STAR TREK Tricorder Prop Replica
Good news, the video editing went smoothly so this one is now ready to share.
Here's the link: https://youtu.be/-iMAzdfu1Ms
I’m glad the Wand Company got in touch and offered to send a review sample of their Tricorder, as while I wanted to take a look at one it’s very unlikely I’d have spent $350 for the privilege. I’m sure they’ll sell as many as they can make - but it is a very niche subject for a video. Incidentally it’s no coincidence that I mentioned the Tricorder in the Singer Study Mate video the other week - I already knew this one was on its way.
Since this was a straightforward product demo, it seemed like the perfect subject for the first full video shoot in the new studio space. I expected some behind the scenes technical issues would be inevitable, so it seemed wise to minimise complications by showing something that should just work out of the box. On reflection it turns out that shooting the screen on this was trickier than I'd anticipated.
I may put this video out on Monday as it’s a holiday here in the UK and if other people’s bank holidays are anything like mine it’ll be a day to stay in the house. So this might be the ideal time to share a new video.
I struggled to think of a catchy video title, so I kept it simple as I doubt it will make any difference to the view count.
With this one completed I’m looking forward to starting work on my new video on Monday. Next week should be my first week in quite a while that's totally free from appointments, let's hope this run lasts.
Take care.
Comments (59)
The kid in me would love one but the adult I me says superfluous. I’m not responsible just broke lol. Agree that an external use like the tricorder acting as an external speaker I think would make it useful especially if you display it on a desk etc. still neat and I enjoyed.
Thats so cool , Gratz
Could you please release that song you play when you take a peel off of something? I really would like it as a ringtone
The video brought back memories of a project from the good old days. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDPeio2BNaE
Gratz, thats so cool
Next door neighbour does double take and looks closely at his bottle of 20:20 whilst shaking head.
Looking and sounding good, Mat. Congrats on the Moancave being up and running!
Omg hahahaha 'The Moancave' - that's perfect! I hope that becomes it's official name.
Ah, great stuff, if it's any consolation you're looking a lot lot lot better! Many thanks for the vid. This puts the icing on my weekend (Sunderland supporter here)!!
New Studio looks and sounds great. As do you Matt. I have zero interest in Star Trek but this was a great video.
I quite like this. Definitely love the vintage Star Trek look to it, and I’m fine either with its functionality. I do have pretty big hands, so the buttons maybe a bit fiddly, but I can still find my way round a Casio calculator watch… so I think I’ll be fine and dandy 😁 Cheers Matt. Lee
This is a fantastic thing. I want, but out of stock on Amazon and Ebay is running at £1000+! Mat you're looking much better, hope you are feeling better too.
Looking great Mat - Great video once again!
Good video. My only suggestion would but get a clip of the OG prop from the show.
A very lovely video and a very lovely replica. I think the integration of the data disks is a particularly nice detail. This reproduction probably looks significantly better than the original prop. In 1996, I visited a Star Trek exhibition in Cologne (which was literally called "Star Trek - The Exhibition"). There, you could get a close look at some screen-used props, set pieces, and uniforms. Many of the props looked rather cheaply thrown together. The PADDs were essentially painted plywood boards that were significantly enhanced in post-production. Also on display was the captain's chair from the Klingon Bird of Prey used in "Star Trek - Generations". The rusty look in the film was created by applying brown paint in a speckled pattern with an airbrush. The uniforms were tailor-made, including the waist shapes of the actors wearing them (James Doohan…). At conventions, I am always struck by how much of the merchandise on offer consists of cheap-looking plastic stuff, yet the dealers still charge steep prices for it. So it does not surprise me in the least that convincing replicas come with a hefty price tag. The only thing I have ever bought in this regard is a Bandai Pair Match. It is a pyramid-shaped electronic game with a VFD display from 1984, which was used as table decoration in Ten Forward on The Next Generation. I had it signed by Brent Spiner at FedCon 2018. He had no idea what it was. But even most die-hard fans could not place it. The design is timeless, but the fact that it drains four C-cells in two hours really shows that it is 1980s technology.
This Bandai Pair Match makes me feel I woke up in a parallel universe. It's clearly looking too iconic and interesting to be forgotten. I'm slightly relieved Data is along the ride. So there's still hope he can get us out of here. Or is that you, Q?!
By the way, Mat. If you ever want to do a retro review of the Wand Co's phaser (they're very hard to find nowadays), I have one in perfect condition. I could loan it to you.
I don’t like to borrow things, but many thanks for the kind offer. I think this will likely be my last prop replica video too.
I remember the communicator video!! It inspired me to pick one of those up. It gathers dust on a shelf (the speakerphone functionality just isn't very useful - who talks on the phone any more?), but it's a neat object to have hanging about. Thanks to you, I pulled the trigger with Wand to get "in line" for the tricorder whenever it releases. Got a certificate and everything! Thanks Mat! 😘
Having, for previous birthdays, bought me both the Wand Co communicator and the (very impressive) phaser replicas, my wife had little choice but to get me this tricorder as well. It arrived last week, so I now have the full set. I don't know whether to be proud or ashamed.
Great video! Description is currently missing the link to the communicator video.
Thank you, I’ll add it on now.
Imagine a universe in which the Star Trek Tricorder had a doom scrolling function: Going boldly nowhere because who cares?
