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Ghostbusters Fans Review of Mattel's Ghost Trap

Posted: October 13th, 2011, 6:01 pm
by AJ Quick
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We received an absolute treat today when we checked on our door step and found a package from Mattel waiting for us. As you may have seen on our Facebook page, we got our MattyCollector.com Ghost Trap from Mattel. It was completely unexpected and we immediately went to work to carefully tear the box to shreds to get to it.

Opening the white mailer, we saw the crated box theme from the PKE Meter was continued to the box of the Ghost Trap. There are all kinds of little details and notes on the box alone that are very fun to read. Opening the box, we don't see the cascade of packing peanuts like the PKE Meter had, but instead a secure fitting Styrofoam form. We started by pulling the center piece of Styrofoam out carefully. You will want to be careful because these are very tight inside the crate box. Once free you are exposed to Ghost Trap, Pedal, Hose, Manual & Accessories wrapped in plastic. Pull the plastic off and you finally have an accurate Ghost Trap that we all wished we had when we were kids.

Like all toys you had when a kid (with the exception to the PKE Meter) this Ghost Trap is batteries not included. You will want to stock up on packs of 4 AA batteries for the day when your Ghost Trap arrives, and make sure you have the appropriately sized Phillips screwdriver. The hose plugs in easily into the trap and the pedal, and will be required if you want to use the functions of the trap. We recommend checking out the instruction manual before diving in and trying to step on the pedal as there are a few settings that need to be set to get the desired effects. The manual, as with the PKE Meter, is full of funny comments from Venkman Inc.

There are two modes available on the trap, which can be set by the switch on the front of the trap cartridge. Movie mode and prop mode. Prop mode was tricky to get into and figure out how it worked, but it allows for different settings (set by the trap pedal) that allows you to display your Ghost Trap in different ways. Movie mode is the one you will want to play with the most. With movie mode, the trap will be the most animated and fun. There are lights, sounds, and movements that the trap makes when you press on the pedal. It would be easy to tell you about them, but you should experience them in our video on our YouTube account:



As you can see, there is some movement from the wheels shaking, that we weren't able to see in our previous Comic-Con video. The movement takes some time for it to happen, maybe 20 seconds after the doors close. It would have been nice to see that happen right away. The Ghost Trap cartridge comes apart using a release button built into the front of the trap. Do not just try to pull it out, or you might break it. There are no other details on the inside of the trap, or on the hidden parts of the cartridge.

The other details of the trap and pedal are absolutely amazing. There are some discrepancies here and there, but overall, the trap is perfect in almost every dimension. Even the Ghost Trap pedal is as detailed as the trap it self. Mattel accurately recreated the ITT Relay on the pedal, as well as the various fittings and vector plates. Comparing the project boxes on the Trap pedal reveal that they are nearly perfect, with the exception of a few liberties that needed to be taken to ease manufacturing. The pedal's shape is also virtually identical to the plans we have available in our Equipment section.

The details on the trap are the same way as the pedal. We compared the silver knob on the side and the size is exactly the same, but Mattel once again took liberties to ease in the manufacturing process. The black knob on the other side is very accurate, though its placement is a little off. The vector plate and resistor on the side are also very close, though the Cal-R Resistor is slightly over sized. The switch and red light on the back of the trap are also slightly different. We took one of our red lenses and compared them side by side, there is a difference in size and height, but you can install the correct lens over the red light with some modification.

A nice detail included with the Trap are the interchangeable rods on the side. They include a silver and red set depending on whether or not you want GB1 or GB2 style. (But they do not include different knobs, which frankly isn't very important to us). We prefer the look of the red rods on the Ghost Trap.

Frankly. We are absolutely amazed at the quality of the Ghost Trap. The electronics, the lights, the sounds, the movements are all awesome. The features and details are all there and are really nice. Well worth the $130 price tag, and CERTAINLY worth the $300-$500 fan built Ghost Traps have been selling for on eBay during Halloween. That being said, keep in mind that this trap is completely plastic. It looks like it, and feels like it. Despite a lot of really good attempts at making the plastic look like metal, please keep in mind that at this price it is absolutely incredible for what you do get. As for being plastic, there are a few liberties with appearance that do affect the way the trap looks, which were necessary to put it together with all the features.

The Ghostbusters Ghost Trap will go on sale at MattyCollector.com this upcoming Monday October 17th at 12PM (Noon) Eastern Standard Time for $130. Unlike the PKE Meter, we hear they are in fact shipping these internationally. But be prepared to pay big for shipping. The weight of the entire package is over 6lbs and the size is quite large with the Ghost Trap box being 16" x 16" x 8".

