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Author Topic: MASTER YODA'S HYPERDYNE GRAFLEX LUKE ESB REVIEW! - HOT!!!  (Read 24658 times)

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Offline levelnext

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MASTER YODA'S HYPERDYNE GRAFLEX LUKE ESB REVIEW! - HOT!!!
« on: October 06, 2006, 02:16:00 AM »
Well Master Yoda's asked me to post this for him and, oh well, here it is:

YODA wrote:

-----


Hello everyone:

Well I'm finally done with my HYPERDYNE conversion that I installed in
a Vintage Graflex and styled it as an ESB.

I'll start with the Electronics:
All the electronics are a High Quality Surface Mount system that is as
well put together as any other similar Radio control type electronics that
have low mounted components to improve their shock resistance.

The Blade Boards, V2 Blue.
3 individual PC type strips connected by teflon jumper data type cables.

Blade Tubes, are simply Dual Nylon tubes.

The Driver, V2.
Includes most all features imaginable with the different core pulse
rates and my favorite...
the movie flicker effect.
Slow, Medium or Fast Blade Ignition speeds and a selectable 9 levels of
brightness.

The Sound, Amplified L6.
That elusive snap hiss start-up sound many have been wanting is very
movie accurate

The Battery, 11.1 Volt and Charger.
The Battery is a relatively compact 3 cell unit and comes shrink
wrapped and pre wired.
The charger is an easy to use AC/DC alligator clip type.

So on to the installation... This required having numerous spare MR
parts around to complete and the conversion took along time to do because it requires hand
fitting and refinement to the users personal preference as you install it.

I wanted it to be as perfect as I could ; ) and to fit it all with in
the Graflex and have the blade be easily removable simply by loosening the
set screw (Red button ESB glass eye ANH).

First I decided to use an MR type of tube instead of the Nylon so it
matched my other sabers.
Both types Diffuse equally well...  you may still see some slight hot
spotting from the LEDs but it's acceptable once the effects are used.
If your going to duel with it, use the Hyperdyne tubes as it makes a
stronger set up.
The MR set up is weaker and harder to do but looks nicer if the intent
is to just display it.
I used the inner diffuser foam and diffuser tube that I fit into a
custom length polycarb tube cut to match the blade boards.
The Blade board jumper wires (teflon strip type) are a bit long for my
taste and I actually cut them down and stripped the ends and re-soldered the connections to allow the
boards to but together.
This set up is not as duel worthy as leaving the length of the strip in
place... but it allowed me to significantly reduce the dark spot created by the gap of the strip.
(I may eventually replace the teflon strips with a different type once
I find an acceptable replacement to allow it to flex more again, but as I said... mine is for display so
I'm not worried about it.)
Then I used an MR Blade Bottom connector to fit the Hyperdyne blade
plug into.
(Both the Nylon and MR tubes could be made to accept the bottom plug)

If you want your Blade to be used for Dueling then go with Hyperdynes Dual tube setup
as it will allow the blade to take the impacts it was designed for.
Th Dual Nylon tubes provide a strong set up and will take a lot of punishment.

I just wanted the polycarbonate look to match my other sabers.
Which is one of the nice things about a Hyperdyne as you can build it the way you want 8)

I also used one of these types of connector housings to mount the
driver plug into the Adapter in the Hilt.
I used a Graflex shop adapter because it's a deeper socket and allowed
me to hide the entire plug in the hilt as well as have a space to seat the custom made
housing for the inner plug coming from the driver.

I then moved onto fitting everything inside and quickly started to run
out of room as I got near the bottom, but everything did fit once I shortened all the necessary wires
and routed the recharge plug in a housing to hold it.

In typical saber layout fashion the Driver and sound board sit under
the adapter and the battery is at the bottom on top of the speaker.

The entire assembly is held in place by a plastic tubing that is used
for protecting the long flourescent bulbs.
I simply cut it to wrap the correct diameter and used 3M VHB Double
sided tape to adhere the tube to the upper mount and act as a support for the inner
electronics.
This also eliminates the possibility of any electrical components touching the metal shell of the
inside of the hilt.

After all was said and done (2 weeks later) I was able to start testing
it out.
The Battery takes about 3-4 times to charge it to get it primed enough
to hold a good charge. (typical of many "rechargeable" of amy make-up)

So here are my findings...
At Max Brightness Level 9... drains the battery way to quickly and puts
out more heat than one would want so I don't recommend using it at the brightest level.
It's simply not needed once the rest of the effects are set and an
acceptable brightness level for the blue is between level 4 - 5.
This will keep things running for approximately 35 minutes with flicker
and flash effects constantly going being triggered as well as multiple ignitions and shut downs.

