Nerf Mega Thunderbow Info (2014 Release)

Started getting some messages, and heard about this – 

“NERF N-STRIKE MEGA THUNDERBOW
 
NERF N-STRIKE MEGA THUNDERBOW Toy
(Ages 8 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $39.99/Available: Fall 14)

Awesome NERF MEGA performance transitions from blaster to bow with the addition of the N-STRIKE MEGA THUNDERBOW toy. The bow’s dynamic arms and traditional pull back system can fire five NERF MEGA whistler darts in a row up to an amazing 100 feet.  Includes 10 MEGA Whistler darts and holds up to five NERF MEGA darts at a time. Available at most major retailers nationwide and HasbroToyshop.com

So there you have it, a 2nd surprise info drop from Nerf (leading up to the UK Toy Fair, and eventually New York.)

I’ll admit, I’m going to hold back judgment though given this Air Zone Extreme Power Bow blaster from some time ago – 


I’m sure Nerf’s taken the design and jazzed it up (especially shooting Elite Mega darts and all) but until the blaster’s in my hands there’s just not much I can comment on.  I’m intrigued to check it out though,  

I don’t think I see a trigger or a tactical rail on the blaster… so… “dynamic arms… traditional pullback…” interesting. 

 

Ah well, enough speculatin’.  We’ll just have to see!
 
 

REVIEW: Spy Gear Panosphere 360 Spy Cam

NOTE: Sample was supplied by Spin Master Toys (thanks to them!).  The opinions in this review are my own.

Spy Gear Panosphere 360 Spy Cam – Possible additions to put a new spin on your blaster gameplay.
Vas The Stampede

Spy Gear Panosphere 360 Spy Cam

Spy Gear Panosphere 360 w/ Wall Mount

Spy Gear Panosphere 360 deconstructed (wrist strap goes inside housing)

Spy Gear Panosphere 360 all assembled

STATS:
MSRP: $59.99 (order at Meijer – on clearance for $14.97!)
Includes:

  • Camera x1
  • Mount x 1 
  • Housing x 1
  • Rubber band x 1 
  • Velcro wrist strap x 1 
  • USB recharging cord x 1
  • Suction cup Wall Mounting x 1
  • 2 GB microSD card (will use larger microSD cards too… I haven’t run into any issues yet) 
  • CD w/editing software

Specs:
W/2 GB card:

  • 2000 HD pics
  • 10 Mins. of video recording at 720p (at full charge).

Test Images (various lighting conditions. 

Office lighting (reasonably good lighting)

Hallway of my storage unit.

Low light, a peek inside the actual unit.

    At $60 the resolution isn’t the clearest in low-light (a touch grainy), but surprisingly better than I expected in well lit situations (also given that this is for kids 8-13 years of age).  it is a fish eye lens, in order to encompass the “360” look attached to a swivel that moves within a 90 degree arc..  Initially, I had wondered if the lens would be remotely operated somehow, but that isn’t the case.  Where ever you place the camera, the lens has to be aimed ahead of time.  With the fish eye lens though, there’s little room for missing something.  Given the low profile of the camera alone, and even the housing/mounts, getting the right angle shouldn’t be a problem.  Obviously, any other additions such as a viewfinder or anything would add to the visibility of the camera, and the cost.  For what it is, it is a pretty good price for your homegrown spy in training.

    The housing functions as a “hockey puck” style mount for the camera (see the video) and a container for the wrist strap, one of the little touches Spin Master does with its toys that I really like.

    It takes a few hours to charge using the included USB cord.  I have used both my computer and other wall-mounted plugs with a USB connector, so you’re not stuck if you have other electronic devices.  The included instructions were easy to follow, and I was up and running (literally) with the camera in minutes.  Already having editing software, I just use the microSD card in my card reader, and that does the job.  I haven’t used the editing software myself (I already have my own), but if you do perhaps you’ll get a kick out of it.

