Everything Awesome on Water Warriors

[HBWW]

This thread is to get a list of features and design points we like on recent BBT blasters. I suppose negative aspects such as the original Colossus' PC intake tube being less than ideal can also be mentioned, but isn't quite the focus of the thread. Anyway, I'll start with the following.

- Ergonomics/balance on WW Colossus 2/Python 2.
- Ergonomics on WW Colossus.
- Nozzle selector tab; serves as a great visual indicator of which nozzle you're using and which to switch to. I was very quickly able to memorize the Colossus' configuration this way. (Up: Smaller nozzle, Left: Larger nozzle, Right: Quad nozzle.)
- Edit: Forgot to mention the quad nozzle itself. Much, much better than fan nozzles and more useful than Xp "riot blasts".

Pull valves: I prefer the feel of the pull valves on the XP's/CPS's, but I think BBT's pull valves are well designed enough. However, I don't have any fair performance comparisons between them and their ball valves.

[martianshark]

This is a great idea. Can we talk about what we don't like? Because I don't like the pump handle on the Gorgon/Orca/etc. If they continue to produce this design, they should give it a new pump handle like the one I just made here. It wouldn't be that hard.

Obviously, I like how powerful a lot of BBT's blasters are, such as the Gorgon. I also really liked the power and capacity of largish PR guns like the Equalizer (or Outlaw, as it is now called). The grip styling on blasters like the Colossus 2 and Python 2 looks really comfortable, but I don't actually know because I haven't touched one. I liked how they got rid of the fan nozzles, replacing them with the more useful burst setting. I liked the guns with tracked pump grips, especially the Vanquisher. The Vanquisher's pumping was extremely smooth for some reason; whatever they did with the Vanquisher's pump, it would be great if they could do that in future designs.

Even BBT's piston guns are designed well, having little to no pump lag. With guns like the Shark, I was able to push out an impressive amount of water as quickly as I could move my arm back and forth.

Guns like the Scorpion were really cool. It would be awesome if they could make a new air pressure version, or maybe a spring-powered version. But I don't think this is likely.

One more little complaint: They should give their blasters cooler paint jobs. And in many cases, they could and should be cooler-shaped.

[SEAL]

I don't really own many recent BBT blasters surprisingly (though I was supposed to get a Gorgon...*ahem*). I've been filling my armory with CPS blasters recently, which are more important. I have used a Gorgon and a Colossus before though, so here are my thoughts:

I love the fact that they actually use a pressurized system instead of everything but (*cough*Nerf*cough*), and I like the range. The Colossus is very ergonomic (never used a 2, but it looks even better), which is always nice. I do like the quad burst, but I don't find myself ever using that setting, or even switching nozzles at all. I just stick to the largest nozzle. The quad burst could use more spread, because they don't have much more than the largest nozzle on the Gorgon, which doesn't really give you a good reason to use. Besides, we never count a few droplets as a hit, which is probably all you'll be hit by from the quad burst unless someone point-blanks you, which wouldn't be any different from a stream.

I don't own any of the newer guns so I can't go more in-depth. However I look at guns from a combat-oriented view, so really, if something works in the field and helps me make a hit on my opponents, then I like it. BBT guns are about on-par with the best XP blasters in my opinion (though the Vindicator is a step up). They're decent enough, but not something I'd take into battle anywhere other than specialty rounds.

[HBWW]

Can we talk about what we don't like?

Actually, yes. I just picked up a Python 2 and wish the trigger was forward just a little bit, and that the pump was longer. Takes some time to power up (particularly with the large reservoir), but performance isn't as good as the original Colossus.

Which brings me to another idea: Higher diameter pumps to aid pressure relief valves. If we're going to be restricted from building up really high pressures, might as well make the pumps work in more at a time. The XP 150 and SS 300 managed to do this just fine. Although I suppose there's also the small children who wouldn't be able to use it as effectively. -__-

Python 2's grip is decent. Not perfect but fairly comfortable. I need to actually bring it to combat first to get a better assessment. I haven't worked with BBT's piston pumpers, but if I needed some, they'd be my first choice.

As for the quads, I found myself wanting to dislike them at first, but they do their job very well: they provide a wider angle and higher output nozzle without loosing too much range; perfect for that intention. The incredible lamination in most BBT blasters only helps here. The quad on the Colossus is fairly competent against XP class blasters, but I'm sure the Gorgon could do better.

