Sunday, December 25, 2011

Nerf Rayven CS-18 - Review!

Introducing the latest in Firefly Tech... the Nerf Rayven CS-18!

The Nerf Rayven uses a "bullpup" design with a flywheel powered system to launch foam darts in semi-auto. It features 2 spinning flywheels positioned in a vertical layout (similar to the Nerf Barricade).

Pull the "acceleration trigger" button at the trigger handle (similar to the Nerf Vortex Nitron) to power up the flywheels, then pull the main trigger to fire. Each trigger pull fires one shot. The rate-of-fire depends on the how quick you can continuously pull the trigger.

It uses the Firefly Tech 18-dart clip which has inbuilt LED lights to "charge" up the special glow-in-the-dark streamline foam darts. Once those foam darts are fired, they will stay glowing briefly, then the glow will fade away. The foam darts can be "re-charged" when back in the clip or from any suitable light source.

The Firefly Tech clip and glow-in-the-dark streamline foam darts are usable with other N-Strike clip-fed blasters. The Rayven can also use all N-Strike clips and drum magazines, as well as normal streamline form darts.

The Rayven requires 4 x AA batteries to operate, and the Firefly Tech clip requires 3 x AA batteries (batteries sold separately).

It has tactical rails on the top and on the right side which are compatible with N-Strike accessories. It also has a front barrel attachment point which is compatible with N-Strike barrel attachments too.

The blaster comes packaged with 18 x glow-in-the-dark streamline foam darts.

Average stock range is around 25-30ft.

For internal photos of the Nerf Rayven, click Here.

Review:

Nerf Rayven CS-18 - Box (Front)




Nerf Rayven CS-18 - Box (Back)




Nerf Rayven CS-18 - Un-Boxed




Nerf Rayven CS-18 - Contents




Nerf Rayven CS-18 - Assembled




Nerf Rayven CS-18 - Profile View




Nerf Rayven CS-18 - Acceleration Trigger & Main Trigger




Nerf Rayven CS-18 - Blaster Requires 4 x AA Batteries




Nerf Rayven CS-18 - Access Hatch




Nerf Rayven CS-18 - Clip Release Button




Nerf Rayven CS-18 - Firefly Tech 18-dart Clip




Nerf Rayven CS-18 - Clip Requires 3 x AA Batteries




Nerf Rayven CS-18 - Clip LED Lights On/Off Button




Nerf Rayven CS-18 - Clip LED Lights





Nerf Rayven CS-18 - Glow-In-The-Dark Streamline Dart vs Normal Streamline Dart




Nerf Rayven CS-18 - Glow-In-The-Dark Streamline Darts in Low Light/Night Conditions




Nerf Rayven CS-18 - With 6-dart Clip




Nerf Rayven CS-18 - With 18-dart Clip




Nerf Rayven CS-18 - With 18-dart Drum Magazine




Nerf Rayven CS-18 - With 35-dart Drum Magazine




Nerf Rayven CS-18 - Firefly Tech Clip on Nerf Recon




Nerf Rayven CS-18 - N-Strike Accessory Compatibility




Nerf Rayven CS-18 - Scale Comparison with Nerf Maverick




Nerf Rayven CS-18 - Demo / Range Test / Night Firing Test Video


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53 comments:

  1. How noisy is this blaster compared to the Barricade?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Bednesti,

    Imho, it seems to be around the same... maybe slightly quieter, but the buzzing noise is still there.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi sg Nerf. I say many people like Lord Draconical and jerm781. They got the glow in the dark darts for the Rayven. Any idea where to get the 50 dart pack?

    ReplyDelete
  4. damien,
    They got it off eBay. Here is the link: http://www.ebay.com.sg/itm/50pcs-NERF-N-Strike-clip-system-dart-Mint-Loose-Nerf-Gun-Toy-Child-Boy-RWB08-/280795644518?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4160b98266

    :D

    ReplyDelete
  5. Oh, it's finally out! I've been dying for this one! So the light which makes the ammo glow is in the clip itself, and not the gun? Does that mean that if they sell those clips separately someday, we can buy the clips, load them into Recons and Stampedes and fire glowing darts without needing to buy the Rayven? That would be great, but probably also means that they'll probably never sell the extra clips like that....

