Factory Entertainment Tricorder

Latest update from FE: 2nd batch is currently undergoing manufacturing and should be ready in 30-60 days.
However, due to the stupid Trade War, they’re unable to promise when they’ll be delivered. Current tariffs are more than they can afford to pay so they won’t be doing anything till the situation is sorted.
Wish they could at least ship to the rest of us. As an Aussie, if they could ship direct to me from their Chinese factory, there should be little to no additional cost.
Sigh.

Full text of email below:
“We’ve (understandably) received a number of inquiries recently asking for an update on the status of the second batch of our Star Trek: The Next Generation Medical Tricorder prop replicas and our Strange New Worlds Phaser prop replicas.



In short, we are continuing full steam ahead on production of both replicas, with the expectation that they will be completed by our factories in the next 30 to 60 days. Under normal circumstances, that means they would arrive in our warehouse and ship out to customers by mid-summer. While we still hope that will be the case, as you know, the current administration has placed a tariff rate of 145% on imports from China. While we fully expect that the tariff rate will be lowered to something more manageable through negotiations between the United States and China, or that an exemption will be granted to our types of products in recognition of the lack of realistic manufacturing opportunities domestically, the timing of that is uncertain and we simply cannot afford to pay the current tariff, nor are we willing to ask our customers fully absorb it, since it would amount to several hundred dollars on each of these items. Therefore, it is entirely possible that these products will be a further delayed beyond the expected ship date.



We wish we could be more definitive about timing, but this is a political matter that is entirely beyond our control.



We know you are anxious to receive your replicas, and we are equally eager to get them into your hands. In the meantime, please know that we are 100% committed to getting these products to you. As to other Star Trek replicas you may have seen on display at San Diego Comic-Con or Star Trek Las Vagas or on social media, in order to avoid creating similar timing unpredictability going forward, we have elected to delay launching them for preorder until they are actually on the water to us or in our warehouse.



We will continue to keep you updated as the tariff situation evolves.



THE FACTORY ENTERTAINMENT TEAM”
 
Sent FE a message in their web chat and they say they are unable to directly send internationally from the factory at this time. No surprise there, but it seems unlikely that events in the US are going to get any better. They should really think about sending a company rep to China to set up an international distribution option and avoid shipping through US, at least for International customers. In the past it was easier to just pass everything through US but that’s not going to be a viable option now, at least for the next few years, maybe never if the downward spiral continues.
So annoying.
 
1000027134.png

Another inaccuracy, only 6 LEDs in the FE interpretation, the original prop had 8 rectangular green LEDs.

Shocking how FE can get so many details on a prop so wrong when there is so much information out there on the original props.
Contrast that with the Wand Co's laser scanned highly accurate replica of the TOS Tricorder which I just picked up from Amazon UK.
 
I know Factory Entertainment has stated that their intent was to “capture the best features of all the different original Mark VII [and apparently Mark VI] Medical Tricorder props in a single blended execution,” however this seems to have been a swing and a miss for a number of people. By trying to work various features into a single item in order to please everybody, they’ve risked pleasing nobody.

I’m still looking forward to getting one, as it’s well-made in a number of ways. In my head canon, this version simply exists between seasons 2 and 3, bridging the gap of what we see on screen. That said, I agree that for anyone looking for a genuine Mark VII tricorder replica, this isn’t going to satisfy that itch, and Factory Entertainment would’ve been better served making distinct and accurate Mark VI and Mark VII tricorders instead.
 
They’ve risked pleasing nobody to the point that they’re sold out.
Because a lot of fans can't see the inaccuracies and have lapped it up.
Look at what the Wand Co are doing with their meticulously researched TOS Tricorder at a much more affordable price, people are going nuts for that and there is the possibility of the company doing a second run to meet demand.
I doubt FE will do a second run of the Frankencorder.
 
