I love my Wand Company one. Bought a couple for friends. We sent videos of us talking to each other on them. That's next level geekdom right there. Also love to annoy my family with it ha. I see they have shot way up in value. That's really cool.
I have a keychain communicator that my mother in law gave me years ago (30 years?). Still works, has the chirp and flashing lights. Runs on 3 G13 batteries. Nice little unit!
It really is a fantastic communicator. I wrote to them when they first released them to tell them what an excellent piece that was. They really appreciated the positive feedback.
I once owned the same first communicator you showed. Bought it in the late 80's at a Star Wars convention. I sold it off after I got a Master Replicas one.
Ah the Master Replicas one is the one that got away for me. I didn't buy it when it first came out because I already had some but I regret not getting one now.
I remember my best friend had a set of communicator walkie-talkies, push a button and a spring loaded lid would flip. They were light blue, had a pull-out whip antenna and not at all accurate. But they did work.
I got the original Diamond Select when they first came out, the open up grill was less shiny and it has less on the voice chip than yours but still cool all the same.
I used to have the diamond select one, really want to know where that thing is hiding, and the side opening is where the demonstration tab was. It would only do two of the voices until this was removed. It's actually funny as I enquired as to why there was only 2 voice samples and not what was advertised, they said they didn't know and gave me a discount. When I got home that night and finally played with it, got a nice surprise when I took that tab out, but felt a little guilty that the vendor gave me a discount. I also got the Type 2 phaser with the removable Type 1 docked on top. I should have bought multiples of both these items, they're some of the best ever made... EDIT: Unfortunately you can no longer get The Wand Company communicator and it doesn't look like they are going to make another batch any time in the near future, but I've already Pre ordered the Pip Boy and am on the look out for the Tricorder they are releasing soon...
I'm really sorry to hear your Wand Company battery is dead. I didn't realise you had to charge them every 6 months I nearly had a heart attack when I heard you say that koz mine had been run down for 3 years. However, I just charged both my Phaser and communicator and they work perfectly. Might be worth giving it another go, changing the lead and making sure the stand is all set up etc.
@ednunpourtahmasbi605 Oh wow! I'll have to give it another try. I guess you can replace the battery so I'll have to look into how to do that as well. Thank you for letting me know. I'm glad yours still work! 😁
Oh, and I had one that had both pre-recorded and a you-record button. It also had a lcd calculator on a flip up lid under the moire (the moire flipped up… think it may have been the playmates?)
I bought number 1 at a convention also in the 80s-90s in Providence. It was a non-functioning unit. I didn't like that the flip grid color started to wear from use so I spray painted it.
I've seen a few floating around. It was at a time when there wasn't a whole lot of these available. I still like it even though it's not that accurate.
Somehow I missed this video back in the day. It's awesome. Did you know... that the chirp sound you hear is from The Wild Wild West? It was created for that show. And a number of other sound effects came from there as well. You mentioned that the first communicator's lid was flat. Not sure what that meant.
That's very interesting! I loved Wild, Wild West! The first communicator has a more flat top area on it. More than the standard ones. The edges have a sharper curve to them giving the top of the lid a flatter appearance.
@@outsider238 There is A LOT of overlap between Star Trek and The Wild Wild West, producers, staff, actors, etc. The episode I first heard the chirp in was called "The Night of the Burning Diamond". Oh and today this blew my mind... The main character in The Wild Wild West is Captain James T. West! DID WE KNOW THIS?? LOL
@kelvington4182 Oh! I do remember that because I was wondering if it was some kind of in joke. I also liked the episodes with Alan Hale and his last episode there's a great reference to Gilligan's Island.
I bought a wand company communicator that had still been wrapped and never opened at least 5 years I opened it charged it and it worked maybe try it on yours check out the results
If you contact The Wand Company’s customer service department, you might be able to get a replacement charging cradle that will allow you to recharge a totally drained battery.
I think this video would have been better if you just waited to figure out how to charge The Wand Company variant, and maybe looked a little harder for the other 2. Still, and interesting interesting. I still gave it a thumbs up.
@momo1975 That's interesting but somehow not surprising. They've been out for years so it's possible that since demand has probably slowed down quite a bit they've had to make them out of cheaper materials. The metal grills were very nice.
The Diamond Select communicators DID go to a plastic grill after the first couple of years. It's annoying because it's next to impossible to tell from thumbnails which is which. Also, the early metal grills came in both glossy and matte finishes.
