As far as the different saber types goes...
I've always felt it's important for all the aftermarket type companies bridge the Gap and utilize each others talents.
(and left over parts)
I like all the different saber types and the purpose of fx-sabers is to educate the potential saber customer as to
the options and levels of different Lightsabers currently available.
Be it replicas or customs...
Stock MRs, Luxeon Blades or Hyperblades.
I've been testing and reporting on the different sabers since we started
the site and add those companies to our "Recommended List" of worthy and honest Lightsaber companies.
People are spending a lot of money on their collections and we help them find what they want.
"Entry Level" Lightsaber.
With the MR's covering the Broad range of the spectrum as being the
Mass produced Hilts with 1 type of Jedi or 1 type of Sith Movie sounds.
LED strip type blade (light/mock Dueling choreography)
No assembly/installation required.
Priced from $75 - $135 New.
"High-Performance Level" Lightsaber.
The Luxeon and EL* has taken it to the Dueling friendly and removable blade
Custom or Mass produced hilts utilizing mass produced sound and or custom
driver electronics from the entry level sabers.
Various supporting electronics are available.
Some can produce visual effects and can be combined with sound from other sabers
for multiple types of custom configurations.
Requires assembly/installation.
Luxeon Bottom Lit Blade (Full Duel capability, choreography)
Priced from $175 - $600 New.
"Elite Level" LED component strip Lightsaber.
The Hyperblade Sabers up the ant'e not only in price but in features by creating an entirely custom
developed system with BOTH visual effects & integrated Sound.
The system is complimented by being able to choose from multiple Jedi or Sith sounds.
Configuration of Hilt and blade, be it removable or fixed is determined by user during construction & assembly.
Requires assembly/installation.
LED strip type blade (Dueling depends on assembly, can be built for Dueling or Display)
Priced from $ $600 - $1000 New.
"Elite Performance Level" Luxeon Lightsaber.
Using the new Ultra Sound and driver system or Plecter sound and driver system these sabers
are composed of entirely custom developed sound and LED driver systems with BOTH visual effects
& integrated Sound.
Some feature internal display components like Crystal Cores or Visual Dictionary styling.
Some systems are complimented by being able to choose from multiple Jedi or Sith sounds.
Configuration of Hilt and blade, for Removable/replaceable blades.
Requires assembly/installation.
Luxeon Bottom Lit (Full Dueling, Choreography)
Priced from $300 and up
Hilt design is only limited by your imagination, as there are many possibilities. ;)
As long as the Star Wars and Lightsaber Enthusiasts keep the demand
up, the products will follow.
I feel all the Companies and various levels of Lightsaber offerings
together make up an entire market and each has it's place.
They are "Art" to the consumer and cannot be classified as to what is better because of their differences and it is left in the hands of the Enthusiast looking for that special Lightsaber that they always wanted.
Although still vying for the Star Wars Audience...
They do not directly compete with each other and their co-existance offers a valuable variety.
One must simply have them all!
MTFBWY
always
YODA
(P.S. Plasma/neon based sabers have Glass internal blades and are not reviewed.)