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Firearms Monday: Bowcasters

This week's Firearms Monday is a bit unusual, as it details a type of weapon rather than a particular brand or model.  The simple fact of the matter is authentic Bowcasters from Kashyyyk are too excellent to overlook, and beholden to no corporation or company.  However, as bowcasters are individually crafted, they can be of varying quality and design specifications.  As a result, this review will not feature a rating, and will detail generally some qualities to look for when shopping for a bowcaster.

There are two main types of bowcasters out there, both with their own pros and cons.  The first and most common bowcaster fires explosive bolts, accelerated by a magnetic field generated by the polarizing orbs adjacent to the end of the bow launch shaft.   These bowcasters are loaded with clips usually containing about 6 bolts.  That may not seem like a lot, but the explosive stopping power of a bolt is more than enough to take out several enemies with a well placed shot.  Furthermore, the bolts need not be explosive.  Depending on the situation, poisoned or standard bolts can also be used.  Some bowcasters of this type also feature the option to fire several bolts at once, creating a spread fire effect useful in crowd suppression. This is a primary usage of bowcasters, which have an optimal range of 30 meters and closer, becoming decreasingly effective further out.

One of the most notable flaws to this first type of bowcaster is that the force required to draw back the cocking spring generally requires Wookiee-like strength.  However, noting the popularity of bowcasters with off-worlders as well as an attempt to adapt to modern times, many bowcasters now feature an automatic cocking mechanism to aid in firing.

The second common variant of the bowcaster is one that operates like a standard blaster, firing pure blaster bolts.  These bowcasters have an advantage over the standard explosive bolt firing models in that they do not require clips.  Instead, simply replacing the power pack will suffice for reloading, although the number of shots one can fire on a single power pack is more than most battle situations require from such a weapon.

The disadvantage to the blaster-style bowcasters is the lack of power.  A standard blaster bolt cannot compare to a magnetically supercharged explosive bolt.  However, blaster bowcasters make up for a lack of power with highly enhanced accuracy as compared to standard blasters.  If an explosive weapon is not for you, a bowcaster provides an extremely attractive alternative to run-of-the-mill blaster rifles.

One aspect of bowcasters that puts them above and beyond any other long range weapon is the price.  Bowcasters are individually crafted by Wookiee artisans from materials native to Kashyyyk.  As such, one would expect the weapons to be inordinately expensive.  On the contrary, bowcasters are given freely as gifts to family and close friends.  Furthermore, the average cost to an offworlder is around 900 credits, though the buyer will have to wait for a substantial period while the weapon is crafted.  Because each bowcaster is made as it is ordered, the buyer has a large degree of control in the customization of the weapon.

Bullet Points

Extremely customizable, whether you want a blaster style weapon or one firing a variety of different style bolts.

Exceptionally powerful, no matter what configuration is used.

Comparable range to many blaster rifles

Expertly crafted and artfully designed

Very affordable, especially if you are close to a wookiee or wookiee family.

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Tech to Look Out For: Blastswords

In this age of blaster rifles and proton torpedoes, most cultures consider swordplay a dying art.  Former New Republic General Han Solo once referred to the lightsaber as an ancient weapon, despite the fact that the Jedi Order was still intact in the year of Solo's birth.  However, a weapon has recently appeared on the galactic scene that gives serious fighters a reason to examine sword fighting.  Centuries old on its native planet, the Wild Space world of Adumar, the blastsword has come to the attention of the galaxy as a whole following its negotiations to join the New Republic.

The blastsword is exactly what it sounds like.  With a blade approximately one meter in length and a blaster tip on its end, weighting approximately 2.1 kg, the blastsword is a combination weapon that is gaining popularity amongst duelists and body guards.

The majority of the weapon functions as a blade, but the tip is where truly lethal damage come from.  The energy outlet, upon coming into contact with something when turned on, emits a blaster shot capable of killing fully grown humans.  The average capacity for the power cells which power the weapon is around 20 blasts. This energy outlet also produces a faint glow, which can make displays of the weapon particularly visually pleasing when blades fly in quick combat.  The blastsword also features curved hand guard which, according to New Republic pilot Wes Janson, "protects your hand and makes a nice bludgeon."  Naturally, the implications of such a weapon for close combat situations are enormous.

Used in honor duels on Adumar, the art of combat with a blastsword has become highly stylized.  That is not to say, however, that it can not be used in a deadly and precise manner.  Already, assassins, bounty hunters, and body guards are finding effective ways to make use of the weapon.

Blastswords range from 600 to 1500 credits, based on their quality.  Because of the relative newness the weapon has to the galactic weapons trade, blastswords may prove to be a valuable investment.  Here at Coruscant Consumer Reports, we will be watching the prices of stocks in the metals used in the blades, as well as power cell manufacturing firms to see if blastsword production may be on the rise.  If you're interested in the industry, consider purchasing stock in Ghephaenne Deeper-Craters Weaponmakers, a producer of blastswords native to Adumar. 

