Whew! ok, here we go.
The battery life does vary a bit depending on the color and on the type of batteries you're using. I would recommend getting the rechargeable Li-Ions from US because they last a long time and you can charge them in about 3-4 hours. I have never just turned any of my set ups on from a full charge and just time them for the run-time but I have had the same charge for about 5-7 days and I turn it on and play with it (bellicose with sound and the two Li-Ions) for <5 minutes here and there. On top of that I played with it for about 10 minutes 3 or 4 times and it stayed bright all week. Now, if you're straight up dueling, I've had it go for 4-5 15-25minute sessions, so a good 1 1/2 hours.
In my stunt sabers (ones without sound) I used to use the energizer ultimate lithium batteries because I have found good success with my laser pointers and other devices using them. But, they are expensive, like $10 for a 4 pack. They would last about 1-2 hours, can't really remember, but a lot longer and more consistent on mixed colors than regular alkalines. Alkaline batteries fade off in a steady slope so the color gradually shifts down towards red, (the color with the lowest power requirements). I got these to replace my ultimate lithiums:
![](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51uhmEZFtbL.jpg)
I got them on Amazon for like $30 and another 8pack of the AAAs so I could have them for each of my stunt sabers.
Charger and batteries:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003VLAEPQ/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i018pack:
http://www.amazon.com/Sanyo-eneloop-Pre-Charged-Rechargeable-Batteries/dp/B004UG41XW/ref=pd_bxgy_e_text_zThat looks kinda steep, but they have lasted longer than the ultimate lithium batteries, and held a more consistent color, been brighter, and you can reuse them. OVER AND OVER AND OVER for 1500 cycles. that rocks. I say, if you get a V2 saber that can't have the Ultrasaber installed dual trustfire Li-Ion set-up (inner diameter can't fit the battery pack) GET THIS! I must amend the V2 statement. the Archon V2 is in the category of a V3 as it is sound capable, and is the ONLY V2 like this. All other V2s (initiate/dark initiate, aeon/dominix) come with a standard battery set up. Most other sabers at this point are V3, or are sound capable and therefore Li-Ion capable. I have to stress that getting the $30 upgrade is going to save you so much money on batteries! you are going to play with that thing every day for months.. truly, you need rechargeable batteries and the set-up or the Eneloop solutions are going to save you wads of cash.
Customizations are all in your imagination, so whatever you want to do and however intense you want to get it could be pretty easy, or really hard. If you are going to weather it (make it look old or worn or beat up) it can be as simple as using a bit of sandpaper to lightly remove the black anodizing on black hilts or sections of hilts, or going more intense with several tools to give scars or paint and wipe to leave "residues" like a fake rust or something. You could wrap it with some cloth strips or leather (panels, strips, string) or cording or whatever. that's not that hard. You could glue doodads to it to add "buttons" or "adjustment knobs" or whatever. Be sure that if you go this route, you don't put stuff places that get in the way of your style of wielding it, that will just become really annoying. You could add sound if you are versed in electronics and soldering. If you don't know why the use of resistors is important in managing power then don't go that route until you have studied it more.. Like, not for your first saber or you will be sad.
Changing the emitter or pommel is easy as long as it is one of the MHS compatible hilts. Some sabers have fixed emitters so that is never an option for those. All of the V3 sabers and sabers with sound can swap out pommels, but only some can swap emitters. Just be sure to check before you buy if that's something you really want.
Grab bags are purely directed by the Force, so don't go that route unless you understand that you might get something you like, and you might get something that you will learn to like
![Wink](http://saberforum.com/Smileys/default/wink.gif)
The problem comes when hopes are raised for a certain hilt and you don't get it. I think this is an awesome option and you will always get a sweet saber. Most will likely be the V2 aeon or dominix but recently other things have shown up like the V3 versions of those two I mentioned. Anyway, it's a great and less expensive way to find out everything you want to know about Ultrasabers, and it will give you a nice base for a future customization project if you feel like you don't absolutely love it the way it is.. (i keep tossing around ideas for a couple of my sabers and then keep falling in love with them the way they are..
![Grin](http://saberforum.com/Smileys/default/grin.gif)
) I'm pretty sure all grab bags come with standard batteries, so get those eneloop rechargeables and you'll be loving life for a very long time.
You would love the dominix V2, but if you want to customize it at all, ie: weathering (sandpaper the finish to your desired level of age/wear) you may want to just go with the regular dominix, save a little bit and since you might wrap it or weather it, or paint the grooves, you'll really just be covering up the extra money you paid for the LE... just a thought. The LE is very nice looking though, so I'm sure you'll love it. I have an Aeon V2 and I love the feel of the hilt. so so so nice and easy to wield.
Bane's heart... go here:
http://www.saberforum.com/index.php?topic=4475.0 and:
http://www.saberforum.com/index.php?topic=8654.msg132652#msg132652I would say for any red end of the spectrum that mid-grade will give you the most rich color in more lighting environments hands down.
Hope this helps.
![Smiley](http://saberforum.com/Smileys/default/smiley.gif)
sorry for the immense reply, I just get going and well... you're welcome? lol have fun with your first saber!