The latest in a run of fan produced merchandise from Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue, we take a look at RangerTAP: the NFC infused, rescue ready, custom ID card by Goldstein Digital.
As a cosplayer, notably one with an affinity for Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue, I first became aware of RangerTAP after I purchased a Rescue Series Jacket from Sentai Jackets and was beginning to look around for extras to add to the jacket. You’ve got to have all the bells and whistles, right? This brought me to Goldstein Digital and their custom produced ID cards.
First things first, let’s start by asking the obvious question…
What is Ranger Tap?
At a basic level, one could think of RangerTAP as nerdy/geeky themed NFC (Near Field Communication) company that make business cards. To simplify, the card can be programmed to store data that, when tapped on an NFC compatible device such as a smartphone, it’s an easy way to share the stored information, such as social media links, contact information, your essay about how MySpace was the best social media, etc.
The Man Behind the TAP
RangerTAP itself was first established in August 2023 by Goldstein Digital founder, Aaron Aaron Goldstein. When he couldn’t find a decent quality ID card for his cosplay. In his own words, “if he couldn’t buy one, he would find away to design one himself.“ This ethos resonates with us at The Toku Source, since this company was also created to fill a gap in the tokusatsu community and goes to show how giving our niche little fandom is. After extensive research and design, new ‘modernised’ versions of the Lightspeed Rescue ID card were produced.
The team at RangerTAP were nice enough to send The Toku Source one of their awesome cards, so let’s take a look in more detail.
What You Get
Prepare to embark on a journey back to the heroic days of Lightspeed Rescue with our ‘Lightspeed Series’ Badges. Each badge in the set – Red, Blue, Green, Yellow, Pink, and Titanium – has been meticulously recreated to pay faithful tribute to the original TV props, while also being modernized to reflect how we imagine they would look if produced today. These badges bridge the gap between nostalgia and innovation. Each badge is a work of art, customizable with your very own photo! Choose your favorite badge at $45 each to represent your unique style or collect the entire set for $250 to complete your Lightspeed collection.
Product Description, RangerTAP
For $45 (around £35 GBP), you will receive one high quality identification card based on whichever of the six rangers you have chosen. The card can be programmed with any information you desire (this will need to be discussed when ordering) and you’ll also receive a clip / case for the card.
When ordering you have the option to have either a plain card with the Lightspeed emblem on it or an ID photo that will need to be sent to the team during checkout. We opted for the emblem.
The team at RangerTAP are super friendly and helpful. If you have any questions about ordering or about what an NFC even is (like I personally did) they are very quick to respond on their social media pages.
RELATED: Sentai Jackets Rescue Series Jacket Review
Is it Rescue Ready?
With any product, especially a third part item, quality is an important consideration when deciding if you’d like to splash your cash on it. The RangerTAP card itself absolutely feels and looks the part. No detail is spared when it comes to the theme; you can tell the team really did their research when it came to designing their cards. Considering this is a modernised remake of a piece from an almost 25 year old show, finding high quality reference images can’t have been easy, but RangerTAP seem to have made it happen.
The card sits nicely inside a holder and paired with the Sentai Jackets Rescue Series Jacket (sold separately, obviously) you’ll be ready for anything Queen Bansheera wants to throw at you!
If you are a Lightspeed Rescue cosplayer, or even just a fan of the show, these cards are a fun way to enhance any civilian costume or even just to display with your collections.
The RangerTAP is available now RangerTAP.com.
Do you like the look of this specialised piece of Lightspeed Rescue merchandise? Will you be placing an order? Let us know all of your thoughts in the comment section below!
