Hexbug Nano Zip Line Starter Set Hands-On Review

IMPRESSIONS

What?! A zip line? For a Hexbug Nano? That's impossible! There's no way that a Hexbug Nano could go an a zip line! This is a moot point. Well, not exactly. Technically, the Hexbug Nano Zip Line Starter Set seems impossible at first glance. But what you don't see right away is that that the Zip Line comes with four "zip clips," as they call them, which can be attached to any Hexbug Nano. These clips allow (or are supposed to allow) the Hexbug Nanos to grasp onto the Zip Line and have a nice ride down. The Zip Line has even more to it than that. One of the best parts is that you can put it at different lengths, either really short or the longest it will go, which is 18 inches. Seems really innovative, but will the "zip clips" work?

TESTING

Yes, they really do! The Hexbug Nanos will grasp onto the Zip Line just fine and they also will come off the Zip Line by themselves, which is a big plus. If the Nanos have a full battery, they have a chance of falling off the Zip Line a few times. It never gets annoying, but it's a little tiresome when you find yourself reaching out and righting any Hexbug Nanos that have fallen off the Zip Line. This doesn't happen constantly though, and the Hexbug Zip Line is fun to watch and play with. Since the set comes with four zip clips, you can have more than one Hexbug Nano going on the Zip Line. I tested two, three, and four Hexbugs on the Zip Line at the same time and came to the conclusion that two was the best number, three was a little too crazy, and four... let's just not get into that. The reason three and four were not the greatest was because the Hexbugs would always collide with one another. If I could give you any advice, stick to two Hexbugs at a time or just one.

ANY DOWNSIDES?

Even though the Hexbug Nano Zip Line is a great little toy, there are a few issues. First, since the Hexbugs are higher because of the zip clips, they sometimes struggle to get up the spiral. It's really hard to adjust the spiral just right so that the Hexbugs don't get stuck, and so that it's not so steep that the Nanos can't climb upwards. And second, because the Nanos are bulkier because of the zip clips, they can't squeeze by one another like they normally could without the clips on.

CONCLUSION

Despite those minor setbacks, the Hexbug Nano Zip Line Starter Set remains a great little toy. Being able to watch Hexbug Nanos go down a Zip Line is innovative and outstanding. I can tell the developers of this toy worked hard and put a lot of thought into it. If you like zip lines, you'll love this toy too.

Check out my full video review of the Hexbug Nano Zip Line Starter Set!



GRADE: A-

Air Hogs Hawk Eye Blue Sky: RC Plane With a Camera!

You might be wondering how I could possibly record this footage. It's because of a plane that you can buy at just Target or Toys R Us. Phenomenal!! 

Hexbug Larva Micro Robotic Creatures Hands-On Review

IMPRESSIONS

The Hexbug Larva is most likely going to freak out anybody who is afraid of bugs, even though it's just made of plastic. But don't let its grossness get to you. This bug is very innovative and smart. In the front, the Larva has an infrared sensor to allow the Larva to see objects and walls while driving. On the bottom, there are two unusual wheels that each have two gaps in them. On the back there's a tail that is supposed to wiggle from side to side when the Larva is on the move. 

TESTING

Those wheels surprisingly give the Larva a decent speed that's enough to keep it exciting. The tail really does move from side to side while the Larva is on the ground. What is phenomenal is that the sensors inside the Larva really do work! When they sense something in the way, the Larva automatically turns around. I know that people will be freaked out by the Larva when it's moving, because it looks a little weird to me even.
Because the Larva senses everything in its way, it's really good for small tables. If the Larva is about to fall off the edge, all you have to do is put your hand in front of it.

ANY DOWNSIDES?

Why yes, there are actually a couple of downsides. In order to run, the Larva must have three 1.5V batteries, or the button kind. This battery isn't very common and you'd be better off ordering a whole bunch at Amazon. The battery life isn't that great either; you only get about two hours of continuous driving until the Larva won't even move anymore.

CONCLUSION

The Hexbug Larva may be gross, and it may not have the greatest battery life, but it's a fabulous and innovative toy that is totally worth buying. I only wish it didn't use such an uncommon type of battery. Overall, though, this is one of my favorite Hexbugs in the series. A winner for me!

Check out my full video review of the Hexbug Larva!



GRADE: A

Ignite RC Racing 99 Speedboat

Finally, a fast boat! The moment I saw this in stores, I immediately knew I would have it someday. And look at it now! I really think it looks awesome when the propeller churns up all that water.  

New Bright Fountain Boat at Donner Lake

Here's Fountain at Donner Lake during, you guessed it, Winter. That's why there's snow on the ground.

New Bright Fountain RC Boat

This here is the New Bright Fountain RC SPEED BOAT. Yeah, I know, not that fast, but it feels cool to command an RC boat. More New Bright Fountain Boat videos coming soon!

Fast Lane RC JLX Overdrive on Land and in Water

Cool! Water shots!! Who doesn't like that? As I said in the previous post, I would post a video with JLX Overdrive in the water. Boy, does it sure look cool!

JLX Overdrive Radio Control All-terrain Vehicle

The Fast Lane JLX Overdrive is the fastest, most terrain-capable RC vehicle I have, and probably ever will have. It's also waterproof! You could take it to a lake and just drive it right in. I'll be posting a video showing JLX in the water soon. I wish it was still around; I guess the company recently took it off the shelves. :(

Welcome to Toy Frenzy!

Hey everyone! Aside from video games, RC (remote control) vehicles are my favorite things that are not alive. I have SOOOOOOO many of them... a rock crawler, a hovercraft, helicopters, giant all-terrain vehicles, tiny all-terrain vehicles...you name it! Currently, I'm into Hexbug Nanos, (tiny robot bugs that crawl all over the place) so I'll be posting about both of these toys a lot. I also want to do reviews on all my favorite toys. Expect occasional reviews, lots of pictures, and regular non commentary videos as well. You can also feel free to check out my other blog, Mario Madness, for all the latest video game walkthroughs. I hope you enjoy Toy Frenzy!