Airsoft Innovations Tornado Grenade Review

[Colin_S]

Hello Arnies, long time lurker first time poster. Anyway this review was posted on my blog as well as Airsoft Canada but was told by a friend that I should post it here too so here it is.

 

For many, airsoft is about simulation combat and one device that has been MIA from the scene is an effective grenade. The Escort, Deep Fire and PFI models (just to name a few) certainly look good but are not really practical to use due to low lethality. As a seasoned CQB player at the TTAC3 facility, I’ve had the luxury of trying many different grenades and all performed poorly.

 

The Airsoft Innovations Tornado Grenade promises to change the game that we play, both indoors and out. Besides BBs and gas, the AI Tornado is reusable like the Escort and Deep Fire grenades (if you collect all the extra parts that pop out with the latter two). In terms of ammo capacity the Tornado holds 180 BBs and can be used with either duster or propane. It’s ~130mm in height, has a diameter of ~55mm and fits in traditional M4/M16 type mag pouches or dedicated grenade pouches. To give you an idea on its size, here’s how the AI Tornado compares to a CA M4 low cap mag and the TG6 Thumper distraction device. Click on the thumbnails for higher res pictures.

 

 

Included in the retail package is the safety pin/resetting tool, bottom safety cap and user’s manual. Mine also came with a bottle of AI’s grenade silicon oil which has a higher viscosity (told it’s a limited edition deal) than AI’s GBB silicon oil. It’s important to note which oil you’re using with the grenade and GBBs because GBB silicon oil is too thin for the grenade and grenade oil will gunk up the internals of a gun.

 

In the fourth picture, while it looks like the grenade is loose, when I’m wearing my HSGI Wasatch the grenade is secure even if I run around. The third and fourth pictures show the grenade in an Eagle smoke grenade pouch. That’s all I have at the moment will update when I have other pouches to test with.

Edited May 18, 2008 by Colin_S

[Colin_S]

Prepping and loading the AI Tornado with gas is pretty straight forward. Unplug the cap which exposes the hole at the top of the grenade (in picture one, the hole is circled in red), reset the grenade by inserting the resetting tool if necessary and insert the pin into the appropriate delay spot (1.5s or 3s). After the stuff at the top is done turn the grenade over and fill with your gas of choice (3-5 seconds is long enough), it’s important that the safety pin has been inserted otherwise the grenade will go off and pop in your hands. In the User’s manual AI includes a handy chart which gives you an idea at what pressure duster and propane exerts at a given temperature and when the relief valve will kick in. If that does happen get a set of pliers, pull the relief valve on the bottom outwards then push it back in, that will reset it.

[Colin_S]

Filling the BBs is rather simple align your BB speed loader (or tube and rod if you’re old school), plug away till you meet resistance then repeat on the opposite side. The first few times you load may be difficult but once you find the angle that works things will be easy. Once the BBs are loaded, screw the bottom cap on and the AI Tornado is armed and ready to go. BBs are held in the grenade via clips at the entrance. If you forget the fill process, it is printed on the back of the grenade, along with the warnings and disclaimers. When armed with 180 BBs the Tornado does rattle ever so slightly but it’s not as bad as running around with a hi cap magazine.

Using the grenade is as easy as pulling the pin and tossing it into the area that you want to frag. Try and pull the pin straight out, if you pull it on an angle it may be difficult and it’s possible that you could bend the safety pin. Note since there is no spoon, you have to get rid of the grenade after pulling the pin or risk the Tornado going off In your hands and killing your whole team (happened to me a few times ). After tossing when the timer goes off, the Tornado starts to spin (be it in mid air or on the ground) and spews BBs in all directions.

I do not have the ability to chrony the Tornado however AI gives you an idea at its power with this

. It doesn’t hurt when you’re hit but BBs do strike with enough force that you know to call yourself out in an indoor environment. The timer employed by the AI Tornado is very consistent which makes the grenade very reliable to use.

In terms of effectiveness, it’s very useful in a CQB environment, clearing out campers in a defended position is a breeze and it also works quite well as a distraction device. Indoors the grenade can easily be effective in an area as large as 25 square meters!

Maintenance is easy, simply drop two drops of AI’s grenade silicon oil into the gas reservoir when the shuttle is in the forward position. AI recommend this be done every two times the grenade goes off.

I haven’t tried the AI Tornado outdoors yet however a teammate has used it a few times at FlagRaiders and it works best in airburst mode (the 1.5s delay). If the grenade hits dense grass or other vegetation though many times the Tornado does not have enough power to punch through or hit an opponent with enough force that they’ll know. After I have more experience with the Tornado outdoors, I will update this review with further thoughts.

