The original helmets were vacuformed. EFX was provided with access to a screen used helmet, as well as the wood forms used to make the filming helmets. As eFX has decided to render their replicas in FG, there is significant work involved to make molds (plural) for that purpose. Also, if eFX didn't have that access, this helmet would be little better than any fan-based helmet available. For a collector, that pedigree is easily worth this markup.
Yep, I am aware of how the screen used ones were made. Even got to see one screen used scout helmet in person. The fact that they went about using fiberglass suggests that the wood bucks were 3D scanned, made "whole" and master molds were produced from there.
In the grand scheme of things, I'd say there's been a lot more quality and accuracy with fan-made items, some of which with the TKs, originate from movie-used suits. The logic that licensed replicas would be a higher pedigree as you put is a flawed logic. I have this debate with a co-worker often who argues that a Rubies TK should be 501st approved because it's licensed. There's a reason LFL/Disney asks the 501st to march in their parades and why their TK's aren't the Rubies $1000 craptacular spectacle.
I'm not saying the quality and accuracy is not there with their products, but I remember MR having issues, between the "idealized" stormtrooper and the Boba Fett helmet, in which they not only scanned the wrong helmet for it's intended version, but somehow, someone approved to let that "pinch" in the mandible to fly.
I'd guess eFX considered many other factors in developing their pricing model for the Scout Trooper replica.
Possibly, but when you see the cost of this compared to their past helmet products, I have to question why.
It's possible this pre-dates your involvement in the hobby, but in 2002 a quality fan-made Vader helmet - without any verifiable pedigree to speak of - easily went for $1K. And, I would know because I acquired both an ANH - VMO2 ($1000) and an ESB - CKing ($1,300). And they were worth every penny to me back then. The licensed, more or less direct-from-screen-used-molds, Vader that eFX produced IS A BARGAIN. To be blunt, as well as a little fanboy, I couldn't justify NOT buying one.
You're right, I didn't get into this hobby till about 2004-2005. I started out naive and bought a rubies jango fett helmet when I was about 13. I was extremely dissapointed with the stupid thing which prompted me to find TDH, and research from there on acquiring a more movie-accurate helmet. At the time, a BKBT was the best of the best for Jango helmets. I saved up all $275 I needed to buy that helmet kit. And I did. It was the best thing I had owned a that point in time.
As for Vaders, yes, I have researched into them as I was planning to build a suit for myself. It's ***** expensive. I question the prices on a lot of the parts because I see much more complex sculpting and tooling of various props that sell for significantly less than a Vader would, hence, why I believe that the fact it's "vader" is what makes people mark it up. When CSMclauren and bookface were offering FINISHED vader helmets around the $350 range, that's when I saw for a fact that there's no reason for anyone to spend on a $1000+ helmet. Ok, I got it, some of them are rarer and have a particular history that make them worth more. That's fine. But when I see that I may need to spend upwards of $500 for just the collar armor, I really question the value, where I can purchase a set of armor to make a nearly complete costume for the same cost it would for just one piece of a vader costume.
As long as the product meets quality control, that's up to eFX. The economy is now global and that toothpaste isn't going back in the tube any time soon. Candidly, if eFX chose to have these made domestically, I'd pay the extra - but make no mistake, the cost would go up.
Of course it would go up.
As Art said, that's what marketing and business are all about.
Then I choose to sell a burger for $5,001, to make it more exclusive and there will only be two in existence. *LIMITED EDITION*
On a screen-accurate (shape) Scout Trooper replica helmet? Not to me. I'd rather it was vacuformed, but that's another post.
This. this x1000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
It can be "accurate" in shape and form, but it's fiberglass. Not how the originals were made. But you know what? Just as EFX did w/ the TK's, I can see them coming out with a vacuum form version for the "econo-friendly" poor folks like me. If that happens, I'll end up purchasing one because
A) It will significantly cheaper
B) It'll be much more movie accurate