Because a lot of fans can't see the inaccuracies and have lapped it up.
Look at what the Wand Co are doing with their meticulously researched TOS Tricorder at a much more affordable price, people are going nuts for that and there is the possibility of the company doing a second run to meet demand.
I doubt FE will do a second run of the Frankencorder.
Possibly. I’ve read all the reviews beforehand that pointed out all the inaccuracies and I ordered one regardless, because it just didn’t matter to me. And I have to say I absolutely love it. But I also understand why some collectors would want to pass on it. I also agree with your statement about the Wand Tricorder, I love mine even with the minor inaccuracies some others have pointed out on it. Again, those things don’t matter to me.

Ps,
I also have the FE SNW Phaser on order.

IMG_8336.jpeg
 
Possibly. I’ve read all the reviews beforehand that pointed out all the inaccuracies and I ordered one regardless, because it just didn’t matter to me. And I have to say I absolutely love it. But I also understand why some collectors would want to pass on it. I also agree with your statement about the Wand Tricorder, I love mine even with the minor inaccuracies some others have pointed out on it. Again, those things don’t matter to me.

Ps,
I also have the FE SNW Phaser on order.

View attachment 1932864
I would love an accurate Mark VII Medical Tricorder, I just can't get past all of those horrible inaccuracies, coupled with the high asking price which just adds insult to injury.

I'm glad you like your FE interpretation, but until the company starts making accurate replicas I won't be giving them any of my hard earned money.
 
I would love an accurate Mark VII Medical Tricorder, I just can't get past all of those horrible inaccuracies, coupled with the high asking price which just adds insult to injury.

I'm glad you like your FE interpretation, but until the company starts making accurate replicas I won't be giving them any of my hard earned money.
Agreed. There really is no excuse as the Mark X era replicas by Roddenberry and Efx are very accurate high-end pieces. You’re better off with a Stapleton kit for a Mark VII.
 
New update from FE. With tariffs back down to manageable levels, the last batch of tricorders are on their way to the warehouse hoping to ship in late July. FE are wearing the current 30% tariff and not passing it on to customers.
Have to start pulling together the full payment for this soon.
They also said that, due to the ongoing disruptions and uncertainties in global trade, they won’t be taking pre-orders or deposits for future products until they’re fully produced and on their way to the warehouse.
I prefer this myself because the long wait times and uncertainty with pre-orders is exhausting as a collector.
However, it will make it much harder for them to judge interest and produce appropriate run sizes so I imagine future products will be made in smaller numbers and possible sell out quickly.
 
I am happy with mine as well and also have the new SNW phaser SE on the way as well. In some regardless we are are our own worst enemies. One side of the fence demands 100% accuracy for their money and the other side of the fence enjoys the idealized or stylized version. Neither side of the fence is wrong and it’s ok to like what you like. I have both types of props in my collection and appreciate them all. Everybody has an opinion and nobodies opinion is any less valid. One thing we ALL have in common although… is this disease of props collecting which is an abyss…. But the people are friendly and there is no way out. Help lol
 
I am happy with mine as well and also have the new SNW phaser SE on the way as well. In some regardless we are are our own worst enemies. One side of the fence demands 100% accuracy for their money and the other side of the fence enjoys the idealized or stylized version. Neither side of the fence is wrong and it’s ok to like what you like. I have both types of props in my collection and appreciate them all. Everybody has an opinion and nobodies opinion is any less valid. One thing we ALL have in common although… is this disease of props collecting which is an abyss…. But the people are friendly and there is no way out. Help lol
To be fair, you are one of the kind ones. I reserve the right to not share that description with all. We all know at least 2 rpf'ers who are quite proud of their brutal honesty and unwavering adherence to only one view. I use them as the highest standard when I want the world's most intense scrutiny on detail and then they are worth their grumpiness to the last syllable. I couldn't even pay someone for a more detailed inspection than they give out of their love for accuracy.

I think my view falls into both, as well. One is collecting accurate replicas but the other is knowing how real world items change all the time, even within a single model number so variations are expected and commonplace with changes like color, options included, regional changes and the like making duplicates less common than differences.
 
I'm also reluctant to accept the FE Mk VII. However, there seems to be no one else that makes electronics kits for Stapleton tricorders. Does anyone know of someone that makes electronics kits? (like G. Mros used to do)
 
Back
Top