    Bottom line, I found it a lot of fun to try and see what angles, and just what the capabilities of the camera were.  Sliding the camera into position was hilarious, and various options of how to use the camera (wear, wall mount, super sneaky off the mount, etc.) might be a good time for a kid.  It goes without saying that the camera must be used responsibly, and those issues need to be brought up during purchase.

    As far as game types go, I don’t know if I’d use this as a mount or anything to record gameplay, but if you came up with a spies vs. counterspies scenario, this might be something to play around with (having to record a document or something else; let your imagination go wild, for the 10 mins. the charge will last recording video)  With the speed that a typical game can run, I don’t think this camera could keep up, and there are full on cameras for a little more that might be better to use.  This is still a toy for roleplay purposes, but even with that, it is still an impressive piece of tech.

    New Nerf Blasters for 2014 – Nerf Zombie Strike Slingfire

    New Nerf blaster for 2014 is announced!  Just before the UK Toy Fair begins, here we go!

    UPDATE: Here’s a video of the blaster I took from New York Toy Fair:

    NERF ZOMBIE STRIKE SLINGFIRE Blaster
    (Ages 8 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $29.99/Available: Fall 14)

    Zombie hordes are no match for the ZOMBIE STRIKE SLINGFIRE blaster! The blaster’s lever-action allows for quicker reloads on the run and DIY-style designs lend an authentic feel to any NERF zombie attack. Blaster comes complete with one six dart clip and six ZOMBIE STRIKE darts which can be fired up to 75 feet. Features the NERF Tactical Rail System customizable with NERF N-STRIKE scopes and accessories, each sold separately. Available at most major retailers nationwide and HasbroToyShop.com.

    Interesting look, lever action, and supposedly going to get the 75′ Elite ranges.  I wonder how a drum mag is going to look in there.  1 tactical rail, 2 sling points (the barrel and the buttstock), and…. there you go!  The UK Toy Fair is going to see this first, and I do believe I’m going to get a crack at this next month at the New York Toy Fair.  How do you feel about that $30 price tag though?

    Don’t forget to check out some of the other U.S. Nerf bloggers that receive info like this for their unique spin (their might be others by this point, I am not sure) –
    Basic Nerf, Adult Fans of Nerf, Click Click BAMF, Shining Foam

    Also, New York Toy Fair 2014 is next month!  I’m all booked and set to go, now it’s just the waiting game until I get there.  Coverage begins February 16, and I’ll be in the Hasbro/Nerf Showroom at 9 AM.  Just a quick reminder – this trip is out of pocket for me, no company flies me out (unlike the Nerf summer gathering/release parties) nor do they sponsor me so I’ll visit/give their products additional coverage.  But as long as I have a press pass, I’ll make sure to head out so I can get what info I can to share.  It is one of the first looks I get up close and personal with the blasters for 2014, so I have some direct experience with what you might expect.  There are also prototypes and toys which may not make it to market, but that’s the risk in the toy industry!

    Nerf Mission AppUpdate: Battle Holiday Zombies with the Nerf Zombie Strike Tactical App

    Looks about time to release this…. news on the Nerf Zombie strike theme to upgrade your Nerf Mission app!

    No mention of a droid version (this is all Apple/app store info) but I will have to follow up and see what they say. 

    Williamsburg, Virginia – Hunter Research and Technology is pleased to announce a new Zombie Strike theme for the Nerf Mission App, developed in partnership with Hasbro. Featuring great artwork by UI designers at Manifest Digital, the Zombie Strike theme features a zombie-inspired heads up display, Zombie Strike blaster arsenal, and all new Zombie Strike missions. This update of the Nerf Mission app also include a special long range heads up display for the new Nerf Centurion MEGA blaster.

    The Nerf Mission App works with the new Nerf N-Strike Elite Tactical Rail Mount Accessory and turns any rail-equipped Nerf blaster into a full battle cam with heads up display, compass, inclinometer, and rangefinder. The app lets users record photos and videos, track their arsenal, learn about hand signals used to communicate with a squad, and plan out different missions for multiplayer Nerf battles.

