The Super Soaker EES Turbine is the
largest of the EES Super Soaker series. EES is an acronym for Enhanced
Electronic Soakage. The electronic part of the equation has nothing to do with
its water blaster function and is purely cosmetic. The electronic lights and
sounds are activated when the trigger is pulled, but can be turned off by setting
the three way power switch. The switch has two other settings: On and Demo.
While in the store, the switch is set on demo in order to allow people to test
out the EES features, but without overly draining the battery supply. In the
"On" mode, the lights, sounds, and spinning motor remain active as
long as one depresses the trigger. This makes the soaker vibrate slightly, but
does not appear to enhance the actual performance in any way. The Super Soaker EES Turbine
requires 3 AA batteries for its lights, sounds, and motion (the reddish-turbine
screw area housed in the clear plastic shell spins and lights up when activated).
The battery cover is attached to the soaker housing using two screws and has
a rubber seal running around the edge of the cover.
The size of the EES Turbine
is just a touch smaller than the Super Soaker CPS 2100. However, it only carries roughly half
the payload in its reservoir and has no separate firing chamber. Instead, the
EES Turbine relies on the pressurized reservoir system to provide the pressure
to push water out its nozzle. There is an intake hose within the reservoir that
is reminiscent of the Classic Series intakes (no weight to keep the end of the
intake nearer to the bottom of the reservoir). The problem here is that if one
is not careful with how one is holding the blaster with respect to the ground,
one will end up doing mist shots even if the reservoir is still quite full.
On a better note, the EES
Turbine has two nozzle settings: Stream and Pulse. On stream setting, the blaster
performs slightly sub-par for a soaker of its size. The stream feels like and
more or less equals the output of the XP70. Shot time is a little longer as
the EES Turbine draws water directly from its reservoir. On pulse, the blaster
performs a little better. Unlike the Super Soaker XP 90: Pulse Fire's pulse setting, the EES
Turbine's pulse stream seems stronger and the pulses feel more controlled. Due
to the nature of the pressure system, pulse setting appears to be the best setting
for this soaker to be on as it both conserves water use and lengthens shot time
without significantly taking away from its power. As has been found during range
testing, the pulse setting does indeed fire further than the stream setting.
The trigger/nozzle mechanism feels as if it is the same as used on the Max-D
line. However, unlike other Max-D blasters, the stream produced by the EES Turbine
lacks the same punch.
While on the larger side,
the Super Soaker EES Turbine would be classified only as a light assault soaker. Its limited
payload, lack of firing chamber, and sub-par performance for a blaster of its
size all contribute to a diminished rating. The novelty of the light and sound
effects does not last long, serving no purpose during actual water combat. If
this is your primary blaster, be wary of anything larger than a Super Soaker XP 270 or Super Soaker Max-D 5000.
Pros
Good feel to the construction, nice colouring, pulse setting to conserve water.
Trigger-grip region has a good feel (though a little small for large hands)
and it is simple to switch between pulse and stream shots.
Cons
Lights/motion/sound effects do not server any real function (lights too small
and not positioned in such a way to be useful during night fights). Does not
have a separate pressure chamber. Can be out-classed by any soaker larger than
a Super Soaker Max-D 5000.
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:: Submitted
Reviews
Review By Nick
M. | Posted: 20030621
I just bought
my EES Turbine today and though the thought of electricity makes you think it
is better, it is about the same as any other gun. I have found that the on position
of the three way switch for the lights and sounds keeps the gun's lights going
on seemingly forever unless you turn it off (snipers: beware if you use this
gun in sniping. check to make sure it is off). I have found that the pulse setting
is much better at water output than the stream setting. I have found it is hard
for little kids to pump it even though the recommended age group is even younger
than that. I would recommend this for sniping if the lights are off because
of the pulse setting sends the water quick enough and it's hard to trace. Well,
that's my review.
60
