MR Assualt Phaser Delivered!
- Thread starter yt
- Start date
I am in Vegas at the grand slam convention and MR has a booth there with the assault phaser. I played with it a lot and it is pretty cool. The top cowling and back piece is indeed diecast as well as the lower part of the clip. I like the sounds and the cool spring open effect the cowling does when you push the release. The finish was just o.k. but there is not much you can do when the original prop is just flat black. I do however feel that this prop should retail like the classic phaser at 349.00, but after handling it I may have to get one after all.
Luke Skyvader
Sr Member
I also am feeling better about this as "the fog" is clearing.
I do like how the cowl opens...and I'll still be making a new p1.
Pete
Metal slide and barrel, plastic body......sounds like a Glock to me.
I don't like the seam line and paint dusting I've seen on some, but others aren't so bad. I love the electronics and function of the phaser. I just hope I have a "hit" with mine, rather than a "miss".
Jhusel
I don't like the seam line and paint dusting I've seen on some, but others aren't so bad. I love the electronics and function of the phaser. I just hope I have a "hit" with mine, rather than a "miss".
Jhusel
Prop Collector
Sr Member
What's with the extra stump on the base?
To display the little removable P1 phaser.
I guess it just sits on top.
They should have provided two I think.
Onigiri
Sr Member
Thanks Steve
Ive been trying to tell folks that the P1 is ORIGINAL to the prop but they have incorrectly and stubbornly refused to listen (I OWN an original). My original also has the graphite finish and the friction fit magazine (which likes to fall out).
This replica is VERY faithful to the original and I find it ironic that when you give some folks what they want..an ACCURATE piece...made BETTER then the original prop they stand around and say AA would do BETTER?!?!?!?!
PLEASE...AA has screw holes where they shouldnt be, plastic when there should be metal and cant even get the side ribs straight on the classic phaser!!!! Their comm is inaccurate as hell based on the inaccurate MR WITHOUT the metal or finish... :confusedIm reading this thread and shaking my head :eek
You wanted an accurate Assault Phaser with bells and whistles and guess what? Thats what you got right down to the graphite finish. You got plastic where it SHOULD be plastic and metal where it SHOULD be metal. You got the P1 where its SHOULD be and you got lots of noises, a spring loaded cowl, and pretty lights. It SOUNDS like you also got the same graphite finish as I have on my original although it sounds like they may have overdone it a bit on some of them. This is tied with the TOS Kllingon disruptor as the MOST accurate Trek prop offered by MR and its ironic that this is getting the same complaints that the Klingon got...
I think it is phaser yummy goodness and dont feel at all ripped off....
Ive been trying to tell folks that the P1 is ORIGINAL to the prop but they have incorrectly and stubbornly refused to listen (I OWN an original). My original also has the graphite finish and the friction fit magazine (which likes to fall out).
This replica is VERY faithful to the original and I find it ironic that when you give some folks what they want..an ACCURATE piece...made BETTER then the original prop they stand around and say AA would do BETTER?!?!?!?!
PLEASE...AA has screw holes where they shouldnt be, plastic when there should be metal and cant even get the side ribs straight on the classic phaser!!!! Their comm is inaccurate as hell based on the inaccurate MR WITHOUT the metal or finish... :confusedIm reading this thread and shaking my head :eek
You wanted an accurate Assault Phaser with bells and whistles and guess what? Thats what you got right down to the graphite finish. You got plastic where it SHOULD be plastic and metal where it SHOULD be metal. You got the P1 where its SHOULD be and you got lots of noises, a spring loaded cowl, and pretty lights. It SOUNDS like you also got the same graphite finish as I have on my original although it sounds like they may have overdone it a bit on some of them. This is tied with the TOS Kllingon disruptor as the MOST accurate Trek prop offered by MR and its ironic that this is getting the same complaints that the Klingon got...
I think it is phaser yummy goodness and dont feel at all ripped off....
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Luke Skyvader
Sr Member
Thanks, both you and Steve have helped to clear up a lot of misconceptions that for some reason a lot of people keep stating as fact. I'm still reading things on other forums by people who think they are experts about the originals and how bad MR's Phaser is compared to them, so it is refreshing to hear from people who REALLY know what they are talking about.
Onigiri
Sr Member
Nope. I was at Comic Con with Steve (HMS) Horsch and he said that was his favorite addition. On the original the magazine was friction fit and teh cowl slid but was held also by 'friction'. None of the levers worked like they do on the MR but the nozzle was a two piece with rotating ring.
