No worries
halliwax, nothing wrong with a healthy debate. You always bring something good to the table whether it be here or the other forums I see you in. Like you, I don't have a Starkiller hilt yet either. I'm on the V2 Fx run currently and will definitely be in on Dan's Hero run whenever it pops up. So soon enough I can finally say I have one in my collection. I too would love to see uneven rings and a smooth box Hero.
The static Heroes I own are the MR LE and Elite Edition which we know are not 100% screen accurate so if Dan decided to do a static solid hilt, I'd be all for it and it would be the best Hero in my collection. On the other hand, to answer the question as to why anyone would want an fx version just because it had uneven rings, that's also the answer because (to my knowledge) no one has done it at least not in any of the recent Hero runs in the last couple years. Khal made a great Cave scene Luke Hero but it doesn't have the uneven rings (pull up any photos of the KR Hero and you'll see the rings are even). VV/EA made a great ISYHCANL hilt, but the rings are idealized (even) because they are covered by Vader's glove although it does have a smooth box which I really like. I know it must seem like such a small detail but isn't that what we as collectors strive for in the pieces we purchase?
I think no matter if you want a static, solid hilt or a hollow one for electronics (which could also be static), especially when it comes to canon hilts, we are all looking for it to be the most accurate it could be to what we see on screen. Also like you, I love Luke's ROTJ hilts, probably the Hero more than the V2 (by just a little bit) and SS (Yuma is last). There is always the feeling of wanting to have your cake and eat it too. I guess all I'm saying is there will always be a want/need for a Hero that is screen accurate whether it's the cave scene or the ISYHCANL in either static or an fx hilt. But I want it as accurate as can be which is why I'm sure we're all looking forward to seeing what Starkiller is going to do. As for some of the machine lines if it was an fx hilt, I'm sure Dan will figure out where/how to hide the lines if he hasn't already, like having 2 emitters (a display and one to hold a blade) as an example.
At the end of the day, I'll be happy with whatever Starkiller Hero we get, solid or fx. You don't have to twist my arm to convince me one way or the other on which one to choose. I'm good with either but can see cases for both. Hell, if he decides to do small runs of both to please both worlds, I would consider it (I know that's not going to happen). I'm just looking forward to having both a screen accurate Hero and V2 from Starkiller in my collection. Can't wait to see how this Hero develops and the ideas/thoughts from others.