real star trek communicator

Star Trek  TM : The Original Series

Bluetooth ® communicator prop replica, the wand company is proud to present our star trek: the original series bluetooth communicator. this exceptionally accurate and highly detailed working replica was revealed on thinkgeek’s booth at san diego comic-con in july 2015., our new communicator is an advanced bluetooth enabled speakerphone that is compatible with all bluetooth enabled communications equipment worldwide, such as mobile phones and music players..

Highly accurate: Created from 3D scans of the last known hero prop

Fully functional: Easy to pair with any Bluetooth compatible mobile phone

Authentic function: Use the classic flip action to answer calls

High quality: Die-cast zinc, CNC machined aluminium, iridescent coated jewels

Contactless charging: Built-in lithium polymer battery

Immersive play features:  17 new authentic voice clips and 3 Original Series Communicator sound FX

Gorgeous transit case : Moulded foam lined transit case and leatherette pouch

beautifully presented

The Communicator prop replica is protected from damage and kept in pristine condition (when not on display) in a high quality, moulded-foam-lined presentation case. Manufactured in hard-wearing engineering-grade ABS, the case is also designed to stack as if supplied from the original Enterprise. When on the move, a leatherette pouch protects it from scuffing.

quality materials

High-quality materials are brought together to create an exceptionally well-finished Communicator replica that looks and feels like it means business: CNC-machined aluminium; nickel-plated die-cast zinc; punched, pressed and welded steel; thermoplastic polyurethane rubber; ABS plastic with a digitally created texture.

the ultimate collectible

Whether you have just discovered Star Trek  or have been hooked since you were a kid, this Communicator is something that you just have to own. Researched, designed and built with fanatical attention to detail, the simplicity of its embossed, die-cast, magnetic, wireless charging stand presents and charges this iconic piece with style.

the fantasy made real

Designed from the first 3D structured light scans of the last known hero screen-used Communicator prop, this amazing replica boasts a host of exciting features such as a silent rotating moiré pattern, AB-coated iridescent jewels and, authentic voice clips arranged in sentence fragments for immersive play, while also being a fully-functional Bluetooth enabled handset.

The Wand Company’s attention to detail combined with state-of-the-art technology brings the fantasy to life

This Original Series  Bluetooth Communicator is not a toy: it is an advanced, Bluetooth wireless technology enabled communications device, designed to pair with a mobile phone and thus permit near instantaneous person-to-person communication at a considerable distance. When paired with a device capable of streaming music, the Communicator may also be used as a wireless music speaker.

This Communicator has been developed to give its owner the maximum level of enjoyment; designed using extremely accurate 3D scans of one of the last remaining communicator hero props from the 1960s Original Series television show, dedicated attention to detail, the use of authentic materials, textures and finishes and the tireless support and extraordinarily deep knowledge of HeroComm.com so generously given to us, has resulted in a fully functioning, display grade product that is highly faithful to the original prop.

The Communicator is robust enough to be used in play and cosplay. With its authentic sound effects and original voice clips, the Communicator provides plenty of opportunity for in-universe interaction and fun, and of course its Bluetooth functionality enables it to be used exactly as it was always intended – as a person-to-person communications device. The Communicator is not a walkie-talkie. In order to use it to talk to another person, you will also need a Bluetooth-enabled mobile phone (or internet phone) that can make and receive telephone calls.

Pairing and using the Communicator with a Bluetooth enabled mobile phone to receive and make calls is straightforward

Pairing with a mobile phone is a simple procedure.

Once the Communicator is paired with a phone, just flip open the antenna grille to answer an incoming call.

Press and hold the right-hand button to initiate voice dialling (or to access other functions available via voice-activated assistants such as Siri on iPhones, Google Now on Android or Cortana on Windows phones).

Double-click the right-hand button to pause and play music.

20 authentic Star Trek voice clips and Communicator sound FX can be accessed at any time via the right-hand 5-way jog button.

What people are saying about the Communicator

The Verge The little device was actually designed using one of the original props from Star Trek, and is composed of a combination of pressed metal, aluminum, and textured plastic. Without having actually lived through the 1960s, I thought it felt authentic — weighty and purposeful for people in Starfleet. The grill flips opens with the actual sound effects from the show, and the speaker and transceiver make it look truly like a 23rd century artifact.

The Thrillist That sound you may have heard earlier today? The excited sobs of Trekkies everywhere when they saw that this bad boy is soon going to be a reality. The Wand Company just threw down a certified replica of the iconic Star Trek Original Series Communicator. A fully-functioning certified replica. Yeah!

Gizmodo This Bluetooth-equipped Star Trek Communicator is going to enable my bad habits even further—and my friends will hate me for it. Created by The Wand Company, a toy outfit that has a penchant for designing nerd treasure with actual real-world function.

Pocket Now Here’s where things get intense. The Wand Company wasn’t content merely to kick out a slightly refined version of the communicator toys we’ve seen for years; rather, building on the reproduction expertise it demonstrated with its earlier phaser remote control, it’s made the Star Trek Bluetooth Communicator a fully-fledged, museum-quality replica.

The Trek Collective …it is also probably the best reproduction of that prop ever offered.

Our customers

“It’s so great that you build all that stuff from the original show!!! Thanks for that!! I will buy some!”

“I wish I could high five each and everyone one of you at The Wand Company you all def deserve!”

“This is absolutely amazing. I just got through studying it. Heck, even the diagram is fantastic. I can’t imagine how great it will be to actually hold one of these in my hands.”

“I am very much looking forward to this, if it works like I hope it works, I may never talk directly on my phone again!”

“I’ve never even watched Star Trek and I honestly want this. Looks awesome.”

“This is awesome, Wand Company! Have wanted one of these for a long time and this was a great surprise when I came across it today! Every one of your products so far has been great! Keep it up!”

“I’ve been involved in the Star Trek prop-building community for a long time, and this is the holy grail. Commercially available “replicas” made up to this point have been pretty lackluster…and come in at many times the price of this and had no practical functionality at all.”

“This will look fantastic sitting next to my Phaser can’t wait.”

“Wow. You are spoiling us now….but THANK YOU!!! An already top quality product just got better!”

A Communicator that really works is a dream come true for fans who have waited 50 years for the function of this iconic prop to be realised.

Ever since James Tiberius Kirk flipped that gold-coloured antenna grille, called the Enterprise’s Chief Engineer orbiting 1000 kilometres above him, and asked to be beamed up, every Star Trek fan, in fact pretty much every science fiction fan, has wistfully dreamed of having a working Communicator of their own.

The Communicator didn’t just excite fans with a sense of what the future might hold for them: it actually inspired engineers to boldly go and create that future. Martin Cooper, the engineer working at Motorola credited with creating the world’s first mobile phone in 1973, said it was Kirk’s iconic prop that inspired him to create it.

