Hands-On: Nerf Super Soaker Lightningstorm @ iSoaker.com

[isoaker]

Got acquired a Nerf Super Soaker Lightning Storm today. The blaster, itself, comes in a fairly large box and, when put together, occupies a good amount of space. As well, the size of the drum magazine looks huge and feels huge/hefty when holding, adding a fearsome size and weight to the forward section of this water blaster.

Then it hits me. This thing looks big since the actual blaster section is quite small, but has all these add-ons to it. On top of that, while the drum reservoir looks impressive, the volume it ends up holding is pretty much roughly the same as a Super Soaker XP 270. While not a bad payload of ammo, this blaster's other dimensions make it seem like the reservoir is so much larger than it really is. Moreover, since the base of the blaster is simply a Nerf Super Soaker Thunderstorm, sure the Lightning Storm holds more water, but I don't expect any real difference in performance. Sure, it may take longer to empty the larger reservoir, but if output is only in the range of 7.5mL/s (0.25 oz./s), the usefulness of the larger reservoir is mooted. The other add-ons make the blaster look nice, but when it comes to battle functionality, I doubt the added stock and shield will provide any significant benefit.

Of course, I still do plan on doing some actual output and range testing in due time. If I can, I may even try a duel when the weather is warmer with a friend to see if I can make use of the shield at all. Just a matter of finding time.

Pictures to come soon.

Soak on!

[marauder]

So... even the old SS 50 shot more than 7.5ml/s right?

[isoaker]

So... even the old SS 50 shot more than 7.5ml/s right?

Indeed... my old and not 100% fully functional Super Soaker 50 got an output measured at 10.0 mL/s.

[isoaker]

Pictures of the Nerf Super Soaker Lightningstorm now posted on iSoaker.com.

Working on acquiring various statistics, but it may end up postponed for a bit since I've got a bunch of other things on my plate at the moment.

For now, enjoy the pics and soak on!

[isoaker]

Pushed up a review for the Nerf Super Soaker Lightningstorm. Still need to do output and range measurements on it, though I'll admit I am not expecting any real difference between this and the older Nerf Super Soaker Thunderstorm. I can only hope that the Nerf Super Soaker brand gets its act back together before its name loses all its original meaning.

[wetmonkey442]

Have you ever recorded measurements of packaging? I would be interested to see how the "large" packaging of contemporary soakers like the Lightningstorm and Hydrocannon stack up to small or mid-size CPS blasters. This might help us understand Hasbro's marketing/product design strategy; we have always assumed that shelf-space plays a big role in stocking certain models. It seems to me that these newer Super Soakers are not only highly complex (indicating more expensive/intense production methods), but are also rather large, with lots of bulky packaging and add-ons.

I'm sorry but I cannot imagine that, from a retail and manufacturing perspective, a Super Soaker Lightningstorm is any more practical than an XP 70. Of course, the "Nerf" brand and styling may more than compensate for these deficits in terms of overall sales.

[isoaker]

Have you ever recorded measurements of packaging? I would be interested to see how the "large" packaging of contemporary soakers like the Lightningstorm and Hydrocannon stack up to small or mid-size CPS blasters. This might help us understand Hasbro's marketing/product design strategy; we have always assumed that shelf-space plays a big role in stocking certain models. It seems to me that these newer Super Soakers are not only highly complex (indicating more expensive/intense production methods), but are also rather large, with lots of bulky packaging and add-ons.

I could measure some of the boxes, but I higher recommend against using Hasbro's marketing/product design strategy as a standard for what can/should be done in the world of stock water blasters. Hasbro, because is it a rather large company with a number of notable brands, can get away with minimal or even loss profits when it comes to water blaster creation. Other manufacturers do not have so much luxury. The fact that Hasbro has pushed the Super Soaker brand into the Nerf brand is a sign that Hasbro is really using the Nerf-brand to float what's left of the Super soaker line. I can only hope for better, bigger, more potent blasters coming our way, but time will tell and our activity really needs help from the general consumer as well. Let's face it, the biggest challenge to the toy industry is not so much the toys, but rather that consumer spending is being pulled into other areas from phones to video games to other entertainment activities.

[wetmonkey442]

Let's face it, the biggest challenge to the toy industry is not so much the toys, but rather that consumer spending is being pulled into other areas from phones to video games to other entertainment activities.

While I can definitely get behind the idea of changing consumer markets, I just can't help but think that shelving something like an XP 70 or XP 150 (re-colored, re-designed packaging, etc.) could be a bad decision from a sales standpoint. Sure people are spending loads more on digital technology, even at younger ages, but water guns seem to me an essential component of the toy industry. Maybe I'm just hopelessly optimistic!

[scottthewaterwarrior]

Let's face it, the biggest challenge to the toy industry is not so much the toys, but rather that consumer spending is being pulled into other areas from phones to video games to other entertainment activities.

While I can definitely get behind the idea of changing consumer markets, I just can't help but think that shelving something like an XP 70 or XP 150 (re-colored, re-designed packaging, etc.) could be a bad decision from a sales standpoint. Sure people are spending loads more on digital technology, even at younger ages, but water guns seem to me an essential component of the toy industry. Maybe I'm just hopelessly optimistic!

I think that is a bit optimistic, but still true for some people. I know I have spent maybe $50 on video games this year so far and at least $100 on water guns (as of 1/1/12!) But for most I think isoaker is right, most my friends spend all their money on things other then toys; they love my wars but that is part of why I have 30+ guns, they don't have any! I still think part of it might be the blame of the toy industry, I know I would probably by more toys if there were more toys worth buying. I know Hasbro is trying to get the CoD fan boys to buy there guns by having tactical rails and stuff like that, but if they had those and good performance I think they would probably sell more because the CoD nut-heads would buy Super Soakers and the die hard water warriors would also buy them.

Picture the Electrostorm except instead of that battery nonsense they had that drum filled with a CPS bladder that you loaded with a QFD on your hose. See much better product and would probably be about the same price to make.

[marauder]

Yes, waterguns are less popular, but how much less popular are they? 2000 was the year, where I saw the most waterguns. I won't say it was when water warfare was at its peak in popularity, but there were more guns on the shelf that year than any other I can remember. But, when I was really little, in the early-mid 90s, I don't remember stores having any more guns than they do now.

My point is, it's not so much that quantity is down, but quality is down. There are probably as many guns on the shelves now, as back in 1995, but half the guns are crap. Almost every gun Nerf puts out is crap, then you have a few crappy off brands, and then you have a few good Water Warriors guns.

This has inspired me to write a post on the value of a gun.