I like to think of myself as a lightsaber aficionado (aka Star Wars geek), with several dozen Jedi weapons in our home. So, when Wicked Lasers announced their new LaserSaber accessory for their Spyder series, Arctic and Krypton lasers, I instantly got in line for one. Thankfully, Wicked Laser sent me one to try with the S3 Arctic laser that I reviewed last year.
As Morgan titled her news announcement of the LaserSaber, “Just don’t call it a Lightsaber“, that really is the elephant in the room. Because it really is, without a doubt, a lightsaber. Perhaps without the cool sound effects or being able to cut thru objects, but it is definitely something I would have coveted when I was a kid watching Star Wars for the first time. (Anyone remember the yellow balloon that attached to a flashlight that was sold as a lightsaber?). Copyright issues not withstanding, the LaserSaber does look and feel pretty cool while wielding it around. The shape/form, aluminum construction, and quality build of the Spyder 3 laser and LaserSaber combo have a great weight and feel.
The base of the LaserSaber is made of the same high quality aircraft-grade aluminum as the Spyder 3 lasers. The blade itself is a 32″ polycarbonate diffusion tube. The blade is nice looking, but it feels like it is not up to doing true combat like the Battle Blades the Gadgeteer Kid and I created a few years ago. The words that come to mind are fragile, breakable. With a one watt laser lighting the blade, I would hate to break it, allowing the laser light to potentially harm someone for real. :-I.
Installation of the LaserSaber is quick and easy. Simply unscrew the Spyder’s protective lens cover…..
…..and screw the LaserSaber in its place.
The LaserSaber and the Arctic laser do look good together. Like I said, I would have given just about anything for this back when I was 11.
The Arctic’s one watt laser illuminates the LaserSaber very nicely, giving the blade a bright blue glow throughout the diffusion tube. Wicked Lasers warns that their protective glasses should be worn when using the LaserSaber. But, I found it really not that much brighter than the five watt LED lightsaber the GK & I built.
While I am not advocating you to try it, I used the LaserSaber without eye protection, and the best I can tell, I am no worse for the wear. However, it was a bit too bright when using in the dark.
The LaserSaber looks like it was created by a DarkSide Lord, (as you can see) there is no doubt it is a *cough* lightsaber *cough*. The only piece that seems a bit off is that to be a true Sith weapon, the blade should be blood red.
This picture of the three (lit) sabers from above, shows the relative/comparative brightness of the three. The LaserSaber is brighter and out shines the other two. But as you can see, the LED lightsaber we built is not far behind.
The LaserSaber has a magnetic system that enables the blade to ignite and shutdown like a lightsaber from Star Wars, “featuring an ultra smooth magnetic gravity system that can ‘power up’ and ‘power down’.” In the Wicked Lasers video above, you can see this feature in action at about the 35 sec point.
While the LaserSaber itself is moderately priced at $99, it is nearly worthless without a Spyder laser to illuminate it. The Wicked Lasers’ Spyder series start at $249 and top out at a cool grand. $350 seems a bit much for a sword that you cannot do battle with – let alone $1100 for the Cadillac 750mW Krypton laser & LaserSaber combo. I hate to say it, but there are many, much less expensive options if you are interested in buying a unique, well-made lightsaber-like sword that you can actually duel with. That said, if you already own a Arctic or Krypton laser and are a Star Wars fan, the LaserSaber is worth considering. Otherwise there are more cost effective ways to Jedi-Up 
May the Force be with you….
Product Information
| Price: | $99.95 (for the blade alone) $350-$1100 with Spyder laser |
| Manufacturer: | Wicked Lasers |
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Filed in categories: Geek Toys, Reviews
Tagged: Laser, lightsaber
Wicked Lasers LaserSaber Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 23, 2012 at 11:00 am.
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