Product is amazing, I bought the RGB variant of this product to add some new variety to some stage combat practice/routines. Couldn't be happier with the quality or functionality of the overall product. If anything, it has too many features rather than not enough for the "lower end" version of the product, so I'd be eager to try one of the Xeno-Pixels at a later stage.
Controls take a little time to get used to for anything fancy that you want to do with the blade (Sustained clashing, melting, activating the blade without the button etc). Not more than an hour or two of playing about with it, which we're all going to do anyway. The instruction book with them is very helpful and it's pretty intuitive once you get used to those features.
Assembly and basic maintenance are incredibly easy, outside of the "long-term storage" steps everything's super straight forward. Batteries charge quickly and seem to hold out really well on that charge, but I've not yet really pushed them with any sustained training/filming.
For the parts/feel of the product:
- Hilt seems to be a machined metal. Good weight and feels really sturdy in the hand. I removed the belt clip (Screw can be taken out) for when I had the handles attached in the double-ended style. Very comfortable to hold and good traction on holding it.
- Blade is really light, but seems hard to break. Not had it majorly tested, but anything strike so far haven't left as much as a scratch on it. Keeps the entire thing lighter than a stage combat training sword so you can definitely get some speed in the movements.
- Blade Colours are vibrant, and do lighten as it approaches the tip of the lightsaber, but that's not too surprising as full blade consistency is what the Xeno-Pixel is for.
- Fittings are sturdy, the screws for the blade haven't shown so much as a wobble from current use, but I imagine they will loosen slightly over the years as the blade's removed/attached repeatedly. Caps on the base stay well and the blade stays together nicely despite being able to be unscrewed.
- Double-ended use has the trade for the base caps and they hold together super well. With how they're threaded/screwed together there's no chance of them separating my accident. Speakers are surprisingly clear despite the connection point being a cover for where the speakers actually are.
Overall, I think this is a really, really solid purchase for either a first time saber or for a slightly cheaper practice saber while you buy a fancier display one.