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We Apologize for the Lack of Reports in the Previous Week

The Holonet receiver satellites positioned around Coruscant came under fire by pirate forces, causing a communications blackout until the crisis could be dealt with.  We will resume normal posting this week.  Thank you for your patience and continued patronage of Coruscant Consumer Reports.

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Firearms Monday: Model C-22 Flame Carbine

Most of the firearms we review here at Courscant Consumer Reports are laser-based.  Occasionally, however, a weapon schematic circulates around the office that, while not laser-based, deserves attention.  This week's Monday firearm comes to us from Merr-Sonn Munitions and is quite literally a firearm.

The Merr-Sonn Munitions' Model C-22 Flame Carbine is a rather unique weapon in this day of stinging blasters and exploding grenades and torpedoes.  Relying on simple combustion, this carbine shoots a jet of flame towards ones enemies.  This weapon is likely to be seen as archaic by some, but is certainly one that will surprise targets when they are expecting to simply duck behind a low wall to hide from a blaster bolt.  Flamethrowers are most typically used by bounty and Jedi hunters, but have also been used dramatically by large governments for use in riot control. 

The Model C-22 is a much more effective personal weapon than most conventional flamethrowers.  The CR-24 and CR-28, also produced by Merr-Sonn, are much larger and much more expensive.  The C-22 comes in at around 500 credits, whereas the CR-24 will cost at least 700.  The military grade CR-28 is far more expensive, and not even worth discussing as a personal arm.

The C-22's effectiveness as a weapon for the average user comes from its size.  At just around 3 kg, this Flame Carbine is about the same size and shape as a traditional blaster rifle, allowing it to be wielded in a similar fashion.  The CR-24, by contrast, adds an additional 2 kilograms and resembles a large cannon, though its distinctive barrel betrays the abilities of the weapon.  Point being, you'll be able to surprise enemies when you let loose a blast from the C-22, but not so with the CR-24.

The CR-24, however, does edge out the C-22 in terms of capacity.  Its larger size includes the expanded fuel canister, allowing for 15 more bursts than the 10 granted to the C-22.  Furthermore, not having the tubing and fuel canister trailing from the weapon makes it a touch safer.

Final Thoughts

The C-22 offers superior ease of use and is a more cost effective weapon than most other flame-projecting weaponry.

The C-22 has the look and feel of a standard blaster rifle, making its use easier to learn and allowing it to be used as a surprise weapon.

The capacity is limited, but not so much so as to make it ineffective.

Final Coruscant Consumer Reports rating:

4 out of 5 deadly fire bursts.

If you're in the market for a flame projector, try out some models by Czerka Arms.  By most accounts, their weapons prove identical to Merr-Sonn's in testing situations, and depending on location may prove to be a better deal.

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Firearms Monday: T-21 Light Repeating Blaster

For a number of reasons, this blaster validates the existence of Courscant Consumer Reports.  Just because a blaster is popular, does not mean it is a good or preferable weapon.  Though the T-21 Light is standard issue for Imperial Stormtrooper officers and popular amongst the forces of the New Republic, it is so mainly for the reasons TIE Fighters are: cheap and replaceable.

Anyone who has seen a Stormtrooper patrol has seen one of these blasters before.  Manufactured by BlasTech and sold for around 2000 credits, the T-21 is one of the most well-known repeating blasters in the galaxy.  This does not, and we cannot stress this enough, make it a good weapon.

We admit it, this blaster is powerful.  A single shot could knock a sniper from their perch, even in full armor.  However, the likelihood that you'll be able to hit a sniper is extremely low.  All repeating blasters are inaccurate by nature, but this design in particular is frustratingly hard to target.  The rifle is long enough to be mounted, but not quite heavy enough to justify doing so, leaving it as a very awkward personal firearm.

To make matters worse, the power packs for T-21's are notoriously small, especially for a repeating blaster.  While you might be expecting to just spray the enemy for 5 minutes, praying that you'll actually hit something with the awful accuracy this weapon provides, you'll find yourself needing to change power packs after just 30 shots.  Therefore, the weapon requires a much more precise hand than you would expect out of a repeater. 

To combat this deficiency, the folks over at BlasTech have issued an optional accessory, one that makes the weapon even more awkward to wield.  Rather than constantly replacing power packs, you can hook the blaster up to a back-mounted power generator and fire more continuously.  With the back pack generator, the weapon will weigh you down about 24.5 kilograms, more than enough to make a dash through enemy territory less than desirable.  Then there is the added danger of having an extremely powerful generator in a thin casing strapped to your back.  BlasTech has not commented on radiation risks or other dangers, but indepedent testing at Courscant Consumer Reports has confirmed that the backpack generator explodes real pretty like after just a few shots to the outer casing.

