New 10th Doctor Sonic Screwdriver Universal Remote

[Richard B]

If there's one concern I have about this sonic going in, it's this: what do we do when the battery inevitably dies? Is there any kind of battery replacement program? Is it a custom design, or are there off-the-shelf units that we could use to replace it ourselves? Etc, etc.

That's a fair concern - the lithium polymer battery is a custom design and it's not user-accessible.

The battery is rated to hold 80% of its initial capacity after 300 charge/discharge cycles, and we expect that for average usage, the product will run for around 5 days between charges, so the battery should reach this 80% point after around 4 years and still be perfectly usable after 10 years. Of course, most people won't continue to use the product every day for years, so it's unlikely that they'll ever "wear out" the battery.

Of course, not all manufacturers' products actually meet their own specifications, but we chose to spend the extra money buying a battery from one of the high-quality LiPo manufacturers, rather than just going for the cheapest option. Having visited their factory (where I saw them making similar batteries for a wrist-worn fitness device for an extremely well-known brand), I'm confident that they really do have a quality-focussed approach to manufacture.

I hope that helps and makes sense.

Cheers,

Richard

 

[cbkprop]

Just to be extra specific, the screwdriver, since thinkgeek does not take pre-orders. We will be able to specifically, order the screwdriver from thinkgeek on the 18th of October on Friday correct?

 

[adderinternet]

Mine has been paid for at last. So if they ship it today it should be with me by friday. Hurrah!

 

[AnubisGuard]

I hope that helps and makes sense.

Cheers,

Richard

It does, thanks! At least I know it will have a decent lifespan, albeit not indefinite.

 

[Xxblackbird]

Just to be extra specific, the screwdriver, since thinkgeek does not take pre-orders. We will be able to specifically, order the screwdriver from thinkgeek on the 18th of October on Friday correct?

The 18th, eh? Hm.
Someone is going to order one for me from ThinkGeek, and in return they're using my Tardis in their wedding. And the wedding is the weekend of the 18th. So that works out great for me!
(I'm going to keep referring to it as "the big day!"... and I'll be talking about the Sonic order, not the wedding)

 

[Richard B]

Just to be extra specific, the screwdriver, since thinkgeek does not take pre-orders. We will be able to specifically, order the screwdriver from thinkgeek on the 18th of October on Friday correct?

I'm afraid we can't be that specific. We're still planning to deliver our first shipment to ThinkGeek on Friday 18th October, but:

a) This assumes that there are no delays in shipping the products halfway around the world from our factory to ThinkGeek. Delays of a couple of days are quite common, especially during customs clearance of a new product that the customs officers haven't seen before.

b) We have no control over how quickly ThinkGeek will start taking orders after the stock delivery is made. We make a lot of shipments into Amazon here in the UK, and it seems to take between 1 and 3 days for our deliveries to show up as stock on their system - I expect that ThinkGeek will get this particular shipment booked in and set to go live on their website as quickly as possible, but I can't promise anything in that respect.

So, Friday 18th October is possible as a date, but I suspect it's a bit optimistic. In hindsight, perhaps we should have just decided to launch on 31st October, rather than as early as possible in October - that would have avoided quite a bit of stress and hassle for us (and our customers).

Sorry for the rather less-than-helpful answer.

Cheers,

Richard

 

[adderinternet]

Just now received my despatch email! Forbiddenplanet apparently use a courier service for pricier orders, so it should be with me by friday at the latest. Cannot wait. I still have the Eleventh set up with some of the lights in my room. It never does get old.

 

[NakedMoleRat]

I'm afraid we can't be that specific. We're still planning to deliver our first shipment to ThinkGeek on Friday 18th October, but:

a) This assumes that there are no delays in shipping the products halfway around the world from our factory to ThinkGeek. Delays of a couple of days are quite common, especially during customs clearance of a new product that the customs officers haven't seen before.

b) We have no control over how quickly ThinkGeek will start taking orders after the stock delivery is made. We make a lot of shipments into Amazon here in the UK, and it seems to take between 1 and 3 days for our deliveries to show up as stock on their system - I expect that ThinkGeek will get this particular shipment booked in and set to go live on their website as quickly as possible, but I can't promise anything in that respect.

So, Friday 18th October is possible as a date, but I suspect it's a bit optimistic. In hindsight, perhaps we should have just decided to launch on 31st October, rather than as early as possible in October - that would have avoided quite a bit of stress and hassle for us (and our customers).

Sorry for the rather less-than-helpful answer.

Cheers,

Richard

Richard,

1.) Quit apologizing. You have made us a 10th Doctor's SONIC SCREWDRIVER remote control that is as awesome as possibly the Doctor himself. A few more days of waiting, while making the fan boy in me ache, is nothing compared to the delight for years it will bring after it arrives!

2.) We would not even be GETTING this if it were not for you and the team!

3.) Quit apologizing. You have made us a 10th Doctor's SONIC SCREWDRIVER remote control that is as awesome as possibly the Doctor himself. A few more days of waiting, while making the fan boy in me ache, is nothing compared to the delight for years it will bring after it arrives!

4.) just for good measure..... Quit apologizing. You have made us a 10th Doctor's SONIC SCREWDRIVER remote control that is as awesome as possibly the Doctor himself. A few more days of waiting, while making the fan boy in me ache, is nothing compared to the delight for years it will bring after it arrives!

