Review: ARMY Bomb Version 3

I love BTS so much that I have two ARMY Bombs, wtf.
That’s right, I scoured the internets last year to find an ARMY Bomb Ver 2 and after a long exhausting search, I found it!

Noooobody had them, except Choice Music.  I cannot believe, one of the most popular, trustworthy KPOP shops that sells out of things in minutes had this damn bomb when it was sold-out EVERYWHERE! I can’t say I’m not lucky.  Or maybe…it’s destiny?  ʚ♡⃛ɞ(ू•ᴗ•ू❁)

Fast-forward an entire year later, I thought I was cute cause I already had the Ver 2 lightstick when everyone was breaking their necks to buy one, THEN BigHit drops Ver. 3! It’s a racket…but I’m here to review it!

They want our blood, sweat and tears y’all! All of ARMY’s college tuition, overtime and underfunded bank accounts.  Fly away my tiny dollars! Fly! o(╥﹏╥)o

I have to preface this review by stating that I have two other official lightsticks:  MonstaX and GOT7 Ver. 2.  This ARMY Bomb Ver 3 is THE best!
In terms of material, it’s still made of lightweight plastic, but the quality is in the embellishments.
First off, the damn package came dented and I was afraid the lightstick may have been damaged.  Lucky me (땡!) the product was just fine!

Apart from MonstaX’s lightstick packaging, this design is very nice.  BigHit stuck with the Beyond the Scene logo with their usual minimalist aesthetic.  The box is very sleek and cool.  I almost didn’t want to give it up, but a girl only has so much room.

When I opened the box, the first thing I saw was the top of the ARMY Bomb.

Not very interesting, but like I said it’s the details that count.  This Bomb came with: an attachable wristlet, cloth bag, user manual, customer rewards card, AND PHOTOCARDS!
I’m skipping to the photocards.  They’re glossy, oversized and are tha shit.  Plus, there’s a card for each member.  No need to trade.  All ARMY can feel complete after one purchase. <3

My other official lightsticks didn’t come with a bag, but they all have a nice attachable wristlet so the lightstick is easy to carry around.  Ver 3’s is a mammoth.  No dinky, thin strap here!  It’s wider, softer, though a little shorter, and where it only said BTS on one side, it now has ARMY on the other.

They love us! It’s so beautiful we’re being included throughout this release and that they realized ARMY needed a ride or die strap.  Must be all those surveys!

The ARMY Bomb has the same structure as the previous version:  BTS block type font, clear camouflage pattern, rattle pieces (although now more misshaped as opposed to previous ovals and now they easily stick to the interior walls), and ignition wick.  The size is still the same, but can now stand on its own because of the built-in base.  ARMY and BTS return on the base of the hilt, with BTS being replaced by the Beyond the Scene logo and ARMY with our logo *hairflip.*
The feel of the bomb is a little bulkier – think lightsaber – with a new second button to pair to Bluetooth.  The hilt color has also changed.  Ver 2 is silver and black.  Now it’s just all black.  Also, there’s an ugly manufacturer’s sticker on the side that crinkles around the edges.  I’m definitely removing it with Goo Gone so there won’t be leftover adhesive.
What I love most about this version is the inclusion of the BTS logo in the center of the Bomb.  It’s such an attractive feature, and when lit, it’s mesmerizing.

AGAIN! These *clap* embellishments *clap* are giving me heart palpitations.  BigHit and BTS must love ARMY ridiculously.  We’re now visually represented on this ARMY Bomb twice, they want us to stop getting wrist burns AND we can now stand this lightstick up without jimmy-rigging it for our display. (๑˃̵ᴗ˂̵)و

This does require 3 AAA batteries and will last approximately 5 hours according to the user manual.  One thing you may have already noticed, that I do not appreciate with this release is that the opening to the battery container screws onto the hilt, and doesn’t line up with the design.  You have to make sure it does, otherwise, it just looks silly.  This issue isn’t as noticeable with Ver 2, but correcting this would’ve been better.

As I was writing this review, I pulled out the Ver 2 and realized I left the batteries in by accident since the release of Love Yourself: Her and it’s still working! That’s some serious shelf life.  In comparison, I forgot to take the Ver 3 off Bluetooth mode for two weeks and it still worked for my photoshoot! (ू′o‵ ू)*✲ﾟ

Once you slide the button up for the LED light, there are five settings to switch through by pushing the single button below it:  Keep, Slow, Quick, Flash and Dimming.
And lemme just say, the light on this thing is MUCH clearer and MUCH brighter than the previous one.  It doesn’t vibrate when turned on, which I don’t care about that.

But let’s ask the question, why were ARMY going nuts online about this version vibrating? There’s no vibration in manual mode. At. All.  Besides, Ver 2 vibrated like mad.  It’s not like we didn’t already have it lol.

Here’s a preview of Ver 3 in each mode:
[wpvideo tcF5IsW0]
 
Now, you’re probably wondering about how this works with Bluetooth.  I don’t have great news about this.  It’s defective AF.
I’m a part of several BTS concert groups on Facebook and many of the members are posting the same issue.  The damn thing won’t flash blue in the pairing mode.
Downloading the BTS Official Lightstick App allows ARMY to manipulate the colors of the Ver 3 lightstick in Self Mode for late night parties and also place the Bomb in Concert Mode to be controlled by BigHit at the concerts; hence, the spectacular multicolor oceans circulating online.
There’s plenty of ARMY videos that demonstrate Self Mode.  What I’m going to discuss is how I got mine to actually work.
My friend also got a Ver 3 ARMY Bomb which paired with no problem.  Each time she moved the button up, center or down, there was a click.  Mine didn’t do that.  My initial reaction was that the button wasn’t aligning with the Bluetooth symbol like her’s; therefore, no third clicking sound.  So what I did was I pushed the button down into the curve of the track with a little pressure.  BAM! It flashed blue.  I pressed the Self Mode button in the app and the rest was a disco.
I tried demonstrating this in another video (it’s much easier with two hands):
[wpvideo GhQg66qh]
 
Disclaimer:  If your Ver 3 doesn’t work after applying a bit of pressure, not extreme force, not using objects to push down on the button, nothing crazier than I did in the demonstration, just see if you can have the lightstick replaced.
The User Manual does recommend visiting the concert Help Desk for assistance or email btslightstickver3@compactd.com.
I’ve also read in one of the Facebook groups that the Help Desk might replace ARMY Bombs if they’re defective and that 1:1 Inquiry customer service in the BigHit Shop can be notified of the problem and will respond after a day’s time.
Regardless, my opinion is….that this release is AMAZING! Even my iGOT7 friend remarked about the quality.  I stand by my assessment that BigHit listened to ARMY for this release.  We’ve paid so much of our hard earned cash in love for BTS and BigHit clearly reinvested it.  A lot of thought went into this version, including the shipping.  I’ll admit I was disappointed at first that BigHit nullified fan coordinated light oceans, but in hindsight we’re saving money and efforts can be invested in more creative opportunities.  Really, the only downside to Ver 3 is that the Bluetooth function may not work with each product.  Otherwise, I’m in love with this release.  Please BigHit, don’t drop anymore LOL!
If you would like to purchase a Ver 3 ARMY Bomb, visit BigHit Shop.  Ver 2 will not be controlled at the concerts. Packages ship within the US via UPS.  Once I received notification that “Shipping is Complete,” I received a second email entirely in Korean with a tracking number (출고번호).  The package got here in a week’s time.
Or, just buy one at the concert.  It’s a separate line.  Swear, they ought to be much shorter.