First Steps with a lightsaber: Using the function button on a Xeno3

So, continuing this series of articles and videos on how to get acquainted with your lightsaber, now your blade is installed, your saber is charged, and you've figured out how to turn it on. Now it's time to actually start using it. If you've picked up a modern lightsaber with a Xeno3 board, you may quickly discover that the single button on the hilt does far more than simply turn the blade on and off.

That's one of the big differences between a modern Xeno3-equipped saber and a basic toy or legacy-style lightsaber. You have access to a surprisingly large number of functions, but there's a catch: most of them are controlled through the same function button. That means the saber needs to distinguish between a short press, a long press, multiple presses, and sometimes the saber's orientation or movement.

It can sound complicated at first, but once you understand the principle, it becomes much easier.

This article is derived from a video tutorial series and all information is properly illustrated in the following video:

Start with your user manual

At The Saber Factory, the vast majority of our Nexus Sabers products use a single function button. There are occasional exceptions with two buttons, but when that's the case, it will normally be specified in the product description and the controls are explained in the user manual.

Looking for a digital copy of your manual? Check our saber resources page.

With a one-button saber, that single button can control a lot of different functions. The board knows what you are trying to do based on how you press the button and what the saber is doing at that moment.

You may also have motion controls and, with Xeno3, access to the Xeno3 mobile app via Bluetooth. So you don't necessarily have to memorize every command to get the most out of your saber. The app can make configuration considerably easier.

Why would you bother activating modes, changing colors and checking battery level by memorising what is the button control for that, when you have access to these functions at a glance on the app?

The basic Xeno3 controls

Let's start with some of the things you are most likely to use.

The familiar long press turns the saber on. Once it's running, the function button can also be used to cycle through sound fonts, change colors, adjust the volume and activate various blade effects. The first thing to know: controls differ depending if the blade is ON or OFF. You have an entire set of controls for when the core is on and the blade is off, and another entire set of controls for when the saber is ignited.

For example, you can change your sound font using the button, and that, of course, would be when the saber is not ignited. It's also doable via motion control, such as pointing the saber down and turning counterclockwise then clockwise (you always have to go back to your original position).

You don't like this control? It's all programmable if you're willing to put in the time, using the Custom Function in the app. Make your own controls. This is where Xeno3 starts to feel much more like a programmable electronic device than a simple lightsaber. 

Changing the color

Color selection is another useful function.

On a typical Xeno3 configuration, you can enter the color-selection function by holding the button until you hear the appropriate number of beeps or see the corresponding button flashes. You then cycle through the available colors until you find the one you want.

When you're using a dueling hilt with an exposed button, this is relatively easy because you can often see the button flashing as you move through the options.

But what happens when your saber has a hidden activation button?

Pro Tip: Turn on the countdown function

This is one of those small Xeno3 features that can make a big difference with replica sabers.

If your button is hidden inside a control box or somewhere else on the hilt, you can't necessarily see the button flashing. That makes it difficult to know whether you've pressed it once, twice, three times, or however many times a particular function requires.

The solution is to activate the countdown function in the Xeno3 app.

Once enabled, the saber gives you an audible beep as you press the button, effectively counting your inputs for you. Instead of trying to see a hidden button flash, you can simply listen: one beep, two beeps, three beeps, and so on.

For replica sabers with concealed controls, this can make the difference between feeling like you're guessing at the controls and actually knowing what you're doing.

Ignition effects and volume

The function button can also give you access to ignition effects. For example, you can select a different ignition style so that your blade doesn't simply turn on in the same way every time.

Volume control is another useful example. Blade off, short holding press (1 beep / 1 flash), you can cycle through different volume settings, including lower volume, mute and higher volume.

Again, the exact sequence depends on the configuration, so this is where your manual becomes important.

You don't need to memorize everything on day one. Learn the handful of functions you actually use, then refer back to the manual whenever you want to explore further.

Using effects while dueling

The function button isn't only useful when the saber is sitting idle. It can also be used during operation.

For example, Xeno3 allows you to trigger certain effects while you're dueling. After a blade clash, you can use the button to activate a lockup effect and then press it again when you're finished.

And there are battle modes you can activate, that slightly change the button function during battle, to make it easier for you. It is an additionnal layer of possibilities. If you look at it from afar you may think it's too much to know, but it's actually only added possibilities for those who need these functions.

This is one reason modern lightsaber electronics can initially feel a little overwhelming.

You don't have to memorize everything

If you're thinking, "I'm never going to remember all these button combinations," don't worry. You're not expected to.

A modern Xeno3 saber can have a lot of functions, and trying to memorize every combination of short presses, long presses, multiple presses and motion controls isn't necessarily the best way to use it.

Start with the basics: turning the saber on and off, changing sound fonts, adjusting volume and changing colors. Once those become familiar, you can explore the other functions.

And remember that the Xeno3 app gives you another way to configure and interact with the saber. You can use it to customize functions and, depending on the setup, create something closer to a simplified control scheme that works the way you want.

That's particularly useful if you don't want every possible function assigned to the button combinations available on your saber.

Xeno3 is only the beginning

The examples above are just a small selection of what you can do. Xeno3 has considerably more functionality, and firmware and configuration updates can add or change features over time.

There's also an important distinction between different electronics boards. Xeno3 is already very feature-rich, but boards such as Proffie can offer an even greater level of customization. So if you're coming from a basic toy lightsaber, the difference can be enormous.

The important thing isn't to learn every feature immediately. Think of the function button as the control center of your saber. Once you understand how its different commands work, you can gradually explore everything that's available.

And if you're ever unsure about a particular command, check your user manual first. 

If you're still stuck, you can also contact support and ask about your particular saber.

In the next step of the series, we'll take a closer look at the Xeno3 app and Bluetooth, including how the app can make configuring your saber easier and how to approach some of the common troubleshooting questions that come up when you're getting started.