tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-726484495782035142.post8718502460489840897..comments2024-03-28T00:43:37.279-05:00Comments on Future War Stories: Weapons of Sci-Fi: The Phaser from Star TrekWilliamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17218428427067689631noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-726484495782035142.post-7884293212400428352017-08-01T15:33:05.333-05:002017-08-01T15:33:05.333-05:00In your discussion of energy sidearms with phaser-...In your discussion of energy sidearms with phaser-like abilities you left out the shock pistols and rifles in the 1980s version of V. They had variable energy setting ranging from a the equivalent of stun plus at least two increasing levels levels of damage, one of which was typically shown to be fatal (and somewhat messy).<br /><br />There is a more direct Trek connection in a roudabout way: TNG's prop department got hold of a few "shock pistols" (or got one and took a mold of it) and used it to create SMG-type weapon by cutting it in half and installing extensions. It appeared as a Romulan "disruptor rifle" in several TNG eps as well as at least 4 other eps as "alien weapon of the week".<br /><br />Also we have now gotten a look at the phasers from Star Trek: Discovery. They are an interesting bash of the hand lasers from "The Cage" and the TOS Type 2.Greghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05257019441860891929noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-726484495782035142.post-61603785672997471922017-01-02T08:29:56.977-06:002017-01-02T08:29:56.977-06:00An interesting article, as always. Especially on t...An interesting article, as always. Especially on the history both fictional (and equal parts speculative) and behind-the-scenes. I do recall my family owning the remote version of the Cobra, but was lost to time and I don't think we ever paired it to a TV.<br /><br />I must admit, it was quite the surprise that the Cricket-Pistol combination ever existed in the original series. Before now, I was only familiar with the Phase II preproduction designs via Atomic Rockets and I was under the assumption that both the classic phaser pistol and phaser cricket were separate items. Then again, I never really saw any of the original series episodes in a single setting.<br /><br />To be honest, it does give me additional ideas for my setting. That is, a DEW sidearm with two discharge settings and having a cricket-like module cradled into a pistol add-on for better range, accuracy, and rounds. And I have no idea why, but I find the idea of a break-action personal DEW sidearm to be most appealing. Though considering the technological limitations I imposed upon my human factions, it'll probably be better suited to one of my antagonist alien empires.<br /><br />Speaking of redesigns, I never really noticed the redesign of the phasers in Beyond. Then again, I wasn't actually trying to analyze the props used in the film. And while we're being honest here, I wasn't exactly a fan of the J.J. Abrams Reboot version of the phaser. It just felt stupid to have the barrel/emitter not only be color coded for convenience (an actual firearm does not need such a disadvantage), but also spin around as a "setting". Granted, the 2.0 does look a bit beefier and sturdy in comparison but the issues still exist.Sabersonichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11304850400062201271noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-726484495782035142.post-57367904336131012152016-12-22T07:33:09.250-06:002016-12-22T07:33:09.250-06:00I think my co-workers thought I was insane Yoel wh...I think my co-workers thought I was insane Yoel when I was digging around for the laser pointers and scanners. When they asked me, I responded with "For Science!" I think they are used to me being me. Williamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17218428427067689631noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-726484495782035142.post-73923212684728620952016-12-21T20:15:48.741-06:002016-12-21T20:15:48.741-06:00Wow, this was a lot of work! Bra...vo.
