Koosh Vortex Power Strike Review

Performance stats

Figures are TeamNC's original bench measurements from 1999–2001 testing; see how we tested.

How it works

1. Load: Place a regular Spin Fire ring and a micro Spin Fire ring onto the launching spindle on each of the Power Strike's two barrels.
2. Prime: Make sure the Spin Fire rings are placed on the launching spindle so that their "fat ends" face forward. (Some Spin Fire rings have arrows on their sides; make sure these arrows are facing forward.)
3. Fire: Pull back the Power Strike's purple and black cocking handle twice in order to move both launching spindles back to their "primed" positions.
4. Step: Push the top half of the Power Strike's orange trigger to fire the rings on the upper launching spindle. Press the bottom half of the orange trigger to fire all of the rings at once, or to fire the remaining spindle's rings (if you have already pressed the top half).

TeamNC reviews (1999 era)

Review by Andy Grau

The Koosh Vortex Power Strike, while being a departure from the other Vortex blasters, is a very good product. The Power Strike adds the ability to fire multiple rings to the already good range and accuracy of the other Vortex launchers.

As you might notice from the Operation section, this blaster does take some time to prime. However, the main feature which comes from this complex priming process is the ability to fire two consecutive shots. While this feature appears on several blasters (like the Nerf SplitFire), this ability combined with the snipering abilities of the Vortex blasters gives the Power Strike an edge over other products.

Unfortunately, in exchange for the ability to fire two consecutive shots, the Power Strike does have a lower maximum distance than its other Vortex cousins. However, if one uses the Power Strike in combination with any of the other Vortex blasters, he/she can have both range and the ability to take care of opponents at a closer distance.

The ability to fire both regular and micro Spin Fire rings also adds to the usefulness of the Power Strike. You can easily use whatever Spin Fire rings you may find, which is very useful during a Nerf war.

While not having the same technical performance as the other Vortex blasters, the Power Strike makes up for this with its ability to fire two consecutive shots. A very good blaster overall.

Review by Matt Michal

The Vortex Power Strike is a great blaster because it combines the three key elements of accuracy, distance, and ammo capacity. Also, this blaster can be fired on a flat plane (PTG) for greater accuracy without compensating much distance. Its ability to hold and fire up to eight total rings is unsurpassed in the other Vortex ring products. The Power Strike is the most versatile and perhaps the most powerful of the Vortex ring blasters.

Review by Andi Hlabse

This is flat-out an excellent blaster. The Vortex Power Strike displays a great balance of power, accuracy, and versatility. The only complaint I have about this launcher is its use of specialized ammo. I haven't been in any Nerf wars in which more than two people were using Vortex ring-style ammo. The up-sides of this blaster are endless. It has two barrels which can be fired simultaneously or independently of each other. In my experience the Vortex Power Strike has pin-point accuracy and quality velocity. On top its abilities with one ring of ammo on each barrel, this blaster can fire up to four rings per barrel (eight total) with relative accuracy and power. The launcher is easy to load and cock , and the handle and trigger are unusually comfortable.

This is one of the best of the Vortex series ring blasters - well worth the cost.

Pros & cons