Hello Saber Forum, my first review, thanks for having me!
Introduction:Let me start by saying since purchasing this saber I have come across several negative threads on other forums about Ultrasabers. I find none of the things I have read to be true of my experience with them thus far. The customer service up to this point has been great, they have been very responsive to calls and emails, and I would definitely buy from them again. Now, on to my review....
I haven't owned a lightsaber since I was 8 years old. The last one I bought was one that I got at Disneyland in California in 1995. I still own that saber, which has seen many duels (including the massive lightsaber battles they used to have at Burning Man), and there is no comparison. I believe it was a tiger electronics made brand, with lights, sound, and the old fashioned extendable blade. So this is a massive upgrade!
My options:Chosen One CE
[Blade LED Color:Blazing Red]
[Battery Configuration:Standard Setup]
[Recharge Port:No Recharge Port]
[Blade Length:36" Standard Size]
[Blade Option:UltraEdge]
[Anti Vandal Switch Type:Standard (No Light)]
[Blade Holder Type:With Windows]
[Activation Box Finish:Silver]
[Blade Tip:Round Tip]
[Include Retention Screw Wrench:No Thanks]
[Include Blade Plug:Yes, Include Circle Plug]
[Include Saber Stand:No Thanks]
[Include Covertec Clip:Yes!]
First impressions:I was very impressed with this saber right out of the box. It looks a lot like the movie prop, and feels great to hold. I love that it turned on right away, without me having to insert batteries, or pull any safety tabs. It was definitely the feeling of instant gratification I was looking for. I neglected to fill in the form field for the black activation switch, so I'm stuck with a silver one for now, but that's no fault of Ultrasabers. There are a few cosmetic problems I will cover in the cons portion of this review:
Pros:- The nickel plating is beautiful, and the construction seems very solid all around. It is very easy on the eyes.
- The wiring job in the battery compartment is very clean, and everything seems to be be nicely shielded.
- The blade is very punchy, and maintains consistency in color and brightness throughout. It is is also very firmly mounted, and easy to swap out with the plug.
- The windows are a great feature and add to the "cool" factor. Also, they will make the saber look cool when worn without the blade, which is great for situations where you will be out for a long time, not wanting to carry a 36" blade with you.
- The hilt is a good size, and feels good being wielded one handed, or two.
- The Covertec Clip is a perfect way to holster the most dangerous weapon in the galaxy, and fits most belts nicely.
I won't comment on the durability of the blade as dueling is not my purpose for this saber, and I won't be putting it through any stress tests. I also did not get a sound board, so I have no comments on that topic either.
Cons:- The saber shipped with a noticeable scratch on the shroud.
- The finish on the silver activation switch is not very well polished, and you can see a fair amount of scratches and markings from the machining process.
- The clear tip of the blade breaks the consistency of the lighting effect, and clearly looks like a different piece of the blade.
- From an accuracy standpoint the activation switch does not resemble the movie prop, but this isn't a deal breaker. If I had remembered to order the black one it would be less noticeable. (Again, my own fault.)
All of these things are purely cosmetic, and should not discourage anyone from buying this saber.
Summary:Rating 4.5/5
Overall I am very happy with my purchase, and I would recommend Ultrasabers to anyone looking for a cool and functional lightsaber. It will look great with my Sith Anakin outfit, and I'm excited to wear it out for the upcoming local Comic Con, Halloween, and the release of Episode VII.
I would urge the quality control team at Ultrasabers to pay closer attention to cosmetic details on their high end saber hilts. I understand this a custom item from a small business and there are bound to be mistakes, but it's a considerable investment for anyone on a modest income (even for the stunt saber). I would have been upset if I had paid for the fully loaded saber and it shipped with blemishes. I won't, however, let this discourage me from buying from them in the future, or recommending them. I would have given this item a 5/5 if there had been no scratch on the shroud.
Thanks for making this saber Ultrasabers! Exactly what I needed for my Sith Anakin costume. I will definitely be purchasing a saber with a sound board and RGB LEDs in the near future.
Pics:http://imgur.com/a/h6Lio
