Hey Saberfolks,
As promised, here’s the review of my Ro-Lightsaber Starkiller V4 Mythos - hope you enjoy...
Before jumping into it, I encourage you to visit Ro’s website:
RO-LIGHTSABERSRoland has not only taken 45 photos, he’s also made an 18 minute video of the saber. The photos are absolutely stunning (and they should be, Roland is a professional artist / photographer, having worked with Cosmopolitan, Max, and Elite, amongst others), and they are a big reason why I’m the current owner of the RO SKV4 – definitely worth a look. For those who had not seen them, here’s a few...
When I started writing this review, I didn’t think that I would have much to say...
Well, seems like I caught a bad case of graphomania along the way... :o :shy: Next time I’ll just post the photos, it will be easier. I also need to apologise in advance for the excess use of superlatives – I tried to remain as objective as possible, but failed to contain my enthusiasm - I just love this hilt so much. :))
Background I have been a huge fan of Roland and Balazs’ work at RO since getting into the hobby. I was lucky to land on RO’s website when doing my initial research about a year ago, and I was blown away by the quality of their work. Their sabers just looked ‘real’, as if they came straight out of the movies. We started discussing a potential order in autumn 2012 - I was initially interested in his Starkiller V3, but given his backlog, I decided to go for a Kota, to make sure that I could get it in time for Christmas.
I kept thinking about ordering one of his SKV3... But Roland had mentioned to me that something special was in the works, and seeing the ‘teaser’ on his website about a ‘lightside’ version of the SK, I thought that it would be wise to wait for the new version to be released, to make sure that I choose the right one. When the SK V4 finally came out, I was astounded by its beauty – it was probably the most perfectly finished saber I had ever seen - a pure work of art. The bad news is that the saber was unique, a one-off, and Roland didn’t plan on selling it. Knowing the amount of hours that went into it, I was not surprised to hear that... By the time Roland revealed his SKV4, I had already purchased a spot on VV’s SK Run II, and so I didn’t feel the need to purchase a V3 anymore.
Still, from time to time, I would go to RO’s website, to admire the pictures of the V4. And then, in early September, I saw the ‘for sale’ post on the forum. I was quite surprised that Roland would sell his beloved ‘baby’. I immediately got in touch with him, and we quickly agreed on a price that was satisfactory to both parties. However I wanted to limit my cash payment, and was initially negotiating with Roland do a part cash/ part trade (I have a lot of Star Wars paraphernalia that is stored away in cupboards). Roland was actually quite nice about it and open to the idea. But then I learned the reason why Roland was selling his finest creation: there had been a massive fire at his house, and he needed the cash – at that point I decided to stop trying to trade stuff away to save a few pennies and paid the full amount in cash.
On a side note, the burned Darth Vader mask that is included in RO’s Kota Mythos V4 advertising is not a special effect, it’s actually what remains of his Sideshow Life Size Darth Vader bust (and I believe that the video was shot in his house...) – so anyone interested in his Kota V4, please seriously reconsider!...
RO-Lightsabers Kota V4 Mythos Out of this whole purchasing experience, this is actually the only point that I dislike, and that makes me uncomfortable – if it wasn’t for the fire, Roland would have never sold his SKV4. And so, whilst in the end I get the object of my desires, the sale only came as the result of a disastrous event for Roland. I’ve sworn to Roland that if ever I decide to sell the saber (won’t happen!!), I would offer him the chance to purchase it; I also said that I would consider selling it back to him should he want it back at a later date.
SKV4 Review 3 points worth noting:
1 - I am not the most tech-savvy person on these boards. My lightsaber skills are limited to purchasing them – I wish I could solder and lathe stuff like most of you guys, but unfortunately I don’t think that it is going to happen any time soon. Therefore, apologies in advance if I cannot opine on the finer technical details of the saber, or if I get a few points wrong.