Take a look at all 49 photos we took of all the details of the Ghost Trap on our Facebook page.

This trap will be given away in our Halloween Costume contest! Look for more details about that toward October 31st!

Re: Ghostbusters Fans Review of Mattel's Ghost Trap

Posted: October 13th, 2011, 6:11 pm
by Mike_D
That is f****g awesome. The shaking of the trap really put the icing on the cake.

Re: Ghostbusters Fans Review of Mattel's Ghost Trap

Posted: October 13th, 2011, 6:13 pm
by Gareee
Thanks for this great video and information! I'm really looking foreard to Monday now! ;)

Re: Ghostbusters Fans Review of Mattel's Ghost Trap

Posted: October 13th, 2011, 7:11 pm
by 92hatchattack
SOOOOOOOO freaking COOL!

Re: Ghostbusters Fans Review of Mattel's Ghost Trap

Posted: October 13th, 2011, 7:14 pm
by Filandrius
The electronics are incredible.

Re: Ghostbusters Fans Review of Mattel's Ghost Trap

Posted: October 13th, 2011, 7:16 pm
by 92hatchattack
I really cant wait to see what a highly skilled weatherer can do with this. I am also into toy trains and some of the modelers there make shinny plastic look like the real thing!

Re: Ghostbusters Fans Review of Mattel's Ghost Trap

Posted: October 13th, 2011, 7:27 pm
by TheRealPonyboy
Wicked cool... thanks for the vid and the review AJ

Re: Ghostbusters Fans Review of Mattel's Ghost Trap

Posted: October 13th, 2011, 7:33 pm
by AJ Quick
One thing I forgot to mention in the review.

The handle of all things feels very weak. If there were one thing to break on the Ghost Trap, I would think it would be the handle.

Re: Ghostbusters Fans Review of Mattel's Ghost Trap

Posted: October 13th, 2011, 7:45 pm
by Not404Error
Hopefully US shipping won't be a killer. If it's under $150 shipping included, I'm game.

... oh who am I kidding, I'm buying it regardless.

Re: Ghostbusters Fans Review of Mattel's Ghost Trap

Posted: October 13th, 2011, 7:52 pm
by Prologic9
Looking forward to it but that faux-metal "texture" is just... awful.

Re: Ghostbusters Fans Review of Mattel's Ghost Trap

Posted: October 13th, 2011, 7:59 pm
by TheRealPonyboy
AJ Quick wrote:One thing I forgot to mention in the review.

The handle of all things feels very weak. If there were one thing to break on the Ghost Trap, I would think it would be the handle.
AJ, how much does the actual trap/pedal weigh? Will it be easy to carry around as part of a costume?

Re: Ghostbusters Fans Review of Mattel's Ghost Trap

Posted: October 13th, 2011, 8:15 pm
by AJ Quick
It feels very light. I would say 3lbs at the most.

Re: Ghostbusters Fans Review of Mattel's Ghost Trap

Posted: October 13th, 2011, 8:19 pm
by gbrob
That sure is a swell trap.

Re: Ghostbusters Fans Review of Mattel's Ghost Trap

Posted: October 13th, 2011, 8:34 pm
by David Thomas
How fast did the PKE sell out on matty when it came out? I get off work @ 12pm est and I'm worried I won't get home in time to get one before they sell out lol. With a limit of 10, I imagine tons are going to max them out and try to get rich on ebay.

Re: Ghostbusters Fans Review of Mattel's Ghost Trap

Posted: October 13th, 2011, 8:49 pm
by RoboTrap
My friends may have screwed me out of catching Ghostbusters tonight but this sure puts a smile on my face!

Re: Ghostbusters Fans Review of Mattel's Ghost Trap

Posted: October 13th, 2011, 8:53 pm
by AJ Quick
It took maybe 5 days for the PKE Meter to sell out.

But I would not expect that to happen again.

I think the Ghost Trap will seriously sell out fast.

Our video of the Ghost Trap from Comic-Con has 50,000+ views. We can guarantee there won't be 50,000 Ghost Traps available. ;-)

Re: Ghostbusters Fans Review of Mattel's Ghost Trap

Posted: October 13th, 2011, 9:00 pm
by Mr.Spider
its frakken amazing and I want it....hello credit card !!!!!!

Re: Ghostbusters Fans Review of Mattel's Ghost Trap

Posted: October 13th, 2011, 9:02 pm
by David Thomas
After my post I did a little digging, some people claim it was sold out in under an hour. One guy actually said his order was cancelled because they sold out, and his order was place 45 minutes after they went on sale, talk about crazy. Maybe with it being a little over twice the cost of the PKE meters sales might go a couple of hours lol.

