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05/12/2008 Diamond Select Toys Star Trek Original Series Communicator Review

Sorry for the delay in a new review. I got distracted with Emerald City ComiCon stuff. If you are ever in the Seattle area this time of the year, it is a worthwhile local comic show to go to. And now on to my latest review - a Diamond Select Toys Star Trek Original Series Communicator. This one happens to be the Entertainment Earth exclusive version.

I have always had a problem with Star Trek role play toys / replicas. They were either way too cheap feeling (Playmates I am looking at you) or they were way too expensive for the regular guy. I think DST has found the perfect balance between the two.

When you first put this in your hand, you realize it isn't cheap feeling at all. It just feels solid in your hand. The flip up grille is actually metal as well which is always a nice touch. It feels much more like a prop replica than it does a toy but you don't have to worry about it being too fragile.

The back is pretty clean with very low profile manufacturer markings. This helps it even look more like a prop replica.

Once you flip it open, you are greeting by the familiar communicator chime. Let's start with all the lights and buttons. The button on the far right plays a random sound clip from the show that would be typical to the communicator. There is a nice selection and variety included. There are seven standard sound clips and one bonus Entertainment Earth exclusive one. They are: "Bridge, this is the captain." "Scotty here, Captain." "Enterprise, this is Kirk." "Enterprise to Mr. Spock." "Spock here, Captain." "Transporter room ready to beam up." "Bridge here, Captain."And the Entertainment Earth exclusive clip - "Your signal is very weak. Can you turn up your gain?"

This leads to my first issue. This thing is a little loud. I wish that one of the buttons was also a dial so you could adjust the volume. I took this to work because I knew some of the computer nerds I work with would get a kick out of it. It was just too darn loud for cubicle land. I felt like you could easily hear it a few cube rows away. It didn't get much play because of that.

Also there is this crazy rotating array in the center of the open communicator. It is pretty fun and trippy to watch but it makes a weird pulsing noise. I don't remember it doing this on the show but I am not an expert on old Star Trek episodes. I could just do without it as it gets a little old to listen to after awhile.

The packaging is pretty classic looking. It has a nice black space background with bold gold lettering. It has a try me hole in the front window but you only get one sound clip with it.

You can pick this up now at Entertainment Earth. There is of course a handy banner ad above that will take you right to their site. It is $29.99 there. Not a bad price at all considering the quality in this toy.

I am not going to kid you - I would rather have my Blackberry Pearl over this but it is a fun toy. Toys like this don't have to be cheaply made or cost you an arm and a leg. DST did find the perfect blend of toy and prop replica.

I am giving this a **** out of five star rating.