New to the boards and questions

[PadawanCen]

Good evening everybody! I'm PadawanCen, and I'm obviously new to these boards, after having lurked them for a while. I've also kept a close eye on UltraSabers for a long time now, as one of my dreams is to ultimately have my own lightsaber. MR are pretty to look at and all but I'm a geek. I want to at least be able to wave mine around without worrying about LED's shattering like glass. And UltraSabers has, by far, the best ongoing reputation with its customers and a consistently stellar quality of product.

Now as it is, I want my first saber to be the War Glaive. I like that it's clean, bright exterior reflects the light side with just a hint of aggression and passion in the claws. But I do have a couple questions.

1)I am aware this is largely opinion, but those are what I'm looking for! If I'm to order the War Glaive with a Consular Green LED, how does the Green look in a Standard blade .vs. an UltraEdge blade? How about Guardian Blue?

2) I'm already planning on getting a Heavy Grade blade in either standard or UE, but would it still be worth it to invest in an extra blade right off the bat? I hear the Heavy grade blades can take quite a whallop and still kick back.

3) Recommended brands of rechargeable batteries? I hear these puppies can drain the batteries quick if used for extended periods of time.

Thanks ahead of time, and may the force be with you.

[Manroon]

Hello Lurker, er, I mean PadawanCen..... 

Well, let me see what I can do for ya here...

1) Guardian looks good in both blade types, though I would describe the differences as follows: UE will give you a similar look to 'prequel' and 'special edition' movie style lightsaber look, and plain HG will give you a look more along the lines of the Original releases of ANH and ESB. In otherwords, a little slimmer, pointer looking blade.

2) I'd say it's worth it, just so you can see the difference in blade types. Plus, that way when you buy a second saber (trust me, you'll get a second one... ) you already have a blade for it! And yes, HG blades are very nearly invincible. I'd take mine to Mustafar any day.

3) *shrug* I have some Rechargables by Energizer that are pretty nice. Smart Charger, does AA and AAAs, tells you when you have a bad battery, countsdown the charge time left, and tells you how much of a charge you already have. About $20 at Target, but if you need AAAs you have to buy those batteries seperate from the charger. There is also a cheaper charger by Energizer that takes the same batteries, but doesn't have all the fancy countdowns and indicators and whatnot. My experience shows them to work GREAT! Even on a mere HALF charge!

Hope that all helps!

[PadawanCen]

Well thanks so much for the timely response Manroon!

That's good that either blade works just fine, just with slightly different looks as opposed to color being more condensed or washed out. Energizer Rechargeables for cheap? I'm cheap, so count me in! A second saber is far from my mind for now, but you're right...eventually I'll probably want a second. Maybe a Dark War Glaive or Dark Shock, they look pretty fantastic.

[Master Nero Attoru]

Welcome to the boards Padawan, I'm sure you'll find them educational and very helpful in choosing your saber.

I'll give this my best shot based on my own experience:

1.  Both the blue and the green are fantastic choices, and look good in either type of blade.  Manroon hit the nail on the head as far as descriptions go, I'm sure you can find some comparison pics if you look around the forum.  It's more a matter of choice than anything, although I'm pretty sure you won't be disappointed either way.

2.  I personally wouldn't get an extra blade, the sabers come with a blade anyway so you'll be ok there, and if you go with a heavy grade blade you very likely will not be breaking it anytime soon - those things are very rugged.  I recommend that in fact.

3.  Not as well versed with batteries, I just use whatever is on hand, although once again there are a few threads here which recommend different types.  I'd say Manroon again has a pretty good recommendation here.

Any other questions feel free to post or message one of us, and we'll do whatever we can to help.

[AerykGunn]

Welcome I've yet to have my first saber, so I can't really be of much help. but, welcome!

[PadawanCen]

I also need some opinions on sound. Whenever I decide to get this first saber, I'm trying to figure whether it's worth it to invest in the sound. Does it make the saber any more fragile in sparring to add the extra electronics for it? I only ask because it costs a great deal to get sound installed... another 150 smackers isn't very doable right now, haha.

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone!

[Warlock Umbra]

Welcome!! Having sound is always nice, but I like my saber without sound, just as much as the other one with sound! Sometimes it nice to be able to turn on one of my sabers and it not be blaring through the house (it's somewhat loud). If you want my opinion as to whether it's worth the price or not, well I would say that th FX soundboards are not quite worth the cost. Ultra breaks down the pricing as to why it costs this much (which I completely understand): http://www.saberforum.com/index.php?topic=829.0  (bottom of first page)

For sound, I would wait till Ultra demos the new soundboard! 