The range of the weapon, combined with its relative cheapness, makes it one we [unfortunately] can't ignore.  With an optimal range of 150 meters and a maximum of 300, the shots fired from this weapon will make it to your target, assuming you're skilled enough to actually hit them.  Unfortunately, one of the best uses of repeating blasters is to overwhelm your opponent in a deadly field of blaster fire, something much easier to do (and with fewer shots) closer in than farther away. 

Final Report

Firepower: Sufficiently powerful for a personal weapon, inadequate against any type of armored vehicle.

Capacity: Average for a blaster rifle, which is dismal for a repeater.  Unless you want to carry around a 20 kg. backpack that threatens to explode from a good rock to the casing.

Accuracy: Luke Skywalker may have been able to bulls-eye womprats in his T-16 skyhopper, but you'll be lucky to hit the side of a barn with  your T-21 light repeater.

The final Courscant Consumer Reports rating is:

One burning barn out of 5. Good luck hitting another one.

For the same price as outfitting a 4-man squad with T-21's, you can buy yourself a used E-Web and give the squad cheap pistols.  Repeating rifles are simply meant to be mounted.

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A Sniper's Best Friend: Camo Scout Armor

Commando units throughout the galaxy have employed the use of the same black jumpsuits for thousands of years.  These stretchy track suits are adequate for cover at night, but provide almost no protection and are more than worthless during the day.  Fortunately, our friends over at Creshaldyne Industries have developed a new form of armor perfect for snipers and commando units. 

Creshaldyne Industries is a relatively small company that has been producing quality armors since the waning days of the Clone Wars.  This time they've produced a Camo Scout Armor that is able to blend in to any environment.

The suit is interlaced with a network of miniature photoreactive fibers interlaced in the outermost layer of the armor.  These fibers are able to absorb the surrounding light and effectively mimic the current environment.  This makes the Camo Scout Armor far superior for camouflage purposes than the typical commando fair.

Further, the suit is effective as body armor.  Hard plates are woven into the fabric in critical areas to maximize protection across the entire body.  These plates, while strong, are made with a fairly light material leaving the suit weighing only 6 kilograms.  At such a light weight, the armor provides powerful protection without significantly hampering the user. 

Creshaldyne Industries' Camo Scout Armor is not without flaws though.  The color changing fibers are useful against the eyesight of humans and similar species, however the fibers do not absorb ultraviolet or infrared light.  Species who see in these spectrum are generally less effected by the armor.   Also, due to the desire to keep the armor light, there are no life-form scanner jamming systems present, meaning users will still be detectable by these scanning systems.

Breakdown

Medium scout armor: Interlaced with photoreactive fibers, though these are only useful against those with human spectrum vision.

Full body protection: Light weight, strong protection armor plates woven into the suit.

Price: Due to the limited availability of this armor, it racks up a steep price at around 6000 credits.

For these reasons, the Creshaldyne Industries' Camo Scout Armor earns a Coruscant Consumer Reports rating of:

3.5 out of 5 targets eliminated.

We would like to see an integrated comm system of future models, and perhaps more sensitive photoreactive fibers that could help address the issues of differing light spectrum visions.

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News to Look Out For: Calrissian's Plan to turn Dathomir into a Vacation Hotspot

Unconfirmed rumors have reached Coruscant Consumer Reports that business magnate and former New Republic General Lando Calrissian may be up to another one of his nefarious schemes.  This time, instead of an enormous mining colony or droid factory, Calrissian may be focusing on recreational activities.  The planet Dathomir, still largely unexplored, may be the site of a future resort owned and operated by Calrissian.

It would not be surprising to admit that you've never heard of the planet Dathomir.  The small class M planet is situated in the Quelii Sector of the Outer Rim, the fourth planet of the Dathomir system.  The only modern significance of the planet comes from it being the site of the defeat of Warlord Zsinj and the birthplace of the Queen Mother of the Hapes Consortium, Teneniel Djo.  However, this planet has a rich history which this reporter believes Calrissian plans to exploit.

While the former General has not commented on any plans of establishing a resort on the planet, individuals within Calrissian's organizations have suggested it as a logical move.  Plans have been floated about concerning a historical museum featuring recovered fragments of Zsinj's flagship Iron Fist as well as exhibits featuring the remains and history of the Chu'unthor, believed by Luke Skywalker to be a mobile praxeum for the Jedi Order before Palpatine's rise to power.

If history serves no interest for you, there have also been rumors of wilderness adventure events.  As the planet is largely unexplored, many see great opportunity for sporting and exploration.  Some have even suggested that Calrissian might try to bargain with the Singing Mountain Clan, one of the native clans of Humans on Dathomir, for some of their Rancors for use in riding and exploration.  The rancor, native to Dathomir, grows much larger on its home planet and makes for a powerful mount and protector.  Surprising to many is the semi-sentient nature of the species, which could lead to problems for Calrissian with sentient species rights activists.  Regardless, the beautiful natural features of Dathomir, including Singing Mountain, Frenzied River and Misty Falls, could make for marvelous tourist destinations.  That is, if Calrissian decides to go forward with plans that may or may not exist.

