My Christmas Nerf Haul!

This Christmas I got six Nerf blasters. Yep, that's right, six. That now makes my collection expand to 13 blasters. I got:
1x Rapidfire AS-20
1x Magstrike AS-10
1x Secret Strike AS-1
1x Barricade RV-10
1x Longstrike CS-6
1x Clear Maverick REV-6

Now, I know that sounds a little unbelievable, but I have the pictures to back up my intel!

I understand that my face is pixelated, but I don't want my picture all over the Internet.

So, there it is. My Nerf Christmas haul. I guess you could say a had a very merry Nerfmas. Thanks, Mum!

Merry Christmas from The Nerf Blog

This post has no other purpose than to say a big merry Christmas to everyone here. Thanks for the all the support, positive feedback and constructive criticism you have offered throughout this year. It has been an amazing journey, getting this blog from a measly ten page views in the first month, to the monster eighty page views every day we're getting now. I also have to say how great it's been to listen to your thoughts about what I've been writing. You seriously don't know how much your feedback and support has meant to me and the blog. This extends even more to my seven followers, who have made the biggest contribution to this blog. But I don't just rate my success in page views and followers, but how many people I have helped or who have thoroughly enjoyed reading my articles.

I have many aspirations for next year, which include many for this blog and for my Nerf hobby. I will be purchasing some new blasters, and maybe even getting some for Christmas, and I also hope to be posting even more of the content that makes this blog what it is. So with out any further babbling on about how this all happened, I say a big thanks to everyone who is reading this right now!

One last thing. MERRY CHRISTMAS from The Nerf Blog!

Nerf Longshot CS-6- Review

The Nerf N-Strike Longshot CS-6 has recently been re-released in a limited run in Australia. So I decided to pick one up. And I haven't looked back since!

The Longshot is a direct plunger, sniper rifle style blaster. It it is renowned for being one of the best blasters for stock range, and also being the most modify-able. The Longshot utilizes Nerf N-Strike clip functionality, offering supreme adaptability and quick reloads. This blaster is one of the most revered Nerf blasters.

This blaster offers exceptional range and accuracy, even when shooting stock streamline darts. The range is moderately consistent, with most of the shot group landing in a 5-10' radius. The Longshot will shoot an average of 30-40 feet with some shots dipping out just before. With a few modifications, the Longshot is the ultimate sniper weapon.

The Longshot is a very good looking blaster, with bold and angular lines everywhere. It has a great colour scheme. From a distance that is. On closer inspection, the paintjob is quite blotchy, with all many colours going over the lines, and mixing to make a dirty black colour. This could be significantly proved, but as far as the rest of the looks go, it's pretty good.

Personally, I find this blaster to be an excellent performer, and that's why I'm going to incorporate it into my loadout, for a long-range blaster. I know this bit is is going to make me seem  like Cacox97 (from Youtube) but here are the ranks.
Ranks:
Range: 9.4
Accuracy: 8.9
Looks: 6.2
Feel: 8.5
Overall: 8.25

I got a Longshot!

Today I went to my local Kmart store and to my surprise, there were about 8 Nerf Longshots. So, you guessed it, I bought one. $60 AUD, which is a great deal. And I love this blaster so much. It shoots very well for a stock blaster, and I have already modded the front gun with AR removal, and an air seal upgrade. Pretty good if you ask me. This blaster is definitely my new primary. Bring it on!

I Modded My Recon!

So I finally took the plunge and opened up my Recon! I have been wanting to mod it for a while, but I haven't had the guts to rip open the shell and have a good look around in there. Once I took off the shell, I could see how it all worked. It took a while to get familiar with all the mechanisms, but I managed to do it and I am so glad I did!

It took me an hour to get it all working, but after removing the AR and the clip lock, plugging the breach hole and padding the plunger, I am rather impressed with my blaster's new found range and dart velocity. I have had so much fun modding my Recon, I recommend that everyone find a good guide and do the same mods I did. You won't be disappointed!

Nerf Longshot vs. Longstrike

The two Nerf sniper style blasters- the Longshot and the Longstrike are still battling it out, long after the Longshot has been discontinued.  Bothe of them are epic, but which one will win? To find out, we have devised a a multi-round competition. Let the games begin!

