I agree with you on that.If there is quality equipment that accomplishes the same purposes for 60% of the price, why pay the premium?
Don't get me wrong, I like my Elcipse set-up, but the webbing isn't better than cheap webbing I've got elsewhere. The backplate isn't any sturdier or otherwise materially different from cheaper plates, and the wing isn't twice the quality of one that costs half as much. If I hadn't found mine on sale for $350 used, I'd have never paid full price for a Halcyon setup personally.
Halcyon BP&W set ups start at £800 here. I can buy other manufacturers set ups for £400-500 (I have no doubt that by picking components up here and there that I could build a BP&W cheaper if I tried). Unless someone can show me £300-400 of increased value between the two sets, there is no way I would ever buy Halcyon.