The native humans, known collectively as the Witches of Dathomir, have proven to be very honorable and enjoyable people, provided they don't try to capture you as a mate.  Some have suggested that their spellcasters (believed to be trained in some form of Force use) could put on spectacular light and sound shows, though others claim that the Witches would never use their powers in such a pointless way.  If they can be convinced however, Calrissian would have a guaranteed stage show that he wouldn't need to fly in from other planets.

It is important to reiterate that no official sources have confirmed or denied Calrissian's theoretical plans.  Only rumors floating around his varied organizations have even suggested the possibility of such action.  Calrissian would have to secure land rights from the Singing Mountain Clan and it's leaders, who were given the deed to the planet by Han Solo, who won the deed in a sabacc game with Drackmarian Warlord Omogg shortly before the defeat of Zsinj.  We here at Coruscant Consumer Reports will continue to watch this story and report as it develops.

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Celebrity Starfighter of the Day: Darth Vader's TIE Advanced x1

Many of the great pilots of the galaxy have a starfighter model of preference.  Some of those even go so far as to make modifications to customize their fighters.  Very few, however, are able to claim they had a starfighter especially designed for them.  But when you are over two meters tall, covered in armor, and able to choke your enemies (and subordinates) telekinetically, things tend to go your way.  This week's Celebrity ship is a starfighter, Darth Vader's personal TIE Advanced x1, a prototype produced by Sienar Flight Systems.

Darth Vader's TIE Advanced x1 fighter is best known for its rather humiliating defeat at the Battle of Yavin.  What isn't generally known about the craft is that it was a prototype for what could have been a fearsome new line of Imperial starfighters.  Fortunately for the Rebellion, the TIE Advance x1's were determined to be too expensive, and the line was scrapped, although many of its best design features survived in other TIE designs.

Darth Vader's TIE was particularly dangerous at the time of its design due to its faster speeds.  Though the ship was much more massive than the traditional TIE Fighters, due to the enlarged cockpit to accommodate Vader's imposing size and the additional rear deck behind the ball cockpit, it moved considerably faster, at around 105 MGLT in space and 1200 km/h in atmosphere.  The SFS P-s5.6 twin ion engines were later used for the lighter TIE Interceptors, known to be some of the fastest fighters in the galaxy.

To supplement its speed for combat deadliness, Darth Vader's TIE was more heavily armed than most other TIEs, featuring an upgraded pair of L-s9.3 laser cannons. Further, the craft was equipped with secondary cluster missile launchers. 

Another unique feature to Darth Vader's personal TIE is the addition of onboard shield deflectors.  TIE fighters of all classes are known to be shield-less, supposedly due to an Imperial pilot training doctrine that suggested pilots fly better when not protected by shields.  Already being a superior pilot, Vader saw no reason to limit his own protection for the sake of training dogma.  In that same vein, the TIE Advance x1 was also protected with reinforced durasteel alloy, rather than the titanium traditional of Imperial fighters.

As is evident in the above picture, Vader's TIE Advance x1 also featured an innovative bent-wing solar array panel design which gave the craft superior power and a reduced profile.  Because of the bent-wings, the TIE Advance x1 was also slightly more maneuverable in atmosphere, as compared to the flat wings of the standard TIE fighter.  This wing design proved so successful that it was later used in the design of TIE Bombers. 

One of the reasons the TIE Advance x1 line was never massively produced is the reason it was a much more effective fighter for Darth Vader.  His ship was equipped with a Class 4.0 hyperdrive engine and navigation computer, something unheard of amongst other TIEs.  The fact that this ship was able to travel long distances without being docked in a capital ship allowed Vader to escape Yavin when the first Death Star was destroyed.  This combined with the unique inclusion of life support systems to allow the Dark Lord of the Sith to fight another day.

Darth Vader's personal TIE was destroyed at the Battle of Endor in 4 BBY.  The high cost of this ship means the galaxy is unlikely to see a fighting force of these powerful craft.  Though a lesser grade of the TIE Advanced x1 was later produced, it was not nearly as powerful or capable as the original.  Many collectors claim to possess Vader's famed fighter, but the original's destruction was confirmed by those at the Battle of Endor, and subtle differences in cockpit design reveal the true nature of these fighters. 

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Firearms Monday: E-5 Blaster Rifle

This Firearms Monday we will be looking at an older weapon that, unless you lived through the Clone Wars, you probably haven't seen.  The E-5 Blaster Rifle, manufactured by Baktoid Armor Workshop, is a cheap, light, and powerful alternative to other more common blasters, provided you don't mind the inconveniences of using a weapon originally designed for droids.