Oh! I didn't know they went to plastic. That's really too bad although from a cost perspective, I guess I understand since they probably weren't selling as many as time went on. But still, the metal grill made them more premium.
@@outsider238 Yeah, it was really disappointing when they made the switch, as I was still actively buying them at the time. But the early metal grill ones are still fantastic, right up there with the Wand version. As a kid in the '70s, I never would have dreamed I'd someday be able to get such accurate replicas. :)
@bulldogtv2143 I agree! I always wanted one of these as a kid and when the Razr flip phone came out, I felt like Captain Kirk!😂 Diamond Select makes some of the better merchandise when it comes to this stuff.
I have several from TNG and the later versions that looked more sleek. I also have a couple of TOS tricorders either from toy companies or fan made props from about 30 years ago.
@@outsider238 i'm sorry that was wrong i didn't mean to mislead you we haven't heard any word on the tricorder since one of its lead creators passed away.
@@pattimcb31 Oh wow! I didn't know that. That's terrible. Last I heard they were pretty far along on its development. There were supply issues but that was a couple of years ago so that's probably not an issue now. I'm guessing the price will increase though. I hope it will still happen.
Haha! I did try it out. It's not very practical but it is pretty awesome to finally have a real, working communicator. Something I think we've all dreamed of since we were kids! 😄
I'm trying to help a woman who's husband had a huge collection of sci-fi collectibles, mainly Star Trek, sell off the collection to help with bills. Would you be able to help me identify some stuff. She has a communicator similar to the first one. It has no identifying marks and makes the chip when opening with light up lights but no other effects. If you could help I would really appreciate it.
Hmm.. It was probably one of those privately made communicators like the first one I showed. Since it doesn't have any markings, it was probably made in the 80s or 90s. There were so many random ones made back then it would be difficult to know who made it.
Sorry for the late response. I had heard $350 because of the rising costs and the retooling they had to do for certain parts but I'm not 100% sure about that. I didn't want to under quote the price.
I actually used my Wand co. comm as a phone quite a bit. One time I was on an airplane waiting for departure from the gate and I got a call from my son. I answered it, had a very brief conversation and closed the comm. The people sitting around me all said "That is the coolest thing I've ever seen! Where did you get that?" :D How cool is it to have a sci fi prop that actually does what it was supposed to do on the show? I too have a bunch of different comms I've collected over the years. Fun stuff!
@@outsider238 Believe it or not, I only just found out about the Wand co. Tricorder project last night! I signed up for the interest list immediately and I WILL be getting one upon release for sure! I have some apps on my phone that made me think "Surely someone could build a Tricorder prop with this functionality!" Well, here comes Wand co. again!! Bravo!!
I love my Wand Company one. Bought a couple for friends. We sent videos of us talking to each other on them. That's next level geekdom right there. Also love to annoy my family with it ha. I see they have shot way up in value. That's really cool.
I have a keychain communicator that my mother in law gave me years ago (30 years?). Still works, has the chirp and flashing lights. Runs on 3 G13 batteries. Nice little unit!
I forgot about that one! I have one of those too. It was very nicely made and had decent features for the size!
@@outsider238 I was just checking eBay and a master replicas unit is listed for $840 US. There are some static units for under $100 US too.
@@petermerz2704 I really kick myself for not getting the Master Replicas one! I should have bought it when they were available.
ruclips.net/video/_hUhDj33-n8/видео.html
Mine to except the lid got damaged.
I have the diamond select one, and I absolutely love it! And, it’s also used for Star Trek Continues, along side of the diamond select phaser!
It really is a fantastic communicator. I wrote to them when they first released them to tell them what an excellent piece that was. They really appreciated the positive feedback.
I once owned the same first communicator you showed. Bought it in the late 80's at a Star Wars convention. I sold it off after I got a Master Replicas one.
Ah the Master Replicas one is the one that got away for me. I didn't buy it when it first came out because I already had some but I regret not getting one now.
I commend you on this video. Your review was thorough and logical.
@@fjccommish Thank you very much! 😁
when I was a kid, I had to do with two empty cigarette case and a rubberband to repl;icate the flipping action. Good fun though.
I remember my best friend had a set of communicator walkie-talkies, push a button and a spring loaded lid would flip. They were light blue, had a pull-out whip antenna and not at all accurate. But they did work.