The mobile phone has changed the way that the human race interacts. Mobile phones now dominate one-to-one and one-to-many communications; but still nothing can compare with the utter magic of putting yourself into the mindset of an intrepid 23rd century Starfleet landing party and flipping that golden antenna grille to answer an incoming call with the classic Communicator chirp, or speaking through the Communicator to your ship’s computer to ask it to dial and connect you with one of your friends.

For all those fans that dreamed, now at last the wait is over – owning is believing!

The Communicator has sold out

Unfortunately you can’t currently purchase a new Communicator as the last production batch has sold through. We hope we will be able to make more in the future. If we do we will announce that on our social channels.

Is the Communicator a walkie talkie?

Can i receive phone calls on the communicator, can i make phone calls on the communicator, what batteries does the communicator use.

• Is the Communicator a ``screen-accurate`` replica?

Can I use any USB cable to power up the charging stand?

Frequently-asked questions.

Look down this list of frequently-asked questions to find answers that will help you if you are thinking of buying a Communicator and want to learn more about how it works.

No, the Communicator is a Bluetooth enabled handset. This means that the Communicator can wirelessly send and receive audio to and from a Bluetooth enabled mobile phone (or Bluetooth enabled music player) within a range of about five metres. Therefore, in order to use the Communicator to talk to other people, you will need a Bluetooth enabled mobile phone with which the Communicator will have to be paired and connected.

Yes, provided you have a Bluetooth enabled mobile phone and the Communicator is paired with it, within range and connected to it.

When a call comes in, the Communicator will play the hailing beep and flipping open the antenna grille will answer the call.

The Communicator does not have a numeric keypad or graphical display, so calls may only be initiated via the Communicator if it is paired with and connected to a mobile phone that supports voice dialing from a hands-free Bluetooth headset, or by using the ‘last number redial’ function (see below).

To make a call:

Single click the right button to initiate voice dialing.

Once voice dialing is initiated the Communicator will play speech prompts and confirmation tones from your mobile through the Communicator’s speaker and your mobile phone will use the Communicator’s microphone.

For some phones, an internet connection is required for voice dialing.

IMPORTANT: Please check your mobile phone’s user manual to find out if your mobile phone supports voice dialing from a Bluetooth headset, and best way to activate and use it. There are some mobile phones that can only use voice dialing if a key is pressed on the mobile phone to initiate voice dialing. You will not be able to use a phone like this for voice dialing from the Communicator. Also, identical mobile phones may handle remote voice dialing differently depending on what version of operating system software they currently have installed.

Last number redial

Press and hold the right button for last number redial. This can be useful where your mobile phone doesn’t support remote voice dialing, but you would still like to make a call from your Communicator.

What batteries does the Communicator use?

The Communicator has a built-in rechargeable lithium polymer power cell that is recharged via the USB cable supplied with the Communicator. (Any good quality USB to micro-USB cable may also be used). The Communicator handset is charged by placing it on the charging base and held in place by magnetic catches.

Is the Communicator a “screen-accurate” replica?

For most users the answer is a definite “Yes!”. We have spent thousands of hours and taken great care to make this Communicator replica as accurate as possible to the last known screen-used hero prop that Shatner and Nimoy used in the original series of Star Trek. In order to make it so accurate we took high-resolution 3D structured light scans of the “Alpha” original hero prop. To complement the “Alpha” scans we took numerous photographs and measurements, 3D laser scanned the “Epsilon” static screen-used prop, and took castings from (and weighed the components of) the “Zeta” static prop. We also made use of HeroComm.com’s extensive access to samples of authentic original materials, which were kindly loaned to us to make sure that our Communicator not only followed the data of the original accurately, but also captured the nuances of the original prop’s intention.

However, in order to make the Communicator manufacturable and more affordable, and to iron out some of the original’s inconsistencies, we have had to make some slight changes, and as such, this replica may be considered to be an idealised version of the original hero prop.

The original hero prop was made from a range of different materials including thermoformed Kydex sheet material, brass, and aluminium. In order to keep the cost as reasonable as possible we have used the nearest equivalent material that is suitable for modern manufacturing methods. Where metal was used in the construction of the hero prop, we have used metal in the Communicator replica.

The Main Housing

The hero prop’s main housing was made by thermoforming a sheet of Kydex material over a specially shaped tool. The Kydex had a particular pattern designed to replicate a pigskin texture. Due to the process, the texture stretched slightly at the sides, where the sheet was drawn down over the steeper draft angles of the housing. Our Communicator could not be made using thermoforming due to the need for internal fixings, so as a result our replica’s housing is made from injection-moulded ABS. However, the Kydex pattern was carefully reproduced using an advanced 3D laser etching process to create the pattern on the surface of the mould tool. One of the benefits of using this process is that we were able to measure the distortion of the original sheet material and recreate it on the texture of the injection-moulded part.

The Antenna Grille

The hero prop’s antenna grille was made by forming a sheet of perforated brass to give it its distinctive rounded-corner box shape. This was then soldered onto a brass wire that was glued into the turned brass hinge axle. For our Communicator for the purposes of robustness we have used steel for the grille and the supporting wire and coated it in a gold metallic finish. The hinge axle is die cast zinc.

The Mid-Plate

The hero prop’s mid-plate was a simple shape cut out of a sheet of aluminium. While our Communicator’s mid-plate looks identical on the outside, inside the Communicator it has a complex design that is a structural element, providing a fixing for many internal parts and a strong hinge stop for the antenna grille. As a result our Communicator’s mid-plate is manufactured in die-cast zinc, causing the overall weight of our replica to be around 27 grams heavier than the screen-used “Alpha” hero prop.

The Moiré Bezel

In the hero prop, where aluminium was used for the bezel, we have copied this exactly using CNC-machined aerospace-grade aluminium. On the “Alpha” hero prop, the bezel was mounted not quite centrally onto the top of the housing – we have corrected this imperfection for our product.

The hero prop’s jewels were Swarovski jewels mounted on the upturned ends of vacuum metallised slot car wheel hubs. The left and right jewels were sputter coated in gold to give them an iridescent AB (Aurora Borealis) look. The hero prop jewels did not light up and were prone to falling off. Our Communicator’s jewels do light up and need to be fixed permanently in place. The replica jewels are injection moulded – with facets underneath to catch the light. The left and right jewels are also sputter coated in a gold layer to give them that authentic iridescent AB (Aurora Borealis) appearance. Light pipes connect the jewels to LEDs inside the main housing, and chromium-plated injection-moulded mounts house and fix the jewels permanently in position. In the “Alpha” prop, the jewels were not evenly spaced across the housing – this was not an intentional aspect of the design so we have corrected the spacing for our product.

The Buttons

The hero prop had vacuum-metallised slot car wheel hubs as buttons. The original hubs were injection moulded in yellow plastic that was coated in a very thin layer of shiny metal. As a result it wore off during handling, revealing the plastic underneath. Our Communicator uses specially moulded buttons that are more heavily plated (with true chrome electroplating) and will be much less prone to surface wear.

