Factory Entertainment Tricorder

[mrwax]

Yeah this is just so wrong. I’m hoping factory entertainment listens to the feedback for future releases. I want their trek prop offerings to improve.

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I hope they will too, however they've had similar issues with all of the TNG hand props, so I don't actually expect them to change their MO. What they're doing presumably works for them from a business standpoint. I'm just thankful that The Wand Company doesn't have the same approach.

 

[Tripper]

I hope they will too, however they've had similar issues with all of the TNG hand props, so I don't actually expect them to change their MO. What they're doing presumably works for them from a business standpoint. I'm just thankful that The Wand Company doesn't have the same approach.

Yeah back when their Dustbuster came out I tracked down an email for their product manager and reached out. Zero response of course. Plenty of people out there willing to buy anything it seems. I still feel motivated to try and influence it somehow though. It just feels so careless

 

[NakedMoleRat]

Im glad im not the only one who took issue with the accuracy of this prop. I thought I was just being a nit picker... but Im glad others have also complained about the accuracy.

This is the RPF, we pick the nit constantly!

 

[Starganderfish]

Yeah this is just so wrong. I’m hoping factory entertainment listens to the feedback for future releases. I want their trek prop offerings to improve.

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In fairness to FE, they are pretty explicit that this isn't meant to be an exact replica of any one specific prop.:
"The original props ranged from rudimentary non-functional resin items, with flat two-dimensional decals to suggest details, to more elaborate hero props made with vac-formed plastic shells containing a limited amount of integrated electronics. Different Mark VII Medical Tricorder props were produced at different times over several years, resulting in some variances among them.
Factory Entertainment’s Mark VII Tricorder replica has been created after careful study of various source materials, including resources in the Paramount Archives and authenticated items in private collections. It is intended to capture the best features of all the different original Mark VII Medical Tricorder props in a single blended execution." quoted from (Factory Entertainment Unveils STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION Medical Tricorder Replica, Shipping in Late 2024)
Complaining that it's not perfect to any one prop kind of misses the point, which is that it's not meant to be.

As for that side-by-side shot? While it's true that one looks like a cheaply made replica and one looks like a professionally made piece, to me it's not the FE that's coming off poorly. I think FE would struggle to sell 1000 units at $800 a pop if they looked like the one on the right, especially to the more general ST collector who's their primary audience
Given what their stated intentions were, I think they've done a pretty bang-up job. The only glaring thing for me is the LED screen, and they also stated they were limited by the components commercially available.

The general consensus is Nay?

Nope, I'm definitely in for one. I wouldn't be if it looked like the one on the right. Gotta remember that the accuracy-obsessed* folks on here aren't really their primary audience, the cashed-up, 40-50 year-old, nostalgic TNG fans are.
Each to their own of course, but I'm digging this.

*That's not meant as a criticism, just an honest appraisal - what's important to many collectors on TheRPF isn't as important to the target audience of a commercial operation like FE.

 

[Ronldheld]

I would think we are not their target buyers. Too much attention to details(not a bad thing).

 

[Tripper]

In fairness to FE, they are pretty explicit that this isn't meant to be an exact replica of any one specific prop.:
"The original props ranged from rudimentary non-functional resin items, with flat two-dimensional decals to suggest details, to more elaborate hero props made with vac-formed plastic shells containing a limited amount of integrated electronics. Different Mark VII Medical Tricorder props were produced at different times over several years, resulting in some variances among them.
Factory Entertainment’s Mark VII Tricorder replica has been created after careful study of various source materials, including resources in the Paramount Archives and authenticated items in private collections. It is intended to capture the best features of all the different original Mark VII Medical Tricorder props in a single blended execution." quoted from (Factory Entertainment Unveils STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION Medical Tricorder Replica, Shipping in Late 2024)
Complaining that it's not perfect to any one prop kind of misses the point, which is that it's not meant to be.

As for that side-by-side shot? While it's true that one looks like a cheaply made replica and one looks like a professionally made piece, to me it's not the FE that's coming off poorly. I think FE would struggle to sell 1000 units at $800 a pop if they looked like the one on the right, especially to the more general ST collector who's their primary audience
Given what their stated intentions were, I think they've done a pretty bang-up job. The only glaring thing for me is the LED screen, and they also stated they were limited by the components commercially available.


