Equipment: Star Trek Phaser Motion Remote

There are certain props from movies or television that most DSCN0758people can identify. Props like the light saber from Star Wars, Harry Potter’s wand, and the red phone from Batman 1966 but I feel that there is no more iconic prop than the phaser from Star Trek. Personally, I think the phaser is the most identifiable prop next to the light saber in the world of science fiction pop culture. 

 

The phaser from Star Trek (it goes without saying, the original series) was originally designed by art designer Matt Jefferies and prop master, Wah Chang. The phaser was an important piece of equipment for the crew of the Enterprise. Every time a landing party was sent planet side they were armed with this phaser. As a child all I wanted was a phaser to recreate the 5 year mission. When playing Star Trek I would use various items from Legos to sticks pretending they were a phaser. Yes, there were phaser toys but they never seemed to meet my expectations.

 

Over the decades many companies made phaser toys but the majority of them were lacking. Playmates picked up the Star Trek license and proceeded to make passable toys but their phaser was just that, passable. Then there was a company called Master Replicas that did produce an amazing phaser reproduction but it was more of a display piece than a toy. Next up Diamond Select began to produce a line of Star Trek toys and these were (and still are) top notch. The original series phaser from Diamond came in a variety of “repaints” and not only did they look great, but they were also toys, meant for play.

 

Now the next stage of phaser evolution has come and it is truly a thing of beauty. Produced by The Wand Company and distributed by Thinkgeek the original series phaser remote kicked up the coolness factor to 11. This phaser was constructed using 3-D scans of the last surviving “hero” prop from the 1960’s. For those of you who do not know what a hero prop is; it is usually a functional and very highly detailed prop for use in close-ups. Holding this remote is the closest most of us will ever get to touch an original phaser.

 

When it comes to talking about the phaser remote I can honestly say I don’t know where to begin. While the Star Trek Original Series Phaser Universal Remote will change your channels, that is just the beginning. The Star Trek Original Series Phaser Universal Remote has a play setting where you can pretend to stun your friends, kill your enemies or you can set it to overload.

The Star Trek Original Series Phaser Universal Remote responds to gestures to perform the tasks you program. Unlike other phaser remotes this one does not have any numbered buttons on top for use. The last time an Original Series phaser remote was marketed there were buttons on the top of phaser 1 unit. These buttons really affected the look of the unit, but that release chose function over form. This new phaser remote is a perfect blend of form and function.

For example you can program the remote to change channels when you move it upwards; you can move the phaser up and down to make the channels go up and down. Ultimately you can control 36 commands across four different color coded “folders” or memory banks.  Each memory bank can be used for a separate piece of electronics. Programing is as easy as pointing the phaser at the remote that corresponds to the appliance you want to control. I have to admit that even though it is advertised as easy to program it is still taking some for me to get everything programed properly.

 

Another thing that you can do with your Star Trek Original Series Phaser Universal Remote is play. This is definitely something that you wouldn’t do with your other remotes or even your garage door opener.  You can set your phaser for play and believe me it makes one hell of toy. Just like the phasers on Star Trek the smaller Phaser 1 unit locks into the larger phaser 2. Just like an actual phaser the Phaser 1 the unit can be played with on its own but the phaser 2 is useless without its counterpart.

 

In play mode, the Star Trek Original Series Phaser Universal Remote is an incredible toy/prop replica. This phaser is a perfect addition for your cosplay or fan made movie. While in play mode the phaser has numerous settings from stun to overload. Each of the sounds that the phaser makes has a corresponding illumination from the emitter tip. The tip can be adjusted using the ring on the front the phaser. Also when you set the phaser to overload and remove the twist off cover for the dilithium crystal you can see it pulse and change colors. The sound effect for the overload is identical to the sound you hear in the Original Series episode, “The Conscience of the King.” In that first season episode a phaser on overload is used in a murder attempt on Captain Kirk’s life.

 

Since I can go ad infinitum on the coolness of the phaser, I guess I should talk about the technical specs. The Star Trek Original Series Phaser Universal Remote is made from plastic with highly polished nickel and brass accents. The phaser measures 8.2″ x 6″ x 1.4″, which is 1 to 1 scale of an actual phaser. The phaser does not take batteries; you charge your remote via USB connector (cable included).  The phaser also comes with a solid metal stand which keeps the phaser upright when it is not in use. The stand holds the phaser in place with a powerful magnet. Everything for the phaser comes complete in a very realistic looking Starfleet case. The molded foam in the case keeps your dismantled phaser safe when it is not in use.

 

The Star Trek Original Series Phaser Universal Remote retails for $149.99 on ThinkGeek and is worth every penny.  I love it just for the fact that it is such an amazing prop replica. Sure I had some issues programing, but as long as you have patients you’ll have nothing to worry about. The only thing that I see becoming an issue is the fact once you have this remote in your hand you never want to let it go.

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