j1mmyfeverSeriously! I have come here in the hopes of seeing that I was subscribed or something but since I'm not and can't stop them here I'll have to make a smart filter in my emails for this subject like "toothpick crossbow"
I just received the two that I ordered.
First, the Phoenix works pretty well. I can put in a milled toothpick (pointy on only one end) and it will embed itself in a thin cardboard (like a tissue box). I think it would hurt if it hit skin. Came with an extra wire, but no extra bows or screws as stated. I have not tried BBs, so I can't confirm or deny comments above that say that it won't fit.
Second, the Ghost Hunter 1 Laser Crossbow – Gun Metal is crap.
First, it came unassembled with no instructions at all (not that it's rocket science, but how hard is a single piece of paper showing order and direction, the parts aren't isotropic).
Second, the wheel that captures the wire is clearly intended to stuck up into a slot in the top bar (which would fully capture the wire) but the wheel doesn't even make it as tall as the top bar, maybe it goes 4/5th of the way at the highest point and only a bit over half at the lowest. This isn't enough for it to safely capture the wire and any jostling (like trying to put in a toothpick) can cause it to fire. Definitely not safe.
Third, the "laser sight" is one solid piece and the part that is supposed to attach to the rail is barely smaller than the rail itself. The only thing that would keep this sight on the bow would be glue, it doesn't actually engage with the rail in any meaningful way. As others have mentioned, there doesn't appear to be any way to get the laser apart when the batteries go flat.
Fourth, it came with an extra wire, but no extra bows or screws. It came with two pieces of "bow" but considering how thin they are my assumption is that they are intended to be used together. Even mounted together they are thinner than the bow on the Phoenix (which has a one-piece bow). I would not think that a single bow, this thin, would have much spring power at all.
Fifth, their website specifically states that if you buy one of their products "on sale" it is non-returnable. I don't know yet if buying this on Massdrop is considered "on sale". I was hoping they would replace the product, but I may have to settle for Massdrop's return/refund policy.
Buyer beware.
OmniusGhost hunter's cable capture wheels have been installed backwards it seems. I disassembled mine and spun it around and now it works great. Fiddly job though
These are kinda cool looking - I'm guessing more as an "office display" you keep on your desk and play with when you get bored, rather than a functional toy. Imagine all the cool toys like this we'd have if we didn't live in a society where someone gets offended by something every 5 minutes, and the rest of us have to go without as a result. I can see this being reported to HR by the office weasel once he/she sees it and immediately classifies it as an "assault weapon" :-)
I ordered the Thorn version but I have no idea what they mean by "self-loading." It is impossible to fit more than one toothpick or Q-tip in the "chamber" for it to self-load. Regardless I prefer how the Thorn looks over the others.
Im pretty mad with the fact that there was some false advertising. The phoenix was advertised as being able to shoot BBs, which is a complete lie! Im pretty pissed, I also bought BBs before it was delivered SPECIFICALLY for the crossbow.
Not cool, Massdrop.