Well that's a huge difference. So this would just sit inside the Sabre tube
Yes, or you could hook the included transformer up directly to the machine like a regular neon tube and it should operate (flash on and off with the game) in the same way as a standard neon tube.
Input says it is between 9-16 volts which is within range of a regular neon tube input at 12 volts.
The tube does look a bit thinner in diameter and slightly shorter compared to a standard tube though.
I guess it all depends on how "factory" you want to keep it. ($130 plus a $50 transformer for original versus $19.99).
EDIT:
Looks like someone in the US had the same idea-
http://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/wtb-star-wars-episode-1-lightsaber-assyIf you want to stick with an original $130 tube (which will need a separate transformer) I have a spare transformer you can have.
I wouldn't mind installing one of those red ones though just to have something different.