Review: Nerf Vortex Proton

Continuing on with the Vortex theme I've got going on lately, is a review of the smallest of the new Nerf Vortex line, the Proton. I picked this one up at Kmart for $13, and it includes 3 discs along with the blaster itself. At first sight, I found it was a little smaller than I expected, but still quite wide. Unfortunately I can't really see this as being a blaster you could keep in a holster because of it's width, but the Proton features a loop at the base of the handle were you could add a strap and still use it as a sidearm. Also on the negative side, there is no storage for extra discs, but utilising the disc storage trick of TripleBification's, you can keep a disc in the chamber as you run, and all you need to do is pull the sled back, hit the load switch and you're ready to rock and roll. 

The final feature I need to mention is the inclusion of a tactical rail on top to add sights and lights. it is set quite forward which gives it an interesting look with the Nerf Longshot scope, and I have a feeling that this combination would be popular with those who like to steampunk their Nerf. Overall, it's not the prettiest blaster Nerf have ever created but the combination of colours and interesting design go well together, and the base design is also a great platform for repaints if you're looking to turn it in to a sci-fi or steampunk style blaster.

Performance is similar to that of the Vortex Praxis, with ranges of around 50+ feet and great accuracy, it is quite a good blaster for $13, and makes it a tough opponent against it's N-Strike counterpart, the Nitefinder. Managing to line up an extremely accurate shot is a little difficult, though, due to it being a pistol, so don't be surprised if someone using a rifle style blaster hits you first at mid range. Modding for power is as easy as a spring relocation and will leave you with quite a powerful disc shooter. There is also a very useful mod out there by LordDraconial that creates a gravity feed clip that can be added and removed from the tactical rail (you should subscribe to his youtube channel if you haven't already, Drac is a wizard of Nerf modding).

Again, if you are looking for a sidearm then you might prefer a smaller blaster with ammo storage, like the Nerf Nitefinder, but nonetheless the Vortex Praxis is hard to pass up for out of the box range and accuracy, so it scores an 8/10

Vortex Praxis: interesting find?

I've now had a little more time to use the new Vortex Praxis I picked up the other day, and I must say the more I use it, the more I like it. However, I discovered something that the Praxis can do this morning that is a little strange, almost like a "slamfire" function, but not. I found that if you pump the handle back, then forward while holding down the trigger the entire time, it will fire a disc once the handle reaches the forward position. But, this only works once, so you can't just hold the trigger down and slamfire away, you have to lift your finger and squeeze the trigger again, and then you can pump and fire, then repeat, lift finger, pump back, pump forward.

I had to have a picture to go with this post, so, have a bonus picture.

Strange, right? I'm not at all familiar with the internal cycling of these Vortex blasters, but it almost seems like it might be possible to modify it somehow to allow slamfire function. Combine this with the "convenient" placement of an extra screw hole for modding these blasters (mod guide here), the full clip +1 in the chamber trick that Bazookafied discovered, AND tripleBification's proton disc storage trick, and it kind of makes you wonder, did Nerf intend for people to find these things in order to create a product that modders would really want?

Vortex Praxis Mod guide

This mod is essentially the same mod you can do on the three spring powered Vortex blasters, and simply involves reconfiguring the spring to have more pre-load tension. Though, there are already guides on how to do this, this guide is more about how to access the spring in the Praxis easily.

So let's get started! first, disassembly:

First remove the stock and accessories. then have a look at the rear of the blaster and remove the two screws holding the stock adaptor on. Then go ahead and remove the 13 screws in the green part of the shell. You do not need to remove the screws on the barrel or the pump action grip.

You now have access to what you need. Remove the screw from the left side of the plastic plate housing the spring, and also the screw in the picture below, allowing you to pry that plate down. Now lift the cover plate off the pins that hold the firing arm and rubber stopper in place, and slide it left until it is free. The pictures below should help.

Below, you can see the plate is removed and there is clear access to the pins that hold the rubber stopper and firing arm in place. Use a pair of pliers to slide these out and take the firing arm out for now.

Now, all you have to do is unscrew the silver screw and move the spring position around to the left, and screw the silver screw back in there. originally, my Praxis had the spring set in the centre position, and now uses the left-most position to apply more pre-load pressure.

Re-assembly is as simple as reversing the steps to disassemble. you will now have an increase in disc speed and a little more range. Hope this helps!

Review: Nerf Vortex Praxis

After moving in to my new place, I was finally able to get some free time to pick up the new Vortex Praxis by Nerf, and have some fun with it. This blaster has been well known about for quite some time now, and hit store shelves some time before the "official launch date", along with the other Vortex blasters. Nerf seemingly "leaked" info on the whole line prior to the release date in order to create a little hype, but the reception of disc blasters wasn't ALL good, many traditional Nerfers swore by darts in the lead up to these hitting stores, and even I was skeptical when I bought this blaster.

However, after unboxing, I laid eyes on a rather good looking blaster. The grip is comfortable, and the blaster features a tactical rail on top for scopes, sights and lights, and the pump action works great. Also, the stock is less flexible than the comparable N-Strike Recon stock, and fits adult sized shoulders perfectly. The blaster is wider than most N-Strike blasters but doesn't really feel bulky, likewise the tubular magazine isn't huge either. In fact, I'd say that the mags may fit some paintball vests, meaning until Nerf produces Vortex tactical vests, Vortex users could possibly use those.

