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October 1st, 2018 71 comments

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Seven20 13th Doctor Sonic Screwdriver

Available to order from the USA from www.amazon.com #ad

Also available to order from the USA from www.hottopic.com

Designer Arwel Wyn Jones talked through the new sonic; “It’s a privilege to have been asked to redesign the iconic sonic screwdriver for the Thirteenth Doctor and a new generation of audiences. I can’t wait for people to see how the Doctor acquires it!”

The US and UK toy versions of the Sonic Screwdriver have been created by Seven20 and Character Options, respectively. The new, electronic 8” collectible is a perfect replica of the Doctor’s device, features a light crystal and has two buttons which control the light and sound elements of the Sonic


Categorised under: General toys, Toys

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71 comments

  • Anon

    July 26th, 2018 - 11:19am

    Okay, so it looks like we can’t order this from an online retailer in the US (yet?) and eBay prices are extortionate. If anyone finds a way of getting the seven20 version PLEASE let us all know – friend in the states anyone…..

    • booboo

      July 26th, 2018 - 11:21am

      we will keep out eyes open

  • Postajam

    July 25th, 2018 - 6:25pm

    I ordered it this morning and shipping to the UK didn’t seem to be a problem, although shipping was quite expensive.

    • booboo

      July 25th, 2018 - 6:28pm

      how much was the post?

      have you also allowed for 20% vat and £8 RM charges if it gets picked up at customs as its over the import limit?

    • Postajam

      July 25th, 2018 - 6:38pm

      The post was $38 which is a bit more than I wanted to pay but HT had a discount code going.

      I’m hoping it slips through but, if import charges happen, they happen. It’s annoying having to go through this hassle in order to have it.

    • Anon

      July 25th, 2018 - 6:46pm

      Interesting, wonder why HT won’t let you order it now

    • booboo

      July 25th, 2018 - 6:50pm

      seven20 will only have a licence to supply to USA retailers and i expect they tell retailers they can only sell to the USA, this is common with many ranges, some retailers have ignored that in the past though but something tells me they will a lot stricter now

    • Colin

      July 25th, 2018 - 7:25pm

      I asked character today if the crystal on there’s rotates…and it does not and they said non do …so i pointed them at hot topic and you tube ..i want a rotating one. Then my hot topic order js cancelled :p

    • Postajam

      July 25th, 2018 - 10:49pm

      My HT order just got cancelled too! I guess they processed the order and realised it would breach the licences

  • Zenofy

    July 25th, 2018 - 3:57pm

    The Sonic has been put up on Hot Topic! Costs $30 and isn’t expected to ship until the 8th of August. They don’t offer shipping to the UK either way. Quite a disappointment, but understandable none the less.

    http://www.hottopic.com

    • Zenofy

      July 25th, 2018 - 4:02pm

      Also on the BBC shop again at $30 with no offers to ship to the UK https://shop.bbc.com/doctor-who/toys-games/doctor-who-thirteenth-doctor-s-sonic-screwdriver-21535.html

    • Anon

      July 25th, 2018 - 5:06pm

      I think Hot Topic will ship to the UK but it’s not cheap, total cost is £50 with shipping

    • booboo

      July 25th, 2018 - 5:09pm

      just tried won’t let me order it

    • Bruno B

      July 25th, 2018 - 5:37pm

      Hot Topic does say that they can’t ship this specific item to the UK

    • Ano

      July 25th, 2018 - 6:08pm

      Guess that must be the deal with CO, makes sure they don’t lose business.

    • booboo

      July 25th, 2018 - 6:10pm

      I doubt CO have anything to do with it, there have always been problems with regional licensing with all manufactures

    • The Outcast

      July 26th, 2018 - 11:53am

      I wonder if CO can sell their toys overseas? Probably, cause FPI doesn’t say anything about being UK only. If not, and both Seven20 and CO are restricted to their own countries, that’s going to be a problem for me and anyone else outside of the UK or US.

    • booboo

      July 26th, 2018 - 11:59am

      was just thinking the same thing, but if the UK can ship to the USA but not versa that’s not right

    • The Outcast

      July 26th, 2018 - 11:56am

      Also, just checked Ikon to see if they had a version of the Sonic on their site, and while I couldn’t see the sonic, I did see the 10 inch doll, which makes me believe that Character still make the toys worldwide (except, maybe America) while Seven20 are restricted to just the US.

  • LastOfTheSonics

    July 23rd, 2018 - 1:48pm

    The rotating feature just spawns even more innuendos for me.

  • WouldYouLikeAJellyBaby?

    July 23rd, 2018 - 11:00am

    I hope that The Who Shop or a similar shop will stock this sonic, even if it’s more expensive because it’s the superior version and most accurate to what we’ve seen of the onscreen prop compared to CO’s, which is inaccurate in areas such as the paint applications, the curved handle and the crystal at the end of the emitter, which is unfortunate because the packaging for the CO version looks better.

  • Charlie Soles

    July 21st, 2018 - 5:29pm

    could someone tell me when the pre-order date is for this version?