I've always wanted something akin to a tricorder, but not just a prop. In fact, while I appreciate the 1960s design being innovative, it was obviously outdated even by the 1980s when TNG came about. But yeah, I have always wished for a device that was sort of like a smart phone that could run different apps, but have it equipped with all sorts of sensors. For example, a thermal imager, UV and/or IR camera, software defined radio, microphones with audio analysis, humidity and barometric pressure, and a light spectrometer to identify materials. And whatever else anyone could think to add.
Your smartphone can kind of do a scaled-down version of this, with the help of an app.
Such a cool device. The ultimate functionality for this would have been a satnav function with some trekkie nerdy bits. The cos players would have utilized this and even built their challenges around that kind of function.
Interesting how your review of it was so different from Adam Savage's, and honestly, I like your review a lot better. Adam was far more interested in it as a prop, and you're more interested in it as a piece of technology.
I made sure not to watch his review when it was recommended to me before mine arrived. Perhaps I will go back and watch it now that my video is done.
It’s a holiday in the US too just btw.
Would love to see a Space 1999 stun gun and comlock
The interesting thing about the Comlock was that they had one with a working CRT monitor in it (and wires down the actors sleeve),
I'll take 3. j/k
I am not that much of a Trekkie that I would buy one.....
Good fun
Great video, Matt, and I’m pleased to see how well the new studio works for you. This bodes well for many future videos of the highest caliber. On a personal note, my wife, who isn’t a geek like me, but has occasionally seen your videos, and knows about your health issues, walked past while I was watching this video. She had two comments: 1) “He’s looking much better,” and 2) “You could stand to drop a few pounds, like he did.”
I definitely wouldn’t recommend my diet plan though.
I've picked one of these up myself, love it! Will watch your video later.
Great video. I had slight audio sync problems slwas slightly out for me, but probably just me. Beam me up scotty
Are the few frames of you walking behind the office at the start intentional? Otherwise, nice work!
It’s a happy accident.
This video could be considered the Grand Opening of the new studio as well as the Official Launch of the newly-refurbished Mat, making his entrance via Transporter.👍 I'm warning you now that in every future "new product demo" video, we'll be expecting you to do a quick modeling scene like the one you did at the end here--Ironically brilliant!😃 (Please don't edit the opening sequence to remove the bit where you're sneaking behind the shed--it's a cool bit that I didn't notice until Grace mentioned it).
Cheaper than I expected. Thought it would be north of £500.
It is if you go on Ebay right now.
Techmoan and a tricorder is a match made in heaven.
Great all round. I'm not a massive Trekie, but the replica looks very well done. Also looking good is the garden, new studio, and you, Mat; you seem to be fully recovered from your blood malarkey, so hopefully you'll be able to put the medical stuff behind you soon.
I believe it was your Star Trek communicator video that brought me to the channel all those years ago… Never looked back. I shall look forward to watching this one when time allows. All the best.
Excellent job, and I love the new studio. The video had all personality of a classic Techmoan video
They’ve certainly delivered on their aim…. At a cost. There are probably enough committed cosplayers to make this a success. As always , great considered review Mat. Just one comment on the new set, I found the spectrum analyser too distracting in that it is close to you and, in reacting to your speech, is moving and flashing more than you calmly delivered dulcet tones. Its cousin bottom left less so. Good news on respite from appointed and nice to get away for a few days.
Yep, nice add it would be to own the top spectrum analyser, it's a bit distracting in the video.
• The introduction to your new space is great in every way! Subtle and understated. Very nicely done. Not only that, but the display you've made is appealing but not garish and the backlights add a lot to it. • Huh, what the heck... my image was a strange coincidence indeed. Spooky, even. References to TOS and a VU meter. 😵 If I'd done that image on a tricorder I would be wondering about the universe. • Orange chair? 🥰 • I love the tricorder, that should go unsaid. A great prop or display item for sure. I'd be like a kid messing with it (wasting time) for hours. Even the little discs are quite precious, like chunky colorful coins. • Your modeling scene, don't ever do that again - I'm kidding, it gave me a laugh. This was entertaining as hell. 😄 We have a 'bank holiday' of sorts on Monday as well - Memorial Day. Have a good one. Take care. 🤍 Edit: Who was that creep ducking behind the building at the beginning? 😁
Thanks for letting me know about the bank holiday, it makes me all the more sure that tomorrow will be as good a day as any to put this out. Oh and the guy ducking behind the building…I have no idea, I hadn’t arrived yet ;-)
Such a nice video from the new studio. The star trek tricorder brings back memories of a childhood where the future seemed to have so much in store. And somehow that turned out to be true. Nostalgia though: it seems it’s no longer what it once was. But I enjoyed watching this so, so much. Thank you, Mat.
A future when the most exciting new product of the year is a prop from the past. I think we can easily guess that the iPhone 17 will be 10% faster, 0.1mm thinner, and have 15 minutes extra battery life :-)
What a great video! A top notch Techmoan production with all the bits and pieces I like! 😊
Nice! Brilliant start of the video 😄!
Well, as a Star Trek fan myself I think that prop is very impressive. I'll have to add it to the list. What they need to do next is create a hand phaser with authentic sound using a blue laser strong enough to light some matches or melt some dark plastic.
Are you kidding me, you got one already? Awesome Sunday surprise, thanks Mat!
I’ve been following this for a long time - the final price is terrifying though!
Brilliant I will watch this with my breakfast sarnie 😊