Darth Vader Episode V FX Lightsaber
by Master Replicas
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Our Price: $159.95 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: Toy See more product details |
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Toys and Games Reviews of Darth Vader Episode V FX Lightsaber
Customer Review: An Owner's Review:
Summary: 5 Stars
I purchased the Anakin Skywalker model a couple of months ago and was VERY pleased with the item. The hilt is well-detailed, maybe too well detailed, and has the proper weight to make it feel like the real thing. The blade is very bright, and the sounds are crisp and loud. The only problem I had with the saber is the activation switch: It is located right in the center of the hilt and gets in the way very easily. You have to hold the saber just right to avoid the bulbous switch. Also, it is very easy to accidently turn it off while you're swinging it (Very Annoying). Still, I loved it anyway and you learn to handle it better almost right away.
I loved the Anakin model so much, I just had to get another one: It was a toss up between the Mace Windu Model or the Darth Vader Model. I chose the Dark Side. When it arrived by UPS today, I immediately wanted to grab some AA batteries to compare the two sabers. The Vader Model is just as bright as the Anakin (It IS red, not pinkish) but is noticeably lighter in weight. Also, the digital sound effects are DIFFERENT than the Anakin model (That's good), but the Vader saber is not as loud, and it also takes a moment longer to power up and power down. It should also be noted that the blue Anakin model has 4 different clashing sounds.....the red Vader model has only ONE. Again, the activation switch is right in the middle of the hilt which makes it awkward to handle at first, but you learn to cope with it. I guess that it makes them more "authentic". HOWEVER, the actual lightsaber props used in the dramatic fight sequences did NOT have activation switches in the middle of the hilts (It would be difficult to coreograph a fight scene with those switches in the way, so they were removed to give the actors nice, smooth surfaces.....you wouldn't be able to see the switches since their hands were covering up most of the hilts anyway). All in all, I am very pleased with the Vader model as well. I recommend filming yourself in a pitch-black area and then watch it on your TV. It looks cool! Are they worth the price? In my opinion.....YES, but be careful with them. THEY ARE NOT TOYS.
One more thing: A few of the people reviewing these items say that the sabers are louder when they chash eachother.....not true. You're simply hearing TWO clashing sounds at once which makes it SEEM louder. The sabers don't have any sensors that know specifically when another saber smacks it anyway. A strike is a strike.
Next step.....the Mace Windu Saber!
Customer Review: Awesome!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
I just got both the VADER and ANAKIN models in the mail today. I ordered them without seeing any models in stores. Once they arrived, I carefully opened one of the boxes and withdrew my new toy.
The hilt is awesome. Looks and appears like the real thing (manufacturer disclaimer says they are slightly larger than the movie replicas to accomodate the electronics)with very shiny chrome and all the detail of the movie props.
Quickly I removed the end and searched for some AA batteries. Once I reassembled the hilt there was nothing left to do but throw the switch. It was late evening and the light in my house was dim. WOW!!! Fan-friggin-tastic. Amazing. Even my wife who could care less for Star-Wars said (in an honest-to-god awed voice) WOW! My entire living room lit up with a blue glow as the blade surged to life. The polycarbonate blade is filled with individual LEDs from hilt to tip and light sequentially for power up and down effects.
Then my wife (once again who cares not for Star Wars...tsk tsk) accepted my offer to duel. We fired up the VADER model (which by the way sounds more sinister when in idle mode than the ANAKIN model...it has an evil pop and crack type sound) and we began chasing each other around the living room and kitchen smacking everything in sight and clashing blades. Some of our blows were harder than intended and the sabers seemed to take our beating just fine, and the sound F/X are very cool!!!
To the other reviewer, who's dog cowered from sight of the blades, mine did too...=)
No STAR WARS fan should deprive themselves of this great toy.
The MACE WINDU model will be available again in the fall, I can't wait to get it. And I hope they release a Green one, too.
MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU!
Customer Review: Friggin A
Summary: 5 Stars
I just picked up one of these bad boys, and I'm here to say that this toy/replica does not disappoint.
First off, this saber, especially as compaired to those $20 flashlights made by hasbro, just feels great in your hand. It's got some heft to it, not enough to be cumbersome, but just enough to make you feel like, if you swung it just right, you could be taking some limbs off some people.
Also, it seems to be a very well done replica of the hilt. Maybe even too faithful. The original prop, from what I understand, was made from a camera flash bulb handle, and on the lightsaber, there are letters etched into the sides, which I assume originally indicated where different attachments could be connected. Kinda cool.
My only complaints (and they are minor, just check the rating) would be that:
1) The blade is not detachable. However, the company that produces the saber, Master Replicas, provided a reasonable explanation as to why this wasn't possible, so it is forgivable.
2) The red vader blade, is in fact, somewhat pinkish in bright light. Anyone who tells you otherwise needs to get their eyes checked. In darker lighting, your dog will be cowering behind the sofa.
3) The sounds are a little quiet. A slight volume bump might be appriciated.
4) The very tip of the light saber is not lit very well, and under certain conditions, that can stand out, somewhat marring the otherwise awesome effect of the blade.
Bottom line: Is it worth $120? Hell no. This was a ridiculous waste of money. As would be a second saber, if they would ever make one in green.
Customer Review: The perfect gift for Star Wars fans (like me)
Summary: 4 Stars
We just started carrying these at my store, and I have to say that this is one expensive toy that is definitely worth the cost. Master Replicas consistently produces some of the finest reproductions and replicas on the market, and this is no exception. Powered by three AA batteries (which seem to last about 15-20 hours), the saber features some really cool effects: When you first toggle the activation switch, the blade lights up in a manner reminiscent of the films: The light travels from the pommel to the tip, rather than the whole thing just lighting up at once. The red blade has a nice glow, especially in lower light. Swing the sabre, and it hums and buzzes. Strike something--how hard is up to you, the sabre seems to be pretty durable--and it makes a clashing sound. Strike two sabres together, and the clashing sound is louder and more pronounced. The saber also has an auto-off feature to save battery life: Leave it alone for a few minutes, and it automatically shuts off. Some people may be concerned about how well this holds up over time and use, especially since this is no mere cheap plastic sword, but an expensive replica. Fear not. So far, our demo unit has seen probably a hundred hours of use between customers and employees, along with a few duels with our Anakin sabre replica. So far, so good. So it seems to be pretty durable. It's well-made, and the chrome handle is nicely detailed and closely modeled after the one Darth Vader carries in the movie. Highly recommended for Star Wars fans.Customer Review: Cool toy, but could be better.
Summary: 4 Stars
The hilt is very well constructed and doesn't feel flismy like some of the other FX lightsabers. The ease of changing batteries is also a welcome change (see Anakin Skywalker blade). The tip of the blade looks cheap, as always. At some point, MR has got to create a slightly-tapered, one piece "sheath" for the LEDs and electronics, but I'm sure that would add to the cost. The color of the blade is nice, but has the same problem the Darth Maul saber has... the red gets washed out in bright areas, while in the dark, if you look relatively closely, there are dark spots along the blade where the individual LEDs connect. The sounds are both good and bad; the power-up/down and the idle hum are loud and more menacing than the good guy sabers. The triggered slash/clash sounds are kind of bleh... they sound good, but are extremely unpredictable (sometimes swinging it for all you're worth doesn't produce a peep, while slightly shifting your hands on the handle could trigger it several times). This can be a problem in any of the FX line if the batteries are low or the compartment is loose, but from what MR customer service told me, this problem is more common/prevalent with the Vader blade.