Ever since its debut in the 1977 Star Wars movie, the lightsaber has been one of the most popular and highly sought-after movie props in the world. While fans may never be able to own the real deal, many companies have been able to create highly realistic and interactive replicas of this fictional energy sword. However, because there is a booming market for it, finding a high quality replica lightsaber can be a bit tricky, especially if you don’t know what to look for.
So, if you’re looking to get yourself a new replica lightsaber, below are some of the important features to be on the lookout for.
Design
Contents
This is a very important feature to consider when getting a replica lightsaber. The design feature that is most crucial here is the nature of the hilt. The hilt you go for should be one that is authentic and feels like a real weapon. On the market currently, most of the models either have metal or plastic hilts. Metal is usually better but if you go for plastic, ensure that it is strong enough to handle intense combat.
Removable Blade
The lightsaber’s blade is the luminous part that contains magnetically-trapped plasma. Ideally, the blade of your replica lightsaber should be removable, as this allows for easier storage. Replica lightsabers with removable blades also tend to last longer. Removable lightsaber blades that have LED strips and foam also come highly recommended. When choosing a blade, you should also consider the shape of its tip. There are three types of blade tips (rounded, parabolic, and bullet), with the round tip being arguably the safest.
The steep bullet tips are also quite common amongst fans because it apparently ignites a more universal feel. However, it is not as safe as the round tip. If you can, invest in a blade plug. These plugs work together with removable blades and can be installed in the hilt of the lightsaber in place of a blade.
Blade Lights and Colour Changes
The blade of a replica lightsaber must also have some visual effects. Typically, the visual effects on lightsaber blades are designed to look a bit shaky, giving off the impression that the sword is vibrating. Replica lightsabers should also have a colour changing feature for their blades. This colour change can either be manual or automatic. Although a replica lightsaber with a manual colour changing feature will allow you to set the mood according to their sound or duel setting, automatic colour changes are more fun and will make your duel setting more animated.
Sounds and Effects
A replica lightsaber with authentic sound effects, especially on contact, will definitely give you a more thrilling and out-of-the-world experience. Be on the lookout for models that have mute, flash-on clash, lockup and blaster modes. Replica lightsabers that come with Bluetooth features are even better as they allow you to connect with other faithful for fun experiences online.
Another sound feature you can look for is sound effects in-motion. This feature makes for quite an exhilarating experience as they can actually include wind and thunder sounds. Go for soundboards with at least 9 sound fonts so you can diversify your experiences.
Smooth Wing
This feature is basically a soundboard algorithm that produces very realistic swing sounds. This, of course, makes wielding a replica lightsaber more satisfying as they allow for the sound effects to be heard and interpreted more clearly. The pitch and volume of the swing sounds can be altered based on the motion and speed of the replica.
Power Options
The majority (if not all) of the replica lightsaber models on the market are battery-powered. Some of them come with AA batteries, while others require you to purchase the batteries separately. When assessing the power of a replica lightsaber, it is crucial that you also consider its power-saving abilities.
Conclusion
Buying a replica lightsaber can be daunting if you do not know what to look for. The above are some of the most crucial features any good quality replica lightsaber should have, any reputable lightsaber shop (for example, Padawan Outpost) will check these boxes, but it can be very hard to spot or find them.