The Nerf Super Soaker Barrage is one of the larger new models for the 2014 Nerf Super Soaker line, perhaps the heaviest, but second in size to the total dimensions of the Nerf Super Soaker Tri-Strike Crossbow Blaster. It is a pump-action water blaster with an interesting nozzle selector. However, as this is simply a larger (in size) pump-action water blaster for the 2014 Nerf Super Soaker, the Nerf Super Soaker Barrage's performance is not expected to be significantly different than the other 2014 Nerf Super Soaker models, thus this review will be limited in scope. All statistics were obtains without needing to remove this water blaster completely from its packaging, though a couple of its ties were loosened in order to obtain pump volume and output measurements. Hydrowar has a full review posted on the Nerf Super Soaker Barrage as well.

The Blaster ::

Nozzles ::

The Nerf Super Soaker Barrage features a nozzle selector with three choices labeled: Distance, Flood, and Scatter. The Distance setting is the smaller stream setting and pushes out a roughly 1.5x stream, albeit for less than a second since the stream only lasts while the pump is moving. The Flood setting is the largest stream setting and yields a roughly 2.5x stream, though for an ever briefer amount of time than the Distance stream lasts. The Scatter setting is a fan-type blast, but is thin, even for a fan setting. The resulting spray is more mist-like.

The most interesting thing about the Barrage is the nozzle selector's technology. Unlike most conventional nozzle selectors that rotate the nozzles into an off-centered position to align with the true nozzle, the Nerf Super Soaker Barrage's nozzle selector has a secondary part that rotates on the inside of the outer sheath, allowing the water blaster to apparently shoot from the middle of the nozzle selector. This looks neat in one sense - the two pictures of the nozzle selector show are actually set differently (the different settings can be seen in the larger view). However, there is no easy way to determine what setting one has selected without having to turn and face the nozzle, itself. Moreover, the nozzle selector cannot be continually rotated in the same direction. The nozzle selection toggles through Distance-Flood-Scatter with no way to jump from Scatter back to Distance without toggling through Flood. Thus, while interesting, the fact that this nozzle selector cannot continue to turn in any one direction and its lack of markings that it should stop may result in a user attempting to turn the selector beyond where it is meant to turn, potentially straining the nozzle selector's mechanism. Time will tell whether users end up encountering problems through repeated use.

Pump ::

Like the 2013 Nerf Super Soaker Arctic Shock and Nerf Super Soaker Shotwave, the pump is comfortable to hold, but its less pronounced riges and more angular design provides less grip than the 2013 Nerf Super Soaker pump-action water blasters. Unfortunately, even though the Nerf Super Soaker Barrage's pump volume appears equal to the Nerf Super Soaker Tri-Strike Crossbow Blaster's pump and is only slightly more than the older Nerf Super Soaker Shotwave, like the Nerf Super Soaker Freezefire, it too seems to suffer from some type of pump lag if one attempts to pump rapidly. The current hypothesis is that one of the internal check valves is either tight or too constricting which limits how quickly water can be pulled from the reservoir into the pump shaft. Whether this lag will be apparent on all blasters of the same make remains to be determined. The lag is only noticable when one tries to rapidly pull off complete pump shots, extending and compressing the pump as far as it is permitted to move. Typical users may or may not experience this lag depending on their blaster use. However, having tested hundreds of water blasters, this lag really should not exist at all.

Note: there seems to be a significant difference between the pump volume reports for Hydrowar's Nerf Super Soaker Barrage's review and the iSoaker.com review. The reason for this difference in measurement remains unclear.

Grip ::

The triggerless grip area on the Nerf Super Soaker Barrage, like the rest of the other current Nerf Super Soaker models, is well moulded and quite comfortable to hold. However, compared to the 2013 Nerf Super Soakers, the build does feel a little less solidly built, perhaps due to the fact that this grip area is actually part of the reservoir and made of a different type of plastic than the grips of most of the 2013 Nerf Super Soaker models. Moreover, the grip on the Nerf Super Soaker Barrage was placed at the absolute back end of the blaster. Thanks to the larger volume its reservoir holds, this rear-positioned grip makes the front of the blaster feel heavier than it really is, forcing a user to use this blaster with both hands at all times. Granted, being a pump-action water blaster, both hands are required to operate it.

The Reservoir ::

The Nerf Super Soaker Barrage holds the most water of all the 2014 Nerf Super Soaker water blaster models. Why this water blaster solely uses pump-action water blaster technology is unclear. While the Nerf Super Soaker Barrage will get a lot of shots for one complete fill of its reservoir, its limited rate of fire will prevent its user from truly dishing out the soakage very quickly.

One odd thing about a number of caps for the 2014 Nerf Super Soaker line, including the cap for the Nerf Super Soaker Barrage, is the lack of any form of simple valve for the air inlet hole. Instead, there is simply a small hole that is centered in the middle of the cap which can easily dribble, leak, or even produce a small jet of water if the blaster is held at an angle where its water contents are against the cap.

Overall ::

As a whole, the Nerf Super Soaker Barrage is a functional pump-action water blaster with an interesting nozzle selector with two useful settings (the third setting is probably best for watering delicate plants). While the Nerf Super Soaker Barrage features a good-sized reservoir, the choice to position the pistol-grip at the back of this blaster makes it very front-heavy and more difficult to handle. In the end, the Nerf Super Soaker Barrage would likely perform adequately against other pump-action water blasters, but is somewhat disappointing for its larger size and would find itself quickly out-paced by most truly pressurized water blasters.

Pros

Nice styling. Streams produced are relatively smooth, albeit short in duration. Nozzle selector looks neat and features a couple of useful settings. Good-sized reservoir

Cons

Limited pump volume for a pump-action blaster of this size. Pump-action reduces ability to aim while shooting. Pump suffers from some lag at higher pump rates. Scatter (Fan) setting fairly useless. Rear-positioned grip makes the blaster feel more unwieldy than it should be. Cap air-vent has no rubber valve to prevent water from leaking out.

---

Related Content .:

 Product Listing Page | Nerf Super Soaker Product Evolution Tree

Additional Resources

Water Blaster: Basics | Care, Cleaning, and Storage | Soaker Use: Basics|Repair Articles

iSoaker.com .:

• News
• Armoury | Database
• Tech / Repairs
• Battle / Water Warfare
• General Information

Quick Links .:

• Help
• About
• Glossary
• Search
• Site Index

 

• Contact Us
• Terms of Use
• Support This Site

©2000-2024 iSoaker.com.
All rights reserved.