Diamond Select Star Trek Tricorder
- Thread starter Pauleysolo
- Start date
WinstonWolf359
Master Member
I think it's easy to only see the faults in these tricorders because Diamond got them 95% correct, and it's easier to focus on the 5% instead of seeing just how overwhelmingly good they are.
Think about it from a different perspective: If a member here offered an unbuilt parts kit that was just as slightly INaccurate as the body parts on this toy is, and offered NO scanner, and NO electronics, and NO strap, and charged only $50 for it, there'd still be an interest list a mile long.
First of all, NO ONE has ever done a TOS tricorder toy even close to prop-quality. That Diamond has done two, and hopefully three different versions is pretty groundbreaking. I don't think it's hyperbole to say that this is probably THE greatest toy prop replica ever released.
Correct size and shape, sophisticated electronics package, and spinning moire pattern is already a BIG win for me, so I can forgive that the medical scanner "only" has sound effects. And I have to say that the scanner physically looks great. Down to the foil stickers and red lines they really nailed the look, and the grip also looks pretty darn accurate too. I don't care for the bottom of it, because that battery hatch and sound vent really looks toy-like, but I think I'll make up some kind of graphic to put on the bottom to cover that up anyway.
If I had the extra cash, I'd be stockpiling a couple cases of these, 'cause the demand is only going to increase once more people figure out they can have an accurate tricorder for $50. And it's likely that only this first release is going to have this level of quality, if the endless re-releases of the phasers and communicators is any indicator.
Think about it from a different perspective: If a member here offered an unbuilt parts kit that was just as slightly INaccurate as the body parts on this toy is, and offered NO scanner, and NO electronics, and NO strap, and charged only $50 for it, there'd still be an interest list a mile long.
First of all, NO ONE has ever done a TOS tricorder toy even close to prop-quality. That Diamond has done two, and hopefully three different versions is pretty groundbreaking. I don't think it's hyperbole to say that this is probably THE greatest toy prop replica ever released.
Correct size and shape, sophisticated electronics package, and spinning moire pattern is already a BIG win for me, so I can forgive that the medical scanner "only" has sound effects. And I have to say that the scanner physically looks great. Down to the foil stickers and red lines they really nailed the look, and the grip also looks pretty darn accurate too. I don't care for the bottom of it, because that battery hatch and sound vent really looks toy-like, but I think I'll make up some kind of graphic to put on the bottom to cover that up anyway.
If I had the extra cash, I'd be stockpiling a couple cases of these, 'cause the demand is only going to increase once more people figure out they can have an accurate tricorder for $50. And it's likely that only this first release is going to have this level of quality, if the endless re-releases of the phasers and communicators is any indicator.
NakedMoleRat
Legendary Member
An extra bank of data disks in the bottom compartment?
That's a bit of artistic liscensing. I like it!
That's a bit of artistic liscensing. I like it!
Ham Salad
Well-Known Member
WinstonWolf359
Master Member
The Med tricorder is $40 from Entertainment Earth, and the Science tricorder is $35 from New Force Comics. I'm not aware of anyone else that is beating those prices.
houdiniguy
Sr Member
so the REAL difference is you DO get more cool sounds and studd with the med piece right?
Are the screens the same? Tell or perhaps some side by side info.
How is the weight of it? Feel like you have something there?
I was curious how this compares to the MR Version?
I had one and they now go for over $500 each.
I know this is a toyu but curious.
Tom
Pic differences?
Are the screens the same? Tell or perhaps some side by side info.
How is the weight of it? Feel like you have something there?
I was curious how this compares to the MR Version?
I had one and they now go for over $500 each.
I know this is a toyu but curious.
Tom
Pic differences?
DrMcoy
Sr Member
I don't have the DST toy yet, but I can already tell you how it compares to MR, which I do own.
MR is much more pristine as far as fit and finish go. Parts that are supposed to be metal ARE metal on the MR -- main control backplate, knobs, moire disc, series of metal "tapes" in center compartment, side rails, side plates on lower compartment drawer, etc.
MR has genuine leather strap, I believe.
MR comes with beautiful display case.
MR control buttons are 99% accurate to at least one of the screen used props.