Nope, I'm definitely in for one. I wouldn't be if it looked like the one on the right. Gotta remember that the accuracy-obsessed* folks on here aren't really their primary audience, the cashed-up, 40-50 year-old, nostalgic TNG fans are.
Each to their own of course, but I'm digging this.

*That's not meant as a criticism, just an honest appraisal - what's important to many collectors on TheRPF isn't as important to the target audience of a commercial operation like FE.

In a world where The Wand Company can give us idealized props that actually match their on set counterparts at a reasonable price means I have to hold factory entertainment to a higher standard.

 

[dbuck]

In a world where The Wand Company can give us idealized props that actually match their on set counterparts at a reasonable price means I have to hold factory entertainment to a higher standard.

As much as I love my wand phasers and communicator, let’s not forget they totally hosed the size of the P2 power pack/handle. Aftermarket part made it perfect. Closer to perfect. Something like that.

 

[Tripper]

As much as I love my wand phasers and communicator, let’s not forget they totally hosed the size of the P2 power pack/handle. Aftermarket part made it perfect. Closer to perfect. Something like that.

Even with that issue it was still an easy buy because the rest of it was so close. It made a great base for upgrades. This tricorder can’t be upgraded to be more accurate at all.

 

[Tripper]

Wow, someone at factory entertainment thought the side by side shot was a good comparison and reposted it on their twitter account. Even included the comment about it not being close at all. Yeah, they’re not a real details oriented operation in general it seems….


Edit- they figured it out and took down the repost. But they still liked it

 

[Mr.Engineer]

To be honest, its not a bad thing since the casual buyer would not worry so much (unless you go to their house and point out every inaccuracy).

What irks me most was the absence of a magnet switch and the curved edges of the screen (Its like watching a cathode ray tube). Moreover, for USD800 or 3,740MYR that's too close to my Salary), that's a lot of moolah. When I got my my eFX MkIX, it was a World of Awesome for just USD349.

 

[CessnaDriver]

To be honest, its not a bad thing since the casual buyer would not worry so much (unless you go to their house and point out every inaccuracy).

What irks me most was the absence of a magnet switch and the curved edges of the screen (Its like watching a cathode ray tube). Moreover, for USD800 or 3,740MYR that's too close to my Salary), that's a lot of moolah. When I got my my eFX MkIX, it was a World of Awesome for just USD349.

I just revisited that thread, was it really 14 years ago? Crazy. I don't believe it. Mine is still working great.

 

[greenmachines]

NOTE: I READ IT ALL TWICE.

I do not see anyone noting this, so with trepidation I post my original thoughts....

I see people saying it is not meant to be one specific model so accuracy to one model doesn't matter or "Nitpicking isn't my thing" but how about just accurate to any? So, as a "never looked to purchase a tricorder before but can still proofread like a normal human being", I would be embarrassed to purchase a device for 800 dollars that no one actually proofed first..... F1 AND F1 ????? No folks, that should say F2 and this is my first time ever looking. Find one that obvious on the first try? That is some sketchy quality control. Is this really the final product? The one for sale, or maybe just an in development stage that was leaked for some hype?

 

[Funky]

“No…it’s still too cheap. We have to find a way to make this MORE expensive!”

 

[NakedMoleRat]

“No…it’s still too cheap. We have to find a way to make this MORE expensive!”

Trim down the pwr button and call it custom.

 

[corellian77]

NOTE: I READ IT ALL TWICE.

I do not see anyone noting this, so with trepidation I post my original thoughts....

I see people saying it is not meant to be one specific model so accuracy to one model doesn't matter or "Nitpicking isn't my thing" but how about just accurate to any? So, as a "never looked to purchase a tricorder before but can still proofread like a normal human being", I would be embarrassed to purchase a device for 800 dollars that no one actually proofed first..... F1 AND F1 ????? No folks, that should say F2 and this is my first time ever looking. Find one that obvious on the first try? That is some sketchy quality control. Is this really the final product? The one for sale, or maybe just an in development stage that was leaked for some hype?

View attachment 1844144

It’s not even F1, it reads F,

 

[Apollo]

EFF That Tric!

 

[masterjedi322]

In fairness to FE, they are pretty explicit that this isn't meant to be an exact replica of any one specific prop.:

That’s fair, but I also think it’s a cop out from FE. To me, it’s like saying, “ I’m going to make a replica Lamborghini, but it’s not going to look like an actual Lamborghini…”

And I understand this replica will likely scratch the itch for the majority, but just not for me.

