Alternate sound options

[ShadowKatt]

I don't normally like to break down pricing, but in this case I'll make an exception since it's a valid concern. 

The normal sound option is expensive because the board comes out of a brand new $110 Force FX Replica. Some FX's cost more, some less, but $110 is the average cost after shipping.  The speaker/battery pack combo is a $20 part.  We don't make it, we have to buy it like everyone else.  So we're at $130 in parts.  There's labor involved in taking the FX apart to get to the board, and then there's the installation itself which takes more time.  At this point we're losing money, but we can recoup a little by turning the now empty FX hilt into a Stunt and selling it later.

There are other incidentals which further cost us when we make sabers with sound, like warranty replacements of the FX board should it fail.

When all is said and done, we're lucky to break even with the sound option.  But, yall want sound and offering the sound option helps sell the sabers, so we continue to provide the service.  If we could make it cost less, we certainly would.

oohhh, so is that where sabers like the stunt anakin are coming from? The remains of cannibalized sabers to build new ones? I thought you guys already had a line on soundboards(and pretty much everything else )

[navajas]

I don't normally like to break down pricing, but in this case I'll make an exception since it's a valid concern. 

The normal sound option is expensive because the board comes out of a brand new $110 Force FX Replica. Some FX's cost more, some less, but $110 is the average cost after shipping.  The speaker/battery pack combo is a $20 part.  We don't make it, we have to buy it like everyone else.  So we're at $130 in parts.  There's labor involved in taking the FX apart to get to the board, and then there's the installation itself which takes more time.  At this point we're losing money, but we can recoup a little by turning the now empty FX hilt into a Stunt and selling it later.

There are other incidentals which further cost us when we make sabers with sound, like warranty replacements of the FX board should it fail.

When all is said and done, we're lucky to break even with the sound option.  But, yall want sound and offering the sound option helps sell the sabers, so we continue to provide the service.  If we could make it cost less, we certainly would.

This is pretty much exactly what I had figured. I want to be clear from a personal standpoint that at no time did I complain about the cost involved, I'm just unable to make it happen. Sounds to me your margins might be better on the economy options anyway. Well, I guess depending on how well those hollowed out Master Replicas sell.

I eagerly await news of how your testing / prototyping goes!

Thanks again!

[Manroon]

That's basically what I figured as well. It's really a very reasonable price for everything that goes into the option, it's just that for alot of people... one of the best things about shopping here is the sabers like the Initiate and Standard Issue that can be purchased for a 2 digit sum. A quality saber, without breaking the bank is a WONDERFUL thing that Ultra's given us! I have to say I'm really stoked at the possibility of a cheap sound option coming to the line (especially given my love of hilts like the Prophecy! *strokes hilt lovingly* what? lol) as well as seeing that Stunt Anakin! US really is the best in the business.

[Ultra]

The Eco-Board stood up to my initial testing, but there are some things to know:

• Sound quality is actually very good.  I'd say it's on par with the Force FX line.
• It's not as loud as a Force FX board.
• Motion sensing is adequate. Impact detection is excellent.
• It flashes.  Like the toy, it flashes on ignition, impact, and shut down.  Some may like the effect, some might not. It's the only thing that reveals that the saber has an Eco-Board in it.
• Momentary switch must be used and the board does not have Accidental Shutdown Protection.  Bumping the switch will turn the saber off, but there are ways to help prevent this.
• It will work in an RGB setup just fine.

I went ahead and ordered enough parts to do several more installs.  I'll make some videos and if it's something yall still want, we will likely be able to accommodate.

Stunt Anakin is here, BTW:

http://www.ultrasabers.com/Luke_ANH_p/snt-as-rots.htm

[navajas]

If I was 15 years younger, female and single I'd marry you. Instead I'll just start buying more things from you.

Can't wait to see the builds. I really, honestly, think this will be a good business option for you guys. By the way, my son's LE Initiate has already been tagged by UPS. Thanks for the fast service. I haven't told him though, I'm still on the "Oh, two or three weeks bud, sorry." angle. When it shows up a week from now I'll be enshrined in the coolest Dad ever museum.

[ThreadJack]

That's great news! I would put sound in my hilts if it only cost 50 bucks more. I refuse to pay 150 to have sound installed.  Not to say that that's unreasonable, it's just that having sound in my saber is honestly not THAT important to me. But if the Eco board is as good as you say Ultra, and it's like 50-70 bucks, that I'd be more willing to pay.

[navajas]

For what it's worth as you figure out pricing, Saber Forge offers this econo sound upgrade for $65. They apparently do not have a full sound option.

[ShadowKatt]

The Eco-Board stood up to my initial testing, but there are some things to know:

• Sound quality is actually very good.  I'd say it's on par with the Force FX line.
• It's not as loud as a Force FX board.
• Motion sensing is adequate. Impact detection is excellent.
• It flashes.  Like the toy, it flashes on ignition, impact, and shut down.  Some may like the effect, some might not. It's the only thing that reveals that the saber has an Eco-Board in it.
• Momentary switch must be used and the board does not have Accidental Shutdown Protection.  Bumping the switch will turn the saber off, but there are ways to help prevent this.
• It will work in an RGB setup just fine.

I went ahead and ordered enough parts to do several more installs.  I'll make some videos and if it's something yall still want, we will likely be able to accommodate.

Stunt Anakin is here, BTW:

http://www.ultrasabers.com/Luke_ANH_p/snt-as-rots.htm

Timestamp says you said you'd try it at about 8 o'clock last night and you told us it worked today at about noon. Damn you work fast

[Stockton]

If it weren't for that ANNOYING flicker i would do it in a heart beat but... I hate that flicker lol

[ThreadJack]

If it weren't for that ANNOYING flicker i would do it in a heart beat but... I hate that flicker lol

The flicker doesn't bother me. Although I could do with out it. I think maybe Ultra should hold off until those new Ultimate FX sabers come out. They only cost $35 so it would be cheaper than the FX option, and those don't have the flicker. In fact those MAY be the FX boards. Either that or they're just eco boards without the flicker.

Just my 2 cents.

[Stockton]

If that was the case that would be awesome.

[navajas]

Oh, hell, yeah. Hadn't heard about those things. My guess is same board, maybe cheaper speaker? Didn't sound very good in the demo. Good news. I'm not waiting five months for my saber though.

[LoganV]

I saw these mentioned earlier.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYQ9UUlcLn0" target="_blank" class="aeva_link bbc_link new_win">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYQ9UUlcLn0</a>

Looks considerably cheaper, no econ. flicker, sounds nice. I dunno. Just my two cents.

[navajas]

Wow, you and Darth Raze have remarkably similar $.02 pieces!

[ThreadJack]

Wow, you and Darth Raze have remarkably similar $.02 pieces!

We apparently both use Sith currency...