Round 1- Range:

Both of these blasters have good ranges, but one is the clear winner. Without being too technical, the Longshot uses the direct plunger system to deliver air to your dart and propel it out of the barrel. This is the most effective way to utilise the air that is created in the action of the plunger. The Longstrike on the other hand is of the reverse-plunger variety, which has a system where the plunger rod is actually a piece of the plunger casing and the plunger itself has a spring other the top of it. Put simply, the Longshot is much more efficient at delivering air to your dart, making it shot much better ranges in stock form.

Round 2- Feel:

These two blasters both have a similar design, but once again, one of these blasters has to be put in the lead. The Longshot may have the cool little bi-pod that folds down, but the Longstrike has a very comfortable shoulder stock that you can really use. I prefer the swept back handle design of the Longstrike, as it really adds to the sniper rifle feel. Despite it all being a matter of personal preference, I have to say the Longstrike is more comfortable.

Round 3- Looks:

The looks of each blaster are very distinct and you either love them or hate them. The Longshot is very bulky, while the Longstrike is slim and streamlined. If you are going for the sniper rifle feel and look, go for the Longstrike. If you want a big bulky blaster which looks great with the bi-pod down, then go for the Longshot.   I declare this round a tie.

Round 4- Modifications:

If you're a hardcore modifier, you will already know that the Longshot is far superior in mod-ability. As described above, the reverse plunger system is very limited in the mods that you can do to it. Basic AR removal would be one of the main mods. The direct plunger set-up, is much easier to mod, and you can do so much more to it. The best range I have heard of for a reverse plunger blaster is around 60 feet- and that's exceptional. With some good mods, even a lightly modded Longshot can hit that, and they commonly hit around 100 feet + .

Finally, the scores say that the Longshot is the better blaster of the two. It has better range and mod-ability and in my opinion, packs a better punch. To be fair to the Longstrike though, the Longshot is rarely found in stores, while the Longstrike is far more available. In years to come, the Longshot will be obsolete. But here and now, the Longshot is the superior blaster, without a doubt.  

Nerf Reflex IX-1 Modification

Since I got the Nerf Reflex IX-1, yesterday, I have been wanting to modify it. So Today I took the plunge into uncharted waters (at least for me, anyway) and discovered the great performance unlockable with only basic modding skills.

To start with, I removed all 10 screws from the blaster. They came out easily, and it took but a moment to rip open the shell. I was greeted with this sight:

The most simple of all Nerf reverse-plunger type set-ups. It then took me just a couple of minutes to drill out the air-restrictor and cover the breach hole with duct tape. If you remove the plunger,you can actually add a couple of layers of Teflon/ plumbers tape to improve the air seal.

The speed loader was almost as simple, with a couple of layers of duct tape and some hot glue bonding the 2 Crayola barrels together. And that's basically it. Mod done. This is not meant to serve as  a guide, but if your afraid of modding your Reflex, or are curious about how to mod it, I hope I helped!

Nerf Reflex IX-1- Review

The Nerf Reflex IX-1 blaster was never previously available in Australia. For most Australian fans it was a cool but mysterious blaster. Until now. Most Target stores in Australia now stock the reflex, for $7.00 AUD. A mighty good deal if you ask me! This blaster is going to be my new mini side-arm, but it will never replace my trusty Switch Shot EX-3. So let's dive into the review and find out what makes this blaster so awesome.

Pros:
For one, this blaster is tiny. It is an excellent example of innovation in Nerf's design, with all the main components fitting inside a shell smaller than your hand. It also has okay range for it's size, topping out at around 20-25 feet, though I would still only use it as my barrel-tap\close-quarters weapon in a Nerf war. It works rather well, too, as I haven't had a misfire yet.

Cons:
I must say that this blaster has very few cons, despite it's size and cheap price. The main con is comfort as the handle digs into my hand after a while. It starts off as not a real problem, but eventually turns into quite a painful experience.

Finally, for it's small size and good range, I would happily incorporate this into my Nerf war loadout.I give this excellent blaster a 8/10. Definitely worth buying!