Moiré winder

The “Alpha” hero prop’s moiré pattern rotated, turned by a pocket watch mechanism inside the prop. This was wound up through a brass tube that poked out of the main housing at the front under the mid-plate. After careful consideration, we decided that this aspect of the hero prop was not intended to be shown on screen and as a result was removed from our design. To make room inside the Communicator for the Bluetooth wireless components battery and speaker, the moiré screen is rotated by a miniature stepper motor.

Yes. The Communicator is supplied with with a USB charging cable, but any good quality micro-USB cable may be used to power the charging stand and thus charge up the Communicator.

Look down this list of frequently-asked questions to find answers that will help you if you are thinking of buying a Communicator and want to learn more about how it works.

Is the Communicator a "screen accurate" replica?

The “Alpha” hero prop’s moiré pattern rotated, turned by a pocket watch mechanism inside the prop. This was wound up through a brass tube that poked out of the main housing at the front under the mid-plate. After careful consideration,we decided that this aspect of the hero prop was not intended to be shown on screen and as a result was removed from our design. To make room inside the Communicator for the Bluetooth wireless components battery and speaker, the moiré screen is rotated by a miniature stepper motor.

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Star Trek: The Original Series Bluetooth Communicator - 55th Anniversary Limited Edition

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This item ships within 2 day(s).

Estimated delivery date: Aug 22 - Aug 26

The exclusive Star Trek: The Original Series Communicator is a fully functioning Bluetooth handset compatible with all Bluetooth enabled devices worldwide, such as mobile phones and music players. With its contactless charging stand, high-quality MEMS microphone and large speaker, it doubles as a hands-free kit and a desktop Bluetooth speaker. To mark Star Trek’s 55th anniversary, the Wand Company's premium Original Series Communicator replica is back, with all new voice clips.

Product Details:

• Highly accurate: Created from 3D scans of the original hero prop with 3D texture mapping to replicate hero prop surface finish  
• Fully working Bluetooth handset: Easy to pair with any Bluetooth compatible mobile phone – authentic flip-to-answer action.
• Immersive play features: Authentic voices and sound FX from the Star Trek universe.
• Contactless charging: Magnetic desktop display stand. Built in Lithium polymer battery.
• High Quality: Highly realistic construction, with die-cast zinc and CNC machined aluminum components, plus iridescent coated jewels.

What's in the box?

• Star Trek: Original Series Bluetooth Communicator
• Magnetic wireless charging stand
• Micro-USB charging cable
• Leatherette slip cover
• Illustrated user instructions
• Protective foam lined transit case wit h exclusive 55th Anniversary art.

Ordering Information

• Return Policy: We will gladly accept returns for any reason within 30 days of receipt of delivery.
• Shipping: Ship times are estimates of time in transit after your product leaves the fulfillment center. Some items in your order may ship separately to arrive faster.
• Multi-item Orders: Expedited shipping options are not available in the checkout for multi-item orders that include Fast Ship items AND products that are not noted as Fast Ship.
• Availability: Ships internationally to most countries around the world.
• Shipping Policy: For more information, see our Shipping Policy here .

The Ultimate Collectible

"it is also probably the best reproduction of that prop ever offered."

-- The Trek Collective

Ultimate Collectible

Whether you have just discovered  Star Trek  or have been hooked since you were a kid, this Communicator is something that you just have to own. Researched, designed and built with fanatical attention to detail, the simplicity of its embossed, die-cast, magnetic, wireless charging stand presents and charges this iconic piece with style.

Beautifully Presented

The Communicator prop replica is protected from damage and kept in pristine condition (when not on display) in a high quality, moulded-foam-lined presentation case. Manufactured in hard-wearing engineering-grade ABS, the case is also designed to stack as if supplied from the original Enterprise. When on the move, a leatherette pouch protects it from scuffing.

Quality Materials

High-quality materials are brought together to create an exceptionally well-finished Communicator replica that looks and feels like it means business: CNC-machined aluminium; nickel-plated die-cast zinc; punched, pressed and welded steel; thermoplastic polyurethane rubber; ABS plastic with a digitally created texture.

Additional Product Details

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The Wand Company Star Trek Communicator - Connect To Your Phone Via Bluetooth To Answer Phone Calls Or Play Music On This Sleek Zinc & Metal Replica

• Highly accurate: Created from 3D scans of the last known hero prop
• Fully functional: Easy to pair with any Bluetooth compatible mobile phone / Use the classic flip action to answer calls
• High quality: Die-cast zinc, CNC machined aluminium, iridescent coated jewels / Contactless charging: Built-in lithium polymer battery
• Immersive play features: 20 authentic voice clips and Star Trek: Original Series Communicator sound FX
• Gorgeous transit case: Moulded foam lined transit case and leatherette pouch

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From the manufacturer

The Wand Company

Creators of world-leading pop culture collectibles, combining high-tech functionality with authentic materials to deliver magical, immersive user experiences.

The Original Series Star Trek Communicator

Bluetooth enabled prop replica collectible.

This Communicator has been developed to give its owner the maximum level of enjoyment; designed using extremely accurate 3D scans of one of the last remaining communicator hero props from the 1960s Original Series television show, dedicated attention to detail, the use of authentic materials, textures and finishes and the tireless support and extraordinarily deep knowledge of HeroComm so generously given to us, has resulted in a fully functioning, display grade product that is highly faithful to the original prop.

The Communicator is robust enough to be used in play and cosplay. With its authentic sound effects and original voice clips, the Communicator provides plenty of opportunity for in-universe interaction and fun, and of course its Bluetooth functionality enables it to be used exactly as it was always intended – as a person-to-person communications device.

• Fully functional: Easy to pair with any Bluetooth compatible mobile phone
• Authentic function: Use the classic flip action to answer calls
• High quality: Die-cast zinc, CNC machined aluminium, iridescent coated jewels
• Contactless charging: Built-in lithium polymer battery
• Immersive play features: 20 authentic voice clips and Original Series Communicator sound FX

What's in the box

• Star Trek Bluetooth Communicator
• Magnetic wireless charging stand
• Micro-USB charging cable
• Leatherette slip cover
• Illustrated user instructions
• Protective foam lined transit case

Product Description

This original Series star Trek communicator is a fully functioning Bluetooth handset compatible with all Bluetooth enabled devices. With its contact less charging stand, high quality MEMS microphone and large speaker, It doubles as a hands-free kit and a desktop Bluetooth speaker.

Looking for specific info?

Product information, videos for this product.

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Bluetooth Star Trek Communicator Review

Publisher Video

Amazing, practical, replica with SFX and calling ability

Mark J Draper

Customer Review: If you are a true fan, you need this!

Customer reviews

• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 5 star 84% 7% 3% 3% 3% 84%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 4 star 84% 7% 3% 3% 3% 7%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 3 star 84% 7% 3% 3% 3% 3%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 2 star 84% 7% 3% 3% 3% 3%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 1 star 84% 7% 3% 3% 3% 3%

Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.

To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.