I guess what we're really all hoping to see is something with the ergonomics/balance of the Colossus/Colossus 2 and the power of a Gorgon or better.

Angle meter: The lag/latency and slight inaccuracy on the meter makes it of limited use, but it essentially tells you the idea angle to shoot the blaster at if you run low on water. This appears to be its strongest point; as an indicator to tell you what that ideal angle is. However, it doesn't seem useful at all to refer to when actually shooting, at least once you remember where that dark green spot on the meter is.

That said, the angle meter is much nicer to have than having to figure out where the ideal angle is manually when running low on water. However, I'd still be perfectly happy with an XP 310 or Max-D 6000 style pressure gauge in its place, but that costs more money to make. (It shouldn't be that bad though; a lot of the setup is similar to the old electronic pressure gauges, but showing the pressure more precisely and not requiring batteries would make it more useful. That said, I don't use pressure gauges often anyway; they would be better for PR's since those require a lot of pumping.)

[isoaker]

However, I'd still be perfectly happy with an XP 310 or Max-D 6000 style pressure gauge in its place, but that costs more money to make. (It shouldn't be that bad though; a lot of the setup is similar to the old electronic pressure gauges, but showing the pressure more precisely and not requiring batteries would make it more useful. That said, I don't use pressure gauges often anyway; they would be better for PR's since those require a lot of pumping.)

Regarding pressure gauges, I was under the general impression that the community didn't really find them as useful versus the fact that they end up being another potential point-of-failure as a blaster ages and tubing seals begin to give way. I prefer fill gauges on elastic-based chambers and have found pressure gauges useful for helping standardize when a separate pressure chamber blaster is well-primed with air. I also definitely see the utility in pressure gauges for pressurized reservoir blasters, but admittedly, never used them as much since I just tend to pump-til-I-can't-pump-no-more. As for the angle meter, while not as useful in general combat, it also isn't a point of failure for the operation of a water blaster so its inclusion or not is not really an issue compared to a pressure gauge.

As for the latest Water Warriors water blasters, I like the improvement in ergonomics and general maintenance of solid performance, but definitely wished that the Colossus 2 had the same PC as the original Colossus and that the Drench 'n Blast had a separate pressure chamber (or, at least, a much more efficient pump for pressurizing its reservoir).

[the oncoming storm]

I have only used 4 WW blasters (the Hornet and Cricket are so identical that I count them as 1 model)

The Gorgon has great power, Testing a nozzle drilled to 5x (output 7.2oz/s) today I hit 45' on each of 4 test shots in opposite directions to cancel out any impact made by slight wind and could probably hit high 30's on the 10x nozzle drill but the wind picked up.

I like the technical styling, and comfortable balanced feel that the Python 2, and Colossus 2 seem to have

The Renegade and Explorer don't have anything going for them.

[HBWW]

@isoaker: True (Orca 2008 I got from you had a leak at the pressure gauge as I mentioned previously), but they do have their use for pre-pressurization, and I don't like wasting pumps on PR's since it's difficult to tell when the PRV is even going off. However, I suppose that in the end, it's better to have them in CPS since it costs little to do so. (Just need some transparent plastic somewhere but no additional tubing.)

Edited for clarity.

[the oncoming storm]

I don't like wasting pumps on PR's since it's difficult to tell when it's even going off.

CA99 You must not have ever used a Renegade or Explorer I bet you can hear the PR on them kicking in 100' away

[HBWW]

Renegade isn't PR. Loudest PRV I recall hearing is the Colossus'.

[DX]

You can hear the Colossus PRV engaging from another continent.

I actually really like the quad nozzle on the Gorgon and Colossi. It has more stopping power than the next-largest nozzle. The spread shot may not be likely to get kills, but it is tougher to dodge than a single stream, and keeps people back. If you are in a situation where you are using the quad for stopping power, chances are it's more of a defensive or holding battle anyway.

The angle meter is great for testing soakers as you can line them up perfectly. In actual fighting, it's not that useful. Pressure gauges are definitely not worth the chance of failure from that area.

Duelfest showed that the Gorgon is definitely in the general "Primary" class, fighting evenly against a CPS 1000 and 4100. There's other WW guns that I'd class with CPS: Blazer, Orca, and maybe HP Gorgon or Tiger Shark if you get an above average model. I'm surprised that iSoaker doesn't have performance data for the Blazer, as it's Buzz Bee's most powerful HP model and 2nd most powerful overall. I would get one, but the last one I saw went for $65 on Ebay, so eff that.

