Black Handle Classic Phaser - Star Trek 40th Anniversary Box

I've seen them all: The undersized Playmates prop toys from TOS, the overpriced unlicensed kits, the klunky flashlight toys from the 70's. Through it all, I always wondered why no one had ever bothered to make a decent toy replica of the Star Trek prop. Well, now they finally have.The Phaser is full size, 1:1 scale, and is loaded with the little touches that make these things so much fun. The Hand Phaser is removeable, and works on its own quite well. It includes a flip-up "site" and the numbered window rotates to different power settings. Even the "snout" of the Phaser I is accurate. Changing the power settings even produces different phaser sounds.The larger Phaser II operates only with the hand phaser attached (as it should be) and adds a switch for the beam emitter light, and a rear switch that activates the "overload" setting. Fantastic!On the down side (you knew there had to be SOMETHING), the beam emitter blinks when in use. I'm not sure why this was preferred by the designers, but it's a strange choice. Also of note, when you remove the "Try Me" tab, as it's called (the little plastic tab that allows kids in the store to make the sound and lights work), the toy gets turned off. It took me fifteen minutes of thinking I'd gotten a defective one before I realized the numbered dial on the hand phaser had to be moved off of the "0" setting before the toy would work. Very confusing, and worthy of a note in the manual.All in all, a rare find: a Star Trek prop toy worth buying. Let's just hope the tricorder and communicator are next.

I own five of these and the build quality is a little variable. May need some after-market mods.That being said, I can't describe the thrill of opening one of these for the first time: I own a phaser, dammit! Whoooo! If you grew up in the 70s like I did, you remember the miserable toys they released. These are so much more accurate--if not perfect. Great for those who are casually involved in cosplay.Does anyone remember where that line can be found?

Having grown up watching STAR TREK-TOS(both the show`s original prime-time airing and YEARS of syndicated reruns)--I`m rather an oddity in the ST Fan[atic]iverse.Old school and pretty much LOVE all manifiestations of this historic and groundbreaking sci-fi series,BUT not technically a regulation "Trekkie"(nothing against hard core fans,folks!).Since I couldn`t,wouldn`t(and shouldn`t)justify shelling out $100+ for a high(er) end TOS prop replica phaser pistol *sigh*,I took a chance on one of the many plastic "toy" replicas.My NIB ca.2003 ART ASYLUM/DIAMOND TOYS 2-IN-1 PHASER Type 1/Type 2(Item #:85870,red box)cost me $28.20 + normal shipping cost.I was a little worried about buying something I remembered looking at in Wal-Mart`s toy aisles so...Imagine my delight and childlike thrill then...as I held a (dang near!)real ST Phaser in my hand!!The overall look and dimensions of this "toy" are dead on to those boutique collector replicas!Even though this/these series were designed as children`s toys,were mass produced,and were constructed of plastics--this lil "wannabe" Master Replica is WELL,WELL worth the current online prices!(NOTE:Since I purchased my AA 2-IN-1 approx. 6 weeks ago,prices have gone UP!)If you pick up a NIB piece,the 3 batteries will be weak,so you`ll most likely want to install fresh ones if you feel that childhood urge to "play".HINT:The size batteries are hiding in the HEARING AID/DIGITAL THERMOMETER section of your nearest Wal- or K-Mart(NOT in the watch/jewelry dept.)I totally recommend this little plastic replica based on looks alone,BUT...it comes with several classic TOS phaser sound FX that are virtually identical to the series!!I feel that setting two (2)on the # wheel is most realistic/generic(imho).As other reviewers have already explained the workings,outlined the how-to`s,and added the best sequence to go from NIB to FIH(Fun In Hand),I`ll spare you.The black Type 1 "mini-phaser" contains the batteries,micro-chip w/sounds,and the 2 movable thumbwheels--in other words Type 1 is the "go" in this AA replica(even though you can detatch 1 from 2 base at will).Hope this humble review helps someone!DBF

What I ordered was the Art Asylum phaser replica produced in 2003; these were used as props in an Enterprise episode. Sadly what I received was the Diamond Select phaser toy produced in 2008. This is an issue with the seller, not the toy. The Diamond Select toy is made from the Art Asylum mold, but it is far from a full scale replica as the packaging describes. I have a full scale resin prop, and the Diamond Select toy is small compared to it. Despite the size not being full scale, the functionality is great, and the light/sound effects are authentic. The flip up sight on the phaser 1 unit makes this toy feel even more authentic; however, it is missing the red ruby which is somewhat disappointing. Overall it is a good reproduction of the Art Asylum model from 2003. I like it, but I don't love it.

Where was this great little piece back when I was a 14-year-old Trekkie running around and having adventures in "otherworldly" sandpits?!Like previous reviewers, I too had the Playmates Phaser pistol and was pretty content with it. It seemed to be about all one could expect from a mass market Phaser Two. But the detachable Phaser One of the Art Asylum product got my attention, but when I actually saw the thing, first hand, I was amazed. It exceeds the Playmates product in almost every detail.The functionality of this toy is a little more complex than Playmates', as well. I actually had to look at the instructions! In addition to having four power/sound settings, it has an overload feature (cool - but I wish it went a little longer and didn't end with a cheesy explosion).If you're dedicated to detail and you already have the Palymates' unit, you'll want this. If you don't have the Playmates unit, you'll want this. If you... ah heck, just buy one, okay? It's darn cool, especially for the price. I hope there's an Art Asylum communicator in our future!

