Star Trek fans can preorder fascinating TOS replica tricorder (but is it worth the price?)

Star Trek fans can finally get a tricorder that feels like it came straight off the Enterprise, but its premium price may give even die‑hard collectors pause.
Tricorder From Star Trek
Tricorder From Star Trek | William Nation/GettyImages
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Star Trek fans can finally get their hands on a tricorder that not only looks like it came off the USS Enterprise but can actually do something interesting once you flip it open.

The new Star Trek: The Original Series Tricorder Prop Replica is up for preorder from the official Star Trek Shop, and it’s being pitched very clearly as a display-grade collectible rather than a toy. The big question is whether the blend of screen accuracy and real-world functionality is enough to justify the premium price tag for most fans.

The tricorder retails for $415 each and will start shipping on Nov. 26, which should arrive between Nov. 22 and Nov. 26. Please be aware that the new replica only ships to addresses in the United States, and there is a limit of five tricorders per customer.

The replica is based on detailed 3D scans of one of the last surviving “hero” tricorder props from the 1960s series, which means the dimensions, panel layout, and overall silhouette are meant to match what you see in TOS as closely as possible.

The body uses ABS for the shell with a machined aluminum chassis, a combination that’s meant to feel more like a serious prop than a hollow plastic convention accessory. For collectors who care about screen accuracy and materials, that alone makes this feel closer to a museum piece than a costume‑shop knockoff.

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