SPYRA Manual Water Blaster, Outdoor Squirt Gun for Pool Games, SpyraLX™, Red

My first Spyra was the Spyra 3, and I was impressed, not only with its durability, but continued reliability, despite my apprehensions about the reliability of electric water guns. So I got curious about this all-mechanical Marvel. I can clearly feel the window as well as the print numbers to indicate how much water there is in the tank. Like the previous one, I was able to figure out how to use it without even reading the manual. If anything, this one seems slightly more powerful than the electric version, but on the other hand, the electric one can shoot a bit more water. So it’s a real tossup at this point, which is better. But there is a right way to use these things to prevent leaking. First of all, as so, many reviewers have said, it’s best only to dip the lower part of the front in the water, not the entire front of the gun. And just as I figured, pulling the pump handle in, sucks water in, while pushing it out as air to pressurize the tank. But it’s amazing how much one trigger press can push when it comes to a water blast. But I attribute this to the spring mechanism as well. But to all of those who complain about it leaking, there is a right way to use these things, and the numerous drain holes are actually ingenious. They prevent mold from growing inside the gun.

For reference, I own 3 Spyra LX and 2 Spyratwo models:These guns are good looking and work great (when they work). I bought these because I felt the traditional pumping method would outlast a new electric water gun. Well I was proven wrong. No issues with the Spyratwo but the LX had varying issues from the handle fully coming out of the frame after 3 uses, and another one refusing to fill and just leaking excess water basically straight out of the box. Keep in mind they do have a year warranty but I didn’t think they would be faulty basically brand new!! I’ve been using a garden hose for now… I hope they revise it and make a truly reliable model because when these things work, they are fun. The not fun part is that they tend to have problems (keep in mind me and the siblings do not abuse them and follow the MFG instructions for use)Great gun, buy it if you want and enjoy it if it works… maybe it’s bad luck, but it can possibly be cheap design shortcuts…

There’s a common complaint about this pricey water gun. Mainly that it leaks. I assume those people complaining didn’t notice that there is a maximum submersion level at the front of the barrel. I it should only be submerged about 2 to 3 inches max. There is a breather port not too far up from there. And that’s what they are filling hence they believe it leaks.This is still a pricey gun and the amount of shots per the effort to fill may be a factor in considering if this is the gun for you. However I do recognize that filling it with a pump action simultaneously pressurizes it hence no need for batteries to get powerful bursts and no need to pump when firing.All the people who have tried it since acquiring it have been impressed by its power. Trust me when I say each trigger pull will make you smile. It’s a fun watergun. Makes me want to get the electric version.

After years and years of trying squirrel-proof bird feeders and spicy bird seed with no relief from squirrels hogging the birds' food, this is absolutely 100% effective in training squirrels to stay out of the bird feeders! The pulse of water is not enough to hurt the rodents, but it sure as heck makes them mad!!! They have now learned to eat food that falls on the ground and leave the feeders alone! They are pretty smart and after about three visits, learned the new laws of the land and now won't even look at a bird feeder. It was pretty fun and satisfying revenge to train the critters. An occasional reinforcement is needed but I no longer have to fill the water blaster with water....just the sound of the trigger clicking sends them running lickety-split!I love the accuracy and range of this water blaster and highly recommend it!

