Nerf Raider CS-35 Review

The Raider CS-35 was Nerf's third CS blaster, and the first to utilise 'slam fire' and a drum mag. It was originally officially released on 9/9/2009. Unlike the majority of modern Nerf blasters, the Raider (as you can see above) is blue instead of the traditional yellow/orange.

Comparison: Nerf Stampede ECS vs Alpha Trooper CS-18

Well I had some time to kill, so I thought I'd write this up.

This is a comparison post of the Stampede ECS vs the Alpha Trooper CS-18.

2011 Nerf Sum-up

This post will be a round up of everything Nerf in 2011.
Firstly, we have the release of a new Dart Tag range (albeit not in Aus *sad*). They all sport curved sleek shells in black and yellow, and introduce new concepts in Nerf - the quick load slot and battery powered full auto revolvers.

Comparison: Nerf Reflex IX-1 vs Secret Strike AS-1

This will be a comparison between the Reflex IX-1 and Secret Strike AS-1 - the two smallest blasters until the introduction of the Jolt EX-1.

Comparison: Nerf Maverick REV-6 vs Spectre REV-5

This post will be a comparison post between the Maverick REV-6 and Spectre REV-5. I have both, and have used them extensively.

Nerf Ammo Box Review

The Nerf Ammo Box was released some time ago (2009 or something), and is very basic. It comes with 100 darts of either Sonic Micro (Whistlers with reversed colour scheme) or Streamlines (of course). The box itself is just plastic, with simple detailing.
In essence, it's a relatively cheap made box, but for the price, it's a good ammo replenishment and storage item to purchase.

Alpha Trooper Inconsistencies

I recently bought an Alpha Trooper for my brother's birthday (him agreeing with me that the AT is the best blaster in our war setting), and noticed several differences between ours.
-Range/Power: Mine has a consistent 11-12m range with good darts. However, my brother's has an inconsistent 10-15+m range. Occasionally a dart sails from one side of the house to the other.
-Accuracy: Mine has good accuracy for a CS blaster, though from what I've read, this is normal. However, my brother's has more inconsistent accuracy. I believe it's due to the power.
-Priming smoothness: My grip slides back and forth very smoothly, as if the grip has been greased. However, my bro's feels like it's scraping against something. However, given that mine is nearly a year old (got for christmas 2010) and my bro's is new, this is likely due to it being worn.

Has anyone else noticed any differences between stock AT's or is this just our pair? I know UT got a bad AT and a good AT, and posted the results/differences, but I haven't heard of it anywhere else.

Longshot LSFG Integration

I recently epoxied and blu-tacked my LSFG onto my Longshot after cutting a whole lot of stuff off. I would have used hot glue but the glue gun exploded before I could use it. :( I've got a new one, so hotglue reinforcements done.
The LSFG has had its AR's removed because it is pathetic. The Longshot is stock so far, until I get boltsled reinforcement brackets, at which point I'll mod it if I feel like it. I'm intending to do the following:
-Remove AR's
-Add NF spring
-Reinforce boltsled
-Reinforce stock (if needed)
-Reinforce LSFG integration (with hot glue)
The shotgun grip I've made is completely removable and works well, but is slightly uncomfortable (being wood).

Nerf Vortex Praxis Review

 

Goodbye AT and Furyfire as my favourites. You are now being replaced by this. Well whaddya know. AT and Furyfire are now my favs again. Now the Praxis is an equal favourite with the others. The Nerf Vortex Praxis is the second most expensive Vortex blaster so far. It is the cheapest one to use disc mags. The Praxis is supposedly the most popular of the Vortex blasters, because of all its factors put together.

Nerf Vortex Proton Usage Tips

Some usage tips for the smallest and cheapest of the Vortex line.

Nerf Vortex Proton Review

After months of relative quietness, I have something interesting to say!

  

That's right, I now have a Proton!
Quick background on the new Vortex series.

