Here is the long and short of it, Dave. I think the eFX Vader is the best thing to be offered up by them...well, ever. No slams, no hidden agendas. Then I see people slamming the pre-production pieces as inaccurate. Based on...what exactly? Second hand proof. Here is a piece offered up from the Baker molds. Basically, people who love the ANH Vader look (Remember, I am not on that list, ESB all the way) are being offered up a pedigreed piece. It is a piece that is better than just about everything else out there and on par with the DJ and the SL. Nothing else comes close.
Based on the proto pics, people have assumed the worst when even those pics have looked better than any other fan-made offering. Then we have people who are apparently disenfranchised that theirs is no longer top of the heap. People who have altered castings. We have people uttering cries of "Prove it!" because they assume Gino will not back up his statements...again. So, he does. Pretty clear images too. Then it is not enough. "Show us the divot" you say. "Well, it isn't there and here is why" is explained to you, and again...it is not enough.
Dave, nothing you have done since this has come about has shown you love eFX. If anything, people perceive it as you being one more voice trying to tear it down. I am NOT alone in this perception.
Now, since you brought up the Trooper, can you honestly tell me it was anything but idealized? Going back to MR, can you HONESTLY tell me that the Fett helmet was a solid piece? Much like you, I own MR and eFX pieces that suit my needs. Much like you, Vader holds a special place in my Geekdom. I want to see it done CORRECTLY. What we have been offered as fans is a top shelf offering. Nothing they have done helmet wise can touch this. I think they see now that people will accept the dings and dents as readily as they accept an idealized offering.
Now, as to behavior, I am trying to piece yours together as well. So far, all it has been is "Compliment, tear down, ask for this or that, compliment." eFX is not misleading anyone and frankly, people just cannot stomach that Bryan chose Gino to head this up. So, they are attacking, albeit in a subtle way, but still attacking. I am trying to defend a company that I feel is FINALLY doing it right. Quite frankly, I am hoping against hope that they see the sales and interest this offering has generated and offer up MORE screen accurate stuff. (ESB VADER PLEASE!)
By comparison, so was their trooper helmet...........best licensed helmet up to that point in time. Deny it. 
