Obscure TV Prop - "Probe" Scanner

[Harbinger]

There was a TV series back in 1972-1973 called "Search" (pilot movie was called "Probe") that made a big impression on me as a kid. THe agents carried a scanner that had some impressive capabilities. There's a picture on Wikipedia, here. Scroll down to' Probe Hardware' to see the scanner.

Does anyone have any info on this thing?

 

[Airwolf]

I have a copy that was put up for sale on eBay some yearsa go by a guy that also was a member of a Yahoo group about the show. I don't know if he still makes the replicas but you can try a look on eBay or go to here and join the Yahoo Group itself.

probe_control : Search Mailing List

 

[Harbinger]

I have a copy that was put up for sale on eBay some yearsa go by a guy that also was a member of a Yahoo group about the show. I don't know if he still makes the replicas but you can try a look on eBay or go to here and join the Yahoo Group itself.

probe_control : Search Mailing List

Good link! Thanks...I'll have to subscribe.

 

[Jeff_Haas]

Not only that, but the show is supposed to finally be released on DVD sometime in the next year. The pilot, "PROBE" has already come out:

Probe (1972/TV) |* WBshop.com | Warner Bros.

 

[Falkie2013]

That link while active doesn't list the guy who used to sell them on Ebay. Years ago when the show was still on the air a fellow in Palos Verdes Peninsula was making and selling the Probe/Search necklaces out of his home. I used to have one but lost it when I lost my storage with so many other collectibles.

At one time he also sold the ring with is even rarer.

Its funny how no one thought about cell phones and how different all the communication devices we saw in comics and movies didn't come to pass, from Dick Tracy's video wristwatch( still waiting for the iphone wrist phone ? ) to the U.N.C.L.E. communicator, the probe pendant and many more.

 

[Krel]

Its funny how no one thought about cell phones and how different all the communication devices we saw in comics and movies didn't come to pass, from Dick Tracy's video wristwatch( still waiting for the iphone wrist phone ? ) to the U.N.C.L.E. communicator, the probe pendant and many more.

Back in the 90s, they used to showoff a wrist cell phone at EPCOT at Disney World. The big problem was the short battery life, still a problem today. If they ever get the battery problem licked you probably would see wrist phones, or radios.

I remember that the TV Guide magazine had a very nice, large photo of the scanner when the show was being broadcast back in the 70s. Not many photos from the show are around. Until the dvd-r the show hadn't been seen in the U.S. since it's network run. For some reason it was tagged for international syndication only.

David.

 

[Jeff_Haas]

To bring this thread back to life...

"Search" has just been released on DVD by WB Archive!
Search: The Complete Series |*Shop.WarnerArchive.com

The scanner seems like a good project for a 3D print. There's a 3D image on the Yahoo group, I'm trying to track down the creator.

 

[trilanth]

where can you get a reproduction tv scanner prop from search 1972 today in 2020??????help

 

[Alan Cross]

That show made an impression on me too. But these links aren’t working for me. No doubt the necklace camera would make an excellent prop.

 

[Jeff_Haas]

Yahoo Groups has been discontinued, so the links there (and all the info that had been collected) are gone. There is now a Facebook group with most of the old members and some of the content:

Search - 1972 TV Series

Search - 1972 TV Series. 2,482 likes · 125 talking about this. 'Search - 1972 TV Series' is a page where fans of the NBC-TV show can come to discuss the series... Anything pertaining to this One...

www.facebook.com

I'm sure if you ask there, someone can post a good picture of the prop.

 

[Jeff_Haas]

There is one reproduction out there...but it's expensive!

Buy probe prop scanner 0 items on Bonanza

Found no results for this search query.

www.bonanza.com

 

[TheHawk59]

I created a .stl to 3d print for this. It would still need some work after printing but a good start.

Search Scanner (American TV series) (September 1972 to August 1973) by TheHawk59

Search (American TV series) (September 1972 to August 1973)World Securities Corporation:miniature scanner, tiny video camera/telemetry units which can be attached to tie clips or other jewelry. The most common method is to wear the Scanner on a ring, enabling it to be discreetly aimed.The...

www.thingiverse.com

 

[Jeff_Haas]

Wow, thanks. Looks like it should be printed with settings for mini figures.

 

[Jeff_Haas]

I printed this on my Ender 3 with the Fat Dragon Games mini profile.

It comes out pretty good for this type of printer, but I'm going to have to find someone who has an SLA printer to run it off. There's just too much tiny detail.

 

[SYoung1960]

I printed this on my Ender 3 with the Fat Dragon Games mini profile.

It comes out pretty good for this type of printer, but I'm going to have to find someone who has an SLA printer to run it off. There's just too much tiny detail.


View attachment 1611860

I'd like a couple of these. When you find a printer that supports the details, how would I go about getting a couple from you? And how much will it run me?

 

[publiusr]

Reminds me of Dr. Theo’ on the later Buck Rogers…

 

[Jeff_Haas]

I still haven't found someone locally who has a resin printer...need to check with the local group...

 

[origscanner]

where can you get a reproduction tv scanner prop from search 1972 today in 2020??????help

I was the person making them on the Probe Control Yahoo Board years ago. I have long stopped making them. My avitar is the last one I made.to keep for prop collection. I made 1 one ring, silver, Gold plated, nickel base coat, (yhe Scanners were brass, nickel base coat, then gold plated. The ring went to a member. I got my hands on HD pics of the Real Hero from a friend that got them from the original creator an owner of the Screen used one from the show. I was lucky enough to become friends with John before he became sick and finally his health gave out and passed away a couple months ago.
...I actually gave all my pictures to someone else including the circuit board layout and how I actually re created the Scanners. I don't know if he ever really made any completed ones or if he ever sold any.
...I stumbled across this group looking to see if any of my Scanners showed up in a search (NO pun intended) if I can locate the person that (took over) for me, I'll drop back in and post. But that was years ago, please don't get your hopes up, I am Not promising anything.