TLDR version: It doesn't shoot as far as advertised, also build quality varies. They do leak, I got 2, red and blue. Blue leaks tank over 5 mins to empty after a month of constant / daily use. REd holds out but after a month it will be at 100% but drops to 90-9% tank but keeps the rest. Red one def feels better built and blue one had firing issues sometimes. Also test these out before amazon return windows expires.If using this for pest animals, or IRL CS GO type games better to use a gel blaster than these (more bang for your buck, literally and figuratively) .The review:I gave this 3 stars, because whilst it is better engineered than most water blasters it still lacks. Time to address the 800lb gorilla in the room. The leakage issue.I got two, a red and blue. After month of constant usage (It also was used @ work break water gun fights, but also came home to do duties like keep chickens, squirrels, feral hogs, seagulls, racoons, feral cats and dogs, out of my front door mat and gravel area (animals really love that gravel patch). I'm in an apartment complex and got tired of dancing around animal IPD's on my front door / porch area*) I noticed some things.Red is cool, it used to be 100% but now drops to 90-95%. The blue one, over 5-10 mins time after filled it up, it drains to zero and shots 2-3 feet shorter than red, but they used to be same range. I got a walmart water gun (20 ft range) that squirts, and that tank still holds and doesn't leak after 2 months and that was $20 USD, not 90 USD like SPyra LX are.Seriously it is better engineered than any water gun sold . . . but if it can't do something basic like tank hold integrity (something super soaker learned 20 years ago), then what's the point of having it? A water gun you need to use in 5 minutes or the next shot is water free, when super soaker could hold its water for weeks. It's like having a car with a radio system better than the trendiest night clubs or music festivals or entertainment system better than THX and 3D Imax and more computing power than pro video gamer desktops, but if that car breaks down or needs repair every 2 weeks, or it only drives 100 mile and dies because battery sux, it's not worth the bells and whistles if it can't do the original function (drive places).I had the super soaker 50 and 100 back as a kid in the 90's and I could fill it and pump and it will hold the tank. For weeks (one time I forgot it for a month and when water gun fights broke out in the neighborhood, I found it and it had full tank and some pressure.Some posters here had said the leaking complaints are because they are not using right and it's the drain valve since if you dunk the nose a millimeter past the demarcation line, it draws water inside and thus drains out.This is true. But also I think there are variances on how these are built. THe red one feels nice, and shoots consistently it holds it water. THe blue one sometimes during rapid fire would spit out a stream (like the Spyra 2 charged shot) and empty the tank. Then after a month of use the blue drains to empty if not shot.I was using clean tap water to fill it (not sea water or lake / pond water)I read that someone had spoken to Spyra support as they had issues (reddit poster), and Spyra said work with them and then the Amazon return window passed and then Spyra support ghosted the guy and he was SOL.For my case the Amazon return window was almost up and then Blue had the issue, 2 days past but I asked Spyra customer service . . .Spyra customer service asks for a video so if you have an issue make a video on it.At first they gave try X Y Z, stuff that was found in the manual or on trouble shooting tips from their site, even thought I described the issue and it was clearly not, and attached a video showing it. It kinda felt like if my car broke down and wouldn't move, and I towed my car to my car mechanic's shop and he asked, "So why didn't you just drive it over here."Then a few days later Spyra replied again, and said it was Amazon order, so resend email with "Amazon" in the title.I resent and they replied I'd have to use the Amazon route to return it and get a refund, since it clearly wasn't working. I spoke with Amazon customer service chat, and told them what Spyra said, and even though it was a few days out past return window they processed a return label and refund.Spyra support is pretty rough at first, but finally got on point. They were responsive taking about a day to get back. I think one would get more mileage if ordered directly TBH.About the weapon:This actually shoots faster than the SPyra 2 (electric) as the Spyra 2 has to re-pressurize after 3 shots. The Spyra 3 fixes that issue.It's better to use two fingers (index and middle ) to fan the trigger.Range is supposedly 9 m / 30 ft but maybe if you arc it and sprinkle your targetActual range is closer to 20 - 25 ft or 6-7 meters and towards the 20 ft / 6 m mark the shot is spreading out so its more sprinkles . . .The water splash is pretty good, and its enough to surprise the animals (the dogs and chickens reacted the most when hit, of course they all did) or soak someone.For small children, this could be unwieldy as it holds water and it is a bigger sized gun. When it was half tank, I could hold out like a pistol. But akimbo both red and blue still was akward, even at 1/4 tank.Manual filling is what it is . . . isn't so bad, as used to dozens pumping for super soakers. There are some youtubers that say its pretty laboriously and takes too long, maybe 20-40 secs to pump zero to full.Also if they filled / pumped past 100% it will take it until it makes a squealing sound. And then the next few shots are pathetic sprays but firing returns to normal after that. The manual says its over pressure / over filled it will shoot weird until pressure is relieved.Pumping, sometimes can take longer, especially when really emptied out, the manual tips do work on getting the pump started.Also it will not fill up if the water is aeriated / has excessive bubbles (like a spigot filling up a bucket and one is trying to pump it while the bucket is filling up) or using garden hose / sprinker spray over the nozzles to fill up.I'd say its good when it works but since the quality varies. They do support the product so that's a good thing.@ work because the Spyras we all got have some issues (the SPyra 2's but thats for my coworker to put out there), we now switched to gel blasters (orbeez guns, water bead gel guns etc), because its like airsoft but after a few days the water gels break dwon . . . we don't have to clean out the pellets that linger and the water gel is more kid / fun friendly (than airsoft) still have to rock eye protection tho. Also on the pest animal free front, the water gel blasters are much better than the Spyra LX's or 2's (range, rate of fire, plus they make some noise so the animals learn it and run)I was considering the more expensive electric Spyra 2 or 3, but after the issues plaguing the Blue LX, and with gel blasters, the gel blaster are more reliable and though ammo needs prep, I can keep them on the ready. Plus for the price of a pair of Spyra 2 or 3's I could get 3-4 middle quality gel blasters that can shoot further, faster, and have more impact.Animal house thang:*THey also show up because 50% of the residents think animals are cute and feed the daylights out of them. Even though now we have bigger animals like mtn lions, bears, wovles, and coyotes looking for an easy meal. We've had animal control and police come out and warn people not to feed.Even after people are getting bit by stray dogs or skunks blasting it up, racoons knocking down rubbish bins and littering them all over (the apartment complex eventually got a second universal dumpster and told ppl to not have individual rubbish bins and to dump in main dumpster) or the bear tearing up some one's SUV (they just got back from costco and for some reason took their sweet time before realizing the grocery . . . ), or no one can leave because not one, but 2 big specimen cougars are stalking the streets, and people's pets are missing, the feeder neighbors still feed. And the HOA are crickets except to warn people to clean up after the mess the zoo made.I've even verbally been harassed and threatened shot by real guns by some of the feeder neighors as I've chased the lesser animals with my trusty blue or red spyra (or both, I put them in a backpack). One time they had chickens and hogs hitting up the feeding trough (yes some set up a cherry red feeding trough). The animals stopped hanging around in front of my apartment tho, so it was worth it.The apartment complex facebook even has has yours truely on video of breaking up a feeding party, and a pic of me mid turn, and Red held at 45 degree spill water out as they comment ( *comments left out as its too risque / explicit for fam friendly ) . Man lots of heat and the feeder faction is really angry and some comments would make 90;s West Coast Compton gangsta rappers blush.Thank you Spyra for providing the great experience.