StarDestroyer.Net BBS

That thing looks like a weird hybrid of the TOS phaser, ST2 phaser, ST3 phaser, and ST5/6 phaser. I can see elements of each phaser in that thing. The silver from the ST2 phaser, the retro look of the TOS phaser, the overall shape and feel of the ST3 phaser. And it somehow feels somewhat militant like the ST5/6 phaser.

Bigger image, and this one at least looks less plastic-y. The description (scroll down) says it's got light effects, so I *hope* that's what the transparent coloured plastic is for.

The gun barrel pivots horizontally to switch from Stun to Vaporize, with each setting having its own set of lights and sounds.

I am really hoping this isn't how it is in the movie, and the bloody thing still needs a trigger guard.

Atavarius wrote:I am really hoping this isn't how it is in the movie, and the bloody thing still needs a trigger guard.

And a real trigger, and stippled grips so you can hold onto the thing, and sights, and....

....this is Star Trek.

Never mind.

Rotating the stun/kill assembly strikes me as possibly the worst way to change settings ever devised, and as a bonus leaves an emitter pointing right at the body of the phaser, and of course the redshirt holding it. But it's OK: Treknology never malfunctions, right?

I'm liking the new Enterprise less now that I've seen the model. The saucer looks way too close to the nacelles for my sense of proportion.

I'm liking the new Enterprise less now that I've seen the model. The saucer looks way too close to the nacelles for my sense of proportion.

The couldn't have picked a shittier angle for that promo shot.

I am really hoping this isn't how it is in the movie, and the bloody thing still needs a trigger guard.

And bullets! 7.62 NATO! Just like it should have been in TOS and that's what they use in my fic!

Bounty wrote:

I am really hoping this isn't how it is in the movie, and the bloody thing still needs a trigger guard.

And bullets! 7.62 NATO! Just like it should have been in TOS and that's what they use in my fic!

You're right! How dare I complain about poor design of the weaponry in Trek again! Rotating the barrel assembly and having the business end pointing towards you is GENIUS!

I like the super-shiny finish. Perfect for concealment.. er...

Count Chocula wrote:And a real trigger, and stippled grips so you can hold onto the thing, and sights, and....

....this is Star Trek.

Heh. I have a garden hose nozzle that has actual textured grips and a trigger guard of sorts. Actually it's just a locking clip to keep the palm trigger from being pressed (conversely, it also serves to lock the water flow to "on"). More like a safety than a guard.

No sights though.

Atavarius wrote:

Bounty wrote:

I am really hoping this isn't how it is in the movie, and the bloody thing still needs a trigger guard.

And bullets! 7.62 NATO! Just like it should have been in TOS and that's what they use in my fic!

You're right! How dare I complain about poor design of the weaponry in Trek again! Rotating the barrel assembly and having the business end pointing towards you is GENIUS!

While I think the rotating the barrel assembly mechanism is retarded as hell the business end ISN'T pointing towards you. What USED to be the business end is and making sure it doesn't accidentally BECOME the business end again however briefly is ludicrously easy (at least in modern day devices, Valen alone knows the inner workings of a phaser).
Doesn't change the fact that the thing looks like shit of course. Un-shiny it, remove the supposedly glowy parts and that moderately useless protrusion at the rear, and the thing might have potential.
As is-I think I'll pass.

I figured out what the duck-bill extension on the rear of the phaser is for: so the user can handle the massive recoil! Just like the one on this real-life gun:





But BIGGERZ!

Well, as you all know, kids, the more powerfull the recoil, the more powerfull the gun

Of course, unless you dual-wield them - while jumping

Count Chocula wrote:I figured out what the duck-bill extension on the rear of the phaser is for: so the user can handle the massive recoil! Just like the one on this real-life gun:





But BIGGERZ!

jeez its a beavertail safety . Its actually the grip safety that you depress when you hold the gun properly. Its extended like that to protect the web of your hand from hammerbite.

