Tag: Cam ECS-12

F2A Exclusive Images! Nerf New York Toy Fair 2014!

Fresh from the Nerf Showroom at New York Toy Fair! Thanks to the Toy Spy for these exclusive images! I visit the Hasbro showroom tomorrow when the fair opens, so expect more coverage including videos/photos/and more pictures! Click on the pics for more info from the press releases/previous reveals. I expect to have a proper press release on the Attacknids/Combat Creatures after tomorrow.

Once again! These pics came from Toy Spy! I’ll have my own info up later this week. These images came from a separate event, and Toy Fair itself doesn’t start until tomorrow.

Nerf N-Strike Elite Cam CS-12 and the Nerf Demolisher! (click for more info)
 
Nerf Combat Creature Attacknids

Nerf Zombie Strike Slingfire (click for more info)
 Some of the initial feedback is people LOVE the Nerf Zombie Strike Slingfire‘s action – it just feels good to use and fire.
Nerf Elite Mega Thunderbow (click for more info)
 I am not even gonna lie. The Nerf Mega Thunderbow looks like a huge friggin’ blaster.
Another shot of the Attacknids
Make sure to check out Stitch Kingdom on instagram and tumblr
Here is a picture of the Guardians of the Galaxy blaster, Star Lord Battle Gear!

Toy Fair Preview: N-Strike Elite NERF Cam ECS-12 Blaster – Coming Fall 2014

“Cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war…” – Julius Caesar: Act 3, Scene 1, page 13
 
 And Engadget sure did.  They posted Yet Another Nerf Exclusive and it was the N-Strike Elite NERF Cam ECS-12 Blaster.  No press release, but as discussed on my Facebook page (join the conversation!  “Like” me!) here is the story so far:

  • Integrated camera (!) – 0.3 megapixels (urk) at 20 fps(urkx2), comes with 4 GB SD card (ok).
  • MSRP: $75 (?!)
  • 8 (!?!) AA batteries (4 for the camera, 4 for the blaster)
  • Flywheels (dat accelerator trigger)/semiauto (but looks like a Rapidstrike, no?)
  • Allegedly hits up to 90′ (probably angled)

 

Nerf Cam ECS-12 (prototype to Engadget)
Photo courtesy of engadget.  Opted for this one because it’s the real life prototype they used.  Final will have a clear magazine and blue trim.      

That being said, let’s get some quick thoughts down:

Holy carp, $75?  The biggest complaint I’ve been receiving is that is just too much $$$ for a camera that isn’t even a single megapixel.  Furthermore, even if it is for kids (which it is), that’s a lot for an 8 year old’s toy who either has a mobile device of some sort or some other camera in this day and age.  Even if it is integrated, that price is so darn high against other tech toys with better resolution.  Regardless of the blaster hitting 90′ (the Elite line originally touted 75′ ranges) I can’t see telling anyone to pay for the camera AND blaster when the camera is of such low quality.  Engadget’s piece also has a video, and…. well, I hope the camera gets an improvement from this prototype to the final version.  The flywheels and camera each require 4 AA batteries, so there’s an additional cost right there.

Also, the proximity of the camera to the motors.  The engadget video illustrates it perfectly: “VRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR” is what I heard. 

Otherwise, the aesthetics and power boost (hopefully) are the better parts I can see about this blaster.  While I can’t advocate strapping an expensive iPhone or iPod Touch to the top of your blaster (personally, I use a GoPro, but that’s me.  Yes, maybe the camera will provide a tactical advantage cornering and yes, the camera integrated into the shell is more streamline, but a Rapidstrike is considerably less and full auto.  If you need practice with trigger control, then this is more your style unless you would rather get a Stryfe.

So I’m ambivalent about this blaster.  I want to love the way it looks, but I don’t know if that’s enough for me.  For $75 I could buy a Rapidstrike or Stryfe and extra darts.  I can remove whatever camera I’m using to put on other blasters or for a project unrelated to Nerf.  But for the Nerf Cam?  Thumb middle of the road until the final version.  Hopefully this will be available at New York Toy Fair, and I’ll get a better look then.

G’luck in your struggles!