Playmates "Pistolizes" Prop Phaser

I posted the following on TrekMovie regarding Playmates' new phaser toy:

17 April 2009

Hey, I got my phaser last night at TRU. Waaaay cool toy! I especially love the dial on top, which activates a yellow light next to it and initiates a “powering-up whine” like so many other sci-fi particle weapons (e.g., Ronon Dex’s on “Stargate Atlantis”).

The “pivoting” feature of the phaser’s beam emitter is pretty neat, too. It was a little confusing when I opened the package because the toy doesn’t come with any instructions (duhhhh … Playmates). Mine came with the red “vaporizing” emitter in the forward position. It took me a few seconds to figure out that you have to manually pivot the emitter back to the blue “stun” side. There’s a silver button on the upper-left side of the grip that enables the pivot feature. Unfortunately, it only works one way … from blue to red. Kind of a bummer, but I know nothing of the mechanics of toymaking, so I’ll just shut up about that.

There’s also an “off/on” switch on the underside (rear) of the phaser … not sure why it needs one, but, again, what do I know?

The red “vaporizing” sound effect is really sweet, and if you hold in the trigger, the noise will repeat/pulse.

The blue “stun” sound effect is kinda lame, though … it’s little more than an electronic “sputter,” but it, too, will repeat/pulse if you hold in the trigger.

The only thing the phaser is missing … and it could be really helpful for those of us who plan on “wearing” the toy to the premiere … is a holster, or at least a clip-on feature (like the TNG phasers). I mean, c’mon, Playmates, if you include a holster for the communicator, then why not for the phaser and tricorder as well?

Perhaps a specially designed “utility belt” is forthcoming?

But it won’t be ready for the premiere! Damn it!

[...] the new phaser is actually more akin to the Star Trek 3 & 4 "pistol" version in size (particularly the handle/grip), and the Star Trek 5 & 6 "assault" version in shape (the upper halves are startlingly similar).