Nerf Vortex vs N-Strike Part 1

The Gear Up series pitched N-Strike blasters against Vortex blasters. However, I felt they pitched the wrong blasters against each other:

• Maverick vs Proton
• Barricade vs Vigilon
• Recon vs Praxis
• Raider vs Nitron

Because of this I've made my own set of comparisons which compare much more similar blasters.

Round 1: Proton vs Nitefinder










Accessories: The Proton comes with itself and 3 discs, while the NF comes with itself and 3 darts. Obviously this round is a tie.
Range: The Proton reaches up to 20m, while NFs in stock condition only get up to about 13m. Proton wins.
Accuracy: The Proton's discs curve predictably, but the Nitefinder's suctions are pinpoint accurate. NF wins.
Usefulness: Both are incredibly easy to use, but the Proton uses a slightly complicated disc sled, while the NF is simplicity and effectiveness embodied. The NF is also a lot slimmer, making it easier to holster. NF wins.
Rate of fire: Both sport a similar rate of fire being single shot.
Capacity: The Proton holds one in the sled, the NF one in barrel and 2 in the dart holders (totalling 3). NF wins.
Value for Money: The Proton goes down to $10, the NF down to $5 and less. Both have similar functions. The Proton has greater value because of its extra range, but because the NF is so cheap, this round is a tie.

Proton has won 1 round, NF 3 rounds, with 3 ties. Nitefinder EX-3 wins.

N-Strike 1 : Vortex 0

Round 2: Vigilon vs Maverick REV-6 
 








Accessories: The Vigilon comes with itself and 5 discs, while the Mav comes with itself and 6 darts. The Mav barely wins.
Range: The Vigilon, like the Proton gets up to 20m, while the Mav barely breaks 11m. The Vigilon wins.
Accuracy: For the Vigilon, like the Proton, the discs curve predictably. The Mav, although it uses suctions, can have accuracy issues because of the design of the barrel. This round is a draw because both blasters have small issues.
Usefulness: Both are incredibly easy to use, but the Maverick has a few misfiring, jamming and misrotating barrels, and the Vigilon, from my experiences, is very easy to use, apart from size. The Vigilon wins despite its size.
Rate of fire: Both sport a similar rate of fire using the same size and style slides, although the Mav can misfire if you try to rapid fire. The Vigilon wins this round.
Capacity: The Vigilon comes wth 5 discs, and can only fit 6 with some squeezing. The Mav fits 6 easy. The Mav wins.
Value for Money: The Mav goes for less than $10, while I've only seen the Vigilon for the minimum of $12, while they share smilar functionality. Although the Mav is cheaper, the Vigilon's far superior range equalises this round.

The Vigilon has won 3 rounds, the Maverick has won 2 rounds, with 2 ties. Vigilon wins.

N-Strike 1 : Vortex 1

Round 3: Praxis vs Alpha Trooper CS-18

 










Accessories: The Praxis comes with itself, its stock and a 10 mag and 10 discs. The AT comes with itself, its 18 drum and 18 darts. Although the AT comes with more darts and has 8 more capacity, the Praxis has its stock and thus equalises this round.
Range: The Praxis reaches up to 20m, while the AT reaches 11-14m. Praxis wins.
Accuracy: The Praxis's discs curve, but the AT uses Streamlines, which suck in accuracy. Praxis wins.
Usefulness: Both are incredibly easy to use, but the AT has slam-fire and the Praxis doesn't. Neither jams much. The Praxis is fat, like all other Vortex, while the AT is slim. The AT wins because it's thinner and not so bulky.
Rate of fire: The Praxis has no official slam-fire, so ROF is about 3 dps. The AT can reach 4-5 dps with slam-fire. The AT wins.
Capacity: The Praxis holds 10 in the mag, while the AT holds 18 in the drum. The AT wins.
Value for Money: The Praxis and AT can be found for the same price, and are both excellent value for money. Ordinarily the Praxis's longer range and accuracy would win this round, but the AT's capacity and slam fire equalise.

The Praxis has won 2 rounds, the AT 3, with 2 ties. Alpha Trooper CS-18 wins.

N-Strike 2 : Vortex 1

Round 4: Lumitron vs Rayven CS-18

Accessories: The Lumitron comes with itself, a 10 disc light up mag and 10 GITD discs. The Rayven comes with itself, an 18 dart light up clip (mag) and 18 GITD darts. The Rayven wins because it has 8 more capacity and 8 more darts.
Range: The Lumitron reaches up to 20m, while the Rayven hits 10-12m with 4 AAs. The Lumitron wins.
Accuracy: The Lumitron's discs curve slightly, but the Rayven, using Streamlines, has bad comparable accuracy. The Lumitron wins.
Usefulness: Both are very easy to use. Neither jam much (rarely experience jams with either) and shoot easily. The only problem is that the Rayven uses flywheels, which are annoying but intimidating.The Lumitron wins on the basis of it being easier to use in a pinch.
Rate of fire: The Lumitron reaches up to 3 dps, while the Rayven, being semi auto, can get up to 5 dps and more. The Rayven wins.
Capacity: The Lumitron holds 10 in its mag, while the Rayven holds 18. The Rayven wins.
Value for Money: Both are the same price at any store, though prices vary between stores. IMO the Rayven has better value for money because it's not just a rehash of another blaster (Lumitron is a recoloured Praxis). The Rayven wins.

The Lumitron has won 3 rounds, the Rayven 4. Thus the Rayven is the winner.

N-Strike 3 : Vortex 1

After 4 completed rounds, N-Strike is ahead of Vortex by 2 rounds.

So to sum up:

• Vortex out performs N-Strike in general.
• N-Strike is better at spamming about, both in ROF and in capacity.
• Vortex blasters are more reliable than N-Strike in that they are almost impossible to jam (trust me, I've actually deliberately tried jamming them). N-Strike blasters can jam, especially the older CS blasters.
• If you want high rates of fire and capacity, N-Strike is the way to go.
• If you value long range, ammo compatibility throughout blasters and general accuracy, Vortex is the way to go.
• If you want both, your best bets are either: Praxis + Nitron's 20 disc mag, wait until the Pyragon comes out, or mod N-Strike blasters.

A Part 2 will probably be made once more blasters have been added to the Vortex line. (At this rate will probably only be Nitron vs Stampede and Pyragon vs Raider)