    • booboo

      July 21st, 2018 - 5:32pm

      next week it seems after SDCC, USA only but we will try to find out beat people to ship to UK but it wont be cheap

  • booboo

    July 20th, 2018 - 12:40pm

    we seem to know very little about the Character one, the seven20’s end rotates we are unclear if that happens on the Character sonic

  • Exterminator

    July 20th, 2018 - 10:01am

    There’s now a YouTube video of this (search 13th sonic).

    It shows there are loads of screw holes on the other side of this version of the sonic as well. I guess Seven20 just chose not to show them in the promo shots unlike CO.

    The rotating crystal emitter looks really good.

    • The Outcast

      July 20th, 2018 - 10:10am

      It does look cool and I really want one (though I have to wait for a while). It’ll be interesting to see a comparison of this one and the CO version when both are released.

  • LastOfTheSonics

    July 20th, 2018 - 9:43am

    Seven20 is basically an “upgraded” UT then.

    I’m surprised and kind of annoyed though that their sonic appears to be far superior to Character’s.

    • larry

      July 23rd, 2018 - 2:14am

      expect them to be the same

  • Michael

    July 20th, 2018 - 12:12am

    Looks like this version will be available for pre-order starting on Wednesday, July 25th using the following links:

    Link: https://shop.bbc.com/doctor-who-thirteenth-doctor-s-sonic-screwdriver-21535.html

    Link: http://hottopic.me/doctorwho

  • CaptainJimiPie

    July 19th, 2018 - 11:26pm

    I just discovered that Seven20 is what Underground Toys became, which leads me to wonder if there is any truth in the sonics being the same?

    I know the promo pictures are different but it wouldn’t be the first time promo pictures change from the final released product.

    It makes me wonder if similar to how CO used to make all the classic figures that were sold under the UT name perhaps this is the same thing with CO making the sonics but S20 just using their own branding to sell it in the US?

    I would say this seems very unlikely but given the past links between CO/UT and the fact that UT has now become S20…it doesn’t seem THAT far fetched

    • booboo

      July 19th, 2018 - 11:36pm

      There is no connection / link between seven20 and CO any longer

    • CaptainJimiPie

      July 19th, 2018 - 11:39pm

      I figured that was still the case but it was just a thought

      There’s already one of these on eBay for £70+….ridiculous money but there is a clearer picture

      https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/FYQAAOSwhglbUQbM/s-l1600.jpg

      Also thinking about this, there isn’t anything that said these will be a limited release and they’re bound to be popular so logic suggests that whilst getting hold of one in the UK might be a little pricey I don’t think it’ll be difficult…they’ll surely churn out quite a few of them

  • GallifreyanKnight

    July 19th, 2018 - 11:12pm

    This is the one to get.
    It’s just a shame that it’s going to cost more for UK based fans, as we’ll only be able to get it either second hand or imported.

    As for CO’s release, it’s not even worth considering.

    And no, they are not exactly the same. If you think they are, you’re wrong.

    • Exterminator

      July 19th, 2018 - 11:24pm

      Agreed, this version is far superior to the cheaper CO version (£14.99 for the CO one and reports of $30 for the Seven20 one).

      I know which one I prefer so worth paying a bit more for it I think.

    • booboo

      July 19th, 2018 - 11:38pm

      its above import levels, will end up costing about £40+ if picked up

  • TARDIS DUDE

    July 19th, 2018 - 10:20pm

    I just messaged seven20 on fb. They didnt say if its different from co but did say there screwdiver wont be aviable in the uk. Though a reseller may buy them and ship to uk as they have no controll over that. Basically looks like there are two toys and we only getting co verison.

    • booboo

      July 19th, 2018 - 10:26pm

      yes seven20 are USA based CO UK, two completely different companies now each making their own products

  • Exterminator

    July 19th, 2018 - 10:05pm

    Apparently these and the CO version are available to buy now at SDCC so expect them to go for silly money on eBay very soon.

    • Zenofy

      July 19th, 2018 - 10:06pm

      Oh really, even the CO version? Hopefully someone does a review of them both.

    • Exterminator

      July 19th, 2018 - 10:07pm

      Someone on Facebook has said they’re $30 at comic con.

    • Exterminator

      July 19th, 2018 - 11:28pm

      Maybe it’s just the Seven20 version available at comic con?

  • Josh

    July 19th, 2018 - 9:44pm

    Having seen a pic on the reddit thread of this release. It’s exactly the same product as the UK version. This image has just had a bit of photoshopitis.

    • booboo

      July 19th, 2018 - 9:49pm

      if you look at the images of each sonic on our site its clear they are totally different products

    • Anonymous

      July 19th, 2018 - 9:52pm

      What reddit thread?

    • The Friend

      July 19th, 2018 - 10:43pm

      They’re not different products!! Look at them! They’re the same flipping thing! You can still see the screwholes in the Seven20 release in the packaging.