Onigiri
Sr Member
I think part of the problem is that between Trek 5 and 6 there were a few iterations of the assault phaser. Whereas the Trek 5 version(s) (hero, dummy,etc) were built by Greg and the boys the Miarecki Convention Special got some screen time in 6 as well. Some have stunt phaser...some have phasers where the cowl moves but the mag is not removeable etc. Its also not always easy to tell if what folks have is actually original regardless of paperwork.
I like this latest offering
I like this latest offering
I do like the Phaser, I think it’s a great piece, love the features, weight feels fine to me, I can live with a little over spray, it actually grew on me. My issue was the clip plate, (which has been cleared up) finish, and QC issues. Mine is has gone back for replacement, had to send the case back too, paint was completely screwed up along the front.
If I get one back that looks even close to some of the others that have been posted I’ll be pleased. Mine had glue marks, paint missing, bad seam lines, and was almost gray with over spray in spots. Those were my main issues.
As a matter of fact I liked the damn thing so much that I almost didn’t want to send it back but it just had too much wrong with it to keep for the $400 spent. Is it a little overpriced, maybe.
With some luck the replacement will be fine and I’ll be happy.
If I get one back that looks even close to some of the others that have been posted I’ll be pleased. Mine had glue marks, paint missing, bad seam lines, and was almost gray with over spray in spots. Those were my main issues.
As a matter of fact I liked the damn thing so much that I almost didn’t want to send it back but it just had too much wrong with it to keep for the $400 spent. Is it a little overpriced, maybe.
With some luck the replacement will be fine and I’ll be happy.
PsyBear
Well-Known Member
For anyone interested, this is my original review of the Assult Phaser (on Dewback Wing ASAP) when it arrived on 8/4. For the record I always knew the Phaser I was part of the original prop. I just think the Phaser I could have been done better:
My Assult Phaser arrived this morning, and I have to say that for the first time, a Master Replica's product is a big failure and a disapointment (this goes way beyond the lame gridlines on the Enterprise).
The first thing I notice as I'm unwrapping the packaging is a small piece of plastic wrapped up seperately from the main unit. I looked at it for a few moments and couldn't figure out what it was then suddenly I realized that it was the Phaser I! It's the size of the matchbox and looks like a couple pieces of plastic glued together. In fact the spots were the halves were cut from the plastic sprue were still visable. It reminded me of a model kit manufactured by AMT or something. The only purpose this thing serves is to justify the top hood of the main phaser sliding open.
Next, I unwrapped the Assult Phaser. The think is mostly plastic and feels like a toy. From its appearance, I expected something with a lot more heft to it. A few parts are metal like the hood and maybe the emitter (I actually cant tell if it's metal or plastic), but otherwise it's totally plastic. The sliding action of the hood is cool as well as being able to slide out the powerpack, but the way it's designed, the top of the powerpack protrudes up into the Phaser I compartment, and it's on the top of the powerpack where the Phaser I clicks into place. This means that if you remove the power pack, then the Phaser I just rattles around inside it's compartment.
Eventually I put batteries in and the electronics are a joke. The sound effects are cool, but it's impossible to rapid fire the thing. You have to wait several seconds between firings. How useful would this be in the middle of a firefight??? Even better, the top of the Phaser I lights up to let you know the unit is ready to be fired. This means that if you want to take advantage of this feature, you need to use the Phaser with the top slide open. Also, there is a green light on the back to let you know the phaser is firing (as if the phaser beam and sound wouldn't be clue enough). So essentially, there's a ready light that's impractical to use and a redundant firing indicator.
This thing doesn't even begin to compare to MR's earlier releases of the First Contact Phaser and the Classic Phaser. Definitely two thumbs down.
I'm really apprehensive about how the Science Tricorder is going to turn out now.
My Assult Phaser arrived this morning, and I have to say that for the first time, a Master Replica's product is a big failure and a disapointment (this goes way beyond the lame gridlines on the Enterprise).
The first thing I notice as I'm unwrapping the packaging is a small piece of plastic wrapped up seperately from the main unit. I looked at it for a few moments and couldn't figure out what it was then suddenly I realized that it was the Phaser I! It's the size of the matchbox and looks like a couple pieces of plastic glued together. In fact the spots were the halves were cut from the plastic sprue were still visable. It reminded me of a model kit manufactured by AMT or something. The only purpose this thing serves is to justify the top hood of the main phaser sliding open.