MR has mic speaker grill (above control knobs) that is accurate color and material.
MR has light up screen, flashing lights (all blue) and makes the warble noise.
MR does NOT come with any type of hand-held scanner.
As for DST, 99% of the people who see it would never notice how DST is different from MR -- but the people who post on this board obviously would.
As I said, DST not in my hands until next week, but I'm sure it will look very nice -- just not $300 nice...more like $35 nice.
Whether the MR is worth more depends a lot on what YOU want out of it.
For an everyday annoy-fellow-coworkers kind of toy or a costume piece, the DST wins hands down. In fact, the only way MR wins is simply as a "collectible" and for those that TRULY want a more pristine museum-like piece.
When I get my DST, I'll post comparison pics if someone else doesn't beat me to it.
MR is much more pristine as far as fit and finish go. Parts that are supposed to be metal ARE metal on the MR -- main control backplate, knobs, moire disc, series of metal "tapes" in center compartment, side rails, side plates on lower compartment drawer, etc.
MR has genuine leather strap, I believe.
MR comes with beautiful display case.
MR control buttons are 99% accurate to at least one of the screen used props.
MR has mic speaker grill (above control knobs) that is accurate color and material.
MR has light up screen, flashing lights (all blue) and makes the warble noise.
MR does NOT come with any type of hand-held scanner.
As for DST, 99% of the people who see it would never notice how DST is different from MR -- but the people who post on this board obviously would.
As I said, DST not in my hands until next week, but I'm sure it will look very nice -- just not $300 nice...more like $35 nice.
Whether the MR is worth more depends a lot on what YOU want out of it.
For an everyday annoy-fellow-coworkers kind of toy or a costume piece, the DST wins hands down. In fact, the only way MR wins is simply as a "collectible" and for those that TRULY want a more pristine museum-like piece.
When I get my DST, I'll post comparison pics if someone else doesn't beat me to it.
WinstonWolf359
Master Member
Since the science tricorder isn't out yet, it'll probably be at least another month before the side-by-side comparisons are possible. I would be very interested to see a side-by-side with the Diamond tricorder and an MR tricorder. I'm sure it'll really highlight the shortcomings of the toy, but I'm willing to be surprised one way or another.
The screens on the science and medical tricorders ARE different, and I think the moire patterns might be different too, but I'm not 100% sure about that. I've got a hi-rez pic of the screen art somewhere, I'll try to get it posted soon. I'm personally not that big of a fan of having display screen graphics, but the screen on the medical is at least based on a shot from the original series where the diagnostic bed readout was bluescreened into the tricorder's display.
The screens on the science and medical tricorders ARE different, and I think the moire patterns might be different too, but I'm not 100% sure about that. I've got a hi-rez pic of the screen art somewhere, I'll try to get it posted soon. I'm personally not that big of a fan of having display screen graphics, but the screen on the medical is at least based on a shot from the original series where the diagnostic bed readout was bluescreened into the tricorder's display.
I hope to have mine today. I am thinking of adding a filter (or tinting) inbetween the artwork and the screen to make it look more realistic. Also, maybe we can diffuse the 2 LEDs behind the screen so it will be lit more evenly. It looks wierd in the pics posted a few pages back.
Jhusel
Jhusel
WinstonWolf359
Master Member
Okay, here's the screen art for the science tricorder, medical tricorder, and the screen shot of the medical tricorder readout.
The medical one is okay, since it's actually based on a real scene from the show, but to me it really makes the whole thing look more toy-like. The science one is just plain dumb, I think. Once I have them they'll both be getting a coat of gray paint once I figure out how to crack open the top.
The medical one is okay, since it's actually based on a real scene from the show, but to me it really makes the whole thing look more toy-like. The science one is just plain dumb, I think. Once I have them they'll both be getting a coat of gray paint once I figure out how to crack open the top.
WinstonWolf359
Master Member
Also, if anyone is interested, I fiddled around with the medical graphics to make something that can be printed out and attached to the bottom of the med scanner to hide that awful battery door and speaker hole. You'll have to resize the printout, since I have no idea exactly how big the medscanner is.
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