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Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Nerf N-Strike Elite Rayven CS-18:PIC SPAM


The N-Strike Rayven CS-18 was one of the last of the new N-Strike blasters to be released before we started to move on to the all new N-Strike Elite series. It was (and we'd like to take credit for this a lil!) well received by fans and Nerf probably felt it needed more air time than to be slowly phased out with the other N-Strike gear, so in an interesting move, Nerf have re-released the Rayven as an N-Strike Elite blaster. 

Unlike the Retaliator (which was a souped up and renamed Recon with a different stock and a grip attachment)  or the Rampage (a souped up and renamed Raider without stock and a smaller capacity drum), the Rayven still kept its name and status as a Firefly clip blaster, only now it sports the new Elite colours (albeit the original Rayven never sported the N-Strike colours anyway!) and a souped up motor (similar to the Stryfe and Hailfire I'm guessing). It also comes equipped with new Elite glow in the dark darts. 

Otherwise.. everything else is pretty much the same, so rather than being a 'review' per se, most of this will just be a big ol' pic spam:) I do make a few comments, but otherwise, enjoy the pics after the jump:)



Revamped box but still uses the same Rayven dude from the original N-Strike Rayven packaging.


Notice they've altered the box to show the 'N-Strike Elite badge'


Boasting the Elite distances of 75ft- yup I got mine from Amazon.com:)




The Rayven now sports the N-Strike Elite colours in blue, white and orange. I like it better personally. The name plate and 'Nerf' logos are however etched in green- I assume to mark it as a firefly tech blaster.



While the blaster is almost the same, they've followed the Retaliator and Rampage route and changed the etching to be the current N-Strike Elite branding.




Jam door is gun metal grey. Priddy.



Takes 4 AA's as always, though the motor IS more powerful. I'll leave it to those with the voltage mod batteries to tell you the ideal config for this.



Elite firefly darts look very similar to the original firefly darts, but if you hold them you can tell the subtle differences in what looks like different foam,and heavier tips in the Elite ones. I found they also held their glow a little longer, but that might just be me wanting to believe this:D


The new Firefly clips seem to be very similar to the old ones, however they're now bright green. I always thought "blue and green should never be seen..." but then this actually KIND of works:D Obviously the Rayven takes regular clips as well, and it doesn't have the same "smart" mechanism as the Stryfe so it can fire original N-Strike clips and darts as well. 




3 batteries as always.








Performances are typical of a US N-Strike Elite blaster. Quite a bit more power and distance than the original Rayven, and with a slightly quieter motor.


It's hard to NOT compare this blaster to its newer brother in the N-Strike Elite Stryfe- both are clip fed motorised semi auto fly wheel blasters, and both fill that "SMG" style of gun so it's really a matter of personal preference as to which one you prefer. The Rayven is a bull pup style blaster with the ability to take a barrel attachment and tactical rail, but no stock as opposed to the Stryfe which has a front loading clip, and can take a barrel attachment, sight AND stock.  Whatever works for you I guess.

I always liked the Rayven because of its unique styling, and am glad they've made an Elite version though I appreciate those who already voltage modded their Rayven's found the upgrade unnecessary.

12 comments:

  1. some barrel extensions should never be used with some blasters - this is point and case!

    lol great review, cheers guys. im hoping to pick mine up soon :) Elite Stryfe and Rayven coming to a battle zone near you!

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  2. Which has better preformance, the Stryfe or the Rayven?

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    Replies
    1. From my part, pretty much the same given it sounds/feels like the same motor. You couldn't accurately say one consistently shot further than the other; it really is a personal preference thing.

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  3. Yes, I agree with "blue and green should never be seen". As someone said in a comment about a year ago, they kinda are "eye raping colors".

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    1. That being said I am not fan of the 'beige' colour of the original Firefly clips with the original Rayven lime either. I think the guy allocated to the Rayven colour schemes is just a lil colourblind:)

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  4. Nice review guys! Thoroughly enjoyed every bit of it!!! Keep it up!

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  5. There seems to be a lot of confusion and controversy over the color of the Elite Rayven. Some people say that it is darker or more purple than the other Elite blasters (due to the "official" stock images). Is there any difference in the color, or is it just a matter of poor lighting on the stock image? Also, can you post a photo of the Elite Rayven with the original Rayven clip (and vice versa)? I honestly think it will look better than what it comes with.

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  6. when this blaster released? reply me tks ><

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  7. How much does the range decrease with the retaliator barrel extension?

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  8. How much does the range decrease with the retaliator barrel extension?

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  9. Would you recommend buying it off amazon? Or is it better to wait till it is release in Australia. I read somewhere that blasters bought in Australia are nerfed, therefore range-wise would be similar to an n-strike yet still cost a lot more.

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  10. Is the barrel rifled like the retaliator?

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