MR TOS Enterprise...Is it worth it?

[Warped9]

A question for fellow fans. Next month I'm moving to a new community and a new job (well, actually, it's the same company but with a transfer to a new location and a promotion). I'll be able to both make a little more money AND have lower overall living expenses.

This means that within a bare couple to few months I could have some decent spare cash at hand. And I'll have available room to display someo fmy things.

Question: I LOVE the TOS Enterprise. Still, is it worth it to pony up for a Master Replicas' Enterprise?

I'd like to hear from those considering such a purchase as well as those who may have already acquired one.

Small note: I've exchanged emails with Canadian SF author Robert J. Sawyer (we're practically neighbours) and although he notes the MR's imperpections he just loves his MR TOS E. In years past I've had opportunity to meet and speak with Sawyer in person.

I also happaned to catch a glimpse of one at the Silver Snail hobby shop in Toronto a couple of months ago and it really caught my eye even though I didn't get to see it lighted up.

 

[Redfern]

I've read repeated incidents of the motor assembly that spins the nacelle dome "blades", particularly the port side unit, as "freezing" and rarely running again, but so far the Fates have been kind and my miniature still illuminates as intended. (Having now stated that, I've probably cursed my model to failure.)

You've probably also read about some units having the primary saucer's dorsal "deflector grid" being penciled a degree or two off center. Yeah, I received one of that batch. But between that and the aforementioned motor failure, I'd rather suffer the latter.

But other than the slight (and I do mean just ever so slight) grid alignment issue, I dare say my ship is just about perfect. None of the paint has flaked. None of the joins between hull sections has cracked, and none of the LEDs have shorted. (Then again, I think I've run the thing little more than half an hour, certainly less than a full hour, since I received it over a year ago. They shouldn't burn out that fast!)

It rests atop my chest-o-drawers that has a "footprint" almost equal to that of the overall model, so it's perfect for it. I have no animals to knock it from the surface or any kids trying to grab it, so it's relatively safe. It gets no direct sunlight to affect it, either by "bubbling" the finish or bleaching the colors.

Was it worth the original list price for the "plain" (read: no autographs) edition. I guess I thought so at the time since I bought it. Do I now regret buying it? No, I'm still happy with it. Would I trade it for, ahem, "an evening" with an attractive young lady made up to look like M'Ress? Hell, yeah! I ain't stupid!

Sincerely,

Bill

 

[ncc-1017-e]

I will tell you this. I own the unobtainium Enterprise and I have a master replicas OS enterprise and there is no comparing the two products! The Master replicas is by far the best OS Enterprise out there. It is very good but not prefect! I am glad I have both!

 

[Warped9]

I'm really tempted, but I admit that I've never seriously contemplated spending this kind of money on what is essentially a form of artwork for display. Mind you there are those who spend far, far more on things just to be displayed. And art is in the eyes of the beholder.

It wouldn't be exposed to curious small kids or direct sunlight and it would be in an air conditioned environment.

Mind you I could also make use of it for further Never seen TOS scenes images.

Decisions, decisions....

 

[Horizon]

Whether you buy it or not, good luck with the new position.
Personally, I hope you get it because I want to see those Never seen TOS scenes that you will make with it.

 

[Captain Robert April]

I just wish I had the bucks to even have this internal debate.

I doubt I'd shell out the bucks if I had 'em; I'm more inclined to wait for the kit that's due out from Round 2, but it'd be nice to be in the situation where it's even an option.

 

[EEE]

At the prices on Ferrengi-bay over the past year, you'd be a fool not to go for it. I bought mine at full price from MR. There are some "warts," but I still love mine. Of course I ended up spending another $300 to have an acrylic case made for it (which REALLY cuts down the motor noise when I crank it up). BUT, I'm one of those who thought the Enterprise was actually one of Trek's best characters. I've loved every M.R. TOS piece to have come out (excepting the assault phaser, which I passed on after inspecting at an MR booth at a convention). Each has warts, but I still love them. These are what I wanted to have since 1966. I'd have even traded my balsa phaser 1's back then for these!

 

[Warped9]

I just wish I had the bucks to even have this internal debate.

I doubt I'd shell out the bucks if I had 'em; I'm more inclined to wait for the kit that's due out from Round 2, but it'd be nice to be in the situation where it's even an option.

I have on ongoing debate in my head about this. I really want it, but my sense of value is really wavering on it.

 

[Artman]

Question: I LOVE the TOS Enterprise. Still, is it worth it to pony up for a Master Replicas' Enterprise?

I'd like to hear from those considering such a purchase as well as those who may have already acquired one.

I purchased my Master Replica back in 2007. That is the one I have been treating you all to in the various photographs I have taken of it (posted in the old timers thread). That one is not the one I have sitting in my studio right now. I had to go through two ships before I got what I considered to be a near perfect unit. Not everyone who purchased the MR ship had to go through what I did but let me tell you it was a tad disappointing when I opened the box that first time and found a grid line (on the saucer section) that was off center by a ¼ inch and some rather shoddy work on the back end lights by the shuttle bay. The kicker was when the lights would fail every now and then. I would move it around a bit on its pedestal and eventually they would come back on but that scared the hell out of me so I sent it back. The second one came with some serious structure damage . . . sent that back as well. The third one, as stated is near perfect and I am very pleased with it but I have to wonder at why something this expensive was built with what appears to be some rather spotty quality issues. I think the made in China thing had something to do with it

Nevertheless, I like this ship, she looks great even when not lit up and it fulfills my desire to have a fairly accurate example of the TOS Enterprise. If you can afford it get it however you may have to be prepared to deal with some quality issues that may require it being sent back . . . be prepared for that. I do not know what the policy issues are with MR at this time; did they not get bought up (again)? You may have to buy one through a dealer. If so make sure they will accept returns and will replace it with another. Without that guarantee I would not take a chance buying this product.

