The Water Warriors Drench 'n Blast is the largest of the new releases for the 2013 Water Warriors brand line. Its large size and styling makes it look like a fairly aggresive, potent water blaster. It has two nozzles with independent triggers. It also features a new Angle Gauge feature that may prove useful to some for determining the optimal angle to hold one's blaster to achieve maximum range performance. However, the forward bulb part of the Water Warriors Drench 'n Blast, unlike the Water Warriors Colossus 2, is purely ornamental and not a separate air pressure chamber. The Water Warriors Drench 'n Blast, instead, uses its pressurized reservoir to generate the force require to create its blasts.

The Blaster ::

Nozzles ::

The Water Warriors Drench 'n Blast features two nozzles that can be used independantly or fire simultaneously. The upper nozzle is the stream setting and can push out a decent, well laminated stream. Output is nearly 2x (almost 2 oz./sec) when the blaster is properly charged, but performance due vary considerably if the reservoir is not pressurized well or if there is not enough room for pressurized air.

The lower nozzle is called the "Heavy Drench" nozzle and produces a less laminar stream that offers increased output. Whether it is able to achieve the same distances as the stream nozzle remains to be measured. Though not significantly larger like the "Flood" setting on the Super Soaker Flash Flood, it does push out more water than the stream setting and can also be used in tandem with the stream nozzle if enough pressure is available.

Both nozzles are controlled by independent triggers: the trigger on the back controls the stream nozzle while the trigger on the front controls the "Heavy Drench" nozzle. When pressurized properly, the Water Warriors Drench 'n Blast can have both nozzles open at the same time with only some drop in stream performance from both nozzles. Of course, if the blaster is not pressurized well, opening both or even just one nozzle will result in very poorly performing streams.

Performance from both nozzles is quite good. Each nozzle, when properly pressurized, is able to easily reach distances of 11m (35') with the "Heavy Drench" making 12m (40') without hesitation. When both nozzles are used simultaneously, range is reduced, but still a respectable 9.5m (~31'). The catch, though, is that significant pumping is required both to prime the blaster (100-120 pumps or more) as well as after each shot (10-20 pumps between shots) to get optimal performance.

Pump ::

As can be seen from the pictures, the pump on the Water Warriors Drench 'n Blast has the trigger for the "Heavy Drench" setting. As noted above, the Water Warriors Drench 'n Blast is a pressurized reservoir blaster; as such, the pump, itself, only pushes air and does not exhibit any significant resistance when initially pumping.. Since the reservoir on this blaster is quite large, assuming it is filled to the appropriate 3/4 filled level, it takes a LOT of pumps to build adequate pressure (on the order of 100 or so pumps!!). This is perhaps the biggest problem with the Water Warriors Drench 'n Blast. If not enough space is left for pressurized air in the reservoir (i.e. if it is overfilled) or if one does not pump up the reservoir enough, stream performance suffers horribly. This issue would have been solved had the Drench 'n Blast used a smaller, separate pressure chamber and the pump pushed water into the pressure chamber as opposed to air into the reservoir. In its current form, while the Drench 'n Blast can perform well, it takes an awful lot of care and work to do so properly. Unforunately, this also means that those less knowledgable about how water blasters work will probably find their Drench 'n Blast performing much more poorly than it should..

Triggers / Grips ::

The triggers and grips on the Water Warriors Drench 'n Blast are well moulded and comfortable to hold. The dual full-handle nature of the front and rear grips make it quite comfortable to hold and use when properly pressurized. Both grips are open and can accomodate average to large hands with ease.

The Water Warriors Drench 'n Blast, as noted above, has two triggers, but the forward trigger is actually on the pump grip portion of the blaster. However, when the pump is extended, the forward trigger will not activate the "Heavy Drench" nozzle. The pump grip must be fully retracted back into the body of the blaster for the pump grip's trigger mechanism to engage with the inner nozzle valve to open the lower nozzle. However, when pumping the blaster, using the forward grip is not as comfortable. Thankfully, there is enough space in front of the trigger/grip area for it to be used in a more standard pumping manner.

The Reservoir ::

The Water Warriors Drench 'n Blast holds a good amount of water in its pressurized reservoir. However, with a capacity this large, the Drench 'n Blast would have better been served by using a separate pressure chamber. As it is, as noted above, it takes a large number of pumps to properly pressurize this blaster. If one fills the blaster too much, generating a good stream becomes nearly impossible since there is not enough space left to pressurize. If the blaster is not filled enough at first, it takes even more pumps to build up good pressure. Of course, as with all pressurized blaster, pumping after each shot to maintain pressure is definitely recommended.

Additional Features ::

The other notable addition to the Water Warriors Drench 'n Blast in the inclusion of an Angle Meter. Though circular with color patterns reminiscent of older pressure meters, the Angle Meter does not measure pressure, rather provides users with a sense of whether they are holding their water blaster at the best angle to yield maximum distances when needed. Its placement on the side makes it a little less convenient to use in a rush, but it works great both for sneak attacks as well as for training purposes. The green areas are meant to indicate angles in which the blaster should perform well with the dark green region highlighting optimal angles for best range. Yellow areas indicate angles in which the blaster should work, but may run into trouble if lower on water (e.g. mist shots become more likely). Orange areas indicate angles in which the blaster will perform the poorest (if at all), particularly since most air-pressure-based water blasters cannot be held upside-down and fired.

Overall ::

In the end, the Water Warriors Drench 'n Blast is a good idea in theory, but not so smooth in its execution. While it can be filled and pressurized to create good performing streams, its entire reservoir needs to be pressurized. As such, it must be both filled to the right amount and pump many, many, many times, something which many may find too troublesome to do. Its dual trigger set-up works well and its dual nozzles can be used independently or simultaneously so long as the reservoir is charged properly. In the end, the Water Warriors Drench 'n Blast is a solid blaster that can perform well if primed properly, but could have been much better had it had separate pressure chamber instead of relying on the pressurized reservoir system. Good for small to medium skirmishes and able to hold its own against similarly sized pressurized water blasters, just do not get caught just after refilling and needing to pump the hundred-or-so times before being able to properly blast at an oncoming opponent.

Pros

Nice styling, sturdy build. Dual full grips quite comfrotable to hold when aiming and attacking. Despite having a trigger on the pump, pump grip long enough to allow for regular pumping grip as well. Independent triggers controlling the nozzles allowing the user to switch between them quickly or use them simultaneously. Angle gauge useful for training purposes in order to maximize stream range.

Cons

Pressurized reservoir system with its large reservoir requires proper filling and many, MANY pumps to pressurize properly. Forward trigger will not work if pump is extended to any significant degree. No strap.

Related Content .:

 Product Listing Page | Water Warriors Product Evolution Tree 

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