Vortex is a series of Nerf blasters (officially released on 10/9/11, or 9/10/11 to you Americans) which fires discs, not darts. This is not a one-off set of blasters, due to the advertising of 'N-Strike vs Vortex'. Vortex was initially heavily criticised for its use of discs (despite the accuracy at 40ft range and range of up to 60ft) because people wanted darts. A fewmonths before the official release date, Nerf released several short videos showing off the Vortex range and accuracy, as well as showing off the Proton and Praxis in extra detail. Vortex blasters hit the shelf a little early (I think August) and the 10/9/11 (or 9/10/11) kind of failed. Nevertheless, they recieved generally good reviews.

Stampede Mods

I've done the following mods to my Stampede:
-AR removal
-Air release hole filled
-'Servulus' spring (10+kg load)
For indoor wars, I use the stock spring (no need for epic ranges).

Ranges:
Stock spring:
Streamlines: 13-14m
Lite/Heavy silis: 14-15m

Serv spring:
Streamlines: 25m
Heavy silis: 30m or so

I highly recommend the Serv springs, which can be purchased off Oznerf from 'Servulus'.

4B Shotgun Attachment

The promised shotgun attachment using the stupid Tek 3 turret. Only gets 30 ft per dart at 4 pumps. I believe its due to the turret.

EDIT: With paper barrels and whistlers, this setup gets 20m per dart.

Nerf Dart Tag Furyfire Usage Tips

Some usage tips for my new favourite.

Nerf Dart Tag Furyfire Review

The Furyfire is a 10 dart revolver. It is under the Dart Tag range, hence the odd colours. It also comes with 2 vests (in green and orange), 2 DT safety glasses and 20 DT darts (10 each). This is definitely my favourite revolver.

The Furyfire in my opinion looks excellent, although the choice of colours in my opinion wasn't the best. They look rather like miniature revolving grenade launchers.

Nerf Longshot ACOG Scope Mod

This is a better looking ACOG than my toilet paper roll one.

Materials:
Plastic cutting tool
Hot glue
Hot glue gun



Oh yeah, an LS scope.

Instructions:
1) Cut wherever there are coloured lines. Black means remove the piece, and the different colours correspond to different parts in the scope.

2) Assemble and glue the parts like this:

Click the pictures to view a larger image.

You're done! It's really that easy. It's actually more complicated, but I forgot to take pictures during the process. Sorry. Basically, you avoid cutting into the plastic lenses.

4B Revisited

When I received the Foam Sports Sample Pack, I decided to use the PETG barrel for my 4B. Here are some pics.

Don't ask me what the coupler thingy is - I have no idea.I just found it at a hardware store for $3.
Shotgun attachment possibly coming - make use of my Tek 3 turret.

And now some ranges, because everyone loves ranges. All were done with Foam Sports' heavy sili darts:
2 pumps:
40m - 131'
3 pumps:
45-47m - 148 - 154'
4 pumps:
50m - 164'
Again, these ranges are probably rubbish.

Foam Sports Sample Pack

As you may or may not know, I ordered a sample pack from 'Foam Sports' VelocityTag (aka Oznerf member informer, aus_nerf_supplies on ebay). In it contains 5 small 'snap caps', 5 large 'snap caps' and 5 heavy silicone tips. It also contains 15 pieces of what is simply known as 'blue foam'. The pack includes a small piece of a barrel material known as 'PETG' approx 3 inches long (10 or so cm), as well as hot glue and super glue for assembling darts. My pack came with extra snap caps, extra blue foam, 5 pieces of pink foam and 3 light silicone tips.

Obviously the left foam is the pink, right foam is the blue. This foam is stiffer and tougher than Nerf foam, as well as being slightly thicker, making it ideal for Nerf blasters.

This is a picture of all 4 different darts. From left to right, they are: Small Snap Cap, Large Snap Cap, Light Sili Tip, Heavy Sili Tip. I believe they are also suited to blaster of proportionate power - weaker blasters on the left, the most powerful on the right.
Snap caps are small pieces of plastic shaped similar to a dish, such that it can hold a weight inside it. Should the snap cap break off, the weight breaks off with it. They are quite hard.
The sili tips are tips made of silicone (ORLY). They have been designed specifically to provide the optimum weight and shape for Nerf blasters.
In my snap cap darts, I've pulled off the tip of a streamline dart and used that as a weight. As a result, it provides an ideal weight for low power blasters. The two silicone darts are highly accurate and also provided a decent range boost.