 

[Vance]

I have on ongoing debate in my head about this. I really want it, but my sense of value is really wavering on it.

Well, to me, it's $1000 for a model... and one that steadily gets bad reviews. $1000... for a model.

Are you REALLY going to say that you don't have other things more pressing for $1000? And, if not, I'll be sure to send you my paypal account info to take that burden off your hands.

 

[Captain Robert April]

I'll send you mine and we can split the difference.

 

[Warped9]

I have on ongoing debate in my head about this. I really want it, but my sense of value is really wavering on it.

Well, to me, it's $1000 for a model... and one that steadily gets bad reviews. $1000... for a model.

Are you REALLY going to say that you don't have other things more pressing for $1000? And, if not, I'll be sure to send you my paypal account info to take that burden off your hands.

And this is the thing. There are other somewhat more pressing concerns at hand. Right now it's something I'm pondering, but when the time comes when the question is right before me then that will be a real test of my sense of value.

 

[Artman]

In all fairness it should be noted that the MR Enterprise is most likely the best example of the ship you can get. Someone mentioned a plastic model kit coming out, well that is nice but if you are going to light it up and bring it to anywhere near the detailing of the MR ship you will be spending extra bucks on that little exercise. Do not forget to factor in your time as well . . . you most likely will be spending a lot more than a $1000.

So it comes down to how much you want a ship that mirrors the TOS Enterprise. Are you willing to spend the money up front for such a thing or kid yourself into thinking you got it on the cheap by purchasing a kit. If you have the skills (and the time) to do it justice the kit just might be the way to go, if not then consider the MR offering but be picky about the quality and make sure the seller will exchange it if there are serious issues with it.

 

[Warped9]

^^ This is a very good point. Setting the issue of time and effort aside if you want a decent replica that also lights up correctly then you will spend extra money. I'm not sure it would be equal to the cost of an MR replica, but the difference may be enough to be convincing.

 

[Shaw]

In all fairness it should be noted that the MR Enterprise is most likely the best example of the ship you can get. Someone mentioned a plastic model kit coming out, well that is nice but if you are going to light it up and bring it to anywhere near the detailing of the MR ship you will be spending extra bucks on that little exercise. Do not forget to factor in your time as well . . . you most likely will be spending a lot more than a $1000.

Well, it may be the best example of the second Enterprise model you can get, but it is pretty far off the mark if you want a representation of the first model.

And after two years of work (which money couldn't buy) I'm about half way to my goal of having an accurate one-to-one scale replica (made of the same materials as the original). Even now my two-thirds study model brings me closer to my goal (in emotional satisfaction and joy of recognition) of having the model (seen as a model on a table in TOS) I'd always wanted.

Also, there are some (like me) who really aren't into buying other people's handy work when it comes to Star Trek. When I wanted something, I made it (often from scratch). I made phasers (TOS and TNG), a tricorder (TNG) and a communicator (TOS), not only did I want to know if I could, but it is also a way of knowing your subject that much better. Same goes for my two-third study model... it was made to help me learn more about the model I'm attempting to replicate.

The work you put into these things is more important in the end than the final product. I am happily putting in hours of research on plans for the 11 foot model because it is the only way to really know the 11 foot model. There is know way to just buy knowledge... even if you buy a book, you don't know anything about it until you read it.

But hey... that is just me. The best parts of life aren't the end destinations, it is the journeys that we took in attempting to get to them that provide us with the real value.

Ask yourself this question... How much of the effort in earning the money for a MR Enterprise was spent on Star Trek related endeavors? If the answer is none, then you've paid for someone else's journey but only received their destination in return.

 

[Warped9]

^^ If I had the skills for a decent scratch built model then that's the way I'd go. But alas...

 

[Shaw]

If I had the skills...

What skills?

In my experiences, skills are based on knowledge which can be acquired. I had no skills before attempting something... and then afterwards I had them. All I've ever done was looked at some goal that caught my interest (being interested is the most important part), and then did it.

I don't think there is any special talent involved (that you don't already possess)... you just have to keep from stopping yourself.



Of course, this isn't to say that anyone could just do this... but in your case. I don't see where any of this is beyond you.

 

[Captain Robert April]

There's an old adage relating to guys and cars: "It is not truly mine until I have $%&#!ed with every system." The same idea can be applied to models and model builders, it ain't really mine unless I put it together myself. And in the event of my getting a MR TOS E, it would be a moral imperative to take the sucker apart and futz with it. Naturally, any warranty would be null and void within ten minutes, but at least I'd know how hard it was to tear apart the nacelles in case the Bussard's failed.

 

[Artman]

none[/I], then you've paid for someone else's journey but only received their destination in return.

You are right, if one is so inclined to gather the knowledge and the tools, learn how to use them for a particular project like building a model of the Enterprise, you could indeed have something even better than the MR version of that ship, and you would be able to fix it should something go wrong with the lighting.

However, that is just not in the cards for a lot of us. So buying someone else's version of things is really the only option available to having none at all. Reasons for not taking the road to becoming your own expert builder are as varied as life itself . . . we can’t all build our own cars, grow our own food, fly our own airplane, and do that in where time, money and talent are not a consideration. Besides, the entire Star Trek thing is someone else’s dream Gene Roddenberry’s, but we fell in love with it and in whatever way was possible made it part of our own.

 

[FalTorPan]

One need not build an Enterprise replica in order to find enjoyment in owning an Enterprise replica. I've never built my own car, house or Buck Rogers ray gun, and yet I enjoy owning one of each.