Target your co-workers with USB air darts

It's been a while since a USB toy excited us as much as these compressed-air darts — available through Marks & Spencer, of all places, for a mere £19.50 ($33.43). The USB-powered darts come in a set of three, are, uh, Mac and PC-compatible, and can be controlled via a mouse. We're already making plans to figure out how to control a set over VNC so we can deploy these against the dude in the next cube while we're a safe distance away. He'll never know what hit him.

[Via the Ferret]

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

These will be purchased tomorrow, there is no other option.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

I wish they cost less, around $20, so you could get 5 and have an artillery barrage =-)

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

SWEET!

best USB device to date.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

So is the base motorised?

Sounds like it could be modified for other uses. I'm thinking mini airsoft mp5 and a webcam :)

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

And YES! They ship to the US!!! Plus they have a Buy 2, get 3 promo going on!

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

oh my f... this is probably the most amazing thing ever invented. i wonder if my cat will find it as amazing as i do, come time for me to lock on as he tries to scratch my couch.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

ok id have to addmit...i was always one to poke fun at all those usb powered devices, but i really think these are cool! 3 for the price of 2 is very tempting too!

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Here's a direct link:
http://www.marksandspencer.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Merchant_Id=1&Product_Id=1900505&portal=locayta

mj

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

But how can we order them... The site only ships to UK addresses?

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

buy three of these take a laptop you got laying around hook them to the laptop. hook the laptop to an rc car. vnc to the laptop. you got an kick ass office tank

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Reply to #6, marks and spencer only ships to the UK. Does anyone know of a distributor for the states?

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

It's a shame they don't ship overseas. Haven't found a place that imports them either. If anyone finds a place in the US or that ships to the US, please post it here. It'd be a damn fine gift for my employees.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

this is the single coolest thing ever to be attached to a usb plug

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Marks & Sparks are a demented store. YUears ago I bought some stuff online and I cross checked that they allow overseas purchases then at the end they insist upon a UK address for shipment! Seems it's the same today. They loose countless orders by doing this.
Note also that by shipping to a UK address they aree making you also pay the horrendous UK VAT of around 20% on this purchase (probably already in the quoted price). So it would be so easy for them to use that to cover overseas shipment.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

It just needs a built in Webcam for targeting.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

So Cool!!!!

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

I'm really glad I live in the UK :-)

I know what will be on my present list :D

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

I am so jealous.... I wish they shipped to the united states... that would so be on my wish list... lol

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

There has to be a way to get these in the States. Anybody been able to identify the manufacturer?

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Thinkgeek should carry this!!!

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Those that say they don't ship abroad, did you even bother to LOOK at the website? Add them to your cart, and at the checkout screen click the "NOT UK" link, then pick United States... geez...

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Now, someone from the UK needs to buy a bunch of these and put them on eBay for us yanks. Bet you could make some money.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

In regards to comment 19... that's only the billing address. when you actually checkout it won't allow you to ship to the US.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

heheh brilliant idea...
host a site where it's pay per use
-enable webcam
-people pay to shoot you while you work (via remote control over the web)

I'm LMAO here because you could make a lot of money in a day if your expressions were lively enough... throw some papers in the air everytime too... turn on sound and yelp or something...

be better with an auto loader...

or on a pr0n webcam site... shootthenakedchick.com

(this really is a money maker but the logistics/programming involved are beyond me, if you use this please send some cash my way)

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Hahaha that's awesome. I'm so gonna get that.

http://oosterhouse.wordpress.com/

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

how sweet is that?

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Scoobydoo, did you even BOTHER to FINISH checkout? They don't ship overseas. geez...

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Another idea:
* Laptop with Wifi & bluetooth
* Bluetooth RC car
* VNC
* Webcam
* 10X USB Darts

Goal: Mobile Tank

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Scooby, you can enter in a non-UK address, but then once you complete your credit card info, it just tells you that your address is invalid and kicks you back and asks you to reenter an address, and that they only deliver to the UK.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

BEST *EVER* USB DEVICE

Will have a Linux driver in no time. Bring on the browser-based burgular shoot-em-ups...

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Wow, forget controlling these suckers with a mouse! If you could hook these up to a joystick and control them seperatly from your mouse that would be great.

And seriously, any UKers that want to make some money do not hesitate to list these things on ebay, I'd have no problem covering shipping to the states.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Seems like an ok device, but can it also make toast?

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

I sent in a comment on their website begging them to ship to the U.S. Maybe if everyone else does the same....

Here's a link:

http://www2.marksandspencer.com/help/contact/contact.asp?q=dlv

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Now if only it came with a USB powered compressor

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

w00t, i bought 3. God knows what i'll do with em, but 3 for 2, and i added a bunch of random stuff i'll give to my mum as presents to get the free delivery too :D

Good ol' M&S.

-Raz

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

want shipping to the states?