2 - Until I received the RO SK, I didn’t really understand how the concept of ‘beauty queen’ could be applied to ligthsabers – after all, these things are made for fighting, and with Flash on Clash, they should be bashed around to be able to fully enjoy them! Well, with this one I’ll make an exception... Whilst RO can build solid hilts (such as my Kota, for example) I am not sure that I would like to duel with the SK, I don’t want to tempt fate. I am quite happy for the ROSK4 to be my first Beauty Queen, to just look at it, and enjoy it as a hilt rather than a saber. As you’ll see, that impacts my perception and appreciation of certain aspects of the hilt.
3 – I have included when relevant comparison between the ROSK4 to my Vader’s Vault SK run 2. Both hilts are masterpieces, but each sabersmith has taken a very different approach in bringing them to life, and I thought that it would be interesting to highlight the differences between the two...
Specs (shamelessly copy-pasted from RO’s website)Saberhilt:RO & TCSS:Screw on LED blade holder style 20
Condition: Acid-Aged ( Heavily Weathered)
Scale: 1:1 full scale
Sound module:Petit Crouton Sound Module V2.0
Power Xtenderâ„¢ 2.0
Sound Font: TFU2 remastered (
SABERFONT.com - SABER FONT PAGE (The one stop shop, for all your soundfont)
Loudspeaker: 2W Bass Speaker
Current Supply: Li-ion 7.4V(2 x 3.7V) 1000 mAh
Blade: Led "Corbin style" Show blade 3/4"OD 32 inches
Led Emitter: LED Engin LZ4 10W Single Color Blue
Number of Die: 4
Dimensions (LxWxH, mm):7.0 x 7.0 x 4.3
Nominal Drive Current (mA):700
Maximum Drive Current (mA):1200
Thermal Resistance (°C/W):1.1
Max Junction Temperature (°C): 150°C (125°C for red)
Collimator Lens 8.7 deg viewing angle
Extras:Primary Crystal Chamber LUX Blue Led (Tibetan Quartz Crystal)
Focusing Crystal Chamber with LUX Blue & White Led (Aqua Aura Quartz Crystal)with Flash on Clash
Air Cooling System (2.5mm micro cooling fan)
Precision Vibro moto,Energy Modulator
Power level indicator
Recharge port 2.1mm, Kill switch
Box:
All of RO’s sabers are delivered in a nice wooden box, lined with black velvet(ish) fabric inside. The foam can be taken out, but I’ve decided to leave it, to keep my ‘baby’ secure. What I need is a nice MR stand with a mirror base to display the hilt properly...
Size:
The hilt has great overall proportions, well balanced width/length wise.
However, it is a rather long hilt, with a total length of 34cm (or 13.4inches). See below shots next to an Ascend and VV’s Starkiller for comparison purposes – the RO SK is a good 4cm (or 1.8 inches) longer than the Ascend and the VV SK II, both at c.29.5cm (11.6 inches).
I was actually quite surprised to see such a size difference when putting the SK hilts side by side – yes, the RO felt larger in my hands, but I did not expect it to be that much bigger. Diameter-wise, the hilts are relatively similar. Which brings me to...
ComfortThe ROSK4 hilt is comfortable to hold with one hand, especially at the ‘choke’ point in the middle of hilt, in between the back section (the core reveal) and the opening of the crystal chamber. However, I do not like holding it with 2 hands, for the simple reason that my upper hand ends up being in direct contact with the components of the crystal chamber - the 2 most forward rods are too far retracted to protect fully the crystal and the heatsink body.
Therefore, if I hold tightly the saber, my fingers touch the crystal, and I’m afraid that I’ll break something in the chamber if I’m not careful - Roland, please chip in if you are reading this and disagree... Anyway, that is a non-issue for me, since she is my beauty queen, and I’ll not be sparring with her...
Stating the obvious, due to its smaller size, and the fact that the 2 crystal chamber rods are further advanced and more solid, the VV actually is easier and more comfortable to hold, especially for duelling.
Aesthetically, however, I do prefer the 4-rods look that Roland has come up with. Worth noting that in his SKV3, Roland’s design was closer to the game design: