Playmates Tricorder Advice

[Farrellk08]

I have just come into possession of a Playmates Tricorder from Ebay. It appears to be brand new, the stickers are even still in the packaging.



I've read a few posts on the RPF from people doing upgrades and mods to make it more true to the show. It seems that gmprops makes the best (and only?) available upgrade kit, and it looks fantastic, but $140 is a little more than I can afford to spend. I have some experience with a soldering iron from my high school electronics days, but not enough to make my own circuit board or to do it myself. Should I just paint it up a little nicer and be happy with it, or is there any other alternatives to get some LEDs and spruce this thing up?

Thanks!

 

[Trekdude]

I would save up for the Gmprops kit. It will probably cost you more than that to experiment and make your own.

 

[ItalianNinja86]

To be perfectly honest IMO I would just save up the money and get one of gmprops light kits

I just got mine in today (plus he includes a handy instruction guide to modifying the playmates tricorder) and from every thing I have seen when done they look fantastic.

Other then that repainting it a closer color to the screen used ones is probably all you can really do to spruce it up a bit

 

[propmaster2000]

Hi Farrellk08,

There are many ways to modify and enhance the Playmates Tricorder with just
a few LEDs and magnetic switch. I have done a few with my own electronics.
Some very straight forward and others more challenging with much more work
involved.
You can get creative as well and just do what ever you have the skills
to do.

Below are few links (Youtube) to some that I have done at one time or another.
Maybe they will give you some ideas and motivation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZyfAXM6MLTg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQEAtHMZcaw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yf3lgbLajNg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIVrlf3EEfE

https://www.youtube.com/user/sportly3/videos

Have fun and good luck...

 

[propmaster2000]

Good morning Farrellk08,

Have you decided what route you are going to take on your Tricorder modification?
I would be interested in seeing what you come up with and how you plan to make it
more prop like.

propmaster2000

.

 

[asalaw]

Hi Farrellk08,

There are many ways to modify and enhance the Playmates Tricorder with just
a few LEDs and magnetic switch. I have done a few with my own electronics.
Some very straight forward and others more challenging with much more work
involved.
You can get creative as well and just do what ever you have the skills
to do.

Below are few links (Youtube) to some that I have done at one time or another.
Maybe they will give you some ideas and motivation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZyfAXM6MLTg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQEAtHMZcaw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yf3lgbLajNg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIVrlf3EEfE

https://www.youtube.com/user/sportly3/videos

Have fun and good luck...

I couldn't agree more. Go for it! You have nothing to lose but your fear.

 

[Farrellk08]

So I've been working on a few projects, but I started to do some painting to the top of the tricorder. I'm not finished, but here's where I'm at right now:

 

[danny71198]

i just found one for 32 dollars shipped on eBay and purchased it, i was wondering if anyone new what color paint is closest to the one used on screen.


Edit: Never mind I need to learn to check the links before I comment.