FAQ

ELECTRONICSLEDs
Lightsaber electronics

We use only high end quality electronics inside our hilts.

What soundboards are used in Premium lightsabers? What opportunities does she have?

In our lightsabers we use soundboards of the CerbeRUS series, which are our own development and are same functional as foreign analogues and even better in some aspects.

Main characteristics:

  • Unlimited number of sound fonts*;
  • An unlimited number of sounds for each effect (swing, clash, spin, stab, blaster, power, combo etc);
  • Dynamic sounds of swings and rotations;
  • Additional inclusion sound for Crossguard blades;
  • Charging via MicroUSB connector with indication of charge and discharge;
  • Firmware update via microSD card;
  • Change of color profiles “on the fly”;

* By default, the lightsaber comes with 3 sound profiles installed. You can buy additional sound profiles and sounds on the website http://saberfont.com and install it on your lightsaber yourself.

Setting parameters, functions and various effects on CerbeRUS NeoCore soundboard is easily done through the special SettingsEditor.exe application, which can be downloaded on our website in the Downloads section.

Setting parameters, functions and various effects on CerbeRUS Core sound cards is carried out through special parameter files located on the Micro-SD lightsaber card.

Programmable soundboardboard settings:

  • Blade color profiles and styles of work (flickering, flaming, ignition speed etc);
  • Swings and hit reaction thresholds;
  • Volume of work;
  • Accent leds;

You can read more about the functions of our sound cards in the instructions for the CerbeRUS Core and CerbeRUS NeoCore boards in the Downloads section, as well as watch video reviews on our YouTube channel.

What batteries are used in Premium lightsabers? Are the batteries removable? How is charging done?

In our lightsabers, we use only high-quality Samsung batteries (size 21700, capacity 5000 mAh), which can provide high current efficiency and power to all electronics without large voltage drops.

Batteries are non-removable and it is not possible to independently replace the battery without special tools and knowledge. This solution serves to ensure greater reliability of the design of lightsabers, as well as to protect against the use of low-quality batteries, which can lead to failure of the sound card and electronics in general.

The battery is charging from a standard adapter with an output voltage of 5 V (NOT HIGHER!) and an output current of 1 A through the Micro-USB connector built into the lightsaber. Charging can also be carried out from a PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Powerbank with the same output parameters. Estimated time for a full charge approximately 7-8 hours. The lightsaber has built-in protection against overcharging the battery, so charging will be stopped after the battery is fully charged.

What speakers are used in Premium lightsabers? Is it possible to configure silent mode?

Our lightsabers use high-quality 2-watt bass speakers. Together with the Class D audio amplifier built into the sound card, which provides 16-bit sound, this speaker allows you to get high-quality and loud sound with the presence of low frequencies to give bass.

On all lightsabers, it is possible to set the silent mode through the settings menu. Switching to the settings mode is carried out by holding button 1 when the lightsaber is off, the volume level is changing by holding button 2 in the settings mode.

What LEDs are used in Premium lightsabers?

We are currently using the best Tri-CREE XP-E2 LEDs and NeoPixel WS2812, WS2813 LED strips (or equivalents), which allow us to provide the maximum possible brightness of the blade, as well as uniform illumination along its entire length. You can see more detailed information about these types of LEDs, their differences, pros and cons in the LEDs section.

Please note that when choosing Tri-Cree LED type, the lightsaber is equipped with a blade with a wall thickness of 2 mm, and when choosing the NeoPixel RGB LED type  – with a blade with a wall thickness of 3 mm (For better protection expensive led stripe inside).

  • Blades with a wall thickness of 2 mm – medium strength;
  • Blades with a wall thickness of 3 mm – high strength;

Tri-Cree LEDs

What does the type of Tri-Cree LED mean?

Tri-Cree LEDs are three Cree XP-E2 high power LEDs mounted on a copper or aluminum star-shaped base to dissipate heat. The diode assembly is mounted on a special copper module, which need for mounting the LED inside the handle, as well as for maximum heat removal from the diodes. A copper module with a diode and a focusing lens installed in it is installed directly in the hilt in the area of the emitter.

What is the difference between Tri-Cree 9W, 6 + 3W and RGB diodes?

9 W diode – the most brightness version of the diode, which is 3 diodes of the same color 3 W each (the main color of the blade). The brightness of this diode is the highest of all and is ideal for lightsabers that require maximum brightness of the blade. There will be no color flash for shock and blaster effects. The flash will be realized due to a short-term increase in the overall brightness of the blade at the time of the impact effect or blaster.

6 + 3 W diode – the same 9 W diode, which has 3 diodes of 3 W each, but instead of 3 diodes of the same color, there is 2 diodes of the same color (the main color of the blade) and 1 diode of a different color (to create color flashes) are installed. The primary color brightness of a 6 + 3 W diode is approximately 1/3 less than a 9 W diode. Ideal diode for those who need good brightness and color effects of flashes. Only few color shades can be mixed in this case.

RGB diode – the same 9 W diode, which has 3 diodes of 3 W each, but instead of 3 diodes of the same color, all 3 diodes is different colors are installed to create the RGB palette – red, green and blue (R – Red, G – Green, B – Blue ) Combining these 3 colors in various ways you can get almost any color and shade of the blade. For example, to get purple, you need to turn on the red and blue diodes at the same time; to get white, you need to turn on all 3 diodes at the same time, etc. The brightness directly depends on the selected color, red, green and blue colors will be at the level of 3 W +, mixed colors will be from 5 W to 9 W, depending on the color.

