The General Knight Rider thread.

[Owain Taggart]

I think while a ship's computer is in range then it's computing power can be used to amplify computing power of various devices, although I don't think that is something that is ever specifically stated, but there's been plenty of times where things like tricorders have been used without a ship nearby. As for communicators, there must have been a time when crewmembers used them to communicate with each other without a ship nearby but I can't think of a specific episode at the moment.

My point was that I don't think the commbadge is really much of a computing device on its own. I think It's more of a relay device. At least that's been my interpretation of things based on their behavior. Tricorders on the other hand would definitely have onboard computing, especially when you consider the size of the original tricorders from the original series and their onboard database. And if there are instances of commbadges working without a ship nearby, it's possible they use a tricorder's power similar to a wifi hotspot.

 

[theenglish]

My point was that I don't think the commbadge is really much of a computing device on its own. I think It's more of a relay device. At least that's been my interpretation of things based on their behavior. Tricorders on the other hand would definitely have onboard computing, especially when you consider the size of the original tricorders from the original series and their onboard database.

I believe you are correct on that. It is just a communication device on its own. I remember reading somewhere that it has a specific range but that range can be extended if in contact with a starship.

 

[Candleicious Ghost]

Interestingly this thread unlocked a memory. I remember in the 80s around 1983 when I was in high school the show was on every Friday 730pm and popular, there was a line of toys and items that were related to the show and one of them was a replica of the watch Michael wears. I got one and the dial on the front was a tuning dial as it was actually an AM radio with a headphone socket on the side. I bought one and it lasted a couple of years before playing up.

I'm pretty sure the watch on the show is the same watch minus the long cord and headphones. You can see the tuning dial in closeups