweak it to get the perfect color you want.
Also you can get FoC and Pulse with the Emerald.

If I'm not mistaken, not all sabers can be configured "RGB", as well.  Plus with RGB, you have more "switches" to contend with.  Emerald is definately the most effiecient and streamlined of the two options.  More $$$, yes.  More flexibility, without question.

Thanks PKKite. Definitely want FoC so if I can't get it on RGB, then that settles it for me. Point for the welcome help.

Thanks

James

How come more flexibility? I thought the point of the Emerald was that if you hook up to PC, then you could tweak infinite combinations?

If Emerald gives best Sentinel Yellow, what colours is RGB best for?

Cheers

James

RGB is more like a cost effective stunt saber. Its not meant to give the "best" color just give you the added options to you if you want them.

That's right, you have almost infinite combinations with a 4-channel driver, and that's the reason why you're so much more flexible with it compared to an RGB saber which has only 7 colours...and you have predetermined shades of those 7 colours which may not suit you or your idea of how a specific colour should look like. With Emerald you have the possibility to tweak all colours and set them exactly how you want them. It's an expensive thing, yes, but it gives you more or less the ultimate component for your saber!

The only advantage of an RGB saber is that you can change between colours without the need of a computer - and it's a bit cheaper. But that's almost it...my advice is, if you can afford it, and you want much freedom in colour customization, then get the 4-channel Driver! If I would buy a new saber, it would be an Emerald saber again :D

Thanks.  That helps me understand the differences between them.
Think I might have to take advantage of offer and get my first Emerald.
Now have to choose hilt.
Decisions, decisions!!
Payday is 25th so might be tight timewise with offer finishing on 26th.

Thanks

James

I've just ordered my first RGB, and owned an Emerald 'sabre for a year or so. I was pleased with my Emerald, and I enjoyed the flexibility it offers, but there is always the need to be near a computer when you're switching over. Not to say that takes away from it, but if you're looking to switch on the move, the RGB option lets you change colours mid-duel.

Both are great options, though, and both are on sale, so... Buy both, and get a free Initiate too :)

Yes, my intent was. the flexibility to change to infinite color combinations.  You can't do that with an RGB.  What the other guys mentioned.

Cool.  Thanks all for the advice.  Mmmnn.  Can U both an Emerald and an RGB for just over $400......  :)

I have one of each and love them both for different reasons.

Obviously the main appeal of Emerald is that you can get any shade of any colour you want, and it is a lot of fun tweaking it to your exact taste. Also the pulse effect with Emerald is excellent, I particularly like using it to get a subtle shimmer effect, it really brings the blade to life. The flash on clash with Emerald is also stunning, particularly if you get the RGBW configuration. You get such blindingly bright whites! Note, you CAN get standard FoC with an RGB saber, but in my opinion the standard FoC is not nearly as impressive as the Emerald FoC.

The big advantage of RGB over Emerald is the ability to change colour at the press of a button, and I think that this is a very significant advantage! I find that I very rarely change my Emerald settings now because of the time and effort it takes to plug into the computer, whereas I change the colour of my RGB saber every time I pick it up, which is a really cool thing to be able to do! I do agree though that the extra buttons can detract from the look of the saber, and they do make the hilt quite long.

If you're only going to get one or the other then I'd say go Emerald. But if you justify one of each then I'd definitely recommend it :)

HI.  I have a dark Shock Obs. v3 RGB with orange FoC.  You can order with flash in AS or FO only.  Most choose the silver flash but with the orange, the flash will change shades depending upon each of the 7 colors selected.  The 3 or 4 buttons, depending upon the saber chosen, are not a problem and if anything enhance the look of the hilt.  I would not get the master switch as a lit av switch as does not match well with the black guarded switches.  The UE blade looks the best for all colors.  The white/silver color may have a pinkish tinge to it.  All other colors are good and bright.  Of course, not as pure as the Emerald but the instant color change versus computer is a strong reason to own one.  Extra Li-Ion batteries will come in handy for a RGB especially with flash.  Can't say for sure how long they last as depends upon how often switching out colors and flash usage. 

