The Nerf Super Soaker Switch Shot is a new model for the 2013 Nerf Super Soaker line. It is a piston-based water blaster that features a nozzle selector with 4 different settings. This blaster should not be confused with the Nerf Switchshots blasters that allowed one to either shoot a Nerf dart or blast water; the Nerf Super Soaker Switch Shot only blasts water.

The Blaster ::

Nozzle ::

The Nerf Super Soaker Switch Shot gets its name from its nozzle selector featuring four settings: Jet Stream, Triple Shot, Scattershot, and Atomizer (according to the box). "Jet Stream" is the Nerf Super Soaker Switch Shot's stream setting; streams produced are fairly smooth, albeit it rather brief. The "Triple Shot" setting pushes out three streams that spread apart slightly, covering a little more area. The "Scattershot" setting is akin to the "Triple Shot" setting, but has a total of 5 streams configured in a plus (+) like arrangement, also spreading slightly outwards. The "Atomizer" setting is the Nerf Super Soaker Switch Shot's fan setting and spreads water more uniformly than the spreading-stream settings. As all these settings are fed by the pump, the amount of water pushed is completely dependant on pump volume which, unfortunately, is not that large (just a touch more water per stroke than the Nerf Super Soaker Scatter Blast). As such, while some of the patterns could be fun to use, their utility is severely limited by the amount of water that can be pushed per shot.

Being pump-action, ranges achieved by most of the nozzle settings are decent with the "Jet Stream" setting reaching up to ~10.5m (~35'). Each shot, of course, is rather short in duration and pump lag inhibits one from being able to pull of rapid shots as is explained below.

Pump ::

The Nerf Super Soaker Switch Shot, like the Nerf Super Soaker Arctic Shock, features a semi-tracked pump. The pump grip area is chunky and feels quite comfortable to hold; its vertical ridges offer good traction when pumping. Pulling the pump to create a stream works well, but the pump intake appears to suffer from some lag, even when drawing water from the reservoir supplied. Again, like the Nerf Super Soaker Arctic Shock, this makes the blaster stutter if one tries to pump rapidly. It is unclear whether this is a result from tight directional valves or the additional tubing required by the use of the magazine system, or both. On top of this, the amount of water pushed per pump leaves much to be desired; the older Super Soaker Aquashock Sneak Attack pushed out twice the volume of water that this Switch Shot can. These faults with the pumping mechanism seriously detract from this blaster's usefulness in the field.

Grip ::

The trigger and grip area on the Nerf Super Soaker Switch Shot, like the rest of the blaster, are well moulded and quite comfortable to hold. Again, Hasbro Inc. spent a good amount of time refining their triggers and grips. The grip is also nicely in line with the pump allowing one to put one's full force into the pump.

The Reservoir ::

The reservoir on the Nerf Super Soaker Switch Shot is a larger version of the magazine that first appeared in 2011 with the Nerf Super Soaker Thunderstorm and Tornado Strike. The Nerf Super Soaker Switch Shot's larger Banana Clip holds a little more than twice the amount of water the original clip/magazine held. The ridging on the sides make it easy to hold when refilling, but its shape can lead to the trapping of some air if one is not paying attention when refilling; one needs to ensure that this reservoir's opening remains on top so as to not trap air in the upper portion of the reservoir during the filling process. One can, of course, swap in the magazine from the Nerf Super Soaker Thunderstorm, the drum from the Nerf Super Soaker Lightningstorm, or attach the larger Nerf Super Soaker X-Treme Hydro Pack if desired.

Accessories ::

Like the Nerf Super Soaker Lightningstorm, the Nerf Super Soaker Switch Shot can be equipped with a shoulder stock. While not necessary for functionality, the shoulder stock does help balance the blaster to some degree. It can be, of course, removed to lighten the blaster and reduce its size based on user preference.