I have been fortunate enough to be part of the Airsoft Innovations Tornado testing program since almost the beginning and it has been interesting to see the direction that MadMax has taken things. From the octopus prototype to the many possible release samples, the current iteration is certainly the easiest to use. Compared to the other grenades on the market, the AI Tornado is definitely the most combat effective and in CQB/indoors it rules. It might not look as nice as some of the other grenades out there but only chairsofters care about looks right? With a retail price of $100 CDN, the AI Tornado is relatively expensive but for the price of other airsoft grenades, this offers you much more for the money.

I don't check Arnies too much but will try an answer any questions which may arise to the best of my abilities anyway. Edited May 18, 2008 by Colin_S

[tom lawson]

Hey Colin, great review!

 

Do you have any idea when these will be for sale?

 

Thanks,

 

 

 

Tom

[Colin_S]

Hey Colin, great review!

 

Do you have any idea when these will be for sale?

 

Thanks,

 

 

Tom

Thanks for the kind words, I'm not affiliated with Airsoft Innovations but they were just released last Friday in Canada. Would expect them to hit international retailers shortly but other than that I don't know sorry.

[tom lawson]

Thanks for the kind words, I'm not affiliated with Airsoft Innovations but they were just released last Friday in Canada. Would expect them to hit international retailers shortly but other than that I don't know sorry.

 

 

Ah ok, thanks for your help!

[Laxplayer19x93]

I live in NY and wouldn't mind paying the extra shipping to get this a couple weeks early, can you give me the link to where you bought it from?

[Titleist]

I'll be doing a review of this product as well, mine is being delivered on tuesday, so expect a video review in a week and a half. I.e after i get back from filming the AI 500 game at Ft. Blanding.

[Colin_S]

I would like to add that Airsoft Innovations will start selling its grenade publicly this week. It was suppose to go live with it on Friday but MadMax had some server issues and it's a holiday on Monday in Canada so maybe Tuesday...

 

Oh also, the grenade silicon oil is not included, missed that when I wrote the review early in the AM last night. It's sold separately and has enough oil for about 600 grenade tosses.

Edited May 19, 2008 by Colin_S

[uscmCorps]

I thought AI wanted us to wait till he gave us the go ahead to post reviews so that there wouldn't be competition between reviewers? I don't personally mind either way, I just wasn't expecting to see reviews till the official worldwide launch of the product. (Good review BTW).

[bjorn]

Wow great news it is coming out shortly.

 

The short timer is 1.5 seccs what about the long one? 3 secs?

 

Bjorn

[tom lawson]

The short timer is 1.5 seccs what about the long one? 3 secs?

 

Bjorn

 

 

 

Yeah, 3s for the long timer

[Airsoft Innovations]

I thought AI wanted us to wait till he gave us the go ahead to post reviews so that there wouldn't be competition between reviewers? I don't personally mind either way, I just wasn't expecting to see reviews till the official worldwide launch of the product. (Good review BTW).

 

Sorry about that. Too many reviewers, too many crossed messages. I had intended to ask Colin to hold off, but forgot. Shipping lag between reviewers and local customers buying grenades kind of threw a wrench into the reviewer plan.

[The Saint]

Really sorry. It was my bad idea, not Colin's.

[zeaken]

I own one of these grenades as well. I fielded this grenade at operation: Dark reckoning. The terrain this grenade was fielded on was very rough and included numerous 40'+ dropoffs.

 

The grenade holds up to exceptional levels of abuse very well but it doesnt do its little spin action well when in the grass or the dirt, its really meant for the smooth indoor enviroments. it works well in the woods but loses its true 360spray

[Sale]

Zeaken: Then use the Air Burst.

 

 

-Sale

[gunnermaniac]

Zeaken: Then use the Air Burst.

 

 

-Sale

 

They don't seem to show the grenade coming back down to earth though...that could cause a few soar heads

[Sale]

If it lands on your target after bursting in the air, you didn't throw it far enough. You're supposed to throw it over the guys behind cover, so it goes off above them and lands behind them.

 

Yes, there is a possibility that it hits someone on the way down, so it's important to 'nade responsibly as AI always reminds.

 

-Sale

[gunnermaniac]

If it lands on your target after bursting in the air, you didn't throw it far enough. You're supposed to throw it over the guys behind cover, so it goes off above them and lands behind them.

 

Yes, there is a possibility that it hits someone on the way down, so it's important to 'nade responsibly as AI always reminds.

 

-Sale

 

When I see a 'nade I run. The guys behind cover will run. More than likely they will run backwards, increasing the chance of getting a grenade to the bonce

 

Very tempted by one of these. What does it sound like (my speakers aren't working at the moment, will try to fix...soon) I can imagine using it in CQB, "GRENADE"...."pssssshhhhh"

 

 

[Marlowe]

Out of interest, how much do these grenades weigh?

