Dark Apprentice V5 pre-sale saber Review

[chalion]

Brand new, just received UltraSabers Dark Apprentice V5 pre-sale saber. This is a superb looking saber. It's comfortable to wield just like all the Apprentice and Initiate V4's are, but with a new design and windows. The pommel is similar to standard sound pommels, but there are now ridges to match the grip on the main hilt.  The diamond sound and speaker are a VERY tight fit, as you will see in the video. Overall, I love the new design and and quite happy with this result.

http://youtu.be/gepsqhN5LdM

I'm not sure how to add text to the video, and i'm not a qualified audio expert either, but I did cut off 1 minute and 20 seconds. Hope you like this.


Edit: Just noticed that the hilt is milled differently than a V4 is. The ringed part of the hilt has 6 flattened areas evenly spaced around the hilt, as shown below:



without gloves on, they bite into my hands a little. Not uncomfortable, but you will notice it. The diamond sound is as loud as always. I'm tempted to get a higher output speaker and try it out, or one that is bassier, but maybe in the future.

 NEXT: I removed the blade and discovered that there's an insert for the blade holder. It's part of the window and when the blade retention screw is removed, it can be removed, like the Bellicose blade collar.

[chalion]

Also, it took me a bit of time figuring out how to resize this video, so I have yet to unbox either my Fall Raffle price (Savior) or the Archon v2.1 I received in the last week. It's pretty dark out now so I may do that tomorrow, if it doesn't snow.

[chalion]

Note: Blade insert can be reversed and put back in upside down. It sits about 1/8" further out of the hilt, but the windows look fantastic this way:

[scifidude79]

There's eagerness and then there's not even waiting until you get back inside the house to open the saber.

Great looking saber, chalion. Really interesting stuff about how the blade holder comes out. It's nice to see the V5s are starting to come in.

[Infinit01]

Whoa!!! I did not know that the windows is a removable section!!!! I liked the design before and now, I love it!!!!! Great video!

[StoryDtechtive]

I think the reversed windows look great. Definitely a surprise feature I think will make these even more sought after. The close ups of the windows in general looks even nicer than anticipated 

[hazard502]

Hey chalion, thought I'd repost your video so it fully shows in your review thread.  It's just a matter of using the hyper link in the menu/search bar instead of the "share" video link in the video description section

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gepsqhN5LdM&amp;feature=youtu.be" target="_blank" class="aeva_link bbc_link new_win">Sorry...</a>

I agree with you guys, the reverse windows are a game changer for the Apprentice V5 and a cool easter egg US snuck in there.  Kudos to you, chalion for uncovering what will be a big deal for a lot of potential V5 customers.  Thanks for the review and an appreciation point awarded.

[Therion Jinn]

Very cool little saber there. Nice review of it as well

[ktulu1347]

The windows look so much better with the insert flipped.  I might need to pick up a stunt to see how I like these after all... 
Thanks for sharing!

[DarthBoneTD]

Brand new, just received UltraSabers Dark Apprentice V5 pre-sale saber. This is a superb looking saber. It's comfortable to wield just like all the Apprentice and Initiate V4's are, but with a new design and windows. The pommel is similar to standard sound pommels, but there are now ridges to match the grip on the main hilt.  The diamond sound and speaker are a VERY tight fit, as you will see in the video. Overall, I love the new design and and quite happy with this result.

http://youtu.be/gepsqhN5LdM

I'm not sure how to add text to the video, and i'm not a qualified audio expert either, but I did cut off 1 minute and 20 seconds. Hope you like this.


Edit: Just noticed that the hilt is milled differently than a V4 is. The ringed part of the hilt has 6 flattened areas evenly spaced around the hilt, as shown below:



without gloves on, they bite into my hands a little. Not uncomfortable, but you will notice it. The diamond sound is as loud as always. I'm tempted to get a higher output speaker and try it out, or one that is bassier, but maybe in the future.

 NEXT: I removed the blade and discovered that there's an insert for the blade holder. It's part of the window and when the blade retention screw is removed, it can be removed, like the Bellicose blade collar.

Chal, you sold me with this. Great review and pics. Point or two for sure. Reversible windows...WHAT!

[hazard502]

Its likely the location of the retention hole in the insert that cases it to stick out a bit when reversed. If a guy tapped a new hole into the insert only for when it was flipped (using the same emitter retention hole) then it could sit flush both ways.

[Infinit01]

Now that I know it’s an insert, I’m curious to design my own windows as a possibility

[hazard502]

Now that I know it’s an insert, I’m curious to design my own windows as a possibility

Oh yeah thats a great idea, Infinit01.

I find it curious they used an insert instead of machining the windows into the body itself.  But I guess other hilts like the Chosen One and Menace can be ordered with or without windows as they use similar inserts/blade holders.

[Infinit01]

Oh yeah thats a great idea, Infinit01.

I find it curious they used an insert instead of machining the windows into the body itself.  But I guess other hilts like the Chosen One and Menace can be ordered with or without windows as they use similar inserts/blade holders.

I’m going to start making templates. I wonder if the ones without will just have a blank insert. Hopefully so.

I think it’s easier to grab a saber and swap out insert tather that swapping electronics making upgrades easier. Either way, I like this route

[StoryDtechtive]

Now that I know it’s an insert, I’m curious to design my own windows as a possibility

Yes...this right here!