Dream Nerf Loadout

I really like to participate in Nerf Wars. They are loads of fun, but without away to carry all those blasters, ammo and accessories, they can be rather difficult. I mainly use a very basic loadout, but I an currently contemplating whether or not I should buy a more advanced loadout system. If I had the choice, for my favourite- indoor wars I would choose to carry a voltage modded Stampede, a Barricade and a Reflex, plus ammo. For ammo and clip storage, I would use the tactical vest, with the Barricade in the holster and a Reflex in the mesh pouch.

So with this I pose a question. What is your ultimate loadout?

2010 Nerf Awards!

I have decided to make a segment each year on this blog, to highlight the best blasters of the year. Since this  blog has only been running for less than one year, this is a first for me. As I'm a purist, I only like Nerf branded products. Also, please understand that these award are based on are my opinions only, so please don't flame me if your's differ.

Best pistol of 2010
This year there was actually tough competition in the best pistol category. The previous best sidearm, the Maverick REV-6, had to compete with the new boys on the block, the Spectre and Barricade. All these blasters are excellent choices for sidearms. So did the Maverick, which was coming back to defend it's title win. Sadly, no. I believe that the best pistol of 2010 is the Barricade RV-10. It tops the Maverick in every way, dude to the fact that it has batter ranges, looks cool, is easily modable and it is semi-auto for intensely high rate of fire.

Best Rifle of 2010

Once again the competition was intense in this category, but with my previous favourite blaster, the Longshot, discontinued, I had to choose elsewhere. This meant I had to choose from new vs. old, which is rather difficult. But I have decided to go back to basics and choose the Raider. It has high rate of fire, and can hold 35 darts. It has been and always will be awesome!

Best Value for Money Blaster of 2010

All Nerf blasters are pretty good value, but one blaster stood out in being very good and also very cheap. If you have been following the Nerf new releases, you probably already knew I would pick the Alpha-Trooper CS-18. I love the idea of the 18-dart mini-drum and high rate of fire for such a low price! This is a great blaster!

Breakout Blaster of 2010

Ever since Nerf released the 9-9-10 project idea, people were speculating. And then people started to get hold of the breakout blaster of 2010. The Nerf N-Strike Stampede ECS! Awesome firepower and cool accessories and looks combine to make this a formidable force against all competitors. There is no more to say- this blaster is pure awesomeness!

So there you have it, the 2010 Nerf awards. The best of the best Nerf blasters from 2010!

Nerf N-Strike Barricade RV-10 What's up with new releases?

Ever since SGNerf and Urban Taggers got hold of some of these new semi-auto Nerf pistol concepts, people have been speculating about if they are real or not. But now they have been spotted in stores by numerous people (including myself!) in many countries. But so far no-one in the US has them. They look awesome, and the only thing stopping me from buying 2 is that I have set myself a goal to save some money until the new year. And I have promised myself I will go on a spending spree, in the after Christmas sales! But I still can't help but wonder- why are Nerf abandoning their prime customers in the US and releasing them in other countries (like Australia!) first?

Introducing Nerf As a Hobby

I have a lot of friends that have Nerf N-Strike blasters. If they ask me how many I have and I say that I have how ever many I have at the time, they look at me as if I'm bonkers! If I ask them if they modify their blasters, most of them will ask me what it means. It is peculiar how many people have these blasters and have never looked into them to see how people modify and rate them. At first I found a Maverick at a toy store. I bought it and looked at other Nerf blasters on the Internet. I then found some mods and other things.

Nerf is not just a brand that is almost always used in the same sentence as fun, but it can also be called a hobby. For those who practise the modification processes outlined out by other Nerfers, they look at modifications as a way of expressing their own personal style in the colours and performance of their blasters. These modifiers can spend up to 8 hours on a single paint-job. It may sound daft to the people who aren't right into modifying their blasters, but the modification process is an art.

I happen to be one of these people who look at the box art of a new release and go- that has a reverse plunger, similar internals to a Recon and not much mod potential. But I am trying to think up some other ideas to persuade other friends into modifying their blasters and having big wars with them. To me a modified pistol round is the most fun out of any war.

I personally like to show my friends who look interested some of my blasters and then if they seem to like them, I invite them to have a war with me. I will always win of course, and I always show off the waesome fire-power of my modified blasters. Currently I have one friend that loves my blasters, and wants to get his own and another friend who already has some, one of which I modified for him.

Do you have some cool ways to persuade your friends into being Nerfers? If so feel free to post them below!

