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Title: Everyone Must be Curious: Graflex SE Review Post by: Drahcir on May 11, 2012, 12:57:45 AM Well, I received my Graflex SE in Arctic Blue late yesterday and I believe it's time for my review.
Cosmetic: 10/10 This hilt is down right gorgeous and I could not be more impressed with it, it follows the Graflex look well, while still being unique. The different take on the control box in particular looks really nice in person, more so than you can tell in any of the pictures. The SE without nickel just seems really fitting for this saber as well. I decided to go with the new, non LED switch, and I like it, it seems really elegant and flows well with the saber. Practical Use: 8/10 I'm going to say this is just my first impression of the hilt as I haven't done any heavy dueling with it. The hilt seems pretty solid, I noticed a slight wobble around the emitter when I swung it hard, but it was nothing of significance and upon looking at it closer it was nothing to worry about. The gripping is hard plastic and connected on the inside so the likely hood of it coming off during use is pretty slim. One thing I noticed, however, is that this saber seems like it would be better for single handed use. The gripping is rather large so unless you have big hands, can be kind of cumbersome to hold. Furthermore, because it is hard plastic, hard hits could be painful if holding it too tight there. That being said it can still be held by the gripping and it's by no means a single handed hilt exclusively. The balance of the saber is down right amazing, with a 32 inch heavy grade blade the balance point is directly above the emitter partially touching it. It is very easy to swing around and I've had no issues spinning it. Color: 10/10 Like I said, I got it in Arctic Blue and the color, as many of you know, is phenomenal. That's really all I have to say right now, if you have any questions I will do my best to answer them. Also, if you want pictures of anything in particular I can try and get a picture of it for you. And now, have some pictures: (http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg212/Oh_Devotion/Hilt1.jpg) (http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg212/Oh_Devotion/Hilt2.jpg) (http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg212/Oh_Devotion/Hilt3.jpg) Title: Re: Everyone Must be Curious: Graflex SE Review Post by: Kham-Ryn Kurios on May 11, 2012, 01:00:50 AM Good review.
I need to get one of these...in SY. ;D It has a lot of options that I really like. Point. Title: Re: Everyone Must be Curious: Graflex SE Review Post by: Drahcir on May 11, 2012, 01:02:07 AM Thanks, Yeah I almost got it in SY myself actually, but in the end AB won out.
Title: Re: Everyone Must be Curious: Graflex SE Review Post by: Xanedan on May 11, 2012, 01:11:14 AM Awesome. I had feared the gripping would be uncomfortable, the Force FX Mace Windu has a similar set up and it's definitely rough to hold on to. Still, you can't really beat this thing for eye candy. I think the silver buttons were a good choice.
Good review. I need to get one of these...in SY. ;D It has a lot of options that I really like. Point. Get the stunt saber with a yellow AV switch to boot. :D Title: Re: Everyone Must be Curious: Graflex SE Review Post by: Drahcir on May 11, 2012, 01:18:09 AM The gripping really isn't that bad, I could see it getting bad very easily in heavy hard dueling though.
It's luckily not jagged filling. I want to stress that the AV switch without and LED actually looks really, really nice, I also have a blue LED AV on my Archon, and I may even prefer this non-LED variant to it. Title: Re: Everyone Must be Curious: Graflex SE Review Post by: Kaiden Shardsbane on May 11, 2012, 01:38:20 AM One very important question for you:
Is this Graflex a Revenge of the Sith saber, or an A New Hope saber? Title: Re: Everyone Must be Curious: Graflex SE Review Post by: Drahcir on May 11, 2012, 01:45:38 AM With Arctic blue in it, it is definitely a New Hope in appearance. ;)
Title: Re: Everyone Must be Curious: Graflex SE Review Post by: Veldryne on May 11, 2012, 02:19:43 AM I shouldnt have read this thread! Lol now it's making me even more impatient for my own to get here Monday.
