Archiving iSoaker.net

Alas, my initial thoughts on how iSoaker.net would be used have not come to be. As my time and interests have drifted elsewhere, I realize the best thing to do is to focus my energies on things that still inspire me and stop burning time on things that just no longer of interest. However, given the amount of content here, I do not simply wish to remove this site. As such, iSoaker.net is going into stasis mode. No new content is planned for the foreseeable future, but the existing content will remain accessible to all visitors.

As for me, I’ll be focusing my energies on iSoaker.com. Soak on!

Water Blaster Review Progress

As the fourth full week of 2016 begins, the third review on a new water blaster items is now posted on iSoaker.com. The newest reviews are:

With today’s review posting, we remain on-track for posting one new review each week, though as some of the more notable new items are reviewed, not as interesting items may end up having briefer reviews done instead.

The following are the models we plan to do full reviews on:

  • Nerf Super Soaker H2Ops Squall Surge
  • Nerf Super Soaker Tidal Torpedo Bow
  • Water Warriors Aqua Wheel
  • Water Warriors Barbarian

I am still debating about the other new items I have, but am admittedly not as interested in doing full reviews on standard-looking pump-action water blasters with the availability of more pressure-based water blasters.

In all cases, looking at the snow outside, it’ll still be a little while before I get to do any meaningful range testing on any of these blasters.

iSoaker Review Planning for 2016

Water blaster and water gun reviews remain the primary focus for iSoaker.com. However, as the quality and quantity of brand name water blaster models have changed over the years, while we would like to review every model available, budget and time constraints make this goal unrealistic in the near-term. As such, decisions must be made to prioritize review creation.

First and foremost, of course, is whether a particular water blaster model is available. If we cannot get our hands on an item, it simply cannot be reviewed.

Next, we make some initial assumptions on the performance of a water blaster model. Having handled and tested hundreds of different water guns already, we make fairly accurate predictions on how an untested model will perform.

That being said, there are two classes of water blasters that have always interested us. First, as evidenced from the start of Aquatechnology, high performance (e.g. high output, good range) water guns are what inspired the creation of this website in the first place. As such, any water blaster that appears that it should perform well or, of course, to confirm if a water blaster performs poorly, are put higher on the list.

Beyond high performance models, we also have interest in testing unique or intriguing water blaster models. Some water blasters are intended for use by younger users. While such models may not be too useful in large scale water wars, the earlier children are introduced to the joys of water fights, the more likely they will continue enjoying water fights as they grow, seeking out higher performance water blasters once they can physically handle them.

Taken together, we aim to review the models that look like they should be the top performers for their brand. Beyond those, interesting-looking or novel water blaster models may be tested. Time and availability remaining, other less-notable models may be tested and, of course, we remain open to others’ suggestions and feedback if we end up not doing a deep review on a particular model or if a water blaster model is available from another manufacturer that we had overlooked, thusfar.

In the end, we hope to review the most notable of the newest water gun models and fill in more as time and access permits. 2016 looks to be a fun year for water blaster testing at iSoaker.com. Soak on and Leave NO one dry!

2016 Water Warriors Water Gun Size Comparison

water_warriors_line_2016A picture is worth a thousand words – this is no exception. This picture of the known new products for the 2016 Water Warriors brand water blaster line shows the relative size distribution between the various models. One aspect that I only thought of more recently is that while this gives a sense of the differences in the heights and lengths of the different water gun models, this picture does not do a good job distinguishing the differing widths. The Water Warriors Gargantua is definitely the longest, but it is not as wide as the Water Warriors Xenon (2016).

New Sorting Capabilities on iSoaker.com

The iSoaker.com Review/Product Listing can now be sorted by Air – Pressurized Reservoir and Air – Pressure Chamber water guns. Will likely work on adding the ability to sort by Elastic – Spring, Elastic – Bladder, and Elastic – Diaphragm systems as well. such changes take time since it involved properly updating the database as well as the website query modules and displays.

Re-Meet the Water Warriors Xenon (2016 Edition)

The original Water Warriors Xenon was released back in 2005. The 2016 version of the Water Warriors Xenon by Alex Brands Buzz Bee Toys Holdings appears mostly identical except that the pre-charger toggle button is now replaced by a lever-switch. Testing is needed to see how similarly this new version compares to the original.

water_warriors_xenon2016_box01Unfortunately, at present, there is no sign of a 2016 Version of the Water Warriors Krypton.

Re-Meet the Water Warriors Argon (2016 Edition)

The original Water Warriors Argon was released back in 2005. The 2016 version of the Water Warriors Argon by Alex Brands Buzz Bee Toys Holdings appears mostly identical except that the pre-charger toggle button is now replaced by a lever-switch. Testing is needed to see how similarly this new version compares to the original.

water_warriors_argon2016_box01

Meet the Water Warriors Aqua Beast (2016)

The Water Warriors Aqua Beast appears to be the largest new pump-action water blaster by Alex Brands Buzz Bee Toys Holdings LLC for 2016. Featuring a large reservoir and nozzle selector with 3 settings, in many ways, it can be considered the bigger brother of the 2015 Water Warriors Drench Master.

water_warriors_aqua_beast_box01