Next, I unwrapped the Assult Phaser. The think is mostly plastic and feels like a toy. From its appearance, I expected something with a lot more heft to it. A few parts are metal like the hood and maybe the emitter (I actually cant tell if it's metal or plastic), but otherwise it's totally plastic. The sliding action of the hood is cool as well as being able to slide out the powerpack, but the way it's designed, the top of the powerpack protrudes up into the Phaser I compartment, and it's on the top of the powerpack where the Phaser I clicks into place. This means that if you remove the power pack, then the Phaser I just rattles around inside it's compartment.
Eventually I put batteries in and the electronics are a joke. The sound effects are cool, but it's impossible to rapid fire the thing. You have to wait several seconds between firings. How useful would this be in the middle of a firefight??? Even better, the top of the Phaser I lights up to let you know the unit is ready to be fired. This means that if you want to take advantage of this feature, you need to use the Phaser with the top slide open. Also, there is a green light on the back to let you know the phaser is firing (as if the phaser beam and sound wouldn't be clue enough). So essentially, there's a ready light that's impractical to use and a redundant firing indicator.
This thing doesn't even begin to compare to MR's earlier releases of the First Contact Phaser and the Classic Phaser. Definitely two thumbs down.
I'm really apprehensive about how the Science Tricorder is going to turn out now.
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PsyBear
Well-Known Member
There's also been discussion regarding screen-accurate versus idealized props. I'm a proponent of the idealized camp because I generally tend to like things that are showroom clean (the Falcon would be a notable exception to this). That's why I bought the MR 'As built' Obi-Wan Lightsaber as opposed to the weathered.
In this post from Dewback Wing, I summarized the other Star Trek weapons MR had offered in the past and compared the quality of the Assault Phaser to them. As you can see one of my biggest pet peeves is how the audio samples are set up to playback:
Nadion makes some good points. Part of my dislike of how the Assault Phaser turned out is my own expectations of how it SHOULD have been handled. Let me say a few words about MR's other Star Trek weapons:
KLINGON DISTUPTOR: Plastic - no lights - fixed-length audio sample. I was perfectly happy with this replica. It's plastic, but extremely well finished. Screen accurate? No. It looks a lot better than anything used in filming plus the screen used prop would not have had on-board sound effects. The way the electronics are set up, the complete audio sample has to play all the way through before it can be re-triggered. I would have set it up so that depressing the trigger during playback would interrupt the audio sample and start it from the beginning. This would have created the impression of being able to rapid fire it - a bonus considering the Klingons' aggressive nature.
FIRST CONTACT PHASER: Metal - Lights for power setting - emitter light keyed to 3 fixed-length audio samples. Screen accurate? No. Again, it looks much better than anything used during filming plus it has on-board sound. Additionally I doubt the props were made of metal. As with the Klingon Disruptor, the electronics are set up so that the audio samples have to play all the way through before the phaser can be re-triggered. This is definitely NOTscreen accurate because many times we've seen Star Fleet personel rapid firing phasers on the holodeck for target practice. Plus we also know that the duration of the beam depended on how long the trigger was held down (at least it seemed that way to me). Not being able to rapid fire it did bug me at the time, but the overall craftsmanship was such that it outweighed the shortcomings of the electronics.
CLASSIC PHASER: Metal - emitter light keyed to audio samples - some fixed-length audio samples, some looping audio samples. Screen accurate? No. Superior to anything seen on screen plus metal, mulicolored emitter lights, and on-board audio. Some audio samples have to be played all the way through before the phaser can be re-triggered. All the audio samples on the Phaser I and some of the samples on the Phaser II are looped so releasing the trigger stops them and you can immediately fire again hense allowing rapid firing. Whether screen accurate or not, it makes SENSE that you can rapid fire it otherwise if your up against more than one opponent, you're screwed (unless they all have the accuracy of imperial stormtroopers in which case you can stand there all day and they'll never hit you). I agree with others that the shape of the Phaser I was off, but overall the phaser was so well done this never bothered me.
Notice how none of these weapons are screen accurate - they're all superior in appearance and finish to the original props plus they have added functionality for a greater sense of realism. Maybe this is where my sense of high expectation came from for the Assult Phaser. This is supposed to be a heavy duty phaser - not a versatile multi-purpose side arm. Hence when you take one of these out of the weapons locker, you have a specific task in mind - ASSULT - COMBAT - STORMING THE BASTILE. As such all metal construction would have made sense and added to the realism. If nothing else, I was expecting this at least.