The Shock sensor is mounted to the board so it takes a good whack of
the hilt to trigger it but this can be remedied by removing it from the board and attaching
leads that will allow the installer to mount it in a more sensitive manner.

MY personal settings are Movie flicker effect and Level 4 brightness.
I like the way it came out and it definitely is the brightest blade
available with the most effects built in to a complete working system.

My only suggestions to Hyperdyne were as follows:
(1) make an "optional" one piece blade board for eliminating the Gaps
for the purpose of display if not being used for dueling.
(2) Separate the shock sensor from the board so it can be mounted in a
more sensitive user defined location.

Other than that it's really up to the user to be familiar with the
system in order to achieve optimal operation and installation.

Also by making the blade plug in and out as I did adds convenience BUT!
Even though the housing for the inner plug in the hilt is held by a set
screw...
It's still plastic holding onto metal and if some one didn't know to
pull it straight out gently and decides to twist it around... it could dislodge from the screw and
it will ruin the inner components installation integrity.
So my advise is if you plan to make a similar "plug in" removable
blade.... Be careful with it when plugging in and out.

The only way to remedy this is to make a special adapter that would
have a channel in it that would match up to an alignment guide that would need to be glued
to the blade.
It would have to be a special design specifically for this application.

All in all I'm pleased with the set up,  but it's not for the faint of
Patience of installation nor is it for the faint of wallet because...
at $505 for the system $120 for a Vintage Graflex $50 for Grips and set
screw eye or button, Graflexshop adapter $25. $10 in misc plastic parts... AND you'll need
spare MR parts. Then of course...  there's the time it takes to do it.

Let's just say it's not cheap by any means and you really should have
experience soldering and installing to attempt this type of customized installation as I did with this
Vintage Graflex.

HOWEVER....
If all your doing is simply plugging everything in and sticking it in a
hilt with the fixed blade method it would be a lot easier as the Hyperdyne instructions on the
disk show you to do.

Essentially you can pull it out of the box and charge up and plug it in
and it will work. It all amounts to the installation integrity which is up to the user.

If you have an extensive or elaborate Lightsaber collection and want to
see how different it is in comparison to the Stock MR Sabers in your display... then this System is for you.

The attached pictures will show you a visual reference as to how mine
was done.

Also attached are the picts of the Hyperdyne, MR and My Graflex Luxeon
for brightness comparisons.
Both the Hyperdyne and Luxeon make the MR blade look weak and
underpowered.

________________________________________________________________________


Now on that note since I know everyones going to ask my opinion...

Hyperdyne system addresses the flex issue but is still a Saber blade
with electronics in it. As much as I like the way it looks, I wouldn't duel as hard or as much
with it as you can an empty blade.

Hence why I feel the types of sabers are in different categories...
LITERALLY
Compare the brightness all you want... but structural integrity are two
separate worlds and to compare or even debate the two is pointless.

"Empty Bladed Sabers" or "Component bladed Sabers"

A Luxeon is simplicity (at it's finest in a Graflex of course) and much
cheaper/easier to replace the blades and maintain it.

The Hyperdyne is a more complex system that requires more user
interface and because it's a component blade It shares this category as the MR does.
But it has all the features and advantages many originally wanted to
see in their MRs.

________________________________________________________________________


I've added this to my collection in my favorite type of hilt... now I
need to find just the right place to display it.

May The Force Be With You
always
YODA



AND NOW TO THE PICS:

click to enlarge!







MOVIE FLICKER EFFECT TEST VIDEO:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEcPtpoMHqc

--- levelnext says:     WOW Thanks Master Yoda for keeping us posted!  That's a sweet saber.

may the force be with you all.
« Last Edit: October 31, 2006, 12:14:04 AM by Yoda »
On a mission to constantly annoy C3PO!

--:CLICK HERE TO SEE MY COLLECTION:--

Offline Yoda

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Re: MASTER YODA'S HYPERDYNE GRAFLEX LUKE ESB REVIEW! - HOT!!!
« Reply #1 on: October 06, 2006, 02:29:46 AM »
Thank you very much for posting that Levelnext 8)


Offline levelnext

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Re: MASTER YODA'S HYPERDYNE GRAFLEX LUKE ESB REVIEW! - HOT!!!
« Reply #2 on: October 06, 2006, 02:35:57 AM »
my pleasure!
On a mission to constantly annoy C3PO!

--:CLICK HERE TO SEE MY COLLECTION:--

Offline Darthirishman

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Re: MASTER YODA'S HYPERDYNE GRAFLEX LUKE ESB REVIEW! - HOT!!!
« Reply #3 on: October 06, 2006, 04:55:00 AM »
Interesting that the Luxeon is not as bright as the stock MR, the Hyperdyne looks awesome, is this site going to offer the converison here
When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.  Then go find the person who has vodka and have a party

Offline vivan_cygna

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Re: MASTER YODA'S HYPERDYNE GRAFLEX LUKE ESB REVIEW! - HOT!!!
« Reply #4 on: October 06, 2006, 04:58:23 AM »
Truly magnificent.
Eat all the bacon!