Great review abd nice pics though Title: Re: Everyone Must be Curious: Graflex SE Review Post by: Zren Tobas on May 11, 2012, 02:22:56 AM Nice saber. Completely jealous. :P Can't wait to get mine. Though I am getting mine in Guardian Blue with an Ultra Edge Heavy Grade blade, red rear button and chrome front button, then Obsidian with the silver button and li-ions. going ESB with mine. :P The looseness could be from the blade? Maybe its like the Liberator how the blades are always loose on those sabers. Just a thought though. Hope to see a video of your new saber in action. :D
Title: Re: Everyone Must be Curious: Graflex SE Review Post by: Drahcir on May 11, 2012, 03:26:31 AM You won't be disappointed, this one has sound as well and is an ultra edge heavy grade. I'm not sure if it's the blade, US forgot to send me a retention wrench so I'll have to check it out more once they send me one.
Title: Re: Everyone Must be Curious: Graflex SE Review Post by: Zren Tobas on May 11, 2012, 04:49:44 AM Nice. Hope it gets worked out for you.
Title: Re: Everyone Must be Curious: Graflex SE Review Post by: Zren Tobas on May 11, 2012, 05:35:30 AM And nice. I'm also going for the chrome front button for the classic look. :D But my rear button will be red for a more ESB look. Guess we both love the classic movies then. Whats your favorite? Mine is probably The Empire Strikes Back or Return Of The Jedi. But I more like the ANH/ESB sabers of Luke.
Title: Re: Everyone Must be Curious: Graflex SE Review Post by: Master Artorius Vidnyl on May 11, 2012, 12:16:05 PM One very important question for you: Is this Graflex a Revenge of the Sith saber, or an A New Hope saber? Because of the ability for you to choose the color of your buttons it can actually go either way. It's not a TRUE graflex (meaning that Ultrasabers did not go out and buy 1,000 graflex flashbulb bodies to convert to sabers). It is a very impressive imitation designed for combat, which is Ultrasabers specialty. Summary: It's neither ANH or RotS. Cheers. And LOVE THAT SABER! Title: Re: Everyone Must be Curious: Graflex SE Review Post by: Jedi Outcast on May 11, 2012, 06:41:39 PM Can you take a pic of the inside with the end cap removed, how do you get to the recharge port? Also, what is causing the wobbling of the blade holder?
Title: Re: Everyone Must be Curious: Graflex SE Review Post by: Deep on May 11, 2012, 10:28:56 PM Hey, Nice Review, glad you enjoy the saber.
When you tighten the blade retention screw (7/64 for a socket and 5/64 for a button) any and all "wobble" goes away guaranteed. This saber is solid as a rock. The blade retention screw holds in both the blade holder AND the blade. Title: Re: Everyone Must be Curious: Graflex SE Review Post by: Drahcir on May 12, 2012, 03:39:40 AM Thanks Deep, yeah, I figured that was most likely the cause of the wobble.
I'm just waiting on the wrench. lol Title: Re: Everyone Must be Curious: Graflex SE Review Post by: R2doubleD2 on May 12, 2012, 04:26:11 AM did you take these pics with a regular heavy blade, or with an ultraedge heavy? i know your mainly reviewing the hilt (nice job btw), but i think thats the best pics of AB i've seen so far
Title: Re: Everyone Must be Curious: Graflex SE Review Post by: Drahcir on May 12, 2012, 04:43:59 AM Thanks!
The pics are of it with an ultraedge heavy grade blade in it. Title: Re: Everyone Must be Curious: Graflex SE Review Post by: R2doubleD2 on May 12, 2012, 05:00:11 AM i never gave that color much thought until now, these pics definatly turned up the drool-factor. its a deeper blue than i thought it was
Title: Re: Everyone Must be Curious: Graflex SE Review Post by: Drahcir on May 12, 2012, 05:51:01 AM It's a really nice blue without being overwhelmingly dark like the guardian blue, I love it.
Title: Re: Everyone Must be Curious: Graflex SE Review Post by: UKBlader1965 on May 12, 2012, 02:30:23 PM Got my Graflex SE on Friday.
