Monday, January 17, 2011

Rant: Buzz Bee's Water Warriors- It's what's inside that counts

Water Warriors: It's what's inside that counts..
When it comes to foam, I've made it pretty clear we're prominently a Nerf only camp; we have never been a fan of Buzz Bee's Air Blaster line and in general find them to be ugly and tacky looking. I have never even owned a Buzz Bee Air Blaster toy so I can't even compare them for performance; yes I admit, foam blaster prejudice does reign in this apartment and it's what looks cool that makes the grade.

A different thing would be said for water blasters, simply because we can't play with water blasters IN our apartment (without a certain someone getting extremely mad at you and rendering you the invisible man for a few days) and regardless of how cool a water blaster can look, if it doesn't perform well in a water fight, then you might as well just throw them out and go back to the empty Moove milk cartons and a hose. Bottom line- It doesn't matter what's on the outside; it's how it performs and how far it will go that matters.

So..I can't believe I'm going to say this, but by current day water blaster standards.. Buzz Bee's Water Warriors totally OWNS Super Soaker.


I have always been a loyal fan of the Super Soaker brand; in the 90's the Super Soaker brand was synonymous with quality and water fight dominance and they reigned supreme as the king of the water blaster above all others. Then Larami (the original maker of Super Soaker) was finally taken over and things started to change- sure there were SOME decent Super Soaker models like the Flash Flood and Max-D 6000, but ultimately I have to say I was pretty disappointed with the rubbish that Hasbro released, even more so when they brought it under the Nerf banner (this move made no sense to me, but ANYWAY).
Super Soaker Helix. Add a stock and reshell and you got yourself a 2011 Tornado Strike..(pic courtesy isoaker.com)
There wasn't really a whole lot of options though..until a year ago I got absolutely owned one Summer by a Buzz Bee Water Warriors blaster. Weird shaped, strange looking shell.. absolute soakage. Here's something interesting that you may or may not have known? Buzz Bee Toys was started by ex employees of Larami. Mmm hmm. The guys responsible for the original Super Soaker. Now if that's not a reason to question one's water blaster loyalty, I really don't know what is:)
Super Soaker CPS2000. King of the hill. AWESOME. (pic courtesy of isoaker.com)
My understanding is Hasbro's successful law suit against Buzz Bee was all about the patent infringement of the CPS(constant pressure system- ie KICK ASS) technology found in some of the best Super Soakers ever made. Fair enough, other than I don't see Hasbro actually USING said awesome technology in their water blasters over the past few years?!

A brand is only as good as the product behind it. While I am very excited about the new Super Soaker 2011 line, I am still disappointed that they're not drawing off their previous patents and still producing under performing blasters.
Water Warriors Vindicator. Beast.
You contrast this to what Buzz Bee have done in the past decade; sure their Hydro Power technology was perhaps a little close to Super Soaker CPS home, but at least they were doing something cool!! Even though they looked a tad dull, the Vindicator, Vanquisher, and Renegade blasters were total soakage plus; and I was even impressed with their aesthetically more appealing Pulse Blaster, Pulse Strike and Pulse Master blasters that could STILL hold their own. Any one of these would absolutely dominate the new Super Soaker Thunderstorm and Tornado Strike

When it comes to water fights, I will always look to my vintage Super Soaker CPS haul but the past is the past and if we're looking to what's available now and beyond, you cannot deny the Water Warriors pressurised performance system line of blasters is the current king of the hill. Wake up Hasbro! (here's hoping the Hydro Cannon lives up to anticipated hype..)

History of the Water Warriors Line via iSoaker.com
History of the Super Soaker via iSoaker.com

46 comments:

  1. Get rid of that picture.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I totally agree with your post; Super Soakers are so lame these days.My dad got me a Point Break and it looks so cool but it shoots worse than a hairdressers spray bottle.

    The new water warriros blasters that you can connect together are going to be so beast!

    ReplyDelete
  3. ^Only thing wrong with the pic is it's a Buzz Bee gun, but even so I LOVE it, Pocket you do have an eye for the female form.

    It is interesting how Larami sold out to Hasbro and then went on to go set up a rival company.I am now curious about this Vindicator now!

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  4. They really need to bring back the Super Soaker CPS range of blasters.The CPS 1500 and 1700s were the ultimate assault blasters.I have a Monster XL and it totally annihilates anyone within 10 metres.

    Hot chick ftw

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  5. I AM actually looking for a Water Warriors Vindicator or Vanquisher if anyone spots one.. Thanks!

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  6. Thank you for recognising Buzz Bee Toys as the best water gun manufacturer, but that pic is aweful. I wish there was a report button. >=(

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  7. ^Report what? That pic is awesome!nor is it any worse than what you would see in a gossip magazine or on primetime television.i think buzzbee would love it.they need all the publicity they can get

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The fact that that pic is isn't worse than what you see on TV or in a magazine IS AWFUL without adding this to the web.