Yes! I had those as well! I wish I still had them. They also had that alarm. They didn't have the best range either. 😄😆
I love everyone of those. Thanks for sharing.
I got the original Diamond Select when they first came out, the open up grill was less shiny and it has less on the voice chip than yours but still cool all the same.
I used to have the diamond select one, really want to know where that thing is hiding, and the side opening is where the demonstration tab was. It would only do two of the voices until this was removed. It's actually funny as I enquired as to why there was only 2 voice samples and not what was advertised, they said they didn't know and gave me a discount. When I got home that night and finally played with it, got a nice surprise when I took that tab out, but felt a little guilty that the vendor gave me a discount. I also got the Type 2 phaser with the removable Type 1 docked on top. I should have bought multiples of both these items, they're some of the best ever made...
EDIT: Unfortunately you can no longer get The Wand Company communicator and it doesn't look like they are going to make another batch any time in the near future, but I've already Pre ordered the Pip Boy and am on the look out for the Tricorder they are releasing soon...
Oh yes, I forgot about that tab. The new tricorder looks pretty awesome!
I'm really sorry to hear your Wand Company battery is dead. I didn't realise you had to charge them every 6 months I nearly had a heart attack when I heard you say that koz mine had been run down for 3 years. However, I just charged both my Phaser and communicator and they work perfectly. Might be worth giving it another go, changing the lead and making sure the stand is all set up etc.
@ednunpourtahmasbi605 Oh wow! I'll have to give it another try. I guess you can replace the battery so I'll have to look into how to do that as well. Thank you for letting me know. I'm glad yours still work! 😁
Kydex is used a lot today in making holsters. You can buy it easily.
Oh! I had heard they didn't make it anymore. That's good to know. Thanks!
Oh, and I had one that had both pre-recorded and a you-record button. It also had a lcd calculator on a flip up lid under the moire (the moire flipped up… think it may have been the playmates?)
I have that one too somewhere. I don't remember the company that made those.
I think the one after the Wand Company communicator is a Marco Entertainment model from the 80s. It's thick with a heavy thick chrome grill.
Ah! Thank you! The one with Scotty's voice. I really wasn't sure who made it. It's been over 20 years since I got it.
I carry my Wand communicator from time to time just to annoy my family 😉
Hahaha!!! That's hilarious!!!🤣😅😆
I bought number 1 at a convention also in the 80s-90s in Providence. It was a non-functioning unit. I didn't like that the flip grid color started to wear from use so I spray painted it.
I've seen a few floating around. It was at a time when there wasn't a whole lot of these available. I still like it even though it's not that accurate.
Somehow I missed this video back in the day. It's awesome. Did you know... that the chirp sound you hear is from The Wild Wild West? It was created for that show. And a number of other sound effects came from there as well. You mentioned that the first communicator's lid was flat. Not sure what that meant.
That's very interesting! I loved Wild, Wild West! The first communicator has a more flat top area on it. More than the standard ones. The edges have a sharper curve to them giving the top of the lid a flatter appearance.
@@outsider238 There is A LOT of overlap between Star Trek and The Wild Wild West, producers, staff, actors, etc. The episode I first heard the chirp in was called "The Night of the Burning Diamond".
Oh and today this blew my mind... The main character in The Wild Wild West is Captain James T. West! DID WE KNOW THIS?? LOL
@kelvington4182 Oh! I do remember that because I was wondering if it was some kind of in joke. I also liked the episodes with Alan Hale and his last episode there's a great reference to Gilligan's Island.
@@outsider238 It was a great show!
I bet mumbo jumbo will make that system easier
I like ur videos
I bought a wand company communicator that had still been wrapped and never opened at least 5 years I opened it charged it and it worked maybe try it on yours check out the results
I tried to charge it but it didn't work unfortunately. That's surprising yours worked after that long.
Your capacitor may need replacing.
I am no expert on these things, but with some solar powered watches, that is why charging fails.
If you contact The Wand Company’s customer service department, you might be able to get a replacement charging cradle that will allow you to recharge a totally drained battery.
No way! That's good to know! It would save all that disassembly. Thank you so much for the information! 😁
I think this video would have been better if you just waited to figure out how to charge The Wand Company variant, and maybe looked a little harder for the other 2. Still, and interesting interesting. I still gave it a thumbs up.