As I mentioned, the Mark VII series of tricorders are my favorite props from Trek, and this one is just too far off the mark to drop that kind of money….

Sean

 

[WinstonWolf359]

That’s fair, but I also think it’s a cop out from FE. To me, it’s like saying, “ I’m going to make a replica Lamborghini, but it’s not going to look like an actual Lamborghini…”

And I understand this replica will likely scratch the itch for the majority, but just not for me.

As I mentioned, the Mark VII series of tricorders are my favorite props from Trek, and this one is just too far off the mark to drop that kind of money….

Sean

I think cop out is a very accurate way to put it. Looking at the things that have been inaccurate on all of their Trek items it isn't like they chose to produce a replica that uses some detail unique to a single particular prop, it's more as if they're simply ignoring details that might make the replica harder to mass produce.

IF they looked at many, many hypospray props, which one was actually tiny like theirs? IF they looked at many, many cricket phasers, which one had so many unsightly seams? IF they looked at many, many dustbusters props, which one didn't have the two-tone misted paint job? Same question with the tricorder, actually.

What confuses me is the TNG props were, by and large, actually pretty much identical from prop to prop. The same guys made them all, and I'm pretty sure the same one guy painted them all. With the abundance of reference material, the abundance of original surviving props, and the massive abundance of accurate replicas from the original molds out there, plus the fact that the original prop makers are just a phone call away it's all the more shocking that Factory's replicas aren't more accurate.

Despite what their promotional materials say the final products don't look like the result of too much reference material, but too little.

 

[Starganderfish]

... it’s like saying, “ I’m going to make a replica Lamborghini, but it’s not going to look like an actual Lamborghini…”

It's more like them saying "I'm going to make a replica Lamborghini that absolutely looks like and is recognisable as a Lamborghini, but isn't perfect to one specific model".
I collect a lot of Masterpiece Transformers figures, and there's often a ton of back and forth on what specific vehicle a character was meant to be, and varying levels of accuracy from scene to scene and from toy to toy. In that fandom, some collectors want a figure that transforms into a perfect replica of the vehicle in canon. Others want a figure that turns into what they saw on the screen as a child. And still others want a mix of on-screen accuracy and real-world fidelity. It's a super-messy part of the fandom that causes constant arguments and there is no "right answer".
We all decide what level of fidelity we need and what is more important - screen accuracy, scene accuracy or set accuracy.
This absolutely and undeniably looks like a TNG Tricorder. It's not an exact replica of a specific model, but it's also not gonna be mistaken for a TOS tricorder or a Quantum Leap handlink. It's a tricorder.
For my Transformers I want screen accuracy, but for props I often prefer scene accuracy (ie: what it's "supposed" to look like in-universe)

AFAIK, FE have rarely pulled off absolute fidelity to a specific version of a prop, and they've been pretty open that it's an idealised conglomeration, not a replica of "Prop #x from Episode #y" Folks who want a perfect replica... I don't think this is going to work for them. For me? It's pretty darn good... except of course...
the error greenmachines picked up DOES seem like a complete stuff up, plain and simple, and one they definitely should fix!!

NOTE: I READ IT ALL TWICE.

I do not see anyone noting this, so with trepidation I post my original thoughts....

I see people saying it is not meant to be one specific model so accuracy to one model doesn't matter or "Nitpicking isn't my thing" but how about just accurate to any? So, as a "never looked to purchase a tricorder before but can still proofread like a normal human being", I would be embarrassed to purchase a device for 800 dollars that no one actually proofed first..... F1 AND F1 ????? No folks, that should say F2 and this is my first time ever looking. Find one that obvious on the first try? That is some sketchy quality control. Is this really the final product? The one for sale, or maybe just an in development stage that was leaked for some hype?

View attachment 1844144

 

[corellian77]

I’ve been pouring over images of TNG tricorders these past few days, trying to make up my mind how I feel about FE’s offering, and I have to say it really looks like a bridge between the mark VI and VII medical tricorder. Although I would’ve preferred to see a more accurate reproduction of the mark VII, visually the FE does look like it fits with the progression from one iteration to the next.

Also, as someone who likes tactile immersion when they’re holding a 1:1 scale prop, I’d be lying if I said the idea of holding a metal tricorder wouldn’t appeal to the 10-year-old kid in me.

All that being said, I can definitely see how this release wouldn’t be everyone’s cup of tea.