We’re in the Star Trek: Discovery off-season for the next several months, but just because the show’s taking a short break doesn’t mean there isn’t more to talk about — starting today with a close look at some new, detailed info about the latest in Starfleet technology.
This week CBS has released several highly-detailed digital breakdowns of the show’s redesigned Starfleet phaser, tricorder, and communicator devices — and thankfully, they’ve also included still images of the Starfleet schematics (so there’s no worry about missing out due to region-locked content!)
First up is the new standard-issue tricorder, which here we learn has a scanning range of up to 25 kilometers (15 miles)!
Starfleet Command standard issue Tricorder. Technical schematic. #StarTrekDiscovery pic.twitter.com/TLyd5W7E3k
— Star Trek: Discovery (@startrekcbs) February 28, 2018
Next is the Mark 3 standard issue phaser, with schematics covering both the Type 1 hand unit and the Type II grip attachment.
Starfleet Command standard issue phaser. Type 1. Mark 3. Technical schematic. #StarTrekDiscovery pic.twitter.com/iZcBBgEk37
— Star Trek: Discovery (@startrekcbs) February 26, 2018
Finally, the slick new communicator, which apparently can be used as a transporter-lock target over 42,000km — that’s more than three times the diameter of Earth!
Starfleet Command standard issue fleet communicator. Technical schematic. #StarTrekDiscovery pic.twitter.com/8VSDMMAaaW
— Star Trek: Discovery (@startrekcbs) March 2, 2018
This isn’t the first time CBS has focused on the show’s new props, of course; back in September the network released this interesting behind-the-scenes video with the production design team talking about a number of these same devices:
As for when you might be able to get your own version of this Starfleet gear? Well, the folks at ANOVOS did release their filming-prop reproduction phaser late in 2017 (for high-budget collectors), and you can check out our review of that in our January report.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RmpXL6xs_k
McFarlane Toys is also in the middle of development on their toy replica Discovery phaser, which we got an exclusive hands-on video of at Toy Fair in New York City last month. Their phaser is due out to consumers in late 2018.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2vl9gGTwFE
There’s not yet any sign of the communicator or tricorder being developed for consumer release, but hopefully one or both will follow as we approach the second season of Star Trek: Discovery.
Keep checking back to TrekCore for the latest in Star Trek: Discovery news!