Quick Review: Nerf N-Strike Elite Pinpoint Sight - A PROPER accessory. :D

(Link) Hey guys! Hope this post is finding all my Squadron friends alive and well. Now, we all know about the history of the Nerf Pinpoint Sight, right?

The Nerf Pinpoint Sight (PPS) has a pretty illusive history. Resembling an SMG Scope, it has been praised by the NIC as being one the most 'useful' 'first-party' Tact. Rail attachments Nerf has ever produced, and demand has been high for this sight ever since it has been released under the N-Strike brand several years ago. But, it has remained under our radar for many a year, having never being bundled with a main blaster, only being released under a Mission Kit in the yellow N-Strike era, which was pretty rare to find. And of course, if you're a mad collector like me, you'll try anything to get one :P 

It HAS been announced that the PPS will be seeing an Elite 'remake/paintjob' and will be offered as a bonus at Australian stores later this year. Now, this news is rather exciting! A few of my friends from the mainland received 'Elitetified' PPS's as a bonus for being awesome :D

I received an EPPS, by luck or by chance (in this world, it is the people you know :P) a PPS from the one and only Uncle Neil of Canberra DT group fame, and when I picked up the package from the mailbox, I was SO ecstatic. I swear, my face was like this:

Uncle Neil, if I ever make it over to a Canberra event, I am gonna shake you by the hand. :D Now, I think we all know what comes next. REVIEW TIME! :D (Pic spam detected) 

The Elite PPS comes in a rather small box, with minimal box art.
Fun Fact: It is the same box art from the yellow N-Strike era. :P

Instructions... Always useful. :D

Now, has anyone TRIED using the EPPS on the Hail-Fire? No?
Good job, you get one Gold Star :P

Is that a blue Maverick? Well, that's just lazy. :P

What you get in the box is rather small, just the holy grail and instructions
 Even the instructions are simple :P But it gets the job done. 

The EPPS styling is VERY similar to an SMG Scope,
something you would find out of Call of Duty or Mass Effect.

I'll let the pics do the talking. :D

Not bad, eh? It is pretty sweet. :)

The crosshairs. Sources say the pane is on
more of a slight angle than the original, but I couldn't confirm this.

The light is a bit tiny if you ask me, it IS just a small LED. But it does get the job done :D

If you're not sure how the EPPS works, turn the light on, and attach to a blaster. The goal is to line up the light, the center of the crosshairs and your target in one straight line. I'll demonstrate this in an upcoming vid.

It is actually pretty accurate, with only a few darts going off-course due to the individual nature of each dart and blaster I've tested the EPPS with.

Requires 2x AAA batteries to operate, friends.

Mounted on top of a Strongarm. Line up the target and BAM!

Mounted on a Retaliator, it is a bit of a design flaw while priming,
but it DOES add to the feel and 'RIFLE' aspect.

The config of DREAMS. Ever since the yellow N-Strike days,
people have been begging Nerf for PPS's JUST for this config. :D

Elite Alpha Trooper CS-12 (Omega Trooper CS-25) + EPPS + Retali Stock + Rampage 25-dart drum = EPICNESS.

FPS view. The PPS does add to the blasters,
looking down the scope taking aim is VERY cool. :D

So, what do I think? It's a good buy, especially if you like customizing your blaster and collecting Nerf. If you ever find one going for cheap, grab it. :D Plus, there is that sense that you own one, one of the rarest items in Nerf history. :D

Now, the exact details for the upcoming Australian store deal for the EPPS haven't been confirmed yet, but as soon as we have some solid intel, we'll post it up on the blog. Till next time, Squaddies! :D

I swear, Uncle Neil is a Nerf saint :D

Mini-Review: Nerf Elite Tactical Vest - Refined, Yet Lacking...

(Link) Hey guys! If you remember WAY back to August 2012, you would remember my review on the N-Strike Tactical Vest, one product that was high on my shopping priority list. Now, I have since gotten my hands on the Elite version of the vest. Just in-case you haven't read the original, here it is: http://softtasmania.blogspot.com.au/2012/08/review-n-strike-tactical-vest-gear-up.html A few pics to follow, highlighting the key features of the new, fancy vest. (Sorry in advance for the poor quality, I was in a rush.) :P

Basically the same vest, but with a few key differences. 

Clip and Dart Straps are now BLUE, to emphasize Elite colours.

I LIKE blue. :P

Elite badge is bigger than the original N-Strike badge. 

Done away with the funky holster, the replacement is a belt clip, and a strap located beneath it. The clip is designed to hook up the priming pull on the Firestrike for example, and the strap is to secure it in place, firmly.

Easy to tuck a Jolt into still, but a Triad JUST fits in there. :P

Also a major change is the replacement of zips with Velcro straps. These fit and hold very well, to my surprise. 

Nerf removed the sword holster from the rear. A sure sign that it wasn't used much on the original, due to the scarcity of N-Force here in Australia.

