Droid QC-series Astromech Droid

[Star Wars Legacies]

QC-SERIES ASTROMECH DROID​

Affiliation:
Various.

Manufacturer:
Best Quality Mechanicals.

Class:
Astromech droid.

Locomotion:
Wheeled.Power Supply:
Rechargeable power cell, 48-hour duration.

Sensors:

• 1x photoreceptor.
• 1x hologram recorder.
• 2x audio receptor.

Size:
Height - 1 meter.

Composition:
Carbo-plas.

Tools and Equipment:

• 1x spotlight.
• 1x manipulator/servodriver/hydrospanner arm.
• 1x fire extinguisher.
• 3x magnetic wheel.
• 1x integrated comlink.
• 1x computer probe.
• 1x reader socket.
• 1x standard I/O socket.
• 1x viewscreen.

DESCRIPTION​

The QC-series astromech is a bargain-basement droid produced by the Best Quality Mechanicals corporation, a fly-by-night Outer Rim droid manufacturer with a reputation for moving its operations from planet to planet in search of cheap labor and component suppliers. BQM's offerings tend to be of questionable quality, and the QC is no exception. Its only real saving grace is its incredibly low price point.

The QC series, like most BQM products, is roughly comparable to offerings from other droid manufacturers in terms of (theoretical) functionality, but is assembled from sub-standard components and is sold at a much lower price point. QCs, like most astromechs, are equipped with most of the standard astromech tools and sensors, although corners were cut wherever possible. The droid's hydrospanner, servodriver and manipulator arm, for example, separate functions on most astromechs, are combined as a single multi-tool component; this was easier for BQM to source as a single component, although it is not as reliable as separate components would have been, and does not allow the droid to use multiple tools at once. Further, although the droid can record holographic images, it cannot play them back as 3D projections; images and other data is displayed on a small, cathode-type viewscreen mounted in the torso. The droid also lacks tools for cutting and welding, necessary for certain types of repair work that astromechs are often called upon to perform.

Notably, QC-series droids have a cheaply molded carbo-plas casing. Owners of QCs have complained that this casing is often poorly fitted, producing rattles and squeaks when the droid moves. The droid's mechanical systems are also often faulty; the stock motivator is considered under-powered and prone to failure, and a popular modification for QCs is to fit a third-party replacement. Items such as the tool mountings and bearings are also common failure points. In general, QCs require either frequent maintenance or significant use of third-party replacements.

QC-series droids, like many BQM products, are equipped with a cheaply sourced cognitive package. The droid's brain was designed by Geist Cognitive Systems, a frequent accomplice to BQM's dealings, and despite questionable build quality it does approximately what it was designed for. QCs have a reputation for being chipper and friendly out of the box, and are said to develop more distinct personalities faster than most other astromechs. More cynical pundits of the droid industry have suggested that this was intentional on the part of BQM; customers who form attachments to a droid are less likely to return even a blatantly defective unit.

QC-series astromechs are seen by many as droids of last resort, assembled by underpaid workers in temporary factories to shoddy standards. They are significantly cheaper than much of the competition, however, even including most used models, and so consumers who can't afford anything - or who don't know any - better often wind up with them. Despite their shortcomings, however, QCs do have their fans, and many beings have formed strong attachments to these ambulatory rattle-traps.

LEGALITY​

Legal. Astromech droids such as the QC series are permitted in most regions of the Galaxy.

INTENT​

To create a low-end astromech droid.