LMK here and i'll see how many are interested, then i'll go clean up the stock of them at M&S, work out shipping and stick 'em on eBay if you want.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Hook it up J. Pepper! I'm in!!!

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

This is probably the best USB toy I've seen ever! Why doesnt it ship anywhere else? Dammit!!! I put in an order for 5 before looking at shipping... marg. This sucks arse!

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Sorry guys (& ScoobyDoo), no overseas shipping. Here's their FAQ page where they say they don't.
http://www2.marksandspencer.com/help/delivery_info/index.shtml#overseas

If they did there'd be about 10 of 'em on my list, and I like that mobile tank idea :-)

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Anyone wants to ship a couple to San Francisco, and make a buck, drop me an email at my site, I'm game:)

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

I'll secont Brady's comment. Anyone willing to buy a few (i'm thinking 3 for 2 deal) and ship to San Francisco area, send me an email [e-mail]. Yes I'm actually serious :-)

Or if these ever go on ebay let me know.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

omg...

How are these not available in the USofA or on eBay??!?!

PERFECT holiday gifts for the high-tech office!

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Seems like there are a few interested parties...

it costs roughly $34, factoring shipping and packaging costs from UK to the US would come up to a price of $45-50 depending on weight for one.

Does these seem like a reasonable amount?

If so, I can do a trial run tomorrow, run down to the M&S store in town and grab a few to stick onto eBay tomorrow night and post a link back here.

Interested?

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Weapons of Mass Distraction and amusement! Oh, the potential shenanigans that ensues!

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

J. Pepper,
Could you check into the 3-for-2 offer (if it applies to instore purchase and if it counts for 3 of the same item), and how much it would cost to ship to San Francisco Bay area for both 1 & 3 of those? I don't need any sort of rush shipping, whatevers cheapest. If you could, pls drop an email to [e-mail] with how much it would be. No hurry, I can't guarantee I would buy for sure, but I'm very interested.
Thanks

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Don't the Canucks have M&S? I distinctly remember driving up there (to Windsor) as a kid with my British parents and shopping there. (As well as them using an innocent child like myself to smuggle back meat pies and black pudding, but that's another story...)

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Very interested in seeing these on eBay!

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Nothing on eBay yet. I'll keep looking.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

I am interested in the image you all (#33 excepted) have of how these work. Are you imagining a range of 18 inches? a yard? or do you have gleeful images of launching to two cubicles over? I predict a wave of disappointed reviews because we're letting our imaginations get ahead of what we're actually likely to get for 20 quid.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

if you're counting potential customers, count me in.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

I'll give $100(US) for 3 shipped to my door in the US (via their "3 for 2" offer). Anyone in the UK interested email me at [e-mail]

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

I'm game as well for shipping to San Francisco. I'd like 7 of them and am willing to negotiate. Please contact me at [e-mail]

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Hey Hey My American Brethren,

Now you know how we feel. You get all the cool stuff before us, pay lower prices and on most items it's now difficult to get UK shipping from the US.

As a remedy to the solution I would be open to a swap, a trade of goods. These frickin' awesome USB airdarts for various DS games that you have available right now in the US that wont be released intil 2006 in the UK or never at all!

Drop me a mail, my hotmail addy is linked....

then we all get what we want, I get some DS games and you get USB powered missile doom!

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Wow, I might even get this. Coolest USB powered thing I've seen. Targeting my unsuspecting brothers ^_^. Sorry, USA people! :(

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Ok, I'm in. Just tell me where to send my money. This is the coolest thing that has ever been created in the history of all things created. Well maybe after tivo, and cell phones, and that polio vaccine, and frozen dinners, but it's still freaking sweet.

I want three so I can have a 3 gun fire for effect from my desk.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

ppl are so belligerent.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

I am prepared to send these to america if the price is right (obv. im not a charity!)

email me if you want to arrange something..

airdart (at) digital resolve (dot) co.uk

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

(no spaces or underscores btw)

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Post on my blog if you can send 1 or 2 to atlanta

or email me, [e-mail]

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

im pretty sure these things will be sold out by now or pretty soon, great concept tho

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Wow - Marks & Spencer must have changed since I was last in the UK. I hope they still have those cheese and pickle sandwiches.

Arizona Glover.
http://paulsbaker.blogspot.com/

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

They are up now - http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5642838976
Strong pound doesnt exactly make this cheap but postage must be fairly hefty. I can't see too much profit in this for the seller.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

whoever thought of this must feel really smart.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

I Love my mother-in-law!

Just called her in the UK, she was actually in an M&S store. She just grabber the last 3 in Croydon, U.K.

I'll be bringing them back to the USA after my Xmas visit. Start the bidding! (I might sell one of them).

:-)

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

If anyone wants to put some more back up on Ebay, I'd appreciate it...