Customers say

Customers like the quality, bluetooth performance, sound quality, and fun of the wireless accessory. For example, they mention it's a great prop replica, works well, and has clear sounds and voices. That said, opinions are mixed on value and buttons.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Customers are satisfied with the quality of the wireless accessory. They mention that it is a great piece based on the prop from TOS, with a solid and attractive display stand. The case is also very nice. Some say that the Bluetooth works great and that it looks and functions as described.

"Great adult toy. Works as advertised, and appears very solid . Tons o' fun -- been waiting for this my whole life!..." Read more

"... High Quality craftsmanship , 5 star, reviews say sound is low, the company must've fixed it cause the sound volume is high as any cell phone, had..." Read more

"...This never feels like it will break .I kept it in my pocket all day.In addition, it is a Bluetooth speaker...." Read more

"...This is NOT a toy. It's made of clearly high-quality materials , but its almost museum-quality devotion to detail and precision manufacturing make..." Read more

Customers like the bluetooth performance of the wireless accessory. They say it works well, has crystal clear sound, and all the features seem to work pretty well. It's a very functional piece of equipment that works great with an iPhone. It also operates voice command which works well. Customers also mention that it works as a hands-free speaker for calls and music. They find it to be a large device but is very usable.

"...and it's crystal clear... it's real, it actually is a very functional piece of equipment , and I find myself using it, even though I have a Note 8...." Read more

"...This worked straight out of the box almost fully charged!! And easily paired up to my iphone7+ via bluetooth...." Read more

"...The bluetooth feature works great . Speaker on the device is fine for a replica Star Trek Communicator...." Read more

"...As a Bluetooth speaker it works pretty well , both with phone calls and for just playing music.As a prop it really exceeds...." Read more

Customers like the sound quality of the wireless accessory. They say the voices and sound FX from the show are clear, the volume is loud, and the Star Trek sounds are cool. They also say the small speaker proudly shines clear on hearing audio and decently loud for a Bluetooth device. Customers also mention that the double call beep and all sounds are authentic.

"Great adult toy. Works as advertised, and appears very solid. Tons o' fun -- been waiting for this my whole life!..." Read more

"...sound volume is high as any cell phone, had to lower it.. and it's crystal clear ... it's real, it actually is a very functional piece of equipment,..." Read more

"... Sounds are authentic ...." Read more

"...And when you lift it up, it makes that chirping kind of noise . It also has a magnetic changing stand that looks really nice, and is easy to charge...." Read more

Customers find the wireless accessory to be fun, with fun features and nice construction. They say it's a joy to use and brings hours of pure joy. Customers also mention that the Bluetooth and its ease of operation are off the scale.

" Great adult toy . Works as advertised, and appears very solid. Tons o' fun -- been waiting for this my whole life!..." Read more

"...But it doesn't say that.All in all, it looks really good and is some fun ." Read more

"...Series soundtracks built in to the unit, which adds a dimension of fun and nostalgia ...." Read more

"...it has additional setting where it speaks lines from TOS and it's really fun !..." Read more

Customers like the connectivity of the wireless accessory. They mention that it connects easily to bluetooth smartphones for operation, and has great sound and speak-ability. Some say that it links to their phone flawlessly, and connects immediately after powering up. They say it integrates into that environment absolutely seamlessly.

"...It is actually very intuitive to use . The quality is excellent! Well made and sturdy. Every aspect of the communicator is perfectly replicated...." Read more

"...It works well as a Bluetooth device, connecting to my phone with no issue , but with one caveat...." Read more

"...The finish is perfect with no assembly or paint flaws as some others have reported...." Read more

"...to the world of Star Trek, this would integrate into that environment absolutely seamlessly . The fit and finish are perfect...." Read more

Customers are satisfied with the presentation of the wireless accessory. They mention that it's accurate in its details, stunning, and detailed for close up shots. Some say that it is more accurate than the TV show and that the attention to detail is awesome. Overall, most are happy with the Bluetooth connectivity and the high accuracy of the collectible.

"...that had operating moving parts and were more clean and detailed for close up shots ...." Read more

"...The feel of the metal, rugged, precision made , solid, durable!This never feels like it will break...." Read more

"...but its almost museum-quality devotion to detail and precision manufacturing make this so much more than a toy...." Read more

"Really fantastic little replica and it seems to be a very accurate reproduction (right down to the screw hole placement on the back)...." Read more

Customers are mixed about the value of the wireless accessory. Some mention that it's worth the price, a great buy, and a solid investment. However, other customers say that it is a little pricey and brings the value down if ever they want to resell it.

"...The selling price is more than fair , as a quick overview of some of the substantially inferior communicator prop reproductions selling on eBay and..." Read more

"... high price 2) You cannot raise the volume on the star trek voices...." Read more

"... Not cheap in ANY way shape or form. Truly a great product." Read more

"...NO i wont take it on the road. Nice job guys. Worth every penny of the price " Read more

Customers are mixed about the buttons. Some mention that the connecting is easy and the manual explains the buttons and interface very well. They also say that the button functions are packed into this, even more than you'd imagine. However, others say that great fun, until the two buttons fell off, are wonky, and were unattached or broken during transit.

"... Buttons falling off : The buttons on mine seem firmly attached to their stems, but the stems wobble a bit, the only part I found anything less than..." Read more

"... Comes with manual (which you'll need just to figure out the plethora of button uses/functionality)...." Read more

"...Notes... you may see the buttons are slightly out of alignment and the antenna grid is slightly off center, and this is AWESOME because the prop is..." Read more

"...Also because there are only two buttons/directional pads , most of the functions/commands require button combos which can be hard to remember without..." Read more

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Wednesday 20 October 2021

The wand company's bluetooth communicator is back, and tricorder on the way.

The Wand Company, makers of high end Star Trek prop replicas with practical functions, are back in action, with both the return of a classic product, and a new working tricorder on the way. Continue below to check them out.

So far The Wand Company have produced a TOS phaser remote control (ad) , a TOS communicator Bluetooth handset , and a type-1 phaser remote controlled mood light rock (ad) . The phaser and communicator have been out of production for some time, and as a result are typically garnering very inflated prices on the secondary market. Well that price bubble just burst, as communicator is going back into production for a 55th anniversary release, and is available to order now on the Star Trek Shop (due to ship just next month).

• Logs (grey) - A catalogue of episodic captain's logs.
• Planetary (blue) - Images and information about planets in our solar system.
• Audio (brown) - Sound recording functions.
• Atmosphere (beige) - A range of sensors including barometric, humidity, and temperature, with real time recording and displays of graphs for review.
• Radiation (green) - FM radio and "EM field sensor"
• Orientation (red) - Accelerometer and magnetometer to provide compass and orientation readings.
• Status (yellow) - Providing updates on the status of both the tricorder itself, and the USS Enterprise.
• Archive (black) - A selection of historical images and data.