Overall ::

As a whole, the Nerf Super Soaker Switch Shot is a solidly built blaster with nice styling, but lacking on available power. Its nozzle selector offers some variety in stream patterns produced, but lacks power due to the limit imposed on it due to this blaster's low pump volume. The Nerf Super Soaker Switch Shot performs best in smaller skirmishes or as a back-up paired with a larger, pressurized water blaster. Due to the pump's flakiness when attempting to pump more rapidly, the Nerf Super Soaker Switch Shot is not really recommended as a primary for any larger engagements.

Pros

Nice styling, sturdy build. Nozzle selector offers various stream patterns for improved coverage when soaking.

Cons

Limited pump volume means limited soaking capabilities. Pump suffers from refilling lag making rapid blasting not possible. Though banana-style magazine is larger, it still lacks in capacity compared to other blasters of its size.

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Submitted Reviews

Name:Byoocannon | Posted: 20130708

Review:

I recently purchased 1 of these to try with my nieces and nephews and after the first time out I bought another 2, unlike the Python 2 and any of my bigger soakers the little kids seem to have adequate soaking power and don't make each other cry. If hasbro decides to make a soaker with a pressure chamber that uses these cannisters as a reservoir it could be an awesome setup. Pros: Canister reload features water reservoirs small enough to be filled via 5 gallon pail, the gun is probably one of the sturdiest built soakers I can remember. Cons: Hasbro produced this soaker in lieu of a pressure chamber or Bladder type model.

P.S. I'd also like to note that I have been unable to reproduce the pump lag described with this model. I was able to produce 2 streams a second very easily with the 10 oz, 20 oz, arctic Shock canister, and the 37 oz clips. (I haven't tried the backpack but perhaps it is more pronounced with that)

Name:DR | Posted: 20130618

Manufacturer:Hasbro Inc.
Reservoir Volume:20 oz.
Number of Nozzles:4

Review:

As a kid I was an little Super Soaker hellion, in fact i got in trouble once because my CPS 2000 was so powerful it made a kid cry! I decided to give the new generation of Super Soakers a try, despite their lukewarm reviews online.

DESIGN:

This gun is extremely well designed. The ergonomics and balance are better than any water gun I've held. Very durable plastic, much sturdier than the cheap plastic of Water Warriors. The clip and stock lock in well and are easy to remove. With stock & clip removed this compact gun can easily fit into a backpack. Front sight and stock makes aiming easy. I like the fact that the water tank is on the bottom of the gun, it makes the gun much more balanced and easier to use/aim. The old Super Soakers were often cumbersome, top-heavy, and unbalanced. My only complaint is that there is no trigger. Oh yeah, i almost forgot... it looks COOL.

CAPACITY:

The 20oz clip holds more water than you would think, you can get a lot of shots out of it. You can also get extra clips so I don't think the capacity is a problem. The clips are water-tight even when not in the gun which is really cool. The medium capacity also makes the gun lightweight even when fully loaded.

POWER:

The jetstream setting packs the most punch... not as much as an original Super Soaker but not bad for a gun of this size. The triple shot and scattershot settings are not bad either and put out a good amount of water. The "atomizer" setting is pretty lame- its more like a mist than a spray. With a few shots you can easily soak someone... not a CPS-style drenching, but a decent soaking none the less.

RANGE:

This is the only problem with the Switch Shot. The box said it shoots 25 ft., so I wasn't expecting much. Actually it exceeded my expectations, it goes farther than 25 ft. If you tilt the gun up and pump extra hard you can get 30-35 ft. Not a bad range for a gun this size, but nothing compared to the original Super Soakers.

OVERALL:

A good lightweight water gun, very well made and well designed. Easy to shoot, aim, and maneuver. The design is the best part of this gun, although the performance isn't bad either. I like the fact that you don't have to pump it up before shooting like the original Super Soakers... but you sacrifice some range and power. Its the only water gun I've seen with a stock, which is useful because you can hold the gun steady while pumping, otherwise it tends to wobble which affects your aim. Not having a trigger is a little weird at first, but after you get into the shooting you dont even notice. Good for close to medium range water combat, for long range you will need something heavier and more powerful like a CPS.

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 Product Listing Page | Nerf Super Soaker Product Evolution Tree

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