Saber Forum

Had to work really late on Friday 3/29 and missed the package's arrival.  Signed the signature sheet and when I returned from some Saturday activities, I discovered my package was there on the front steps.  Inside was my now beloved updated Archon.

My very first saber was the PVC Archon that arrived in Guardian Blue.  To honor my first saber, I could not think of a better way to reward myself for achieving Black Belt than to purchase the newest version 2.1.  

I am in love with the feel of this saber.  This has to be the very best balanced saber offered by US to date.  It is great one hand, two hand, spins like a dream and handles in a match-up like a champ.  If anyone is reading this review, this is a great starter saber.  

The V2.1 is 1" longer than the previous V2.  This extra length was added between the pommel and the lowest groove on the saber.  This allowed US to add a pommel as a standard part of the package and this extra room places the sound pack low enough for a recharge port to be added.  

On my specs, I went with the standard pommel as I already have a silver pommel on my Overlord.  The standard pommel was a very nice balance to the black and silver of the saber.  I has a great vent pattern that allows the sound to carry true and loud.  

The saber is equipped with the third generation Obsidian Sound Board.  It is still as loud as my second generation sound boards.  The settings direct from the factory was exactly like I needed them to be.  It is quick, very responsive, and I don't have to beat something or someone to death to get a flash on it.  

The standard sound switch was upgraded to a Blue AV switch.  The AV switch includes a bezel for a more flush appearance.  On this saber, the bezel must have shifted slightly when being pressed fit into the saber as their was a slight gap present.  With a small amount of investigation and patience, I was able to move the bezel with my hand and it fell exactly into place.  A quick press with my thumb and "click" the switch was tight as a drum and no more gaps.  Bezel placement is tricky to begin and this is just an observation, not a complaint.  Excellent job all around!

The recharge port was the most impressive addition to the Archon.  My recharge port is 100% flush with the rear of the saber.  From previous images I have seen, I was thinking there would be a small nut on the outside.  Too my very delighted surprise, this was a very great upgrade purchase and one that I recommend for anyone purchasing the Archon.  

The grooved pattern makes for a very great grip and the choke points of the neck make spinning a breeze.  This saber's lay out of grooves, neck, switch, and rear means that you can pretty much grab this saber with one hand or two and have no problem showing some flare or knocking some blades around.  

The emitter portion is absolutely a work of art.  I have seen the video multiple times where Ultra describes the Hero emitter but until you see it in person, you do not understand just exactly how awesome it looks.  Without the blade, I honestly believe that in Blue it is very close to Obi-Wan's 3rd saber and in Green, you have a close cousin to Luke's ROTJ.  

If you are wanting screen closeness to Obi-Wan or Luke, then you better look at the Archon V2.1!!!!

As for blades, I am a heavy grade man.  I have always liked the look of the Original Trilogy blades but now that I have decided to step outside the box and be even bolder than before, I chose to go the Ultraedge route.  Now I weep over my standard heavies as they looked as if they were holding my beloved Blue back.  The Ultraedge blade makes you forget very quickly that you have a heavy on the end of your saber.  It is bright bold and only when you look a little closer do you see the core.  I call it the light squared effect.  It is as full as one can get and you can still rain some pain with these polycarbonate beasts.  Pictures do not do the blades justice as they appear white almost like a fluorescent bulb.  In person, they are more translucent.  You will not sacrifice brightness with these babies if you like to have some heavies on your sabers.

Now, overall, the weight and balance are near perfect.  I have followed the advice given to me in the past by Master Nero and relying heavily on his expertise with fencing instruction.  If you are getting Heavies, always ask for 32" blades.  I am 5'11" tall and 32" blades on the end of my Archon make me appear to be auditioning for the next installment of Star Wars.  

For additional accessories, I chose the faster recharge option without kill key so that I can use it as a demo piece without waiting for the batteries to be at full power.  I went with round tips on the blades for safety sake.  I also purchased a flush black vented coupler for a crystal chamber effect.  

I won't delve too deep on the recharger or the tips but I will go into the coupler crystal chamber.  On the neck, there is a silver ring that is slightly raised.  That ring is a beautiful addition but it feels slightly weird in my grip.  Keep in mind, I have huge XXL glove hands with 5" across the palms.  When you think of banana hands, you'll think of me.  I replaced the neck with the flush coupler and it actually shortened the saber by a small quantity.  The new feel is amazing.

When I first replaced the neck, it was dark outside.  I ignited the saber and my hands actually looked Blue.  Being a Last Dragon fan, the theme song began to play inside my head.  I began to spin, flourish, perform the plum flower, anything my mind could create, it did it.  There is no downside to replacing that neck on your Archon.

In conclusion, I am recommending the Archon V2.1 as the very first saber anyone entering the hobby should purchase.  My wife's hands fit well on it as do mine.  It is not too long or too short.  Great one handed or two.  Looks great, feels great, and easy to customize.  It has everything you could possibly want in a first saber and it will get your recognized quickly.  The hardest part will be deciding what colors you want it in.  

Pictures and video will follow.  I will have a surprise in both.  Have a wonderful Easter Sunday (if celebrated where you live) and happy sabering.

Blue

For those that are unaware of my Last Dragon reference, here is the song from the movie: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0u3U6M9HpPM (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0u3U6M9HpPM)

Great review! I await the pictures and video, since I'm expecting mine on Wednesday in CG.

Congrats on your new Archon!

Below are the profile pictures.  The recharge port is the last one.