      Delete
  8. You'd report Urban Taggers?Are you serious?Man, what's wrong with you people? It's a photoshopped pic of a woman's tummy and you're acting like hes violated you? perish the thought one day we can't see a pic like that because people feel the need to report it?

    Super Soakers have been junk for years and I gave up on them after the CPS2100. Even the Monster XL wasn't fantastic but compared to the crap guns like the rattler and bottle blast.

    the Pulse series of Water Warriors guns were awesome and we have a Vanquisher in my dorm and it rocks hard. other Water Warriors guns like the shark though are still pretty crap.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. About the Photoshopped pic, you can clearly see that underneath the jeans she isn't wearing any underwear.

      Delete
  9. I agree. That is so wrong, and I am so taking UT off my favorites list.

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  10. isnt it amazing how all of the hard work UT has done in bringing Nerf info to us can be just forgotten due to one (not so big deal) pic? hes dont it before in several posts and noone cared. in fact we all liked it.

    whatever you do Pocket dont take it down.these people arent real fans anyway.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I AM TOO A REAL FAN!!! But I am 14 years old and I do not appreciate being exposed to pics like these.
      All I want is to read about reviews of Nerf instead of eyeballing this porn.

      Delete
  11. have a cry about it why dont ya. im sure you can find your nerf intel somewhere else with no pictures of girls.

    and no decent intel either.

    pocket your bloody awesome.

    ReplyDelete
  12. look. let me picture it this way. 12 year old nerfer looking for some up-to-date news and BAM. ugly half-naked lady at the top of the page.

    oh, and he's done this before.

    ReplyDelete
  13. @Anonymous and Anonymous: Thank you for realizing that half-naked women are wrong. As for the rest of you, GAL. Just because it's everywhere doesn't mean it's okay. And if you're a perv if you "like" it.

    ReplyDelete
  14. From the UT Official FAQ:

    "The pics also set the tone for the blog. We're not deliberately alienating kids from UT (hence the "not pornographic images" claim) but we are saying we as toy blaster lovers aren't kids ourselves. "

    There are probably more subtle ways of doing this, but I think its funny. And I wouldn't say the girl is ugly. Nor would any 12yo I reckon.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm not saying that the girl is UGLY, but I wouldn't mind if she had clothes on.(By the way, all the comments on this page that are 4-9-2013 are from me)

      Delete
  15. That still doesn't make it okay.

    ReplyDelete
  16. There aren't enough people that truely respect women these days. This definitely isn't respectful. It's disgusting.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Leave then.seriously.take your stupid moral values with you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anybody who has abandoned their sense of right and wrong has no leave to smash this in the face of other people who actually have a conscience.

      Delete
  18. Anyone know where I can get a Vindicator in Sydney, NSW?

    ReplyDelete
  19. My only issue is he should do some pics for us girls too. A six shot on a six pack? Yes please!

    But seriously, it's all just fun. we're ok about simulated violence and first person shooters and talking about head shots and kids using nerf guns to reenact war fantasies, but throw in a photo of a girl who is no less dressed than half of the girls i see in my store every day (and no i don't work in an underwear store!) and it has you all outraged. the pic doesn't have anyone being degraded or violated. she doesn't have a gun to her head. perfume commercials are dirtier than this.

    "doesnt make it right?" sure as hell doesnt make it wrong either. id rather my kids see a picture of a healthy looking woman than pretend to kill each other.

    we all have our opinions, but come on guys,it's really O.K. and hopefully i will get my wish for that six pack! ;-)

    oh. and my kids hate buzzbee

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You know, you have just mentioned one fact that is extremely upsetting. That you are actually right about all those girls having less clothes than THAT everywhere. It is a real struggle to stay clean with all the these pics of nearly and actually naked girls floating around.

      Delete
  20. This is incredibly wrong. It obviously is very suggestive and inappropriate, and I would much rather have my kids blowing each other's heads off in violant bloody explosions than have them look at porn like this. If you knew what guys think when they see stuff like this, you would hate it.

    ReplyDelete
  21. I used to love UT but now that I've seen this I'm quitting. What kids see on the internet could scar them for life. Think about that next time your about to post a dirty picture.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Yeah, this post really offended me. I was absolutely disgusted at the fact that

    1. you actually posted about Buzz Bee Toys;
    2. your post said Buzz Bee was GOOD and;
    3. you wrote a post about water guns

    do it again pocket and i will never grace you with my self important presence ever again. :D

    ReplyDelete
  23. Americans are SO weird. You're probably all still reeling from having to see Janet Jackson's nipple in the SuperBowl all those years to go. Such puritanical values yet they produce 90% of the porn in the world......