I loved ´this video
So have they changed from a metal grill to a plastic grill on the later models of the diamond select?
I'm curious about that as well. I haven't bought the newer ones so I'm not sure.
I'm asking because the 2018 model on Amazon is plastic. Everything else including the functionality is the same.
@momo1975 That's interesting but somehow not surprising. They've been out for years so it's possible that since demand has probably slowed down quite a bit they've had to make them out of cheaper materials. The metal grills were very nice.
There was one communicator that was made in 1998 that had a clock and calculator that actually wasn't that bad.
Yeah I mention that one in the video. I have that one but I couldn't find it to include here but it's stashed away somewhere. 😁
The Diamond Select communicators DID go to a plastic grill after the first couple of years. It's annoying because it's next to impossible to tell from thumbnails which is which. Also, the early metal grills came in both glossy and matte finishes.
Oh! I didn't know they went to plastic. That's really too bad although from a cost perspective, I guess I understand since they probably weren't selling as many as time went on. But still, the metal grill made them more premium.
@@outsider238 Yeah, it was really disappointing when they made the switch, as I was still actively buying them at the time. But the early metal grill ones are still fantastic, right up there with the Wand version. As a kid in the '70s, I never would have dreamed I'd someday be able to get such accurate replicas. :)
@bulldogtv2143 I agree! I always wanted one of these as a kid and when the Razr flip phone came out, I felt like Captain Kirk!😂 Diamond Select makes some of the better merchandise when it comes to this stuff.
Do you have any tricorders from the later shows?
I have several from TNG and the later versions that looked more sleek. I also have a couple of TOS tricorders either from toy companies or fan made props from about 30 years ago.
@@outsider238 I've been waiting on the Wand Company Tricorder but i think its not happening any more😔
@@pattimcb31 It's not? What happened?
@@outsider238 i'm sorry that was wrong i didn't mean to mislead you we haven't heard any word on the tricorder since one of its lead creators passed away.
@@pattimcb31 Oh wow! I didn't know that. That's terrible. Last I heard they were pretty far along on its development. There were supply issues but that was a couple of years ago so that's probably not an issue now. I'm guessing the price will increase though. I hope it will still happen.
I’m such a geek, I would have used the Wand Company one as a Bluetooth device just to show it off…
Haha! I did try it out. It's not very practical but it is pretty awesome to finally have a real, working communicator. Something I think we've all dreamed of since we were kids! 😄
I'm trying to help a woman who's husband had a huge collection of sci-fi collectibles, mainly Star Trek, sell off the collection to help with bills. Would you be able to help me identify some stuff. She has a communicator similar to the first one. It has no identifying marks and makes the chip when opening with light up lights but no other effects. If you could help I would really appreciate it.
Hmm.. It was probably one of those privately made communicators like the first one I showed. Since it doesn't have any markings, it was probably made in the 80s or 90s. There were so many random ones made back then it would be difficult to know who made it.
@outsider238 thank you for the quick response. I was thinking the same thing.
@@spawnfreak75 I'm sorry that I couldn't be more help to you.
I repaired mine last week, not hard at all.
I need to get the proper battery.
The tricorder is gonna be only like 250
Sorry for the late response. I had heard $350 because of the rising costs and the retooling they had to do for certain parts but I'm not 100% sure about that. I didn't want to under quote the price.
I actually used my Wand co. comm as a phone quite a bit. One time I was on an airplane waiting for departure from the gate and I got a call from my son. I answered it, had a very brief conversation and closed the comm. The people sitting around me all said "That is the coolest thing I've ever seen! Where did you get that?" :D How cool is it to have a sci fi prop that actually does what it was supposed to do on the show? I too have a bunch of different comms I've collected over the years. Fun stuff!
Hahaha!!! That's fantastic! It really was incredible that the Wand Company was able to pull off that feature!
@@outsider238 I know. Love this thing!
@@NegdoshaManido I'm interested to see how the tricorder is going to turn out.
@@outsider238 Believe it or not, I only just found out about the Wand co. Tricorder project last night! I signed up for the interest list immediately and I WILL be getting one upon release for sure! I have some apps on my phone that made me think "Surely someone could build a Tricorder prop with this functionality!" Well, here comes Wand co. again!! Bravo!!
@@NegdoshaManido I agree! There hasn't been an update from them for a while so I hope they're still working on it. Looks pretty cool so far! 😁