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hey SG. Where did you get your Rayven from?

    ReplyDelete
  7. Ziechyel,

    I got my sets from an overseas seller a while back. You can try checking sites like TaoBao or eBay to find sellers.

    ReplyDelete
  8. The Design is as nice as the firefly's.It looks nice

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  9. choo,

    Check at online sites or eBay... or keep a lookout for them popping up at dept stores soon.

    ReplyDelete
  10. This will look friggin epic with my longstrike whiteout front barrel. Can this be modded like the barricade to get around 60ft?

    ReplyDelete
  11. nikhilk,

    Check out my Rayven Mod Guide:

    http://www.modworks.blogspot.com/2011/12/nerf-rayven-mod-guide_27.html

    Just posted up. :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Also, how much did you pay for the gun?

    ReplyDelete
  13. nikhilk,

    The sets i got from overseas worked out to around SGD$50+ including shipping.

    ReplyDelete
  14. SG, how hard wearing and long lasting is the gun? Also, how long do the batteries last on average

    ReplyDelete
  15. supersonic1997,

    I guess it as durable as any other Nerf blaster. :)

    Battery lifespan depends on the quality and capacity of the batteries used... i've only been testing the blaster for the past few days though, but so far the GP Ultra Alkaline AA batteries i used have lasted for around 600-700 shots and there is still power.

    ReplyDelete
  16. SG, is the Rayven exclusive to any stores? I went into Target yesterday and did not run into any.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Unknown,

    Not too sure when it'll be fully available at all the major dept stores, i guess you'll just have to keep a lookout for them popping up soon.

    ReplyDelete
  18. How long is it compared to other clip system blasters? Or in feet?

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  19. Daniel,

    If you are referring to the blaster length, its approx. 43cm in length.

    If you meant the stock range, as mentioned in my review its around 25-30ft, similar to most stock Nerf blasters.

    ReplyDelete
  20. it looks alot like a FAMAS from call of duty black ops... i would like to see someone replicate it

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Finally someone is thinking the same thing as me, from the beginning i was like whao a famas:)

      Delete
  21. you bought it From Taoboa rite?

    ReplyDelete
  22. Carbonnerf,

    Well, the units i reviewed were sent from an overseas friend a while back (i just didn't have time to review them until now)... but recently some units did pop up on TaoBao too, so you could try searching for them there, not sure if those sellers still have stock though.

    ReplyDelete
  23. is it comfortable to holdand use? is the lack of a shoulder stock a problem?

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  24. lrmo306,

    Imho, it's very ergonomic and comfortable to use. This is called a "bullpup" design, the trigger handle is positioned further forward, so everything behind that is actually the shoulder stock, which also houses the clip and firing system. This allows the blaster to be shorter and more compact.

    You can read more about "bullpup" designs in this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bullpup

    ReplyDelete
  25. Looks like the blaster will sit very comfortably in the shoulder, the length between the rear of the blaster and the pistol grip looks similar to that of any blaster you can fit a stock to the rear of. Its just a very compact design thats all :)

    ReplyDelete
  26. SG Nerf,
    What are the clear batteries you used in the voltage mod?
    --
    Philip

    ReplyDelete
  27. Philip,

    Those are DIY dummy AA spacers to fill in and bypass the empty battery compartment slots.

    They are simply made from AAA to AA battery converter shells with a thick coiled copper wire installed inside connecting the + and - contacts.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Do you think you could post pictures of it with the longstrike barrel, longshot scope, and foregrip? Or just whichever of those you have; very curious how it'd look!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Dragoon,

    Unfortunately, i've already traded away those other blasters and accessories a while back, so i can't do more combination photos with them. I usually don't keep blasters or accessories that i never use in Nerf games anyways... saves space for newer blasters. :)

    ReplyDelete
  30. Sg nerf.
    When is this goying to be released. I read the official date is march 3rd but it's been in some stores since the 27 of December. Do you know what is going on.
    Also what do you think of the Scout ix-3. And does the yellow one still work with the Titan.
    Thankyou in advance.