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ask the Condom companies, the underwear companies, and the gays, and the sex cults about the porn. Real Americans HATE the fact that it has taken root in America, but our leaders refuse to take action against porn.

      Delete
  24. If the worst thing your kid has seen on the internet is on this page, then my guess is that he's on the fast track to becoming a saint.

    I don't care how old your kids are, there are bad things on the internet, and unless you're watching them every second they're on, they'll find these things. It's your job as a parent to help them figure out what to do when they come across it.

    I'll give you a hint: In this case they should say "oh, neat" and read about who makes good squirt guns.

    ReplyDelete
  25. what kind of mom would think innapropriate images are okay? i'm not okay with porn even though america makes most of it

    ReplyDelete
  26. my god just shut up already he didn't do anything to you bunch of retards and i'll say it again if you're to stupid to understand

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thinking that you can swear and blast away at people to stop them from saying their mind? Welcome to America, home of the free, and also home to people WITH a conscience

      Delete
  27. Dang. Why is everyone hating on Buzz bee? they make good products. just not pretty ones. but have you ever looked at their internals? pure beauty. a modders best friend. way simpler and better than any recon reshell could be.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Most of BBT's middle line is what completely outsoaks the middle of what SS offers. On the top of the food chain however, things are a closer match. The Flash Flood has by far the best power to size ratio of any recent blaster, despite its severely limited water capacity. (However, it fills its role very well.) The Vindicator and Vanquisher however, are generally still better choices than the FF in games where range matters.

    At the bottom of the blasting hierarchy however, Hasbro seems to have the upper hand. Max-D 2000 and 3000 appear to outperform BBT's sidearms, though with that said, I've only used the Hornet. If BBT has other sidearms that use ball valves, they should perform comparatively well. Instead, they appear to be using pull valves which seem to be inhibiting flow at that stream size.

    The details of the lawsuit are not perfectly clear, but the Vanquisher re-release is most likely air pressure which would pretty much confirm that the lawsuit was indeed about CPS. Even with that, Buzz Bee Toys shows no signs of stopping; they're making a lot of blasters available this year and even their dart blaster collection is growing. (Despite being generally inferior to Nerf's dart blasters.)

    And despite all the low performance and downright useless blasters that SS has released, I still give them credit for the FF, Arctic Blast/Iron Man, and now the Hydro Cannon.

    Oh, and why are people above getting their panties in a twist over (and heck, reporting) a picture that was nothing but a joke? Grow up and get over it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Some jokes are good, some are bad.
      But indecent jokes make me feel MAD!

      Delete
  29. Oh the outrage. It's actually quite hilarious. Your 12yo kid is probably already sneaking real porn. You know, the kind where you actually get to see the private parts?

    Hope that didn't disillusion you or anything... but you might want to check how secure your parental controls are if you want to keep their eyes mostly untarnished. Kids are full of technological ingenuity these days...

    Just sayin'.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Its not even porn. if I was wanting to see porn and found that pic I would be very disappointed.

    I love the comment from the person who would "rather have my kids blowing each other's heads off in violant bloody explosions than have them look at porn like this."

    that is crazy talk!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Just wanted to say a few things, I know I'm a bit late to the party.

    1. Buzz Bee do indeed make the best water guns right now. Super Soakers look sweet but have piss poor range, limited water output.

    2. The hydro cannon is simply an okay blaster in my book. It unloads a lot of water, has very decent range. Unfortunately it uses up it's entire water supply in only a few shots, also it takes 20 pumps to really prime it, making it less efficient than other blasters out there.

    3. About the picture, I honestly thought at first people were just joking and asking people to take down the buzz bee water gun picture, then I realized that they were talking about the woman.

    Here's all I have to say, for the person who said she's ugly, I'm sorry you feel that way. As to all those who compared this to porn I hope you don't take your kids to the grocery store with you where there are cosmos at the check out counter, with girls far less dressed than that.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. About number 3, that is actally funny. But the thing about the woman is not. Just because there are different levels of wrong doesn't make it right, As stealing a car is only different from stealing a Nerf gun by the amount of money, not the amount of wrong.

      Delete
  32. Stupid feminists are stupid. Just shut the f##k up and fix us some sandwiches. Oh, and just so you know, I'm a girl. I'm a girl, and I think feminism is stupid. Stop acting like damn autistic f##knuts and shut up. ~Amiante, over and out...Kids, if your mother is a feminist, RUN THE F##K AWAY FROM HOME IMMEDIATLY. You don't wanna get her feminist germs.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wow. You need a censor bar and a Bible.

      Delete
    2. Bad words don't make you right,
      They just cause a nastier fight.

      Delete
    3. No wonder you are Anonymous.

      Delete