Customer Reviews

Doctor Who Sonic Screwdriver

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(11)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.)

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!

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.

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.

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.

This was a bit of a let down. I realize its a toy, but it feels like something that would come with candy in it. The sound is barely audible and you can hardly tell the two sounds apart. As a kid I used a metal tire pressure guage as my sonic screwdriver and it at least had some weight to it. It is a replica of a high tech instrument but the casing looks like prehistoric stone, like a "Flintstones" toy. If they made these smaller and out of metal with some quality sound I would buy it. I will keep this and put it on a shelf, but I wish they had put a little more quality and value into it. There are probably more 40 yr old geeks who would like to have a quality replica than there are 10 year olds who nees something that is about as well made as a pez dispenser.

I love Doctor Who, so of course I had to buy this. It's durable, I found this out when I got into a fight with my neighbor, who's a jerk, and I pulled my Sonic Screwdriver out and stabbed him in the eye. I also used it to sign my name on the police report and fill out my personal information. Then I used the invisible ink to go over to my neighbors house and write, eh, let's not repeat the naughty thing I wrote on his car. Anyway, for kids who want to reenact their favorite episodes or teens like me who just need an instant access weapon/pen, it's great. I also like the fact that I've had this for nearly a year now, and neither of the ink stubs, black and invisible, have run out yet. I'd also like to mention that the "static noise" and blue light it makes, is fun to do around old people, they think their heart monitors have gone out or something.

I'm a doctor who fan from way, way, way back...so I was delighted at the opportunity to own a replica of the snazzy revamped sonic screwdriver from the new series.

This toy does not dissapoint. Included in the package is the screwdriver itself, batteries, a swappable end-piece (an invisible-ink pen or a more conventional visible ink nib), and a "psychic paper" document wallet that can be used with the invisible-ink nib. The messages written on it are revealed with the UV light from the screwdriver.

The screwdriver is probably a bit larger than the one used in the television show, and is constructed of hard plastic. It is not exactly as sturdy as solid steel, but is also not nearly as flimsy as other reviewers are claiming. In particular the one who says carrying it in her purse all day completely destroyed it-what is this woman toting around in her handbag, scrap metal? I put mine in my coat pocket for a week, taking it out and showing it to friends (I know, I know, guilty of excessive geekery) and it was fine. The plastic is molded into an acceptable, but not excessively detailed, semblance of the TV prop.

Getting the batteries in was a bit of a challenge-the documentation included consisted of one (not very clear) diagram. If you are purchasing this for a child, be aware that they will probably not be able to get it working on their own. Once they are in place, though, the operation is very simple. The noise is satisfyingly like the noise of the show prop, but it could be a bit louder. The barrel of the screwdriver extends (just like the TV show!) and makes a slightly different sound in extended position...so slightly different you may have a hard time telling the difference (it has more of a warble).

The "psychic paper" wallet is made of very flimsy plastic and will probably not remain intact long in the hands of a child. The invisible ink function does work, but I found it hard to clean the writing surface after I had used it once. There is also the very real possibility of loosing one or both of the swappable pen tips.

In all, this is a great toy. The lights, sound and overall look are a good, but not perfect, semblance of the original. I couldn't resist striking a heroic pose with it (and frightening the cat in the process). Sure to be fun for adults as well as children.

Yeah, I'm a thirty-something kid still stuck in her childhood years... <Sigh...> But when I saw the Sonic Screwdriver for sale, I HAD TO HAVE IT! And I'm so glad I bought it! The sound on mine is pretty darn good, but I do wish the light was a bit brighter. The Psychic Paper erasable "pad" is a lot of fun too when you write messages in the invisible ink. I take it to work and write stuff about my co-workers when they tick me off - and they're none the wiser. If you're a true fan of the series and love stupid little gadgets that bring a smile to your face - this is a must have.

This is by far, probably one of the most awesome toys I've ever gotten. The regular pen works, well, regularly, but the uv pen? totally awesome. I had to get my little sister one as well, and now we pass each other secret invisible notes that light up under the blue light of the screwdriver. Doctor Who, bringing the family together. It's slightly more durable than the packaging claims, but still plastic, so don't go bashing cybermen with it.
All in all, a wonderful little gizmo.