New Flash Flood leaks (but works great), should I return?

[mrsack]

Hey, I just got the Super Soaker Flash Flood, and it's awesome. Good distance (25-45 feet depending on wind) and the flash flood shotgun part is sweet.

Anyways, it seems to leak a little bit from the area between the pump and the tank at the bottom, pictured below. It has happened when pumping and firing and also just after filling it when there is no pressure. I don't think I've ever had a leak-free water gun before so it's not a huge deal, but looking around here it seems that this shouldn't be happening. Should I try to exchange it? (just got it Sunday at Toys-r-us). I'm just wondering if it's worth risking getting one that still leaks or one that doesn't leak but doesn't shoot as far.

What do you guys think?

[steelboot.]

I don't know Canadian Tire's policy on returns, but if it's relatively new, go for it. If you don't want to, open up the gun, locate the leak, and fill it with putty epoxy.
This link should help:

http://www.sscentral.org/repairs/internal.html

Good luck!

[mrsack]

Sweet, just did an exchange. I made sure the connections were tighter at the store, and sure enough no leaks! (so far...knock on wood). Shoots just as good as the other one too.

[steelboot.]

Great news! I hope you're happy!

[metaturtle]

i think its a bad choice, you should have gotten a cps or at least a buzz bee

hasbro soakers (in recent years) suck, larami and buzzbee ftw

edited for clarity and to be slightly nicer

[steelboot.]

@metaturtle: Please avoid negative posts. They don't do anything good.

[metaturtle]

im just saying if he returned it why not get a buzz bee or a cps soaker? there are betterchoices

im trying to prevent him from wasting money, not making fun of him

sorry if it felt that way

[mrsack]

What's better about them? I haven't gotten a water gun in years, and have never really researched much.

I've used this one a bit, and love it though. It's got a good far regular stream (measured 25-45 feet) and the stream is at full power for like 5 seconds. The "flash flood" shotgun blast is amazing, and it's great having both options.

[steelboot.]

CPS Super Soakers are larger and more powerful put are not being manufactured anymore. You can get the m at eBay, and if you're lucky, thrift stores. Buzz Bees are also more powerful, and are readily available. They are called Water Warriors.

[metaturtle]

they are better made and more durable

recently supersoakers started to suck, i had to fix my liquidator a few times sincei boughtit.

if you like it then it is good enough and fufilled its purpose for fun wars

[mrsack]

What would a Water Warrior gun be that's comparable to the Flash Flood and in what ways would it be more powerful? Longer range and harder hits?

[metaturtle]

there is a bigger pressure chamber sometimes, there is more range sometimes, there is more regular (not flood) output

they are more durable. i prefer earlier soakers or newer buzz bees

[steelboot.]

The Water Warriors Vindicator is superior to the Flash Flood; 42 ft. range, multiple nozzle choices, the whole works. The streams are thicker and more powerful.

[metaturtle]

i have never used it. is it really that good?

i should get it as backup for my 2000.

[steelboot.]

Yes, it is that good. I have never used one but I have heard from more than one person that it is the "best blaster EVER!".

[mrsack]

Thanks for the info guys. I do like having 2 triggers on the Flash Flood for quick access versus switching nozzles, and range seems to be fairly comparable (LIke i've said, I've gotten 45 ft). The Super Soaker quick refill is awesome as well. Toys-r-us has a 90 day return policy, so if it messes up I may exchange it and try out a Water Warriors gun.

[steelboot.]

You're welcome. It's always great to know that I'm helping somebody.

[teamfear]

I have a modded flash flood that out shoots the vindicator. Unless you attach a back pack the flash flood will run out of water so fast. I agree with the power of a vindicator. It doesn't use traditional hydro power like most buzz bee guns. It uses cylindrical cps.

[HBWW]

Exchanging is pretty much always the best first move to make on a new faulty or broken blaster. All the time you'd spend repairing it can go to repairing other guns or building, at least for me anyways.

That leak section you pointed it in the first post is pretty unusual. I'd suspect that a part wasn't fully glued, since it happened to my 2008 Orca near the pressure gauge in the internals.

The Flash Flood indeed consumes water quickly. I've recommended this so many times but I'll say it again: stock up on .5L refill bottles. They'll let you attack at close range if you're FF is out of pressure and you're trapped in a tight spot (though a secondary blaster is much more recommended for this situation), and while they may not keep the reservoir filled for long, they will definitely delay the inevitable dry-up of the res. Of course, this is just the cheap alternative to using a backpack, which is the best option available. (however, it is more difficult to recharge)