There are some good YouTube videos and multiple posts about RGB with and without sound.  Also have a Dominix v2 RGB staff which I really like for the easy ability to change colors while using.   If I could choose again, would get an Overlord or Manticore instead of the Shock.  The RGB Bellicose also is popular.  As mentioned before, some of the sabers will be approx. 1.5" longer to accommodate the electronics and wiring.  :)

Oh.... you're my hero D7...... a Shock RGB, and Dominix v2 RGB staff, that 3 RGB's...... Awesome  8)

I too am placing an order with these Summer Deals, and believe it or not I've got a Dark Sentinel v4 with RGBA Emerald (no sound for this one, I want to play with 4ch colour mixing with the Amber diode), and, an Aeon v2 RGB staff awaiting in my cart, lol, so I'll catch u, haha  :P


Sure can......  :)

I have a Bellicose RGB stunt with Li-Ion and BuckPuck, and I love it..... it's the same hilt length and the std Bellicose, and it's great just to even swap over from BR to CG, or to AB or GB, they all look awesome, the same as standard LED colours..... the yellow is a tiny bit orange at the tip of the blade, but very good IMO..... The purple is not VA, it's a bit more pinkish, and the combination of all 3 is a pinkish white, not really my favourite....

Just for ref..... with these Summer Deals, an RGB Aeon v2 or RGB Dominix v2 is only $114.99  :o and if you're silly like me, an RGB Aeon v2 Staff or RGB Dominix v2 Staff is only $219  :o :o (thats only $109.50 each hilt......) crazy price  :)

If I'm brave enough to press GO that is  :P

JediXIX.  Be my hero and press that button !  ;)   I would like for a future purchase to get a Obs. v4 in a RGB  Manticore.  Would be such good fun to switch out both font sounds and colors.  I have never regretted my RGB's and even paid the full price for the v2 staff.  ;D

Getting that Sentinel RGBA Emerald without sound is a brave choice, but the price is attractive.  I really appreciate your photos and reviews.  Suppose that I should, considering your healthy supply of sabers put out the question of want vs need.  But what the heck, a good sale and a freebie saber overrides almost any other consideration.  Have you hit that button yet.  :P 

Almost there, almost there, lol  :D  Just waiting on a reply from Emory on another question.....

OK..... yea I know, I know, why oh why do we need so many sabers? (see how I put u in it too  :-*)...... well there is that addiction problem we got, haha  :P ..... but seriously, there is method to my madness..... Most of my sabers are stunts, that I've picked up as DotD or grab bags just because I wanted the LED modules, this was my logic, an LED module is $35 with qd's, a v3/v4 on DotD might be $55 or $65 plus $5-$10 for VA/AB/SRD or forum colour meant I'd get my module and the spare hilt / blade / battery pack etc would only cost me $25-$35, and when I considered a spare 32" MG blade would be $29 it seemed like a good idea, getting a stunt with my colour choice for $60-$75 instead of a spare LED & Blade for $64-$69 (depending on colour etc...).... then because I love to tinker with soldering and the electronics I've been swapping over the LED's between them and others....

I've got 3 Emerald sabers at the moment, two RGBW, and the other 2ch R+G I won in a raffle, so an RGBA was on my want list, and I'm happy with no sound for that (at the moment anyway)..... Then there have been the ones that I just had to have, like the Shmexy Stealth Dark Menace (ohh-la-la), the War Glaive (my first v4 sound, part of the beta testing) or my stunt Manticore SE staff in SRD (that was the best buy I've had so far IMO, DotD at $129 each), all purchased to enter the raffles or with amazing Deals like this Summer Deal going on..... and I've been lucky, won 3 awesome sabers in the raffles i've entered so far, and all the free initiates & grab bags etc..... so much win  :D