Re: Ghostbusters Fans Review of Mattel's Ghost Trap

Posted: October 13th, 2011, 9:26 pm
by Pete33
I think that if you are online at 12 noon the day it comes out and are there the very moment if goes on sale, you shouldn't have a problem getting one. However if you are at work or something and get home late, then I might be worried that you will not be able to get one. I happen to have off monday so I am all set, but even though a video gets a lot of views, doesn't mean all 50000 people are going to by one lol.

I would actually venture to say that the only people who are seriously going to slam $130+ on this prop are the real die hard fans. Most average people probably dont even know it's coming out. I honestly wouldn't be too worried. My guess is it will probably NOT sell out in a day, I dont think the PKE sold out that fast despite what a few people have said.

MOD EDIT: Added capitol letters, apostrophies and paragraph spacing for readability.

Re: Ghostbusters Fans Review of Mattel's Ghost Trap

Posted: October 13th, 2011, 11:18 pm
by jthamner
AMAZING!!! i cant wait! so excited for this, now i can catch a ghost, instead of just holding it in my capture stream! ha... now were to put it AFTER its in the trap..... hmmmm

Re: Ghostbusters Fans Review of Mattel's Ghost Trap

Posted: October 13th, 2011, 11:28 pm
by Donkey8012
In the photos it appears that there is a small (1" maybe?) section on the end of the handle that is made separately for some reason. Did I miss something? Why is that there?

Re: Ghostbusters Fans Review of Mattel's Ghost Trap

Posted: October 14th, 2011, 12:36 am
by AJ Quick
Donkey8012 wrote:In the photos it appears that there is a small (1" maybe?) section on the end of the handle that is made separately for some reason. Did I miss something? Why is that there?
I noticed this when I was reviewing the photos. It did not stand out when holding or playing with it.

I think it is more or less some kind of end cap on the handle.

Re: Ghostbusters Fans Review of Mattel's Ghost Trap

Posted: October 14th, 2011, 1:30 am
by Lewis Tully
Very nice! Looking forward to it! I wish I could grab 2, but I'll be happy with 1. Thanks for the review!

Re: Ghostbusters Fans Review of Mattel's Ghost Trap

Posted: October 14th, 2011, 1:35 am
by Kingpin
AJ Quick wrote:The handle of all things feels very weak. If there were one thing to break on the Ghost Trap, I would think it would be the handle.
Heh, an unintended homage to the old Kenner Trap.

Re: Ghostbusters Fans Review of Mattel's Ghost Trap

Posted: October 14th, 2011, 3:19 am
by 92hatchattack
My wife is in charge of buying this for my son at 12pm on monday while I am at work. If she fails we are getting a divorce!

Re: Ghostbusters Fans Review of Mattel's Ghost Trap

Posted: October 14th, 2011, 5:30 am
by Gareee
AJ, are there any control or electronics in the handle? Maybe it could be replaced easily with something stronger.

With both the connection being plastic, and the handle being iffy, I'm already anticipating a post by someone who dropped their trap while playing around with it.

Re: Ghostbusters Fans Review of Mattel's Ghost Trap

Posted: October 14th, 2011, 6:47 am
by Talyn
is the chord connected strong enough that you could let the trap hang by it without disconnecting?

Re: Ghostbusters Fans Review of Mattel's Ghost Trap

Posted: October 14th, 2011, 10:48 am
by AJ Quick
Talyn wrote:is the chord connected strong enough that you could let the trap hang by it without disconnecting?
Yes, but it would be your own risk! I don't think it would hold forever.
Gareee wrote:AJ, are there any control or electronics in the handle? Maybe it could be replaced easily with something stronger.
No there isn't that I know of.

I think it would be possible to fill many of the parts with black resin.

Re: Ghostbusters Fans Review of Mattel's Ghost Trap

Posted: October 14th, 2011, 11:07 am
by RoboTrap
I was initially concerned about potential cheesiness with the movement feature, but the lights shifting underneath the doors really help sell it. Could use a good repaint, but it's still a really solid piece, considering the mass-manufactured nature.

What do you think will be next for their prop line? And don't say the Proton Pack!

Re: Ghostbusters Fans Review of Mattel's Ghost Trap

Posted: October 14th, 2011, 11:36 am
by Onkelpsycho
If Matty doesn't work out anything for next year Oct. I would say this is the last prop...

What about the pedal...?!? I ask myself since the SDCC video, if just this small woman foot can take place on the pedal, or can it take a good hit with a slimed boot in size 12?!?

Or possibly somethin can brake off?!?