In conclusion, I think this is worth your ~$10 - about $5 of it is shipping.

Nerf Vulcan EBF-25 Usage Tips

Some usage tips for getting the most out of the Vulcan.

Nerf Recon Shotgun Grip Mod

That's right peoples, I made my Recon shotgun gripped. And now I'm going to show it off. As I said on Oznerf, inspiration for this mod goes to Psyk on the SG Nerf forums, who posted his much cleaner and in my opinion better mod. His link here.
And now some pics.

You can see the vast differences between mine and Psyk's - mine's a lot less clean with more hot glue and e-tape. It works at least, which is nice.

Nerf Vulcan EBF-25 Review

The Vulcan EBF-25 is Nerf's belt fed machinegun. It was released in (I think) 2008 (correct me if I'm wrong) and upon release, it was one of the most awesome Nerf blasters ever. (Raiders, AT's, Barricades and the like didn't exist). It comes with a 25 dart belt using whistlers/sonic micros, a large ammo box, a tripod, and a snap-on carry handle. Older versions included a very short barrel extension (as displayed in the pic) which IMHO makes it look a little cooler than it already did. At the time of release, the Vulcan had the largest capacity ever released, so that gave it a massive advantage in the Nerf wars of those days.

Nerf Maverick REV-6 (Sonic series) Re-review

The Nerf Sonic series is simply a set of blasters which have been made in a translucent green shell. They are generally exclusives.
This is a semi review, and is quite short since I've already covered the Maverick as a blaster here.

Modded 4B

After a bit of boredom and a case of procrastination with homework, I decided to single my 4B. I gave it a dart shooting barrel, as well as doing some other bits and pieces.
-Super short paper barrel with a twist-fit with Nerf darts
-Tac rail from Reflex glued on
-10 dart holders

Ranges:
1 pump:
8-9m, 30ft
Suctions and Whistlers

2 pumps:
13m, 45ft
Suctions
>15m, >49(?)ft
Whistlers

3 pumps:
>15m, >49ft
Suctions and Whistlers

Sadly my house isn't big enough for a full range test. :P

EDIT: The paper barrel broke, so I taped on a crayola barrel.

Ranges are more than 15m with 2 pumps, using hot glue streamlines. And almost no dart drop. Also really accurate.

EDIT: (Terribly measured, poorly shot) ranges
2 pumps: 23.5m, 77 ft
3 pumps: 33m, 108 ft
3.5 pumps: 41m, 135 ft
3 pumps + heavy angle: 45m, 148 ft
3.5 pumps + heavy angle: 60m, approx 200 ft :D
Using hot glue filled streamlines.
3.5 because the OPRV kicks in half way through the 4th pump.
Disregard all these range claims, they're probably all rubbish.

Nerf Dart Tag Furyfires - on the way!

I ordered a 2-pack of Dart Tag Furyfires today, so they should be here within a few weeks.

The pack comes with 2 Furyfires, 20 Dart Tag darts, 2 Dart Tag Glasses and 2 Dart Tag Vests. The Furyfires have recieved fairly good reviews, hence me ordering them. They're also ideal for semi-casual indoor scavenging combat, the sort of stuff I sometimes do.

Hot Glue tipped Streamlines

I took the plunge, and filled the tips of 18 streamlines with hot glue. Here are the results:

Stock AT: No distinct range/power difference, but a MASSIVE accuracy change - much, much better. Love the noise when it hits a target, too.
Modded NF: Scary. More power than Suctions, and hurts much more.
Modded Maverick: Wow. Better range and accuracy than Whistlers.
Stock Spectre: More range than Whistlers, but less accurate.
Stock Deploy: Better range, more consistency and more accuracy. All round win.
Stock LS: Less range, more accuracy. I'm confused.
Uber 4B: Epic win. Punches through cardboard.