ASSULT PHASER: Mostly plastic and some metal - emitter light and firing indicator keyed to 2 fixed length audio samples plus fire-ready light (obscured); power clip insertion audio sample; and activation power-up sample. As I pointed out in a previous post the Phaser I just looks like crap - it's poorly finished and looks like an out-of-the-box plastic model kit stuck together. As Nadion pointed out, its hard to tell which of what I considered to be the unit's design flaws are MR's doing versus the original prop designers, but keep in mind that the other MR releases had been superior to what was seen on screen.
Consider this - you're in a combat situation and your power clip is depleted. The clip is designed for quick release and rapid replacement. You replace the clip, but now you have to open the top of the unit to fumble with the minisule Phaser I which is now rattling around loose and click it back into place before firing the weapon agian. This is a major design flaw. Without having seen an original prop, I can't ascribe this to the prob makers, but it does have the feel of something MR might incorprate into the design in order to keep from having to install a seperate light into the Phaser I to keep the cost down if indeed this ready light was part of the original prop design at all (it still doesn't make sense because you can't see it with the top closed - actually the whole concept of a removable Phaser I doesn't make sense for a heavy duty weapon like this but we at least know that particular item was Shatner's doing).
Now on to the sound. Without a doubt, the audio samples sound great. However, we know that sound was not a feature of the original props. Therefore, this gives MR a certain degree of latitude in terms of execution. So, what do they do? They set up the electronics so that the audio sample has to play all the way through before the phaser can be fired again. Remember, this is an ASSULT Phaser. You're taking this out because you expect to be in a combat situation. As such, rapid firing seems like an imperative. The solution? Just set up the electronics so that the audio sample can be interrupted and started from the beginning each time the trigger is pressed. It really would have been that simple. I have numerous Japanese toys laying around that can do exactly that and they only cost 20 or 30 dollars.
Untimately, no matter how you look at it, there's no excuse for the shoddy construction on the Phaser I especially when it's intended to be displayed seperately from the main unit (it actully deserved to be hidden). If the electronics had been more 'sensible' I honestly think I could have overlooked the lack of all-metal construction. If it had been all metal, could I have overlooked the electronics? This was really more of a sticking point for me so my answer would be grudgingly, but yes. Take all these elements and add them together, and you get my overall disappointment with the unit. I've just come to expect more and better from Master Replica's.
The Science Tricorder? I would prefer it to be metal, but I will be happy with plastic as long as the electronics (both light and sound) are as good as the fan-made boards that have been available for several years. However, because of the relatively low price, I'm willing to bet that they've cut corners somewhere especially after seeing what they did with the Assult Phaser. Don't be surprised if this is the final 'high-end' offering we see from Master Replicas (they really should change thier name to something more descriptive of what they offer now).
In this post from Dewback Wing, I summarized the other Star Trek weapons MR had offered in the past and compared the quality of the Assault Phaser to them. As you can see one of my biggest pet peeves is how the audio samples are set up to playback:
Nadion makes some good points. Part of my dislike of how the Assault Phaser turned out is my own expectations of how it SHOULD have been handled. Let me say a few words about MR's other Star Trek weapons:
KLINGON DISTUPTOR: Plastic - no lights - fixed-length audio sample. I was perfectly happy with this replica. It's plastic, but extremely well finished. Screen accurate? No. It looks a lot better than anything used in filming plus the screen used prop would not have had on-board sound effects. The way the electronics are set up, the complete audio sample has to play all the way through before it can be re-triggered. I would have set it up so that depressing the trigger during playback would interrupt the audio sample and start it from the beginning. This would have created the impression of being able to rapid fire it - a bonus considering the Klingons' aggressive nature.
FIRST CONTACT PHASER: Metal - Lights for power setting - emitter light keyed to 3 fixed-length audio samples. Screen accurate? No. Again, it looks much better than anything used during filming plus it has on-board sound. Additionally I doubt the props were made of metal. As with the Klingon Disruptor, the electronics are set up so that the audio samples have to play all the way through before the phaser can be re-triggered. This is definitely NOTscreen accurate because many times we've seen Star Fleet personel rapid firing phasers on the holodeck for target practice. Plus we also know that the duration of the beam depended on how long the trigger was held down (at least it seemed that way to me). Not being able to rapid fire it did bug me at the time, but the overall craftsmanship was such that it outweighed the shortcomings of the electronics.