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[REVIEW] Bluetooth Star Trek Communicator Is A Trekkie’s Dream Come True

After two years of development, The Wand Company has released the first fully functional Star Trek Bluetooth Communicator, based on the iconic device used by Captain Kirk in The Original Series .

The Wand Company has previously developed several museum quality TV and movie prop recreations, including a Star Trek phaser that doubles as a TV remote and a selection of highly-detailed Doctor Who Sonic Screwdrivers.

Immediately after taking it out of the box, you realize this thing is the real deal. It looks and feels premium. It truly doubles as both a museum-quality prop and a functional way of communication.

Created from a 3D laser scan of the original prop used on the show, the device is made of die-cast zinc, CNC machined aluminum, back-lit iridescent coated jewels, a spinning moiré winder and it comes with a built-in lithium polymer battery.

I setup the communicator up in minutes. It quickly paired with my iPhone 6 and I was good to go.

The first thing I did was scan through some of the pre-recorded messages from crew members of the Enterprise by tapping the right button up, down, left and right. Some of those messages include Sulu answering “Yes, Captain?” Spock saying “Enterprise, Spock here.” Bones responding with “McCoy here.” and of course Montgomery Scott saying “Scotty here, Captain.” in that accent that still warms my heart. The left button powers up and powers down the device. Tapping the left button twice triggers a message from Uhura saying “Captain Kirk, message from Starfleet Command, top priority.”

Next up, I tested out the voice commands. “Read me my text messages” I said after tapping the right button once. Then, through the speaker, the communicator started reading the latest text from my wife. Pretty cool.

So what’s in the box?

Inside the cardboard packaging, you’ll find the hard plastic case lined with moulded foam, the communicator itself, a charging cradle and base with the words “U.S.S. Enterprise Standard Issue Communicator” imprinted on the foot, a USB charging cable and a pleather carrying case.

If I had to make one gripe, it would be the volume of the speaker. It seems a little too quiet for use outside your quarters.

Would I use this to make calls on a regular basis? No, probably not — but let’s be honest, that’s not why Trekkies will want this. The cool factor is off-the-charts. This is the device I’ve been dreaming about for the last few decades. There are plenty of decent prop replicas out there but nothing that matches the quality, craftsmanship and eye for detail and design as The Wand Company’s Bluetooth Communicator.

The Star Trek Bluetooth Communicator sells for $150 and is available now at ThinkGeek .

Photo Gallery :

Founded TrekNews.net in 2011. UX, visual designer, and published photographer based in the Boston area. Connoisseur of Star Trek, sci-fi, '80s horror, synthwave sounds, and tacos. You can follow Brian on Twitter @brianwilkins .

10 Comments

August 7, 2016 at 9:22 pm

August 7, 2016 at 10:06 pm

Marmotjmarmot

August 8, 2016 at 6:08 am

Right. When they make a standalone phone that looks like this talk to me again.

August 9, 2016 at 3:31 am

Commander Klutz

August 22, 2016 at 12:45 pm

I bought one from Playmates a few years ago for $15. Just as good.

Dennis Rogers

August 28, 2017 at 9:15 pm

Bullshit. Seen those toys and are crap.

John Zoccano

April 24, 2020 at 9:11 am

Are you kidding??..that tells me you DONT have one of these as the quality is superb and accurate where the playmates is garbage in comparison.

American Patriot

November 21, 2016 at 2:20 am

Saving for this. I wonder what bills can be put aside, in favor of this….Naaaa. Bills first, toys come second for adults I guess. Someday………?

December 26, 2019 at 10:49 am

How ,ong does the battery last?

USed it all day and still good…and the volume is excellent just have to know how to adjust it on the communicator….only gripe is there is no way to ascertain state of charge

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The Onyx is a 'Star Trek' communicator for the real world

The next generation of push-to-talk.

By Dan Seifert , an editor overseeing The Verge’s product reviews and service journalism programs. Dan has covered the technology world for over a decade at The Verge.

Share this story

*Beep beep* "Picard to bridge, get us out of here."

Like Dick Tracy's watch, Star Trek 's communicator has long been a muse for real-world technology products. The Onyx, a new device from hardware startup OnBeep, might be the closest thing to what Captain Picard wore on his uniform in Star Trek: The Next Generation we've seen yet.

At a base level, the $99 Onyx is a personal communications device that operates within its own network. It pairs to a smartphone via Bluetooth and works whereever your smartphone has data service, whether that be on Wi-Fi or cellular networks. The roughly 2.5-inch round, hockey puck-like device clips to a bag or article of clothing, has a button in the middle for initiating communication, a volume rocker, power switch, and a mute switch. Surrounding the main button is a multicolor LED ring that changes color depending on your availability (blue is available, green is talking, yellow is muted).

The Onyx pairs to other Onyx units in user-controlled groups via its Android or iOS app. There isn't a limit to how many people can participate in a group, though OnBeep says it can get unweildy once you have more than 15 people at a time. All communication within a group can be heard by every member — it's more akin to long distance walkie talkie than a one-to-one communication tool. (Groups of two can be made for more private conversations.)

Talking to others in your group just requires a tap and hold on the Onyx's main button

Talking to others in your group is as simple as pressing and holding the big button on the Onyx and spilling your heart out. It's very similar to a walkie talkie or old push-to-talk Nextels, but without the distance limitations of the walkie talkie or the device constraints of Nextel phones (which don't actually work anymore). The app lets you see who in the group is available and map out their locations.

Though the Onyx bears a striking similarity to Star Trek' s fictional communicator, OnBeep CEO Jesse Robbins says that wasn't the primary goal of the product. A firefighter by trade, Robbins wanted to replicate the easy two-way communications that EMT and other first responders use, but in a more consumer friendly way. The Onyx, which was developed in just over a year, is the product of that mission. (Robbins did concede to me that the final hardware design of the Onyx was certainly "inspired" by the Star Trek technology.)

Onyx pairs unlimited range with the ease of a walkie talkie

I was able to test the Onyx first hand, communicating with OnBeep's team in San Francisco from The Verge's offices in New York. The experience of using the Onyx is very much like using a walkie talkie, but without the static, interference, and limited range inherent with walkie talkies. Audio quality was quite good, and OnBeep says it is using a low latency codec that minimizes bandwidth usage. And of course, the Onyx allowed me to talk in real time to someone 3,000 miles away, not just a mere three. The device is compact and lightweight enough that it could be clipped to a belt or shirt pocket and not be uncomfortable or impede movement.

Robbins says there are a number of use cases for the Onyx system, from remote workers that want to easily communicate with the home office, to families trying to keep track of eachother at an amusement park. Professions that used to rely on the real-time communication of Nextels could also find the Onyx to fit their needs, and allow them to use whatever smartphone they want.

But there are countless messaging apps that let us communicate with a group of others with ease and don't have the hardware cost, charging requirements (it lasts about 12 hours of active use), or audio limitations of the Onyx. Crowded. noisy environments such as amusement parks often present challenges for audio communication that messaging apps don't have to worry about. Many messaging services also allow users to send pictures, video, or even simple audio clips to one another, offering a level of versatility not found on the Onyx.

