Mod: Minimised Rapidstrike

One popular mod for the Rapidstrike (besides the standard overhauling of its internals) is minimisation of the shell, as Nerf is lacking in a full-auto clip (mag) fed sidearm.
This is my take of an SMG/PDW style minimisation.

Opinion/Rant/Discussion/Comparison: Elite Stryfe vs Elite Rayven CS-18

Before the release of the Rapidstrike, which is now considered by many to be the best flywheel blaster Nerf has, one of the biggest questions regarding flywheelers was "Stryfe or (Elite) Rayven?"
I'm going to try and address that question with my experiences and opinions.

This isn't a complete comparison, as I didn't get the Elite Rayven stock or with all its bits, so I can't do all of the ratings. But for the most part the question has been brought up because the two are similar blasters with some important differences.

Pic Spam: Nerf Elite Rayven CS-18

I received an Elite Rayven from the US. It was already modified and did not include the Firefly clip (mag) or the GITD Elites, so I can't do a proper review. I then further modified it because I wanted to be able to use it. Nevertheless, I can still provide some nice pictures of the Elite Rayven, so here we go.
For reference here's the N-Strike Rayven's review. An out of box Elite Rayven should only be different in range and colour.

Nerf Elite Comparison: XD Demolisher vs Rapidstrike CS-18

This is probably one of the most relevant comparisons right now, with the recent(ish) release of the Demolisher.

Review: Nerf Elite Rapidstrike CS-18 (20m grey trigger Aus)

The Rapidstrike CS-18 was one of the most exciting Nerf releases of 2013 for many. Since the Stampede of 2010, there weren't any other similar "assault rifle" styled full auto blasters, and some people were modding their N-Strike Rayvens to be full auto. And of course, even from the initial leaked pictures, the Rapidstrike looked like a beast.
So does the Rapidstrike live up to all of its hype?

N-Strike vs Elite Round 5: Elite Rapidstrike CS-18 vs N-Strike Stampede ECS

Today's comparison post will be of Nerf's two full-auto clip (mag) system blasters. Hopefully this will keep you guys occupied until I get my Rapidstrike review done.

HFCBE: Nerf Elite Rapidstrike CS-18 (stock)

Nerf claims the Rapidstrike can empty an 18 clip (mag) in 5.62 seconds. I put that claim to the test in a quick video.

Batteries: 4 x Toys 'R' Us branded C batteries
Time: 4.923
No. darts: 18
ROF: 3.45dps or 207.2dpm

So yes, the Rapidstrike can achieve the claimed ROF. Considering Nerf's recent track record with performance claims, this is a surprise, and a good one at that.

HFCBE: Nerf Rayven CS-18

As requested, a HFCBE video of the Rayven, as well as a demonstration of how I empty semi auto flywheelers so quickly.

Time: 2.23sec
No. darts fired: 18
ROF: 7.62dps or 457.4dpm

2012 Nerf Sum Up

To conclude an exciting and awesome year, Outback Nerf wishes you a late Merry Christmas (or Happy Holidays if you don't celebrate Christmas) and a Happy New Year, and also wants to congratulate you on surviving the highly anticlimactic and scientifically incorrect 2012 Mayan Apocalypse. Wait. Something's missing. Yes, the 2012 Nerf Sum-Up, where we sumarise all the new Nerf products released this year.

First up, the biggest and possibly best major Nerf release so far, the N-Strike Elite line.

N-Strike Elite

Ever since Urban Taggers first discovered the box art of the NSE(N-Strike Elite) Retaliator and the Rampage, Nerf's Elite series was the main hype of 2012, and it still is now. When initial images surfaced it appeared the Elite line was taking ordinary N-Strike blasters and making them awesome. It is now evident that this is both true and false - Elite is taking some N-Strike designs and awesome-ing them, but is also introducing all new designs, spearheaded in 2012 by the Hail-Fire. The line advertises to shoot up to 75ft/22m (approximently) and are mainly blue in colour with orange, white and grey highlights. Everyone was also introduced to new concepts in Nerf, like direct plungers fitted into old shells, new revovler tech (Strongarm's unique rotating mech), and new flywheel-tech. The Elite clips (mags) also became special because of new styling as well as a new primary feature: their right side is transparent, allowing people to easily see their remaining ammo, which is also helpful when filling/refilling clips (mags). Unfortunately because the right side is transparent, only left handers can make maximum use of this feature,while right handers (the majority of the human population) cannot see their capacity. Nevertheless, they look awesome.

