Is the recharge port and charger worth it?

[Wamp Rat]

Hey folks. I just found out that the saber I want (Dominix LE V5) is going to be another 4-6 weeks to get in stock. However! I was given the alternative to upgrade to the recharge port and charger for ASAP build and delivery. So I'm wondering if the recharge port and charger is actually worth the additional $85 bucks. How long does a charge last? An afternoon or evening? Thanks.

[Racona Nova]

In terms of "worth or not worth" - definitely worth it! All my sabers have it, and I'd always get it again. A charge lasts as long as a normal Li-Ion setup - depending on LED setup (Tri-Cree single colour, mixed colour, standard single colour) and boards (Diamond, Emerald stunt, Emerald sound, non-Emerald sound, normal stunt) between 1.5 and 2 hours of constant (!) use. When you only activate it for a few minutes per day, it can last up to 2 weeks.

Ask for the 1.2A Fast Smart Charger! There's a 0.2A version, but it's too slow. And get a few spare sets of Li-Ions as well....it's always good to have some fresh batteries. Make sure you have a cradle charger that is capable of charging Li-Ions, the NiCd/NiMH chargers will not work.

[Wamp Rat]

It'll just be Blazing Red with Premium Sound

[Keevaro]

It is worth it. For the convenience of not having to remove the pommel and pull out the speaker to access the battery pack which can be difficult at times as sometimes the speaker just doesn't want to budge, and it reduces the risk of accidentally pulling any wires or disconnecting anything inside the lightsaber.

[Sakura No Kaze]

ALWAYS WORTH IT!!!!

I'm with Racona, I always get it with my sabers with sound. It's so convenient to just plug in rather than have to pull the speaker/battery pack out to take out batteries.

I also point out for all Diamond/Emerald/Obsidian users that it's great to have since you have to have the saber turned on the entire time you're changing any settings. Since it's plugged into the charger, you don't drain the batteries while changing any settings.

So yes, always get the recharge port.

[Robyn_Goodfellow]

In terms of "worth or not worth" - definitely worth it! All my sabers have it, and I'd always get it again. A charge lasts as long as a normal Li-Ion setup - depending on LED setup (Tri-Cree single colour, mixed colour, standard single colour) and boards (Diamond, Emerald stunt, Emerald sound, non-Emerald sound, normal stunt) between 1.5 and 2 hours of constant (!) use. When you only activate it for a few minutes per day, it can last up to 2 weeks.

Ask for the 1.2A Fast Smart Charger! There's a 0.2A version, but it's too slow. And get a few spare sets of Li-Ions as well....it's always good to have some fresh batteries. Make sure you have a cradle charger that is capable of charging Li-Ions, the NiCd/NiMH chargers will not work.

ALL OF THIS!!!

especially about getting a few spare li-ion batteries.

[DarthSyronimus]

add me in for the 'worth it' crowd... for the same reason: diamonds need to be plugged in to give you time to muck around with the font banks and what nots.

my dom lasted around 30m though; but then we weren't really timing it... plus, it's powering two LEDs, so shorter time would be expected.  next time, I'll time how long it lasts on one charge.
Dark Apprentice LEv5 lasted around 15m longer than the dom.

also, I regret not getting spare 14950's (or whatever the size is) for field-recharge.  For instance, if I had a spare set, we could've continued sparring with the DALEv5 (dom needs a hex wrench to uncover... even though I lost one of the two hex screws)

[Infinit01]

Based on how often I use my sabers, it's easier for me to just replace the batteries and stick the dead ones on the charger. Time is of the essence which is also a luxury to me, one that I don't have much of so I have lots of Lit-Ion batteries and regular ones that I have to swap them out. I have one or two sabers with a re-charge port which aren't my sabers and it's so convenient to plug in a charger without removing anything so I may try it on a stunt; however, due to the abuse that all of my stunt sabers have withstand in the past, I'm afraid to break that port off (I'm really hard and tough on my stunts since I use them for spinning)

[Atanvarno]

Definitly worth it. I would say is the most useful accesory that you can put to a sound saber. The best feature ever. Just avoiding the hussle of removing the speaker, pull out the battery pack and praying that you wonțt break it. No more of that. Plug the charger and that's it.
Not to mention that if you buy the fast charger, the batteries are charged in about 30 minutes. And in future purchases, you won't have to buy the charger again, so the recharge port will cost only 62$ instead of 85$. So it's a good investment.
Besides everyone here said above, i would add that with a recharge port you can keep the lightsaber on during the night, as an ambiance light.

[phantom1592]

Still waiting on my first saber so take my opinion with a grain of salt.  However, when I saw in the videos that people can plug in the fast charger and just leave it lit like a lamp... that was the clincher for me. For my 'good main saber' I definitely wanted that as an option.

[Karmack]

It will pay for itself in wear and tear on the internals.   Definitely worth the $$$.   

I wish you could get it with Obsidian Lite.   LOL

[Racona Nova]

also, I regret not getting spare 14950's (or whatever the size is) for field-recharge.  For instance, if I had a spare set, we could've continued sparring with the DALEv5 (dom needs a hex wrench to uncover... even though I lost one of the two hex screws)

Size is 14500

[firehand10k]

It appears that I am the  voice of the opposition again. I don't like the recharge ports in any Ultrasabers. It is much easier for me to swap batteries and put them one the charger than to find a place my saber can lay for a full charging period. My first 2 Sabers had recharge ports but none since except my daughter's Dark Initiate V3 which was given to her by a mutual saber friend.  I found them aesthetically unappealing and inconvenient for some grips. The only time I truly found one useful was when adjusting sound fonts or colors one Emerald or Obsidian sabers as the need to be powered for the launcher but I didn't have to worry about having them at full charge before starting. 

I have also done some research and learned about the effects of a single charger on lithium ion cells in series without a balancing circuit. I now only use in hilt charge ports on sabers with single cells or cells in parallel that I have done my own wiring for.

[witcher8285]

It appears that I am the  voice of the opposition again. I don't like the recharge ports in any Ultrasabers. It is much easier for me to swap batteries and put them one the charger than to find a place my saber can lay for a full charging period. My first 2 Sabers had recharge ports but none since except my daughter's Dark Initiate V3 which was given to her by a mutual saber friend.  I found them aesthetically unappealing and inconvenient for some grips. The only time I truly found one useful was when adjusting sound fonts or colors one Emerald or Obsidian sabers as the need to be powered for the launcher but I didn't have to worry about having them at full charge before starting. 

I have also done some research and learned about the effects of a single charger on lithium ion cells in series without a balancing circuit. I now only use in hilt charge ports on sabers with single cells or cells in parallel that I have done my own wiring for.

I’m the same. too many holes on the hilt is not my thing. I love the stunt saber. I normally don’t bother dueling with my sound sabers though. Worried about the electronics inside.


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[firehand10k]

I’m the same. too many holes on the hilt is not my thing. I love the stunt saber. I normally don’t bother dueling with my sound sabers though. Worried about the electronics inside.


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The sound is pretty durable. My Zweihander (modified Flamberge) with Obsidian V3 has been one of my primary Saber Legion duelers for around 5 years and my Mantis, also with V3 has been dueled with extensively for a few year by myself and another, somewhat temporary owner.