Originally commissioned for the Trade Federation Droid Army at the outset of the Clone Wars, the E-5 Blaster Rifle has been rather unfavorably reviewed as a poor-quality knock off of a similar BlasTech design from a few years earlier.  Whether this characterization is fair or not, the E-5 is certainly a fair friend in a fight.

Compared to others in its class, the E-5 is an extremely light weapon, weighing in at just over 2 kg. compared to the 4.5 kg of most medium sized blasters.  In fact, in terms of weight the E-5 ranks much closer to a pistol than a full sized rifle.  This is due to the relatively short barrel and light weight material used in its construction, but both of these "features' lead to their own problems.

The short barrel results in greatly reduced accuracy.  This is not a problem for the droids for whom the weapon was designed, as their targeting systems allowed for much greater accuracy than is typical for a humanoid user.  Furthermore, because droid armies tend to operate on the principal of overwhelming firepower rather than precise tactical strikes, the accuracy of the weapon was considered secondary during manufacture.

While the materials used in its construction made the E-5 an extremely light weapon, it also resulted in it being extremely fragile.  The cheaper alloys are prone to overheating with intense usage, and the rifles can be damaged fairly easily by shrapnel and other combat debris. 

In addition to its light weight, price and power contribute strongly to the value of this blaster.  As the Trade Federation was focused on mass produced droids and weaponry for its armies, the E-5 is quite a bargain compared to other rifles.  For most blasters on the legal market, you would be looking at paying 1000, if not 1300, credits for a weapon in good condition.  A brand new, untouched E-5 will only cost you 900 credits, meaning the 100+ left over can be used for modifications to improve accuracy. 

In terms of power, the E-5 ranks right up there with more popular designs, as many of the strategies of the Separatist Droid Armies relied on overwhelming waves of powerful fire.  With some tune ups, the E-5 can reach power levels greater than that of the E-11, the standard blaster of Imperial Stormtroopers.  As far as capacity and range are concerned, the E-5 is roughly at industry standards for performance.

The Bottom Line

Firepower: The range, capacity, and power are roughly equivalent to more popular designs.  The accuracy, however, takes a fairly significant hit. 

Comfort: The E-5 is lighter and slightly smaller than most other blaster rifles in its class, but is also prone to overheating.

Price: At 900 credits, the weapon is a bargain.

The E-5 Blaster Rifle from Baktoid Armor Workshop receives a Coruscant Consumer Reports rating of:

3.5 out of 5 exploded enemies. 

Spend your savings on upgrades for accuracy first, and power second, and you can have a fairly powerful weapon for your arsenal. If you're building a droid army, leave this blaster as is for the perfect armament for your technological terrors.

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S9-series Heavy Power Droid: A must-have upgrade for your outdated Gonks and EG-6s.

Veril Line Systems's EG-6 and Industrial Automaton's GNK power droids have been the staple of mobile power generation for both the private sector and military applications for generations.  However, if you can mount the rather steep price tag, it is well worth it to consider Veril Line System's generator, the S9 Heavy power droid.

Have you ever wasted a day's worth of work because you had to repair a leak in a gong's fusion shielding, or spent an hour waiting for an EG-6 to overcome its natural desire to walk as slowly as possible?  Say goodbye to those problems with the S9.

The chassis on the S9 is far more heavily reinforced than earlier models, dramatically reducing the danger of radioactive leak from a poorly-maintained droid.  Being able to strengthen the shielding without making the droid overly unwieldy allowed Veril Line Systems to add a much more substantial power generator to the unit.  This power generator can recharge a starfighter in roughly the time it took an EG-6 to recharge a land speeder. 

The S9 is also much faster than either the GNK or EG-6.  Rather than the flimsy, single jointed legs of the earlier models, the S9 features heavy treaded wheels that allow for faster travel in more difficult terrain.  The power transfer cable included with the factory packaged model is 6 feet, plenty long enough for most recharging needs. 

One of the most insistent complaints about gonks were the fact that they were only capable of speaking Gonkian-droidspeak.  The S9, on the other hand, features a binary vocabulator, meaning it will be able to communicate with all of your current equipment.  With regard to bonus features, the S9 also possesses photoreceptors and a more advanced AI than previous power droids.  No more issues with Gonks running into corners and being unable to get themselves out.

Recap

More powerful generator than the EG-6 or GNK droids

More mobile than previous models

Better able to communicate

Smarter

The S9 is the businessman's choice for upgrading current power droids, with a Coruscant Consumer Reports rating of:

4 out of 5 power droids.

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Historic Speeder Bikes: The Original Starhawk

Today we focus on a collector's item, the Starhawk speeder bike manufactured by the Ikas-Ando manufacturing company.  These Clone Wars-vintage swoops are the forerunners of one of the most popular bikes for several decades to come, the Starhawk 2b.

While perhaps unsophisticated in their design, these bikes packed quite a punch in terms of acceleration and top speed.  This is why they were such a popular choice among pirates and raiders. Combined with the energy couplers that allowed for cargo hauling, and the passenger seat, Starhawks were well suited for hit-and-run smuggling operations.

