Doctor Who Matt Smith The Eleventh Doctor's Sonic Screwdriver

 

 

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After reading all of the negative reviews for this product, I was very nearly put off buying it altogether. But, due to my undying love of the series, I couldn't resist taking the plunge.

I've been playing around with it for a couple of hours, and I must say, I'm quite impressed with it.

Upon unpacking it, I realised just how much larger this new version was compared to the previous iterations of the Sonic Screwdriver. Not that this is a bad thing, it has a much better weight and shape to it, far more suited to the human hand. It's far less likely to drop, because you'll never forget it's there. It's not pocket-sized by a longshot, which could pose a slight problem to Doctor Who obsessives that like to take their Screwdrivers around with them. But the extra size adds a certain impressiveness to it.

Now, first gripe. The Sonic Screwdriver toys have NEVER been easy to dismantle and power up. This one is no exception. In fact, it's probably the fiddliest to set up. The manual states that you must "twist the emitter one-tenth anticlockwise, then pull the emitter away from the handle". Due to its nature as a toy, I was very anxious about twisting or turning any components for fear of breaking it. But eventually I managed to get the batteries in fine. This version takes the most batteries out of them all so far, requiring 3 of those little watch batteries rather than 2.

Reassembled, I took some more time to get to grips with the Screwdriver. Now, these toys have never been of high build quality, they've mainly been 'just so'. Due to the enlarged and stretched profile of this iteration, that fact becomes far more apparent. The prongs, or 'claw' at the end of the device feel quite breakable (hence the difficulty in assembling and disassembling it), and the somewhat hollow handle feels very plastic-y. Not a major problem, but it feels less natural than its predecessors.

The tip of the device lights up with a bright green hue. Gone is the ultra-violet functionality of the original Screwdriver, but that doesn't detract from its list of features. Another feature that remains with this toy is the extendible head. However, this version is spring-locked and shoots out at a considerable velocity. I daresay it even feels quite powerful. As the device extends, the 'claw' at the end opens up, giving further prominence to the green light. Below the 'Extend' button is a switch that activates the light and signature 'whirring' sound. However, this button WILL NOT work whilst the device is extended. For when it is extended, you can either press a small black button on the battery column (which is very fiddly and probably not intended for actual use), or a 'hidden' red button at the end of the device. There is a tip on a hinge that will swing away to reveal this button. Despite this seemingly pointless design choice, it'd probably be fun for kids.

There are four different sounds this time around, all of which are unique in their own way. The activate button has a slight delay to it, thereby allowing multiple presses to utilize the different sounds. One press will emit a standard whirring noise, three presses will cause an 'alarm' sound to begin, accompanied with alternating flashes of light from the tip (presumably, this is utilized somewhere later in the New Series, but I haven't seen it). Four presses will make the device appear faulty, as if damaged (which also probably appears later in the Series). Overall, the sounds will be enough to sate a demanding Whovian, despite the delay and slightly muffled tone of some.

Mostly, I'm pretty satisfied with the Screwdriver. Despite some of its build faults and niggles, it's a genuinely fun toy to play with, regardless of how old a Whovian you are. Although I'm certain that someone will eventually have someone's eye out with the rapid Extend feature, it's a whole lot of fun. I disagree with most of the negativity associated with the Eleventh Doctor's Sonic Screwdriver, as I've encountered little to no technical issues whatsoever (although I may in the future, we'll see). But overall, a reccomended buy!

My son was over the moon with his sonic screwdriver until only 2 weeks after purchase it stopped making sounds...intermittently at first then finally totally silent...yes we tried changing batteries etc...not good enough for what is quite an expensive toy.

Purchased 2 - one for each of my sons. Within an hour, the sound chip stopped working altogether on one of them.

Great show and a fun product for the kids but really - something like this should be durable and actually work. Not cheap either.

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4.0 out of 5 stars A Faithful, If Flimsy, Replica
The bad: It feels quite delicate, particularly the claw mechanism. The cap on the bottom that covers a button to activate the light and sound doesn't have a clip or spring, so it... Read more

Published 3 days ago by J. Bush

3.0 out of 5 stars Why so much packaging?
My little boy turned five yesterday and was given several Dr Who toys by his pals. The packaging on all of them seems excessive and wasteful. Read more

Published 25 days ago by Camilla Macaulay

4.0 out of 5 stars Sort out anything
Well this is the one if you are looking for a 'current' sonic screw-drive. The emitter jaws spring open, the light glows when 'sorting' locks, Daleks and Cybermen and all those... Read more

Published 26 days ago by The Time Lord

5.0 out of 5 stars Sonic Boom
Well my son (he is 9) LOVES it and that's all I'm bothered about! The price is fab, it a whole £15 elsewhere ; ) Within 1min of assembly he had broke one of the 'claw arms'... Read more

Published 1 month ago by Mistress Gadget

3.0 out of 5 stars Not the best Sonic Screwdriver...
I've had a few Dr Who Sonic Screwdrivers from different doctors now. This one I think is perhaps the worst put together. Read more

Published 1 month ago by S. Blyth

5.0 out of 5 stars sonic screwdriver
My grandson's most played with present on christmas day! I was concerned we would have to find some replacement batteries - which I hadn't managed to buy - but luckily they lasted... Read more

Published 1 month ago by shirleedee

5.0 out of 5 stars A great fun toy!

My two girls of 5 & 7 loved the latest Dr.Who series (Matt Smith) and simply wanted the sonic screwdriver. Read more

Published 1 month ago by Merton69

4.0 out of 5 stars Doctor Who Fans will enjoy this!
This is obviously just for Doctor Who fans, specifically Matt Smith. But it is fun and who doesn't recognize the sound! My husband absolutely loved this!

Published 2 months ago by Bebe

5.0 out of 5 stars Sonic
It is a great gift and provides hours of entertainment for children of all ages and is very good for doctor who fans

Published 2 months ago by Mot

3.0 out of 5 stars Not great
The Sounds and the spring button are probably the only good thing about this screwdriver.

The button at the bottom is an awful idea and to make it worse the cap is... Read more

Published 2 months ago by Steve

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