Back in Feb 07 I reviewed a similar toy from Blip called Zoom-O Ball Launcher and I was commenting on how it would be so much better if they made a gun out of it so kids can shoot each other instead of just shooting up in the air. Well it looks like my wish was granted. I was at Target today and spotted this large gun hidden on the bottom shelf (and the older ball launcher was no where to be found). Because of my previous product review I felt obligated to buy it and take a closer look.
It’s a lot bigger than the ball launcher, twice the cost, but still very well priced at $19.99. It comes with 10 balls. There is a hopper on the top where you can load your ammunition and you pull one trigger to spin the rubber wheel and the other to release the balls. And I guess the idea for a “game” is that with its large opening in front you can try to catch your opponents bullets to refill your own gun.
Hmm I’d like to see that happen, I had enough trouble catching anything that came off the ball launcher and that just shot it straight up in the air.
Unfortunately, unlike the ball launcher, this toy is NOT in a “Try me” package. In fact the trigger is locked by way of a zip tie and the packaging itself is just not designed to house a ball that can be shot repeatedly. It takes 4 AA batteries but unlike its predecessor they are not included. I placed 4 batteries in the handle while still packaged and pressed the bottom trigger. It revved up to speed. It is still as loud as the old ball launcher but it didn’t seem to vibrate as much.
Here are some photos of it in its packaging photos.
You can also see its size when compared to the Ball Launcher.
I’d like to take a closer look and see how well it all works together. And how well it shoots.
By the way, the green balls from the old launcher are too big for this new one.
Continue to the next post for test results.
5 comments
2 pings
George says:
April 7, 2008 at 6:20 pm (UTC -4 )
I get great enjoyment from your reviews. I would agree with most of your assesment of the Catch fire. The motor switch, ball release trigger is still a problem area. I would suggest that you try playing catch, you will be surprised at how many balls you manage to catch- unless you are playing with you 11 year old son who would rather shoot your feet than have you catch the balls. I did make an early version which would shoot a hole bunch of balls machine gun style. The problem is that you need a lot of balls, and they have to be smaller, or the motor bogs down, and you can’t have small balls because of the choking hazard. (which seems counter intuitive)
prodmod says:
April 7, 2008 at 7:53 pm (UTC -4 )
Hi George, thanks for the kind words. Are you the designer of the Catch Fire? Did you/do you work for the company that designed it? I’d like to see what the machine gun style version can do. Got any pics or video?
Jean says:
June 18, 2010 at 1:33 pm (UTC -4 )
Does anyone know where I can buy more foam balls for the Catch Fire?
dalyplanet
Jonathan Twesten says:
April 23, 2011 at 5:52 pm (UTC -4 )
I have a huge bag full of the Zoom-o Refill packs for the Catch Fire. 10 balls in each pack.
مهرجانات says:
April 9, 2017 at 3:14 pm (UTC -4 )
Hi,I log on to your blogs named “Zoom-O Catch and Fire Ball Launcher Toy by Blip only $19.99 » ProdMod ™” on a regular basis.Your humoristic style is witty, keep up the good work! And you can look our website about مهرجانات.
ProdMod ™ » Blog Archive » Zoom-O Ball Launcher by Blip Toys only $9.99 says:
September 8, 2007 at 12:17 am (UTC -4 )
[...] UPDATE: Blip just came out with the Catch and Fire ball launcher which is basically a gun that shoots the balls forward, but not machine gun style. See the review here. [...]
Zoom-O Catch and Fire hands on test and modification notes « ProdMod ™ says:
September 19, 2007 at 10:46 pm (UTC -4 )
[...] If you are looking for a quick intro on this toy you can go here. [...]