    • Anonymous

      July 19th, 2018 - 10:50pm

      Look at the bit where the two sections join, definitely different.

    • Void

      July 23rd, 2018 - 3:21am

      Its diff paint, texture, and molding. Its different

  • Anonymous

    July 19th, 2018 - 9:42pm

    Spotted on Twitter! These are $30 🙂

  • Doctor 909

    July 19th, 2018 - 8:57pm

    looks vastly more detailed… CO need to up there game cos this might just get irritating if it continues like this

    • The Friend

      July 19th, 2018 - 9:02pm

      I hate it to point it out to you, but the products are exactly the same… They haven’t hidden screw holes either, as they can be seen within the packaging.

    • booboo

      July 19th, 2018 - 9:10pm

      they are clearly different products

    • Cyberman Bill

      July 19th, 2018 - 10:18pm

      @ The Friend…. No…. they are not the same product! VERY DIDFERENT when you see them in person. Also… notice the 2 buttons on this one?? Hmm? Character Options Only has the 1 button. Paint is different. And they’re are other things noticeable in person. I don’t think they hide the screw holes on purpose since it looks like the Doctor just makes this on the fly with what she has laying around. I don’t know. They look interesting. Still debating if I’m going to buy one today!

    • Anonymous

      July 19th, 2018 - 10:32pm

      @Cyberman Bill CO one has 2 buttons as well, I believe

    • The Friend

      July 19th, 2018 - 10:45pm

      @cyberman Bill, they both have the two buttons… they’re the same product. I’m not sure why you’re all trying to claim they’re the same thing. If you had seen them in hand as I have at SDCC (I was in the Hall H presentation), you’d know.
      They’re just in different packaging.

    • booboo

      July 19th, 2018 - 10:59pm

      the official images we have been sent by BBC Studios clearly show the CO and seven20 sonics are different in many different ways

      you can see from the 2 images, character on top seven 20 below that there are numerous differences

    • James

      July 20th, 2018 - 9:01am

      I’m guessing since the CO version has two buttons too the CO tip bit rotates aswell

  • Doctor Stu

    July 19th, 2018 - 8:55pm

    So America gets this beautiful version yet the home of the Doctor who gets the crappy plastic looking thing. Ok then

    • Anonymous

      July 19th, 2018 - 9:16pm

      Agree I’m not happy

    • larry

      July 23rd, 2018 - 2:23am

      if you look carefully at the two images, the top one is rotated and the button on the bottom is visable to the side on the top and on the bottom on the bottom image. Does anyone think BBC would allow two, do you think any company would pay huge fees to BBC and have to compete with a slightly different version, on the small scale of Doctor WHO do you think two companies would pay all the development and mold fees separately for just slightly different items. other than packaging they will be the same from the same factory in china. different packaging , names but the same .

    • Anonymous

      July 25th, 2018 - 9:37am

      I know, it’s outrageous!!

  • Anonymous

    July 19th, 2018 - 8:54pm

    Is it just me or does this Seven20 one look more like a prototype picture than COs, which looks more like a proper photo? I still can’t see the logic in them being different, biggest difference I can see is that the screw-holes are on different sides.

    • larry

      July 23rd, 2018 - 2:23am

      images can be flipped

  • Exterminator

    July 19th, 2018 - 8:51pm

    This looks better than Character’s one.

  • ben

    July 19th, 2018 - 8:51pm

    Two seconds what dose this mean

  • Anonymous

    July 19th, 2018 - 8:48pm

    Are they any different in detail?

    • booboo

      July 19th, 2018 - 8:53pm

      yes, we know have two companies making the same thing, one for the USA market and one for the UK

    • Exterminator

      July 19th, 2018 - 8:56pm

      From the promo photo above, it looks like Seven20 have managed to hide the screw holes making this one superior to CO. I can’t wait to see comparison videos on YouTube.

    • Exterminator

      July 19th, 2018 - 9:03pm

      Also this one hasn’t got the split down the middle clearly visible on the CO promo image.

      First points go to Seven20 I’d say.

    • Cyberman Bill

      July 19th, 2018 - 10:20pm

      This one also has 2 buttons as opposed to one on the Character one!

    • Exterminator

      July 19th, 2018 - 11:06pm

      They both have 2 buttons Cyberman Bill, but there’s already a video on Twitter showing the Seven20 sonic and it has a really cool rotating crystal feature making it far better than the CO version which only seems to have lights and sounds.

    • The Outcast

      July 20th, 2018 - 1:14pm

      We can’t make judgements just yet, because we haven’t actually seen the CO one in action yet, maybe it does have the spinning crystal (which I think it does), maybe it’s more accurate, maybe it looks better in hand, maybe it has more SFX and is a better toy than the Seven20 version, we can’t yet tell.

      I will say that I agree with the consensus that the Seven20 version looks better from the promo images we have, and the videos people have taken of it. It has a black wash which brings out all the details, it also has a less visible seem and a more accurate looking join between the handle and main body. The crystal also looks more accurate and better on the Seven20 version.

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