Will Ultrasabers make Neopixel-Sabers some day?

[karaokefreak]

I have got myself 4 ultrasabers in recent years, and I really like them. But the tech for lightsabers has advanced since then and I really would like to have a neopixel blade made by ultrasabers. Neopixel sabers are not recommended for full contact dueling, but everything else is so superior compared to the old hilt-LED method that it really makes a difference. If you don't know what a neopixel blade is, well, it is easy to explain. Instead of LED-Lights in the hilt, you have a doubled strip of LEDs in the blade itself.

The advantages are huge. For instance: the blade can flicker in an unstable fashion like kylo ren's saber in the new movies. Also, the ignition can be set up to start at the hilt and work its way all the way up to the top - which is more like in the movies. And last but not least: neopixel blades are also brighter than the ones we have now, including diamond sabers. Changing colors is of course no problem at all.

So what do you think: Would you like ultrasabers to make a few neopixel models?

[Purzelkater]

I must admit I have no experience with this sort of blades so far. But yeah, I know the advantages of light and effects with it. And I like the idea of having flash on clash effects only on the point of the blade only where it has clashed (what should be possible) and all the other possibilities.

But I also see some problems with neopixel blades. As you have mentioned too everybody says this type is not for full contact - no matter if competitions or just show fights.
Then the price... if a "normal" blade is broken you can replace it pretty cheap. What I have seen so far, the neopixel blades can easily cost five times that.

So yes, it would be nice if neopixel blades would be available as an option. But at the time, this would be no option for me. If this technic would become a little bit cheaper and - more important for me - more durable and robust it could be.

[haydendavid380]

Not unless the tech in LEDs improve.

Pixel blades are still fragile and are still going to break with heavy duelling.

As long as US has a combat saber product in mind, I don't think they will.

[chalion]

I talked with a couple reviewers from YouTube about neo pixel and saber smiths that are only using LED modules atm. Short term, I do not think that US would take the focus off of the lightsabers they're able to build now. There's just too many orders being created for them to fulfill. Throwing a complete redesign to add neo pixel into this mix would just be too difficult to implement at this time. It much easier to make a new hilt body than the electronics that go into making them.

And a complete redesign is what it would take. None of the current line of cards that US uses are adaptable to do neo pixel. So that means they would either have to purchase cards (not naming them) that other builders use, or designing a new controller card just for this type of project. The fastest and easiest way to get neo pixel into a US hilt is to buy an empty body and send it to a neo pixel aftermarket builder and have them install it that way.


As I end this, to do neo pixel is POSSIBLE, I just don't believe it would be easy or worthwhile to do in the short term, because of the current order backlog and US would basically have to add a whole new manufacturing line just for neo pixel and add new personnel devoted for it.

This is just my opinion though.

[Galef]

Yeah I agree it isn't likely. US seems to be the leader in Dueling grade sabers at and affordable price. Neither of those things described Neopixel. It would be like Taco Bell tryng to sell Whoppers.

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[Infinit01]

I wouldn't say never; however with UltraSabers designing and selling combat ready sabers, there's just more parts in neopixels to break. Now, neopixels have come a long way but UltraSabers would also have to have blades with neopixel stripes in them along with the boards that will support them.  I can see it as an option in the future being sold along side in-hilt LEDs that they are selling though but for now, the in-hilt LEDs are all that they will offer due to the cost effective nature and the ability to use them in combat without breaking so many components

[Tazflyr]

Honestly, I kind of hope they don't. At least for a couple more years.  They're beautiful blades but neo's are notorious for breaking if you try to duel with them. One light out here....one light out there...and pretty soon it just looks odd.

You're right; the tech has improved over the last 3 years. However, the only thing that I truly "miss" is the ignition of the light heading up the blade. Aside from that, I'm good with them staying as their are awhile longer. The boards are solid, the prices are affordable with some saving and I guess I'm old...don't need the "latest and greatest" immediately.

I would love to see some better sort of chassis system in the sabers.  I just get horribly nervous whenever I need to change batteries....always convinced the electrical tape is going to come loose. That's why I'm now only ordering stunt sabers w/o a charging port.  $70 is a big jump to not have to worry about this issue but...what can ya do. They're a business and have to make a profit.

[Keevaro]

I would love it if UltraSabers added Neopixel Blades. I know they couldn't really be used for heavy dueling, but would go beautifully with cosplay. I would love to have a Neopixel, but unless US adds them, I won't be getting any since I only buy from US.
Also, who knows, maybe US is working on new lighting tech for their sabers since the Diamond controller is a few years old now?

[Cyclops942]

Yeah I agree it isn't likely. US seems to be the leader in Dueling grade sabers at and affordable price. Neither of those things described Neopixel. It would be like Taco Bell tryng to sell Whoppers.

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Given the relative fragility of the neopixel blades, I think it’d be more like Taco Bell trying to sell Pringles.

[Infinit01]

Given the relative fragility of the neopixel blades, I think it’d be more like Taco Bell trying to sell Pringles.

This and points

[Dark Path Media]

Neopixel is very impressive and people are pushing the boundaries of the open source capabilities literally every single day.

I’m sure US has considered it and may implement it someday, but to summarize some of the great comments and add a couple of my own, here’s why it likely won’t happen soon:

1. The current neopixel tech is not in keeping with the company’s focus of being the combat lightsaber specialists. To make a neopixel strong enough for UltraSabers, the thickness and construction of the blade would likely dampen the overall brightness and aesthetic value that makes neo desireable.

2. Neopixel blades are expensive. Even if/when they become reasonably duel-worthy, it will add more than 20% to the cost of their installed sabers. With the electronics, it will elevate their price point into the niche sort of range and out of the mass production range.

3. Production / wait times would increase significantly. It will take their installers much longer to build, test and prep sabers.

4. Introduction of new saber designs would slow down quite a bit. For every new hilt they want to design and release, a unique internal chassis system would need to be developed as well.

5. Battery life would be reduced and charging time significantly increased. Any neo system I’ve seen or personally own has a much shorter operation time and typically, a full battery recharge is 4 hours or longer. UltraSabers could get around this by utilizing a removable battery design, but that adds even more design challenges for the hilts & chassis. If they retain the charge port concept, the saber will have to sit somewhere for several hours recharging.

Now, all of that said... what they could implement with minimal challenge and no adverse effect to the durability and overall design of their sabers is introduce smoothswing functionality to a new release of Obsidian ( :


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[Deep]

Yes

[Metal Mech]

Yes

Well then. I love all the long posts of explanations of why not and the true asnwesr was one word 😂

[haydendavid380]

Yes

/thread

[BatMike90]

Yes

What? 

Now I am excited!!