USB Missile Launcher Review

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I could stop right here and you would already want to buy one. You haven’t even seen a picture and don’t know how much it costs, but the idea of launching missiles, albeit foam ones, from your desk is just too fun an idea to let pass.

The good old USB port. Great for plugging in the mundane like mice, keyboards, printers, blah, blah, blah. Thanks to the good folks at Brando we can liven up this USB port a little bit. Brando has released two missile firing machines, one a circus theme and the other a military missile battery.

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Hardware Overview

• Plugs into your USB port for power
• No Batteries required
• Contains 3 foam missiles
• Includes 3 feet of USB cable
• Moves left right up and down
• Prerecorded sound effects
• Able to download your own sound effects and add them to your program
• Shoots up to 20 feet at a extremely fast rate
• Compatible with Windows XP

Installation and Setup

Setting up the launchers is very easy. Simply install the software, plug in and load your missiles.

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Canon Operation

Using the launcher is simple and straightforward. Launch the control program and you’re ready to go. The canon works with the software using mouse clicks or via keyboard arrows and space bar. We used the latter exclusively since the software didn’t work on any of the four machines we tested it on. Brando claims it works fine, though we couldn’t get it to work at all. It’s of little consequence, it’s easier to use with the arrows anyway.

Use the arrow keys to target your launcher. The launchers rotate almost 360 degrees and aims up and down. Press the space bar to launch the missile. It takes a few seconds for the compressor to power up; then the missile takes off. Brando claims a range of up to 10 feet on the box, but we did much better, often 20 feet or more. The missiles don’t always fly straight, they’re not exactly professionally weighted darts, but you get the idea. Just don’t blast anyone too close. While I don’t think they’ll take an eye out, I don’t want to be on the hook should you cause physical damage.

 

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Bottom Line

Defending your desk from office lurkers and other undesirables just got easier. Hook up two or more if you need extra protection. At $35 they’re not exactly cheap, but for the guaranteed hours of enjoyment and ridiculous cool factor, it’s a small price to pay.

Purchase Information

You can purchase either model from Brando directly for $35.

Circus Launcher
Missile Battery

 

 

Digg it

 

That is REALLY funny! I'd love one.

 

Er.. this is meant to be a joke right?

 

Haha, you and your gadgets

It'd be useful for lectures, especially sitting in the back

 

This was uncovered as being what North Korea actually launched earlier this month. Seems like we're safe after all.

 

ahaha that's so sweet!

 

that's cool.

 

No, this is no joke...what, you think I made that in my basement or something?

 

Awesome..35 bucks though =/

Maybe when I find some spare change...

 

You could make your laptop defend itself.

I definitely want one.

Kinda interesting that there's none of these cool gadgets for FireWire...

 

I just browsed a site with a bunch of USB gadgets, and heres my USB gadget wish list...

USB Missile Launcher (As seen Above)
USB Shredder
USB Humidifier
USB Christmas Tree (I'm not even Christian)
USB Vacuum
USB Air Purifier
USB Pencil Sharpener
USB Heated Slippers (I'm serious)

How much? Well over $150...

 

I almost fell over laughing in my cube when I read that!

 

USB is universal and there's no benefit to using FW.

 

Now all you need is one of these:

 

Hmm...this could come it handy. Can you program it to lock onto heat sources?
Tim

 

i want one that is awesome lol someone buy me one for christmass lol

 

LOL! now all we need is someone to write a tracking/control program that uses webcam input...

 

the office will never be safe again.

 

You know what'd be great? If your friend is hungry, stick a Twinkie on and watch it fly across the room.

 

It's true I wanted one before I'd even read the description. Thanks for the video--it really adds to the review.

 

Freakin sweet! I want one!

 

I want one, looks like fun, would be great if you sit in office cubical all day.

 

I JUST finally was able to view that video (work blocks YouTube)...oh my gosh that is SOOOOO darn funny. I really want one now!

 

i could see one of the people in the show office using one of those lol

 

that would be even cooler if it was wireless and you could control more than one, have them set up all over the house or office also mount alittle camra to them lol.

 

I could use that on my boss...gosh he ticks me off sometimes.

 

That is awesome. Think about the possibilities, they are endless, well maybe not endless, but you can have some fun. Attack unexpected visitors as they enter the doorway, .

 

This would seriously be great around the office place, virtual dart wars baby!

Would be neat if they could also hook up to a console's USB port and use the controller to control em.

 

stick a missile battery into every usb slot that you have and battle with the laptop across the room. or expand your weapons capabilities and buy a usb hub and attach even more!

but then again at $35 a pop, it is a bit expensive. maybe if it had one or two more missiles...

 

this will go great with my initech mug and red stapler

 

Does this work with Windows 2000? I want to get it as a "joke" gift for my dad, but their systems at work are only Windows 2000 and some Sun systems.

 

I would think 2000 is okay, but don't know for certain.

 

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