Star Trek TOS Phasers. Whats Out There ?
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MustangGTR1
Sr Member
There is a bunch, it all depends on the price you are willing to pay.
You have from a Nelson to HMS, and everything in between.
Prices are from 2000 to 20 for a AA..Kev
You have from a Nelson to HMS, and everything in between.
Prices are from 2000 to 20 for a AA..Kev
phez
Sr Member
If you are looking for a pre-built, unless you are looking at an MR (on ebay) it is very hard to beat the quality of the HMS (for a full Phaser II).
http://www.roddenberry.com/props/prop-replicas/tos-phaser-ii-prop-built.html
If you are looking for a kit, check out the jlong P1
http://saucersoverhollywood.com/purchase_p1_kit.html
There is lots more but that is a start.
http://www.roddenberry.com/props/prop-replicas/tos-phaser-ii-prop-built.html
If you are looking for a kit, check out the jlong P1
http://saucersoverhollywood.com/purchase_p1_kit.html
There is lots more but that is a start.
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nwjedidave
Sr Member
phez
Sr Member
You can not go wrong either way. Both are amazing replicas. The MR has the removable handle and the rising site but the HMS does not have that. The electronics are very comparable. I think the HMS could be had a bit cheaper than the MR (for the most part). I have both and if you asked me to choose between the two I would be very hard pressed to do so.
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MustangGTR1
Sr Member
Rod/HMS is better, price and easy to get. The MR is nice and metal and feels real, but has its problems, and the MR will cost you a left nut right now...Kev
Both the MR and the HMS have particular things that are not "right" about them.
The MR of course is heavy diecast metal, which is nice, and the p2 body and grip are nearly perfect, shapewise. but the p1 "hand phaser" on the MR has got wonky curves on it, that are just not accurate.
The HMS looks a lot like the Art Asylum/Diamond Select toy. The HMS is actually very similar to the props that were made for the Deep Space Nine episode "Trials and Tribbleations", so if you really like DS9 or that episode in particular, you might want it for that reason. Also HMS is an actual propmaker, whereas MR's stuff was mass-produced in China.
However the HMS has certain lines about it that I've never liked. It's hard to summarize, but it's very subtle stuff like the thickness and length of the grip, and the placement of the side knob.
If you don't want to spend money, you just want some kind of phaser to play with, then the Diamond Select toy can't be beat! It was actually used as a prop in the "Star Trek Enterprise" episode "In a Mirror Darkly", so you can actually claim it is identical to "screenused"! :lol
The MR of course is heavy diecast metal, which is nice, and the p2 body and grip are nearly perfect, shapewise. but the p1 "hand phaser" on the MR has got wonky curves on it, that are just not accurate.
The HMS looks a lot like the Art Asylum/Diamond Select toy. The HMS is actually very similar to the props that were made for the Deep Space Nine episode "Trials and Tribbleations", so if you really like DS9 or that episode in particular, you might want it for that reason. Also HMS is an actual propmaker, whereas MR's stuff was mass-produced in China.
However the HMS has certain lines about it that I've never liked. It's hard to summarize, but it's very subtle stuff like the thickness and length of the grip, and the placement of the side knob.
If you don't want to spend money, you just want some kind of phaser to play with, then the Diamond Select toy can't be beat! It was actually used as a prop in the "Star Trek Enterprise" episode "In a Mirror Darkly", so you can actually claim it is identical to "screenused"! :lol
Mercury
Sr Member
Not meaning to highjack the thread but is there a difference between the original release AA TOS Phaser and the DS AA TOS Phaser?
phez
Sr Member
There is a bunch of variants of the AA/DST toy's but they are all an inexpensive (possibly recast?) knock off of the HMS phaser. If you are going for quality, go to the source
. Among the toy's there is not a whole lot of difference. A bunch of color combination's on the same plastic. Buy the cheapest one and paint it how you like.
Mercury
Sr Member
There is a bunch of variants of the AA/DST toy's but they are all an inexpensive (possibly recast?) knock off of the HMS phaser. If you are going for quality, go to the source
Let me fine tune my question abit. lol Not wanting to wait, I bought the 1st release of the TOS Phaser before it joined with Diamond Select. Then an AA phaser was used in an episode of Enterprise, so my question is would my phaser unmodified still be considered accurate to what was used?
There are about seven different repaints of the Art Asylum phaser. The black-handled original one is what was used as a prop in "In a Mirror Darkly".
The toy was unmodified, so if you have the toy you have exactly the same item as the prop! A Master Replicas communicator was also featured in the show.
However the point is well taken that the HMS replica sold by Rodd.com is much nicer and better made. And an HMS replica was used on DS9, so that's "canon" as well. The DS9 phaser had a gray handle the same color as the p2 body.
The AA toy does have some vary annoying quirks, such as the incorrectly-curved "Popeye brow" ribs on the side, and the p1 sight hood, which is rather anemic. :unsure
The toy was unmodified, so if you have the toy you have exactly the same item as the prop! A Master Replicas communicator was also featured in the show.
However the point is well taken that the HMS replica sold by Rodd.com is much nicer and better made. And an HMS replica was used on DS9, so that's "canon" as well. The DS9 phaser had a gray handle the same color as the p2 body.
The AA toy does have some vary annoying quirks, such as the incorrectly-curved "Popeye brow" ribs on the side, and the p1 sight hood, which is rather anemic. :unsure
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I saw that episode yesterday and I didn't know that that was one of those phasers. What is the material used in them. I'd also like to get a phaser in some kind of metal alloy. I have never heard of HMS. Can some please give me some more info on him? Thanks
HMS is a prop shop, H is Steve Horch, I think he posts here occasionally.