CLASSIC PHASER: Metal - emitter light keyed to audio samples - some fixed-length audio samples, some looping audio samples. Screen accurate? No. Superior to anything seen on screen plus metal, mulicolored emitter lights, and on-board audio. Some audio samples have to be played all the way through before the phaser can be re-triggered. All the audio samples on the Phaser I and some of the samples on the Phaser II are looped so releasing the trigger stops them and you can immediately fire again hense allowing rapid firing. Whether screen accurate or not, it makes SENSE that you can rapid fire it otherwise if your up against more than one opponent, you're screwed (unless they all have the accuracy of imperial stormtroopers in which case you can stand there all day and they'll never hit you). I agree with others that the shape of the Phaser I was off, but overall the phaser was so well done this never bothered me.
Notice how none of these weapons are screen accurate - they're all superior in appearance and finish to the original props plus they have added functionality for a greater sense of realism. Maybe this is where my sense of high expectation came from for the Assult Phaser. This is supposed to be a heavy duty phaser - not a versatile multi-purpose side arm. Hence when you take one of these out of the weapons locker, you have a specific task in mind - ASSULT - COMBAT - STORMING THE BASTILE. As such all metal construction would have made sense and added to the realism. If nothing else, I was expecting this at least.
ASSULT PHASER: Mostly plastic and some metal - emitter light and firing indicator keyed to 2 fixed length audio samples plus fire-ready light (obscured); power clip insertion audio sample; and activation power-up sample. As I pointed out in a previous post the Phaser I just looks like crap - it's poorly finished and looks like an out-of-the-box plastic model kit stuck together. As Nadion pointed out, its hard to tell which of what I considered to be the unit's design flaws are MR's doing versus the original prop designers, but keep in mind that the other MR releases had been superior to what was seen on screen.
Consider this - you're in a combat situation and your power clip is depleted. The clip is designed for quick release and rapid replacement. You replace the clip, but now you have to open the top of the unit to fumble with the minisule Phaser I which is now rattling around loose and click it back into place before firing the weapon agian. This is a major design flaw. Without having seen an original prop, I can't ascribe this to the prob makers, but it does have the feel of something MR might incorprate into the design in order to keep from having to install a seperate light into the Phaser I to keep the cost down if indeed this ready light was part of the original prop design at all (it still doesn't make sense because you can't see it with the top closed - actually the whole concept of a removable Phaser I doesn't make sense for a heavy duty weapon like this but we at least know that particular item was Shatner's doing).
Now on to the sound. Without a doubt, the audio samples sound great. However, we know that sound was not a feature of the original props. Therefore, this gives MR a certain degree of latitude in terms of execution. So, what do they do? They set up the electronics so that the audio sample has to play all the way through before the phaser can be fired again. Remember, this is an ASSULT Phaser. You're taking this out because you expect to be in a combat situation. As such, rapid firing seems like an imperative. The solution? Just set up the electronics so that the audio sample can be interrupted and started from the beginning each time the trigger is pressed. It really would have been that simple. I have numerous Japanese toys laying around that can do exactly that and they only cost 20 or 30 dollars.
Untimately, no matter how you look at it, there's no excuse for the shoddy construction on the Phaser I especially when it's intended to be displayed seperately from the main unit (it actully deserved to be hidden). If the electronics had been more 'sensible' I honestly think I could have overlooked the lack of all-metal construction. If it had been all metal, could I have overlooked the electronics? This was really more of a sticking point for me so my answer would be grudgingly, but yes. Take all these elements and add them together, and you get my overall disappointment with the unit. I've just come to expect more and better from Master Replica's.
The Science Tricorder? I would prefer it to be metal, but I will be happy with plastic as long as the electronics (both light and sound) are as good as the fan-made boards that have been available for several years. However, because of the relatively low price, I'm willing to bet that they've cut corners somewhere especially after seeing what they did with the Assult Phaser. Don't be surprised if this is the final 'high-end' offering we see from Master Replicas (they really should change thier name to something more descriptive of what they offer now).
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PsyBear, just an FYI, the body of your last two posts (the part that I assumed you have copied and pasted from another source) shows up as cyan/light blue and is not able to be read when using the forums default skin, very hard on the eyes using the Jedi Knights skin, and only really works with the Star Wars skin.
You might want to edit the color tags out of those posts.
You might want to edit the color tags out of those posts.
Prop Collector
Sr Member
I was wondering why he was posting in white! I, too, cannot stand the "Star Wars" theme.