My Nerf Arsenal- UPDATE

Since I last uploaded my tiny arsenal, it has changed a lot. I got  a new Recon, stuffed up my second Maverick (long story) and have my Switchshot EX-3 disassembled and primed ready to paint khaki. I just thought I would post an update. I didn't want to make another video, as the last one took 2 hours to produce on my slow little laptop. So here's the pic- pretty self explanatory.

Battle Rifle Nerf Recon CS-6

Since I got the Nerf Recon, I have been fiddling around with all the Nerf N-Strike bits and bobs that can be attached on the tactical rails, to the barrel, different stocks and also the clip capacity. I wanted to cram as much of the accessories on as possible, so it would look totally awesome. I ended up with the base Recon pistol, Recon stock with spare clip, Element scope, flip-up sight, 35-dart drum mag, Recon barrel and finally the tac. light. It adds a lot of dead weight and makes the blaster excessively hard to prime, but it looks awesome- see pics!! 

Nerf Recon CS-6- Review

I finally managed to get my hands on a Nerf Recon CS-6. I Pretty much guessed I was going to get it for my birthday, and I did. I was expecting it to be pretty good, but it just blew my away. Some people complain about constant jamming and bad range, but mine shoots very well.

From what I have heard about reverse plunger blasters, I thought they were going to shoot like 10 feet or something, but then I got the Recon, and mine proves everyone on the Internet who hates it, is the sort of person who wakes up one morning thinking they're an ape. Mine shoots around 35 feet- no joke. It's interchangeable components make it a blast to use and I would highly recommend this blaster.

Shout-out to some of the best Nerfers ever!

I just wanted to take the time to send a shout out to 2 really good Nerfers from Youtube, who's videos I have enjoyed immensely. They are Coop772 (www.youtube.com/coop772) and Uin13 (aka ICE) (www.youtube.com/uin13). Check out their quality channels and you won't regret it. Their videos are great for any Nerfer.

What's the go with Camo Ammo?

Since the Nerf camo ammo was announced, I thought it looked awesome. But although it hasn't even been spotted in any Australian stores yet- hence the fact that I don't already have one of each pouch set, I am starting to see some practicality issues with them.

My main concern is that you're going to loose a lot more darts during outdoor wars than if you use standard darts. I usually have a pretty low collection rate at the best of times, but with these the darts will be like trying to pick a specific ant out of a whole nest of the things. This is absolutely stupid. But despite the major practicality issue, I am still going to stock up on these. There is just some kind of need for them. I can't put my finger on exactly what it is. You just keep making excuses for them, like: "I guess these would be okay in indoor wars" or "If you look hard enough you could find them". It's just awesome. What more can I say?

My Bandolier Kit Loadout

Since I purchased the Nerf Bandolier Kit, I wanted to know what the best way to use it would be. I tried with just the strap, clips and darts, but I found the strap moved way to much, and wasn't worth it's weight during a war. But since I have invented my new way to carry it, I have changed my mind drastically. I thought I would share this with you to save you some trial and error in using this great piece of gear.

My current Bandolier loadout( just the strap and the components attached to it) consists of:

• 1 Nitefinder (modded of course)
• 12 Suction Micro Darts
• Up to 3 Clips
• A Secret Strike to be drawn over the shoulder (not seen in the picture)

Nerf Spectre REV-5- Worth it?

I have been wondering about when the Nerf Spectre REV-5 will be coming to Australia, along with many other assorted blasters. But then I thought- Why the hell would I actually buy one of these things? Seriously- it comes with a stupid folding stock that bends, a useless silencer attachment and only holds five darts- instead of the usual six of the Maverick. No one in their right mind would have a Nerf war with one of these things- you would be out of ammo in the first minute, and it would take three times as long as firing all the darts continuously, to actually reload the thing! Nerf really wasted their time and effort with this project. If anyone owns a Spectre REV-5 and likes it- please comment and explain why. I haven't actually held one, but I haven't heard a good review on one yet.

Nerf Element Tactical Scope Review

I have recently borrowed the Nerf Tactical Rail Scope from my friend. He has the Element full kit, with the gun, light and scope. I gave him some duct tape, so he gave me a good lend of it. Two months to be exact. The main reason I borrowed it was so I could make a cool review of it and show it of on my blog, so here it is!