What's this? FACE OFF TIME!!!

(Where did YOU come from? :P)

N-Strike Clear Clips VS Elite Clips

So, would I recommend it? It's a tough ask, but if you missed out on the original, I'd still recommend the Elite version. Looks and feels comfortable, but has a few minor niggles, such as removing the holster. Overall, still a good buy for $30, on sale this week at Target.

Now, I'm very sorry for the long wait for the next video review, I should have the Strongarm review uploaded by the end of this week. Someone is celebrating his 20th B'day this week :P And also, Alex is promising new content soon. TTFN!

Review: Nerf N-Strike Elite Triad EX-3 - Thrice the Bite

(Link) Let's start off the review with a flashback. (Cue awesome music :P) Looking back at the Jolt, it was such a fun, fresh new spin on the worn-out Single Shot concept. Tiny, yet it made a big impact in the SOFT bunker. But the next generation has arrived, and Triad EX-3. Can it knock off the Jolt as the new S.S of choice, or is it in a league all of its own?

Let's start off with the basics. The Triad is the Elite re-imagining of the Jolt, with a few aesthetic and function changes. The Triad's functionality is still the same, but now sports three dart barrels and an interesting little dart tube mech, of which I'll touch more on later. 

Content

It's quite the simple packaging with the Triad, the plastic packaging highlighting all features of the blaster. So tiny, you can fit a multitude of these on a shelf :P Contents are as simple as pie, the Triad unit and three Elite darts. Simplicity at best. 

Aesthetics

Boasting the same design as the Jolt (roughly) the Triad boasts its predecessors key features (priming handle, trigger area and hand grip) except, the Triad boasts two additional dart barrels on top of the original barrel. These additions bring the total dart capacity (when fully loaded) to three. 

Do these barrels exempt the Triad as a 'Single-Shot'? I'll leave it to you to decide.

In my honest opinion, the two new barrels make the Triad a little bit too big and bulky. This is a blaster that was born for compact quick-draws from pockets. The top barrels add bulk, therefore making the Triad a bit tight in pockets. Quite unfortunate, given its purpose.

But in order to evolve, you need to grow. :D

The Triad has this covered in spades. Size issues aside,  the blaster actually looks pretty good in hand, and quite solid. It reminds me a lot of tiny silencer pistols, quiet and small, like its predecessor. 

(Since this my first Elite review, the following applies in general to the Elite line) The Blue/White paintjob of the Elite updates the original orange, while the digital camo returns. 

I'll say this now, I LOVE LOVE LOVE the blue/white scheme, Blue just looks SO much more pleasing and defined, and this scheme hits the sweet spot of new and fresh. Plus, I like blue in general.

One thing I don't get though is why Nerf opted to keep the ye 'ol number code for the Triad. It kinda looks out of place. But, who am I to complain? :P

In terms of function, the Triad feels and works in the same way as the Jolt and other Nerf Single Shots. Load three Elite darts into their corresponding barrels, pull down on the orange priming handle until 'clicks' (very satisfying too :D) then press on the trigger. Single (or Triple :P) shots have always been about simplicity, and with this case it's no different. 

However, with the addition of two barrels, those clever designers at Hasbro created a way of dart recognition. So long as you have one dart loaded in any barrel (and primed) the Triad always fires. It's a great idea, ensuring a shot with every reload. (Our friends at AFON explains their theory of how this system works, link here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVEqIAKKivc)

The feel of the Triad has changed slightly due to the new barrels & larger casing to house the upgraded internals. If you read my Jolt review (link here) I had a small niggle with the handle's finger grip, it's the same case here. Also, the area up top where the lower barrel begins digs a little too. Or maybe I just have big hands. :P

Coolness

:) Since I loved the Jolt, I had high expectations for the Triad.

:) After firing a few rounds, I mucked around with the dart sensor mech, kept me entertained for ages.

:D I love the 'POC' it makes when firing.

:D Priming handle is easier to prime than the Jolt (this might differ between models)

Price

Triads are available at Kmart nation-wide for eight bucks. Quite the bargain, and perfect for the beginning Nerfer or our younger Nerfers.

THE FINAL VERDICT

+ An excellent beginning sidearm

+ Great, consistent distance

+ Features a sweet little mechanism

+ An AWESOME price

- Slightly uncomfortable

Contents/Accessories: N/A

Aesthetics: 4/5 Darts

Functionality: 4.5/5 Darts

Coolness: 4/5 Darts

Price: An easy 5/5 Darts

S.O.F.T.'s Official Rating: 4.1/5 Darts

Overall, the Triad is a worthy successor to the Jolt, and an excellent choice for casual office/indoor battles.

Now, was that a great review, or what? Told you I got my act together :D

And now, for some size comparisons. :D

Current projects? More Jack, and a new intro! Quite exciting, and I've started a new job, so things are well for me atm. :D Take care, till the next post!