Extreme Bug Vac

by Summit

Product Features

• Battery operated vacuum powered control
• Two "capture" cores
• Safely catch and release insects
• Super cool magnifier for viewing
• Recommended Age Range 5+

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 2.6 x 9 x 14.5 inches ; 15.2 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000LJJ1VO
• Item model number: BSTBV-NI
• Our recommended age: 5 - 10 years
• Manufacturer recommended age: 36 months - 10 years
• Batteries: 6 AAA batteries required. (included)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #145,970 in Toys & Games (See Top 100 in Toys & Games)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Kids love catching bugs! This fun outdoor toy captures insects by a battery-operated vacuum suction power without harm into a clear plastic capsule. You can view the bugs through the magnifier in the capsule. Then you can either release the insects back into the outdoors or in the Backyard Safari Bug Habitat (sold separately) built especially to house small insects. The "capture core" even includes a magnifier for cool viewing

Product Description

Capture and study bugs without harming them. The Turbo Bug Vacuum has new boost button that gives you extreme power for capturing any bug. The 9V vortex provides five seconds of pure turbo power. The turbo power lights red when ready to boost. The capture core with its 5x magnification lets you view bugs up close. Requires six "AAA" batteries, included. Measures 2.5"L x 13"W x 7.5"H.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good Concept, But Weak Suction Makes for a Disappointment, August 14, 2007

By 

Deanna Weber Prine (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Durability:3.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:3.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:4.0 out of 5 stars 

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Extreme Bug Vac (Toy)

The poor spiders in the basement didn't know what they were in for today. It was more torturous for them than expected though, because the suction on the turbo bug vac wasn't strong enough (even with the extra "turbo" setting on) to pull them into the darn thing. Only the spindly-legged teeny spiders were light enough to get pulled up into the bug vac. Everything else just hunkered down and waited for us to get tired of bothering them.

Per the suggestions of earlier reviewers, I changed the batteries right away. There was a noticeable power difference, but not enough to catch anything larger than a millimeter or two in size. So...the scary-looking tunnel spiders in the basement are still sitting in their lairs awaiting their next meal. So are the fast jumping spiders. And the centipedes. We will have to be content with just a peek at them with our eyes as they flee the flashlight and our curiosity for darker, more obscure corners. At most, the bug vac gave them a brief blow-dry so they'll be at their best for a while.

Great concept in theory (which is why I gave it 3-stars), but the bug vac is not powerful enough to pull in some kinds of bugs unless you "scoop" them up. Doesn't work with insects that cling to rough surfaces or webs. Scooping them up increases the chance that you'll kill or maim them, and that's not supposed to be the point of this educational toy. Too much suction can harm the bug, but too little doesn't catch it at all. I hope they can reach a happy medium in a better product someday. We're back to the ol' glass cup and paper method!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What a great toy!, April 25, 2007

By 

Larry D. Word (Olive Branch, MS) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Durability:4.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Extreme Bug Vac (Toy)

My son and I had a great time using this bug vacuum. Within 10 minutes we had sucked up a bumble bee. It was very cool watching the bee (very ticked off no doubt) through the built-in magnifying glass. The Backyard Safari Bug Habitat is a great addition to this item.

One helpful tip: I was a little skeptical about this toy being able to actually suck up bugs. I had read other reviews about it being just a noise maker that couldn't even suck up a piece of popcorn. The vacuum comes with batteries so that a consumer can see how it works. However, I put new batteries in the toy soon after I bought it and it improved the sucking power a lot. We did, after all, catch a bumble bee with it! It's my son's new favorite toy.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not just for kids - also an effective bug remover, September 4, 2007

By 

Paula - See all my reviews

= Durability:4.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:4.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Extreme Bug Vac (Toy)

I didn't buy this for a kid, but for me to safely capture spiders that turn up around the house and release them outside. I'd been having a bit of a spider problem, came across this vacuum in the store and figured it was worth a shot. Works perfectly! No more splatters of bug guts on the wall or lamely trying to catch the things in a cup. Just suck them up, bring them back outside and send them on their way.