Still, the Onyx could find a niche among those that prioritize voice communication over anything else. OnBeep is selling it from its website starting today in single units and pairs for $99 and $195, respectively, with shipments expected to begin before the end of this year. Included in the purchase price is one year of OnBeep's service, though the company isn't saying how much it will cost beyond that.

Will the walkie talkie make a comeback?

Will the walkie talkie or the "where you at?" chirp make a comeback with the Onyx? It's hard to say, but if OnBeep works with CBS and Paramount to develop a replica communicator that incorporates the Onyx's technology, I'm sure there are quite a few Trekkies that would gladly plunk down $200 for the privilege of tapping a button and saying "Get us out of here."

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Do Not Sell

The Star Trek communicator is real -- and it's now on sale

When Star Trek's Captain Picard presses his communicator badge, he can instantly speak with any member of his crew -- even when they've beamed down to a planet or a nearby spaceship.

A company called OnBeep has made the Star Trek communicator badge a reality (well, except for the spaceship part). It even looks like the real deal.

Onyx, OnBeep's communicator, clips to your shirt and connects to your cell phone with Bluetooth. It then lets you add other Onyx users to your network and communicate with them instantly with a press of a button. (They have to press a button to answer.)

Founder Jesse Robbins believes Onyx will be popular with first responders and event staff who can't look down at their phones to place calls or respond to text messages.

"Cell phones are terrible for short messages and real-time communication, because they take you out of moment," Robbins said.

Communicator technology has technically been around for two decades. Nextel's nationwide push-to-talk technology debuted in 1996, turning cell phones into extremely long-range walkie-talkies. But texting and unlimited cell phone minutes killed push-to-talk, and Sprint ( S ) shuttered the Nextel brand last year .

Related: Lowe's channels science fiction in new holoroom

But instant voice communication is making somewhat of a comeback. Apple ( AAPL ) just introduced voice messaging as part of iMessage, and Facebook's ( FB ) WhatsApp recently added voice to its texting app as well.

OnBeep thinks Onyx can also help revitalize digital voice tech, which Robbins calls "the most powerful way of communicating when you're not face-to-face." Robbins envisioned "countless" uses for the technology, including families and friends staying in touch.

For example, spouses might use Onyx when one person goes to the supermarket and doesn't want to call home a dozen times to ask if the pantry is stocked with various products.

But the audience for Onyx might be limited. The badge goes on pre-sale Wednesday for $99 (and $195 for two). That's not going to break the bank, but it's expensive enough that you'll really have to want it to buy it. And you'll have to convince your friends, family or coworkers to buy Onyx too -- it only works if you have other Onyx owners to talk to.

Even if it doesn't take off, we can add Onyx to the growing list of Star Trek-inspired technology. There have been several attempts to build a tricorder , a holodeck , a food replicator and -- the Holy Grail -- the ask-and-answer computer system .

Yet only a small number of these Star Trek innovations are actually available today. There are doors that open automatically when you approach them. Now we can add communicator badges to the list.

We'll let you know when warp drive is here.

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10 'Star Trek' Technologies That Actually Came True

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"Beam us up." It's one of the most iconic lines in television history. It's something often heard in the hit science fiction television series "Star Trek" and all of the television shows and movies that followed.

The transporter essentially dematerialized a human body at one point only to rematerialize it in the transporter bay on the ship. Somehow, it broke down atoms and molecules within the body -- scattered them through the vacuum of space without losing a single one from point A to point B, then voila, that person re-emerged out of thin air. Sounds pretty cool, though impossible, right? But what if there was such a device?

The truth is, you can forget about a transporter. No one has been able to realize such a concept. But that doesn't mean some of the ideas that seemed far-fetched when the show debuted in 1966 haven't become a reality. In this article, we feature the top 10 technologies from Star Trek that actually did come to fruition, listed in no particular order. Some of them may surprise you.

• Transparent Aluminum (Armor)
• Communicators
• Tractor Beams
• Universal Translator
• Geordi's VISOR
• Torpedo Coffins
• Telepresence

10: Transparent Aluminum (Armor)

The fourth installment of the original "Star Trek" movies is perhaps the most endearing to fans. The crew returns to modern-day Earth. Kirk, Spock and the rest of the gang ditch a Klingon Bird of Prey spacecraft in the San Francisco Bay after narrowly missing the Golden Gate Bridge while flying blind in a storm. You may remember the scene -- but how many of you remember Scotty introducing transparent aluminum for the first time?

In the flick, Scotty traded the formula matrix for transparent aluminum -- a huge engineering advancement -- for sheets of plexiglass in order to build a tank to transport the two humpback whales (George and Gracie) to the Earth of their time. The claim was that you'd be able to replace six-inch (14-centimeter) thick Plexiglas with one-inch (2.5-centimeter) thick see-through aluminum.

It may sound impossible, but there is such a thing as transparent aluminum armor or aluminum oxynitride (ALON) as it's more commonly known. ALON is a ceramic material that starts out as a powder before heat and pressure turn it into a crystalline form similar to glass. Once in the crystalline form, the material is strong enough to withstand bullets. Polishing the molded ALON strengthens the material even more. The Air Force has tested the material in hopes of replacing windows and canopies in its aircraft. Transparent aluminum armor is lighter and stronger than bulletproof glass . Less weight, stronger material -- what's not to like?

9: Communicators

Whenever Captain Kirk left the safe confines of the Enterprise, he did so knowing it could be the last time he saw his ship. Danger was never far away. And when in distress and in need of help in a pinch, he could always count on Bones to come up with a miracle cure, Scotty to beam him up or Spock to give him some vital scientific information. He'd just whip out his communicator and place a call.

Fast-forward 30 years and wouldn't you know it, it seems like everyone carries a communicator. We just know them as cell phones . Actually, the communicators in "Star Trek" were more like the push-to-talk, person-to-person devices first made popular by Nextel in the mid to late '90s. The "Star Trek" communicator had a flip antenna that when opened, activated the device. The original flip cell phones are perhaps distant cousins. Whatever the case, the creators of "Star Trek" were on to something because you'd be hard-pressed to find many people without a cell phone these days.

In later incarnations of the "Star Trek" franchise, the communicators evolved to being housed in the Starfleet logo on the crewman's chest. With the tap of a finger, communication between crewmembers became even easier. Vocera Communications has a similar product that can link people on the same network inside a designated area like an office or a building by using the included software over a wireless LAN. The B2000 communication badge weighs less than two ounces and can be worn on the lapel of a coat or shirt and allows clear two-way communication. It's even designed to inhibit the growth of bacteria so it's suitable for doctors [source: Vocera ].

8: Hypospray

The creative team behind "Star Trek" found spiffy ways to spice up some activities we endure on a day-to-day basis. Take medical treatment, for example: Not many people enjoy getting a flu shot, and in "Star Trek," inoculating patients was one of Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy's primary duties. It seemed not an episode went by that Bones wasn't giving someone a shot of some sort of space vaccine . But what was more fascinating was the contraption he used.