(http://i1109.photobucket.com/albums/h440/bluespike74/DSCN0030_zpsaaf42366.jpg)

(http://i1109.photobucket.com/albums/h440/bluespike74/DSCN0031_zpse51642ca.jpg)

(http://i1109.photobucket.com/albums/h440/bluespike74/DSCN0032_zpse74c8c35.jpg)

(http://i1109.photobucket.com/albums/h440/bluespike74/DSCN0033_zps7e3a669a.jpg)

(http://i1109.photobucket.com/albums/h440/bluespike74/DSCN0029_zpsa3817275.jpg)

(http://i1109.photobucket.com/albums/h440/bluespike74/DSCN0028_zps11d3df6b.jpg)

(http://i1109.photobucket.com/albums/h440/bluespike74/DSCN0025_zps6d0607ec.jpg)

(http://i1109.photobucket.com/albums/h440/bluespike74/DSCN0026_zpse7c7aeee.jpg)

(http://i1109.photobucket.com/albums/h440/bluespike74/DSCN0027_zpsf3745575.jpg)

(http://i1109.photobucket.com/albums/h440/bluespike74/DSCN0035_zpsbda2c4c1.jpg)

(http://i1109.photobucket.com/albums/h440/bluespike74/DSCN0040_zpsde53d657.jpg)

(http://i1109.photobucket.com/albums/h440/bluespike74/DSCN0036_zps835d8e79.jpg)

(http://i1109.photobucket.com/albums/h440/bluespike74/DSCN0039_zps7c1bf11e.jpg)

(http://i1109.photobucket.com/albums/h440/bluespike74/DSCN0038_zpsa28da4ec.jpg)

Here comes the surprises:

I bought 2 of them!  I have wanted this thing for sometime and couldn't pass up the opportunity to get my hands on two. 

(http://i1109.photobucket.com/albums/h440/bluespike74/DSCN0034_zpscdfb130c.jpg)

(http://i1109.photobucket.com/albums/h440/bluespike74/DSCN0042_zps0ee8c6fc.jpg)

(http://i1109.photobucket.com/albums/h440/bluespike74/DSCN0041_zpsd065a478.jpg)

(http://i1109.photobucket.com/albums/h440/bluespike74/DSCN0037_zps51e119b9.jpg)

I also bought a 3rd coupler to make this beauty!!!!

(http://i1109.photobucket.com/albums/h440/bluespike74/DSCN0043_zps2958777b.jpg)

(http://i1109.photobucket.com/albums/h440/bluespike74/DSCN0044_zps28bdda49.jpg)

In staff mode, it is right at 6.5 feet in length.  It is the perfect staff and the upper grooves are perfect hand holds.  

Thanks for looking at the pictures.  Video will follow at a later time with the final surprise:  the Flash on Clash color!

That Archon staff is awesome dude. First one I've seen I think. Even if you wanted to you could pull a Starkiller off since the sabers are both blue. :D

Holy cow dude, TWO of them!   :o  A man after my own heart!   ;D  The Archon looks sweet as a staff too!  I haven't seen the style recharge port you have before.  Most of mine are the normal ports with the nut on the outside, while my Guardian and newest Crimson Reaper have a neat round flush mount style, minus the rectangular piece that your's has.   6.5' is actually shorter than my Phantasm/Phantom Initiate v3 staffs, that come in at 6' 9.5" with 32" blades and the flush vented coupler.

I'm almost ready to jump on mine as well, but in EG/AS. I'm also getting the black and silver flush couplers as well. Though I intend for mine to act as a shoto to my Bellicose, so I have plans...

Two of them though! :o Man! Congratulations indeed! Welcome to the UE club as well. I can't wait to see the GB/AS MLS I ordered in action after what you said. :D

A elegant weapon for a civilized black belt.

So clean...

Nice !!!!!!! Great choice and excellent sabers!

VERY nice!

Very nice! Now you've made my choice between consular and archon as my first saber hard again! Thanks for the review!

That really is a beautiful saber. In terms of styling, the Archon is definitely modeled after Luke's ROTJ saber and the Consular is modeled of course after Qui-Gon's saber. Both look very nice indeed and make quite an impression. I personally would lean more toward the Archon for the grip and the emitter, but the ability to remove the shroud on the Consular is still a great option that gives a bit more variability. Loving the Archon as a staff and the vented coupler you've added to them as well. Really makes them stand out.

Sexy it's on my list of goodies

wow super nice! eventually i will collect all the sabers lol.... i never thought about getting the archon in blue but now its really growing on me

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNXTLd_aspE&list=FL9BkCQaQPwOEO6wNi4jWfdg&index=3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNXTLd_aspE#)

This was the original trailer for Return of the Jedi.  Luke carried a blue lightsaber.

The video is currently loading but this will be its link when finished.  The video review is finished.  Due to lighting issues, some of the filming was in my garage and staff moves were great limited.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEkO21_OuGk# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEkO21_OuGk#)

First of all....perfect song choice.
Second of all....excellent saber and review :)

And of course the GB color looks fantastic as always. I'll hopefully have a review of my new Phantasm Initiate V3 in GB up later tonight. It really is an excellent color and the Archon works really well as a staff.

Oh MY MY MY!!!!!!!! Is it Christmas yet...I KNOW WHAT I WANT!!!! Nice BLUE....

oh wow i didnt realize you got BH as the FOC.... sweet!!!!! i love it

Thanks to everyone for the positive comments.  Also, I think that Bane's Heart is a great primary color as well.  When I took the staff to the dojo, the thing that kept getting asked was "Hey, what was the 2nd color that kept flashing?"  Bane's Heart will get you noticed. 

Yeah ' Mal, like YOU (or I) could wait 'til next week, let alone Christmas...  ;)

Thanks Blue' for the comprehensive pix and vid.  Beautiful "light" staff.  LOVE BH FoC.  Congrats.