XTRA POWER SERIES:
The summer of 1993 marks the start of the 2nd Age of Super Soaker(tm).
The Xtra Power series boasted larger nozzles and a more rugged design
compared to the original makes. The first XPs on the market were the XP
75, XP 150, XP 250 and the XP 300 (which was actually a SS 300 repackaged
and made slightly sturdier). The XP 35, XP 55 and XP 95 were released
in 1994 bringing the total number of XPs available to seven. These weapons
provided decent power for the majority of simple water fights, packing
a good punch for their size. The larger nozzle size on all XPs means greater
soaking ability.
In 1996, Larami released five more weapons based on the XP system, namely
the XP 65, XP 85 Triple-Shot, XP 105, XXP 175 and XXP 275. These weapons
boasted generally greater water capacity and more effective water deliverance.
However, the future of the XP as the top-class of water weaponry would
be cut short as Larami also released the CPS 2000 at the same time. Also,
some of the early models suffered from pressure tank problems and reservoir
attachment problems.
In 1998, Larami showed the water weapon world how the XP could be refined
into truly effective water weaponry. The XP 20, XP 40, XP 70 and XP 110
pushed the XP technology to its limits. However, 1998 was the year of
the CPS. The XP 90 Pulse-Fire, released in 1999, added the novelty of
creating a pulsing stream but changed nothing in terms of the inner workings
of the XP. Though dethroned from once being the best water weaponry, the
XP-class weaponry can still provide good backup and decent firepower even
on the modern battlefield.
General
Notes: Being based on air pressure to
deliver the water, the water weapons have a tendency to trickle as pressure
drops. Pumping between and even during shots is recommended just to keep
the pressure, thus firing rate, at maximum. The XPs, though now considered
an older-model type, are still weapons with soaking power to be reckoned
with.
FULLY
REVIEWED WEAPONRY XP20:
New generation XP. Small, easy to pump and fairly good rate of fire. Provides
a decent back-up but has a limited water supply. Good as side-arm. Its
lower rating is merely due to the fact that it is only really good as
a side-arm but the XP 20 is still a good blaster. (Rating: 6) XP220: 2000 generation XP. Small,
easy to pump and good rate of fire. Provides a decent back-up but has
a limited water supply. Good as side-arm. Its lower rating is merely due
to the fact that it is only really good as a side-arm but the XP 220 is
still a good blaster. (Rating: 7) XP40:
New generation XP. Easy to pump and fairly good rate of fire. Provides
a decent back-up but has a limited water supply. Good as side-arm. (Rating:
7) XP240: New generation XP. Easy
to pump and fairly good rate of fire. Provides a decent back-up but has
a limited water supply. Good as side-arm. (Rating: 7) XP65:Classic Series: Easy to pump
and fairly good rate of fire. Provides a decent back-up but has a limited
water supply. Good as side-arm. (Rating: 6) XP70: New generation XP. Easy to
pump and fairly good rate of fire. Provides a decent back-up but has a
limited water supply. (Rating: 7) XP270: New generation XP. Easy
to pump and fairly good rate of fire. Provides a decent back-up and carries
more water than its older brother. (Rating: 7.5) XP75: One of the first XPs released.
Has tendency to leak and water reservoir is prone to damage. Decent water
yield and provides a decent back-up. (Rating: 5) XP75:Classic Series: A twin of the original
XP75 but with an easier to attach/remove reservoir. (Rating: 7) XP90: New XP based on old Super
Soaker(tm) technology. Pulse-setting allows one to conserve water but
not all that useful. Provides a decent back-up but other Super Soakers(tm)
are much more effective. (Rating: 6) XP110: New generation XP. Well-balanced
medium assault rifle. Easy to pump, has a pressure gauge and fires a good
stream of water from its XP-class nozzle. Good all-purpose weapon. (Rating:
8) XP310: New generation XP. Well-balanced
medium assault rifle. Easy to pump, has a pressure gauge, four nozzle
settings, and fires a potent stream of water. Good all-purpose weapon.
(Rating: 8.5) XP150:Classic Series: Well-balanced
heavy assault rifle. Easy to pump and fires a good stream of water from
its XP-class nozzle. Good all-purpose weapon and may even be able to match
up with CPS-class weaponry. (Rating: 9) XXP175: Well-balanced heavy assault
rifle. Easy to pump, has a pressure gauge and fires a duel stream of water
from its XP-class nozzles. Decent heavy back-up but has limited firepower
when compared to the CPS-class weaponry. (Rating: 7) XXP275:Original: Well-balanced
heavy assault rifle. Easy to pump, has a pressure gauge and fires a duel
stream of water from its XP-class nozzles. Each nozzle has 4 different
settings. Decent heavy back-up. (Rating: 7.5) XP:Pool Pumper Blaster: A good
heavy assault rifle. Easy to pump, usually draws water from a nearly inexhaustible
supply (i.e. a pool) and has a large enough firing chamber to allow one
to leave the pool behind once filled. XP-class nozzle, 1.0 L firing chamber.
(Rating: 7.5) XP:Pool Pumper Cannon: A decent
light cannon. Easy to pump, usually draws water from a nearly inexhaustible
supply (i.e. a pool) and had a greater than XP-sized nozzle but no reservoir.
(Rating: 6.5)