THE STORYWell, not much was kept secret about this new Force FX for 2007 for very long with our very own Yoda on the job. With a visit to Master Replicas offices last year he got a peak at the newest addition to the Force FX line: The Revenge of the Sith Yoda lightsaber. Much speculation was made about its size being relative to the other sabers already out on the market, but once actual pics of the saber started to hit the net we could see how small it was compared to the rest. So, once again being very excited about the purchase of a new FX I got into the first group order on the site. A big thanks goes out to sycor for that one!
I just put down my name for one and then had to wait for about 2 months and viola! The saber that everyone thought could never be made is now HERE!
THE SABER OUT OF THE BOXThe packaging for the Yoda is quite well done as all other new FX's, but there are a few tweaks that were made to accomodate the size of the Yoda FX in an already shortened FX box.
Cardboard inserts were made to go on the ends of the box to enclose the saber into the center. Adding a bit more crush area on the end of the box, which can be a good thing.
The design of the Saber is almost dead on to the prop replica, although the FX still had to be enlarged to fit all necessary electronics. The rubberized grips feel the exact same as the prop replica as does the center band. The matte finish lending itself to the High Class Jedi that Yoda was.
The battery compartment is the smallest to date with the battery holder being that of the 5th Generation 3 x AAA holder. It is squeezed into the body of the Yoda with no possibility of any more room.
The "pepper shaker" endcap for the Yoda saber. Listing the Copyright information for Lucasfilm Ltd and Master Replicas. Also, that which was absent from the Obi Wan saber but coming back for an encore on the Yoda is the "Made in China" stamp
The little details are all there. The small indentations around the pommel are there and pulled of quite well as being incorporated into the design of how the endcap unscrews and separates from the body to not disrupt the completeness of the design.
The "hood" of the saber is very well done and very strong. It does lend its look to being flimsy enough to where it might snap off with a twirl, but it is thick steel and will not break off very easily, so no worries there. There are also slight "crescent" indentions made along the curved edges of the hood(you can see ever so slightly in 2nd pic). which are present on the prop replica also, so there was no skipping details on that piece either.
The On/Off switch is in an IMPOSSIBLE to accidentally hit position. Surrounded by its own hood and recessed into the body. You have to purposefully either turn it on or off. There will be no blade shut down on mid spin with this one!
THE SABER IGNITEDIn Normal Room Light
In Low Room Light
WORKING REVIEWOkay, this saber is SMALL! The length of the Yoda Hilt is exactly 8 inches long. The Total length of the saber is 33 1/2inches from endcap to blade tip. Along with it being so small is the fact that it weighs very little compared to other FX's. The construction is mostly metal with the centerband being plastic along with plastic emitter and knob. The only thing I can relate how the Yoda FX feels when weilding it is that of a Fly swatter. Very lightweight with the ability to gain maximum velocity very quickly. Now I know how Yoda could move like he did with this saber!
The On/Off switch is very sturdy as it clicks from the Off to the On position and stays there. The faux green LED giving your thumb something to "grab" as you slide the switch. The saber is very comfortable in one hand with the black knob "greeblie" positioned inbetween your forefinger and middlefinger with the switch facing toward you.
The ignition sound is VERY LOUD and is the common ignition found on the Jedi Sabers.
The Blade is the thinnest of any of the FX's. More like a toothpick than a blade but the LED's are BRIGHTER than any other with a smoother diffuser than ever before. The color is solid and can be seen in the shade during the day outside. I didn't think it would be possible for them to make a blade brighter than the Luke ROTJ, but they did and with the smoothness that surpasses even the Obi Wan. Truly a Jedi Masters blade.
The Sound FX are reused Jedi sounds as stated before. The idle hum is smooth but a bit raspy due to the smaller speaker, I guess. The motion controlled function is superbly tuned and goes along with every movement well. There are only 3 motion sounds, 2 buzzes(one short, one long) 1 arc movement (one movement with direction change), which is the same as the previous Obi Wan saber.
The Clash effects were a bit difficult to activate and you have to hit the blade quite hard to get a response but they are there. There are 4 clash sounds: one hiss, one "blaster-bolt", one sizzle, one pop-sizzle. The deactivation sound is as loud as ignition and it is perfectly timed with the FX blade retracting.
THE BOXFor those that want a detail look at the box
Left hand back of box
Right hand back of box
The box incorporates not only the 30th Anniversary logo for Star Wars but also prominently displays the Master Replicas V year logo.
I was also surprised that it is marketed as the ROTS model and not the AOTC, but as I see the final design I can tell why.
THE COMPARISONMaster Replicas Yoda Force FX (2007) vs. Master Replicas Limited Edition AOTC Yoda Lightsaber Replica (2002)
As you can see there is a noticeable size difference. As well as few detail differences between each film version. Most noticeably being the clear faux LED on the AOTC compared to the green faux LED on the ROTS FX. Here you can also the the crescent indentations on the hood of each saber. Sometimes it the small details that count.
The sizing does seem to be correctly proportional to each section of the saber. Nothing seems to be enlarged to fit electronics or blade (luke/obi neck) but the whole saber was "upsized" to not only fit the electronics but to make comfortable for human hands.
The only thing that is wrong with the look of the ROTS Yoda FX is that it is pristine like the AOTC replica. The ROTS replica was presented as "battle worn"
FFX COMPARISONAnakin ROTS (2005) vs. Yoda ROTS (2007)
Luke ROTJ (2005) vs Yoda ROTS (2007)
Vader ANH (2003) vs Yoda ROTS (2007)
Obi-Wan Kenobi ROTS(2006) vs. Yoda ROTS(2007)
FINAL THOUGHTSI am pleased with the outcome of this saber. While it won't, or should I say cannot, be a saber that I use much in training it does make a nice display piece for any collection, especially for us Yoda fans. With the run of this Yoda we all now know that it is possible to make the electronics small enough to fit into most any design. So what might be on the horizon for future FX Lightsabers? Well, only Master Replicas knows for sure.