HMS built props for the actual Star Trek shows over the years (not the classic 60s show but the "modern era" series-es)... so if you get an HMS prop as either a kit, or a built one from Rodd.com or Star Trek Experience or whatever, you're getting something made by "real" prop guys. :thumbsup
AA toy phaser in "In a Mirror Darkly"
The Art Asylum phaser (distributed by Diamond Select) is a toy made in China but based off of a "master" built by HMS. The toy is made from ABS plastic I think (or styrene, I'm not sure on the difference). It has no metal parts, it's just molded in gray plastic and painted in the various colors.
It's a pretty sophisticated replica, despite being just a toy... the black p1 "hand phaser" is removable, and has several sound effects selectable with a control in the "power meter" dial.
Art Asylum/DST phaser with sight raised
The thumbwheel raises a "sight plate", which was actually a feature of the original prop, but unfortunately the toy's sight is rather dinky and not at all as impressive as the original.
The trigger for the hand phaser is a rubber button on the bottom of the unit. A red LED in the front emitter lights up.
Snap the hand phaser into the pistol grip, and you get the complete phaser, with an LED that lights up in the main emitter. The "ten turn" dial in the back and the dial on the side of the pistol, both work. All this for about $30!
The working HMS prop replica version is of course more impressive, since it's fully painted (the prop has bare plastic on its body) and has metal parts where they should be.
The HMS is probably made from plastic resin... the Master Replicas is made from a diecast metal, so it's very heavy on the hand. The MR also has a removable grip, which you twist to release. This is accurate to the hero props.
Actual prop (top) and Master Replicas P1 hand phaser, both with sight raised
The RGB LEDs in the MR are pretty sophisticated, changing color with the various settings (which have the appropriate sound effects, and are "burst" or "continuous" as required). There's also a sort of color-flashing effect when firing, which gives the impression of surging energies. Very satisfying!
Master Replicas phaser
Master Replicas phaser
Here's the Master Replicas (left) compared to an HMS built phaser (from Starland, not Roddenberry)... and also an Art Aslyum toy that was repainted in more accurate colors.
HMS built props for the actual Star Trek shows over the years (not the classic 60s show but the "modern era" series-es)... so if you get an HMS prop as either a kit, or a built one from Rodd.com or Star Trek Experience or whatever, you're getting something made by "real" prop guys. :thumbsup
AA toy phaser in "In a Mirror Darkly"
The Art Asylum phaser (distributed by Diamond Select) is a toy made in China but based off of a "master" built by HMS. The toy is made from ABS plastic I think (or styrene, I'm not sure on the difference). It has no metal parts, it's just molded in gray plastic and painted in the various colors.
It's a pretty sophisticated replica, despite being just a toy... the black p1 "hand phaser" is removable, and has several sound effects selectable with a control in the "power meter" dial.
Art Asylum/DST phaser with sight raised
The thumbwheel raises a "sight plate", which was actually a feature of the original prop, but unfortunately the toy's sight is rather dinky and not at all as impressive as the original.
The trigger for the hand phaser is a rubber button on the bottom of the unit. A red LED in the front emitter lights up.
Snap the hand phaser into the pistol grip, and you get the complete phaser, with an LED that lights up in the main emitter. The "ten turn" dial in the back and the dial on the side of the pistol, both work. All this for about $30!
The working HMS prop replica version is of course more impressive, since it's fully painted (the prop has bare plastic on its body) and has metal parts where they should be.
The HMS is probably made from plastic resin... the Master Replicas is made from a diecast metal, so it's very heavy on the hand. The MR also has a removable grip, which you twist to release. This is accurate to the hero props.
Actual prop (top) and Master Replicas P1 hand phaser, both with sight raised
The RGB LEDs in the MR are pretty sophisticated, changing color with the various settings (which have the appropriate sound effects, and are "burst" or "continuous" as required). There's also a sort of color-flashing effect when firing, which gives the impression of surging energies. Very satisfying!
Master Replicas phaser
Master Replicas phaser
Here's the Master Replicas (left) compared to an HMS built phaser (from Starland, not Roddenberry)... and also an Art Aslyum toy that was repainted in more accurate colors.
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I agree, it's a nice kit but something's not quite righy about the HMS/Rodd phaser. I ended up selling mine in the JY last year.
Personally, I really like the Masterpiece Models kit. With a few metal upgrades it's makes a great phaser.
MustangGTR1
Sr Member
DStines use to make a killer one, even with a pager built in that made it feel real when fired. I have one of them also..Kev
SSgt Burton
Sr Member
The one available from Rodd.com, that's an HMS phaser too?
What are the sound effects on the Rodd.com one like?
If I wanted one that is high quality and had some kick butt sound effects but didn't want to spend $1200+ on a MR off ebay- would the Rodd.com one be recommended?
Or is there another option? I already own a couple AA/DST phasers.
Kevin
What are the sound effects on the Rodd.com one like?
If I wanted one that is high quality and had some kick butt sound effects but didn't want to spend $1200+ on a MR off ebay- would the Rodd.com one be recommended?
Or is there another option? I already own a couple AA/DST phasers.
Kevin
Roger Ramjet
Sr Member
It's depending on how far you want to go: I have/had at least one example from every maker since the early 70's.
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