 

Most skirmish sites in the UK insist on underarm throws due to the obvious safety risks pyroes coming in from above can lead to. I have to say the amount of people suggesting the grenade is used for 'airbursts' does concern me, as it's pretty easy in such situations for some unlucky player to receive the grenade on its return to earth. I've been hit in the mouth before by smokes, and that hurt enough (enough to split my lip etc).

 

Either way, I would advise players anywhere wishing to 'airburst' these grenades check with their site's management before deciding to do so.

 

Glad to see that there are moves to produce more 'area effect' based grenades now though - the old tennisball dried pea grenades really weren't up to the job. I'm sure, given my experience of AI's propane adaptor, that it'll be top quality too.

[thefallacy]

has anyone in UK purchased this grenade yet? looks good but im worried about wear and tear?

[Airsoft Innovations]

Out of interest, how much do these grenades weigh?

 

Most skirmish sites in the UK insist on underarm throws due to the obvious safety risks pyroes coming in from above can lead to. I have to say the amount of people suggesting the grenade is used for 'airbursts' does concern me, as it's pretty easy in such situations for some unlucky player to receive the grenade on its return to earth. I've been hit in the mouth before by smokes, and that hurt enough (enough to split my lip etc).

 

Either way, I would advise players anywhere wishing to 'airburst' these grenades check with their site's management before deciding to do so.

 

Glad to see that there are moves to produce more 'area effect' based grenades now though - the old tennisball dried pea grenades really weren't up to the job. I'm sure, given my experience of AI's propane adaptor, that it'll be top quality too.

 

 

Loaded weight: ~260g

 

I tend to use the airburst in a more general deployment. I don't lob them directly at anyone as there are usually a lot of clear areas that would oversee low cover that obviously don't have someone standing in it. I also only recommend underhanded throws into areas which you can be generally sure you won't bonk someone. This is hard around corners, but a low throw is very easy to bounce around indoors. A high angle lob over cover is right out in the holy hand grenade handbook. You can't see what's behind a barrier and a high throw piledrives more impact when it comes back down. If you want to zap someone behind a barrier a low lob beside cover works well. A low lob over cover doesn't hurt too bad if it's close (less horizontal velocity). As a courtesy you could call your frag out so you don't catch someone whack a mole style.

[ARadam6696]

I have a friend that just received this grenade. I would have to say that the grenade is pretty durable. It almost reminds me of Classic Army "glass fiber" or something of that texture. To say the least its pretty tough, although after repeated throws onto concrete it gets scuffed and a little scratched. To remedy I recommend wrapping tape around it. You could probably get away with an orange or yellow so you don't loose the grenade which when field tested helped alot.

 

The fuse on the grenade we received was kind of iffy. When set to the 1.5 setting it tended to go off at around 6-8 second while the 3 second setting was clocked at 17 once! I believe that the cause of this inconsistency was due to constant use and little warm up time between uses which is what AI recommends. All of this was done with propane.

 

The effectiveness of the grenade remains to be tested. On a flat surface everyone out to about 25feet will get hit, mainly due to the spin effect. In a room its even deadlier. We tested it in a jeep by throwing it in the very back of the trunk surrounded by gun cases and two rows of seats holding 1 person between the grenade and the front 2 passengers. It hit everyone in the car at least 5 times, even if they ducked. That is an extremely small space. In woodland it doesnt perform as well. Without being able to spin the kill radius turns one sided with the side going into the ground. However, I'm sure that if the grenade lands 5 feet away or so its a guaranteed kill.

 

To give you an idea of the sound, think of letting the bb's out of 2 midcaps fast with a poof of gas. So in other words not much.

[Sale]

The short fuse is 1.5 - 2 seconds. Show me a creature that can react to your throw, run a few meters backwards and then catch the grenade with their head, and I'll show you a rabbit.

 

I'm all for responsible use of the grenade, but some of the scenarios I've heard about the potential dangers are highly unlikely. I would rather see the use of the grenade considered after seeing how they work on the field, without rushing conclusions or rules one way or the other.

 

-Sale

[fyurian]

Since last friday i am a lucky owner of a tornado nade and i love the thing

honestly there are things that are worth to spend some money on

shock an awe efect is also rather amazing (i have discoverd this in the past weekend with my own team)

 

but like beeing metioned as here above the delay is well euh too long

i fixed this with drilling an extra hole trough the top just like 1mm difference with the 1.5sec delay and now it has a whole lot better responce time it is now really 1.5 seconds

this is only advised when u got the guts to drill into a rather expencive piece of equip

 

im now working on the delay of the nade with a spoon kit

HINT: use fishing wire to not loose ur spoon after u throw the tornado nade