Unfortunately, the countries with really strict toy firearm laws (like Australia) have to receive detuned units, identified by grey-triggers. The detuned versions advertise to shoot 15m (approx. 50ft).

Retaliator ('Elitified' Recon)
Ranges: 50-60ft (15-18m). About 2/3rds of the power for detuned ones, although mine seems pretty powerful getting 14m.
ROF: About 2-3dps. No slam fire.
Accuracy: Decent without barrel, good with barrel.
Capacity: 12 in included clip (mag)
Accessories: Barrel, stock, foregrip, 12 clip (mag), 12 darts

Rampage ('Elitified' Raider)
Ranges: 50-60ft (15-18m). About 2/3rds of the power for detuned ones.
ROF: About 2-3dps on single fire. Can achieve up to 5dps, possibly more depending on user (slam fire)
Accuracy: Very good at 10-12m. Flies off to the sides after aprox. 13-15m
Capacity: 25 in included drum
Accessories: 25 drum, 25 darts

Hail-Fire
Ranges: 45-55ft (13-17m). About 2/3rds of the power for detuned ones.
ROF: Can achieve up to 4-5dps and more dependant on user's trigger finger (semi auto)
Accuracy: Decent, but you don't use a Hail-Fire for accuracy.
Capacity: 24 in included clips (mags) (4x6 clips [mags]), value pack holds 48 (8x6 clips [mags]), can hold up to 144 (8x18 clips [mags])
Accessories: 4x6 clips (mags), 24 darts, various Hail-Fire parts (assembly required)

Stockade (Release only for countries outside US in 2012)
Ranges: 50-60ft (15m). About 2/3rds the power for detuned version.
ROF: Can achieve up to 4-5dps (semi auto).
Accuracy: Decent, much better than Barricade.
Capacity: 20. 10 in blaster, 10 in stock. Only comes with 10 darts.
Accessories: Stock, 10 darts

Additionally the Elite line had an updated Tactical Vest, with the blaster holster being designed to hold the upcoming Elite Firestrike, but otherwise being pretty much the same as the N-Strike Tac Vest.

To complement the Elite blasters, Nerf also redesigned the highly popular 18 clip (mag), and released it in its own blister package.

Nerf released a Hailfire Upgrade kit which basically has 4 more 6 clips (mags) to fill up the Hailfire.

Nerf rereleased the good old Bandolier, this time in Elite styling. It is essentially the same as the N-Strike Bandolier, but comes with Elite stuff and is slightly shorter and thinner.

In 2013 we have a number of Elite blasters to look forward to, some of which are already available in the US. This includes the Firestrike (Elite NF), Strongarm (Elite Mav/Spectre hybrid), Triad (3 shot Jolt), Elite coloured and more powerful Jolts and Reflexes with new designs, the Rough Cut 2x4 (multishot double barrel shotgun) and the Stryfe (redesigned Rayven) as well as an Elite Rayven.

Light It Up Series:
The Light It Up series was officially released on the 3rd of March, 2012 (3/3/12) and its blasters, besides having fluoro green colour have glow in the dark ammo, which is 'charged' by special mags/clips (mags). While the Lumitron is merely a repaint of the then favourite Vortex blaster, the Praxis, the Rayven was an all new design which became popular for its rapid fire and potentially ridiculous ranges capabilities.

Vortex Lumitron
Ranges: 15-18m (aprox. 50-60ft)
ROF: Up to 3dps. No slam-fire.
Accuracy: Good.
Capacity: 10 in light-up mag
Accessories: 10 disc light up mag, 10 GITD discs

N-Strike Rayven CS-18
Ranges: 11-12m (approx 36-40ft)
ROF: Up to 6-8dps, dependant on user's trigger finger (semi auto).
Accuracy: Decent for a CS blaster.
Capacity: 18 in light-up mag.
Accessories: 18 dart light up mag, 18 GITD darts

Vortex
The Vortex line received an extra addition, the Pyragon. Sporting a 40 disc drum and slam fire, as well as slightly better ranges, the Pyragon quickly became a fan favourite among Nerfers.

2013 holds only one known Vortex release, the Diatron. It comes in the same awesome colour scheme as the Pyragon, and fires 2 discs at a time, and holds up to 10 discs.

