A phaser, communicator and tricorder create very different kinds of Star Trek-themed displays. One reads as a strong silhouette, one rewards an open close-up presentation, and one can become a larger equipment-style centrepiece. The best choice depends on your shelf, preferred era and whether the prop will stay on display or be handled occasionally.
This guide compares display needs rather than claiming that one prop type is universally better. Check the current listing for the exact configuration, colour and included accessories before ordering.
Choose a phaser for a clear side profile
A phaser-style prop is easy to recognise from its outline, so it often works best on a stand that presents a clean side or three-quarter view. Measure the full horizontal footprint and leave room to lift the prop without striking the shelf above.
The current TNG Dust Buster Phaser with Stand listing separates Full set, Phaser Only and Stand only configurations, with Dark Gray as Photos and Light Gray colour choices shown in its variants. That makes the exact selection important: a stand-only option is not the prop, and a prop-only option may need a separate display plan.
Choose a communicator for a compact open display
A communicator can suit a smaller shelf because its display interest comes from the open shape and face details rather than a long silhouette. Check both the closed size and the depth needed when it is presented open. An angled stand may use more shelf depth than the object appears to need in a front-facing photo.
The catalogue currently includes a TNG Klingon Communicator with Stand. Its listing title confirms the stand, but buyers should still use the live page for current photos, dimensions, availability and everything included.
Choose a tricorder for an equipment-style centrepiece
A tricorder-style prop usually has a deeper, more rectangular presence than a communicator. It can read well standing upright, opened for detail or displayed with related accessories. That flexibility also means you should check which pieces belong to the chosen configuration.
The current TR-590 Tricorder and Stand listing shows configurations including Full set, Tricorder + Stand, Tricorder + Holster, Tricorder only and Stand only, along with Light Gray as Photos and Dark Gray choices. Availability can change, so treat those variant labels as a reason to read the live selection carefully rather than as a promise that every option is currently purchasable.
Compare the display footprint, not only the prop length
- Phaser: allow horizontal clearance and a safe lifting path.
- Communicator: measure the open angle and stand depth.
- Tricorder: plan for body depth, doors or panels, and any separate stand or holster.
- All three: confirm the selected configuration and keep active hand traffic away from small details.
Think about the viewing angle from the room. A high shelf favours bold outlines; an eye-level cabinet rewards surface details; a desk needs a compact stand and room for normal work. The open shelf versus display case guide can help with the surrounding setup.
Match the prop to the collection you already have
Choose the phaser if you want a strong horizontal silhouette, the communicator if you want a compact open display, or the tricorder if you want a more substantial equipment-style object. Then confirm the live variant, stand, colour, dimensions and handling needs.
None of these choices needs to represent an entire collection. A single prop with comfortable space around it often makes a clearer display than several items crowded together. Browse the Star Trek collection for the exact product pages, and decide from the real shelf backwards.
What you actually get, and what it costs
| Prop | Options | From |
|---|---|---|
| TNG Dust Buster Phaser | Full set · phaser only · stand only. Two colours. | AU$84.95 phaser, AU$89.95 with stand |
| TNG Klingon Communicator | One configuration, stand included | AU$59.95 |
| TR-590 Tricorder | Full set · tricorder + stand · tricorder + holster · tricorder only · stand only. Two colours. | AU$219.95 tricorder, AU$239.95 full set |
The pattern across the prop range is worth knowing before you choose. A communicator is the cheapest way into a Star Trek display at around AU$60 and it arrives as one piece with its stand. A phaser sits in the middle, near AU$85–90, and the stand is usually a AU$9.95 line you can add or leave off. A tricorder is the expensive one — it is the most complex object of the three, with a holster option, and the full set runs to AU$239.95. If the display matters more than the individual prop, two phasers and a communicator cost about the same as one tricorder and fill considerably more shelf.
Browse the props
TNG Dust Buster Phaser · TNG Klingon Communicator · TR-590 Tricorder. There are 67 Star Trek pieces in total — phasers from several eras, plus PADDs and communicators — in the Star Trek collection.