This page contains an index for all the information I have on the Nerve. Information is divided up into five parts, as listed below.
Getting started: Guide to using this website
Tech toolbox
Introduction:
The Nerve was designed to be Smart Parts' mid level marker; higher in performance than an Ion, yet lower on the scale than a Shocker. Nerves were originally meant to be the complete package as a stock marker, requiring only minimal upgrades for performance. They came stock with many high-performance parts and accessories, ready to roll out of the box. The Nerve was designed to replace the high-end Impulses in design and function, and bring the performance from the older Imp platform to the current market in a smaller and more lightweight package, capable of better performance and increased reliability.
The design of the Nerve is simlar to that of the Bushmaster, Intimidator, Angel, and others; however the Nerve is generally considered to be the next generation of the hugely-successful Smart Parts Impulse platform. The body design is shorter in every dimension and the internals have been rearranged and optimzed to their maximum performing levels. What the stock Impulse lacked in performace comes completely built-in with every Nerve; there's no need to spend an additional thousand dollars on upgrades to get a top-performing marker. This is a single-solenoid, stacked tube open bolt design, nearly as small as the Shocker, using the same frame design and other features as well. Nerves are less maintenance than any other Smart Parts marker available, coming fully-stocked in most aspects.
The Nerve is a small, lightweight platform that delivers tremendous performance without upgrades. Standard characteristics include...
· Max-Flo regulator with SP angle drop forward and dovetail Smartvalve ASA (stock parts).
· Patented stacked tube design; maximum ROF of 30+ bps.
· Electronically-controlled, open bolt electropneumatic function.
· Reflective Vision anti-chop eye with internal wiring.
· Stock board equipped with semiautomatic and rebound ramping modes.
· Smart Parts 14" Freak barrel with stainless back and 0.693 insert (also stainless).
· Integrated pneumatics LPR.
· Vertical feed body with dual ball detents.
· Magnetic double trigger with adjustable pre-travel, post-travel, firing point, and pull weight. (note, the magnetic trigger was dropped later on for a spring-loaded one)
· Design employs no external moving parts.
· One-eight turn, twist-lock, quick-strip bolt assembly.
· Smart Parts Q-lock low-rise adjustable feed neck.
· Smart Parts Pro-Touch grips.
· Operates with any preset tank using an output above 600-psi.
· Original marker operates at 200-240 psi; pneumatics pressure between 100-150 psi.
· Current marker (factory upgraded) operates at 180-220 psi.
· Stock efficiency in the range of 1100-1300 shots from a 68/4500 HPA tank.
· Operates on one 9 volt battery.
The current Nerve MSRP is $475 for the base model, or $700 for the Nerve package (upgraded parts and Max-Flo tank system included). Prices are only current at the time of writing.
History:
This marker was originally designed in late 2002, along with the new-at-the-time Shocker SFT. The Nerve was slated to be the next generation Impulse and would eventually come to replace it in function, which finally occured in early 2005 with the release of the Ion. The original design from 2003, as well as the Shocker SFT and many other new products, were scheduled to be released in spring of 03 however Smart Parts' priorities quickly changed over to the new Shocker marker and the Nerve was put back a few months. Later on, in early 2004, after the Shocker had been in full-swing production and was thriving nicely, SP began the process of finishing up Nerve development. Noteably, the Q-lock clamping feed underwent long and tedious testing, and there was also a rumor of some dealings with the integrated LPR. A batch of Nerve production models were finally machined and shipped off to be anodized sometime in May-June of 2004, however they got held up in the anodizing step and weren't ready until mid-August. The Nerve was fianally released on August 12, 2004, when the first batch of 50 Nerves were shipped out to SP's major retailers, so they would be at last sold to the general public.
Although Nerves function similar to Impulses, do note that a Nerve isn't an Impulse copy, nor is it a copy of any other marker. Nerves are a form of the popular stacked-tube design that many other markers use as well, however Nerves bring their own unique support platform to the line (using its integrated pneumatics, solenoid system, frame setup, etc). Stock Impulses came with "stock" performance; the Nerves come with fully-upgraded performance.
The line of production Nerves was eventually discontinued in early 2006 due to sales not being up to the expected amounts. The original scope of the marker wasn't reached so the price was dropped to the current MSRP just below $500, and the remaining markers were sold. At the time of this writing there are still many new Nerves available from various retailers however once they're gone they will be gone for good. Parts for the Nerve will continue to be available as long as supplies last (and possibly longer).
If you wish to learn more, move on to the Parts of a Nerve pages.
Promotional Pictures:
All pictures courtesy Smart Parts. The darker images were ads that floated around in various magazines, and all the rest are from the 2003 SP catalog (except the first one, which came from the 2004 catalog).
Here are pictures of the actual production model:
