What is a covertec wheel?

[Jedi1233]

I a new here and i am buying a couple lightsabers for the first time. I was wondering what a covertec wheel was.

[Manroon]

It's a little silver wheel near the pommel (non blade end) of most (not all) saber hilts, well sometimes it's a black wheel, but you know what I mean. lol The idea is that if you buy a covertec clip with your saber (something like 10 or 11 bucks extra in the accessories section, I think) you can wear the saber on your belt when you take the blade out. They are actually the same thing used to hang sabers on belts in Episodes I, II, and III. Only difference is that the movie versions had a round belt piece, and the current ones are square, but it's not that big a difference. 

[Master Bluespike74]

It's a little silver wheel near the pommel (non blade end) of most (not all) saber hilts, well sometimes it's a black wheel, but you know what I mean. lol The idea is that if you buy a covertec clip with your saber (something like 10 or 11 bucks extra in the accessories section, I think) you can wear the saber on your belt when you take the blade out. They are actually the same thing used to hang sabers on belts in Episodes I, II, and III. Only difference is that the movie versions had a round belt piece, and the current ones are square, but it's not that big a difference. 

I thought the one on Darth Maul's belt was identical to the ones Ultra sells?

[Eiyame]

Since US updated their website they are now able to be added to your chart when you buy your saber it will be the last option at the bottom of the list of drop down menus.

Also sabers that don't come already installed with a covertec wheel like the Aeon v3. From the list of drop down menus you can also pick to have a covertec wheel installed and they will add the extra $14 for installation and covertec wheel.

If your not going to be wanting to hang your saber on your belt, either as a conversation piece or as part of a costume you don't need a covertec wheel or clip.

Covertec Wheel on my Libby (its the silver knob on the saber near the upper left hand side of the image)



Covertec Wheel and Clip



Libby hanging on belt

[KenshinTrigger]

I personally don't think they're for every model. one has to realize that the more bells and whistles that protrude from the sides of the saber, the less comfortable grip you have. pretty much every unmodified saber already has one protrusion, mind you, in the form of the guarded switch. on something like a standard Issue or a liberator, or even something like a consular, not only are the hilts pretty long so you can avoid the wheel area with your hands, but there aren't too many protrusions. on the flip side, the prophecy has a lot of protrusions, and is actually a little shorter than some other models (due to the nature of its design) so the covertec wheel that comes standard on a prophecy just seems like an annoyance to me.

The covertec wheels are also only able to be used if you can remove the blade, since only an initiate blade could still be in there with the saber hanging from your belt, due to length. That being said though, if found a way around this where, if your saber has an MHS emitter, just go to the custom saber shop or the US website and purchase an additional emitter, one that won't have a blade in it, and that way you can just unscrew and reattach on the fly without tedious unscrewing with an allen wrench. Thats what I do for conventions anyway.

[Manroon]

I thought the one on Darth Maul's belt was identical to the ones Ultra sells?

That might be true. I'm not sure if Maul had the squared clip on his belt, but I know Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon had the rounded versions. I was under the impression the square versions didn't come out until after Episode I though. I could be wrong. Padawan's Guide had an excellent article on the things someplace, but it's been a long time since I haunted that place. lol

[JediShadow]

I love when random knowledge pops up. Going to read about covertech clips now!

[Jedi1233]

Alright everyone, thanks!