Super Soaker

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A Super Soaker CPS 4100
A Super Soaker CPS 4100

Super Soaker is a brand of recreational water gun, first sold in 1989, by Larami Inc. The first Super Soaker, the Super Soaker 50, was actually originally called the Power Drencher [1]. Rebranding the name to Super Soaker occurred in 1991 together with a series of TV advertisements, promoting this revolutionary water gun.

The first Super Soakers utilized manually pressurized air to shoot water with greater power, range, and accuracy than conventional squirt guns. Super Soakers were popular for many years - so popular, in fact, that the term super soaker is sometimes used generically, to refer to any type of toy pressurized water gun[citation needed].

The Super Soaker was invented by Lonnie Johnson, now of Johnson Research Group.

Contents

[edit] Technology

Most Super Soakers use air to force the water out of the nozzle and into the air. Air pressure-powered Super Soakers utilize one of two types of propulsion systems: a pressurized reservoir system, or a separate firing chamber system.

Super Soakers that use the pressurized reservoir system have a single reservoir for air and water. The reservoir is first partially filled with water, then air is forced in under pressure. When the trigger is pulled, the pressurized air forces water out of the reservoir.

Super Soakers that use the separate pressure chamber system have a large reservoir for water only, and one or more smaller air pressure chambers / firing chambers. In this system, water is pumped from the reservoir into the firing chamber(s), compressing the air in the chamber(s). This exerts a force on the water, thus providing the power to push the water through the nozzle when the trigger is pulled. Super Soakers using this system are, generally speaking, more powerful than ones that use pressurized reservoirs.

Other models use piston pressure, in which water is simply forced through the nozzle by the pump's shaft pushing it. Since the power available is directly proportional to the strength of the arm of the user, these models are less popular. On the positive side, no pre-pumping is required, as opposed to the other type of technology where one must pump several times to build up the required pressure.

The Constant Pressure System (CPS) is the most powerful system used by Super Soaker.[2] The user pumps water from the reservoir into a rubber chamber, which expands as more water is forced into it. The stretched rubber exerts a constant pressure on the water, which propels the water when the trigger is pulled. In larger models, the resulting blast is forceful enough that recoil can be felt.

[edit] Modifications

While the average consumer may find off-the-shelf Super Soakers adequate, some Super Soaker enthusiasts choose to modify their water blasters for increased range and output.

Aperture-removal: This is the simplest and easiest form of modification. Many Super Soakers from the XP and CPS classes have apertures that can be simply snapped off. This enables the user to unleash a large gob of water over a range of ~2 meters, depleting both water and pressure in about as many seconds. Even on smaller units, the amount of water expended produces a CPS-like recoil. It is comparable to an extreme form of nozzle-drilling.[3]

K-modding: The K-mod is a modification restricted to CPS-class soakers with spherical pressure chambers. It can yield significant output increases. The process involves stretching many (usually between 50-90) balloons around the pressure chamber to allow for more pressurization to take place. The drawback, however, is that thickening the pressure chamber reduces available room for expansion, decreasing the duration of shots.[4]

While K-modding only works with spherical pressure chambers, there is a similar modification that may be performed upon CPS Soakers with cylindrical pressure chambers called Colossus. This modification involves sliding a bike inner tube or latex rubber tubing around the pressure chamber.[5]

Pressure Release Valve Disabling: This modification, initially and incorrectly identified as check valve freezing, is very common and allows for greater power. Stock water guns contain a pressure relief valve between the reservoir and pump tube. The valve regulates the amount of pressure generated inside the pressure chamber by venting air or water once a certain pressure threshold has been reached. By removing this valve and sealing the resulting gap, a greater level of pressure is attainable, thus increasing the water output.

This modification, while optional in soakers which have not been K-modded, is often a necessity for K-modded soakers; the thicker pressure chamber may require more pressure than the relief valve would allow. Removing the relief valve is in fact removing a safety feature, increasing the chances of malfunction and damage in the toy by allowing too much pressure to build up, so discretion should be taken with regard to the number of times the soaker is pumped and how much force is required for the pump to fully retract. It is far more likely that a weak part of one's water gun will crack and spray water from the crack in a worst case scenario.[6]

This modification is better known as check valve freezing, involving incorrect terminology. What was originally referred to as a check valve has now been identified as a pressure release valve; and the term freezing is irrelevant.

