The Xshot line updated many blaster models over the past year, including the Xcess. These new models have better ranges and stylish shells than previous versions. Another blaster has been renovated is the Hawkeye. However, while the blaster has its charms, it has limited uses outside of simple target practice.
Faux Steel
The Hawkeye comes with twelve darts, five targets, and a scope attachment. The scope is there for looks, although the holes inside line up in such a way as to force you to hold the blaster at a slight angle.
Like the Recoil (or as its now packaged, the Kickback), the Hawkeye has an interactive feature. The trigger pull will cause the stock, with its four dart storage areas, to retract into the shell. Only then, it will kick back into your shoulder. This doesnt affect blaster performance in any meaningful way, but it does add some of that play factor for younger users.
The top of the blaster features a rail for attachments, which is similar to that seen on blasters like the Regenerator. Some pieces from the Regenerator can fit on the Hawkeye. Not all of them, however its not quite a universal attachment point in that sense. The rail wings are a tad too thick. In any case, its nice to see more cross-compatibility among Zurus line.
Blaster operation is simple. Dart loading is possible by pulling down the front barrel. Flip the barrel back up, prime the blaster with the pump grip, and fire.
Inside The Blaster
The Hawkeye features a wide plunger tube like its brethren. The plunger tube ID is 27.5mm, while the draw is about 47mm.
Although the spring is strong enough, an upgrade would not hurt.
The Hawkeye averages 83 fps with the darts. With Nerf Elites, I averaged 78fps. The Elite darts barely cleared the barrel’s interior. There may be issues depending on what dart you have loaded into the chamber.
While the break action is fun to use, it ultimately slows down your rate of fire by a large margin. The best I could accomplish was one dart every five seconds, and that was without really aiming the blaster. This blaster is not designed to kill zombies. However, it would make a great blaster to get a child started.
Last Thoughts
The Xshot Hawkeye is better than the older model Hawkeye/Scope. And it has better ranges. However, it still has the same slow rate of fire that keeps it from being competitive. You should still enjoy the blaster, but adjust your expectations accordingly. Given the price point, its still hard to be disappointed.
