Seaquest Darwin Vocorder

[SurferGeek]

Been on a bit of a Seaquest binge lately...

Anyone have pictures of the screen used piece? Did anyone ever recreate it? It's obviously built from several found objects... A keypad, the darker yellow base looks like a Fluke meter case and the curved top piece looks to be a IR sensor from a burglar or room sensor.

 

[synasp]

This is one of my holy grail props. If anyone can replicate it... :love

From what I've heard, supposedly Brandis' parents have it in their attic somewhere.

 

[Macrossmaster]

I have nothing to add except a deep love of SeaQuest props. I'd sure love to see these parts tracked down...

 

[madrobot]

Part of it is a garage motion sensor. The other part is from a control pad for a lift crane. I could probably make one of these.

 

[SurferGeek]

Part of it is a garage motion sensor. The other part is from a control pad for a lift crane. I could probably make one of these.

Yellow like a crane control but I've not seen one with a number pad.

Here's the type of motion sensor but I've not been able to fine the exact model. I do remember seeing them before.

Also, Fluke still makes similar styled cases (holsters).

 

[madrobot]

When I worked in a warehouse, there were these cranes that we'd use that had a code pad, and directional pad on them.

I'll see if I can't get some pics.

 

[SurferGeek]

When I worked in a warehouse, there were these cranes that we'd use that had a code pad, and directional pad on them.

I'll see if I can't get some pics.

Interested in seeing what you can find.

In this case I don't think it's from a crane. Couple of reasons... Too many keys and wrong type of keys. Crane controls need to be rugged and weather proof. That keypad isn't either.

By the way, I remember using that type of motion sensor. It was attached to a flood light and the black knobs seen on the prop were adjustments to set the sensitivity. Here's another picture showing the adjustments.

 

[synasp]

the crappy thing is all of this stuff was made in the early 90s, so the parts are likely out of production = harder to ID/find.

 

[SurferGeek]

the crappy thing is all of this stuff was made in the early 90s, so the parts are likely out of production = harder to ID/find.

Yeah... that always makes it harder.That antenna looks a lot like it's from a cell phone, the huge old "bag" types.

 

[Krel]

It looks to me like the key pad was added, it doesn't quite lay down flat, and the rubber boot on the bottom doesn't look like it quite fits either.

David.

 

[SG Merc]

I vaguely remember seeing one of these, but I don't know if it was a replica or original prop. I'll check my seaQuest photos later to see if I've got anything on my computer.

Nice job IDing what type of parts might have been in the original.

 

[SurferGeek]

I vaguely remember seeing one of these, but I don't know if it was a replica or original prop. I'll check my seaQuest photos later to see if I've got anything on my computer.

Nice job IDing what type of parts might have been in the original.

That would be great! Thanks. thumbsup

 

[SurferGeek]

This is the type of antenna I pictured when I saw the vocorder. I had this phone many moons ago... :lol

Not exactly the same but quite similar. The difference I see is that the bag phone antenna had a pivot mount where I don't see this on the vocorder. It could have been modified I guess.

 

[madrobot]

Who here has a pet dolphin to go with the Vocoder?

 

[SG Merc]

Looks like the photo I had on my computer wasn't of the Vocorder, but of a wall mounted communication device.

I don't know if there are any common parts between the two, but the overall design is similar.

 

[SurferGeek]

Looks like the photo I had on my computer wasn't of the Vocorder, but of a wall mounted communication device.

I don't know if there are any common parts between the two, but the overall design is similar.

Very cool... not sure I remember seeing it but the color suggests it would have been near the pool sections of the ship.

The PolyCom conference phones were used quite extensively throughout the ship and back in '93 these were upwards of $500 each, some came with keyboards and others were just speakerphones.

Here's a good shot of the left side of the Vocorder better showing the antenna mount. The left side was rarely seen as most of the actors held the Vocorder in their left hands and operated it with their right.

 

[HMS Mike]

Hi Guys,
Here's a shot of it for you when I worked on the show. I will see if I have more.

Hope this helps,

HMS Mike

 

[synasp]

...Hope this helps

Mike, I just had a heartattack...

WOW! :eek I've never seen such close-up shots of that before! That helps a great deal! If we can't source found items, at least we have grounds for a good replica.

The numberpad seems to say (from right of #9 clockwise):
CLEAR

END
ORDER

RE-
CALL

ENTER

CASE
------
PRICE
------
STOCK

START
------
STOP

 

[synasp]

Well, we pretty much know 100% that the top piece is a motion sensor, as expected.

edit: and yes, I am losing sleep over this. Thanks guys. :lol

 

[SurferGeek]

Holy Mother of Pearl!!

Thanks a million Mike! Yeah, the top is definitely a motion/IR sensor but it appears that the opening was modified to be slightly narrower. I'm at work right now so I'll have to drool over the details later.

Sweet.

The numberpad seems to say (from right of #9 clockwise):

CASE
------
PRICE
------
STOCK

Possibly from a cash register or some type of wharehouse inventory system?