Apprentice LE V5, thoughts?

[Sempra Diem]

Hello everyone!

I am fairly new to the UltraSabers community as I only ordered my first saber on February 28th. But I've been eyeing a saber on and off for years and only recently pulled the trigger. However, after making my custom saber, waiting patiently for my order over the last two weeks (and being fully aware they are extremely backed up and behind posted lead times; all of which I totally understand and is fine with me as I'm happy to wait!) and being present on the forum I can say without a doubt this will not be my last saber! Many of you have been incredibly helpful with many questions I have had and following the discussion on here daily has been exciting and helps pass the time as I wait!

I ordered an Apprentice V5 LE, TRI Arctic Blue, with Obsidian Lite sound. I went with the standard midgrade blade as (from what I read and please correct me if I'm wrong) I wanted it to be as bright as possible and I don't foresee myself doing any dueling in the foreseeable future.

I have recently seen some threads saying some have also ordered an Apprentice LE V5 and been contacted by Ultrasabers saying they were out of stock and were offered an alternative. I did really like that hilt, but if it were to delay my wait time significantly I would be open to an alternative. However, given that my order went in around the end of February, it is possible that by the time they get to my order that more V5's are back in stock. Does anyone have any greater insight on this kind of issue they could share?

Also, anyone who has a TRI Arctic Blue Saber and how they think it compares to Guardian Blue? I also was pretty set on the Arctic Blue but seeing a lot of reviews with the Guardian Blue has made me have second thoughts! Maybe for my second saber? 

Any and all comments are welcomed! Can't wait for my saber to arrive and will enjoy the daily discussion on here until then! May the force be with you all.

[Malik Thanewulf]

I've had both blues and I can say that they are brilliant. Definitely different shades. I think I prefer Arctic Blue 1st, then Guardian Blue.  Either way, I think you should get both. You won't be disappointed with either.

[Sempra Diem]

Good to know, thank you Malik! I will definitely consider Guardian Blue for my second saber, but something tells me I'll be going Blazing Red to balance things out.

[DarthSai-Dynn]

In my collection I have the Dark Apprentice LE V5 which I love and also just the regular Apprentice V5. I love the hilts due to the  windows and the AV switch. I ordered them without sound so that I could play with them at night and not wake the wife when she is asleep! I got them in Adegan Silver with color disc so I could change the colors out as I wanted to. I really think the Apprentices are great looking hilts and I turned them into a saber staff. If you want you can check out my quick review of them in the Reviews forum. Welcome to the US family!

[Sempra Diem]

The windows and AV switch were what enticed me as well. The gold accents on the LE look so nice with the windows and that sold me pretty quick. I'll definitely look into the color discs for another saber in the future, would be awesome to have that customization! However I am a little worried about availability as I have heard of some others who ordered Apprentice V5's and were recently told that they are now out of stock. US has quite the situation on their hands right now so I totally understand the issues they're having with sourcing parts so I'd be willing to go for an alternative if that is the case once my turn comes around, but one can hope! I went with sound given that it is my first saber and I was too excited for anything else, but I'm sure my family will be much less happy with me than your wife is with you! Haha I will definitely check out your review, I appreciate the info my friend!

[Karmack]

Hey Sempra Diem!

I did not have the Apprentice, I had the Sentinel V5, but it was simply marvelous to look at.   I've had guardian blue and both normal AB and Tri-Cree AB.   I will say this:  The tri-cree AB shades EVER so slightly more toward green than normal AB.   When they mix the color on the Tri-Cree you're basically getting 2 blue LEDs and one green LED.  On the normal they use a standard R/G/B/W LED and I think they mix the blue and green and then add in a little white, which is how I used to make it on my Emerald driver saber.   The result is a very brilliant, light blue where the Tri-Cree is ever so slightly aqua.   But a great color!  As I said I've had both and both were excellent.

If they do happen to be out of stock, I would consider upgrading to a Sentinel V5 LE as the alternative.   Same hilt, just a bit longer.  

One thing to consider: The window cut-outs can be a bit sharp-edged.   I smoothed mine with an emory board (nail file).   Just enough to round the edge and take the "cut" out of it.  Your hands will thank you.   :-)

Another color you might consider for a future saber is Sun Rider's Destiny (SRD).   Its a true blue-green and also an amazing color, also very bright.
And for the "balance" saber, I've seen some AMAZING shots of Apprentice LEs, Initiate LEs and Aeon/Sentinel LEs (V4 and V5) with Bane's Heart and straight-up Blazing Red.  Just something ... for the future.  :-)

Beware this addiction, though!  It can be controlled but once the bug bites, it never really goes away!

[Sempra Diem]

Wow that is good to know! I was really looking to make it as bright as possible so I figured the TRI LED would be the best route, didn't even consider it could change the colour like that. It’ll be interesting to see it in person once mine comes in. Great information to have!

Yes I’ve heard the edges on the windows can be pretty sharp, good to know that there is a practical solution to that and I’ll definitely do that before I start swinging too hard. I’ll be careful not to ruin the edges though cause the windows in the V5’s are very nice and a huge part of the reason I went with that hilt. I did actually consider the Sentinel V5 LE when I went to make my purchase but inevitably just went with the Apprentice. But I’d certainly consider it as an alternative if that becomes the case.

Even after my first purchase and waiting for it to come in, I have been daydreaming relentlessly about my next purchases. I know it’s a slippery slope so I’ve tried to be careful but it’s been hard to ignore I must say! I haven’t settled exactly on my what my next one will be, but I will take into mind Bane’s Heart and Sun Rider’s Destiny when I go to make my next one. Something to contrast my Arctic Blue is what I had in mind, maybe a Red saber with a Dark Apprentice to really even it out. Will be an exciting time!

Thank you very much for all of your comments and suggestions Karmack! I really appreciate the guidance as I enter this world for the first time, and I’m sure I’ll be here for years to come.

[DarthSyronimus]

I ordered an Apprentice V5 LE, TRI Arctic Blue, with Obsidian Lite sound
Can't wait for my saber to arrive and will enjoy the daily discussion on here until then! May the force be with you all.

I have the DALEv5 instead, same hilt as yours just different color... the kids love it and it's perfect size as a 2-hander for a 10yo.  I can accomplish an almost obi-ani with it without problems one-handed as well.  It's a beautiful saber.

look forward to your pics and vids when you get yours