One of these RGB's I'm about to order will be a gift (I've given away 8 sabers as gifts so far), and for the other, I have a "cunning plan", lol.....  :-X

Also, I'm lucky with my business, my office is part of our Design Studio, and we just happened to "need" some display sabers for staff creative  inspiration, that just so happened to fit into our LED lighting budget, lol, so my business paid for for those  ;)  (they're on display next to our Yoda framed poster with "try Not.... Do or Do Not, there is No try", and every so often they come off their wall clips and get played with, haha)

Do I need them? NO..... Are there other things I could spend money on, or save? of course..... but, why not live my life doing the things I love to do..... and for me, playing and having fun and enjoying my SW appreciation with these awesome sabers is just, who I AM...   :)

HERE HERE!  My brother from another mother!  I think you and I were separated at birth!  I'm all in on your comments!  What fun!  I used to collect military firearms and build them, as well.  This new found love is less expensive AND extremely addictive!  (As if I need to tell you that). ROCK ON! ;D

JediXIX.  Divinely inspired for sure.  Really you are the dream neighbor that I need in my life.  +1 point for sure.  8)  :-*

So wargame_ins. are you any closer to making a decision ?   :)

Hey Dauntless.  Payday is the 25th so being in UK I would have a day and a half to order with the timing difference.  I COULD move money around to buy now but that means dipping into savings. I would rather buy a saber just out of what I can afford to spend each month.

Earlier in thread was recommended to check out YouTube  for videos on Emerald and RGB, so that is the plan this afternoon.  Plus I know I want Flash on Clash, but what about Pulse, recharge ports.....

Also want to wait to see if any hilt I want comes up in DotD.  Eyeing up an Overlord, a Prophecy, a Mantis and a Menace staff. Could probably only afford one of those with all bells and whistles.  If any of them come up in DotD then fate has spoken!!  :)

NOTE without Emerald FoC is limited to the chart they have under the option. www.saberforum.com/index.php?topic=3652.0 (http://www.saberforum.com/index.php?topic=3652.0)
As for pulse ONLY Emerald sabers have the pulse option.
And ANY saber with sound can have a recharge port cause they use the li-ion batteries. BTW if you dont get Emerald i suggest for the battery option get the BUCKPUCK not the RESISTOR imo.

The Dark Menace With Sound and Emerald is on DotD Right now but you could wait till the next deal. This one ends 6/15/15 or 15/6/15 for those wierdos out their. :P jk

Thanks. Yeah have seen the FoC Chart.

I paid extra to upgrade to upgrade my first saber to Obsidian v4 soundboard and Li-ion with Buckpack. From what I can gather from reading forum, I definitely think I would go for that option for all non-stunt hilts. And I might even get the Li-ion with Buckpack for stunts as well given what I have seen of the differences in colour intensity and consistency versus AAA batteries.

The Dark Menace is tempting but I think I would prefer the Menace SE. At some point think I will have to get two of the them for classic Darth Maul Saberstaff. Cross fingers that that is next on DoTD!!

Recharge port not previously been on my radar. But at discounted price I might give it a try.

If I went RGB saber, I am currently weighing u between Overlord, Bellicose and Dark Shock. Anyone had good/bad experiences with any of these three RGB sabers? I am a bit worried how they all would be for duelling or spinning, given that switches do seem to protrude from the hilt. 

Thanks

James

I think I am almost decided.

Firstly I wanted a stunt Grab Bag. I love my Dominix LE v4 but I can't use it outside in garden with sound on without disturbing the neighbours.

Secondly I am looking at getting RGB Bellicose with Li-ion setup with Buckpack, Sound (Obsidian v4), Silver Flash on Clash and Heavy Grade Blade.

I figured that Silver FoC and HG would go best with largest number of RGB colour options. What do you reckon??