I believe that the LS does not work with hot glue Streamlines properly because the loading mechanism does not push the dart in all the way, and hence less air pushes the dart. I could be very wrong.

For science, I decided to shoot myself at point blank range. It really hurts, even from the AT, and even through clothing!

All in all, good and easy mod, and excellent benefits. If only it weren't so tedious.

X-Shot Stealth Review

The X-shot series is another non-Nerf blaster set. What makes them different, however, is that they have a water gun built into a Nerf-like dart blaster. They are (as you can see above) green and black, and use black darts with yellow suction tips. Now I'll proceed to review this particular blaster, the X-Shot Stealth.

Star Wars Captain Rex Blaster Review

The Star Wars blaster released in 2011 has 3 variants: Captain Rex's Pistol (above), Cad Bane's pistol and General Grevious' pistol. I will be reviewing Captain Rex's pistol as it's the only one I have.

Lanard Scatter Blast Grenade Usage Tips

Some tips for getting the best out of this unusual toy.

Lanard Scatter Blast Grenade Review

The Lanard Scatter Blast Grenade is a truly unique toy. It's made by one of Nerf's major competitors, Lanard, who also makes the renowned Tripleshot/Shotgun, the very awesome looking Punisher Gatling Blaster and the Big Salvo rocket launcher. The thing when you're against several opponents, or you're in a cramped, indoors space with a dangerous enemy is that you want to take them down fast. You could use Magstrikes/Powerclips/etc, but the risk is that someone will get a shot off before you mow them down. With this, you could lob it, then duck into cover and listen to them cry out.

Nerf Camo Ammo Bag Usage Tips

Some usage tips for making the most of a seemingly simple accessory.

Nerf Longshot CS-6 Usage Tips

Some usage tips for my new blaster.

Nerf Longshot CS-6 Review

After all my hate posts of the Longshot, I have a new favourite. No more. Too bad Longshot. I've reverted to my good old Alpha Trooper. The Longshot was originally released in a blue/yellow paint scheme, then the current yellow/orange paintscheme. For a short time, it was also released in a rather exclusive red/orange paint scheme, dubbed the 'Crimson Series'. The latter paint scheme is extremely rare, and extremely valuable. The current Longshot comes with the Longshot Front Gun (LSFG), the bolt (in 2 pieces), a very large scope, a 6-clip (mag) and darts, and the Longshot itself.

Nerf Tactical Vest Usage Tips

Some usage tips for using the Tactical Vest.

Nerf Camo Ammo (Whistlers) Review

The Nerf Camo Ammo is a rather unusual addition to the N-Strike collection. It has 3 variants: Streamlines (grey urban camo), Suctions (green/brown woodland camo) and Whistlers (arctic camo). I have the Whistlers, as pictured. The kit comes with 50 camo darts, and a bag in a similar camo look. It's awesome.

Nerf Tactical Vest Review

The Tactical Vest is a pretty good Nerf accessory, if you can spare enough money for it. It holds 4 clips (mags) (6-clips [mags], 18-clips [mags] and 18-drums are all fine), allowing for a minimum of 24 darts, and a maximum of 72+ darts. I haven't tried 35-drums - I don't have any. It also holds 12 darts just above the clips (mags), which you can use to reload your non CS-blasters, or refill your clips (mags) if you have no other blasters. It has a holster in the lower right which you can use to holster a Spectre, Maverick and Barrel Break (and probably more), which is useful when your primary (usually a CS blaster because of the clip [mag] holders) runs out. There's also a zip pocket opposite the holster which fits a Reflex (and similar sized pistols), darts and a small torch. On the back, there's a small sword sheath which is good if you have any foam swords. Really, though, it's like bringing a knife to a gun fight. Nearly literally. (knife ~ foam sword, gun ~ blaster).

Birthday Pressies

Title says it all.

