Dart Zone Max Vector Pro

The Vector Pro is possibly the best blaster of the year. It’s versatile, compact, accurate, and has tons of potential beyond the obvious initial modifications. If you’re in any way playing above the casual 8+ level, it’s worth purchasing this holiday season.

One for Target, One for Walmart

For obvious reasons, there is at least some semblance of parity between Dart Zone’s offerings at Walmart (under the Adventure Force line) and those at Target. If one retailer successfully bets shelf space on, say, a pro springer like the Nexus Pro, the other will want their own version later (a Max Stryker, to complete the example). In the current case, Walmart had (and still carries) the Maxim Pro, a capable but traditional flywheel blaster that’s build to be able to take an aftermarket full-auto kit. Now Target has their own twist on the concept.

The Vector Pro is a bullpup-style blaster, with the magazine and launch mechanism sitting behind the grip and trigger. The compact setup can be extended as needed, however; the rear of the blaster is a grey cap, covering an NSktrike stock attachment point. One Picatinny rail sits on top of the blaster, supporting the included iron sight but allowing the use of others. The standard rev-trigger and firing trigger setup is used, and a safety switch sits at the top of the grip, where it’s easily accessed but very unlikely to be pressed on accident.

A single, 12-dart magazine is included, along with 12 Nitroshot+ short darts. There’s a jam-door, though it only allows the use of a screwdriver or similarly thin object for pushing out potential dart jams (I’ve had none, and this method means not needing an extra switch to guard against prying fingers).

But Wait, There’s More!

First, the battery tray is removable. It takes 8AAs, but it’s also connected to the blaster by an XT30. That means you can use existing Dart Zone rechargeable batteries, as well as any aftermarket ones you have on hand (2S lipo or similar voltage is recommended, while 3s only gives modest speed increases). 12V on alkaline is limited on the current it can supply, so being able to use alternate batteries means you can spin up the wheels way faster and lose less speed when you have to rapid fire.

Second, there’s a BCAR included in the package! Unlike the one for the Nexus Pro X, this version is designed to screw in, so that it sits as close to the flywheel cage as possible. The objective here is to impart some spin on the dart to make it more accurate while also guiding it straight out of the flywheel cage. The chamber is easily accessed through a flip-up lid under the tactical rail. In theory, this also makes unjamming things slightly easier, because it is possible that a bad/misshapen dart could get folded on itself and stuck in the BCAR. So the ability to quickly remove it is a plus. I haven’t seen this problem, but I’ve seen it happen to some hobbyist builds, so guarding against it is a good idea.

Performance and Gameplay!

I’ll address the video in a minute – the blaster isn’t naturally full auto! But it’s still a good example of gameplay potential.

On eight AA batteries, I averaged 158fps with the included darts, and three darts per second with the stock semi-auto mechanism. Rapid-firing darts, however, doesn’t give time for the motors to fully spin back up, so the extra shots don’t travel as far.

Adding on the BCAR reduces dart speed a bit, down to 154fps average, but there’s a noticeable uptick in accuracy, so it’s worth it.

Things change, however, once you use rechargeable batteries that can supply enough current for optimal performance. A 2S Lipo (using the BCAR) averages 149fps , but I have yet to see a shot drop below 140fps when spitting out darts as fast as I can. 3S raises the velocity back up to near 160fps, but it’s loud and the darts wear out faster, so it’s not really worth it.

SO MUCH MODDING POTENTIAL!

First, the internals. This is going to be a long section to read.

The Vector Pro has a single switch on the rev trigger, and the firing trigger operates a throwing arm and pusher. That part is nothing new to blaster enthusiasts. However, Dart Zone did move to concave flywheels on this blaster, to better grip the darts and improve accuracy even without the BCAR. In addition, there are several included plastic bits that serve no purpose in the stock blaster – a gear, a cover for an empty space, and a sideways piece with two tiny tabs sticking out. There are also teeth underneath the pusher arm.

It turns out that the Vector Pro was made specifically to use parts from the Nightingale Full Auto Kit. This review won’t serve as a complete guide (I’ll try to find time for another post with more detail), but the gear fits over that kit’s motor+gear. A switch can mount on the sideways piece for cycle control. And if you have another switch of the same type handy, you can use one of the included screws in the kit to mount it to complete the system (once you wire everything, anyway). I even made a file to fill in the gap in front of that switch, so you only have to tap the trigger to fire.

Finally, the battery tray is wired for 8 cells in series. If you know what you’re doing, however, you can rewire it to do two parallel rows of four cells each. I did this specifically to use some AA-sized NiMH batteries I had on hand. On this setup, I was hitting 100fps, perfect for HvZ games.

Final Thoughts

The Dart Zone Max Vector Pro is inexpensive, powerful, and versatile. I’ve had so much fun using this blaster, and improving it even farther (and discovering how Dart Zone envisioned a complete version of it). Even if you’re using it straight out of the box, it won’t disappoint. Buy one – and keep an eye out for those Target Circle coupons that give you a discount off toys this holiday season!