https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rM6RD8RH05QSo I got in one of my entries to the first raffle, my Archon V3.1. I am pleased with the hilt and very glad that I got it. Here on my thoughts on the saber.
The Hilt: This is Ultrasabers' first thin neck saber and it looks great. I much prefer the look of it over the old V2.1 The gold and black on the thin neck looks good and really makes me feel like Luke Skywalker in RotJ. The silver top of the emitter is sleek and very well done, I do wish that the top piece could be seen (like on the V2.1) but the blade slides OVER it on the v3.1 to help hold the blade in place. The main body is the same as the V2.1 and I've always been impressed with it, comfortable to grip. I love the all silver pommel. I got the black and silver pommel on my V2.1 and I can say I much prefer the all silver version. I am also happy to see US start to offer D-rings (only on this hilt thus far). One of my main complaints about the V2.1 was that the covertech wheel was on the left side and made it harder for me to grip the hilt comfortbale resulting in me removing the wheel completely from it. The V3.1 has removed that problem by offering a D-ring on the pommel and I much prefer that setup. I also love that it doesn't have the cumbersome activation box that Luke's had in the movie, it would just have gotten in the way. I have noticed that the AV switch on it looks slightly different than the AV switches on my other hilts.
This one is a problem for me (due more to my small size than any problems with the hilt itself) You can only get the V3.1 with a Heavy Grade (HG) blade. This is due to the thin neck of the saber, the emitter only allows for an inch or two of the blade to sit in the emitter so that to anchor the blade in you have to have a HG blade. These blades are twice as thick (and thus twice as heavy) as the Mid Grade (MG) blades. Being a smaller guy at 5'6 and thin I usually get MG blades. The extra weight is taking some getting used to. Also, as I mentioned, the blade doesn't sit into the emitter as far as on the V2.1, thus making the V3.1 longer which also causes a little more of a problem for me. I always get a 32" blade instead of a 36" blade because a 32" is easier for me to use, but the 32" blade protrudes farther from the V3.1 hilt. That plus the added weight of the HG blade makes it harder for me to spin (causes more problems to my wrists than my arms actually) The V2.1 is much easier for me to duel with. I got my V3.1 with a UE blade as I prefer CG in UE. Also, I'd swear my blade tip is threaded.
Get the Tri setup on this. The smaller thin neck lets less light through due to the smaller diameter of the neck thus resulting in a dimmer blade. The LED is located in the body of the hilt below the thin neck. Getting the Tri- setup (I got mine in Tri Consular Green) helps negate this lose of brightness. Also since you have a HG blade this will also cause the blade to be a little dimmer than if it was a MG blade. With the Tri Setup my saber is still very bright!
Sound: The V4 soundboard is a masterpiece and sounds great in the Archon V3.1. I keep it on the Episode II font myself.
Final Thoughts: Despite the problem of spining and dueling with it (again, this is more due to my small size than any issue with the hilt itself) I find this saber to be a great addition to my collection. For me it will be mainly a showpiece that I will swing around a few times when I'm in the mood too. It is a great representation of Luke's RotJ saber with out the bothersome AV box. I'm really glad to own one.
