WaterWar.net

Well, my Nerf Super Soaker Flash Blast arrived today so I figured, why not try it out. Being the only new pressurized model, while only pistol-sized, I did have some hopes for it. As expected, the top of the blaster is the pump and is pulled back much like some older Nerf Guns to draw water into the pump. Pulling the trigger releases things and the internal spring compresses the pump making the shot. The reservoir isn't huge, being at 122mL (~4oz) (the box says 110mL), but that's still more than the Nerf Super Soaker Electrostorm (85mL) and the old Super Soaker 20 (115mL).

The pump volume/firing chamber volume, though, is a whopping 6mL. If that wasn't bad enough, the stream produced even suffers from drop-off, losing performance through the shot. Perhaps the first 3 or so mLs get out at full speed, then it tapers off to a dribble.

On the "bright" side, the blaster does work in "slam-fire" mode. Since this thing is so small and the pump volume so low, there is no notable lag when pumping.

However, another problem with this blaster's design shows up when going for refill. The cap on the reservoir has no hole and there seems to be no other inlet for air. Thus, as water is being drawn out of the reservoir, its internal pressure is dropping versus the outside. Thankfully (???), the reservoir is small that it does not end up collapsing due to the negative pressure, but this is definitely a design oversight.

The blaster looks nice and the grip is very comfortable, but I don't think many here will find much use in this blaster. Perhaps as a back-up for your back-up's back-up? Though I'd argue that running is probably a better option.

Essentially, this would be better off shooting Nerf darts than water. Got it.

So the most interesting-looking blaster of 2013 looks to be the worst. God damn it Hasbro.

It was the smallest of them all....

Buffdaddy wrote:Essentially, this would be better off shooting Nerf darts than water. Got it.

Y'know, that pretty much sums up what this blaster is. It really seems like they took a Nerf gun, shoved a syringe-type piston into the barrel, gave it a smaller nozzle and a water reservoir and called it a day. If they just used the same springs as used for Nerf darts, well, those darts weigh ~1g while this 6mL of water weighs 6g (or roughly worth 6 darts). The poor spring really didn't stand a chance...

Fishfan wrote:It was the smallest of them all....

Yes, but a "good" blaster doesn't have to be large (for example, I'd say the MD 4000 is better than the Monster XL, just because it does its job better). I was half-hoping that the Flash Blast could be a pretty useful backup, considering that you only have to pump it once.

Well, if it looks like a Nerf gun, and works like a Nerf gun, we can sure as hell modify it like a Nerf gun! STRONGER INTERNALS TO THE RESCUE

The POint Break would own this. My point break is essentially an ss 25 with a better shell. Rapid fire mode kinda sounds like squeezing a squirt pistol trigger repeatedly. I wonder if they didnt bring in a new design team cuz it really feels like they are reinventing the wheel. Or maybe they fired their watergun designers and the nerf dart design team is working on both lines to save money.

I didn't think it was possible but SS has somehow messed up the pressurised blaster, and somehow made it inferior to piston and moterised guns. Sad just sad.

Maybe we could mod it like its a nerf gun...

Thinking back, the Flash Blast really felt familiar to a dart gun I've used before and I finally remembered which - the Ruff Stuff ThunderStrike by Buzz Bee Toys Inc (from 2009).
I have one of those somewhere - makes noise when loading and shooting and actually shot its dart fairly decently. It's almost like Hasbro just ended up using the same mechanism for their Flash Blast - fine for a foam dart, but lousy for a water blaster.

Pictures of the Nerf Super Soaker Flash Blast now posted. Review to come after I finish the Nerf Super Soaker X-Treme Hydro Pack's review.

While others have had fun reviewing more meaningful blasters, I get the honor of pushing up another 2013 Nerf Super Soaker review.

Nerf Super Soaker Flash Blast review posted.

Enjoy it for what it's worth!

This whole review can be summed up in these words from Isoaker.

"The Nerf Super Soaker Flash Blast is perhaps useful solely for very small or indoor water fights wherein one does not wish to get anything significantly wet. "

Sad, Just Sad.

Could you make a video of it shooting? I want to see how it works, I can never really understand how it works from descriptions.