Nozzle drilling: A common modification which involves using a drill to enlarge nozzle orifices. With a larger nozzle orifice, higher water output is obtained. However, drilling a nozzle too large will reduce range. Nozzles' orifice size can be also reduced by filling in the orifice with epoxy or polymorph plastic, waiting for the filler to dry, and then redrilling a smaller nozzle. Threaded, removable nozzles also can be made, allowing for a multitude of nozzles orifice sizes on a single Super Soaker.[7]

Reservoir expansion: This modification increases the total volume of water available to the user of the water gun. Commonly, the reservoir is expanded by means of a backpack containing water, constructed with bottles or plastic pipe,[8] but there are numerous methods to increase reservoir capacity not limited to a backpack.[9]

PC expansion: This modification increases the water capacity of the pressure chamber, allowing for shots that are longer in duration to be made.[10]

[edit] Model ranges

  • SS (Original): The Original Super Soaker 100 (later renamed the Super Soaker 50), which first appeared in 1988, easily outpowered other water guns of the time. This model was followed by the Super Soaker 30 (light rifle) and 100 (heavy rifle) in 1990, the pistol-type 20 and cannon-type 200 in 1991; the additional pistol-types 10 and 25, light rifle 40, medium rifle 60, and additional cannon-type 300 in 1993; and a number of "gimmick" soakers like the MDS and Power Soaker series along the way. The MDS (Multi Directional Soaker) had a pivoting nozzle that allowed for "around the corner" shots.[11]
  • [XP (eXtra Power)]: This range, now discontinued, used the same air pressure systems as the originals but with more durable construction. It began with the XP75 and XP150, "updated" versions of the 50 and 100 featuring a different reservoir-mounting mechanism, and the XP250 and XP300, ostensible replacements for the old 200 and 300. The XP Revolution fully kicked off in 1995-97 with the XP35 light rifle, XP55 and XP65 medium rifles, XP85 Triple Shot, XP95 and XP105 heavy rifles, and XXP175 and XXP275 cannons (successors to the old 200 and 300). The XP90 Pulse Fire, made in 1999, served as a swansong for this generation of XPs, and the XP15 pistol, made in 1998, replaced the old 10 while also acting as a transition to the third wave of XPs: the XP20 light rifle was the successor to, but not replacement for, the XP15; XP40 light rifle replaced the XP35; the XP70 for the XP65; and XP110 for the XP105. The roles of cannon-type blasters, like the old 200 and 300 and the XXP 175 and 275, were now filled by the CPS models. The XP 15-110 were eventually replaced by the XP 215-310, which were, in turn, replaced by the Max-D 2000-6000. Ultimately, the Max-D2000 replaced the SS20, the Max-D3000 replaced the SS30, the Max-D4000 replaced the SS40, the Max-D5000 replaced the SS50, and the Max-D6000 replaced the SS100. The relative power of later blasters was defined in multiples of that of the XP70. This line was accompanied by the normal gimmick blasters; generally speaking, the one regarded as the worst is the XP Backfire.[citation needed][12]
  • XXP (eXtra eXtra Power): This range consists of two double-barreled models and is really just part of the XP line.[13]
  • CPS (Constant Pressure System): The most powerful Super Soaker range, with up to 20 times (or more, in the case of the CPS2000) the power as the "standard" XP 70. Introduced in 1996, this range initially included only a single blaster: the notorious CPS 2000, which earned infamy for its alleged ability to cause physical injuries to people. The second wave of CPS blasters consisted of the CPS 1000, CPS 1500, CPS 2500 (toned-down successor to the CPS 2000), and CPS 3000. When the XP 15-110 were replaced by the 215-310, the CPS line saw a similar rotation to the 1200, 1700, 2700, and 3200. The fourth and final wave consisted of the CPS 2100, to replace the 1200 and 1700, and 4100, to replace the 2700 and 3200.[14]
  • SC (Super Charger): This range, introduced in 1999, allowed quick pressurization using a garden hose, used the CPS system in most models, and included two backpack guns.[15]
  • Monster: Like the SC series, but bigger and sporting a different color scheme. This line could be filled with a hose. Introduced in 2000 were the Monster and Monster XL (which is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest water gun ever produced). In 2001, the Monster was renamed to the Monster X, and the "Monster" designation was transferred to a new, smaller blaster.[16]
  • Max-D (Maximum Distance): In 2002, Super Soaker introduced the Max-D line, final successors to the XP line. The Max-D guns introduced newer technologies, including ball valves for the trigger to maximize flow. They also brought back the use of pressurized reservoir systems in medium-sized blasters.[17]
  • EES (Enhanced Electronic Soakage): This unpopular, battery-powered, 2003 line had sound effects.[18]
  • SoakerTag: In 2004, Hasbro launched "SoakerTag", which utilized a number of small "tags" attached to one's shirt. The tags were starch based and dissolved when hit by water, thus allowing players to determine who had been hit in a waterfight. Hasbro also released a line of "SoakerTag" blasters, which fans considered underpowered.[19]
  • SoakerTag Elite: The 2005 SoakerTag line was also considered underpowered[citation needed], although it did include two CPS models.[20]
  • Max Infusion: This 2006 line is hose-fillable without removing the cap. The blasters can use a universal 50 oz. water "bandolier" or the 100 oz. backpack that comes with the Overload.[21]
  • Aqua Shock: This line, released in 2007, was a mixed bag which contained both good and relatively underpowered water guns. There were a couple of CPS models, but several other blasters were quite weak with low range and output. Also, on each box there were "Aqua Shock" ratings, apparently ratings of how good the blasters were. They ranged from 3.0 to 11.5. It remains publicly unknown what criteria were used to determine these ratings. Overall, the Aqua Shock series' performance were similar to the previous couple of years. The Aquashock series contains 4 blasters:

