I think the key thing here is to realize that eFX sounds like people who know what fans want (from their track record).
Yes, Hasbro has the MR Force FX Saber line, but they bought a manufacturing plant. No way they took that over with the intention of mass producing with the dies and molds they have and calling it a day. The fact that 21 (is that right?) sabers have been produced, says that the whole production line can be retooled for new products.
But, I agree with Chancelor Palpatine. I'm not looking to Hasbro to put out the good stuff. I think Force FX Sabers will drop in quality (materials used) and price.
BUT, on to the good stuff! The same line can also be tooled to run higher quality, more accurate, more expensive limited runs as well.
I'm semi-new to the saber world. How many 1 led power-up sabers did MR make? 1, right? The Radio Shack one. (Please correct me if I'm wrong, more info will only help). Well, look at the video on the Toy Teq page:
http://www.toyteq.com/light.movThat looks like the prototype to a long line of upgraded sabers. eFX are no dummies. If it was us, wouldn't you design a quality Saber, built well with a eye to detail and a decent cost for stock, but designed in it's guts to be modified by the fans who are going to end up trying to collect them?
Look at it this way, if money was no object...
Generic parent X was Xmas shopping, they might buy a pair of sabers for their kids to beat on each other with.
Not us! We'd buy one to leave in the box, one to display stock, and one, minimum to mod the heck out of... and that of just ONE style of saber!
I am looking forward to what eFX has to put out!