Picking the Perfect Cold Colour Saber

[Rossaldin]

Hi all! This is my first post (besides rule acknowledgement) and am in need of help help picking a colour for my first Ultrasaber. As a kid, I would draw pictures and dream of custom sabers so I don't know how I hadn't come across US before two months ago. I am still overly invested in personalizing everything I own, hence the questions below...

I want a saber with a cold colour, but more than anything, want a bright/realistic blade. I know UE and Standard mid-grade is another topic of its own so I will be able to find my answer for that based on the info I can collect here! From the endless searches I've done these past two months, my colour preference without considering brightness would follow this order: SRD or EG, DVA, AB, CG, VA, and then GB.

I've seen great comparison shots, but I do want to make sure to get it right given that I can't afford and Emerald Driver (I'm Canadian and the shipping charges + the currency conversion is huge).

The reason where my concerns come into play is that Tri-Cree seems to look pretty amazing, but only has limited options. I am a big fan of a teal blade and non-canon colours so this hasn't helped my decision process. Additionally, can anyone explain how the two diodes in SRD, EG, DVA, AB, and VA compare to a single LED or Tri-Cree for brightness? There aren't lumen counts on anything so it's a little hard to gauge.

I have been looking through this forum for a little while now and I'm impressed with how well moderated and how helpful everyone is. Any and all suggestions, opinions, tips, ideas, scientific backing, or recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

[123outerme]

Well, realistic is not possible. The sabers look (but don't sound) like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TEbUJZiDZs
Except for the close-up of the boss. The normal LEDs (not TRI) still are astoundingly bright, though. And I agree, someone should post a lumen count spreadsheet for each color.

[Rossaldin]

Well, realistic is not possible. The sabers look (but don't sound) like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TEbUJZiDZs
Except for the close-up of the boss. The normal LEDs (not TRI) still are astoundingly bright, though. And I agree, someone should post a lumen count spreadsheet for each color.

I know that "realistic" isn't possible (after all it is fantasy), but the brighter the blade, the closer to being realistic in my mind. And yes, great idea on a lumen spreadsheet!

http://www.saberforum.com/index.php?topic=3532.0
http://www.saberforum.com/index.php?topic=15681.0

The above are the best reference points I've seen for showing diversity, but from the sounds of things, they aren't quite as helpful for showing the actual look. Anyone know of a link for that? I'd love to see that for Tri-Cree CG with SRD and EG.

[ArtoriusaurusRex]

Well, realistic is not possible. The sabers look (but don't sound) like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TEbUJZiDZs
Except for the close-up of the boss. The normal LEDs (not TRI) still are astoundingly bright, though. And I agree, someone should post a lumen count spreadsheet for each color.

I think that commercial might be underselling the brightness a bit.

[Darth Justicar]

May I assume you intend to be something other than a Sith?

Do you have a particular costume you intend to wear when you use that saber?  If so, its color(s) could have some bearing on how your saber would look.  And, while you don't need to share this information with anyone, your skin tone (or whatever makeup you intend to use, or whether ALL of your skin will be covered) may also influence what colors look best for you.  For instance my skin tone is such that yellow and orange may not be the most flattering to my face, whereas for someone else that would work very well.  Since you prefer cool colors it may well be that you've already taken that into consideration but I thought I'd ask anyway.

[Rossaldin]

May I assume you intend to be something other than a Sith?

Do you have a particular costume you intend to wear when you use that saber?  If so, its color(s) could have some bearing on how your saber would look.  And, while you don't need to share this information with anyone, your skin tone (or whatever makeup you intend to use, or whether ALL of your skin will be covered) may also influence what colors look best for you.  For instance my skin tone is such that yellow and orange may not be the most flattering to my face, whereas for someone else that would work very well.  Since you prefer cool colors it may well be that you've already taken that into consideration but I thought I'd ask anyway.

Not really going for the Sith vibe, no.

The human eye can detect more shades of green than any other colour so it makes sense to find green light more appealing than red. Another reason for the cold colour preference is that Hoth has always resonated with me as a Canadian who grew up LOVING that opening scene.

I'm a short white guy with green eyes, but I won't be doing much in the costume department as I only have a couple friends as interested in the universe as I am. I'm happy enough to practice spins and play around with a bit of customization.

[Kouri]

The RGB LEDs used to make mixed colors should be a bit brighter than a single Cree but not quite as bright as a Tri-cree.

Stuck a US RGB LED into a converted MR Vader for a friend with a few switches to change colors. 32" blade to balance blade length and brightness. He loves the thing. Blue and Green make for a really nice Arctic Blue when wired together at even resistance, but the color drops to Sunrider's Destiny when the batteries get low.

https://www.instagram.com/p/-DA8HaMnmH/

The only way you're getting a brighter SrD is voiding your warranty and commissioning someone to wire up a custom Green-Green-Blue Tri-Cree or Cyan-Cyan-Cyan Tri-Rebel.

[123outerme]

I think that commercial might be underselling the brightness a bit.

I agree, as it is an old commercial. But as for what the blade looks like (solid color, no white core) then it's accurate enough.

[LiquidElectron]

I agree, as it is an old commercial. But as for what the blade looks like (solid color, no white core) then it's accurate enough.

It's an older commercial, sir, but it check out.  I was about to clear it.  /nerd alert

[Vyk]

There aren't lumen counts on anything so it's a little hard to gauge.

It's not that surprising that US doesn't post lumens.  For one thing, lumens can be misleading.  In theory, lumens are weighted according to the eye's sensitivity; in practice, that doesn't always work well for things as "peaky" as single-color LEDs.  Lens, reflector, and blade design also play a role in perceived brightness.  Also consider that US may want to be able to source LEDs from different companies but wouldn't want to update their saber descriptions every time.  Then add in problems from production tolerances (eg, either US errs on the low side and somebody says "hah, their sabers are dimmer than ours!" or they err on the high side and somebody says "look, they lie about the brightness of their sabers!").  For all these reasons, putting lumen ratings on would open a colossal can of worms without a lot of gain.

I think that commercial might be underselling the brightness a bit.

I think that's from way, way back when Ultrasabers mostly did Force FX conversions.  LED technology (and even blade technology) has come quite a ways since then.  Incidentally, that also explains the sounds; those are probably Force FX soundboards.

It's an older commercial, sir, but it check out.  I was about to clear it.  /nerd alert

I see what you did there.