[Darth Wraith]

I also need some opinions on sound. Whenever I decide to get this first saber, I'm trying to figure whether it's worth it to invest in the sound. Does it make the saber any more fragile in sparring to add the extra electronics for it? I only ask because it costs a great deal to get sound installed... another 150 smackers isn't very doable right now, haha.

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone!

Regarding fragility (I think that's a word lol  ), with an FX board (which Ultra uses), it's not a big concern.  The only issues I have ever personally had with a board have been the Ultrasound Board's (a buddy of mine, couldn't duel with his lightsaber that had a US 2.5 installed without it cutting off every time we would clash the blade a little harder than normal.  I had a similar problem with a saber of mine that I installed a US 2.5 in as well, I would have to take the batteries out and then put them back in and then all would be gravy .  However, I have never had such a problem with FX boards, so you should be fine, and it should be noted- I LOVE THE Ultra Sound Boards  !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I Love the different flicker effects, clash sounds, Lock Up Sound Especially  !!!!!!, it's just not the best to duel with.  So summed up, YOU SHOULD BE FINE 

Regarding, difference of sounds, many of the members here will attest to the Jedi board having man more and different clash sounds than the Sith boards (to my knowledge this is correct).  I will tell you however (even though it has less clash effects), that I prefer the Sith boards myself, because I Love the Ignition sound (both on and off) and the dark idle hum that it gives off when the saber is static  .  I can tell you that it is the Defining aspect of a saber in my opinion without question  , without sound-your saber will feel sort off "dinky", the only sabers that I do not install sound in are the one's that can't fit it in, do to size.  I'd say it's worth the money in the long run, I know it's a lot, but you'll be much more pleased with your purchase if you go ahead and spring for the sound.  And TRUST ME ON THIS, if you are like me, and don't have the greatest of tech skills (regarding putting together the inner electronics of the saber), it is so much less of a pain in the ass, to go ahead and pay ultra to install sound in your saber, as opposed to trying to do it later (you would have to go find an independent saber smith, and pay him a commission to do the job, IT WILL TAKE LONGER, and the price will be determined by whomever you commission for the job  ..............

What I would honestly tell you, is have patience  , Ultra is supposed to unveil a new Saber and Sound Option Later this week, and no one knows what the sound option is going to be, it might be cheaper than the current one, or maybe Ultra might take down the cost of installation of the FX boards if it's a more premium sound board   Who knows lol, but there is one principle that this hobby will teach you above all else:  PATIENCE 

[PadawanCen]

Warlock Kush, Darth Wraith, you guys are awesome.

Kush, thanks for the link to the price breakdown, and it does make perfect sense as to why it costs what it does now.

And Wraith, I completely hear you on the whole issue of patience. All good things in time, after all.  

I had completely forgotten Ultra was unveiling a new saber soon, and hadn't heard about the upcoming sound option too! Man, this is exciting. Whenever I finally get to buy my first saber, I know it's going to be fantastic.

[Darkhorse V]

I second all the advice above, these are the same things I would advise.  You really can't go wrong with ultrasabers anyway! 

[Darth Wraith]

Warlock Kush, Darth Wraith, you guys are awesome.

Kush, thanks for the link to the price breakdown, and it does make perfect sense as to why it costs what it does now.

And Wraith, I completely hear you on the whole issue of patience. All good things in time, after all.  

I had completely forgotten Ultra was unveiling a new saber soon, and hadn't heard about the upcoming sound option too! Man, this is exciting. Whenever I finally get to buy my first saber, I know it's going to be fantastic.

Your More Than Welcome    Ultra is Awesome!!!!!!!!!  and Ultra was quoted as saying that "if you liked what we had before, you ain't seen nothing yet "  in another post, so We Have Amazing Things To Come Soon!!!!!!!! 

[PadawanCen]

Your More Than Welcome    Ultra is Awesome!!!!!!!!!  and Ultra was quoted as saying that "if you liked what we had before, you ain't seen nothing yet "  in another post, so We Have Amazing Things To Come Soon!!!!!!!! 

Since the most recent saber was the Raven, I wonder if the next new build will be more light-side leaning...t'will be awesome regardless!

[AerykGunn]

Well the newest thing he just showed was the Consular, a Qui-Gon Jinn styled Lightsaber Look on the front page