14.9.2010

Back in 1979 when "Bigtrak" was first released I was eight years old and asked for one for Christmas. I was told that I couldn't have one because it would scare my grandfather. As my grandfather is no longer with us and I'm now 39 I felt it was finally safe to buy one.The box is HUGE and, once opened, your Bigtrak is almost ready to use. Inside you'll find the Bigtrak itself, an instruction manual, and a set of stickers. The design of Bigtrak hasn't been changed aside from one tiny detail: the old "MB" stickers on the side now say "Zeon", but as they're the manufacturers this is forgiveable (although the retro enthusiast in me wished a set of "MB" stickers had also been provided, just for old times'sake). The decals are, aside from this small change, exactly as they were when Bigtrak was first released, and are permanent, so take your time placing them - the instructions clearly indicate where each should go. Next, you'll need a small screwdriver to open the battery hatch on the underside, and three "D"-type batteries (the large round ones) to put inside. The original Bigtrak also took a small rectangular battery which went inside the large circular "hatch" on the top, but the new model doesn't need this - just the three "D"s. Once the batteries are fitted, you're ready to go!It's nice to see that the technical side of Bigtrak is unchanged, and Zeon have resisted the temptation to extend its capabilities - it can still take just 16 instructions (bless!) It is programmed via the keypad on its upper surface and each press makes a loud beep sound which eventually drives you and those around you mad. It's simple to program - press the up arrow and 3 to make it move forward three lengths, the right arrow and the number 15 to make it turn right by 90 degrees (15 minutes on a clock face - hence the 15) and so on, and the "GO" button makes it play a tune and set off on its way. It's a noisy toy which works better on a hard floor than on carpet, but it is incredibly good fun, especially when you try to make it complete a course of sorts, rolling from room to room, passing obstacles like chairs and cats. Zeon promise that in 2011 they will release the trailer attachment, and the Bigtrak already has its connector and "OUT" button on the keypad in readiness, so I can see my Bigtrak cruising around my house, happily tipping Lego and apples in odd places. Note that this isn't a remote control toy - you program it and set it going - and it is very large, so it's not suitable to use on a table!If - like many - you wished you'd had one of these as a child back in the 70s and 80s now's your chance. Everyone who has seen mine has fallen in love with it, and friends are demanding a go the next time they come round. Bigtrak is back, and awesome as ever! Tremendous fun :-)

17.8.2010

I wasn't lucky enough to have a Big Trak when I was young(er) so the news that Zeon were releasing a replica caused me literally to run around the house like a loon. Mad, maybe, but I think with good cause. As I've never seen one in the flesh, I can't comment on how close this is to the original version, although I will say that it looks virtually identical to the photos I've seen. In fact, the only discernible difference is that the blue screen covering the machine's front `photon gun' extends further down the nose than it used to.Anyone who has used a Big Trak before will know exactly how it works; anyone who hasn't will pick it up in no time at all.Two motors drive the left and right centre wheels and this allows Big Trak to manoeuvre in a very similar way to a tank. You can program in up to 16 simple commands (for example, move forward 3 lengths, turn right 90 degrees, reverse 2 lengths, fire gun twice, etc) using a keypad on the back, and which Big Trak will carry out when the 'go' button is pressed. It's not the most cutting edge tech - your watch probably has more computing power than this does - but it still gives you a good feeling to see it carry out your long-considered and choicely-programmed instructions.Like the original, this Big Trak is made pretty much entirely of plastic so you won't want to be dropping it from any kind of height, and the plastic wheels can slip on hard surfaces like floor tiles, whilst on mine the driving motors tend to struggle a bit on carpet when executing turns. This does make programming commands accurately quite difficult as it means that a programmed 180-degree turn might actually turn out as a 210-degree turn on tiles or a 150-degree turn on carpet. But once you've got used to where and how Big Trak likes to run, you'll soon learn to compensate for this and it does give you an even greater sense of achievement when you pull off an accurate command set.One other thing - pretty much all of the decals aren't pre-fitted so you'll have to apply them yourself; and once they're on, there's no getting them off. If, like me, you're a bit ham-fisted, you might find that you don't put one on quite straight and it'll drive you mad every time you see it. It might be that Zeon provide additional decal sets, if asked, and if so this would certainly help matters.Big Trak is a toy icon that no self-respecting child of the eighties should be without. If you missed out on the original or if you're just in the mood for some reminiscing, go ahead and treat yourself - make the excuse that it's for your kids if that's what it takes. Thank you, Zeon, for helping me realise a part of my childhood I thought had escaped me forever.Now, if you can do the same with the Starbird Avenger... ;-)

21.5.2011

Having been stuck for an idea of what to get our son for his fifth birthday, I was not hugely convinced by my husband's suggestion of the Big Trak. Educational value nil, and I really didn't see much longevity, either in terms of its ability to withstand rough handling or to maintain his interest. When all's said and done it is, after all, a remote control with wheels. I don't get the appeal. I probably never will. And I was more than a little suspicious of my husband's motives, considering he had been denied one by his parents when he was a child. But I didn't have a better idea, and I'm prepared to accept that my husband knows a lot more about what will keep a little boy happy than I do. Well,

5.1.2011

Being totally green with envy when my cousins each had one of the originals many years ago, and never owning one myself, I was excited to be able to get my kids one of these so that I could re-live my youth when they weren't looking...I can't comment completely when compared to the original, way back, but this is certainly a convincing retro resurrection. And all at a reasonable price.In A Nutshell:--------------There are a small number of differences between the original and this replica (assuming memory serves me correctly):+ The original required an additional 9V PP3 battery, I think for the trailer (this was available separately).+ There's no simulated engine sound in the modern version,