What colors are possible when using a Tri-Cree 6 + 3W diode?

This picture shows (on the left side of picture) the main combinations of diode colors, which we use by default in swords based on 6 + 3W diodes (based on obtaining the most interesting palette). The main color of the blade (2 diodes of the same color, 3 W each) + additional color to create color flashes (1 diode of another color, 3 W).

When using a CerbeRUS Core board with a 6 + 3W diode, you can configure additional primary colors and shades of the blade by mixing diodes with different power settings. The resulting mixed colors for the CerbeRUS Core board can be seen on the picture on the right (opposite the main color). You can configure which colors and shades to set for the main color and which for the flash via the profiles.ini configuration file (see the instructions for the CerbeRUS Core sound card in the Download section).

What colors are obtained when using a Tri-Cree RGB diode?

By default, when choosing a sword based on Tri-Cree RGB LEDs, 13 color profiles are set:

Deep red;
Red;
Orange;
Yellow;
Green;
Lime;
Cyan;
Arctic blue;
Royal Blue;
Purple;
Fuscia;
Pink;
White.

You can delete or add additional color profiles from the entire RGB color palette yourself. How this is done can be found in the instructions for the CerbeRUS Core board, which you can find in the Downloads section.

What is the working time of hilts with the type of Tri-Cree diodes?
One of the advantages of hilts with this type of diodes is a fairly long time of continuous operation, which can vary from 2 to 5 hours, and will depend on the color chosen.

What soundboards is installed when choosing a lightsabers with the Tri-CREE LED type?

The hilts based on Tri-Cree LEDs are equipped with a soundboard of our own design – CerbeRUS Core. You can watch a detailed description of it, features and video reviews on our YouTube channel.

What are the pros and cons of hilt with a type of Tri-Cree LEDs compared to swords with a type of NeoPixal RGB diodes?

PROS:

  • All electronics are installed in the handle;
  • Not a high cost of replacing the blade in case of breakage;
  • Great working time.

CONS:

  • Less brightnes of blade;
  • Less different light effects of the blade;
  • The inability to choose any color of the blade when choosing diodes Tri-CREE 9W and 6 + 3W.

When I need to choose a lightsaber with Tri-Cree LED type ?

When choosing Tri-Cree LED type, the lightsaber blade does not contain electronics and in case of breakage or damage of the blade, you can easily replace it with a new one. You can buy a blade on our website in the Accessories section. This type of diode is perfect for those who plan to organize active battles on our lightsabers without fear of breaking an expensive blade, and not required maximum blade effects. In short – for everyday professional saber fighting.

NeoPixel RGB LED type

What does the type of LED NeoPixel mean?

Neopixel RGB is two LED strips (144 LEDs per 1 meter), which are installed directly inside the blade in a special light-scattering protective foam. Blade lighted along its entire length and has a higher brightness than Tree-CREE LEDs. Another advantage of the NeoPixel LED strip is the ability to create various lighting effects of the blade, for example, such as smooth extension and retraction of the blade, the effects of beating off blasters and flashes in random areas of the blade, the effect of the “Flaming blade” and much more. All effects can be configured by using our SettingsEditor.exe application, which you can download on our website in the Downloads section.

What colors are obtained when using the NeoPixel RGB LED type?

When using a lightsaber based on NeoPixel RGB LEDs, you will be able to customize absolutely any color of the blade. By default, a lightsaber has 13 standard colors + several custom presets  of light profiles. You can configure additional colors yourself using our SettingsEditor.exe application, which you can download on our website in the Downloads section.

What soundboard is installed when choosing a lightsaber with a NeoPixel RGB LED type?

In the hilts based on NeoPixel RGB LEDs, a soundboard of our own design is installed – CerbeRUS NeoCore. You can find out its detailed description and features from the instructions in the Downloads section, as well as in video reviews on our YouTube channel.

What is the continuous operation time of hilts with NeoPixel RGB LED type?
One of the cons of lightsabers with these types of diodes is the working time. The LED strip has a very high current consumption, which can reach 10 amperes. The operating time of the lightsaber depends on the chosen color and the installed brightness and varies from 50 to 60 minutes. If you need to increase the working time of the lightsaber, you can reduce the brightness of the blade. Since the brightness of blades with the NeoPixel LEDs type of is much higher than the similar assembly with Tri-Cree LEDs, you will not lose the overall brightness of the blade.

What are the pros and cons of lightsaber with NeoPixel RGB LED compared to lightsaber with TRI-Cree LED?

PROS:

  • Ability to customize any color of the blade;
  • Highest brightness of blade in all colors;
  • A large number of additional lighting effects of the blade;

CONS:

  • Smaller working time;
  • High price electronics installed inside the blade;
  • The high cost of replacing the blade in case of damage;

When I need to choose a sword with NeoPixel RGB type LEDs?

This option like diodes is perfect for cosplayers and collectors, as It has the ability to play and adjust many different lighting effects for the blade, and also has a very high brightness. For fighting, a blade with NeoPixel diodes imposes certain restrictions, because the cost of replacing the blade is quite high. We recommend Neopixel installs for all not hard dueling events.