Nah... they are very cool... I write most of the software for them...

20 years ago they weren't. The technology didn't exist to manufacture them correctly. But now the fretboard is a polymer blend that plays better than any wood, has more sustain, etc. And if it's not hooked up to the software, it's absolutely impossible to see anything other than a dark fretboard.
You can get a little noise on the bridge pups if you are running the software, but otherwise they are as good or better than a comparably priced strat. (especially if you upgrade the pups, etc... like you would on any other off-the-shelf mid-range guitar). And of course a good set-up by a tech never hurts. The Pros have the higher end frets, hardware, pups, etc.
I carried mine (it's a white standard model; not a Pro) around as a second guitar when I was gigging, and played it several times. I rarely even get my Steinberger out anymore... just grab the Fretlight and jam.
Rock On!