Quick derail this thread into meaningless firearm trivia!

Oh shit sorry I see you guys are on that already lol.

I'll never understand the problem prop designers have with over-under configurations. If stun has to be a 'different' thing with a different look (so the audience knows or whatever) they could just have used a separate lower emitter, and not this hilarious 'just like the toy' design.

Stark wrote:Quick derail this thread into meaningless firearm trivia!

Oh shit sorry I see you guys are on that already lol.

I'll never understand the problem prop designers have with over-under configurations. If stun has to be a 'different' thing with a different look (so the audience knows or whatever) they could just have used a separate lower emitter, and not this hilarious 'just like the toy' design.

Sorry, I just had to point it out.


It does not even have to be that complicated. Just make it like it was in "The Cage", or a switch the character flips, or just toss in a line where the character says switch to stun/kill. Anything is better than forcing the character to manipulate the part of the weapon that is meant to hurt people. I won't harp on other idiotic problems like the fact it is painted bright silver.

Well I'm assuming there's some overall art design reason why they want it bright and flashy, intead of them just doing it because it's bright flashy ST .

Stark wrote:Well I'm assuming there's some overall art design reason why they want it bright and flashy, intead of them just doing it because it's bright flashy ST .

True, I also just thought that perhaps the weapon automatically flips the barrel with a button press or something, eliminating some, but not all, of the stupidity of the design. I will just have to wait for the movie to see.

In the end; it is a fricken Ray gun. It will fire brightly coloured beams or pulses and make 'pew pew' noises. What the hell were you expecting?

Crazedwraith wrote:In the end; its fricken Ray gun. It will fire brightly coloured beams or pulses and make 'pew pew' noises. Wht the hell were you expecting?

I was about to post the same thing, except with "zappy laser space gun". I'm still going to post it because I like the sound of zappy laser space gun

So the new phasers are like the old phasers? That's a good thing. Who gives a shit about trigger guards or rubber grips or whatever the hell dumbshit gun trivia nonsense people insist on shoving down SF's throat? If this thing has an obvious business end and looks cool I'll be happy. After all, it's the future; who knows what lead to this thing being designed the way it is? Who can know until we see it in action?

Gee sorry. I didn't realize that discussing sci fi had no place on a sci fi discussion forum. This community discusses design issues in many sci fi universes all the time, sorry I expressed an interest in poor design choices in ST's small arms.

Sorry missed the edit time window. You guys are right, ST weapon design has been done to death. I'm just gonna let it go.

A modern pistol has all of its bulk in the forward because of the natural mechanism of the bullet and how it must feed. Energy weapons do not have this problem. By moving the pistol grip forward relative the pistol they reduce the overall sway of the pistol while still retaining the bulk. A small amount of sway is magnified by a longer barrel. The shorter the barrel from the pistol grip, the less that sway will affect the aim.

I only have two gripes about the pistol. No trigger guard and the exposed element.

For the record, I consider the ST5/6 Assault Phaser to be the best phaser they ever used. It has military feel all over. Textured grip, good ergonomics, very functional design.



Of course it suffered from the complete lack of iron sights and no trigger guard.

With just a little photo shopping this is what I created. Something that is far more military and practical as a sidearm.

Stark wrote:If stun has to be a 'different' thing with a different look (so the audience knows or whatever) they could just have used a separate lower emitter, and not this hilarious 'just like the toy' design.

You mean something like this?



The Space:1999 Staple Gun O'Doom!!

No, absolutely nothing like that. I mean, exactly like what they have now, with another emitter facing forward at all times to remove the necessity for a rotating section. They could even have their lights on it; it could even be exciting POP OUT action to fit their technicolour art style.

Count Chocula wrote:You mean something like this?

The Space:1999 Staple Gun O'Doom!!

Didn't G'Kar have a zap gun like that in Babylon 5?

Didn't want to start a new thread, but this model gives a really nice profile on the new Enterprise;

http://trekmovie.com/images/arcents_7.jpg