The Wand Company TOS Tricorder is coming!

Yeah, I've also had that response when trying the USB update--apparently to get anything it actually has to be connected to a computer.

If I understand what you stated …. Is it possible for you to share, for us, a screenshot of your PC display while the Tricorder is connected through the USB-C?

If not, ok :)
 
I have mine connected to my PC right meow. When I go to settings/service/usb update my lights go green instead of red, and my computer makes the sound that I just plugged something in. On my PC in device manager under ports, it shows a new device connected and "is working properly". after 34 seconds it auto-disconnects and the tricorder reboots.

also hi im new here
 

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Ya know……as we already have and keep receiving our Tricorder’s …..the next loooooong rant and rave and more, (including me ;) ) will be demanding that TWC opens up and activates the USB-C port and SD card slot for community software purposes. Let alone waiting a lifetime for updates…..

How I envision members loosing their minds….

 
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To clarify: My tricorder is connected to my PC with a usb-c cable. When I run the usb update on the tricorder, for the 34 seconds while the lights are green and the screen is blank, i can see in my device manager on my PC that a device is connected. The tricorder doesn't show up under the universal serial bus controllers menu like the external hard drive I have connected via usb to my pc does. It instead shows the connection under the ports menu as a "USB Serial Device". This is the only place on my PC that I can see some action when I run the update. Unlike a hard drive or camera or smartphone, no "device" is available to add or remove files.

Here is a screenshot while the tricorder is in its 34 second update attempt:
Screenshot plugged vin 1 - Copy.png


And here is a screenshot after it auto disconnects:
Screenshot not plugged in 2 - Copy (2).png
 
To clarify: My tricorder is connected to my PC with a usb-c cable. When I run the usb update on the tricorder, for the 34 seconds while the lights are green and the screen is blank, i can see in my device manager on my PC that a device is connected. The tricorder doesn't show up under the universal serial bus controllers menu like the external hard drive I have connected via usb to my pc does. It instead shows the connection under the ports menu as a "USB Serial Device". This is the only place on my PC that I can see some action when I run the update. Unlike a hard drive or camera or smartphone, no "device" is available to add or remove files.

As mentioned by others…..overall I think it has to do with the type of OS the software was written for. Linux was one mentioned …and you are trying on a windows OS..perhaps needing as mentioned, a driver.

Have you tried ‘add new device’ for the hell of it?

I don’t know….

Welcome by the way… ;)
 
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As mentioned by others…..overall I think it has to do with the type of OS the software was written for. Linux was one mentioned …and you are trying on a windows OS? perhaps needing as mentioned, a driver.
Im not an expert, and I have only read back 10 or so pages of this massive thread ;) but just going off what ive observed so far, my windows PC does have a driver installed that is allowing the tricorder to connect and be recognized thru the COM3 port. I think the next step to get some sort of access to the software will require a program that can essentially "login" to the tricorder. I think ive gone as far as I can go with my limited expertise.
I have also tried multiple video and picture formats via the SD card slot and usb-c port, with no success. This doesnt supprise me tho. After perusing thru TWC blog and reading Chris's comments on the subject, I knew it was a long shot.

Just to give a little background: Im in Canada and ive had my tricorder since the end of May. As far as the hardware goes, It is an excellent working prop replica. Im also surprised and impressed with the software and user interface. With all the different tricorder-like functions and the logs and archives etc. I think it is a great collectable and im very happy with it.
And thats it. Good job TWC! 10 out of 10 from me. End of review.

Now... In a perfect world where I get everything I want in life... I wish this would have had similar real-world functionality like the phaser remote and bluetooth communicator. It would have been nice if I could load it up with TOS episodes and have it play them while its sitting there on its display stand. I know thats not what this prop should be doing. Its a tricorder not an ipod. Yes I can already do this and watch Star Trek on my phone, or better yet on my giant TV where it belongs, but the 12 year old inside me cant help wanting to watch it on this thing. And 12 year old me thinks this is a missed opportunity, simply because it seems like a natural pairing with the landing party set. It should have had an IR receiver hidden somewhere so the phaser could be used to play, pause, and cycle thru the episodes, control volume etc. and it should have had a bluetooth transmitter so the communicator could be used as an external speaker. Heck, with an unlimited budget they could have given us a medical scanner that was a secret USB thumb drive, so we could load up our stuff on it and then docking it in its cradle in the lower compartment would also connect it for file transfer or whatever.

But alas... In the real world where im sure all of what I want is either to expensive, or breaks the copyright agreement or whatever million other reasons in the sack, what I ended up with still exceeded my expectations and this rant is by no means a complaint about how great I think this thing really is.