The scope is a Tactical Rail compatible Nerf brand accessory that can attach to the Tactical Rail of any most Nerf N-Strike blasters. It is moderately accurate, and with practice, you can easily hit a target the size of a paper cup ( my favourite target ) from 20 feet away! It has a flip away Sepia lens on the front, which means it can be moved away to reveal a clear plastic lens. It is a little mediocre, but it can and in most cases will improve your aim. It also looks awesome!

If you want a nice looking Tactical Rail Compatible scope for you Nerf N-Strike Blaster, get one of these. You can buy them without purchasing a Longshot or Element, and I would highly recommend doing so! I give it a 4/5!

Home Made Flip-Clip

If you have ever seen the Nerf Flip-Clip, you probably thought great idea... and then saw the price tag. Which is disappointing, as all your paying for is a couple of clips and some darts, which can be purchased for much less on their own. Really, all the extra cash is going into a nice Nerf branded piece of plastic. Sure it looks nice, but really, a hunk of plastic for that much extra. I saw this and unlike many, I thought- stuff it, Nerf isn't getting my hard earned cash for something, like that.

I already had the 2 standard 6 dart clips that came with the Nerf Bandolier Kit. I then simply added some grey duct tape around them and there you have it, a home made Flip-Clip. The only downside is that you can't de-attach the clips to be used separately. A small price to pay for a great Nerf war accessory!

Thinking to expand my collection! Opinions please!

I am really wanting to expand my Nerf blaster collection. These are the guns I already own:

-Raider CS-35

-Vulcan EBF-25

-Maverick REV-6

-Nitefinder EX-3

-Switchshot EX-3

-Secret Strike AS-1

Considering that the newest guns, such as the Alpha-Trooper CS-18 are not in Australia, which gun would improve my collection? I really want to be able to get it a my local K-MART store. They have: Recons, Magstrikes and others, depending on the time. Thanks for your opinions!

Nerf Switch Shot Mod Almost Done!

I have finally finished my Nerf N-Strike Switch-Shot EX-3 internals mod. It now has a stretch internal spring (for a pre tensioned load), the ARs taken out (with the help from Zack- check out his blog!), and a higher rate catch spring! It also has the hole in the plunger tube enlarged so now it shoots around 45-50 feet. If I angled it it shoots over my whole house! I would really recommend this mod to anyone. Just don't dry fire it or you will smash the plunger tube in half. I am going to do a camo paint job soon, so stay tuned!

Raider CS-35 Drum Mag- Too Big?

I have been wondering about the Nerf Raider CS-35 drum magazine. A first glance it looks awesome. But take away the massive ammo capacity, and what our left with is a huge disadvantage on the weight, feel and manoeuvrability side of things. It makes the gun it is being used on very heavy. I know the Alpha Trooper 18 dart drum mag would fix the problem- but down under we can't get Alpha Trooper CS-18s. And I don't see why we should have to buy one gun to fix another. Don't bet me wrong- I love my Raider, but the drum mag kinda ruins it.

What annoys me is that the Raider had potential to be the best Nerf gun ever, but only if it was bottom loading. Now with the massive weight of the drum mag pulling the left side down I really can't get the point in it now. It should have been much better, and I reckon a direct plunger could have improved it as well. I think it works fine with other bottom loading guns, such as the Recon, which I have tried my friend's one of. With this I pose a question- what do you think of the Nerf 35 round drum magazine?

Modding- My Opinion

Okay. If you're a regular to this blog, you will know that I say that I have done some modding. But all of these mods were external- eg. the Vulcan 50 belt and some other minor , and sometimes even cosmetic things. The first time I attempted an internals mod, I completely destroyed my Maverick, Air Restricters and all. But today I took a leap- and modded my Switchshot EX-3.

I chose this gun to modify to prove to myself that modding was possible, and in most cases, easy. I stared by removing the blaster component of the gun. This contained only 4 screws, so I undid these and opened 'er up. And I was pleasantly surprised. I was very simple, with only a catch, plunger and spring to worry about. I hoped to take out the Air Restricters. But the front portion were they were housed was glued shut.

I had heard about other modders that stretch the spring, as to increase the range. I tried to remove it, but the plunger end (I'm not sure what it's called was glued on as well. So I then resorted to stretching the spring , while it was still installed. I am happy to say, It worked perfectly, and now my gun shoots a good 7-10 feet further.