The original Starhawks, before model 2b was developed, saw a great variety in design.  Some where equipped with twin blaster cannons, although many relied on the pilot's personal firearms for protection.  Later versions were also equipped with the ability to attach a sidecar, a unique feature for speeder bikes at the time.  

Many of the Starhawks you'll find now are emblazoned with the personal art of their original owners.  While theoretically this would decrease the value from an antiques-standpoint, with the correct art the value of these speeders could easily triple.  Some pirate gangs, particularly the more brazen ones, would paint their personal colors and insignias on all of their bikes, giving the bikes immense present day historical value. 

If you're in the market for one of these bikes, be sure to check over the engine.  Because the design was so popular, many have been retrofitted with newer repulsorlifts.  This gave them longer operating life and more practical usage, but generally ruined the historical value of the craft.  Also, in recent years salesman have tried to swindle novice collectors by selling modified Starhawk 2b's as original Starhawks.  It is important to pay attention to the placement of the control levers in relation to the front stabilizers.  2bs require the rider to lay more horizontally along the bike, while the original had a more upright position.  No matter how skillful the modification of the 2b, you will always feel like you're leaning forward on a modified 2b rather than an original.

Prices vary dramatically on these bikes today, as is usually the case with antiques, but if you're looking for an unblemished original or one painted with authentic gang insignia, expect to pay as much as you would for a cheap starfighter.

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Opinions from the Editors: AT-AT, Powerful Enemy in Need of Major Design Overhauls

Any Rebel soldiers present at the Battles of Hoth or Gormen can attest to the fear inspired by the Imperial All Terrain Armored Transports, manufactured by the Kuat Drive Yards in conjunction with Imperial Intelligence.  These massive, demonic, technological terrors have turned the tides in countless battles and have been known to defeat an enemy through sheer demoralization.

However, these troop transports are not nearly as insurmountable as many soldiers believe.  During the Battle of Hoth, AT-ATs were downed by being tripped or by a single well placed thermal detonator.  That such simple tactics could so easily defeat such a powerful enemy suggests that AT-ATs require significant design changes if they continue to be used with such frequency.

First and foremost of the design flaws is the ridiculous height of the vehicle.  While standing at roughly 22.5 meters tall (though this number is somewhat in dispute) is impressive and frightening, the body is supported by absurdly thin legs.  Furthermore, these legs require constant, vigilant maintenance in order to function properly.  Additionally, four legs is far from an ideal distribution of weight on the vehicle.  With only four legs, should any one be destroyed or sufficiently damaged, the vehicle is rendered instantly off-balance.  A more ideal configuration would be either 6 or 8 legs, leaving the vehicle more stable and better able to take damage.  Even better would be to lower the vehicle to a more reasonable height and add treaded wheels.  Treads would ensure that the vehicle maintained its all-terrain capabilities, as well as eliminate the possibility of tripping the vehicle.  Theoretically, treads would also increase the land speed of the walker, which is also a significant weakness.

The cockpit is another ridiculous design flaw, in my humble opinion.   Why, other than to give the appearance of some quadrupedal mechanized monster, would you put the command crew and sensitive equipment in a separate, easily discernible box?  The crew is forced to walk through a flexible (though armored) tube just to get to the cockpit.  This neck, while giving the head mounted cannons a wider field of fire, is a significant target for ground based forces.  Destroy this neck, and you've destroyed the walker.  Attach the cockpit to the walker and mount the cannons of movable platforms, and the AT-AT becomes significantly more secure for its command crew and passengers.

Another problem I see with the walker, and one that could be solved by putting it closer to the ground, is the relatively weakly armored underside.  As present, commanders are forced to deploy AT-STs in order to keep ground forces from firing rockets up into the belly of this craft.  While this is a fair solution, simply putting a little more armor on the bottom side of the craft couldn't hurt.  That way the issue of being destroyed by a single pilot with a lightsaber (or even a heavy fusion cutter) and a thermal detonator is eliminated.

Finally, I would suggest adding shield generators to the AT-AT.  You might ask, "Why would you do such a thing?  Normal ground force fire can't even begin to pierce the thick armor of this walker!" Well, the simple fact of the matter is that any area open enough for the AT-AT to walk through it is open enough for starfighters to make strafing runs.  Regular blaster fire might not hurt an AT-AT, but the laser cannons or proton torpedoes on an X-Wing certainly can.

These are just design suggestions from a Coruscant Consumer Reports editor.  Theoretically, there may be a reason I don't work for Kuat Drive Yards, and perhaps there are technical engineering reasons why these changes can't be implemented.  But as someone who sees thousands of schematics cross my desk, I can't help but wonder what is going on in the minds of Kuat Drive Yard "specialists."