For all...Wow, this was a lot of work! Bra...vo. <br /><br />For all the phaser technology, the weapons seem kind of "dumb." By this time, I'd expect "smart" weapons that cannot be fired by anyone other than the owner. Even if that would limit tactical flexibility, you could make ones that could only be fired by the same species (PCR on a chip in the handle or something).<br /><br />As for nit picking....perhaps you could go into the "overloading" of a phaser to produce a "forced chamber explosion" that played a plot device in (at least) The Cage. <br /><br />In the "phaser like" category...whatever Soran was trying to shoot at CPT Picard in Generations. It had some weird mechanical phase that added at least a second between pointing (aiming) and the energy pulse firing. No wonder Picard and Kirk were never hit!Nano_Burgerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05022793339726512579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-726484495782035142.post-84111380188822505172016-12-20T01:54:40.508-06:002016-12-20T01:54:40.508-06:00The PPG! Damn it! When Blogger wiped out the origi...The PPG! Damn it! When Blogger wiped out the original draft of this article, I had to reconstruct the article, and I totally forgot about the B5 PPG! I will add it here and give you credit. Thanks for notice this!Williamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17218428427067689631noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-726484495782035142.post-40467901612199737532016-12-19T19:53:47.560-06:002016-12-19T19:53:47.560-06:00Why didn't you show the PPG from Babylon 5?Why didn't you show the PPG from Babylon 5?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04429233379352980717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-726484495782035142.post-27483463988139226132016-12-19T18:39:38.851-06:002016-12-19T18:39:38.851-06:00http://www.wonderland-site.com/html/series/wonder/...http://www.wonderland-site.com/html/series/wonder/season2/ww77-10-12.htmAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-726484495782035142.post-38195951309809111062016-12-19T18:36:27.680-06:002016-12-19T18:36:27.680-06:00Skrill? Gene Roddenbery? Hello...anyone seen the...Skrill? Gene Roddenbery? Hello...anyone seen the 1970's episode of Wonder Woman with the Skrill Blasters? https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-my-qZfZygh8/Vz0QZo5mxAI/AAAAAAAAoCg/dzrrDvvwZboNeUYAhWPYs-f7v4U1_T-5QCLcB/s1600/5-18-2016%2B6-20-00%2BPM.jpg <br /><br /> "and the slime didn't even change the names" -- Flynn, from Tron.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07538158769689919615noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-726484495782035142.post-20169434523732580402016-12-19T17:15:40.689-06:002016-12-19T17:15:40.689-06:00Aiming a Type 2 phaser in the TNG and DS9 era at t...Aiming a Type 2 phaser in the TNG and DS9 era at times seemed totally not done especially early on. With phasers being seemingly pointed at the ceiling rather then targets. This makes me suspect that the Dustbuster was in fact used as a Wond at one end of which was a miniature version of the same Phaser Strip seen on the hull of Ships like the Enterprise D. this combined with aiming software like Aimlock or Trackingpoint's distant descendants. LCONhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04841691624835390231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-726484495782035142.post-11267734414617543762016-12-19T14:39:19.840-06:002016-12-19T14:39:19.840-06:00Solid article! Although not a Trekkie myself, stil...Solid article! Although not a Trekkie myself, still very enjoyable<br />Interesting that Starfleet how's mandate is "to find new life and new Civilizations" still know from advance what aliens might regards as "combative or imperialistic" when confronting with strangers armed with strange devices… <br />Speaking of which that might explain the lack of sights of any kind, Starfleet want its officers appeared peaceful and non-threating at the expanse of their longevity… well non accurate side arms are indeed non-threating.<br />On the particle not, it better for any toy company worry of lawsuit every time some dumb kid point their toy ray-gun at a police officer to make their toys appeared as unrealistic as handguns as possible, thus the dustbuster layout.<br />I think it's cool you examine the reality of aiming and firing a phaser from first hand! (No pun intend) I don't think I heard before someone testing the principles of phaser handling as you did, on workplace time and money no less!<br /><br />Yoel <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-726484495782035142.post-43314206541207243182016-12-19T05:07:37.148-06:002016-12-19T05:07:37.148-06:00Keep up the good work! Whenever I see a post I mig...Keep up the good work! Whenever I see a post I might not be interested in, it just need a quick glance at the first paragraph so I can instantly find the enjoyment/curiosity for reading the whole thing. <br /><br />I saw Rogue One on theaters recently and I'll wait for your article so I can comment about it.Norman G.https://www.blogger.com/profile/06436615529422158866noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-726484495782035142.post-20167269063244359462016-12-18T23:47:19.430-06:002016-12-18T23:47:19.430-06:00Excellent read! This is one of my all time favorit...Excellent read! This is one of my all time favorite sci-fi topics as well!Don Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07230631364253238804noreply@blogger.com