All in all, my second mod was very successful. I'm happy with the results, and I'm sure you will be to! Finally, I didn't post this as a modding guide, but more of a dialogue of my first real successful mod. I hope to post more of these in the future. One question- Do you have a Switchshot EX-3? and if you do, have you had a similar experience to me? Please feel free to comment and follow this blog!

9-9-10 is here!

It's the 9th September 2010 and it officially out! The NERF STAMPEDE! It's the gun we've all been waiting for, and it is now on store shelves around the world. Although some people have either found pre-release models or found a store which has mistakenly released them early, it hasn't been official- until now!

For those of you who don't know, the Stampede is a 3- dart per second, clip fed, highly anticipated beast. It was always know as the mystery 9-9-10 blaster, until someone leaked information onto web. It has received great reviews, with many critics saying that it is the best Nerf gun ever made. It is also the blaster that sees the debut of the 18 dart extended clip.

Sadly, the Stampede doesn't hit Australian stores for another 4-6 weeks, but I know when it comes, I'll be getting one. So stay tuned for more information on the most highly anticipated Nerf N-Strike blaster!

Image courtesy of www.nerfguns.org

Sick Nerf Vulcan Mod!

Ok! This mod has nothing to do with me- I didn't do it, I didn't design it and I'm not affiliated with Mana Potions in any way. I am just posting this link to show you how awesome Nerf can get! Check it out at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dokbdPPqkFU !

Clear Raider CS-35 Pics

A reader requested that I put up some pictures of my Raider Cs-35 Clear edition. Here they are!

Nerf Bandolier Kit Review

I have recently purchased the Nerf Bandolier Kit. It is a recently released ammo storage system, for Nerf Wars or generally mucking around with Nerf guns. I is a simple idea, with a strap with metal snap swivels at each end, and a long elastic strap with sewn in sections. It can hold 12 darts, 6 clips and something else in between the clips.

Out of the box, it comes with the bandolier itself , 24 streamline darts and 2 clips (enough to fill both clips and the darts slots on the bandolier. I find it hold clips well, but you may lose a dart when you rip it out. The pockets in between the clips hold film canister Nerf grenades (http://nerfstuffisawesome.blogspot.com/2010/08/nerf-film-canister-grenade.html) well.

It's also worth mentioning that the bandolier can work as a strap for blasters like the Vulcan, Deploy and others.

Finally I think that is a great buy and for $20 in Australia, I would have bought it just for the clips and ammo.

Nerf Film Canister Grenade

To anyone who may check back here regularly, I'm sorry I haven't posted much lately! I have been thinking about making some easy homemade Nerf war accessories. One that came to mind instantly was a spring powered grenade. And sure enough, a quick Google search revealed a host of options. Since I have a spare film canister lying around, I found some nice ideas on Youtube. One I found particularly good was by FrappicinoINC. He has made a whole launcher for them! I haven't found a spring good enough for the job yet, but my Dad will get me a spring powered toilet roll holder for me to shatter the spring out of. A friend has given my some darts his Recon CS-6 shredded, so I cut them down and they work great! I then got an old piece of membership card and cut a circle 35mm in diameter ( the width of the film canister). All I need is a spring. A bonus is the middle straps on the Bandolier (between the clips) hold one each. This is going to be a blast to use. Stay tuned for a proper look when I make it!

I have the Clear Raider CS-35!!!

I got the brand new Nerf Raider CS-35 CLEAR EDITION! I got it out of layby yesterday- and I must say it's awesome! Okay, lets start from the beginning. I am desperately after the Recon CS-6 when I suddenly relise after searching everywhere for it, that because at that time it was 'toy sale season' and everyone would be sold out! I really wanted a new blaster, so I looked at my local K-Mart store and I found one on these. Since I didn't have $60 spare lying around, I laybyed it and a few weeks later I got it out!

I was immensely excited about this! A Clear Series blaster- mine!! It works great, but the only concern I have is the Slamfire jams easy and if you don't realise and keep pumping, it will shred a dart every time you pump. I have already destroyed 6 darts this way!

Stay tuned for more updates and a proper review...

UPDATE- A lot more than 6 darts have been shredded by now!