Offline Gnosis

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Re: MASTER YODA'S HYPERDYNE GRAFLEX LUKE ESB REVIEW! - HOT!!!
« Reply #5 on: October 06, 2006, 07:58:46 AM »
wow!

i want!

"It is obvious that this contest cannot be decided by our knowledge of the Force... but by our skills with a lightsaber. "
Count Dooku


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Offline Darthirishman

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Re: MASTER YODA'S HYPERDYNE GRAFLEX LUKE ESB REVIEW! - HOT!!!
« Reply #6 on: October 06, 2006, 09:49:56 AM »
I disagree with the note that states that the Luxeon make the MR saber look underpowered.  In the picture to me it looks like the MR blade in brighter than the Luxeon, I have never liked the bright base which I know can never be eliminated, the Luxeon looks even lite but the MR looks brighter, the hyperdyne looks great but at a very expensive rate.
When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.  Then go find the person who has vodka and have a party

Offline SAESEE TIIN

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Re: MASTER YODA'S HYPERDYNE GRAFLEX LUKE ESB REVIEW! - HOT!!!
« Reply #7 on: October 06, 2006, 10:21:39 AM »
absolutely beautiful....That is the best saber I have ever seen in my life!

Thanks to Darth Nerdold for the sig!
Proud Owner of a Graflex V from Yoda!

Offline Darth Resev

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Re: MASTER YODA'S HYPERDYNE GRAFLEX LUKE ESB REVIEW! - HOT!!!
« Reply #8 on: October 06, 2006, 11:25:02 AM »
how is it fighting with
sig removed, ...animation not allowed

Offline trexy

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Re: MASTER YODA'S HYPERDYNE GRAFLEX LUKE ESB REVIEW! - HOT!!!
« Reply #9 on: October 06, 2006, 01:35:03 PM »
Looks much better than the Luxeon , I like the fact that it doesnt have the bright base.
What are the measurments of the blade?



 

Offline Knuckle01

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Re: MASTER YODA'S HYPERDYNE GRAFLEX LUKE ESB REVIEW! - HOT!!!
« Reply #10 on: October 06, 2006, 02:08:38 PM »
WE NEED A VIDEO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Force will be with you....always.

Offline Kyp Durron

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Re: MASTER YODA'S HYPERDYNE GRAFLEX LUKE ESB REVIEW! - HOT!!!
« Reply #11 on: October 07, 2006, 08:36:24 AM »
Saw this coming a mile away, I did. [/Yoda]   ;D

But that's because I frequent Jim's Hyperdyne forums.  ;)

A MOST IMPRESSIVE conversion, and I love the way you went about doing it, great job Yoda!!


-Kyp

2010...I certainly hope it's better than 2009 was! ::)
10/10/10~Well, so far with my Father's passing away, I'd say that this year was actually worse than 2009, even the fact that I now have a full time job (For now) isn't anywhere near enough to make up for that...so...maybe 2011 will be better? I'm not holding my breath... ::)

Offline Timmy-Wan Kenobi

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Re: MASTER YODA'S HYPERDYNE GRAFLEX LUKE ESB REVIEW! - HOT!!!
« Reply #12 on: October 07, 2006, 09:34:22 AM »
Wow.  :o That thing is fantastic!
The Hyperdyne system is def the brightest saber out there, but at that price, I would be way too afraid of breaking it to even use it.
That said, it is a dream saber for most of us, IMHO, and I like to think that I will get one 'one day'.  8)
Let's see some demo vids, I haven't seen a vid of a V2 Hyperblade yet, and would like to see what its' capabilities are.  ;)

Offline trexy

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Re: MASTER YODA'S HYPERDYNE GRAFLEX LUKE ESB REVIEW! - HOT!!!
« Reply #13 on: October 07, 2006, 10:35:54 AM »
I also noticed in the pictures that the blade is well secured , Looks sturdier that the MR



 

Offline The Abbot

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Re: MASTER YODA'S HYPERDYNE GRAFLEX LUKE ESB REVIEW! - HOT!!!
« Reply #14 on: October 07, 2006, 02:48:38 PM »
OMG!!!!! Can we expect a Video master Yoda.
LaserBlade:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/laserblade/id608879483?mt=8

The poster formerly known as Kit Fisto. Creator of the Force-FX sig style. Master of the 2 saber staff style way before Pong Krell

 

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