Tactical Vest Kit
Camo Whistlers + Bag
Longshot CS-6 - Discontinued? Yeah, right.
8086 Lego Star Wars Tri-Fighter
Star Wars Captain Rex Blaster
8098 Lego Star Wars Clone Turbo Tank
Lanard Scatter Blast Grenade
3367 Lego City Space Shuttle (30th Anniversary edition)

Nerf Spectre REV-5 Usage Tips

The Nerf Spectre is like a Maverick, yet so different. Here are a few tips to help you make the most of it.

Nerf Pinpoint Sight Mini-Review

The Nerf Pinpoint Sight is Nerf's attempt to make a red-dot sight that attaches to Nerf blasters. It was sold in a Mission Kit pack, which included 10 suction darts. I'll proceed to say why I think this is the most awesome attachment EVER.

Nerf Deploy CS-6 Usage Tips

The Deploy isn't as hard, yet harder to maintain than a Recon. Here's a few tips to help you.

Nerf Nitefinder/Switchshot EX-3 Usage Tips

Because the NF and Switchshot are really similar, I'll do usage tips for both of them at the same time.

Nerf Stampede ECS Usage Tips

My usage tips for using the Stampede.

Nerf Deploy CS-6 Review

The Deploy is a relatively unique blaster, being the first (and probably only) blaster known to transform, the only N-Strike blaster to transform as of early 2011. It's roughly the same as a Recon, although without the extra bits and pieces, a different shell, the 'Deploy' feature, pump action and a modified 'breech' (where the clip [mag] is loaded into). It's a very unusual piece of hardware, and I suggest everyone try this.

Nerf Spectre REV-5 Review

The Spectre REV-5 is Nerf's attempt to make a stealth orientated blaster. It comes with a silencer, folding stock and 5 darts. The silencer has a short, refled barrel, not unlike the one in the Recon's barrel. It looks seriously awesome but serves no real purpose. Now here's the stupid part. The Spectre comes with 5 whistler darts. Because the silencer doesn't actually silence darts, this is really quite an oxymoron.

Nerf Switchshot EX-3 Review

This blaster is a single-shot blaster, like the Nitefinder. It shares similar power, although has better range because this includes 3 Whistler darts. Unlike the Nitefinder, this does not have a built-in-light. There are 2 dart holders in the bottom, just above the upside-down tactical rail.

Nerf Nitefinder EX-3 Review

Today, I'm going to go back to a relatively old, but good blaster: the Nitefinder EX-3. It's a single shot blaster with immense potential thanks to a direct plunger system. It's usual packaging comes with 3 suction darts and a target stand, while Target NFs have been found with 6 suctions, and some with no stand. Mine didn't come with a stand, m'fraid, so I can't review that. What I can say, though, is that the NF is excellent.

Nerf Stampede ECS Review

The Stampede ECS is the legendary 9-9-10 blaster. Pics of it emerged on the internet many months before its release, and it was also found in some markets in Asia before the release date. It's speculation is well deserved - 3*18 dart extended clips (mags), a 6 dart clip (mag), a tac-rail blast shield, a foregrip/bipod and a full-auto clip (mag) fed system.

Raider Stock Mini-Review

I am going to review the stock of the Raider CS-35. As you may know (if you read my 'my collection' page), I bought this seperately because I don't really need a Raider. As you can see by the pic, it is extendable. It has 4 different lengths at which the stock can lock at.

Nerf Bandolier Kit Mini Review

Here's a small review of the N-Strike Bandolier, and whether I think it's worth your $20 or not.

First of all, it comes with 2 6 dart clips (mags) and 24 Streamline darts. The majority of larger Nerf blasters currently available use clip (mag) system, so this kit complements those blasters well. It can hold 6 clips (mags)/drums, making it great for use with any CS blaster. It also holds 12 seperate darts, which are useful reloading clips (mags), and also a sidearm.

Secret Strike AS-1 Mini Review + Recon Light Integration

The Secret Strike AS-1 is a tiny air-powered blaster. It is the smallest blaster available (and probably ever made), yet it boasts rather potent ranges. It comes with 2 Suction darts and a cut-out target. The Secret Strike also has a hook thingy that can clip to...anything small.