Note: Vintage review – this review is from an earlier version of our homepage and is correspondingly old!
First impression
Right after unpacking, you get the feeling that not much has changed compared to the previous model. But then the matte paint job catches your eye, which is especially visible on the gold part of the saber.
When you unscrew the pommel ring, you'll also find a new battery holder. It has a small plastic cover that covers most of the batteries and has to be unscrewed to change them. Power no longer comes from 3 AA but from 3 AAA batteries.
Otherwise, the saber is very solidly made.
Handling
Thanks to the smaller batteries, the Obi-Wan ROTS FX lightsaber is a bit lighter than the Master Replicas version; the pivot point is at the emitter.
When handled correctly, it has good balance and is suitable for all tricks.
Thanks to the dish-shaped emitter, your hand doesn't slip even during fast tricks and strikes, which is why this saber is particularly well suited for beginners.
As with all other sabers, the clamp can get in the way a bit at first, but with regular practice you get used to it very quickly.
Light and sound
The blade glows very brightly in a nice blue.
The sound comes through the speaker loud and clear. The sounds were carried over 1:1 from Master Replicas, so 3 swing and 4 clash sounds.
Wear
Since the saber is very solidly made, there's hardly any wear. It also survives harder falls, though you pay for them with scratches in the paint.
With frequent use the paint job suffers, and the gold color in particular fades very quickly.
The gold circuit board on the clamp also loses its color after a while, and the yellow plastic underneath spoils the look.
Verdict
Hasbro's Obi-Wan ROTS sits nicely in the hand and is very robust. Thanks to its design and weight distribution, it's an excellent choice, and not just for beginners.
If you want to get this saber, you've certainly made a good decision
