eFX Reveals Stormtrooper Hero Legend Edition Helmet!

[GINO]

As far as how the material selection affects overall cost of the item, it's hard to predict.
Contrary to popular belief, just because a product is made in plastic doesn't guarantee it's going to be less expensive to make over the course of development/production.
There are a lot of other things to consider such as complexity of the product, and time training the factory to produce parts that are consistent and meet quality standards, familiarity with the medium, assembly issues, etc.....

The PCR helmets were injection molded. Injection molding produces practically identical parts every time.
You invest a $ignificant amount in the tooling up front, but then production is fairly smooth there after.
You cannot produce injection molds for a sculpted form like a trooper helmet without sacrificing a significant amount of accuracy.
In doing so would lose every nuance captured from having something directly cast off an original.

Vac forming is a different animal entirely from injection molding.
Consistency of the parts is not guaranteed, and then the pieces have to be trimmed and assembled to spec.

Many in the hobby have done this without issue on a small scale.
But when you are talking 1000+ pieces over a short time (production time in a factory is scheduled and happens pretty quickly once the rubber hits the road), it's significantly more difficult.

We'll just have to wait and see.
In the end, just take comfort in knowing that whichever way we go will be in the best interests of our greatest number of customers.




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[Keith]

Which is going to be the greatest number of customers though....the fan boy or collector of accurate replicas?

Keith.

 

[Zombie Killer]

It is absolutely killing me, but Kristen said I should refrain from commenting... sigh...

Speak up!! No need to refrain. Tell us what you think. How often do you listen to the wife anyways? :lol :behave

 

[Zombie Killer]

OK sorry Gino, i was not familiar with the fab process of the PCR's, i thought they were vac'd also, that being said, why do 250 legend vaders and 1000 limited Vaders then go to 1000 Legend stormies? So are there going to be no Limited Stormies?

 

[GINO]

No prob. ZK.

Not every Legend offering is going to have a Limited Edition counterpart.
Sometimes it would make natural sense to do so like with the Vader helmets where the differences were some minor surface revisions and a paint change.
Or say for hypothetical example if we wanted to offer a variation such as an all clean version (Limited) vs. a screen accurate weathered version (Legend).

I don't think there would be a separation of editions for the Hero Trooper but you never know.

Also, after the Vader fiasco, the last thing we want to do is offer a product so limited in edition size that we aren't able to get product into the hands of those who want it.
That being said, that edition size has to be large enough to be a viable business option.

For example, say hypothetically we were to do one large edition of the trooper helmet in fiberglass, and do a smaller edition of say 300 or 400 vac formed pieces.
There is the high potential for the costs of the development/production for the smaller edition size to not make it viable unless we charge an extremely high price for them (which could potentially price many people out of the item), or we end up losing money on the effort.

It's a balancing act for sure and not as straightforward as you'd think.
And right now we're exploring/evaluating all options.
It's an unfortunate reality that whichever direction this goes will end up disappointing some, but in the end the best we can do is try to accommodate the greatest number of customers.
It's impossible to please everyone, but it's not for lack of trying on our part.


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[Edwardowan]

For example, say hypothetically we were to do one large edition of the trooper helmet in fiberglass, and do a smaller edition of say 300 or 400 vac formed pieces.
...unless we charge an extremely high price for them (which could potentially price many people out of the item), ...

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Could be a clue right there. This might be how the Limited / Legend options potentially play out people!

 

[ComedicHistory]

You guys keep forgetting, we're not the only people buying these. Majority of the people aren't going to get the 'accuracy' thing. I like the idea of having the legend ed. be abs wonkiness and all. Let the masses have the fiberglass.

If you're buying a "Legend" version at Legend prices then you ARE an accuracy nut and NOT part of the masses. I get the "we have to remember the fan-boys" argument but they have their limited line - maybe not for the current release but there are tons of stormie buckets from MR's and eFX's previous editions. I agree with Zombie Killer, this will taint the Legend Edition line.

 

[Zenwalker]

Very disappointed to hear this as well.

To me this defeats the purpose of the 'Legend' line in the first place (i.e. to make accurate replicas of the original prop using the same processes and materials).

Hopefully eFX can work this out and possibly do a smaller run of ABS helmets at a higher price if necessary, along side a larger edition size of fiberglass lids. That would make everyone happy.

I just honestly don't see the point of doing it in fiberglass when inaccurate fiberglass versions of this helmet have already been done.

Like someone else said it's beginning to sound like a lot of hype/ marketing.

 

[KaanE]

I just honestly don't see the point of doing it in fiberglass when inaccurate fiberglass versions of this helmet have already been done.

You said it yourself.

