Ghostbusters P.K.E. Meter

P.K.E. Meter

Ghostbusters - Spirit Halloween

The third and final Ghostbusters costume/prop from Spirit Halloween arrived in my mail last week: the PKE meter.  I had ordered it sometime back with the trap, but from what I gather online, there was a bigger demand for this one.    Mattel's $60 version is hard to come by this days (especially for that price), so Spirit has made another decent quality prop that will fill that void nicely.  

Like the goggles and trap, you don't get all the bells and whistles you would from the higher dollar Mattel replicas.  You don't get to switch GB1/GB2 light patterns and there is no speed-control wheel this time.  However, you still get a decent light and sound show for $35.  The two silver button sets at the bottom activate the opening wings, blinks, and blips.  One button activates a continuing cycle from calm to extreme ghost detection that you can shut down by pressing it again.  The other offers the same cycle, no repeat, and then shuts down after it finishes.  At least, that's what I think it's supposed to do.  It came on a blister card with no real instructions, and some users have reported wing malfunctions and inactive lights.  

It sizes up pretty closely to the Matty release, but is a little more rounded here and there in it's general shape.  Like the Spirit trap, it has a plastic clip on the back for quick belt access.  For the purists, I have seen pictures online of how to take it apart and remove the clip from the inside.  There are a handful of great PKE holster ideas out there that can be purchased at most hardware or home goods stores.

I find it odd that both the Matty and Spirit PKE Meters do not replicate the sounds from the movie accurately.  Rights issue?  Not sure.  The substitute sounds aren't terrible, just not the same.  The Spirit one does have a kind of annoying "ambient sound" with its sfx.  

Even with it's detractors, I wouldn't pass up the Spirit PKE meter if you don't already have a different model.  (Hell, even if you do have one, can you really have enough GB gear?)  It's a great "close-enough" prop, especially at the price point.

Ecto Goggles and ESP Test Cards

Ecto Goggles and ESP Test Cards

Spirit Halloween - Anovos

The second Ghostbusters costume prop from Spirit Halloween is here:  the Ecto Goggles!  And, like the ghost trap, it is a close-enough item with a budget price tag.  The Mattel release may have been a little more screen accurate and had a few more features, but we're talking $110 versus $30 here.  Sure, you can fabricate your own close-enough goggles from welders glasses and hardware store parts...but these save time AND have a little green light up feature. 

The silver disc on the right side turns to activate the lights.  The battery compartment is on the underside of the goggles, which isn't the prettiest (or accurate) when wearing them on top of your head or hat, but its not a deal breaker.  Both goggle knobs turn in place 360 degrees.  

There are a few details missing here and there, but we're talking small cosmetic additions.  Spirit threw in a sticker sheet and weathered the hell out of this one.  Strange...why didn't they weather the more expensive props?  Anyway, they are comfortable enough to wear, with an adjustable velcro head strap and rubber face padding.  I've already worn these out to two Ghostbusters events and am pleased with the weight and appearance as part of the full getup.

Another recent Ghostbusters item I picked up is the ESP test cards from Anovos.  These are playing card-sized versions of the Zener cards used by Dr. Peter Venkman to study the effect of negative reinforcement on ESP ability.  Though, instead of GB1 accuracy in size and Bicycle card backs, you get a nice throwback to GB2 with station identification and Venkman's show on the backs and box.  The pack comes with instructions and score card...you have to provide the negative reinforcement.  Don't worry too much about the electric shocks, there is a tell on each card for those who aren't as in-tune with the "world of the psychic." 

Ghost Trap

Ghost Trap

Ghostbusters - Spirit Halloween

A year after Spirit Halloween introduced it's affordable, deluxe proton pack, they're following up with a gaggle of new Ghostbusters accessories.  Like the proton pack, they may not be 100% screen-accurate, but close enough to fool the ordinary man on the street and please kids of any age with their "fake, electronic light shows."  This year they unveiled a PKE meter, Ecto Goggles, and the Ghost Trap!

While I am a GB fan and costume/prop guy (I refuse to use the term "cosplayer"), I did not buy into Mattel's (read "greedy, line-bunglers") $130 ghost trap years back.  While it did look nice, I would never put an expensive toy/prop on my belt when going out to conventions, pub crawls, birthday parties, etc.  I made two, decent looking stunt traps from one, $5 sheet of plywood (pics below) for that public nonsense!   Anyway, Spirit has provided a happy medium for $50, complete with lights, sounds, and play features.

The Spirit ghost trap does not include a pedal or cable...you'll have to make one yourself or just tell everyone its a "fast" trap from Ghostbusters: The Video Game.  It is missing a few label details, though that is a quick-fix.  Other than that, it could use some more paint apps and weathering.  

It does have a belt clip, but I would hesitate to use it.  While the trap isn't all that heavy, it wouldn't take much to snap that plastic clip.  I imagine customizers will dremel it off and install a proper, more accurate belt connector.  It has rolling wheels and zooms pretty quick!

There is an "on/off" switch where a toggle switch should be that activates the lights and sounds.  With a push of the button on the handle, the doors open up and activate green lights inside and one of two different ghost-trapping sfx:  one standard, the other like you are trapping a burping Slimer!

Size-wise, I think it is a little longer than it should be for screen accuracy, but not so much that it's a "no-sale."  Again, it's fun and affordable for kids and fans of any age and will still display purdy for collector and costumer alike with a few simple modifications.