It's a really nice saber and I especially like the switch box. I did have a minor problem as the emitter was quite loose, and it and the LED rattled when in motion. Luckily I was able to fix this by removing the button covers top and bottom and adding a small piece of packing to hold the LED tight under the emitter. Then I made sure screws were really tight before re-attaching the buttons. As the blade sits only about an inch inside the emitter I think it's important that there's no movement. Well, I received my Graflex SE in Arctic Blue late yesterday and I believe it's time for my review. Cosmetic: 10/10 This hilt is down right gorgeous and I could not be more impressed with it, it follows the Graflex look well, while still being unique. The different take on the control box in particular looks really nice in person, more so than you can tell in any of the pictures. The SE without nickel just seems really fitting for this saber as well. I decided to go with the new, non LED switch, and I like it, it seems really elegant and flows well with the saber. Practical Use: 8/10 I'm going to say this is just my first impression of the hilt as I haven't done any heavy dueling with it. The hilt seems pretty solid, I noticed a slight wobble around the emitter when I swung it hard, but it was nothing of significance and upon looking at it closer it was nothing to worry about. The gripping is hard plastic and connected on the inside so the likely hood of it coming off during use is pretty slim. One thing I noticed, however, is that this saber seems like it would be better for single handed use. The gripping is rather large so unless you have big hands, can be kind of cumbersome to hold. Furthermore, because it is hard plastic, hard hits could be painful if holding it too tight there. That being said it can still be held by the gripping and it's by no means a single handed hilt exclusively. The balance of the saber is down right amazing, with a 32 inch heavy grade blade the balance point is directly above the emitter partially touching it. It is very easy to swing around and I've had no issues spinning it. Color: 10/10 Like I said, I got it in Arctic Blue and the color, as many of you know, is phenomenal. That's really all I have to say right now, if you have any questions I will do my best to answer them. Also, if you want pictures of anything in particular I can try and get a picture of it for you. And now, have some pictures: ([url]http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg212/Oh_Devotion/Hilt1.jpg[/url]) ([url]http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg212/Oh_Devotion/Hilt2.jpg[/url]) ([url]http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg212/Oh_Devotion/Hilt3.jpg[/url]) Title: Re: Everyone Must be Curious: Graflex SE Review Post by: Drahcir on May 12, 2012, 05:57:09 PM the LED in mine doesn't rattle at all, my issue is just that the blade was a bit loose.
Title: Re: Everyone Must be Curious: Graflex SE Review Post by: Jedi Outcast on May 12, 2012, 06:17:48 PM So how is the recharge system set up? Is the board attached to the battery pack? Does the battery pack use Ultrafires? If so, what's the mAh rating of the battery pack? I'm really interested in this, but want to know as much as I can about it.
Title: Re: Everyone Must be Curious: Graflex SE Review Post by: BenPass on May 12, 2012, 08:40:52 PM The recharge is just that you remove the batteries and put them in the included charger. The batteries are Trustfires and they are 900mAH 3.7V.
Hope that helps! EDIT - the soundboard is attached to the battery pack. Title: Re: Everyone Must be Curious: Graflex SE Review Post by: Drahcir on May 12, 2012, 10:55:40 PM Thanks Ben.
Title: Re: Everyone Must be Curious: Graflex SE Review Post by: Drahcir on May 12, 2012, 11:22:29 PM I borrowed a wrench so that I could take out the blade so I figured I'd take a few more pictures.
(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg212/Oh_Devotion/Hilt4.jpg) Blade Plug Visible: (http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg212/Oh_Devotion/Hilt5.jpg) To give you a sense of scale: (http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg212/Oh_Devotion/Hilt6.jpg) (http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg212/Oh_Devotion/Hilt7.jpg) Title: Re: Everyone Must be Curious: Graflex SE Review Post by: Zren Tobas on May 12, 2012, 11:27:20 PM Can't wait to get my Graflex. :D I will probably be getting mine the first week of June if I'm lucky. Maybe its just first production issues of the blade holder wobblyness? Hope mine turns out ok.