I love movie props and Star Trek props even more, I had heard a lot about this one and figured it would cost forty or fifty bucks. But for a Phaser 1 & 2 that separate and function for under twenty bucks, IMPOSSIBLE! But yet this is one of the best Trek toys ever.Now mind you it's not a collector's quality item, but they got every detail right! From the Phaer 1 fire button on the bottom to the rotating dial for phaser settings. I LOVE THIS TOY!Not for small kids, but if your a collector that loves Star Trek items, and have wanted to get a great prop that you can handle and not just leave on the shelf, with sounds and lights, you shouldn't pass this one up! If you can't afford a Richard Coyle phaser then this one is for you!Keep up the great work Art Asylum, I can't wait to see their take on the Communicator and Tricorder.

I just had to write about this phaser. I bought the Playmates phaser in 1994 and thought that was great (It is one piece) but I always wanted one that could separate in two. The Art Asylum is as good as the playmates in durability (but with all plastic toys careful handling is recommended), that is the reason I gave it a 4. The sounds are better along with the destruct and the two piece set up is fun. The reason why I gave the education a 4 was that the phaser blinks and the tv one and the playmates did not. I gave it a 5 for fun because I really have fun playing with it. It separates and still fires, you can turn the round silver switch so the light can be off or on when firing (which can save battery life). You can select the power levels from high to off. After the plastic tab is pulled you need to adjust the selector in order to make the phaser work. That is something the directions do not explain. Also read the directions for separating the two pieces or you can damage it. You have to pull the gold rod on the side out to release it. All in all a great toy. I just hope they make a communicator and a tricorder soon.

I bought the Playmates version years ago and my major gripe was that the phaser was a one piece unit. Not only does the Art Asylum phaser seperate into two units (though only the smaller unit works when this is done as it contains the batteries)it has several more functions. You can dial the phaser whine up or down or even to off and the emitter pulsates correspondingly. The details and craftmanship are sharp and more streamlined than the Playmates version. Even though my six year has never seen the old series he loves to play with this toy as it has so many different settings and functions. Also, it is a little harder to reassemble the two pieces but he sure put it to the test and it held together fine. As a fan of the original series I wish this has been available when I was a kid. Oh well. I sure hope Art Asylum follows up with the communicator next. Bottom line: at the price offered here you can't beat this deal.

This Phaser model is very good- Excellent;In terms of visual likeness , I would give it a 10...The sounds are also a 10--and the fact that they are variable, is terrific...The one issue is the lightness of the item particularly considering the price of it(expensive!)...The other issue is that although the controls manipulate in order to change the sounds, they seems hard to adjust and since the item is so lightweight...seems like it would break if the knows were turned with too much vigor...All in all, a great looking and sounding item if you are careful with it!

The TOS Phaser 2 from Art Asylum is very true to the originalones seen on TV. It has a separable phaser 1, with five variablepower setttings, each with different sound and light effects.It even has an Overload setting! Size wise, it seemed to be small at first, but by doing acomparision with photos from the series (and knowing I amtaller than Mr. Shatner), the scale is just right!The only drawback I found was the release pin for the phaser 1is stiff, and potentially could very easily snap off.Other than that, the workmanship is outstanding, and, ofcourse, Amazon.com offered the best price anywhere!Most Highly recommended for TOS fans ! A Must for collectors!

Got this for a costume party. I'm a die hard Star Trek fan, so I went all out and had a TOS tunic and pants custom made to have for the occasional costume party. The phaser looks great, more like a prop than a toy, even though it is a toy. The sounds are accurate, although could be louder, and the light a little brighter, but for what I want it for, it more than serves the purpose.

After extensive research online for TOS phaser for Cosplay, I have given up hope of finding a truly represented replica. I finally understand that all of these are toys, not props, not replicas. Since I cannot afford the studio quality prop I desire to accent my costume, I will accept the next best option, the Art Asylum phaser. It has very good detail with working/movable target scanner, force setting dial, and power setting dial. The removable type 1 is awesome. The sound effects are spot on! Crisp! Clear! Accurate. The only issue I have is the color. It is blue! None of the phasers in the show were blue. Variations of grey, but not blue. The stock photos they post on these listings show the grey phaser from the series or one that has been painted (as I had to do mine). If you are looking for a toy, buy this. It is great! If the appearance is what is important, you may want to keep looking, spend LOTS more money, or at least go to your local Toys R Us and see what you'll be getting. (they sell them there)

This couldn't get any better. Well, maybe if it was metal and could actually vaporize things, but that might increase the cost.It is full-sized, unlike earlier replicas for kids, and is lots of fun to play with. The knobs and buttons all turn and work, and the top phaser comes out and fits in a pocket. It also seems very well-made and durable. If you are on the fence, don't hesitate to buy this. You won't regret it!

Hey, I'm not gonna say this is a replica, it's a plastic toy. But as long as you don't overpay for this thing, it's worth the money. Don't pay over $80 bc you can find it somewhere else for that or under. The upper phaser unattaches from it, and it gets the job done. Take my advice, get a uniform and take some photos you can put into photoshop.

I didn't expect a realistic prop replica, but I was delighted to see that many of the orignal Wah Chang prop's details were faithfully reproduced in this toy. Even the pivoting, swing-up "sensor array" from the original hand phaser is represented here. Though it won't draw any amazed stares at conventions, this is the toy that all of us original Trekkies dreamt of in the mid-70s.