Category: toys

TOY Review: Zing Toys Sky Gliderz!

Includes:
Rip Zip Launcher x 1
Zing Gliderz x 2
MSRP: $15.99
Range: 120 feet (approximate)

 

Operating instructions
 Ok! Let’s take a look at some high-flying insanity from Zing Toys in the form of their Blast Off Sky Gliderz! Similar to the Sky Ripperz in launching mechanics, but vastly different in ammo. Where the Sky Rippers have that front heavy foam head attached to a plastic/paper shaft, the Sky Gliderz are foam-winged…. well, gliderz. They’re shaped like planes (and the wings are adjustable, you DID watch the video at the beginning, right?) but launch off the Rip Zip Launcher the same; simply hook in, pull back, a little elevation helps, and let go.
This review is a little different than most of the ones for this blog, because the toy in question shoots but for a vastly different purpose. It’s a glider, a model(ish) plane, something that simulates the fun you’d have out of flying a paper airplane and then some (maybe.) It’s not for target shooting, and the design makes it so that isn’t something to expect you can do. You just pull back, let go, and enjoy the show.
I set out a target to check the range, but with all the looping/zooming around in a variety of directions, it just wasn’t the right criteria to look for. As the box instructs, elevation, firing technique, and wing position can all dictate how/where your gliderz fly. In my case, the gliderz would loop around once (whistling through the air) and take a flight path that landed it about 90-180 degrees from where I originally aimed. As you can tell in the video, it was tough to capture on film. And I made sure, given the unpredictable nature of gliders in general + the power zing uses for most of their toys, this particular toy needed space. Like an open field. 
Like I said, predicting where the Zing Sky Gliderz is one of the more fun/whimsical (depending on your perspective) aspects of the toy. It gets long range for sure (after some wing bending) but where you’re going to have to walk to pick it up is another question. Maybe you’ll figure out how to launch the Sky Gliderz in such a way you can fly between bottles, but in my opinion, the most fun to be had is just to keep it simple and let the gliderz fly where they may.
Depending on how far you pull back on the Rip Zip Handle, that will determine the distance and speed of your launch, and whether you’ll hear that amazing whistle as it zips around you, or a slow, easygoing cruise down to the ground.
So yeah, while the Sky Ripperz have range, they behave in a predictable linear pattern. They’re satisfying to pull back and see how far they go. The Sky Gliderz are plenty of fun watching just how nuts they go, and worth a look when you’re outside this summer. Just make sure if you take’em to a picnic that you have A LOT OF SPACE around you, and do be careful if you make it circle around yourself, in case the Gliderz get a little close. However, that is definitely a trick shot you can’t claim with a lot of other toys.
Questions? Comments? Leave one! Thanks to Zing Toys for the samples, and take care!
Stampede

Nerf Elite Launch Party – 2012

Let’s get some links outta the way – AP IMAGE GALLERY

Adult Fans of Nerf
Nerfrevolution
Click Click BAMF
NERFHQ









Amongst other people who write mainstream news articles, the above sites were in attendance to the party.  In spite of recent events, Nerf does in fact reach out to fan sites and they do in fact treat them pretty well.

Now, my gallery (I also updated to include some new “Foamme Fatales” from the party) –

https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf

https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf

I’ll post some additional videos up (I had my GoPro chest camera on for as long as the battery would hold out; I’ll see what came of it) once they’re done, but just wanted to make some quick notes:

  • Nerf really knows how to throw a party
  • Nerf N-Strike Elite Hailfire ranges are pretty awesome for a flywheel.  Bandoliers are a necessity, and I’m working on a technique to allow easy dual-wiellding.  The magwell rack did pretty well in letting me run and the Hailfire is definitely more mobile than a Vulcan.  Mixing and matching the drums and mags was fun.  It’s a semiauto blaster, but it really feels way more reliable than a Barricade.  I suggest giving it a try when it’s released, I know I will.  One thing I would say is, you can’t really use a sidearm when you have it.  At full capacity, the blaster bangs around a lot if you try to run with it at your side.  You really need to carry it in your hands the whole time you have it.  Nerf groups who utilize blasters as shields are going to have to reevaluate their rulesets though, as this thing is a good size for that house rule.
  • The Nerf Vortex Pyragon is fantastic.  Rogue fell in love with it.  I love the way the drum loads, and the rate of fire on it is incredible.
  • The licensed Nerf materials rock pretty hard.  The sunglasses were fantastic, and I can’t wait to try out my earbuds 🙂
  • NERF FIREVISION.  Seriously, everyone needs to have a look at that when it’s out.  I will most certainly hope to get some samples to work with, but it’s a really interesting mechanic to utilize playing sports in low light.
  • It’s a little rough having to say “’til next year” to the fellow bloggers – it’s so much fun talking nothing but Nerf with these like-minded individuals.

Ok, I’ll have more to say when I go back over the vids.  I’m finally well-rested (2 red-eye flights in 2 days makes for a tired Vas) and I’ll go over more when I review what I shot.

From Nerf N-Strike Elite Launch 2012
From Nerf N-Strike Elite Launch 2012
From Nerf N-Strike Elite Launch 2012

From Nerf N-Strike Elite Launch 2012

From Nerf N-Strike Elite Launch 2012

From Nerf N-Strike Elite Launch 2012

From Nerf N-Strike Elite Launch 2012

From Nerf N-Strike Elite Launch 2012

From Nerf N-Strike Elite Launch 2012

Nerf N-strike Elite: Rampage


Neat lil’ shot for the night- Rampage with a Lightning Storm stock 🙂

Who likes box art?  I’ve got box art 🙂  And some other shots too.

As you can see, the head of the Elite dart is a little bigger, has a smaller hole, and a (for lack of a better term) more streamlined form. 

Darts that come with the Nerf N-Strike Rampage

Shot of the Nerf N-Strike Rampage

I know some of you saw this; it’s a preview of things to come: new tac vest, Nitefinder Elite version, annnnd… a smaller blaster inside that pocket…?
Well hey!  That looks like a Jolt to me.  Anyone else thinking that?  Elite Jolt, cause the original wasn’t nuts enough.

Box art

Don’t fret!  N-Strike old skool and N-Strike Elite is all interchangeable.  I’ll make a video of this to showcase but old does work with new and vice versa.  The Elite ammo flies fantastically out of both types of blasters though.

Nerf Kid for Rampage.  He looks srs.

Yup!  Straight-mags sold separately, and with ammo to boot.  If the individually sold drum wasn’t your thing, this will hopefully make your day.