 

[themeinside]

Just now received my despatch email! Forbiddenplanet apparently use a courier service for pricier orders, so it should be with me by friday at the latest. Cannot wait. I still have the Eleventh set up with some of the lights in my room. It never does get old.

I knew I'd choose the wrong supplier! :lol I've just received an email saying they're expecting their stock soon, and that I am within the first 50 preorders, so will get mine straight away. I guess this means that the stock delivered last Friday from the Wand Company hasn't been checked into the warehouse, and so the orders aren't being processed... so frustrating!

 

[Bluebox303]

Richard,

1.) Quit apologizing. You have made us a 10th Doctor's SONIC SCREWDRIVER remote control that is as awesome as possibly the Doctor himself. A few more days of waiting, while making the fan boy in me ache, is nothing compared to the delight for years it will bring after it arrives!

2.) We would not even be GETTING this if it were not for you and the team!

3.) Quit apologizing. You have made us a 10th Doctor's SONIC SCREWDRIVER remote control that is as awesome as possibly the Doctor himself. A few more days of waiting, while making the fan boy in me ache, is nothing compared to the delight for years it will bring after it arrives!

4.) just for good measure..... Quit apologizing. You have made us a 10th Doctor's SONIC SCREWDRIVER remote control that is as awesome as possibly the Doctor himself. A few more days of waiting, while making the fan boy in me ache, is nothing compared to the delight for years it will bring after it arrives!

lol
1 and 3 are the same

Edit: and 4 :lol

- - - Updated - - -

I'm afraid we can't be that specific. We're still planning to deliver our first shipment to ThinkGeek on Friday 18th October, but:

a) This assumes that there are no delays in shipping the products halfway around the world from our factory to ThinkGeek. Delays of a couple of days are quite common, especially during customs clearance of a new product that the customs officers haven't seen before.

b) We have no control over how quickly ThinkGeek will start taking orders after the stock delivery is made. We make a lot of shipments into Amazon here in the UK, and it seems to take between 1 and 3 days for our deliveries to show up as stock on their system - I expect that ThinkGeek will get this particular shipment booked in and set to go live on their website as quickly as possible, but I can't promise anything in that respect.

So, Friday 18th October is possible as a date, but I suspect it's a bit optimistic. In hindsight, perhaps we should have just decided to launch on 31st October, rather than as early as possible in October - that would have avoided quite a bit of stress and hassle for us (and our customers).

Sorry for the rather less-than-helpful answer.

Cheers,

Richard

Does this mean amazon will be selling the product too? Or will you be sticking to the original retail list?

 

[Richard B]

1.) Quit apologizing.
...
4.) just for good measure..... Quit apologizing.

Haha - OK - I'll try! Thanks again for all your patience and enthusiasm.

Does this mean amazon will be selling the product too? Or will you be sticking to the original retail list?

(I nearly apologised for the confusion here, but managed to stop myself...) We're sticking to the original retail list - I was just using Amazon as an example, as I've watched their system a number of times in the past and noticed that the time between our deliveries and stock showing on their public website can vary by a few days. I have to say that, until now, I've never worried about such things with ThinkGeek, Firebox, Forbidden Planet, etc. We might sell this product through Amazon at some point in the future but in the US, ThinkGeek and BBC America Shop have exclusivity until the end of 2013.

 

[Bluebox303]

Ok then! Thinkgeek it is!

 

[adderinternet]

Mine is expected to be delivered tomorrow. Or, well, today as it's three AM and I'm on night shift.

 

[themeinside]

Richard, could you confirm that you sent more than 50 sonics to each of the suppliers? I'm getting a bit frustrated that they have the stock, but aren't acting on it.

 

[adderinternet]

It's here! Blimey, I'll admit I was a bit surprised at how tiny and light it is. I've never owned a Tennant replica other than the CO toy which towers over it. It's gorgeous, though. I'm letting it charge now before I play too much with it. I love how lock-picky this sonic looks, and seeing it in person (as close as I'll get) really gets that across. It seems fiddly and intricate in a way Eleven's doesn't. Not that I don't love Eleven's. ...that sounds odd even in context.

Delivery was literally on the second it was estimated. Creepy.

 

[Technoboots]

I got this from the BBC Shop yesterday

Good News! A limited quantity of the Doctor Who: Tenth Doctor's Sonic Screwdriver (wrc10813) have come into stock earlier than expected. Due to this we are able to ship your item to you early and you should receive it in the next 3 to 5 working days!

 

[TheNickFox]

It's here! Blimey, I'll admit I was a bit surprised at how tiny and light it is. I've never owned a Tennant replica other than the CO toy which towers over it. It's gorgeous, though. I'm letting it charge now before I play too much with it. I love how lock-picky this sonic looks, and seeing it in person (as close as I'll get) really gets that across. It seems fiddly and intricate in a way Eleven's doesn't. Not that I don't love Eleven's. ...that sounds odd even in context.

Delivery was literally on the second it was estimated. Creepy.

The entire internet is counting on you...Pics! For the love of Gallifrey, pics! :lol

-Nick

 

[adderinternet]

This is the best I can do for now, I'm afraid. Utterly exhausted so I'm off to bed. I'll try to take more this evening when I wake.

 

[NakedMoleRat]

Great pic!

Sometimes being on the wrong side of the pond is frustrating! Oh well, just a few more weeks for us Yanks!

 

[Angelus Lupus]

Question: If I decide I can't live without one of these, can I wait for Christmas present money, or will they all be gone by then?