Thanks

James

Hi.  You should be pleased with the Bellicose but it is a longer tubular saber.  What is your main purposes for this saber.  Thought that you mentioned in another post that you wanted a good saber for spinning and some dueling.  If you are not dueling, the HG may be too unnecessarily heavy.  I still recommend the UE instead of the standard blade for RGB.  Your Dominix LE v4 is about the same length.  You could purchase a sound pommel and partially temporarily plug the saber so less sound is coming out of the v3 Obs.  The mute in the V4 is a good feature that neighbors will appreciate.

Were you able to check out some of the YouTube videos.  There is a RGB Bellicose one.  This saber looks especially designed for the extra guarded switches.  And the bonus of no change to the length of body.  The silver FoC is quite intense and will look great with the Bellicose.  You will enjoy the shorter freebie stunt saber, especially for spinning practice.  Deciding upon a new saber rarely gets easier.  :)

Thanks Dauntless Seven.

Initially I struggled wirh weight and length of my Dominix doing Orbits. However have stuck with it and with practice the weight starting to get easier.  The pkan is to get 32" blade for stunt grab bag so I don't catch it on grass. And the free Initiate with 24" blade should allow me to practice indoors too.

I've found that the 32" blades are conducive to my height and technique.  Being 5' 10", I'm able to perform saber movements w/o hitting the floor.  The MG blades are lighter, hence the more balanced and easier to manage movements.  HG blades, with practice, can be wielded the same.  Again, it all comes down to preference.

Thanks.  Yeah I'm 5'11". Feel I am starting to get used to weight but the 36" length is touch too long.  I want to be more worrying about technique than avoiding hitting the lawn!

Fate HAS spoken.

Was nt totally smitten by the Dark Menace or Crimson Menace. But now the Menace SE is up on DotD.
Feel compelled to get that saber in Blazing Red. Either Midgrade or Heavy Blade.
Will drop the blade length down to 32" which will help with spins and for eventually making saberstaff.

Probably FoC Orange (gather that that goes well with BR).

Unsure whether to fork out extra for Emerald Driver. I think I would be keeping it in BR so often that not worth the extra cost. A cheaper option might be quick disconnects for the few times I want to swap colours?

(I do want a SY staff eventually but the Menace in BR was one that I was always planning on buying at some point. Now on DotD I don't think I can resist.

Any suggestions on tweaking the bove set up?

Thanks

James

Hi.  I like your set up with the red blade and orange FoC.  Just know that the flash is not going to be outstanding but more of a subtle clash because of the red being such an intense color.  I think that a bright silver flash would be more accurate, especially if you are future thinking of getting another for a staff.  Bane's Heart looks really striking as a FoC with a red blade.   
 
The Menace is not that optimal for spinning as there is much to get in the way.  Some members remove a knurled screw to create more unrestricted hand space.  I removed mine and had to use multiple different types of glues to get the bottom one to stay secure into the hilt as the hole was a little too large.  Locktite didn't work.  The other two screws no problem.  I don't think this has occurred often but the screw threading is very short.  The placement of the covertec wheel is good.  This saber was really meant to be used as a staff.

Personally I would not spend the extra on Emerald for this saber.  Like the Archon, when the hilt is fully loaded, it can be very challenging to get the speaker/battery pack and boards out.  Speaking from experience.  Because the Menace is so decorative and emitter fiddly to change blades, it will get selective light use only.  Don't have QD's so can't comment on that.  Hope this helps.   :)

Thanks D7.

Was worried that Silver Flash would make BR look too pink??

Cheers

James

Hi James.  Hoping other's will add their observations.  There is an older YouTube video that shows the silver flash with red blade.  Could be sharper but I think you will see enough.  Sorry don't know how to embed it here.  Look for " ultrasabers graflex ce, red blade " by Paul Jones.

I happen to have a BR module with AS FoC, and it's indeed a bit pinkish when FoC is activated - but only then. Without FoC being active BR is a pure, bright red.

If one doesn't like that effect, I would rather go for FO as FoC colour.

Thanks D7. I think Silver would be good FoC for an RGB Blade. I'm not sure if works as well on a pure BR blade.

