Saber Forum

Help me plan out my next ultrasaber purchase.

There are 3 ultrasabers I have my eye on: Archon v2, Prophecy v3, and the Sentinel v4.

Which of these three is the best from a wielding/gripping comfort/spinning/practicality perspective? Which has the best balance and weight, especially for 36" blades, and a deep/strong blade socket?

Also, is the Covertec wheel required on the Prophecy v3? (I know you cannot get an Archon v2 without the covertec wheel, but if I go the Archon route, I'd just purchase an Archon v3 and get the v2 emitter, since I don't like Covertec wheels on my hilts.)

For your criteria, I go with the Sentinel.

The Prophecy does come with a covertec pre-installed, but you can always remove it and put in a button head screw.

Sentinel.  No question in my mind.  I have one, and I love it.  Comfortable, easy to grip one or two handed, spins well with the two choke points, handles great in combat, and looks good, especially with the windowed emitter.

A lot of people will also say the Prophecy.  I don't care for it, but that's just my personal preference.  It's not a bad hilt, and is quite popular, just not one I care for.

I also have an Archon v3.1.  And I cannot find a comfortable two handed grip on it.  I hadn't tried it with the v2 emitter yet though, so that may make a difference.

But get a Sentinel.  You'll be glad you did.

This.

Except I don't own a Sentinel YET. But I do have it's baby brother The Apprentice V4 and it's exquisite.

I have an Archon V2.1 and my son has a Prophecy V3.

I believe the Archon is good for all that you're looking for as that is how I see it as an owner of one.  An extra plus is the full MHS hilt style as compared to the others.  So this is my suggestion.


However, you are comparing 3 great lightsabers and which ever you choose you'll come out a winner.

I have both actually. Sentinel definitely for reverse grip. Archon v2.1 is kinda too wide for a reverse kind of grip for me anyway. Plus its too classic looking of a saber to do anything like that you know :P

I'm on this, I have reviews of all three.

Prophecy reviews

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cc8NkennMoc&t=1s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FF3Io9kbgPM

Dark Prophecy review

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXEDlWz1vuU

Archon V2.1 review

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nl5Zd-_c6vs

Archon V3.1 review and a comparison with the V2.1 model.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rM6RD8RH05Q

Dark Sentinel reviews

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9zjvEe2Ow8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BF2oeRzV8_M

Hope that helps!

If you're getting a 36 or larger blade get a sentinel.  I use mine as a practice saber all the time.

I say go for whatever is calling to you the most at the moment, its what I always do =]

Looks like the Sentinel is winning out, which is the way I was leaning.

I own a Dark Apprentice v4 LE, with a Dark War Glaive pommel, and the balance with a 36" heavy grade blade isn't too far off. I bet with the longer hilt of a Sentinel and a long pommel (probably go with a Catalyst pommel), it will have pretty good balance.

Gave points all around, although accidentally gave Samhain a light point, taking him off of the mark of the beast (-666) LOL.

Corrected your error.  DS to Samhain.

Yeah seems the Sentinel is the winner :P Also looks good with a regular Shock pommel as I have on mine :) I always get compliments on that especially for my save being in Sun Rider's Destiny too. Still such an underrated color now days at least in my opinion. So glad I went for that color in my Sentinel and with windows as well. To be honest I actually like the Sentinel windows design over the Dominix/Aeon V4 windows design

I have all 3 of these sabers. I love them all. I say give in to your want and get them All !!  ;)
 But seriously for what You want to do I recommend them in this order:
 1) Sentinel
 2) Prophecy
 3) Archon
 IMO: when it comes to dueling,spinning,and wielding in general less is more. So that being said the most comfortable hilt that I have used for all of this is the Aeon V3. The two choke points are great for spinning and there is nothing on the hilt to get in the way of your hands. Here is a pic of mine, that I slightly modified. Oh, and that cover tech kept the saber from flying out of my hand while dueling so I added them to 3 of my sabers.
(http://i614.photobucket.com/albums/tt225/shreddistprime/Mobile%20Uploads/GEDC0341_zpsmmbuwidf.jpg) (http://s614.photobucket.com/user/shreddistprime/media/Mobile%20Uploads/GEDC0341_zpsmmbuwidf.jpg.html)
 Good luck on your choice. MTFBWY!

I will admit the Prophecy is my personal favorite hilt, but the Sentinel is a fantastic hilt as well.

Most people here know about my obsession with my Dark Prophecy, so I think you can guess what I'm going to recommend.  I find the Prophecy to be extremely versatile, with a length that works for one or two handed usage and a slim design that makes for great ergonomics.  If you go that route, I recommend removing the gold thumb screws and replacing them with short set screws - that's what I did with mine, and it greatly improves the ergonomics.

That said, all three of those options are solid.  Don't think you can go wrong here.

I can't say anything on the Prophecy because I don't have one but here some info on the other two.
Archon looks better (imo), has the deepest blade socket (4-5"), removable pommel and emitter, heavier than sentinel.
Sentinel is longer by 1/2"-1", lighter, little less streamlined,2-3" blade socket.
With that info, they are both meet your criteria. The choice you make is on preference based on how you plan to use it. Choreography, dueling or for show. Hope this helps you decide.

