MLS and RGB pros and cons

[Feisty Goat]

Hello.

I am going to be ordering my first saber from US. I'm just stuck between two versions of sabers. I can't decide if I should get a RGB saber or go with a MLS and different LEDs. I would get either setup with FOC, sound, and maybe an extra pommel or emitter.

What are the pros and cons of each setup MLS or RGB?

[Lord Cooler]

RGB
+ Less pricey in the long run(7 colors for 90$, whereas each MLS unit costs 35$)
+ Faster switch of colors
- Only FoC options are Orange and Silver
- Bigger hilt, with less space due to the extra buttons

MLS
+ Colors are brighter and more "pure"
+ Can use colors the RGB is incapable of creating(DVA, PO, BH, SRD)
- More troublesome to swap colors
- Can get more expensive in the long run

[Akos_Amun]

With RGB it's expensive right away, but then that's it. $90 and you're done. But you have a LOT of buttons on your saber, and while I have gotten used to it on my prophecy, I still wish that it was smoother sometimes. With RGB you can change colors on the fly, WHENEVER you want. Right NOW, and then NOW and now back to a DIFFERENT COLOR and then ANOTHER ONE. Makes it pretty fun. But the batteries drain faster since you can have all the dies on at once and the voltages for each die are just set at the standard for each color instead of adjusted for one specific color. when I mix blue and red on my RGB hilt I get a pinkish violet, but in my Bellicose I get a deeper purple. It won't affect the batteries like crazy, but I noticed a little bit of a difference

The MLS option cleans up your saber a bit, by leaving it at just one activation button. It's also cheaper... at least at first. If you were to get two MLS units equipped with FoC, bringing the total up to 3 colors for your saber, you would spend more than the RGB, BUT you would have more FoC options because the only FoC options for RGB is orange or silver. Also, the colors you get will be true to what the actual colors are, since they will be.. as opposed to the RGB combinations of Violet Amethyst and Sentinal Yellow/something orange-ish and Arctic Blue, which aren't what the real colors look like. And when you mix all three on the RGB, you don't really get white, you get pinkish. You can't change colors as quick with the MLS option.

So there you go. some thoughts...

[Master Bluespike74]

Another thing to consider.  With RGB, you only have the color mix on that saber.  If you do Quick Disconnect MLS Units, you can interchange with any lightsaber that uses those units and is Quick Disconnect Equiped.  I prefer the quick disconnects as I am able to mix and match sabers much faster.  If you are only going to buy one saber, then RGB might be the way.  If you plan to purchase many over a period of time, the MLS will be cheaper.

[Abraxus]

I think they pretty much got it covered.

[Kham-Ryn Kurios]

I remember from a very old thread that you can't get Orange, I think it's more of a Yellow.

Is that correct guys?

[Akos_Amun]

From and RGB? depends a bit on the batteries. I don't have the rechargeable Li-Ion trustfires in my RGB, so I use Energizer Li-Ions and usually they give me an orange color, but this last batch must be a new formula because now I get more of a yellow. The "higher powered" batteries give you yellow while the weaker ones will give you orange.

[Master Nero Attoru]

Yeah I think it was mostly covered, but I'll put in my two cents.

Overall it really depends on what you're going for.  I like specific colors on my hilts, but occasionally like to have the option of changing it, so I prefer the QD (MLS) setup.  That and the multiple buttons seem uncomfortable to me.  Generally if you want only one or two colors, go with this option.

However, if you really want EVERY color, or at least quite a few, it's probably best to go RGB.  I know a lot of people on here get RGB and love it, so I can't really say there aren't merits.