 | This product has been discontinued. It cannot be purchased in retail stores. The only way to obtain it is through second-hand websites and stores. |
Not to be confused with the fictional Stampede REV-12 or the fictional Spartan NCS-12.
The Stampede ECS, also known as the Blazing Burst ECS in Japan, is an electronic clip system Nerf blaster. It was released on September 9th, 2010 under the N-Strike series. It is powered by six "D" batteries.
The Stampede comes packaged with a Blast Shield, a Pop-Out Bipod, three eighteen dart clips, one six dart clip, and sixty Streamline Darts.
Details
The Stampede features the default N-Strike yellow, black, and orange color scheme. It has digital camouflage detailed on the blaster, much like the Raider CS-35 and the Longstrike CS-6. It does not feature an external priming mechanism, as the blaster is powered solely by batteries.
It features six tactical rails, the most of any current Nerf blaster. One is on top of the carrying handle/built-in iron sights, one is above the barrel, two are beneath the barrel, and the last two are on both the left and right sides of the main body. Any accessories mounted on the latter two or the carry handle are blocked when the included Blast Shield is attached above the barrel.
Like most blasters, the jam door is located on top of the Stampede, under the carry handle. It does not have a lock and can be opened at any time to remove jammed darts.
Clip release buttons are located next to the trigger, on either side of the blaster. The power lever is on the left side of the trigger.
Two points for clipping a sling or a carrying strap are located at the back of the blaster near the battery compartment. There are also two points located at the front of the blaster above and below the muzzle.
Firing mechanism
The Stampede is fully automatic, but a single shot can be fired by pulling back the trigger about for a second. The Stampede features a motorized direct plunger system, giving it unique priming and firing style. Its internals push forward first. In doing so, the Streamline Dart to be fired is pushed into the breech and the blaster is primed simultaneously. The piston is then released to fire the dart using a mechanical equivalent of a slam fire trigger. A return spring (the visible black spring) resets the firing mechanism, letting a new dart rise up the clip.
It should be noted that because of its firing mechanism, darts that are not loaded perfectly will become damaged. Consistent use will result in dart missing small pieces on the rear. This does not seem to affect the blaster itself although it will affect accuracy.
Weight distribution
The Stampede ECS is one of the heaviest Nerf blasters. Most of the weight is located at the rear of the blaster where the D-sized batteries are held, meaning that the center of gravity is backwards from standard firing position. This can be mitigated by adding weight to the front in the form of attachments, but will overall increase the weight.
Another solution is to use IMR batteries in 14500 format (AA size), fitted into converter shells. In addition to reducing rear weight, these will also provide an easy and convenient voltage upgrade, raising rate of fire.
History
The Stampede ECS was originally known during the prototype stage as the Stampede ECS-50, and would have featured a high-capacity fifty dart drum. Mock-up packaging was even created for the blaster, however the fifty dart drum was unreleased due to complications. The name was then changed to Stampede ECS-18 and finally to the Stampede ECS. Despite this, many still refer to it as the Stampede ECS-50.
One of the first sightings of the Stampede ECS came in May 2010, when a NerfHaven user posted an image of the prototype blaster, which then began to circulate on forums. It was compared to the fictitious Spartan NCS-12 from the Nerf N-Strike video game.[5]
The Stampede was the big release from Nerf in 2010. To help promote it, there was a blaster re-release campaign called the Clear Series.
Color schemes
The difference between the gray and gold accent colors.
The Stampede ECS has been released in the following color schemes:
- N-Strike (yellow, black, gray/gold, and orange)
- Sonic Series (clear green and orange)
Modification
Voltage modification for this blaster is limited by its ability to mechanically fire, not the failure of its electrical parts. Recommended voltage is from 12 to 16 Volts, but over-heating and jamming problems may then occur more often if fired for too long.
Upgrade springs are still available for Stampede as of summer 2016, but due to the higher effort involved it is recommended to pursue a voltage upgrade at the same time.
Reloading and firing
To reload the Stampede, depress the clip release buttons located on either side of the trigger. Load up to eighteen darts into the provided eighteen-dart clip and then load it back into the blaster. Make sure the jam door is fully closed so that the indicator is green.
Turn on the power button and pull the trigger to fire the blaster.
Trivia
- Some people confuse it with the Stampede REV-12 from Nerf N-Strike and Nerf N-Strike Elite. The only similarities between the two are the names. Some also confuse it with the Spartan NCS-12 due to their similar apearences.
- The Stampede ECS is the second blaster to appear in the Vortex trailer, the first being a Gear Up Raider CS-35.
- The commercial for the Stampede is the longest for any N-Strike blaster.
- In some rare cases, if the blaster is turned off while holding the trigger, it may fire automatically when turned back on, even if the trigger is not pulled.
- If the Blast Shield is placed in its normal position atop the blaster, the iron sights and top tactical rail will be blocked. By attaching the shield upside down on the front-most bottom rail the sights are now usable and the top rail can be used to attach scopes.
- It has been noted that the internal piston mechanism is heavily reminiscent of the kind of gearboxes found in airsoft guns (albeit upscaled in size to account for the larger projectile).
- Some stores carried and listed the blaster as the Stampede ECS-50.
- Based on several observations using a thirty-five dart drum, it appears that a fifty dart drum would fix several problems with this blaster. It would re-balance the weight, and also make the bipod less awkward to use.
Gallery
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| The full image gallery for Stampede ECS may be viewed at Stampede ECS/Gallery. |
Official videos
References
- ↑ Nerf Mods & Reviews: Nerf Stampede ECS Review(5). NerfModsReviews.com
- ↑ CNET: Nerf Havok vs Nerf Stampede vs Nerf Raider review: Foamy darts of death. CNET.com
- ↑ SG Nerf: Nerf Stampede ECS - Review!. SGNerf.blogspot.ca
- ↑ Urban Taggers: Review: Nerf N-Strike Stampede ECS. UrbanTaggers.blogspot.ca
- ↑ SG Nerf: Mystery Nerf Blaster. SGNerf.blogspot.ca