    The Nerf Mission App is based on the Theodolite Augmented Reality Navigation app developed by Hunter Research and Technology. This game-changing app defined a new standard for augmented reality navigation when it debuted in 2009, and has been a #1 selling navigation app in iTunes stores around the world. Theodolite works as a heads up display with compass, GPS, map, zoom photo/movie camera, rangefinder, tracker, and two-axis inclinometer.

    Theodolite is great for outdoor sports, hiking, boating, hunting, golf, sightseeing, photography, and navigation. The app is used in the field every day by surveyors, geologists, architects, engineers, military personnel, competitive sportsmen, and search and rescue workers. And in October, Apple featured Theodolite being used at the Great Wall of China during a special event.

    The Nerf Mission App with Zombie Strike theme is available for free from the iTunes App Store, just in time to battle zombies during the holiday season. The app works with most iPhone and iPod touch devices running iOS 6.0 or later. The Nerf N-Strike Elite Tactical Rail Mount Accessory is for ages 8 and up, and sold separately. See Nerf online for more information and a list of retailers.

    Theodolite is available on the iTunes App Store for a 50%-off 4-year anniversary sale price of $3.99 USD, and is the perfect holiday gift or purchase for outdoor enthusiasts, professionals, students, teachers, and high-tech gadget lovers (it’s also great for battling zombies). Theodolite runs on any camera-equipped iPhone or iPod touch. Theodolite HD runs on any camera-equipped iPad or iPad Mini. More information, including screenshots, is available on the Hunter Research and Technology website. Media professionals interested in reviewing Theodolite can request a promotional code to download the apps from iTunes at no cost.

    Nerf
    http://www.nerf.com/

    Theodolite
    http://hrtapps.com/theodolite/

    NERF Mission App 1.1
    https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/nerf-mission-app/id664942608

    Theodolite 3.2 iTunes Link (iPhone and iPod touch)
    https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/theodolite/id339393884

    Theodolite HD 3.2 iTunes Link (iPad and iPad mini)
    https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/theodolite-hd/id425456242

    Hunter Research and Technology is run by Dr. Craig Hunter, a practicing engineer with over 20 years of experience in engineering and software development. Dr. Hunter received the 2004 NASA Software of the Year Award and a 2004 Apple Design Award (Best Scientific Computing Solution on Mac OS X) for his work in software development. He founded Hunter Research and Technology in 2008 to create innovative apps that leverage the advanced hardware and software capabilities of iOS devices and Macs. The company has numerous apps available on the iTunes App Store, and develops apps for a range of clients worldwide. Copyright (C) 2013 Hunter Research and Technology. All Rights Reserved. Apple, the Apple logo, Macintosh, iTunes, iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, and iPad mini are registered trademarks of Apple Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. Nerf, N-Strike Elite, Zombie Strike, Centurion, and all related characters are trademarks of Hasbro, Inc.

    Chicago Toy And Game Fair 2013, the pics!

    Back the weekened before Thanksgiving, the Chicago Toy & Game Fair (ChiTag) rocked the city with a weekend of toys, games, gift ideas, innovation, invention, and creativity.  This year was no exception with a bigger feeling to it, and some of the best brands I’ve come to know and enjoy seeing year after year. 

    Razor, Spin Master Toys (seriously, the Tenkai Knights building sets they brought were amazing innovations in construction sets), Mayfair Games, Bananagrams, and local favorites like Floppets were all on the show floor, bringing the humor for everyone.  That being said, here are my galleries from the weekend.

    PlayChic – The fashion show for the weekend, that combines a famous fashion designer’s touch with the inspiration of a toy or game at the show.  Joan Severance, inventor of the txTylz game, was on hand even to lend her talent to the show.

     Full album is here!

    https://static.googleusercontent.com/external_content/picasaweb.googleusercontent.com/slideshow.swf

    Aaaaaaand pictures from the ChiTag Show floor 🙂

    https://static.googleusercontent.com/external_content/picasaweb.googleusercontent.com/slideshow.swf