Doctor Who Sonic Screwdriver
by Doctor Who
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Our Price: $24.99 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: Toy See more product details |
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Toys and Games Reviews of Doctor Who Sonic Screwdriver
Customer Review: Don't misplace the pen nibs
Summary: 3 Stars
When you install the batteries it requires the use of a small phillips head screwdriver... So you need a regular screwdriver to make your Sonic Screwdriver work. (And while I was doing this, I actually was thinking to myself, "Hmmm, this really could be more sonic!")
I've had this thing for about a year now, I use the regular pen nib quite often and it's currently not showing signs of running out of ink. The nib with the UV ink, unfortunately was lost.
That is the biggest issue I have with the item. The instruction pamphlet that comes with it says that you can order replacement nibs from customer service. You can not currently just order replacement nibs from Amazon, nor are they currently listed in the "Spare Parts" section of the Character-Online customer service website. (Though there are spare Dalek parts which is kind of awesome.) You have to call the company's customer service department which is in the UK. So unless you want to call long distance and pay shipping from the UK for pen nibs? Do not loose them. (This may change, I hope it does. When it does, I'll come back and up my star rating.)
Onto the good stuff!
I really love owning this thing. A few days ago I had a blackout at night and (due to a recent move) I couldn't find my flashlight, but I was using this thing to make some notes. So I used it to find my keys and my wallet to go out and buy a proper flashlight and some candles. Doing that was more fun then I should probably admit in a public forum. Secondly, the UV ink is tangentially educational. Your child likes Doctor Who, you get them this pen, they write secret messages on the psychic paper and say "Cool! How does that work?" They then become interested in what UV light is, learn all sorts interesting stuff about wavelengths and "Yay! Science is fun!"
If you're a cosplayer through, that's not really your concern. From close up and far away it looks good, it has the right moving parts, lights up and makes the noise. It comes with batteries. I don't know what more you could ask for.
Just don't misplace the pen nibs.
Customer Review: A few notes
Summary: 5 Stars
Just thought I'd mention a few things not covered in other reviews, and weigh in on a few points already mentioned:
* The configuration of the toy has changed since it was introduced. It no longer comes with notepaper, with or without Gallifreyan script. Instead it comes with "psychic paper." As on the show, this is a little document wallet with a single piece of apparently blank paper -- except that the "paper" is actually a piece of plastic. One writes messages on the white plastic with the fluorescent nib, and uses the sonic to view them. It can then be wiped clean and reused. I haven't tried this yet, but I love the concept; it's a much better tie-in to the show than notepaper! [Update: the psychic paper wallet no longer comes with this product. Drat. It did when I bought it, but that was three years ago.]
* Figuring out how to get the batteries in takes a bit of doing, since there are no written directions, just a diagram. After using a screwdriver (such irony!) to remove a small Phillips screw and the part it's attached to, pull gently but firmly on the business end (the light end) of the sonic. The barrel will come out and you can add the batteries. (Update: I neglected to mention that the screw is hidden beneath the square button thingy you use to extend the barrel. Gently pull off the cover of this to reveal the screw.)
* The extended position sound and closed position sound are indeed very similar, but distinguishable if played for more than a second or so. Neither is terribly loud, but they're not nearly as soft as I feared from reading the other reviews. If you don't need it to be heard at a distance, it's perfectly acceptable. (Update: someone else mentioned that the sounds alternate regardless of open or closed position. Quite right; I hadn't noticed this!)
Overall: it's a toy, not a prop, and for the price allowances must be made. But if you're not looking to carry it around or give it heavy use (and assuming you don't get a defective one), it's extremely cool. I'd happily buy it again.
Customer Review: Well Researched Review
Summary: 4 Stars
Not including the other Sonic Screwdriver for sale, which is ONLY a flashlight and does NOT have any sound, this one comes in two flavors, according to photos displayed of it all over the web. The version I have, has SILVER color instead of GREY plastic. And the slider button is all one color, not with the black inlay as seen on some photos. Also, some have incorrectly led us to believe that the sound is different depending on if the screwdriver is in extended position or not, this is false. There are two slightly (very slightly) different sounds that ALTERNATE each time you activate the screwdriver, no matter what position it is in. You can not select between the two sounds, when you press the button, it will be the one of the two sounds that is not the one you heard last time you pressed the button.
The light is an actual UV LED, yet because of the plastic lens, it still looks BLUE like in the TV program, but the light sprayed onto a wall will be purple. Being actual UV LED, this is not just a toy, but an actual usefull tool! I used to have to carry a keychain UV LED light, now I just carry this one, it is much brighter too. This sonic screwdriver can be used to detect cracks in antique china, can be used to charge the numbers on your luminous watch dial, detect for bodily fluids in hotel rooms, detect scorpions, check for UV strips in US currency, see the secret UV marks on Visa/MC credit cards, confirm vaseline glass (uranium glass) of antiques, and so much more. Great usefull tool that doubles as a fun Doctor-Who item.
If you think your bathroom floor and toilet are clean, use this UV LED screwdriver on them in the dark and you might be horrified to see what you missed!
Customer Review: This'll Bring You One Step Closer To Dressing Like The Doctor
Summary: 5 Stars
Yes, I have to admit, my inner geek is drunk with giddy abandon after having received my own toy replica of the Doctor's trusty sonic screwdriver. Sure, I look nothing like David Tennant or Christopher Eccleston or any of the classic Doctors, but I sure feel geeky cool with my sonic screwdriver. It features two authentic sounds, a UV light, black and UV ink nibs, "psychic" paper and slides out like the Doctor's screwdriver. I had no problems inserting the batteries for this toy like others have posted. I'll also try not to play with this thing too much because it looks so cool. However, both myself and my daughter are addicted to fixing, locking, scrambling, etc. things and pretending to be the Doctor.
Overall, I highly recommend this toy to any fanboy like myself who loves "Doctor Who." I've never dressed up like a character before, but this screwdriver has opened a door in my mind that's been locked for a long, long time. Have fun with this toy whether you're seven or seventy. It's very fun.
Customer Review: As expected, but needs improvement
Summary: 3 Stars
As a die-hard Doctor fan, I was excited to get the sonic screwdriver. My experience is somewhat mixed though.
The reviews faulting the durability and overall quality of this item are spot-on. The toy seems fragile and would definitely NOT stand up to serious play- don't buy it for a child under 20 years old. The whole extension assembly is very weak, I almost never use it in a nopen position.
The sound is too faint, but it is audible, but come on- it's a SONIC screwdriver- the sound should be loud enough to hear across a room.
The psychic paper wallet is not impressive at all, just a cheap plastic wallet with a white writing surface.
All that said, the good points are that it is a faithful reproduction of the prop in the show, and the UV light is really cool.
The best thing this toy could be used for is as a template for making my own new sonic screwdriver out of metal on a lathe, and inserting the electronics from this one into it.