    ReplyDelete
  31. zebra,

    Official launch dates for new Nerf blasters are just indicative release dates, it's common to see blasters arriving earlier or later at stores. It just depends on the various distribution schedules in different stores and countries.

    The Scout IX-3 is quite a nice blaster, it's got a compact form factor and many nerfers like it for it's design.

    The yellow versions i've seen still have the secondary trigger activation button at the top of their tactical rails, so they should be able to work with Nerf Titans as integrated blasters too.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Thanks SG Nerf I was also wondering why it is not the Rayven ECS 18. And has the Rayven popped up in Singapore.

    ReplyDelete
  33. zebra,

    No idea why Nerf reverted back to the normal "CS-18" type of label, instead of having its own unique label. I guess its for simplicity. :)

    The Rayven is not available locally yet,, but if it does pop up at local stores, i will update that info on this site.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Rayvens spotted at the Target in Chicago, not sure about elsewhere.

    ReplyDelete
  35. SG Nerf,
    I have a Longshot, Longstrike, MagStrike, Maverick, Quick 16, Speedload 6, Barrel Break and a Firefly. What blaster/accessory do you recommend to add to my arsenal?
    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  36. mbryanawesome,

    Get a Nerf Stampede. :)

    ReplyDelete
  37. Hey SGNerf,

    Just in case any Aussies are wondering when they can get this, Target will start to stock it Mid February.

    ReplyDelete
  38. SG Nerf,
    Heh heh.... other than that?

    ReplyDelete
  39. mbryanawesome,

    Get a Raider... for its 35-dart drum mag, which you can also use in your other clip-fed blasters.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Has the Lumitron made it over there at all yet?

    ReplyDelete
  41. MacTrekkie,

    So far, retail sources in Singapore have indicated that the Rayven and Lumitron are slated to launch at local stores here around March 2012.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Saw this in Kmart in Aus today. Priced at $45AUD, little overpriced but I will probably go back tomorrow and get it.

    ReplyDelete
  43. My Rayven is acting weird. The fly wheels won't turn when I have a 35 round drum and six clips. The original clip works and so do all my 18 round clips. Any idea what could be wrong?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. nightfox431,

      It could be due to one of the pressure switches in your Rayven's clip well that is not being activated properly by the other clips and mags, hence the circuit is still open.

      Check the sides of those other clips and mags, it could be due to an indentation on the back part which could be the cause. You could try attaching a piece of plastic to that indentation so that it matches with the design on the 18-dart clips.

      Alternatively , just use some duct tape to tape down the pressure switches in the clip well, that should solve the issue.

      Delete
  44. I just looked at the drum and six round clips and found that they had hollowed out spots whereas the other magazines had that spot filled in. I'll just tape down the pressure switches. Thanks for the advice!

    ReplyDelete
  45. hey sg, where can i get nerf accesories in Singapore?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. supersonic1997,

      Check at the local dept stores, they usually have a selection of N-Strike accessory kits currently available, refer to this list:

      http://sgnerf.blogspot.com/2009/03/latest-nerf-store-stock.html

      Note that not all the kits are available in Singapore. For the other kits, you'll have to get them from overseas stores or order from online sites.

      Delete
  46. Dear SG Nerf,
    Today I picked up a rayven at my local Target.
    When I got home, I opened it up, but all the batteries in...ect. (I used NEW batteries bought that day) Upon firing, the darts flew about 6 feet. Do you know what happened? Did I do something wrong? Or is this blaster just defective?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ERIK (the REAL one),

      It could be a faulty unit, just exchange it at the store for a new properly working set.

      Delete
  47. It looks a little like a FAMAS. It's also what people wished barricades were origionally like

    ReplyDelete

 

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