QMX TNG comm badge pre-order
- Thread starter NakedMoleRat
- Start date
PeteVenkman
Well-Known Member
Yep, got mine finally. I think it looks awesome. Definitely glad I grabbed a couple.
Quinn
Well-Known Member
That's actually the box from an old DS9 video game. Years ago, I cut the front panel out, and had some badges in there. A few years later, I added some LEDs to light that sucker up. Still works!
That was a neat idea. Looks good!
Benbot
New Member
It would be difficult for me to be more disappointed with this. QMx's combadge did not live up to what was promised, and I almost feel insulted looking at it. The packaging looks incredibly cheap and generic, and lacks any proper Next Generation branding. Did they not actually have the license to market TNG items? Presentation counts!
On the back it says, "QMx has meticulously re-created this prop exactly as it was on the show." No, they didn't. There's nothing meticulous or exact about this combadge. I don't have an original prop or replica of one, but I trust this is the same size and shape of the originals, however that's where the similarity ends. Why go through the trouble of making a "replica" if they were going to so poorly reproduce it.
It doesn't look authentic, it looks cheap. The colors and finish are completely wrong, and it's shiny as hell. It reminds me of those awful two-piece metal pin badges that were sold 20+ years ago. They had the original props--how could they overlook the fact they were never this bright or reflective? It's apparent QMx just didn't care.
I could go on about the materials used and the general lack of quality, but this is basic stuff. I wouldn't call this an "idealized" version of the original. It's just a shoddy cash-grab.
On the back it says, "QMx has meticulously re-created this prop exactly as it was on the show." No, they didn't. There's nothing meticulous or exact about this combadge. I don't have an original prop or replica of one, but I trust this is the same size and shape of the originals, however that's where the similarity ends. Why go through the trouble of making a "replica" if they were going to so poorly reproduce it.
It doesn't look authentic, it looks cheap. The colors and finish are completely wrong, and it's shiny as hell. It reminds me of those awful two-piece metal pin badges that were sold 20+ years ago. They had the original props--how could they overlook the fact they were never this bright or reflective? It's apparent QMx just didn't care.
I could go on about the materials used and the general lack of quality, but this is basic stuff. I wouldn't call this an "idealized" version of the original. It's just a shoddy cash-grab.
The "real" combadges have a removable face plate (the silver arrowhead in the photo above) that reveals the combadge's internal circuitry (as seen in the Star Trek: The Next Generation Technical Manual and in the "Coda" episode of Star Trek Voyager. The QMx combadge certainly makes it look like this is the case with the silver arrowhead. Again, the QMx combadge is an idealized version of this iconic prop, and proves to be accurate in every respect except for the paint job. Over all, I consider it the best representation of the ST TNG combadge. Bravo QMx! It would be nice if they came out with a Voyager combadge also.
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Quinn
Well-Known Member
May I ask why you took the border off? It's on the original props.
eclipse74569
Well-Known Member
Actually Risu it did have a border. You can see it clearly in Times Arrow when Beverly holds her badge up when the alien life suckers come into the triage ward. However in DS9 they DID thin the line out but it was still there. That and it wears off with wear and tear. I happen to LOVE my QMx badge. I wear it to work and I've gotten more compliments than I ever bargain for!
Kazy
New Member
Honestly I prefer the shiny "idealized" version. The only reason they weren't shiny on the show is that shiny things don't look that good on camera, and they were filming for low-quality SD television.
Getting a tailor to put an interior pocket into my uniform to hold the magnet so I can take it on and off without worrying about it falling out of my shirt.
Getting a tailor to put an interior pocket into my uniform to hold the magnet so I can take it on and off without worrying about it falling out of my shirt.
NakedMoleRat
Master Member
Got mine and love everything about it! It is an impressive 'idealized' replica. Just like JJ's version of Trek!
stephend
New Member
Hmm - I think I like my 1987 one best. Needs a bit of a facelift though...
TNG Combadge: 1987 vs. QMx 2013 - Star Trek
TNG Combadge: 1987 vs. QMx 2013 - Star Trek
Mara Jade's Father
Master Member
I did that many years ago. Here is a pict I have of the two I own. Left is one in the original condition. Right is one that I sanded the face smooth and re-painted. If I was doing this today, I would probably opt for bondo to eliminate the raised shield edge.
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stephend
New Member
Goodness, they BOTH look as good as new! I quite like the raised edge, but I'm not sure if its screen accurate - I'll need to take a closer look at the blu-rays. I'm hopeless at sanding - always ruin things; is there a stripper that would work without eating the alloy?
Mara Jade's Father
Master Member
On this type of communicator, there is no lip.
Here is a pict of the communicator prop replica made as the show's that is sold by Roddenberry.com:
It is not just the lip that throws it off, it is also the delta's face as it tapers down toward the lip. flatting the surface area of the delta's face makes a big difference toward accuracy (IMHO).
Back to QMX's badge: I will most likely pick up on in the future. They are pretty neat at a reasonable price but I am disappointed by the ill fitting face plate, the gold coloring, and the lack of black edging all the way on the sides of the delta section. I have no issue with an idealized comm badge replica, I just think it could have been done better. I would love to see a model that consisted of three parts, one for each color (gold, silver, and black). Oh well, maybe someone on shapeways will make that happen someday.
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QuasiOdo
Well-Known Member
I have two screen-used season 1-2 badges and it looks like although Qmx modeled theirs after that earlier version, which had a larger oval back, they totally botched the finish. Now I'm sorry I ordered one. The most commonly used paint colors were Krylon Bright Gold and Dull Aluminum. The black edge was done with a Sharpie. I'll take a urethane version, properly painted, over this abomination any day. There's nothing like a careful paint and finishing job on a Rodd version. THAT'S the closest you can come to screen-used!
Mara Jade's Father
Master Member
The problem is that even if it gives you the desired look, the clear coat tends not to adhere well to such a surface and therefore can easily chip. I think you would be better off prepping the surface, giving it a primer base and painting appropriately.
Received mine the other day and I can't say I'm overly impressed with it. The shineyness doesn't bother me, we knew it was coming, but the top plate on the insignia itself looks like a poor fitting mistake. I know what they were going for but they didn't quite get it IMHO.
Still, for $25 it's not too bad. I'll probably add black paint to the outside of the arrow and call it a day.
Still, for $25 it's not too bad. I'll probably add black paint to the outside of the arrow and call it a day.
