I just bought a bunch of the plastic wheels from these sets. I wish they were still around, they are a really neat wheel.

Gah! Wha...is that supposed to be a traditional hovercraft, but with a motorcycle profile? I don't think that would be very stable.

Well that's ... definitely a thing that exists.

It's a Znap!

Oh Znap!

Every artist goes through a weird experimental phase I suppose, this seems to be Lego’s

Znap == Crap

The last page of the instructions has this massive Znap F1 car. Then, in the instructions of 3582 you’ll see the same car again. True story.

@namekuji said:
"The last page of the instructions has this massive Znap F1 car. Then, in the instructions of 3582 you’ll see the same car again. True story."

That car also showed up at the end of the instructions for 3551,which is the only Znap set I have. Idon't feel like going through all the Znap instructions to see if they all had it, but I'm beginning to suspect that they did.

Oh Znap + ratio

I've taken a look through the instructions again. Beforehand I was going to say that I've said everything there is to say about the theme the last time one was a RSotD. The 5L 1/2 lenght technic axle with stopper that still is in use today is from ZNAP, my experience with it began and ended with 3503 Speedboat, and it was emblematic of the late 90s but is not useless if you want to build structures.

What I forgot about was the sheer amount of models the instructions show you, all made with just a handful of pieces. Sure, most models are literally 2D depictions or are so abstract you have to squint. And neither the build process (which is just snapping a few parts together), the creative building process (in practice the parts are quite limited unless you have a LOT) and the resulting models are not very engagin IMHO. But I have to give credit for trying, and for squeezing a LOT out of what there was with each model. They are more like creator or Designer Set models in that the 'main model' is just one of them.

What took my by surprise is that the four small models @Atuin mentions all have a transformation. And they each have a combiner model of all four sets. For some reason that means there are four 4-set combinations and no two-set or three-set combos. I can imagine kids who got some of them might have stopped collecting them simply because it seems like you only get anything from getting the full set of four. In other themes like Bionicle or Robo-Riders or the X-Pods I always felt rewarded for getting the right ones from some of them when there were combiners of parts of the whole group (combos of 2 or 3). The X-Pods might be the closest analogue. They had many alternate models for each pod, but the combiners just required two, and there were multiple combinations, four in total.
Although requiring all four for only the available combination models isn't that much, I just find it a strange business decision. I guess they expected them to fly off the shelves more than they did.

This is definitely something I might have put more thought in right now than they did back then but I just find it interesting.

I know just about nothing about this theme, but looks like bare-bones studless Technic builds with no Technic functions. Would that be a reasonably accurate impression?

@TheNameWasTaken said:
"I know just about nothing about this theme, but looks like bare-bones studless Technic builds with no Technic functions. Would that be a reasonably accurate impression?"

In a way yes, they were very like the old '90s Technic models in general appearance.

However there were a few larger sets containing the 9V motor from 1997 and a few gears, so at least some had basic Technic functions (and even regular bricks). There was also a strange 'cable' like axle to transmit rotation across angles without the need of a more complex setup.

Also the majority of parts didn't look as shiny as Technic bars because they needed to be made of a softer material, otherwise they might break under the repeated 'snapping'.

TLG's main marketing focus was the transformation gimmick of each model (although some were either pretty minimal or barely made sense) and the whole "build something large, very quick" aspect, which probably also inspired Town Junior and stuff like 8277.

I never appreciate the jokes in these kinds of daily posts because it's just low-hanging fruit and adds nothing to the conversation. I always like what users such as @Binnekamp have to say though, there's great insight and a more open-minded approach to even the failings of Lego's catalog.

That all said, what an interesting little part of Znap. I only own one polybag that I've debated opening, but I find the sets strangely charming in their clear attempt to tackle Knex. The MOCs I've seen with the parts out of the theme are some of the more creative out there, especially when integrated into other systems. Wouldn't mind picking up this one myself, that "U" part looks cool, and I do like the angular frames that evoke scaffolding or something of the sort.

Everything you wanted to know about Znap, but were too lazy or inept to Google yourself:

https://rebrickable.com/blog/514/is-this-lego-znap/

Kill it with cleansing nuclear fire from orbit.

@TheNameWasTaken said:
"I know just about nothing about this theme, but looks like bare-bones studless Technic builds with no Technic functions. Would that be a reasonably accurate impression?"

Znap was a knock-off of the K’Nex system (but not compatible?), which in itself was a modernized take on Tinker Toys, which was basically a stick-figure construction toy. All three systems were primarily used to make wire-frame models, which would have to be fairly large to incorporate any appreciable detail. I think the only truly impressive K’Nex model I’ve ever seen was a bicycle. It was lifesize.

@PurpleDave said:
"Znap was a knock-off of the K’Nex system (but not compatible?)"

It definitely is not compatible (if that was at question).

However Znap beams are technically just modified Technic beams with fully working Technic pin holes, so they can be used to a limited degree with Technic parts. I've seen a few MOCs using them to build the supporting structures of bridges - something that would look decent, if Znap parts were available in less vivid colors.

it looks like a trebuchet

@Ridgeheart said:
"Everything you wanted to know about Znap, but were too lazy or inept to Google yourself:

https://rebrickable.com/blog/514/is-this-lego-znap/"

thank you for reminding me that Rebrickable exists

@PurpleDave said:
" I think the only truly impressive K’Nex model I’ve ever seen was a bicycle. It was lifesize."

A local toy store has a K'Nex Ferris wheel on display. Obviously not life-size, but still between two and three feet around. The first time I saw it, it was spinning around, but I haven't seen it moving in years. I don't know if the motor burned out or what.

@Atuin said:
" @PurpleDave said:
"Znap was a knock-off of the K’Nex system (but not compatible?)"

It definitely is not compatible (if that was at question).

However Znap beams are technically just modified Technic beams with fully working Technic pin holes, so they can be used to a limited degree with Technic parts. I've seen a few MOCs using them to build the supporting structures of bridges - something that would look decent, if Znap parts were available in less vivid colors."

I know enough about both systems to know that they look similar, but don't think I've ever knowingly seen both systems in person at the same time. I've also seen a system mixed into bulk bins that has rods that are nearly the same diameter as LEGO bars, but I don't know if it's K'Nex or yet another knock-off.

Anyways, I'm guessing the incompatibility stems from the desire to ensure that Znap was compatible with existing LEGO systems, where K'Nex had absolutely no reason to match their dimensions to anyone else.