When talking to a new or even semi-seasoned casual water gun user about the options available, I often hear many of the following thoughts:
“I like this water gun. It’s simple to use and shoots with every pump!”
“I don’t like water guns that I have to pump so many times before it will even work. Talk about being slow to respond when someone is attacking you!”
“This pump-action water blaster gets basically as much range as that pressurized water blaster. Why should I spend more and not get any real range advantage?”
When there is time to explain and show side-by-side comparison of pump-action version pressurized water blaster performance, most will understand the advantage of pressure. However, anyone have additional ideas on how to better inform others on why we should really demand more pressurized water guns from manufacturers and retailers alike?
————————–
Comment written by jja (originally posted on the closed forum section)
Rate of Fire
pressurized blasters have shot time. This shot time can be split into many shorter duration bursts. Whilst water warfare has no real concept of rate of fire, these can be fired in rapid succession, faster than a piston blaster can repeat fire by pumping. therefore pressurized blaster can be said to have greater max rate of fire. although this cant be used indefinitely as eventually you will need to re-pump. The difficulty is marketing this concept to the consumer
slow to respond
pressurized blaster are slow to respond if they are not pumped before use. impromptu/unexpected battles may leave the user defenseless but in this situation ones blaster is unlikely to be filled so even piston blaster users would be defenseless. In the case of an organised battle or being the instigator of an unexpected one the user would have time to pump up there blaster before the battle begins
once pressurized the blaster is very fast to respond – just a pull of the trigger. piston guns need a greater physical action to respond even if the pump handle is in the forward position (unless it has a tracked pump this may increase chance of damage)
range/cost
pressurized blasters do not all out range piston blasters. piston blaster from my experience usually get 9-10 meters pressurized blasters i have used vary from 7-12 meters
pressurized blasters do not have to cost more than piston blasters. where i am pressurized blasters such as the water warriors colossus 2 cost less than comparable sized piston guns from Hasbro (one pays a premium for the super soaker name on the product)
final thoughts
pressurized blasters are my preferred option but they may not suit everyone. younger users may find them complex and older users may prefer the functionality of piston blasters. i can give facts and options but ultimately it is the decision of the user/purchaser of the blaster which type they prefer, all i really care is they enjoy using it.
Comment written by The Oncoming Storm (originally posted on the closed forum section)
I have to say that this is a tough one to prove rationally, as many water warriors just know it and haven’t really thought about why. I will try like JJa to deal with each point with a rebuttal
“I like this water gun. It’s simple to use and shoots with every pump!”
If you only quickly tap the trigger instead of holding it down for several seconds many pressurized blasters are capable of rebuilding the lost pressure in just one pump.
“I don’t like water guns that I have to pump so many times before it will even work. Talk about being slow to respond when someone is attacking you!”
A smart user would make it a priority to have his blaster at firing pressure before the outset of any battle.
“This pump-action water blaster gets basically as much range as that pressurized water blaster. Why should I spend more and not get any real range advantage?”
The costs are about equal between the two, especially when comparing Nerf Super Soaker pump-action blasters to Water Warriors. Furthermore the “advantage” of pressurized water blasters is not range, but rather the ability to store energy now for a rapid release at a later point. For example while in an ambush both will prove drenching, using a pressurized blaster of similar size will let you soak them more completely in the limited time that the opportunity presents itself.