The Pyragon
Ranges: 16m-20m (unusually good, even for Vortex)
ROF: Up to 8dps, dependant on user (slam fire).
Accuracy: Excellent. Curves less than other Vortex blasters.
Capacity: 40 in drum mag
Accessories: 40 disc drum, 40 discs

As a Vortex counterpart to the N-Strike/Elite Tactical Vest, Nerf also suprised us with the Vortex Ammo Belt Kit, with never-before-seen mag holders and some other awesome stuff that comes with the kit.

Dart Tag.
We Aussies also finally got the 2011 Dart Tag blasters, but with strange new BLUE triggers. The models with blue triggers have been shown to be more powerful than their standard orange trigger models, with stronger springs in all. Of course, the downside is that the electronic blasters (Swarmfire, Speedswarm) have reduced ROFs because of the extra load on the motors.

The National Dart Tag League (US) was also not held this year for some reason, though possibly to put more emphasis on the Elite line.

The non-flywheel Snapfire 8 also sneaked onto Aussie shelves, giving us a whole new concept about semi-auto blaster as well as a variable power system allowing for easier trigger pulls but lower ranges, or harder trigger pulls and higher ranges. It has now become a popular sidearm for many because of its semi auto capabilities, decent sidearm capacity and firepower, and of course its small size. It is slated to have a 2013 release in the US.

Ranges: 9-10m (speed mode), 11-13m (power mode)
Accuracy: Decent, not great
ROF: 2-3dps attainable, any more taxes the fingers and risks misfires (semi auto)
Capacity: 8 in turret
Accessories: 8 darts

Sonic Series
The most popular 2011 Vortex blasters (The Vigilon,Proton,Praxis) were also given a green reshell to compliment the other blasters.
-Sonic Praxis
Nerf Wikia pics
-Sonic Vigilon
Nerf Wikia pics
-Sonic Proton
Nerf Wikia pics

Super Soaker
We also got the 2 other motorised Super Soakers: the Lightningstorm(Thunderstorm repaint with better accessories) and the Electrostorm.
-Electrostorm
Nerf Wikia Review
-Lightningstorm
Nerf Wikia Review

Other
The were also the new promotional blasters:
-The Ninja Commando Blaster (Red Furyfire),
-And the Hawkeye Big Bad Bow (Rerelease Purple BBB)

All in all, 2012 was a great year for Nerf, with the release of some of the best blasters you can get from the Elite line, and the best Vortex blaster so far. 2013 looks to be good for Nerf as well, with so many new Elite blasters and the new 'Multishot Madness' series (with particular interest from this blog's authors in the Elite Stryfe and Triad).

Loadouts 2: Heavy Fire Support

Scenario Description: Close-mid range team based encounters. General engagement ranges ~7-12m. Generally numerous, small teams instead of few, large teams. May or may not have numerous obstacles obstructing lines of fire. Player has taken role of fire support for team. Where necessary player provides fire support for team, and where necessary team protects player.
Keys to Victory: Rapid fire blasters with reasonably high capacity, preferably easy to reload. Reasonable range - does not have to shoot particularly far. Must be able to effectively spray darts at opponents, idealistically suppressing or tagging them. Large amounts of ammo. Fearlessly spray opponents, even when under heavy attack.
Unnecessary Burdens: Sidearms - your team covers you when you reload, more than one blaster (with exceptions) - unnecessary weight and bulk

Rayven Reliability Test

In this vid I test how reliable the Rayven is. I fire off 7x18 clips (mags), which totals 126 darts.
ROF peaks at 6dps in the middle three clips (mags).
Not a single jam or misfire.

Nerf Rayven CS-18 War Review

Name: Rayven CS-18
Capacity Used: 18 + spare
Range: Variable (20-25m generally)
ROF: up to 5dps
Mods: 3*14500 batteries, safety locks/switch removal/disable
Point of View: User

Scenario: Outdoor, 2v2v2 TDM, FFA
Other blasters: AT (spring upgrade, AR removal), 2*AT (stock), Deploy (AR removal), Recon (stock), Longstrike (spring upgrade, AR removal)
The Rayven with 3 14500 batteries offers a high level of threat, because of its extremely loud noise. The nosie alone can dissuade attackers, even if you're completely out of ammo. Its high range allowed a good spray of suppression fire. The Rayven outranged all other blasters, and was the easiest to rapid fire.
The Rayven, however, was plagued with several flaws.
For one, it was impossible to fire upon impulse - I had to rev it up to fire, and in those seconds the situation often changed drastically, forcing me to adapt under much pressure - not particularly easy.
Another issue was that it commonly misfired. This forced me to tip the barrel down numerous times, costing me ammo, time and often my advantage as it forced me to retreat to ensure safety. As a result I have moved to reduce misfires.
The final issue was its inaccuracy. Clip (mag) system blasters are naturally inaccurate (the Elite dart moves to change this), but the Rayven with 3 14500s is particularly inaccurate. I found it difficult to hit anything past 10-15m.