But i still want my trek on it, so if someone does hack in to it and give it video player functionallity, I will be first in line to install that "jailbreak" software patch. Even if it cant read data from the usb or sd ports, someone should be able to say... replace the City on the Edge of Forever newsreel clip with the actual episode reduced in file size to fit on whatever internal drive is available ;)

One last thing: I was disappointed when I first learned the tricorder wouldnt have a hard case like the phaser and communicator, but I was able to find a case on TEMU that works great, and even interlocks (sorta) with the other cases.

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Nice case :)

I suggested to them some years ago as well that they provide matching case for the tricorder…..but then also change the color of each case to reflect the communicator yellow, the phaser red, and the tricorder blue. The stack would then be the Tricorder at the bottom, next up, the phaser, then finally the communicator on the top….like the picture you show.

I got the ixe nixe from them ….

So I found this 3D print MMU case I may use for each, using the color coding I suggested. Of course one would need foam inserts to make cutouts….unless you size up the case to be able to use and transfer the inserts already made with the original cases (communicator and phaser)

The files are free….no need to login.

Star Trek Utility Space Case MMU

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I have bad feeling about this… I just checked Amazon US. They don’t list the Tricorder as ‘Currently Unavailable’ anymore. Which seems to be what they list if they’re selling an item but it isn’t currently in stock. All they have is a buying option that links to a scalper selling it for $850 dollars.
Hope that doesn’t mean they’ve stopped restocking and selling it already.

IMG_4998.jpeg
 
I have bad feeling about this… I just checked Amazon US. They don’t list the Tricorder as ‘Currently Unavailable’ anymore. Which seems to be what they list if they’re selling an item but it isn’t currently in stock. All they have is a buying option that links to a scalper selling it for $850 dollars.
Hope that doesn’t mean they’ve stopped restocking and selling it already.

View attachment 1951144
This is being sold by
Business Name: Ngoc Ngo
Business Address:
2921 Military Ave, Los Angeles
CA. 90064

This is a guy who is gouging people. Wait for Wand when they have their next inventory available…
 
I wouldn’t. Wand is going to continue stocking Amazon, IGN, and StarTrek.com
I hope so. I’m sort of a pessimist. I’m holding out for IGN or Star Trek shop. I’d like to get a second one. They both have first time buyer discounts. I’ve never bought from either retailer so fingers crossed I get a nice discount. I certainly have no intention of paying the outrageous prices scalpers are asking.
 
I have a suspicion that when the time comes from TWC…..the instructions to activate the USB-C port will be given that requires the end user to go through a sequence of buttons pushing possibly, and including going through a sequence of menus etc. (like a combination) of steps and then the USB-C port will activate.

It used to be that pressing buttons in a certain sequence on a video game would open up a set control features or hidden menus that would otherwise be unknown like Easter eggs or back door. All software has a back door for access by developers and programmers.

Once you figure out the sequence ….you’ll shake your head saying “how easy was that!”
 
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I have a suspicion that when the time comes from TWC…..the instructions to activate the USB-C port will be given that requires the end user to go through a sequence of buttons pushing possibly, and including going through a sequence of menus etc. (like a combination) of steps and then the USB-C port will activate.

It used to be that pressing buttons in a certain sequence on a video game would open up a set control features or hidden menus that would otherwise be unknown like Easter eggs or back door. All software has a back door for access by developers and programmers.

Once you figure out the sequence ….you’ll shake your head saying “how easy was that!”
On The Wand Company Pip-Boy, you just plug the USB-C into your computer, go to TWC update site, and click “Update”, and the software updates. The USB-C on the tricorder is already configured for power and data.
 
On The Wand Company Pip-Boy, you just plug the USB-C into your computer, go to TWC update site, and click “Update”, and the software updates. The USB-C on the tricorder is already configured for power and data.

That’s all good and dandy …but if one doesn’t want to wait for updates and instead wants to hack in to do other things…well waiting around for TWC to give one notice and instructions for an update….might not suit the impatient. Hacking is a challenge, hackers love a good challenge ;)
 
That’s all good and dandy …but if one doesn’t want to wait for updates and instead wants to hack in to do other things…well waiting around for TWC to give one notice and instructions for an update….might not suit the impatient. Hacking is a challenge, hackers love a good challenge ;)
OK, you were talking about hacks and not an official procedure from TWC. Since you said “I have a suspicion that when the time comes from TWC…”, I thought you meant there would be a convoluted process for updating the software. It will be as easy as plugging in and clicking a button.
 
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