Y'all are making it harder, not easier to decide! ;D

It'll probably be a while before I can buy another saber, so it might come down to which one comes up first in a flash sale.

Would the Archon v2 need a 40" blade? I knew it was supposed to have a deep blade socket, but I didn't realize it was that deep. Sounds like the Archon v2 would make the 36" blade look/feel more like a 32".

It's really not a problem. The 36" blade works well on the Archon. My Archon V2.1 is in my stand next to my Guardian an it is only about 1 1/2 " shorter, an that's basically the pommel. So to me the 40" would just be to long to use well. That's my opinion on the blade length. MTFBWY!

Yeah I agree with Mav the 36" blade is perfect for the Archon as the amount of exposed blade is plenty.

For the Prophecy, I've heard that the Covertec Wheel is mandatory, and yet I've heard of people requesting their Covertec Wheel being placed in a different position. How is that possible if the Covertec is mandatory? Can you get the Prophecy without the Covertec?

I've also heard the Prophecy is thin and difficult to pull out the battery-pack and speaker. Has this been a problem for anyone?

My son has a Prophecy and the batteries have always been easy to slide out the bottom - I'm waiting on my own and I'm not concerned about it at all.

People email and request to have the covertec wheel installed to the right of the switch which is opposite of what's pictured on the site. They likely paid a service fee plus it leaves a small hole in the hilt where it used to be.

Others just remove the wheel and cover the hole with a button head screw if they don't like the location.

Personally fine with either side but people with smaller hands might find it harder to adjust around.

Yeah standard 36 inch blade for the Archon V2.1 is perfect. Sentinel is just amazing too and just about any silver pommel works on it :P I put my old regular Shock pommel on my Sentinel just to spice it up a bit and it always gets good compliments so then a covertech wheel opposite of the switch completes it overall I think, the Sentinel anyway

I agree with Hazard, the batteries have always been easy to remove from my Prophecy. Never had a problem. And the cover tech on the Prophecy does not get in my way at all , single handed or two handed. I'm right handed.  I personally added cover techs to three of my other sabers that didn't come with them because the one on my Prophecy kept mine from flying out of my hand while dueling.  ;D

I take my covertec off completely, unless I'm planning to wear it on my belt.  Just makes it so much more practical.

I had thought about sending in my Archon v3.1 in to get upgraded to Diamond levels, but there was a flash sale on the Archon v2 (20%).  While I would have liked to combine that with the raffle, it doesn't work that way.

However since the only differences between the v2 and v3 are the thin neck emitter, the D-ring on the pommel, and the option of a covertech wheel or not, I figured I'd get the cheaper v2, then put on the v3's emitter and pommel.   Instant cheap v3.1 with Diamond board.  And it should be basically alike, save for maybe the covertech wheel placement (I  have mine on the rear rather than right or left).

What?!?!  You can't combine a flash sale with the raffle? ???

The sales screen would keep either or, but not both.   In the past I could put on all the other coupon codes and they would stack, but the Flash code removed all the others, and putting in any other wiped out the flash code.  The emails for the flash sales does specifically say it is not be combined with other offers.  It seems that means the raffle as well.

Otherwise I would have entered it into the raffle and opted for a free blade plug.

I recently got to try all three of these out at a convention, so now I can make my decision with confidence:

I didn't like the feel of the emitter/choke on the Archon v2.1, so that is out.

I liked the Sentinel, which I knew I would, but it was a bit bland compared to the Prophecy.

I will definitely be getting a Prophecy as my next one or two sabers (unless they offer a really good discount on the Sentinel or Graflex first). Thanks for all your help.

A further note, I contacted Ultrasabers and asked about the Prophecy and the covertec wheel, as I didn't like it on the left side. The Prophecies they have in stock right now all have the covertec on the left side. (From what I've been able to gather, it seems some batches come with the hole drilled on the left side, and some on the right side, as I've definitely seen several Prophecies in pics and videos that had the covertec on the right, and no hole on the left.) The only option they gave me was to have the covertec, or have a screw put in to fill the hole from the covertec.

You have made a wise choice. The Prophecy was my first saber and it is still my favorite!  ;D I love this saber!! MTFBWY!

Getting hands on experience must've been so valuable - way to go and having peace about each purchase is big for me. Share some pics when you get your Prophecy!

Update:  The Flash sales and Raffle can be combined, but do not work together on the order form.  Got mine fixed via e-mail.   Use Flash coupon, then forum name and such in the comments section to enter the raffle.

Only for when combining a non-combinable coupon with the raffle.

The Archon is in production.

Nice. Don't know why you don't like the Archon for. I choke grip mine on the bottom half of the choke is that makes any sense :P I decided on a silver Prophecy in Blazing Red for my next saber as well, going Obsidian V3 sound and Manticore low pommel for my new saber with sound again. I just want me something simple for now so. Will also have silver flash =] Can't get it now but I will here soon. Maybe in June or something since summer seems to be big for all things on sale. I don't know why though but I just fell in love with my Sentinel the first day I got it and held it for awhile :P to me the saber has an Old Republic look to it but that's just me