Nerf N-Strike Elite: Rayven CS-18 Blaster

The original version of the Rayven (i.e., the original all-green version) was a pretty good dart gun, if you happen to like the "bull-pup" configuration (i.e., having the ammo clip behind the location of the trigger).I'll be honest and admit that I'm not a fan of this configuration -- there are plenty of good technical reasons why a real firearm should be made in a bull-pup configuration for use in close-quarters indoor combat situations, and both the police and military do like them for such purposes. But for a foam dart gun, the only reason to do such a thing is for looks, because in a dart gun, it just means that you're requiring the barrel to be longer, which can only put extra drag on a foam dart -- in short, for foam darts, shorter barrels are better. Also, in these foam dart guns, it means that using a drum-type magazine becomes incredibly awkward, since it's constantly bumping up against your torso and the inside of your arm.However, setting aside my pet peeves about the Rayven's bull-pup configuration, I must say that this is an excellent flywheel-based dart gun in almost every other way -- and a very definite improvement over the original version. The clip insertion and removal is very smooth, with the button used to release a clip being very easy to get to and operate. The jam door on the top (right above the clip) opens wide to reveal a nice wide opening into the casing so that you can really get your fingers on a jammed dart and pull it out quickly and easily. The orange front-most tip of the barrel (where the darts come shooting out) is designed to allow the attachment of various barrel extensions from other Nerf guns, which adds some versatility.In essence, this new version of the Rayven is practically identical to the original all-green version, except for the blue-and-white "elite" series coloring and more powerful motors driving the flywheel-based firing system. Those more powerful motors make a HUGE difference... Unlike the original Rayven, these more powerful motors spin up the flywheel-based firing system to a good operating speed much, much faster than the motors of the original Rayven -- the result being that you can almost immediately begin firing darts after revving up the motors -- so the delay in actually being able to fire darts is much less than in the original all-green Rayven. The only downside is that these more powerful motors are even louder than in the original Rayven -- but then, for some reason, no maker of flywheel-based dart guns ever seems to bother putting in truly quiet motors in any of them. I still say that there are those of us who would be willing to pay considerably more money to get a version of flywheel-based dart gun with motors that are actually quiet -- Nerf could market it as a special "stealth" version or whatever.Also, both this newer version of the Rayven and the older all-green version, have proven to be better than the new Stryfe flywheel-based dart gun. Though the jam door on the Stryfe looks like it provides the same degree of wide-open access as both versions of the Rayven, opening the jam door on the Stryfe reveals a far smaller opening into the casing of the Stryfe that provides very limited access for trying to clear a jam -- it's the smallest jam door opening I've ever seen on a Nerf dart gun. Also, both versions of the Rayven are not nearly as finicky about what darts or clips you use, while the Stryfe behaves like a fickle child that capriciously jams on different clips/drums and versions of streamline darts, no matter what you do -- I've encountered very, very few jams on either version of the Rayven, and neither version of the Rayven includes the annoying feature of occasionally not allowing you to pull the trigger, like the Stryfe. Finally, even though the Stryfe has the same type of front-most tip on its barrel as the Rayven, Nerf seems to have goofed it, because the barrel extensions are not held in place as well on the Stryfe as on both versions of the Rayven.The final verdict is this... Nerf now has four versions of semi-automatic flywheel-based dart guns that use their "clip system" ammo clips and ammo drums -- the original Rayven, this version of the Rayven, the Stryfe and the Hailfire (which is an altogether different physical configuration). Out of these four flywheel-based dart guns, this newer version of the Rayven is the one to get -- and again, I'm saying this even though I don't like the bull-pup configuration.This newer version of the Rayven just plain works, and very nicely.

Simply put, the Elite Rayven CS-18 is possibly one of the best blasters available in the current market. While it does have a few downsides, these are essentially nullified by the performance of this excellent blaster. In terms of performance, the Elite Rayven has very good range (assuming you give the flywheel time to spool up), excellent rate of fire (though at a cost to range/power), very good capacity, and is surprisingly jam-free. Even better, it's a light weight bullpup design that is easy to carry and works with one-hand operation, allowing you to duel wield or leave a hand free for reloading, using a flashlight, etc. Probably the biggest issues with the blaster is the somewhat noisy flywheel motor (much noisier than the non-Elite version), and the rather pointless Firefly Clip. Despite this, the Rayven is a flywheel blaster par excellence, bested only by the value of the Stryfe and the pure power of the Rapidstrike.

Got this a while back. Returned it the "seller" said he didn't get it back. The blaster was awful. Also, another thing is that they came out with a reskin of this blaster called the rayven fire. New, better, and cheaper.

Impressed with the Rayven for two reasons; 1. Portability, and the glow darts.Although a shoulder strap is not included, once you attach one, the Rayven is compact enough to where it doesn't feel cumbersome when worm at the side. This is especially beneficial for run and gun.Also, at first thought, I assumed the glow darts were lame. However, after playing multiple night games knowing were ammo is exceptionally useful. Extra thanks go to the black light in the ammo clip that charges the darts as well.Down sides are the range, and rate of fire; both of which are fine under certain conditions.You can either shoot fast, or far, but not booth at once. There are modifications and after market parts available.Give the motor time to speed back up again if you want to shoot distance, but if you fan the trigger your average shot is going to fall in the 30 - 15 foot range.Overall it is a great tool for humans vs zombies close quarter combat.