Performance is the aspect of this blaster that blew my skepticism right out of the water. The range and accuracy of the Praxis straight out of the box is nothing short of incredible. Though the discs do curve slightly at long range even without wind, they still perform way better than streamline darts (which sometimes travel in... "abstract" directions). I would say that claims of 60+ feet are not over-estimating.

Though the Praxis accepts N-Strike accessories, It doesn't look quite right with them...

Attachments are a little limited on the Praxis, for a blaster that is probably aimed to be the Vortex counterpart of the N-Strike Recon. Having an attachment rail on the side wouldn't be a bad thing for this blaster, allowing you to have a light AND a sight. It would go really well with the scope from the Vortex Nitron, but I don't own one just yet to provide an example. Modding is something that hasn't really been touched with the Vortex blasters much, but the Praxis is still spring powered so there is obviously a way to increase the power, but if you were to heavily modify this blaster, it might get a bit... dangerous.

Summing up, the Vortex Praxis is a fantastic blaster, but could have benefited from having slamfire function and some more room for attachments. The great ranges and pinpoint accuracy make it a definite must have, and grants this blaster 9 out of 10 baked potatoes.

Nerf Vortex reveal video 3

As of late my updates have been few and far between, so I'm very sorry that I'm the last one to report on this, but between work, my photography, and well, more work, I haven't had time to even go near my computer in around a week. But keep checking in, I'm trying to clear some time for this blog and I'm not giving up on it or anything like that.

Anyway, the Nerf Vortex reveal video number 3 is now up on the Nerf facebook page and gives viewers a really clear shot at the 4 (so far) revealed Vortex blasters. I say "so far", because, there may be other blasters. While it hasn't been released, I'm not going to totally discount the possibility of more blasters released closely following the release of the initial 4.








In the video, the blasters are clearly named, and you can see tactical rails on all of them, confirming the snippet of info the Nerf facebook already released saying that the new blasters will accept N-Strike attachments and vice versa. However, it doesn't seem like there will be any different barrel configurations, which may disappoint some people. This doesn't really bother me however. One more thing I noticed, being that the Praxis has a different stock attachment point. Have a look at the back of a Recon. there is an upside down U shape slot in the black stock mount part, presumably to allow air to flow in behind the piston when it fires to prevent vacuum drag. on the Praxis, it's a big round circle. Does that mean the internals are vastly different?

For more information, check the Nerf facebook page. Also, have a look at the Urban Taggers blog. They also have some more info that I'm not going to report on here, as they would have gone to great lengths to get this information and I feel their hard work shouldn't go unnoticed.

More info on upcoming Nerf Vortex line

Alright, the Urban Taggers blog is on the ball again with a little more info on the upcoming Nerf Vortex line. A few really clear pictures on 4 new disc shooters is going to get some people really pumped. they look great, so head over to Urban Taggers to check it out.

Nerf Vortex reveal video 2

I spotted this literally minutes ago, and I'm stoked. this video is a ton clearer, and in the beginning shows some n-strike blasters in "gear up" colours, and then continues to show the new Vortex disc blasters. Then you see someone load what I presume to be the smallest, single shot version, and fire it at a cup, and hit it. Then a bunch of Vortex blasters being loaded. see for yourself, and tell me what you think.



Edit: also found this. Quoted from the nerf facebook: "Another awesome feature we can confirm about the new Nerf Vortex line? Most incorporate the same Tactical Rail system as Nerf N-Strike blasters – meaning that your Vortex and N-Strike accessories will be compatible with both lines. Get ready to take your Nerf collection to the next level. Keep your eyes on the page for more official info reveals on the Vortex lineup...there's much more to come."

Nerf Vortex Reveal!

I'm not first on this, The blogs I follow have already posted their 2 cents, but I'm going to post mine anyway. Here it is, the first look at Nerf's new Vortex line, from Nerf Nation

The good news it that they look like clip fed blasters... and what's different is that they use discs. according to the blurb they use never-before-seen XLR disc technology, and will offer progressive styles, enhanced performance, and unparalleled Nerf power.

I could not get the video to embedfor some reason, so if you would like to watch the video, go here: http://youtu.be/ofjkr1mSpZ8

Otherwise, speculate over these screenshots.

Stampede rival perhaps?

The Nerf Vortex line

I'm probably last on this news, as both Nerf Mods and Reviews and Urban Taggers have already posted this news (if you haven't already checked out those two blogs, I strongly suggest that you do), but the latest top secret works by Nerf will be revealed on the Nerf Nation facebook page in a few short days. It's about the upcoming Vortex line, which I'm sure Nerf fans are wetting themselves to find out about.

This announcement will be made on the 11th of April (U.S time i'm assuming, so probably late that night or early hours of the 12th for us). Apparently, it will include media of photos and videos of the entire line. I'm hoping it's some kind of vortex launcher line, and not just a bunch of different recoloured mini vortex (vortexes, vortices... whatever you want to call the plural...) If it is, I'll probably just build a low powered potato cannon and shove a vortex down the barrel. Don't do that at home, I'm an experienced nutter.

Ahh the good old Vortex. Apparently, about to become revamped!

I will try my best to deliver the info as soon as I can, for the small audience I have at the moment.