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Super Soaker 50

Super Soaker 50 (1990)

Type: Medium Blaster Use: Side-arm
Endurance: 3.5/10 Range: 5/10 Nozzle: 0.5x
Pressurizes Via: Reservoir

Ten years ago, the introduction of the Power Drencher (the original name of the Super Soaker) revolutionized the world of water blasters. Based on a concept by Lonnie Johnson, an aerospace engineer from Atlanta, Georgia, this blaster was the firest to use air pressure technology, resulting in the ability to shoot water further and in greater quantities than ever before. In 1991, the brand name was changed to Super Soaker, and with the launch of nation-wide TV advertising, the Super Soaker craze began. Since its introduction, over 200 million Super Soakers have been sold all over the world, appealing to people of all ages and gender-from young kids to grandparents.
~From "History of the Super Soaker" on the reverse of the Super Soaker 50 10th Anniversary Edition blaster.

The Super Soaker 50 was the very first water blaster to ever use air pressure technology and began the Super Soaker. It was designed in 1989 by Lonnie Johnson, an aerospace engineer. In 1990 it was released under the name Power Drencher. The next year it was released under the name Super Soaker, and the rest is history. The Super Soaker 50 was probably the most prevalent Super Soaker during the first half of the 1990s, and countless friends had one. This Super Soaker changed the water battle scene forever, and launched the arms race of sorts that took place during the 1990s to get bigger and better Super Soakers.

Today the Super Soaker 50 is completely obsolete. It is fragile, requires many pumps, and does not have much power. Simply holding my Super Soaker 50 causes the blaster to emit creaks of cheap plastic. The yellow is also dulling, even though this blaster spends the vast majority of its days in a dark garage. Pumping this blaster takes quite a while, and I definitely recommend pumping while firing to keep performance up. But, I must admit once fully pressurized this blaster will fire for quite a bit as long as you heed my advice and pump when holding the trigger. Another good point is the capacity (about 21 ounces). This may not seem like much, but since the small nozzle does not output very much it can last a decent time. Despite the fragility, the Super Soaker 50 is easy to use and comfortable. Compared to the agonizing construction of most Max-D blasters, the belief newer is not always better is a serious understatement. Despite the positive things I have just said, I definitely do not recommend this Super Soaker for a water fight. Most of these blasters are twenty years old (not to mention increasingly rare), and had an affinity for breaking even in the 1990s. Besides their frailty and collector's value, you will almost definitely be outclassed. A Max-D 2000 user would drench you. This blaster can simply not be used for anything more than a casual water fight.

The Super Soaker 50 has been released a few different times. My Super Soaker 50 is copyrighted 1990, and I also have the collector's edition 10th anniversary silver Super Soaker 50 (pictured below). I believe that a 20th anniversary edition was also released.

Pros: Nostalgia factor, reservoir lasts a while, very comfortable to use
Cons: Terrible construction quality, small nozzle, pumping takes all day
Rating: 4.5/10









Generation One Super Soaker Classic
Preceded By: N/A
Succeeded By: XP-55
Release Price: $9~ (USA)
US Patent:5,074,437
© 1990 Larami Limited
Item Number: 9929-0



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