My ProChrono Digital chronograph measured the speed of the darts fired by this stock Nerf Eaglepoint RD-8 Elite 2.0 blaster at an average of 74 feet per second (FPS) using Nerf Elite darts (it is capable of shooting any blue, green, white, orange, yellow, Accustrike, or any decorated darts). The typical average velocity of a Nerf Elite blaster is 65-70 FPS, so this blaster’s rating is a bit stronger than average. The Eaglepoint RD-8 has Slam-fire. For those who don’t know what that is, it is the ability to fire off darts in rapid succession by holding down the firing trigger and repeatedly priming the blaster to fire a dart off every time it is primed, resulting in some semblance of rapid fire. The tradeoff of using this function is often the reduced accuracy due to the shaking of the blaster while it is being furiously primed. The problem is that it only holds 8 darts in it’s “Rotating Drum.” Hence, the “RD-8.” I would argue the technicality of calling it a drum if the unit is not removable, but what-evs. As a front-loader type, the onboard capacity may be low, but you have more consistent and dependable shots. It is also easier to reload since you do not need to remove the cylinder (or drum). Simply insert darts, turn the cylinder, and finish your reloading. Obviously this would be more difficult if the person was reloading under pressure, so for practical purposes in a competitive Nerf war, the Eaglepoint would not be the ideal weapon of choice. During my testing I noticed that the catch and cylinder rotating mechanism were not exactly functioning the typical way other sniper-type blasters have worked in the past. Sometimes it rotated but didn’t catch if you didn’t draw the priming bar all the way to the back of the tract. In fact, I found this to be more akin to a Strong-arm or Disrupter pistol/sidearm blaster’s rotating mechanism because the cylinder rotates after pulling the trigger. Unlike these pistol blasters, however, the Eaglepoint comes with style point attachments in a barrel attachment (resembling a muzzle/flash suppressor) and a scope (resembling an ACOG sight). There is a barrel attachment point for the barrel, a tactical rail attachment point under the barrel itself, an upper tactical rail attachment point for the scope and another tactical rail attachment point under the rotating cylinder (maybe for a fore-grip or bipod). These handsome attachments are quality pieces that are interchangeable with other Nerf blasters (and accessories) using the standard Nerf tactical rail attachment points. The barrel extension’s tactical rail seems placed too far forward to attach a fore-grip, but might be okay for a flashlight or bayonet attachment. There is a sling mount on it too, awkwardly sandwiched behind tactical rail and in front of the incorporated angled fore-grip (together with the blaster’s shell, it completes the incorporated angled fore-grip, which is IMHO too close to the cylinder to be useful). I do not approve of the plastic detent that supposed to keep the barrel attachment on the blaster, as mine feels like more of a friction-fit, whereas the detent does not seem to help out much with holding the attachment onto the blaster. This poses another problem where the sling-mount attachment point may lead to the barrel coming off more easily while moving around. I see no other place to attach a sling to besides the plastic bar aesthetic on top of the shoulder stock; a shame since this blaster’s role as a carbine would have helped had it been easier to sling-mount. The scope provides no zoom capability (of course) and is actually blurry to look through, but it at least has two clear plastic lenses with a crosshairs aesthetic incorporated in the front lens, which is the whole point of being a cool pretend toy: Looking the part. The priming bolt/bars have threads in them, like the Nerf Modulus LongStrike, making the priming bolt handle removable and reattach-able as the user sees fit. This is definitely a plus, as previous blasters typically became broken (by the user trying to fix or unjam the blaster) instead of allowing the user that freedom. I see no unjamming buttons, nor do I detect any locking mechanisms in the Eaglepoint. The dart-storage section at the rear of the incorporated thumbhole shoulder stock can hold up to 8 darts to use for a reload, but it seems to have some kind of lines in them that while it holds the darts in place better, they still have the capability of ruining the dart quality if they left in the blaster’s storage for extended periods of time. The thumbhole stock is, itself, rather comfortable as far as ergonomics goes. I am used to complaining about the plastic hitting my wrist, but I have no complaints here because the designer left a hole shaped large enough for my hand to fit through. In conclusion, this is an okay blaster despite it’s quirks and shortcomings (some of which we can perhaps attribute to user error; if they are unfamiliar with the priming tract, for example). I do recognize the double-your-darts inclusion in the sale (thanks, Hasbro) as plus. I feel that needs to be said; Credit where it is due. The nice attachments are a great reason for the purchase alone, so… There’s that. This Eaglepoint blaster is strong and dependable, unlike some of it’s fellow Elite 2.0 brethren. Let us hope that it continues working the way it is supposed to, because it does exactly what it was designed to do, and it does it well.