Hypospray is a form of hypodermic injection of medication. A hypospray injection is forced under the skin (a subcutaneous injection) with high air pressure. The air pressure shoots the liquid vaccine deep enough into the skin that no needle is required. The real-world application is known as a jet injector .

Jet injectors have been in use for many years. In fact, the technology predates "Star Trek." Jet injectors were originally designed to be used in mass vaccinations. Jet injecting is safer (no needles to pass along infectious disease) and faster in administering vaccines. Similar in appearance to an automotive paint gun, jet injection systems can use a larger container for the vaccine, thus allowing medical personnel to inoculate more people quicker.

7: Tractor Beams

When NASA needs to make repairs to the Hubble Space Telescope, astronauts have to be specially trained to get out of the Space Shuttle for extravehicular activity. They also have to learn how to work within the confines of their space suits, with thick gloves on. Wouldn't it be nice to just bring the telescope inside, where repairs wouldn't be so challenging and dangerous?

In science fiction, space ships including the Starship Enterprise snatch each other up using tractor beams. In some cases, large vessels have a tractor beam strong enough to prevent smaller vessels from escaping the gravitational force. So is this science even plausible?

Yes and no. Optical tweezers are as close as you're going to get to a legitimate tractor beam on current-day Earth. Scientists have harnessed small lasers into beams capable of manipulating molecules and moving them with precision. Optical tweezers use a focused laser to trap and suspend microscopic particles in an optical trap. Scientists can use optical tweezers to trap and remove bacteria and sort cells. Optical tweezers are used primarily in studying the physical properties of DNA. While the beams used in optical tweezers aren't strong enough to dock the space shuttle to the International Space Station, it's a start in that direction.

"Set phasers to stun" -- another oft-heard command given to the Enterprise crew. The crew often relied on the stun setting of their fictitious weapon of choice known as a phaser. Armed with a phaser, Kirk and his colleagues had the ability to kill or more desirably, stun their adversaries and render them incapacitated.

Actually, stun guns have been around for some time. In fact, electricity has been used for punishment and to control livestock as far back as the 1880s. But it wasn't until 1969 when a guy named Jack Cover invented the first Taser that the stun gun was most realized. The Taser fails to kill like the phaser did, yet, it packs enough of an electrical punch to render its victim disorientated, if not completely incapacitated.

Unlike the phaser, the Taser and other stun guns must come in physical contact with the target in order to have any effect. Tasers take care of this by projecting two electrodes, connected by wires, which attach to the target's skin. Once in contact, the handheld unit transfers electricity to the target, thus having the stun effect. Stun guns with stationary electrical contact probes are somewhat less effective because while they have a similar effect on the target, you have to be much closer (within arm's length) in order to zap your target.

Something more along the lines of the phaser may be in development. Applied Energetic has developed Laser Guided Energy and Laser Induced Plasma Energy technologies that are said to transmit high-voltage bursts of energy to a target [source: Applied Energetics ]. In other words, these pulses of energy would stun the target and limit collateral damage. So a true phaser may soon be a reality.

5: Universal Translator

Imagine if no matter what country you visited, no matter what the culture, you could understand everything the indigenous people were saying. It sure would make traveling easier. Take that thought to another level like say, if you were planet hopping like the crew onboard the Enterprise. Fortunately for Captain Kirk and his peers, they had a universal translator .

The characters in "Star Trek" relied on a small device that when spoken into, would translate the words into English. Guess what? The technology exists for us in the real world. There are devices that let you speak phrases in English and it will spit back to you the same rhetoric in a specified language. The only problem is, these devices only work for certain predetermined languages.

A true universal translator like the one on the show may not be a reality, but the technology is available. Voice recognition has advanced considerably since its inception. But computers have yet to be able to learn languages. Computers would be able to theoretically gather the information much faster than a human brain, but a software program is dependent on actual data. Someone has to take the time and expense to put it together and make it available, which is probably why these systems focus on more popular languages.

4: Geordi's VISOR

When "Star Trek: The Next Generation" thrust the love of everything "Star Trek" back into popular culture, the quirky Mr. Spock and crass Bones McCoy and others were supplanted by a new cast. One of the most popular characters on the new show was engineer Geordi LaForge.

What made Geordi unique, perhaps even mysterious, was his funky eyewear. Geordi was blind, but after a surgical operation and aided through the use of a device called VISOR (Visual Instrument and Sensory Organ Replacement), Geordi could see throughout the electromagnetic spectrum. Though it may sound far-fetched, in reality, similar technology exists that may someday bring sight back to the blind.

In 2005, a team of scientists from Stanford University successfully implanted a small chip behind the retina of blind rats that enabled them to pass a vision recognition test. The science behind the implants, or bionic eyes as they're commonly referred to, works much the way Geordi's VISOR did. The patient receives the implants behind the retina, then wears a pair of glasses fitted with a video camera. Light enters the camera and is processed through a small wireless computer, which then broadcasts it as infrared LED images on the inside of the glasses. Those images are reflected back into the retina chips to stimulate photodiodes. The photodiodes replicate the lost retinal cells then change light into electrical signals which in turn send nerve pulses to the brain.

What it all means is that in theory, a person with 20/400 sight (blind), due to the loss of retinal cells from retinitis pigmentosa, can obtain 20/80 sight. It's not good enough to pass the driving test (normal vision is considered 20/20) but it's good enough to read billboards and go about your day without the aid of a seeing-eye dog.

3: Torpedo Coffins

In the second installment of the "Star Trek" movie franchise, the beloved Mr. Spock, played by Leonard Nimoy, died after saving the Starship Enterprise from certain disaster. The movie culminated with the crew firing Spock's corpse out of the torpedo bay in a coffin shaped like one of the ship's weapons, the photon torpedo .

Believe it or not, you too could be laid to eternal rest in your own Federation-approved photon torpedo casket. OK, it may not technically be Federation-approved since there is no such thing as the United Federation of Planets (UFP) but the coffins are, in fact, very real.

Designed by Eternal Image, the "Star Trek" coffin was slated to be available early 2009, but is still not for sale as of this writing. The price is yet to be determined. If the fan would prefer to be cremated , the company also plans to offer a "Star Trek" urn as well.

2: Telepresence

In 1966, the idea of interacting with each other while separated by the void of space seemed as far fetched as, well the idea of being in space. That's precisely what the idea of telepresence is.

Telepresence is more than just video conferencing . The visual aspect is important and immersion is vital. In other words, the more convincing the illusion of telepresence, the more you feel like you're there.

