Buying your first saber

Factors to Consider

1. Purpose
- Cosplay or Display: If your saber is primarily for cosplay or display purposes, you might prioritize design and authenticity. For those interested in dueling or choreography, durability and functionality become crucial.

2. Budget
- Entry-Level vs. High-End: Determine your budget, as saber vary widely in price. Entry-level options are great for beginners, while high-end models offer advanced features and craftsmanship.

3. Features
- Sound Effects: All of our models come equipped with sound boards and sound fonts already downloaded. Entry level models have several classic sound fonts downloaded but are restricted to those that are pre-downloaded. Mid-High end sabers have many different sounds and fonts and also offer the option to customize and add your own sound fonts.
- Blade Illumination: Decide on the level of blade illumination you prefer. Will you be using the saber more indoors where there is less ambient light? Or will you prefer to bring your saber with you to brighter environments? Do you want special blade features such as: Fire blade and Rainbow blade?

4. Blade Material
- **Baselit Blades vs. Xenopixel/Proffie Blades: Polycarbonate blades are used for the shell of our blades and is a very durable type of plastic, able to withstand much abuse. Our Baselit blades are hollow with a reflective lining to disperse the light evenly across the length of the blade. Xenopixel/Proffie blades have 250+ LED's within the blade along with other electronic components and are thus slightly more prone to damage.

Baselit, Xenopixel™, and Proffie Breakdown

1. Baselit

- Overview: Baselit saber are entry-level models known for affordability and simplicity. Baselit sabers illuminate the blade with a single powerful LED inside the handle of the saber, aka, the hilt. The blade is a hollow polycarbonate tube with a special light diffusing film for even illumination.

These saber are full-featured and come packed with such effects like smooth-swing, flash-on-clash, multiple blade colors, rechargeable lithium batteries and more. These types of sabers are a great choice for heavy dueling since they are lighter and the blade is cheaper to replace if you break it.

- Pros: Budget-friendly, easy to use for beginners.
- Cons: Limited features, less advanced than xenopixel and proffie.

2. Neopixel/Xenopixel™

- Overview: Xenopixel saberoffer a middle-ground option with a focus on advanced lighting effects. Xenopixel saber feature a strip of bright LEDs inside the blade itself. They are considerably brighter than their Baselit counterparts. They are powered by an advanced core that controls the lighting of those individual LEDs (Neopixels) thereby enabling sophisticated effects not possible on the Baselit models. The first effect you would notice if you compare Baselit and Xenopixel saber is the ignition sequence. The baselit version will gradually brighten up the light creating a smooth ignition. A Xenopixel goes further by lighting LEDs up from the base to the tip creating an illusion of the blade extending out as was seen in the movies. In addition to ignition and shutdown sequences, xenopixel sabers also have various pulsating as well as mulit color (rainbow) effects also not possible on baselit models. Xenopixel sabers also come with an SD card installed to allow for custom sound fonts to be added to your saber. 

We sell two version of neopixel sabers: Xenopixel and Proffie.

- Pros: Enhanced lighting effects, Full-spectrum RGB color options, mid-range pricing.
- Cons: Not as customizable as proffie, more expensive than baselit, may have a learning curve.

3. Proffie

- Overview: Proffie saber are the pinnacle of customization and technology. This is the most advanced neopixel core currently available. Not only does it boast higher quality soundfonts and effects, it is also customizable. Proffie boards have a wide community and aftermarket support for infinite possibilities.

 Along with all of the lighting features available with the Xenopixel version, it also boasts the ability to manually program the individual LED's in the saber to change colors as you see fit. From a half red half blue saber to a saber that appears to ripple in waves when impacted, there is almost no limit to the customizability of the saber.

Note: Fully customizing your Proffie saber requires significant technical skills along with a strong understanding of computer programing. 

- Pros: Fully customizable, advanced sound and motion features, top-tier performance.
- Cons: Higher price point, requires technical knowledge for full customization.

How to Choose

1. Experience Level
- If you're a beginner, baselit or xenopixel may be a more accessible choice. For enthusiasts with technical know-how, proffie offers unparalleled customization.

2. Budget
- Consider your budget. Baselit saber are cost-effective, while xenopixel and proffie models may require a higher investment.

3. Features
- Identify the features that matter most to you. If you're a fan of advanced lighting effects and customization, xenopixel and proffie are strong contenders.

4. Intended Use
- For collectors and cosplayers, aesthetics may be a priority, making xenopixel or proffie suitable. For blade-contact practice, choose Baselit. Xenopixel and Proffie blades contain electronics; damage from dueling is excluded from warranty coverage.

Remember, choosing a saber is a personal journey. Whether you're drawn to the simplicity of baselit, the mid-range features of xenopixel, or the advanced customization of proffie, the most important thing is finding the saber that resonates with you and adds a touch of the Force to your journey. May your saber adventure be as epic as the galaxy far, far away!