Racona Nova - yeah the FO for FoC was what I had mentioned on previous page I was thinking of going for if I went for BR blade. From browsing the forum it seemed the best choice without making BR look pinkish.

Choosing a Lightsaber does nt get any easier second time around. So many choices of hilts and blades that I like.  How best to get benefit of Summer Deals and DotD.......

 :-\

Sorry, must have missed somewhere in beginning of conversation that you didn't want a pinkish hue to the flash.  BH is popular though as a blade color even for Siths.  Definitely go with the FO flash.  It never gets easier to choose another saber, even when one is quite sure of the specifics.  Another reason why this forum is so awesome for help, support and sharing new ideas.  :)

Somehow the Emerald vs RGB topic got sidetracked.  I really like the FO that is my RGB flash.

No worries.  It's good to get opinions of more experienced forum members who can compare different US sabers.

If I went for a Menace it would be to get first half of Darth Maul's staff. He was my favourite character from Prequels.  Little dialogue so even George Lucas couldn't screw him up. And Ray Parks was clearly a natural Martial Artist. He just looked part, and for want of a better word, he just oozed menace.

Aye both RGB and Emerald have their appeal.  Former for the ease of changing colours on the fly; the latter for near infinite choice of colours and the better hues for colours such as SY.

I reckon I changed my mind bout a dozen times this week alone.

I had to way up what I wanted eventually with what I wanted more immediately.

I never had ny of the Hasbro/FX Sabers so I do want to collect some of the canon Ultrasabers like Consular in CG, Guardian in GB, Graflex in AB and Menace Saberstaff in BR. And eventually a Sentinel Sberstaff in SY because of KOTOR.

So I was REALLY tempted by the Menace when it was DotD. But I won't be using it for ages as I want to concentrate on single wielding and initially Jedi for costuming. Plus other than $10 saving for DotD I was only saving $25 on FoC in Summer Sales.

Similarly I did think of getting first half of Sentinel Staff. Not Dotd but I would have saved $25 on FoC and another $25 of 4 channel Emerald RGBA. But I don't want to get distracted by staff. And I want to get my new laptop up and running before I get an Emerald.

So I stuck to my initial plan and got:

1) Bellicose RGB with v4 Obsidian soundcard, AS FoC, 36" MG Blade, Li-ion Batteries only,
I have always liked the Bellicose look. It seems the hilt best designed for RGB, with no extra length.
Summer deals meant I saved $40 on RBG + $25 on FoC = $65 saving.
If I was ever to buy n RGB, now was the time, especially before getting my new laptop sorted for Emerald drivers t some point in the future.

2) Dark Standard Issue Battle Saber v3 stunt in BR, 32" HG Blade, Li-ion Batteries only,
I wanted a cheap stunt saber for practice. Initially thinking of grab bag.
But at $70 in DotD figured tht at least I knew what was getting.

3) Free Initiate with 24" blade.
Asked if could pay to upgrade to have windows and Li-ion Batteries only.
Having spent couple of weeks browsing the forums, I have decided to get Li-Ion in ll my Sabers due to the quality of the colour maintained until the end.

So I guess today I have quadrupled my Saber collection.

Won't be doing that again for a LONG while.

But will give me options to mess round with different hilts, different colours (especially with RGB Bellicose) and even different blade lengths and blade types (as I now will have MG, HG and UEHG).
Will give me a clearer idea of what actually works for me first hand.

Thanks for all the advice - have listened to it even if not actioned it all.
But has helped me mould the decision until I was happy.

And I am definitely not going to think, well maybe I could have ordered this........

 :-\

Cheers

James

Looks like really great choices including getting Li-Ion battery setups.  I often start with a plan for a specific saber and blade color then at the last minute go a totally different direction.  Still haven't got the loaded Archon and Prophecy that are on the top of my list, as get sidetracked.  You will have some wonderful saber/blade options and should be very happy.  Hopefully photos/video to come.  :)