 

[GINO]

As stated before (see earlier in the thread), the Legend line is defined by the pedigree of the source/donor item (screen-used/production made item/original molds).
This has nothing to do with the materials used to make it nor does it extend into areas of the item that are not meant to be seen from the outside.
When it makes sense to use the same materials, we will. When it does not, we won't.
We will almost always come from the standpoint of trying to use the original materials, and then make a substitution only if we feel it is the only viable alternative when all things are considered.




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[sskunky]

I think it should be called a limited rather than Legend. It has to be made exactly like an original to even qualify being called a Legend in my mind. OK it is cast from original but if it is not made the same as the original it is not a true replica but mealy a close copy.
I really wanted to get in on the Legend Vader as it is a true Legend in terms of what most people would ever dream of owning. Ok, it's had minor clean up but it is made of the same materials from the original moulds and finished as close to the original as possible being made in bulk in a factory. This Trooper is not anywhere close. It will be painted fiberglass and not from an original mould......End of.

 

[Nairod]

As wrote on EFX website, about the stormtrooper helmet:

"Our Legend Stormtrooper helmet will not only replicate the original helmet in process, but all materials, as well."

Not to put the fire, but it's certainly why many collectors would be disappointed.

But it's an old description of the futur product.

 

[Eagle]

is it just me or does this look even worse (quality-wise) than the cheapo £50 UK-exclusive job released a few years back?

 

[Juansith]

This is unfortunate, since the uniqueness for it is somewhat lost. Its still a great product, overall accurate shape, comes from a direct original helmet. But it now feels like a mass- production item, part of what made the Legend series feel special is that every single helmet was unique in its own way, and that every helmet would be an experience of the senses.
What do i mean by an experience for the senses?, that the helmets would feel exactly as an original one, your voice would resonate the same as in an original. To get the experience of Having the sensation you have an ot helmet in your hands.

You were fullfilling a childhood dream, now not so much.

Dont forget is not about having a helmet that just "looks" right. Shape accuracy can be achieved by many.

 

[Juansith]

Double post. But yeah im still sad

 

[SeanB13]

This HAS to be an april fools joke..

More like intentional misrepresentation to generate interest in their product under false pretenses....border-line Bait and Switch.

So what you expect us to believe is that after all the helmets that have been manufactured and sold in the past, all of sudden you guys realized that it can't be made the way you initially advertised? :rolleyes

"Sorry, those ads were a misprint, unfortunately that item is not in stock.
Oh but hey, now that we have your attention, can I interest you in this model?"

[...]

 

[OldKen]

Bought the legend Vader. Was going to get this!

Gino, you know I was more excited about this than ANYTHING!

No desire AT ALL to own a fiberglass TK helmet. AT ALL.



Hopefully you can convince Brian and co. To do a SMALL run of ABS...

This is really going to affect your hardcore customers (most all on the board) and I think it's too early in the game to lose the esteem eFx has gained in this community.

Arguing that it's what best for the masses is no different than arguing to make it symmetrical... (this is what eFx gave us hope of getting away from this line of thinking)

You wouldn't have a symmetrical helmet on your display... And I'm willing to bet the moisture farm you wouldn't replace your current ABS hero TK helmet with a fiberglass one...

Huge run of fiberglass... Small run of ABS.

No brainer.

You offer 400 in ABS... Sell out in 3mins.

No doubt in my mind.

 

[GF]

Well as a new collector and not a connoisseur of Storm trooper helmets fiberglass is preferable as it is a heavier duty material. ABS is way too fragile and I would not like such a fragile $500+ prop.

it's totally the opposite, drop a fiberglass painted helmet and drop a ABS helmet, I can guarantee you the fiberglass helmet will have more damage than the ABS helmet, paint will chip/crack ect... ABS is actually more durable because it's molded in white flexible ABS plastic, no worries of paint chipping or cracking, they use it for car bumpers and parts for a reason.



GFollano

 

[CSMacLaren]

it's totally the opposite, drop a fiberglass painted helmet and drop a ABS helmet, I can guarantee you the fiberglass helmet will have more damage than the ABS helmet, paint will chip/crack ect... ABS is actually more durable because it's molded in white flexible ABS plastic, no worries of paint chipping or cracking, they use it for car bumpers and parts for a reason.



GFollano

Yeah, but they don't make canoes out of ABS, do they? :love

 

[Art Andrews]

Yeah, but they don't make canoes out of ABS, do they? :love

Umm... yeah, they do! Old Towne has been making canoes from ABS for years! Not sure what that has to do with the discussion (I am still trying to not comment on the direction eFX is going) but they do indeed make ABS canoes.