In 2008, AT&T teamed up with Cisco in delivering the industry's first in-depth telepresence experience. The key to Cisco's TelePresence is the combination of audio, video and ambient lighting working together. These telepresence kits are designed to mirror surroundings and mimic sounds so that users on each side of the video conference will feel as though the images on the screen are in the same room with them. For instance, the people in boardroom A will see the people on the screen in boardroom B as though they are sitting across the table from them. The ambient lighting and room features are constructed to mirror each other. Sure, these telepresence kits are much more advanced than anything drummed up on "Star Trek," but perhaps that's because the show sparked our imagination so many years ago.

1: Tricorders

How many of you remember that instrument Mr. Spock used to always carry over his shoulder, especially when the crew (usually consisting of only Spock and Captain Kirk) first surveyed a new planet? That was a tricorder.

One of the more useful instruments available to "Star Trek" personnel, variations of the tricorder (medical, engineering or scientific) were used to measure everything from oxygen levels to detecting diseases. Often times the tricorder gave an initial analysis of the new environment. So, what's the real-world tie-in? NASA employs a handheld device called LOCAD, which measures for unwanted microorganisms such as E. coli, fungi and salmonella onboard the International Space Station [source: Coulter ]. Beyond that, two handheld medical devices may soon help doctors examine blood flow and check for cancer, diabetes or bacterial infection.

Scientists at Loughborough University in England use photoplethysmography technology in a handheld device that can monitor the functions of the heart. Meanwhile, researchers at Harvard Medical School have developed a small device that utilizes similar technology found in MRI machines that non-invasively inspect the body. Using nuclear magnetic resonance imaging, this device would be sensitive enough to measure samples of as few as 10 possible infectious bacteria. This kind of sensitivity (800 times more sensitive than sensing equipment currently used in medical labs) could revolutionize the way doctors diagnose disease [source: Mick ].

Lots More Information

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More Great Links

• "Star Trek" Official Home Page
• U.S. Air Force
• Applied Energetics. "Laser Guided Energy." (Nov. 9, 2009) http://ionatron.net/laser-guided-energy.asp
• AT&T. "AT&T first service provider to deliver intercompany Cisco telepresence for business around the world." April 21, 2009. (Oct. 21, 2009) http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pid=4800&cdvn=news&newsarticleid=25523
• Bartkewicz, Anthony. "Company creates Star Trek coffins." KRQE.com. April 6, 2009. (Oct. 21, 2009) http://www.krqe.com/dpp/news/strange/offbeat_dpgo_Company_creates_Star_Trek_coffins_SAB_040420092296082
• Batchelor, David Allen. "The Science of Star Trek." NASA. (Oct. 22, 2009) http://ssdoo.gsfc.nasa.gov/education/just_for_fun/startrek.html#transporter
• BBC News. "'Star Trek device' could detect illness." Sept. 20, 2002. (Oct. 20, 2009) http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/2231989.stm
• Cisco. "Telepresence: Product information." (Oct. 21, 2009) http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/ps7060/index.html#,hide-id-trigger-g1-room_environments
• Coulter, Dauna. "Space Station Tricorder." Science@NASA. May 9, 2008. (Nov. 6, 2009) http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/09may_tricorder.htm?list185546
• Cruz, Gilbert. "Jack Cover." Time Magazine. Feb. 19, 2009. (Oct. 19, 2009) http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1880636,00.html
• Lundin, Laura. "Air Force testing new transparent armor." U.S. Air Force. Oct. 17, 2005. (Oct. 21, 2009) http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123012131
• Mick, Jason. "New "miracle diagnosis" handheld medical scanner 800 times more sensitive than full-size scanners." Daily Tech. July 10, 2008. (Oct. 21, 2009) http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=12322
• National Institute of Standards and Technology. "Optical Tweezers." (Oct. 20, 2009) http://physics.nist.gov/Divisions/Div842/Gp4/Tweezers/research.html#polymerosomes
• Schirber, Michael. "Doctors could go needle-free, but sticking points remain." Live Science. Oct. 4, 2006. (Oct. 21, 2009) http://www.livescience.com/health/061004_needle_free.html
• Stanford.edu."Optical tweezers; an introduction." (Oct 22, 2009) http://www.stanford.edu/group/blocklab/Optical%20Tweezers%20Introduction.htm
• Star Trek.com. (Oct. 20, 2009) http://www.startrek.com/startrek/view/library/characters/TNG/bio/1112463.html
• Vocera. (Oct. 22, 2009) http://www.vocera.com/products/products.aspx
• Young, Kelly. "'Bionic eye' may help reverse blindness." New Scientist. March 31, 2005. (Oct. 22, 2009) http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn7216

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Published Jul 20, 2020

Introducing a Fully Functional Star Trek Tricorder

54 years in the making: the Tricorder replica that boldly goes where no other replica has gone before.

StarTrek.com

After an epic number of requests from Star Trek fans all over the world, The Wand Company can finally confirm that they are developing a fully-functional replica of the Tricorder prop from The Original Series .The Tricorder replica has been developed after years of extensive research, and meticulously designed using 3D scans of the last-remaining screen-used hero prop. Carefully chosen materials and manufacturing processes, accurately matching the prop and its original design intent, ensure that it will be the perfect companion to The Wand Company’s highly accurate Star Trek Phaser and Bluetooth® Communicator prop replicas, at last completing the Landing Party set.

Designed to work just like the fantasy version imagineered in the 1960s, with more than a little help from some 21st century technology, a full-colour LCD displays information stored in the Tricorder along with dynamic data gathered by its sensors and audio recording function. The Wand Company will reveal more details of the Tricorder’s functionality later this year.

With a target retail price of $250 USD, Star Trek fans can now look forward to measuring the environment, scanning radio frequencies, recording audio, impressing their friends, and enjoying the fact that they’ll own perhaps the most sophisticated prop replica ever designed and manufactured.The Tricorder will be available in summer 2021 directly from The Wand Company Shop, the official Star Trek Shop, and other selected terrestrial retailers. If fans want to be the first to hear about product updates and pre-order availability, they should register their interest The Wand Company's website.

Get Updates By Email

What we know as captain says 'we didn't see it coming'

This star trek communicator lets you make calls like captain kirk.

Star Trek fans can now make phone calls with a replica of the Communicator made famous in the legendary sci-fi series.

The gadget enables the owner to pretend they’re on the Starship Enterprise by pairing with their mobile over Bluetooth so that they can make voice calls.

What’s more, the device was 3D-scanned from the very last Communicator prop in existence so it’s a collector’s item as well as a functioning gadget.

The famous prop was said to be the inspiration for the very the first handheld mobile phone.

As well as the ability to make sci-fi-themed calls to friends and family, the new gadget also includes Star Trek sound affects and conversation clips and is supplied with a wireless charging stand.

The Communicator is available now in the UK from Firebox with a price tag of £119.95 .

Netflix UK recently added every single episode of Star Trek to its lineup, including the Original Series, Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager and Enterprise.

Image credit: Firebox

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Source Paramount Pictures

Author: Marc Stamper

Trek geek extrordinaire and the TrekMate tech wizard. Always liked Trek but when TNG started here in the UK I fell in love and have not looked back since. Podcaster since January 2012

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