Title: Re: Everyone Must be Curious: Graflex SE Review Post by: Luna on May 12, 2012, 11:49:04 PM Can't wait to get my Graflex. :D I will probably be getting mine the first week of June if I'm lucky. Maybe its just first production issues of the blade holder wobblyness? Hope mine turns out ok. The blade wobbling was not a production issue, as explained previously on this very thread (by Deep, no less).... Title: Re: Everyone Must be Curious: Graflex SE Review Post by: Belltower on May 13, 2012, 02:01:04 AM out of curiousness did you happen to get yours with sound? Im having a really hard time debating if i want one with sound or not.
Title: Re: Everyone Must be Curious: Graflex SE Review Post by: BenPass on May 13, 2012, 02:10:27 AM out of curiousness did you happen to get yours with sound? Im having a really hard time debating if i want one with sound or not. *Waves hand* You want sound. You must always purchase sound with your Ultra Saber. Title: Re: Everyone Must be Curious: Graflex SE Review Post by: Belltower on May 13, 2012, 02:15:53 AM ha. I wanted to get one with the works (flash and illuminated av switch) this one is perfect for it. But still its a hard choice because i already have one with sound but without the works.
Title: Re: Everyone Must be Curious: Graflex SE Review Post by: BenPass on May 13, 2012, 02:18:10 AM ha. I wanted to get one with the works (flash and illuminated av switch) this one is perfect for it. But still its a hard choice because i already have one with sound but without the works. Let me tell you as someone who just got his first AV switch, they are incredible, and I plan to (when money is better) order every saber I get with lit AV switches. And yes, you want sound and all the goodies you can get :) that's what makes a saber a saber. Title: Re: Everyone Must be Curious: Graflex SE Review Post by: Belltower on May 13, 2012, 02:34:04 AM Thanks really helps, i plan on going for the esb version so i'll be getting gb instead of ab
Title: Re: Everyone Must be Curious: Graflex SE Review Post by: BenPass on May 13, 2012, 02:35:31 AM Glad to hear it helped! Can't wait to see the pics when you get it!
Title: Re: Everyone Must be Curious: Graflex SE Review Post by: Drahcir on May 13, 2012, 03:06:37 AM To the original question, yes mine has sound. And the new unlit av switch is really nice too, its all metal.
Title: Re: Everyone Must be Curious: Graflex SE Review Post by: The_Night on May 13, 2012, 03:37:51 AM can't it only be RotS? it doesn't seem like it could be either of the OT hilts without alot of modification and parts swapping :-\
anyone have pics of it next to either a real graflex flash or a Ani RotS FFX? Title: Re: Everyone Must be Curious: Graflex SE Review Post by: Drahcir on May 13, 2012, 03:50:36 AM In all honesty it's more unique in of itself than anything else. More an omage to the graflex design.
Title: Re: Everyone Must be Curious: Graflex SE Review Post by: Luna on May 13, 2012, 03:54:56 AM In all honesty it's more unique in of itself than anything else. More an omage to the graflex design. In music, it would be Graflex (Ultrasabers Remix). In a good way, of course. Title: Re: Everyone Must be Curious: Graflex SE Review Post by: Drahcir on May 13, 2012, 04:06:13 AM In music, it would be Graflex (Ultrasabers Remix). In a good way, of course. It'd be the remix that is infectiously catchy, undoubtedly.Title: Re: Everyone Must be Curious: Graflex SE Review Post by: qroon on May 23, 2012, 01:17:40 PM I'm hoping that this will be a best seller and would still be available next year. I can't but this for now because a baby is coming :)
Title: Re: Everyone Must be Curious: Graflex SE Review Post by: Darth Gekido on May 23, 2012, 05:31:06 PM Wow, great review and pics. REALLY makes me want one in Blazing Red or Dark Violet Amethyst, with a red AV switch.
Title: Re: Everyone Must be Curious: Graflex SE Review Post by: Drahcir on May 24, 2012, 12:03:29 AM blazing red would probably look pretty awesome.
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