[coruscantconsumerreports]

Celebrity Ship of the Day: Han Solo's Millennium Falcon

Last week's celebrity ship was the infamous Slave I, and this week we bring you the most famous vehicle the Slave I ever chased.  If former New Republic General Han Solo painted kills on the side of his ship, he'd likely run out of paint and space.  Surviving both Death Star battles and countless enemy engagements over its near century of service, the Millennium Falcon is one of the most dangerous freighters known to the galaxy.

Produced by the Correllian Engineering Corporation, the Millennium Falcon, was created as a YT-1300 freighter, but has since seen more modifications than can be counted.  Some historians and ship collectors have estimated that there is not a single original part left in the craft.  This, of course, does not diminish the immense historical value of the freighter, which was been reported to have been at the Battle of Coruscant in 19 B.B.Y. 

The Falcon is known first and foremost for her speed.  Modified heavily by Solo and the ship's former owner Lando Calrissian, this YT-1300 freighter may not look like much, but she's got it where it counts.  With a maximum atmospheric velocity to match even X-Wings, the Falcon  is exceptionally built for avoiding Imperial entanglements.  Furthermore, the hyperdrive system on the Millennium Falcon is twice as large as a standard YT-1300, a 0.5 Class Hyperdrive which can obtain speeds nearly twice that of most Imperial warships.  Han Solo is notorious for boasting about the speed of the ship, but is understandably quiet regarding how it travels as fast as it does.  "It's streamlined," Solo is reported to have said, although sources close to the Solo family suggest modifications to the system may have been made by the master starship tech "Doc" Vandangante.  "Doc" has declined comment.

The Falcon is not shy on weapons either.  Through the years it has been modified to include more weaponry than a small star fighter squadron.  Because of the chameleon like demeanor of the Falcon, and it's constant need for different weaponry, Coruscant Consumer Reports can only detail the weaponry it has been known to have.  No definitely list on current weaponry exists.

Armament

2 Modified Corellian Engineering Corporation AG-2G Quad Laser Cannons

Concealed BlasTech Ax-108 "Ground Buzzer" surface-defense blaster cannon

Arakyd ST2 concussion missile tubes

High-power Mark VII tractor beam generator

Minelayer

The shields are another impressive feature of the Millenium Falcon.  Though the generators have gone through several replacements, most famous are the "acquired" advanced Kuat Drive Yards, Novaldex, and Nordoxicon shield generators, which gave the freighter warship grade protection.  Since then, the shield generators have been replaced with New Republic military grade generators that offer even more protection.

The Falcon has numerous other features that make it a formidable foe in any engagement.  Amongst them are the triple-droid brain computer system which allows the freighter to be effectively crewed by only two people.  The navigational computer is far superior to that of most other freighters, allowing for quickly plotted, and more accurate routes than can reasonably be expected of a ship of this class.  The ship also contains a cryogenic hibernation chamber, allowing for the transport of injured crew or passengers.  Most infamous of all are the Falcon's hidden storage compartments, which Solo has declined to comment on the size of. 

The Millennium Falcon is really the queen of all combat enabled freighters.  Details on its interior systems are sketchy, and the Solos don't want to open up about them.  Hopefully one day, the Falcon will come to rest in a museum and all of her secrets will be available.

No estimate on the price of this ship, but if you're very lucky, you might be able to win it in a game of Sabacc. 

[coruscantconsumerreports]

Firearms Monday: HSB-200 hold-out blaster pistol

Last week we brought you an exceptional blaster (DL-44) from BlasTech, but this time around we have to focus on a negative.  Hold-out blasters have saved the lives of cornered innocents, made exceptional contributions as distractions in surprise attacks, and proved valuable allies to anyone who finds themselves suddenly unarmed.  As excellent as many BlasTech products are, the HSB-200 is a hold out to avoid.

The entire purpose of hold-out blasters is to be small, light, and easily concealable, and the HSB-200 is anything but.  Where as most hold-outs weight in at 0.5 kg or less, the HSB-200 weights twice that, nearly as much as the DL-44.  This is not surprising, as the weapon itself closely resembles its more sturdy cousin.  The closeness in appearance to the DL-44, as well as the HSB-200's considerable heft, have led to criticism that this blaster is only for show, and not much good for combat.

The one plus of the HSB-200's bulk is its range and capacity which, like its appearance, are closer to that of a regular pistol.  This hold-out can fire 12 shots, an astonishingly high number compared to the usual 3-8 of most hold-outs.  The number of shots you fire, especially if you have poor aim, can make or break any deadly encounter.  Furthermore, the HSB-200 has a maximum tested range of about 40 meters, soaring above most hold-outs.

While it may be exceptional amongst hold-out blasters, its important to remember that the HSB-200 is much closer to a regular pistol in size and weight.  It therefore lacks the stealthy quality that makes hold-outs useful.  As it stands, this blaster would be most successful if you're able to trick your opponents into believing you're carrying a DL-44, and simply hope you never have to actually fire.

