Hands-On: Super Soaker AquaShock Hydro Blitz - @ iSoaker.com
Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2007 8:21 am
While many members have already had plenty of experience with the Hydro Blitz, I've only managed to acquire one more recently. Last night, I opted to open up the box, load it up, and test it out!
While the 'Blitz looks intimidating, its feel and performance felt lacking. Those who had chosen to compare the 'Blitz's performance with that of an MXL must have been using a not fully functional MXL.
This isn't to say the Hydro Blitz's performance is bad, it's just not as good as I was hoping for and somewhat lower in power compared to the first, second, and third generation CPS-blasters (i.e. 1996, 1998, and 2000 releases).
The normal stream setting has a lag: it fires almost instantaneously upon pulling the trigger, but the stream continues to fire for nearly a second after the trigger is released. On the Hydro Blitz tested, the stream also was not properly aligned with the blaster, firing towards the left. This may have been due to shipping and I hope to be able to adjust it.
As for the Blitz nozzle, it is interesting in its function, though I still would have preferred a larger nozzle or a true Flood nozzle like that on the Flash Flood or Arctic Blast. As the Blitz nozzle only fires once enough water fills the secondary PC, if one doesn't have enough water remaining, one is left with an unusable partial shot. Depressurizing this partial shot can be done by toggling the switch between the Blitz and normal nozzle, but the process takes unnecessary time and energy. The Blitz PC cannot be emptied by pulling the trigger as the trigger does not control that nozzle.
In terms of pumping, the lever pump is easy to pull, but much less comfortable to use than regular pumps. The sides of the pump also feel somewhat flimsy, though they should be good enough for withstanding regular use; just don't drop it. Holding the Hydro Blitz also feels a little awkward. With the trigger on the backside, this places all the weight on the front. Thankfully, the strap assists in balancing the blaster, but one must either push the whole blaster towards one front when shooting or hold it more awkwardly with one's trigger hand behind one's body since the Hydro Blitz's center of gravity is roughly where the pump is placed, not where the trigger resides. As the pump is top-mounted, one's pumping hand is unable to significantly help support the blaster.
I need to do more testing and measure stats and such. The Hydro Blitz looks great, but thusfar I'm somewhat disappointed by other aspects of its design.
More to come...
While the 'Blitz looks intimidating, its feel and performance felt lacking. Those who had chosen to compare the 'Blitz's performance with that of an MXL must have been using a not fully functional MXL.
This isn't to say the Hydro Blitz's performance is bad, it's just not as good as I was hoping for and somewhat lower in power compared to the first, second, and third generation CPS-blasters (i.e. 1996, 1998, and 2000 releases).The normal stream setting has a lag: it fires almost instantaneously upon pulling the trigger, but the stream continues to fire for nearly a second after the trigger is released. On the Hydro Blitz tested, the stream also was not properly aligned with the blaster, firing towards the left. This may have been due to shipping and I hope to be able to adjust it.
As for the Blitz nozzle, it is interesting in its function, though I still would have preferred a larger nozzle or a true Flood nozzle like that on the Flash Flood or Arctic Blast. As the Blitz nozzle only fires once enough water fills the secondary PC, if one doesn't have enough water remaining, one is left with an unusable partial shot. Depressurizing this partial shot can be done by toggling the switch between the Blitz and normal nozzle, but the process takes unnecessary time and energy. The Blitz PC cannot be emptied by pulling the trigger as the trigger does not control that nozzle.
In terms of pumping, the lever pump is easy to pull, but much less comfortable to use than regular pumps. The sides of the pump also feel somewhat flimsy, though they should be good enough for withstanding regular use; just don't drop it. Holding the Hydro Blitz also feels a little awkward. With the trigger on the backside, this places all the weight on the front. Thankfully, the strap assists in balancing the blaster, but one must either push the whole blaster towards one front when shooting or hold it more awkwardly with one's trigger hand behind one's body since the Hydro Blitz's center of gravity is roughly where the pump is placed, not where the trigger resides. As the pump is top-mounted, one's pumping hand is unable to significantly help support the blaster.
I need to do more testing and measure stats and such. The Hydro Blitz looks great, but thusfar I'm somewhat disappointed by other aspects of its design.
More to come...
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