Can someome please clear up my FX lightsaber confusion?

[thegreatgalling]

Ok, so If understand correctly, these were originally put out by Master Replicas, (used to see them in Sharper Image) took big D batteries. THEN, MR went bust, so Hasbro started making them (added a safety sticker and now takes AAs)

Then, FX Hasbro Sabers with removable blades hit the market.

I also know there is a difference between EL and LED blades? LED blades are supposedly better.

Can someone summarize the FX lightsaber timeline/differences? Which are the brighter/louder? How do the sabers with removable blades compare?

Thanks in advance!

 

[thegreatgalling]

Just found this thread after a search:

http://www.therpf.com/f9/looking-luke-rotj-lightsaber-102940/

I still havn't found out if there are plans for a Luke ROTJ with a detachable blade (even though they are horribly inaccurate).

 

[DarkCreations]

I looked at my Force FX ESB Vader, It was made by MR in 05', and It uses AA batteries, appears then MR did switch over the batt type before they stopped producing them.

It's also very bright and even throughout the entire blade, so I would have to assume this 05' model would have LED lights in it, but i could be wrong as i have not payed attention to any of the sabers since then to know models after 05' have a stronger or different lighting system. As far as the sound volume It's not low by any means, but again It's the only one I have ever owned or handled so I have no comparison to it.

That's about all I can pitch in, hope it helps.

~Jonny

 

[Montagar]

Ok, so If understand correctly, these were originally put out by Master Replicas, (used to see them in Sharper Image) took big D batteries. THEN, MR went bust, so Hasbro started making them (added a safety sticker and now takes AAs)

Then, FX Hasbro Sabers with removable blades hit the market.

I also know there is a difference between EL and LED blades? LED blades are supposedly better.

Can someone summarize the FX lightsaber timeline/differences? Which are the brighter/louder? How do the sabers with removable blades compare?

Thanks in advance!

Hasbro didn't have anything to do with the sabers taking AA or AAA batteries. I have all of the MR FX sabers (expect for the first 3 EL sabers) and they all take either AA or AAA batteries.

Here is the complete MR FX lightsaber list.

Anakin AOTC 2002 v.1-problematic EL saber had many electronic issues.

Anakin AOTC 2002 v.2-revamped electronics and seals.

Luke ROTJ 2003- EL blade

Vader ANH 2003- First LED Blade saber

Luke TESB 2004-Original release/big box

Mace Windu 2004 AOTC-Original release/big box

Anakin ROTS 2005-lightweight plastic/NEW small box

Vader TESB 2005-small box

Luke TESB 2004-new small box, summer production run

Mace Windu 2005 AOTC-Production rerelease/Red Blade misprint box

Mace Windu 2005 ROTS-Box Reprint to coincide with ROTS

Luke ROTJ 2005- Borders Exclusive LED Re-release.

Anakin ROTS 2005-heavier metal/retains original ROTS box.

Luke TESB 2004-Warehouse find version. 2004 saber/new 2005 box">

EDIT: just noticed that the entire list didn't show up from the copy/paste... will fix it in a bit.

 

[parfaitelumiere]

Lastest boards use smaller components,easy to see with resistances and transistors.
Easy to compare between a vader 2003 and a yoda board.
EL blades were on several models(luke ROTJ,anakin AOTC from 2002)
After all have led blades,except the construction set from 2007,using one RGB luxeon led.
Seems removable blades have some problems with gap,causing some extinction when you do spins,but these sabers are not toys or tool,just for collection.

 

[ARKM]

What Montagar stated is correct, Whether Master Replicas Fx or Hasbro FX, EL sheet or LED string, they all had either AA or AAA batteries.

I had the the Master Replicas AOTC Anakin EL lightsaber (probably a v1). It used 6 AA batteries. I have the Hasbro FX Obi-Wan ANH and Vader ANH (the box stated TESB but all of the Hasbro FX vader's are actually ANH). Both are the older non-removable blade version and both use LED string blades) The Obi takes 3 AAAs and the Vader takes 3 AAs.

Basically what happened is that Hasbro took over the license to make FX sabers from Master Replicas. On most of the sabers, Hasbro used the original molds and electronics construction/layout that Master Replicas used on there most recent versions. There are some very slight cosmetic changes on the ANH Vader and a lot of changes to the Obi ANH (inside and out). However I think the rest remain unchanged. All Hasbro FX sabers use LED string blades.

Before the Ventress saber, the soundboards only came in two distinct "flavors", Jedi and Sith. The main difference being in the way the idle hum and clashes sound and the fact that the Jedi board had 4 different clash sounds and the Sith board only has 1. All of the Jedi Sabers use the same soundboard and all the Sith sabers use the same soundboard. Anyone who says they all sound different and think that there are more versions (again before the Ventress saber and the new ones with detachable blades) is wrong... period. I don't mean to come off as rude, I'm just stating a fact. Many sabersmiths have tested this and they all agree on it. Unfortunately some of our customers cannot be convinced of this no matter what.

The Yoda board is physically smaller than the rest but has all the same sounds as any other Jedi board.

The Ventress board has it's own different power on and idle hum sounds, the other sounds on it may be different as well. You can search youtube for videos on it that will allow you to hear what it sounds like.

The new Hasbro FX sabers with detachable LED string blades, have some different sounds and they work a bit differently in some ways as compared to the non-detachable blade versions but again they probably only come in two versions, Jedi and Sith. One of the changes is that if the blade is not inserted and you turn the saber on, it will play a sound that resembles something short-circuiting/fizzling out (this is by design).

As far as brightness, the LED string blades are far brighter than the EL blades. Plus the LED string blades have the ramp up and ramp down effect when turning the saber on or off. EL for lighting up the blade is old, outdated tech as far as lightsabers go.

As far as loudness, it is possible that some are louder than others by either using a dfferent type of speaker or the placement of the speaker in the hilt and what material that the sound passes through before exiting the hilt.

I hope that helps.

 

[thegreatgalling]

Wow, that helps a ton. I can't thank everyone enough.

 

[0neiros]

Take a visit to FX Sabers, and The Custom Saber Shop for some mind Boggling stuff.