Admittedly, I don’t usually start looking for water blaster news until January. However, after a post on a Nerf-related Facebook group, I saw that Hasbro has actual, pressurized blasters on the way! More than that, we’ve returned to the good old days of QFDs (Quick Fill Devices), special valves you hook up to a garden hose for refilling the blasters. Let’s take a peek and see if nostalgia is a good thing!
First, Some Credit
At least that’s what it looks like. I’ll have to wait and see exactly how Hasbro is implementing the “Dunk Fill” aspect.
Anyway, on to the big stuff!
Now Some History
As it turns out, some hobbyist soaker websites still exist – Isoaker.com is always a good reference for most things water-related. In particular, I’m referencing two things:
-
Splashzooka with a QFD.
QFD – Quick Fill Device. Super Soaker launched the Super Charger series in 1999, which featured a filling valve you could attach to a pressurized garden hose. Press the blaster’s loading port into the QFD to open a valve, and the water pressure would fill up the internal chamber.
- Elastic Pressure – Super Soaker had the Constant Pressure System (CPS), which amounted to a firing chamber made with some kind of elastic element. In the case of most Super Soakers, this was either a cylindrical piece of rubber tubing capped at either end, or a heavy duty round balloon. In some other cases back in the day (especially with Buzz Bee Toys), there were blasters made using spring-loaded pistons for firing chambers, or rubber diaphragms for firing chambers.
Of course, all of this originates from Lonnie Johnson, who had the original patent for a CPS system, and Bruce D’Andrade, who had patents with improved mechanisms (Link 1) as well as the QFD system (Link 2).
Interestingly, it looks like all these patents have expired. So in addition to nostalgia, there aren’t royalty payments to speak of.
Power Drench: Regular Size
In any case, the Power Drench advertises as being able to fire pulse bursts. I’m not sure if they mean there’s a literal mechanism inside for firing the water in pulses, or if it’s listed in comparison to the larger model (which has a “Full Flood” setting, apparently). I’m sure that will become more clear with A) Hasbro releases more info, or B) people actually get their hands on the blaster.
For the moment, it’s listed as releasing on January 1st, 2025. The package comes with a blaster, QFD, and what looks like an adapter piece for connecting another hose on the opposite side, based on the O-ring seal and the female hose adapter. That would be extra helpful, since that extra connection can fill buckets/blaster reservoirs/balloons/etc. when the QFD is not in use.
This shouldn’t be an issue for most people, but the packaging specifies your home water pressure should be at least 27psi static if you want it to work properly.
The holes on the sides of the blaster? I’m unsure, but I’ll assume those are relief valves for if your water pressure is too high, so that the toy doesn’t get damaged.
The firing volume isn’t listed. We’ll find out later!
Power Drench XL
It’s bigger, and almost looks like a soaker version of the Perses or the Mach 100. It, too, features a large elastic reservoir, a specially shaped barrel for both firing and loading, and a few holes on the side for (presumably) pressure relief when loading. Both the QFD and the hose adapter are also included.
Admittedly, I’m not sure we need that much rail on top, but even water warriors need their pretend play tactics!
Ranges? I have no clue. Granted, you’re not hitting Pro dart blaster ranges with water…but a strong blaster at 30′ would be nice.
We’ll see how the line shapes up once it hits stores here in the US!