Darth Vader ESB FX Lightsaber Review

Darth Vader ESB Force FX Lightsaber (2005)

First Impression:
The Darth Vader ESB FX Lightsaber is on the first look full of details and assimilated clean. All details have been taken almost 1:1 from the LE, but everything is a little bigger. The metal has been chromed nicely, but so every fingertip is visible. But the plastic around the Clamp seems to be cheap. At a closer look a difference at the emitter appears. Instead of a circlip just a black piece of plastic was used..

Handling:
The Hilt is amazingly light and handy. The balance is chosen well and the low weight safes powers when you are training. For men with big hands the place on this hilt can be short, since the space between some parts (clamp -> emitter) was measured to low. This problem is also at the LE, so it is no mistake! Nothing different disturbs on this saber, the grips feel well. The activator is directly on the clamp and is switched on by pushing the bubbles. The switch wears out with the time, what accidentally switching off involves.

Light and Sound:
Like all red sabers the red blade is very effective and worthy a sith. Certainly, the LED´s in the red blades are not so bright as in blue or green blades. The soundmodule is from 2004/05 and has 5 swing- and 1 clash sound. It sounds quite dark and is close to the original.

Wearout:
After some fighting there can be scratches in the plastic of the emitter. The Cable-Bridge can unfasten after frequently usage, because they are just glued. Other wearout is even after longer use not noticeable.

Conclusion:
The ideal saber for every Sith! It is cheap, requires only 3 AA batteries and is assimilated well. If you are lucky and bought your saber before February 2006, you may have a plug&play version. The older version has also a metal clamp, the newer one has now a plastic assembly. After that the chance getting one is almost no one. All sellers only get the new version! The Vader Episode V released in April 1, 2005.

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