Tricorders Are Expensive!

[Starborn Dragon]

So I've been wanting to get myself both a classic silver black tricorder and a TNG style tricorder and I've done some searching on Amazon.

Now, i also have a TNG style phaser II on my wish list for basically ten dollars sans shipping and handling.

But, as I search through the website for the right style of tricorder I want, I notice the prices.

The lowest price I've come across is $99 and the highest I saw was one thousand.

So, I really don't understand why there can't be a tricorder with a price similar to the phaser.

I would also like to see the price to about $25. That would be a reasonable price to me.

So i really don't understand why these prices are so expensive. I'm a poor boy and cant really afford to purchase unless i save up for a few months.

Of course, which I am going to do.

I still don't' understand the high prices though.

 

[Gepard]

The classic tricorders are much bigger than the phasers and have a more parts. The TNG tricorders have a lot of blinking lights. Both those factors drive up the price.

Depending on what manufacturer you're looking up, the tricorders may be discontinued as well and you're seeing inflated aftermarket prices from third-party sellers.

 

[T'Girl]

There is the factor of how nice and "authentic" of one you require. My first TNG tricorder (which I still have) came from Toys-R Us and was quite good, it was the correct size, the LCD screen had changing graphics and there were a variety of sound effects.

It was a children's toy, but something similar might be just what you want..

If you want a hero version, something you can display with pride at comic-con, well you get what you pay for. A metal shelled, full function tricorder is going to be in the hundreds.

Have you searched E-bay and Craigs-list?

 

[trekker670]

Diamond Select Toys sells a version of the original tricorder (they have the entire TOS landing party set). New Force Comics is my go-to for DST items, but most online comic/collectible shops should sell it (if it's not sold out). For example, New Force has the tricorder for $50.

For the TNG tricorder, you may have more trouble. Your best bet at a cheap tricorder will be Playmates, but it's not very accurate. EFX has a version of the Mark X tricorder (DS9, TNG movies), but it sells for upwards of $700. You may be able to get a prop replica version (static, no light/sounds) of the TNG tricorder for around $100, but electronics will cost you a bit more.

 

[BillJ]

Diamond Select Toys sells a version of the original tricorder (they have the entire TOS landing party set). New Force Comics is my go-to for DST items, but most online comic/collectible shops should sell it (if it's not sold out). For example, New Force has the tricorder for $50.

For the TNG tricorder, you may have more trouble. Your best bet at a cheap tricorder will be Playmates, but it's not very accurate. EFX has a version of the Mark X tricorder (DS9, TNG movies), but it sells for upwards of $700. You may be able to get a prop replica version (static, no light/sounds) of the TNG tricorder for around $100, but electronics will cost you a bit more.

I got the Diamond Select TOS tricorder, phaser and communicator set for $105 off of Amazon.

 

[ManOnTheWave]

Amazon has the 90s era Playmates classic Tricorder for $39.48.

 

[Richard Baker]

Amazon has the 90s era Playmates classic Tricorder for $39.48.

Avoid the Playmates if you can- it is smaller than full scale and made as a kids toyu rather than a replica.
The Diamond Select Tricorder is pretty good, there are several models. THe basic one (which I have, a Medical one (with compartment for scanner) and a Geologic one (with the center reworded for the red signal light as we saw in 'That which Survives'.
There is a fellow on eBay who has a large number of Trek replicas- both static and enhancement kits to add lights and detail to them He is always listing new items so if you do not find anything check back.
PM me if you want his profile name there or do a search for Trek Replicas. I am not sure as the rules here of posting a link or mentioning a specific seller by name on this forum.

 

[Sector 7]

In the mid-1970s, I was fortunate to have a transistor [look it up kids] radio which looks very much like the TOS tricorder. A radio dial, rather than a TV screen, was the only real difference. It even had a shoulder strap, just like the one on TV! Since it was common to be seen carrying that type of radio, no one made fun of me for it. Little did they know I was using it to explore their planet... LOL!