Hi there. I was introduced to Ultrasabers at the beginning of this summer, and needless to say, I ended up buying my own saber a month later. I have now had it for several weeks, and figured I might as well do a review on it. So without further ado.....
my
Bellicose Review!!!So, first off, I'll give some details on what I specified. the Bellicose jumped off the page at me right off the bat because not only does it has a very classic look, similar in ways to the Consular, but it was bar none, the lightsaber with the most customizable options. And I like options.
So I started with a specific colour in mind. I wanted a silver blade. I saw a video with a few different colours, and the silver blade looked absolutely dazzling, so I just had to have it. With the blade colour in mind, it made the rest of my choices easier to make. I went with the black blade holder, because it would make the silver light pop that much more. I opted for a chrome accessory button because again, with the silver light, it would just go nicely. I wanted a short groove pommel, because it had a nice ratio of black and silver. I also went with the ultra edge heavy grade blade, Obsidian sound; for obvious reasons, rechargeable batteries; for obvious reasons, and the quick disconnect, because I also wanted to get a replacement colour. And in choosing my second colour, I decided to get one of the 3 more expensive ones because that way I was saving myself $5, in the long run.
So to sum up,
Bellicose saberBlade LED Color: Adegan Silver
Blade Holder: Black
Blade Option: UltraEdge Heavy Grade
Battery Configuration: Li-Ion Setup (Batteries & Universal Charger Included)
Button Color: Chrome
Sound: Yes, Obsidian USB Sound!
Pommel Version: Short Grooves
Quick Disconnect: Sure, Add Them!
Tip: Round Tip
Retention Screw Wrench: Sure!
Modular LED System (MLS) unit [LED Color:You'll see at the end...
- Install Quick Disconnect: Yes
Now, on with the actual review.
I was immediately drawn in with that girl. She is beautiful. Period.
The weight is balanced pretty much right at the end of the hilt, which is awesome. The light is so bright, it blinds. Do
NOT look into the light while it's on, if you knows what's good for you. With the blade on, it can light up a dark bedroom. Without the blade on, it's even brighter. Fantastic. The sound is loud. And when I say loud, I mean that if you turn it on while the speaker is near your ear, you will probably damage your eardrum.
I live at a camp, and I can light my saber up across a massive field at night, and people on the other side can see, AND hear it clearly. It's beastly.
There are a few downs worth mentioning however.
1. My pommel looks used. And when I say used, I mean abused. It is all scratched up, and looks at least a year older than the rest of my saber. That's the way it arrived.
2. The soundboard sliding issue. The soundboard is attached to the battery pack, which you access through the pommel hole. An issue that I had was that there is an extra 2 inches of space between the top of the soundboard and the button midway up the hilt, and nothing that stopped the soundboard from sliding up during stabs. This was an issue for 2 reasons: first, when it was up the hilt it sounded much more hollow and wimpy, and you could tell that the sound was travelling through a metal tube. The second reason being that the soundboard smashing against the button is just not good for either of them. This problem was solved however, thanks to Xenex. Xenex suggested a simple solution of using a toilet paper roll. I took the roll, cut a few strips, and shoved them above the soundboard, as far as I could. Now it sits right at the bottom by the pommel, still comes out easily for battery changing, and just all-around works nicer.
A few things worth bringing up are the extras on the hilt.
The accessory button, and the covertec knob. The both provide a unique look to the saber, to be sure. And both are removable. The button accessory, is just that. And accessory. It is purely cosmetic, and has no function outside of looks. It can be removed just using your hands, which is nice, but also can be a hindrance, because sometimes it comes off accidentally. The Covertec knob is very useful if you have a covertec belt holder.... which I do not. But hey! It's removable too! This one however, requires a 6-star screwdriver to take it off.
When both of these are removed, the hilt is still very beautiful, easier to do spins with, and the hole from the accessory button gives a little light through it, for a nice touch.
Having a lightsaber also makes you more popular. Walking around with a lightsaber works the same way as a magnet. People flock to you. Whether or not they like Star Wars, they still want to hold it, try it, swing it around.... it can be a bit overwhelming in large groups.
OverallI love this saber. I would probably give it a 9.5/10. It has been flawless in its uses. And the only issues with it have been minor, and fixable.
I have some pictures, and may do a video review later. But for now....
The saber in hand, for size reference.
DSCF0942 by
pléascán, on Flickr
Close-up of the button accessory
DSCF0944 by
pléascán, on Flickr
My scratched up pommel
DSCF0940 by
pléascán, on Flickr
The Lower half of the hilt, with Covertec
DSCF0943 by
pléascán, on Flickr
The Blade holder
DSCF0945 by
pléascán, on Flickr
The entire hilt
DSCF0937 by
pléascán, on Flickr
The whole saber
DSCF0938 by
pléascán, on Flickr
The Saber on
DSCF0946 by
pléascán, on Flickr
The Saber-flashlight
DSCF0950 by
pléascán, on Flickr
The blade lit up
DSCF0947 by
pléascán, on Flickr
My spare MLS unit
DSCF0954 by
pléascán, on Flickr
And at last, the extra MLS unit's colour....
DSCF0955 by
pléascán, on Flickr
And Sun Rider's Destiny in the dark
DSCF0958 by
pléascán, on Flickr