My Nerf Arsenal

UPDATE: I have a Clear Raider CS-35 right now!!

Cool Ammo Box

I just wanted to share my recently made Nerf ammo box, for storage some of those darts that are normally scattered all around your desk (if you are the worlds biggest Nerf fan like me). It is actually a cotton tip box that had been emptied and covered in grey duct tape- the same stuff I am going to be using to stick it to many surfaces in the house for when your out of ammo in a Nerf war game in your house. It holds 21 suction darts, and probably more of the streamline variety.

Secret Strike AS-1 Review

A while back I was in the area where the Nerf stuff it kept in my local Kmart store. I saw a lot of different guns, including a Longshot Cs-6. I knew I was only there for a look, but when my eyes rested on the Secret Strike AS-1, I just had to have it. I was only $3, and for that price, as they're always there, I going to get a few more.

They come out of the box with the gun itself, 2 suction darts and a pre-attached pocket clip. It also has a cardboard target on the back of the box, but I couldn't be bothered cutting it out, so I threw it away. The gun itself is extremely small and it will shoot any kind of dart. The range is good, but I don't really do range tests, but in feet, as most range tests are done, I would say that it would shoot 35 feet with Streamline darts. It would shoot less with the included Suction darts, but. Another thing is that the darts, especially Streamlines, fishtail heaps, ruining the guns precise accuracy.

The great range and power of the gun owes itself to the air power, denoted by AS in the gun's name. The only thing wrong with air powered Nerf guns is that they require a bit of pumping to fill the tank. In the Secret Strike, you're going to need to pump around 7 times, but if you were shooting your friends with darts, this would only be a last resort to stop them from shooting you. Also, don't let the guns small size trick you into thinking it's easy to pump- it's about as hard to pump as a Magstrike.

Finally, for the money, I think this is a great Nerf blaster. It is the cheapest Nerf gun, but if you have never tried a Nerf gun before and think it sounds fun, try this gun and get ready for a lot of fun! Image courtesy of www.gadgetsarefun.org

Vortex Pocket Howler Mini Review

This is going to be a quick look and a small review of the Vortex Pocket Howler, made by Nerf. For starters, I got this Vortex the other day at Kmart, for only $2.50. It was an unmistakable bargain. And with a bit of persuading, my mum said yes. I thought it sounded like a good deal- and I was right!

It flies level, and with a good throw, it will easily fly 15 metres. It does make a satisfying howl as it zooms through the air. For younger users, the smaller weight of the Pocket Howler, over the Mega Howler, may make it easier to use. I'm reasonably strong, but I'm a terrible shot at the Vortex. But when there is a friend on the other side to collect it, it becomes a very fun game.

Finally, even though it is a great deal, the Vortex Pocket Howler is overshadowed by it's larger and more capable brother, the Mega Howler. For people under 8 years of age, I would recommend it, but much older and you are in Mega Howler zone. But in saying that, I still love it for the price. And if you want a cheap deal go for the Pocket Howler. If you want better range and a more weighty throw, Go for the Mega Howler! I give it 4/5!

Nerf N-Strike Nitefinder EX-3 Review

The Nerf Nitefinder is one of the most common of the N-Strike arsenal. It's simple in it's most basic form, but it has a bit of a trick up it's sleeve- the light beam target.

The advantages:

The Nitefinder is a blast to use, with a smooth cocking mechanism and a nice range. The sight also is adjustable, which helps. It also works as a cool backup blaster in a Nerf war. It also has a very confortable grip and a nice feel in the trigger.

The disadvantages:

Honestly, there are nearly as many disadvantages as advantages. The main one is the light beam target looks great, but the same can't be said for function, because the dart goes nowhere near the dot. It also eliminates stealth.

The Specs:

The Nitefinder is 25.6 x 19.3 x 6.2 cm. It weighs 332 grams, making it very maneuverable. It has a claimed range when used with whistler darts of 35 feet. It costs $13.

To Conclude:

Finally, I think the Nitefinder has a nice appeal to many people, as it's cheap and the light beam target is fun, albeit a bit gimmicky. As much as I like this blaster, I really am forced to give it 3/5!

Please also note that this was an old review and I have since grown as a Nerfer and find this to be one of the best sidearms around. I apologize if you find it a bit n00by.