[HBWW]

Tiger Shark is on par with Max-D 6000, but with less "kick" behind the stream as demonstrated on larger nozzles. Overall, I've found that most of the HP's belong in a lower tier stream class, and have little against medium-small CPS's at that output level and nozzle size. Vindicator comes close, but doesn't quite seem to work at the same level. Haven't tried the Blazer nor Gorgon so I can't speak for those.

Since I haven't done much range testing, I've found the angle meter primarily useful for determining the ideal angle quickly and remembering it, but like I said earlier, the lag/inaccuracy limits its usefulness slightly.

For the quad, I actually found it useful for making close range kills. The added output and spread helps and I've even found it to be worth the range sacrifice rather often in the 3 player FFA 1HS I played recently.

[DX]

For the quad, I actually found it useful for making close range kills

I prefer a different nozzle for close range when it's the Gorgon

[isoaker]

I'm surprised that iSoaker doesn't have performance data for the Blazer, as it's Buzz Bee's most powerful HP model and 2nd most powerful overall. I would get one, but the last one I saw went for $65 on Ebay, so eff that.

iSoaker.com has stats on the Water Warriors Blazer. What I opted not to do yet is measure stats on the "blue" version of the Blazer from 2005 that has the improved selection of nozzles. Perhaps overlooking testing the difference was a mistake, but at present, those are both in deep storage and not easy to access and test. One of these days I'll have a better storage set-up that should let me access items in my collection better than I do now, but I need a lot more available space (and money) to set things up better!

[the oncoming storm]

Isoaker you have tons of guns so it's understandable why it would take hours just to grab even a slightly older model. What guns do you tend to keep in easy reach for on the spot combat ?


I know DX the 10x setting on modded Gorgon's (Like mine) is evil. but with a powerful 5x setting added to mine I won't be using Quad burst very much even when I need more stopping power.

[DX]

Ah, I forgot about the earlier version. Search took me to the blue and white Blazer.

[soakinader]

Holy crap is the Blazer really that good? I think I know someone with a broken one...

I'm surprised that iSoaker doesn't have performance data for the Blazer, as it's Buzz Bee's most powerful HP model and 2nd most powerful overall

Wait so what is the most powerful?
Also, is it just the blue (2005) blazer which is better? Or would the red perform the same with the right nozzles? Or do these require PC modification?
I like the Gorgon/Orca for their power and overall capacity. Just not the pump. And the Tiger Shark is a potent little gun.
But I have to say, the Vanguisher is like a hand cannon. I love the shape and strength of the design. Plus it pushes out some srs soakage!
Honorable mention is the Hydra Pak. Once it's full, you can just spray and spray carptons of water until it's FINALLY empty. You could water SO MANY plants.

[HBWW]

I thought Gorgon was most powerful with the Vindicator close behind, followed by the Blazer.

[martianshark]

The Gorgon's more powerful than the Vindicator? I had no idea.

[SEAL]

From my experience, the Vindicator is more powerful than the Gorgon, which is in turn more powerful than the Blazer. I think the Vanquisher (original) probably comes in 4th (or maybe even 3rd; I don't have much experience with the Blazer). I never thought much of it in the past, but I did a test and it hit 39 feet (I used to think it was only like 35), and in the WW-only rounds at MOAB Keith did very well with it. The lamination is insane.

But the Vindicator is definitely the most powerful. I shot my 1200 next to Scott's for comparison, and the streams were the exact same size and went the same distance. The Vindicator even had better lamination, but I think the 1200 had a faster stream speed. As for the Gorgon, it didn't really impress me when I used it. It was really bulky and awkward, and the streams weren't that large or well-laminated (though certainly better than the Colossus).

[HBWW]

I haven't used a Gorgon so I figured it was more powerful than the Vindicator when DX said it could take on a 4100, which the Vindicator lacks the output and stream velocity to do effectively. Lamination has always been a great strong point of WW's, and I would guess that the Vindicator did it best.

Compared to the 1200, I've found that the 1200's higher output and stream velocity give it a decent advantage over the Vindicator, despite the Vindicator's vastly superior stream lamination. Will have to actually battle them against each other and see, but that's the main reason I stick to my 12k.