The Water Warriors Vindicator is the largest of the cannon-shaped Performance line of Water Warriors by Buzz Bee Toys Inc. released in 2009. Its naming and styling represent a departure from the previous Water Warriors water blasters, being much simpler in outward appearances. However, the blaster, itself, holds some surprises of its own.

The Blaster ::

Nozzles and Pressure Chamber::

The Water Warriors Vindicator features a multiple nozzle selector with five different stream settings; four settings for different-sized streams and one fan setting. The nozzles are powered by the blaster's internal elastic-based pressure chamber, likely similar in design to the Water Warriors Hydra Pak. Streams produced from the various nozzle settings appear quite smooth and solid thanks to its CPS-like chamber and well-shaped nozzles. The smaller settings offer varying levels of water conservation while the largest nozzle allows the power of the pressure chamber to shine, bursting forth with good potency. The fan setting offers a good spread. The odd thing about the nozzle selector is that the nozzle sizes do not quite flow in order, but since one still needs to look at the nozzles to verify what setting one has chosen, this is a more of an annoyance than a true problem. One other thing noted, though, is that the pressure chamber seems to have some dead space (i.e. a small volume that remains after the pressure chamber is depleted). The dead space was not included in the measurement of the pressure chamber (iSoaker.com measures everything that can be fired out in a full blast, not the volume of water that simply goes into the chamber). Granted, most elastic-chambers have some dead space, but this is something that should be kept in mind since, for optimal performance, one should prime the pressure chamber for use and, of course, fully empty the pressure chamber prior to long-term storage.

Pump ::

The pump on the Vindicator feel quite sturdy, particularly being tracked beneath the blaster's body. Pumping is smooth and easy. The pump grip feels comfortable to hold and its shape should minimize slipping. However, due to the overall design of the blaster, if one is not using the strap, the weight of the blaster ends up being supported by one's pumping hand. This can make the blaster feel somewhat heavy after a short while. Thankfully, if using the strap in its optimal position (the blaster is best held across the body as opposed to on one's trigger hand side with the strap looping behind one's neck), the blaster's weight can be primarily supported by the strap, making pumping and shooting much easier.

Trigger / Grip ::

The Vindicator's trigger feels solid and pulls well. The trigger appears to respond quite readily to pulls and releases, making performing long blasts or tap shots quite simple. The grip, itself, is nicely moulded and feels sturdy, making up the back-end of the blaster. However, while the grip area is large enough to accomodate most hands, since it is a closed area, those with particularly large hands may find it a little tight. Thankfully, the way the packaging is designed, one can easily try holding onto the blaster's grip and pull on the trigger to see whether it feels comfortable to hold before buying. That said, I believe most would find the grip quite solid and comfortable to hold. One thing to note is that the bottom of the trigger on the model tested felt somewhat sharp and could pose a problem for prolonged or vigorous use. This problem should hopefully be corrected in later models.

The Reservoir ::

When looking at the Vindicator, this blaster almost appears to be nothing but tank with nozzles and a trigger added for functionality. The reservoir holds a quite respectable amount of water, able to fill the pressure chamber more than 5 times. Interestingly, the pressure chamber lies within the reservoir housing. Thus, unfortunately, one cannot fill the pressure chamber, then top off the reservoir for an extra shot. The main drawback to the reservoir is the fact that its opaque shell makes it difficult to determine how much water remains. Of course, as the blaster gets notably lighter, that is a definite sign that one will likely need to refill soon.

Overall ::

The Water Warriors Vindicator with its no-nonsense styling is solid water blaster that offers a good mix of power as well as conservation to meet virtually any need on the water warfare battle field. The blaster feels quite sturdy as well, though requiring both hands to operate well. With a good-sized reservoir as well as pressure chamber, the Water Warriors Vindicator can keep up with pretty much any other presently available stock water blaster even including rarer and older models. Just be wary of the largest, true CPS-class weaponry.

Pros

Solid streams with good power and performance. Shoulder strap for easier carrying and filling. Five nozzle selections offers great flexibility on the field. Blaster looks and feels solid. Can be pumped and pressurized easily.

Cons

Requires both hands to operate well. Opaque reservoir makes it hard to tell how much water remains. No pressure chamber fill gauge since pressure chamber is internal; also, cannot fill pressure chamber, then top of the reservoir for an extra shot. Some dead space in the pressure chamber that needs to be primed for optimal use and emptied for long-term storage.

