Kingpin wrote: It looks within a reasonably acceptable spectrum to the real thing... which despite how it looked on-screen, was much more tan than grey (similar to how Kirk's gold tunic is closer to mustard in real-life).
See, now that is an arguable point.
I'm very much in the camp of there being two types of replicas.
A screen used replica, that is to say it matches the materials and paints used for the actual on screen prop rather than what it may have looked like on screen.
Then, Idealized props, which are more along the lines of "If this were real it would look like this".
There is of course also the middle ground, something more like "On Screen Replicas". That would be a screen used replica with modifications to represent more closely what was seen on screen.
To use my favorite example of this, the QMX Com Badge, would be an Idealized prop.
It's shiny, smooth metal and attaches via magnets to replicate the way we see them used in the show.
On the other hand, the actual Com Badge used in the show was resin, matte or satin finish, the black line was added on with a sharpie and it was attached to the suit via velcro.
Now some people love the QMX Badge, others wouldn't touch it with a Bat'leth.
An example of an "On Screen" version would be a resin Badge that connected via Magnet.
I don't know that I really lean towards one type over the other, it very much depends on the specific item.
Personally, I think that replicas stand best when they lean towards one.
When you start compromising to please both sides you end up with a a final product that no one is completely happy with.
Kingpin wrote: As for the fabric, while it doesn't have the ziz-zag herringbone pattern, this isn't visible at all in the film. If it's not visible in the film, and often not even in photos of the actual costumes, does it matter if this detail isn't included?
In this case,
YES. This is a custom made Replica suit, beyond that, it is a Premium Priced Replica.
Especially if, as Lowberg and abaka say, the correct type of fabric is readily available and even cheap.
Once released the suit will cost $300 + $40-$50 in shipping. If we take into account the accessories, Elbow Pads, Gloves, Belt, Hose and Connector, Name Tags, we can take around $100 off of that. Maybe $150 if you give them the "Premium" price.
That means you are paying $200-$250 for a Flightsuit that is, as you said yourself not even as good as an off the shelf Nomex, a suit you can get used for well under $100 and new for under $200.
Getting a used Nomex a size or two large used and then tailored to fit would still be cheaper or at worst equal to the cost of the suit at the preorder price. Except, then you have a suit custom tailored to your body.
Now, the real Flightsuit has a reason for being $200, it has to be a tough fabric that will put up with a lot of abuse, daily wear and tear and it needs to fire retardant, it is a piece of equipment.
The Anovos Flightsuit is a costume, it isn't fire retardant, it doesn't have to put up with abuse or daily wear and tear.
So why does it cost more than the real deal?
Kingpin wrote: Are the diamond pattern ones still in production? Is the diamond pattern visible in the film, or only in the production stills? I'll admit even I wasn't aware of the diamond pattern... I'm an off-the-shelf rubber glove guy.
Again, I have to lean towards, yes. The movie gloves had these features so the replica should as well.
Now, I can understand where that might be costly and in that case, sell them separately from the FlightSuit.
Yes, it would be a bumber to not have the "full package" but frankly you already don't, the one belt fob is not accurate to any used and is only the one so you need to buy them separately.
If you don't care about what is used in the movies you can just buy some washing gloves at the store or I even found my Chemical Gloves on Ebay for $5, they seem a bit thin but they'll work fine.
I think in the long run people would appreciate the accurate source of gloves and if they remove the gloves from the package"and the fob" then they could put that money into the suit.
It's a win, win, win. More accurate gloves, more accurate suit, more money for Anovos.
Lowberg wrote: I'm just eager to see the proton pack kit come out, I think with some upgraded parts some of the talented folks here could make it look legit
See, that is what I have a problem with.
You are looking at a purchase upwards of $700 and your thought on it is "If we spend even more money on this someone talented might be able to make it look good.".
How is that acceptable?
I don't know, maybe I'm cheap but if I were shelling out that kind of money I would be demanding perfection.