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| Customer Reviews: | | Average Customer Review: ( 61 customer reviews )
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40 of 41 found the following review helpful:
 A few notes Nov 05, 2007
By Karen F. Blocher
"fantasy writer and blogger"
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.
(Please note that this review is of the sonic screwdriver as it was being sold in November 2007. If the Tenth Doctor's sonic is still for sale at all, it may not be packaged with the psychic paper wallet any more.)
25 of 25 found the following review helpful:
Well Researched Review Dec 21, 2007
By FOX
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!
20 of 20 found the following review helpful:
This'll Bring You One Step Closer To Dressing Like The Doctor May 09, 2008
By K. Fontenot
"Prairie Cajun Regenerated!"
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.
35 of 40 found the following review helpful:
 Wonderful -- until it breaks ... Aug 22, 2007
By Cynthia Cooper
"Cyn"
The extra features on this Sonic Screwdriver (the changeable ink nib, the sound effect, and so forth) are nice, and the sound effect is reasonably authentic (if recorded a little bit quietly).
The problem is just that it isn't very well-made; just carrying it in a purse for one day with no major incident was enough to break the mechanism. First the light stopped working, then the switch that opens it just came off entirely, the screw totally stripped so it couldn't be put back together.
If you just want a display or costume piece this will do nicely (but don't expect its features to necessarily work). As a child's toy? Not a chance. It can't even survive being carried around and put through its basic functions, let alone the rough treatment a child would give it.
8 of 8 found the following review helpful:
Wicked fun! Dec 13, 2007
By Raymond Tate
The sonic screwdriver arrived at my door today. I found it pretty easy to put together, but they included instructions behind the plastic of the box. I haven't taken it outside, but I did play with it indoors, and yes, it does sound like the real thing. The light also works, and it's pretty bright too, so it's actually a flashlight/pen/ultraviolet pen. The psychic paper is an inspired addition, and this function also works, as does the regular ball-point.
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