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Submitted Reviews:

By: cjang94 | Posted 20090908

Manufacturer:Buzz Bee Toys Inc.
Copyright:2009
Length:60 cm
Width:10 cm
Height:15 cm
Weight:128 oz

Pressurization System:Elastic Pressure

Number of Nozzles:5

Nozzle 1:
Name: Water Saver-Lowest
Range(angled): 40 feet
Range(level): 25 feet

Nozzle 2:
Name: Medium
Range(angled): 45 feet
Range(level): 25 feet

Nozzle 3:
Name: Drenching
Range(angled): 40 feet
Range(level): 25 feet

Nozzle 4:
Name: Blasting-Highest
Range(angled): 50 feet
Range(level): 30 feet

Nozzle 5:
Name: Fan
Range(angled): 25 feet
Range(level): 20 feet

Before reading my review, consider my water blaster history: 1st Blaster: Storm (?) Blaster (PR) 2nd Blaster: SS Vaporizer (Piston) 3rd Blaster: Storm 3 knockoff (same frame, no special electronic enhancements, probably underpowered, bought at dollar store) 4rd Blaster: CPS 2100 knockoff (same frame, using PR) 5th Blaster: WW Vindicator (Elastic Pressure System) This does not include various pistols that I have owned throughout the years. The WW Vindicator is a very worthy blaster; the streams' lamination is of high quality, and the range appears to be constant for most of its nozzles. (This from a guy who fought in soakfests where the strongest blaster was his PR CPS 2100 knockoff). The build is very sturdy. And pretty heavy, but the strap helps a lot. Then again, what would you expect from a blaster that holds a gallon (3.8L) of water? To someone who has lived in the post-apocalyptic world of crappy Super Soakers, this soaker has impressed me so much as to wish to buy stock in Buzz Bee Toys. The HydroPower system (to someone who had never heard of CPS before reaching iSoaker.com), interchangeable nozzles (to someone who never had a gun with more than one nozzle, let alone 5), and amazing range (my previous guns never went over 25 ft. on a good day) all add up to a great blaster.

By: James | Posted: 20090415

Even though I said it might be a while before I test the Vindicator, excitement got the better of me and I decided to give it a go today.

After taking it out of the box and getting a feel for it, I'm pleased to say it felt nice in my hands and after some initial pumping, it just felt so much like an old CPS blaster, even the nozzle changing felt nice and simple.  An even bigger plus is how the pump is tracked and glides very smoothly.

The look of this as well I think is great, combined with nice colours, makes for a very solidly built simple design with no stupid gimmicks.  It is also great how the design is rather original, as it looks a lot different from CPS blasters similar to it like the 1000/1200/2100, while still looking like it'd fit that trend/timeline.

Filling was pretty easy, one gripe I do have here is that there is no handle, so when filling, it is best to have one hand holding it underneath, if Buzz Bee Toys do more blasters along the lines of the Vindicator, it'd be nice to see a return of handles, they just made filling up CPS blasters so painless.  The reservoir also holds an impressive amount, around 3L, which is considerably more than blasters like the 1000/1200/2100 and around the same as the 1500/2500.  This is great as the Vindicator's firing chamber volume is around the same as the 1000/1200/2100 if not perhaps only slightly less, however you do get 5 and a bit shots per tank, which is around 2 more.  You can't get 6 though, since the CPS like firing chamber of the Vindicator is actually in the reservoir, so there is no space for another fill after pumping.  Pumping doesn't take too long either, I find it a little difficult, however I probably would at present since I've not pumped a single piece blaster like this for nearly a year now!

The crucial part next, performance, which I'm very happy to say that in this day and age of mostly rubbish blasters is brilliant, and again is up there with many old blasters 2002 and before.  The streams given off have a very nice flow and stay nicely consistent.  In terms of consistency I'd say it is along the lines of the backpack Super Chargers the Big Trouble and Power Pak (I have both of them in which I've tested the day before).  I only really use the drenching stream (around 3x) and blasting stream (around 6x) nozzles and sometimes the medium stream (around 1.7x) and from what I see when firing them (most notably the blasting stream but also the drenching stream), it erupts out pretty good, stays like it for most of the shot and then like the Super Chargers ever so slightly drops off a bit and then when out of water just drops off like a CPS would.  The range is also impressive, it is enough to do the job, I can't really give a clear measurement given at the present time it is pretty windy outside.  One small problem is some excess water remains in the firing chamber after firing.

One other slight thing as from what was said in the iSoaker review, to get the best feel from the Vindicator you will definitely need to use the strap when fully filled, as it becomes very front heavy, which without the strap on will definitely make pumping harder on your pumping hand.

As a whole though, the Water Warriors Vindicator is a very impressive blaster especially in today's climate of mostly underpowered terrible blasters.  I'd even be willing to say that it would be a worthy replacement for the CPS 2100, a replacement that unlike the 2100 is available to buy for around the same retail price today in shops.  The Vindicator at present is basically today's light or at most close to medium CPS style blaster that is readily available.  A great thing indeed, the guys from Larami after the Hasbro buyout who moved to Buzz Bee Toys are always improving as shown with the Vindicator, I wish them all the best for the future to not only keep on making blasters like this, but hopefully bigger and better ones too like the old days.  Hasbro had better watch their back, the Vindicator if you ask me is better than anything they've made since they took over the Super Soaker brand at the end of 2002. 

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Related Content .:

 Product Listing Page | Water Warriors Product Evolution Tree 

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