The phaser is decent, but the communicator has some TNG sound effects. They're both pretty good for what they are and the price point.
Playmates Toys
- Thread starter captainjellico
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???? Does it at least have TOS sfx as well?
The big functional difference of the phaser is that the old one has a trigger that is pushed in (along the rod axis), while the new one has a trigger that is rotated (around a perpendicular axis inside the phaser), and the old one only had a white light, while the new one has red and green. The new one also had overload and the TOS pew sound, while the old one only had 2 pitches of the same constant phaser sound, IIRC. And the new one, for whatever reason, has twice as many screw holes 
The communicator has some TOS phrases, like the AA/DST one, and a button flips it open, while the old one didn't have phrases and you had to swing-flip it open yourself. The moire sticker had a hologram effect on the old one that for some reason they omitted on the new one. And that TNG hailing sound it just really odd
The communicator has some TOS phrases, like the AA/DST one, and a button flips it open, while the old one didn't have phrases and you had to swing-flip it open yourself. The moire sticker had a hologram effect on the old one that for some reason they omitted on the new one. And that TNG hailing sound it just really odd
I probably mentioned this upthread, but I’m pretty sure that’s a safety measure to better keep the thing together if a child drops it.
Rough and ready for fan film action scenes.
Depends on the parents. Or the grandparents.
I've heard rumblings Diamond Select may have picked up the ship license again. Playmates said last year around this time they were going to focus on ships and role play items, but I suspect that line is completely dead given there's been no announcements at all since Playmates cancelled the action figure line.
I hope someone eventually picks up the license again, maybe once the Skydance merger is finalized. Between McFarlane, Super 7, and Playmates it just hasn't been very lucrative for Trek action figures or role play toys in quite some time. I understand inflation has affected the market and toys are underselling atm, but I still hold out hope a company like NECA might pick up the license at some point...
I hope someone eventually picks up the license again, maybe once the Skydance merger is finalized. Between McFarlane, Super 7, and Playmates it just hasn't been very lucrative for Trek action figures or role play toys in quite some time. I understand inflation has affected the market and toys are underselling atm, but I still hold out hope a company like NECA might pick up the license at some point...
I hope Diamond Select gets it back. I've been kicking myself for years for not getting an E-E (I was always putting it off, plus there was a befuddling array of editions and it was hard to tell if any had differences in the lighting and electronics. Doctor Who sonic screwdrivers have the same problem, you order one at the wrong time, and find it's missing half the features it had at launch or, more rarely, the launch version gets improved and you have to decide if it's worth the upgrade).
I assume they still have the moulds for the C? That was tantalisingly close to being in general retail.
What kind of rumblings?
I have a TOS E and a Where No Man Has Gone Before E. I wouldn't mind getting a TMP ship. That was kind of the same issue that @David cgc mentioned. There was the A, there was a battle damaged Wrath of Khan ship. Just give me the freaking refit 1701, no bloody... You know.
Jinkies! Just looked on Ebay. Not cheap indeed!
Jinkies! Just looked on Ebay. Not cheap indeed!
Both don't compare to TWC or DST in terms of quality or screen accuracy, but they do ok for toys. The playmates phaser is decent but minimalist wirh no detachable type 1. The playmates communicator looks a little on the cheaper side in terms of quality and accuracy (the gold mesh antenna cover is cheap, dimpled yellow plastic.). YMMV, of course.
I was gifted some new old stock of the 90s tos playmates phaser and tricorder a few years back. While DST spoiled me and set my standard, I still felt like the 90s playmates offerings were a little more... sturdy construction?
There was a WoK-packaged, no battle damage version that had a sorta pearlescent finish - it's probably the closest you'd get to a TMP version.
The main downside is the light bleed on it was terrible.
Well there's always this one to choose...
TOMY U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701 from STAR TREK™: The Motion Picture
I have their TOS-E and it really is an outstanding model. Almost fully Die-cast as well, it weighs 20 lbs.!
The 90s Playmates phasers were very durable and solid - they were toys! I threw them around as a kid and they are still working today.
The DST ones were much more detailed and accurate, but they were aimed at adult collectors. The electronics were more delicate and haven't lasted as well in my experience.
I feel the Playmates toys generally had clearer and louder sound chips too.
There's a chance I could finally finish my line of Enterprise's with the C???
Oh I do hope this is true.
I’d love to see Diamond Select get the figure license again. Maybe they could do some re-issues from their last attempt and then dive into nu-Trek and stuff they didn’t do before.
The only classic series they never did was Voyager. And some characters like Kira and Phlox were only ever done in alternate uniforms. Kira in a Starfleet uniform and Phlox in the EVA suit.
The only classic series they never did was Voyager. And some characters like Kira and Phlox were only ever done in alternate uniforms. Kira in a Starfleet uniform and Phlox in the EVA suit.
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