Mego Spotlight- Communicators

Item Name: Star Trek Communicators
Manufacturer: Mego Toys Corp.



Mego released these communicators back in 1974! That's older than me!

The Rundown: It seems that the communicators used in Star Trek are a staple in Trek toys. Back in the days before cellular phones, these wondrous devices offered a glimpse at long-distance chatting in the future, and provided the perfect venue for roleplay fun. Most of the communicator toys simply replicate the look of the prop, with no eye towards providing actual communication between devices. The communicators from Mego we are looking at today however are a bit different, since they are actually functional (kind of...). But before we start talking about these guys, I want to take a closer look at this packaging art-



I've said this before, and I'll probably keep saying it until I run out of Mego stuff to talk about- Mego packaging art is AWESOME. Yeah, sometimes it's a bit ridiculous... but that's part of what makes it so cool. Take that shot up there for example. Let's ignore the fact that they seem to be just standing around in space for a second; I'd say Kirk and Spock are only about 15 feet away from each other... but if you have communicators, why would you not just go ahead and use them anyway! Show-offs. And it seems Spock is using a bit of sign language here as well:



Captain, would you do me the great honor of reading "between the lines"?



Now that we have that out of the way... Let's take a look at the toys themselves! Mego went with blue plastic for these instead of the traditional black, much like they did with the accessories for the 8" figures. The communicators are right around 5" long and 2.5" wide, making them a bit larger than the ones used in the show. Of course, this is due to the electronics housed inside. It wasn't possible back then for them to cram the "walkie-talkie" technology into something smaller. The communicator lids are stamped with a nifty Trek logo, while the lower part...



... features a label letting you know that this is indeed a communicator. Just in case you forgot or something.



With the press of a button, the upper lid flips open- revealing the inner area of the communicator. While there are obviously some liberties being taken here, the inside looks enough like a real communicator to satisfy a child's standards. There's a big silver speaker area standing in for the prop's moire, and an array of non-functioning buttons for you to not do anything with.



The communicator is operated via three interfaces along the side. The upper dial turns it on and controls the volume, the middle button allows you to talk, and the lower green/red button handles your "alert" signal. How's it all work? Glad you asked.



Pop open the back of communicator and you'll see this. Yep, that's right... there isn't a dedicated battery compartment. When you open the back to slap in your 9-volt, you reveal all the internal workings of the comm. This was the 1970's... who needs a stinking battery compartment?



Inside the top portion of the communicator is the telescoping antenna that allows you to send and receive signals. It's ridiculously long when fully extended. Like over 28 inches long. I'm sure passing truckers just loved listening to kids playing on these things.

I don't think I need to give you a demo on using the voice feature, but the "alert" signals really need a listen. The alert is activated by depressing the lower red/ green button. Press it in just enough to hide the green area and you'll hear the "Green Alert Signal". If the poop has really hit the fan, go ahead and press it in all the way to activate the "Red (DANGER) Alert Signal"! Check it out, but I'm warning ya- It's loud!



Yeah, that's not annoying at all. It's amazing how 25 years can change your perspective on toys. At 7, I'd have loved that sound. At 32, I want to throw this thing across a room until parts break off.



And since Mego thought it was important enough to mention it in a blurb on the packaging, I should probably draw your attention to the belt clip. How else are you gonna carry these? In your hands? That's for losers.

So there ya go... Yeah, there have been more accurate communicators made, but more fun? No way. I'd have LOVED playing with these as a kid. Walkie-talkies were my preferred method of talking to friends back then, so Trek versions would have been the bee's knees. Of course, those were simpler times... back before 9-year-olds carried cell phones. Man, I really miss the old days.