Then comes the price tag.  This hold-out is sold for about 360 credits, completely overpriced for a blaster of this poor quality. 

Official Rating

Firepower: Great for a hold-out, terrible for a blaster.

Capacity: Great for a hold-out, terrible for a blaster.

Size: Terrible no matter how you slice it.

Official Coruscant Consumer Reports Rating:

1 dead Stormtrooper out of 5, which is as many as you're going to get, if you're lucky.

The HSB-200 would perhaps have been a much more effective hold out, had it been produced from this original schematic:

You're better off with a Q4 or a Q2, both from Merr-Sonn Munitions, Inc., the latter being slightly cheaper and the former being slightly more expensive.  Either would make a much more viable hold-out.

[coruscantconsumerreports]

Just because they aren't in demand any more doesn't mean you shouldn't consider a X-34 landspeeder

Luke Skywalker may have had difficulty getting a fair price for his after the XP-38 came out, but the SoroSuub X-34 landspeeder is still a reliable civilian craft.  Especially if you are willing to consider buying used, the X-34 is an excellent alternative to pricier speeders.

The SoroSuub X-34 features a convertible open-air/closed cockpit, ideal for travel in harsh environments where a sudden rain or sand storm could seriously ruin your day.  Carrying one pilot and one passenger, this is not a family speeder, but perfect for running errands or traveling to work sites.  The duraplex windscreen is retractable, but at the speeds speeders typically travel, it is not recommended. 

Speaking of speed, the X-34 has a max speed of 250 km/h.  Some sellers have reported the speed as being as high as 330 km/h, but SoroSuub has stated that any X-34s traveling at those speeds have been heavily modified, and should not be considered safe. Safety can be a concern anyway with this vehicle, as its default cruising altitude is around 10 cm, high enough to be a repulsorlift vehicle, but low enough that an unexpected rock could throw you off track.  The vehicle does feature repulsor counterbalances to counteract those dangers, but this should not act as a replacement for safe driving.

An exciting feature of the X-34 is its holographic displays and navigational computer, particularly useful on planets like Tatooine, where you may travel hundreds of kilometers with no visible landmarks.  Unfortunately, this plus is counteracted by the extremely limited storage capacity, only 5 kg, significantly less than the XP-38's 30 kg.

The price of the X-34 is a major factor in considering the purchase of this vehicle.  Considering that new X-34s are few and far between, you are most likely to find used models which sell for just 2,500 credits.  Compared to the 12,500 credits you'll spend on a XP-38, a used X-34 is an extremely attractive alternative.

The Breakdown:

Features: Convertible cockpit with retractable windscreen, holographic displays, and navigational computer

Top Speed: 250 km/h

Armament: None, this is civilian vehicle.  This landspeeder is also unarmored.

Carrying Capacity: 1 pilot, 1 passenger,  less than 5 kg of storage.

Coruscant Consumer Reports Rating:

4 out of 5 landspeeders

If you've got the money for an XP-38, consider the upgrade.  The newer speeder has a much improved cargo capacity, higher top speed, and a sleeker design.  However, the extremely low price of a used X-34 makes them an extremely attractive option.

[coruscantconsumerreports]

Tech to Throw Away: Bothawui Communications Conglomerate MultiNode Communications Link

"Can you here me now?  No? How about now?  Still nothing? Now? No?"

Not a good way to start off your covert operation, or even a satisfactory way of reminding your significant other to pick up more bantha milk from the store on the way home.  This is the fate that awaits you if you decide to purchase the BCC MultiNode Communications Link.

The Bothawui Communications Conglomerate seems like an ideal place to buy comlinks.  After all, who could produce better comm gear than the race that produced the expert spies of the Bothan Spynet?  As it turns out, basically anyone else.

This comlink model comes in very cheaply at around only 75 credits, and for good reason.  The spotty receiver is matched with its communication range of only 5 kilometers (compare to the SoroSuub C1 with a range of 50 km).  Even if you're able to pick up a signal from someone (no guarentees it would be the droids you are looking for), you probably won't be able to hear them too clearly through the static garbled, tinny speakers that come default on this unit.

The benefits of the unit (we admit, there are some), include its size, and its vibrate feature.  The BCC MultiNode Comlink is small enough to be mounted inside a helmet, or on a set of goggles, making it ideal for repair shops communications.   Furthermore, the MultiNode comes with a vibrate feature to alert users of new messages and communiques.

All in All: 

Ability to communicate: Pretty bad.  Poor reception and low distance.

Equipment:  About as light as most comlinks, but with a terrible speaker, making communication difficult at times.  The very small size is a plus though.

Rating:

1.5 out of 5 comlinks.

You're better off saving your credits and going with the device used for the ratings picture, a SoroSuub C1 personal comlink.  For 200 credits per unit, this is the choice of Imperial Storm Troopers and the Rebel Alliance.