- the Aquashock Sneak Attack (piston pressure) has an Aquashock level of 3.0 - the Aquashock Secret Strike (pressurized reservoir) has an Aquashock level of 5.0 - the Aquashock Arctic Blast (CPS) has an Aquashock level of 7.0 - the Aquashock HydroBlitz (CPS)has an Aquashock level of 11.5[22]

  • 2008: there were two new models released in 2008: the Bottle Shot and Quick Blast. The 2007 models were re-released as well, but were stripped of their ratings.

[edit] References

  1. ^ iSoaker.com: History of the Super Soaker
  2. ^ iSoaker.com: Armoury -Super Soaker CPS 2000, Manufactured by Larami Ltd., 1996
  3. ^ Misc. nozzle modifications - Super Soaker Central
  4. ^ K-mod - Super Soaker Central
  5. ^ Colossus - Super Soaker Central
  6. ^ Pressure relief valve disabling - Super Soaker Central
  7. ^ Multi-nozzle modification - Super Soaker Central
  8. ^ Backpack modification - Super Soaker Central
  9. ^ Reservoir expansion - Super Soaker Central
  10. ^ PC expansion - Super Soaker Central
  11. ^ Super Soaker Original / Classic Series @ iSoaker.com
  12. ^ Super Soaker Xtra Power Series @ iSoaker.com
  13. ^ Super Soaker Xtra Power Series @ iSoaker.com
  14. ^ Super Soaker Constant Pressure System (CPS) Series @ iSoaker.com
  15. ^ Super Soaker Super Charger (SC) Series @ iSoaker.com
  16. ^ Super Soaker Monster Series @ iSoaker.com
  17. ^ Super Soaker Max-D Series @ iSoaker.com
  18. ^ Super Soaker Enhanced Electronic Soakage (EES) Series @ iSoaker.com
  19. ^ Super Soaker Soaker Tag (ST) / Soaker Tag Elite (STE) @ iSoaker.com
  20. ^ Super Soaker Soaker Tag (ST) / Soaker Tag Elite (STE) @ iSoaker.com
  21. ^ Super Soaker Max Infusion (MI) Series @ iSoaker.com
  22. ^ Super Soaker AquaShock (AQ) Series @ iSoaker.com

[edit] External links