Overall, the Rayven in theory is great, and if all goes well (and I obtain Elite darts), the Rayven will only be plagued with instant-fire issues, and in the outdoor scenario this is rare.

Nerf Alpha Trooper CS-18 War Review

Name: Alpha Trooper CS-18
Capacity Used: 18 + spare
Range: 15-18m
ROF: 2-3dps, up to 5dps with slam fire
Mods: AR removal, spring replacement, plunger reinforcement
Point of View: User

Scenario: Outdoor, 2v4 TDM, 2v2v2 TDM
Other blasters: AT (same mods), AT*2 (stock), Recon (stock), Deploy (AR removal)
Outdoors, the AT simply dominated. It's superior range to all other blasters used, coupled with a superior ROF (if necessary, otherwise ROF matched other blasters) led to it outclassing all other blasters (except the like AT). I was able to keep opponents at bay with my superior range, without fear of retaliation, and my potential ROF kept me safe in the case of a rush. The only problem with the AT is that slam firing is a lot harder than a stock AT because of the upgraded spring. Apart from that, the AT has no flaws when compared to the other blasters.

Overall the AT was incredibly effective outdoors with the only flaw being lack of accuracy (although this was balanced by everybody being plagued with the same issue).

Scenario: Indoor, FFA
Other blasters: Lumitron (stock), Stampede (extra voltage), Raider (AR removal, plunger reinforcement), Recon (stock)
Indoors the AT was just as good as outdoors, but due to the space involved its superior range was less apparent. I was still able to strike fear into my opponents with its high firepower, but the key difference was that I was still vulnerable to retaliation, and in the case of the Stampede-wielder, they could retaliate without fear of being hit because of the Stampede's full auto nature. Indoors the Stampede was a more fearsome weapon due to the ease at which someone could spew out a shower of darts, but the AT was still held in high regard.

Overall a stock AT would have likely done roughly the same job due to the small area, but the AT was still highly effective.

Rayven Range Test

Simple range test of the Rayven with 3 Trustfire 14500s and a screw for a dummy battery.
Average ranges 20-25m with stock streamlines.
EDIT: Ranges are probably worth jack since these shots were probably not properly flat. Also please don't use Trustfires, they suck. Use eFest, Windyfire or AW IMRs instead.

Rayven Test Fire

Quick test-fire of my Rayven. It has 3 Trustfire 14500s and a screw for a dummy battery.
EDIT: Trustfires are awful for Nerf uses, please use IMRs instead. eFest, Windyfire and AW are reputable IMR brands.

Ranges without the barrel are around 70-80ft.
Ramges with the barrel are probably 60ft+, with far better accuracy.
EDIT: Ranges are probably rubbish, don't pay them much attention.
The barrel has been taken from an LSFG and put into the Recon barrel.
Super bright torch on the side :)

Note about the barrel, the rear end is funneled because it drastically reduces misfires. It used to misfire every 6 shots, but I've now managed to run 30 darts through it without incident.

Comparison: Nerf Rayven CS-18 vs Stampede ECS

This is a comparison of Nerf's two electronic CS blasters.

Comparison: Nerf Rayven CS-18 vs Alpha Trooper CS-18

This is a comparison of Nerf's two best Clip (Mag) System blasters.

Comparison: Nerf Rayven CS-18 vs Barricade RV-10

This is a comparison of Nerf's two flywheel N-Strike blasters.

Nerf Rayven CS-18 Usage Tips

Some usage tips for my new favourite blaster.

Nerf Rayven CS-18 Review

This is a review of Nerf's latest addition to the N-Strike arsenal - the Rayven CS-18. It is part of the Light-It-Up line, combining the colours of N-Strike and Vortex, and adding the special feature of the Firefly REV-8 (GITD ammo) in a form called Firefly Tech. It's my new favourite blaster, and is also the first CS blaster to take this title from my AT for more than a day.