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

WOW - am I glad that I live in the UK.
I will probably be going to M&S tomorrow and buy some. If anyone wants any, please email me [e-mail] and I'll see what I can do.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

OK. Just got a couple of them, and they work fabulously. Basicly, they're spring loaded, go about 4 - 5 ft. and moves 360deg. horizontally and about 90deg. vertically. Software is only about 5mb so proberly very simple. It is very well made, very solid and proberly very hard to break. Excellent, you all must have it. P.S. It works through VNC too, although the application must be running on the PC the launcher is attached to. Another thing which works is a "USB device emulator, which shares a USB port other a network to a PC, which then tricks the software into thinking it's directly attached.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Theres some more up again, selling like hotcakes.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Is it USB powered, or does it run from an electrical plug? And if so, is it an UK plug?

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

These work using 4xAA batteries. I'm selling them, email me at MYNAME [at] ntlworld [dot] com

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Some Words:

Laser pointer
Web Cam
Face Recognition + targeting software

lol

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6019347506

there you go

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

More:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=6019360414&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

just got 3 of these. works great on my pc. doesn't work on my powerbook. doesn't look at great as the picture but still fun

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Would anybody be interested in these:

http://www.marksandspencer.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Merchant_Id=1&Section_Id=8347&Product_Id=1891807

or this:

http://www.marksandspencer.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Merchant_Id=1&Section_Id=8347&Product_Id=1833610

as I can get these too. I can also get USB hamsters that run round in a wheel when you type, but these are in-store only. contact me via the link in my name for details.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

the bottoms falling out of this market http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8732884194

$40 now

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

haha, awesome. hook it up to a webcam with motion detection software :D

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

They will lose money in that listing

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Just for some info, I sold 25 of these within 3 hours yesterday. That's a cool �180 profit. Thanks guys. Engadget rocks!

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Oh, I'd believe it. If I lived in the UK I would buy as many as I can financially handle then sell them to the guys in the US. Marks and Spencer are losing so much money by not shipping internationaly...... idiots. Oh well, their lose are your gain if you live in the UK.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Supply is running short now. Just saw another one on ebay though:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5643217113

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Current exchange is �.577:$1 Owch, ~$40 each

I'll wait for a price drop.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

OK, I have now gone and bought a few and am offering them on eBay. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8733417531

There does seem to be a complete lack of stock though, and note that they are no longer on the M&S website.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

So these are powered by springs and not compressed air is that right.
So why are they called air darts, because they fly through the air???.
I think they would be a great starting point for a better version that is powered by sparklet type compressed gas cylinders then they could do some real damage.
Or better still by model rocket engines for some life threatening fun.
Must go now and search for a micro 5v air valve.
jh

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

What I don't understand is why everyone is selling them as BuyItNow on eBay. They sold like hotcakes... should half done them auction style and they would have sold for a lot more. I bought five and would have paid twice as much (of my boss's money). Am I missing something?

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Sooooo awesome.......
Could anyone make another ebay auction? id really love to get one of those...
Btw any canucks here that have one of those for sale? drop me a mail on [e-mail]

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5643547720

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Definitely a more revolutionary product than Segway. If this one had been likewise announced we would have at least gotten the joke instead of staring in disbelief.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

I've still got 'em

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6019963995

more tomorrow

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Goodness me they went fast. Here's some more:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=6020005490

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

I have a few more availabe for sale now at http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8733886331
After posting my first few, I really did not realise just how expensive the packaging was, but I am using really high quality stuff.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

But.... how does the software look like ? and screenshots ? how smart is it ? can it be customoized just for on salvo ? how about a few launchers ?

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Anybody have a video of these in action?

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Despite being removed from the site the M&S store here in York had a stack of these yesterday when I bought one. Despite what it says up top there is no Mac driver/software so PC only I'm afraid.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Can anyone confirm Mac compatibility on these?

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

There is a great video of these in action at http://www.dafyd.me.uk/docs/movies/missilelauncher.mpg The look of it withoug seeing the person controlling it on the computer, makes it even cooler!!

I have sold a few of these on eBay and am shippong abroad, if anyone is interested.
At the moment though I am not selling as I am fulfilling previous orders and calculating packaging and shipping costs if I sell any more, as it turns out to be a lot more that I orginally though for Airmail.

I have been told by an M&S shop that these are now out of stock and they will not be receiving any more in. I therefore hope that I can get hold of some and offer them on eBay for all around the world who want. - It really is a great product.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

OK, here are the last of the USB air dart missiles that I have available. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8734499261

I hope that if they are still being manufactured I can buy some and sell them by the end of the week so that I can ensure delivery in time for the holiday season.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Could anyone please inform me who is manufacturing these? I want to buy 5000pcs but not for retail-price. If you know, please send an e-mail to [e-mail].

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

What do you guys think about using Virtual PC on a Mac to control it? It would be worth installing that piece of crap software just to shoot these missiles. Totally worth it. I just saw that video posted up there (#96). Amazing...

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

What do you guys think about using Virtual PC on a Mac to control it? It would be worth installing that piece of crap software just to shoot these missiles. Totally worth it. I just saw that video posted up there (#96). Amazing...