With the demise of Master Replicas (It was bought by Corgi and then faded into the sunset), EFX has taken up the banner of high end replica props. Barry and Bryan, the two founders are industry vets, and EFX has secured a number of licenses, Star Wars, Disney, and Star Trek. An avid Star Trek Prop, Costume & Auction Blog reader recently wrote a review of the new TNG era Mark IX Tricorder which I am happy to print, as EFX items are top quality, and worthy additions to a prop collectors collection.
EFX Mark IX Tricorder
The Mark 1X Tricorder, as sold on the Entertainment Earth web site,. is a copy of the tricorder used by LT. Cmdr. Data in Star Trek First Contact. The casing of the tricorder is cast metal with a plastic battery door that attaches to the tricorder with four screws - the same as the original prop. The tricorder comes with all of the bells and whistles you would normally get in a high quality replica including a prop stand and a numbered plaque. It is loaded with LEDs and has the original science tricorder scanning sound - all of which engage when the tricorder trip switch is thrown by opening the door/flap of the tricorder. The only sound issue that I see is with the opening of the tricorder. The ratchet sound is a fabricated electronically rather than having it built into the door itself. This slightly takes away from the overall aesthetic affect of the prop.
Being made out of metal, the tricorder is very heavy, perhaps too much so for any real prop enthusiast to enjoy playing with because you feel like you're going to drop it when you pick it up and you wonder whether it will fall off the custom stand. But rest assured, it is very secure. If you already own the Master Replicas First Contact Phaser, then this is a good sister prop to add to your collection because both are made out of metal and both display similarly on their custom stands.
Overall, it's worth the $349.00 U.S. (compared to the $249 that EFX Collectibles had it posted on their web site for) that Entertainment Earth charges considering the Roddenberry.com props go for more than double this and when you add in that this is limited to 684 pieces and comes with Brent Spiner's signature, you can't go wrong. I don't doubt that these units will triple in price on Ebay within six months of initial delivery so if you have the $349.00 to spend, get it now.
Rob Ball
EFX Collectibles Web Sitehttp://www.entertainmentearth.com/prodinfo.asp?number=EFX02090001
The sale was a huge success and we had a blast. It was great to see old friends like Francis (who got a bridge chair and nav console) and even my former nemesis Gerald Gurian, who we all had a great time chatting with. Gerald walked away with the Enterprise D Nacelles! Well, he didn't really "walk away" with them, but he bought them and got a great deal!