9.3.2011

Well, my kids always asking about "my chilhood" toys, I'm always tell them, "you have now a MP3 with thousand of music and endless bateries" I have a Walkman, with double A bateries, audios casettes, instead digital media. before CD came out, I was my worries about Neddles on my vinil player, Computer? no problemo, Sinclair or Spectrum or Atari... "they laught of me". Then Big Trak form Milton Bradley came out "the promess toy" now? we have a 2010 Remake "I bought to give them a little taste of my chilhood". There are another TOY FROM LJN 255 Computer Command corvette 1980, It's a great toy "you can see it on Elcetric Dreams at the begining on the airport scene" (that if you come with and anniversary remnake)

27.12.2013

I bought this as a very last minute present for my other half, as he mentioned 3 days before Christmas Day that as a child of the 80's, he had always wanted one.I didn't mind paying extra for delivery to ensure I got in time for Christmas and on the day, we agreed to open one present each on the morning (usually open ours late afternoon) and I asked him to open the big one, well think his huge smile said it all. Straight away he opened the box & proceeded to apply the stickers then put in the batteries then had a play!!!!!!! Hence, we were a little late setting out.He said it was a brilliant surprise & he loves it so I can't ask for better than that as a response.Big thanks to AKtion Toys for

5.4.2011

Bought for our grandson on his mum's suggestion but not yet tested by him. Exactly the same, in appearance, as the one my son had a long time ago. There is, as yet, no trailer and apparently the battery arrangement differs but nostalgia personified! Taken from the box and set-up, the 'Test' button was pressed and the familiar 'dah-dah-da.da.da' sounded just the same. It went through it's little test routine perfectly. As children these days seem to almost use buttons and programme things without tuition it will be interesting to see how he gets on with it. My own son, now approaching mid life, says it was the best toy he ever had. But in those days there were no such things as Wii and Nintendos,

20.12.2010

Back in the eighties I had a lot of fun with a bigtrak from a friend of mine.Sometimes I've remembered-it and as I've never had one of my own.Now we are in 2010 and the bigtrak is back !Of course I have immediately remembered those times I had as a child and how much fun my 8 year old son could get from it.Bought it to his birthday and he Loved it !!Just great !!!Good and sturdy construction.Easy to use.Good to help prepare the young ones for some simple programmatic algorithms.Only a small draw back:The consumption - it uses 3 D Cell batteries and draws them in quite a rush.If you had one when you was a child, you should not let pass the opportunity to give one to your own sons...

1.10.2011

I was very excited to see that Bigtrak had been re-released but was a bit diappointed when ours arrived.It is fair to say that some of these units have problems with turning on Carpet.I had one such unit and I contacted the manufacturer. They were very helpful but the depth of pile that is reaonable for the unit to operate on is a bit vague and subjective but our first unit (from Amazon) didnt work on any carpet but the second one (Manufacturers replacement) worked well on all of our floors.The replacement works well and is well worth the money but if you get one that doesnt work on carpet (and you have carpet at home) then contact the manufacturer (details on their website).CheersJohn

17.2.2018

Every bit as good as I remember with the model we had thirty years ago.They specificied an age range of 8+ but our five year old (30 yrears ago) managed to use it to go to and through doors, down corridors and into other rooms - followed by a victory "donut". There may well be a good reason for the 8+ rating, but I don't know what it is.It not difficult to programme, although the children would need to experiment as, for example, it does better than simply turn left or right - it does it in stages which makes it more versatile, but harder to learn. (You may have to press right turn say four times to turn it a right angle.Brilliant learning toy - delighted at its revival.

19.9.2013

Given to a 6 year old for his birthday today. Got a phone call to say he loved it. My sons had one of these 25 years ago and both of them spent many happy hours programming it. Of course it eats batteries but who cares when the child is actually learning from it. (two lots of spares were given with the gift) Big trak doesn't seem quite so sturdy as its older brother but I hope it will give many hours of pleasure. Certainly a toy that will bring back memories to 30-40 age group who either had one or wanted one themselves and no doubt they will get hours of pleasure from it too as long as they buy the kid some more batteries.

22.7.2020

Fantastic reproduction of my childhood favourite. It's so close to the original, it would take a keen eye to tell the difference. I've teaching my 5year old son basic coding with it whilst having great fun. It's quite the educational toy, teaching him maths and the minutes of a clock face for the turning angle.The only downside is it struggles to turn on deep carpet. Despite new Duracell battery's, it just stalls the motors. Big traks Works great on short carpet and hard floors thought, so we set up an obstacle course in the kitchen.Recommended to all my friends with young children.

18.9.2010

Lighter and less clunky than the MB one(of course my MB one is somewhat older), seems to be very sturdy construction.For me the thing really lacking here is - the original Big Trak made an "engine noise" from its speaker as it moved around, this new one has no movement sound, all you hear is the electric motors, shame really as other than that and the "test" button on the touch pad(which does nothing), its very authentic.I should point out that all beep type/laser sounds from the original ARE there on this recreation, only the engine sound is not.

14.1.2016

For any father growing up in the 80s - this is a brilliant toy to buy for the kids. I was looking to teach some basic programming skills and it does the job. The movement control seems reliable enough, another commenter suggested the lengths of movement varied too much to program journeys, but we've not found that. Maybe we got a more reliable motor control? Had lots of fun sending BigTrak on missions around the house, shooting the laser and delivering bananas. Bit worried about the potential battery costs but that seems the only downside.

26.12.2019

Purchased this for my 7 year old son. I remember the original big trak when I was a youngster. Son has shown an interest in programming so this is an ideal gift to get him working out what to program to get around objects. You have to put the stickers on yourself. It says not to use rechargeable batteries but we have and they have lasted well and seem not to cause any problems. Sadly would have liked to get him the trailer but looks like it's no longer available. Still plenty of fun for my son and his dad.

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