I still stand by the statement that, according to basic logic and common sense, why would a person want to dish out $200 for a CPS 2000 or a Monster XL unless he or she is truly serious about water fighting?
I have no true understanding of those who dish out >$300 for a soaker. However, as it has happened more than once on eBay, somehow there are some particularly rich and/or crazy people out there.
I stand by my statement because somebody who is not serious will not pay that much, and that person might not want to build a homemade anyway. However, for those who are serious, homemade soakers provide a viable alternative that I believe is superior to the commercial CPS soaker option.
But people are paying. However, perhaps some view it as a collector's item and intend on displaying/cherishing it and perhaps only using it limitedly. Homemade soakers are an alternative for those willing to spend the time. That's a given. Homemades can almost be made far superior to any stock model. That's also a given. The problem boils down to time versus money. I suppose some people have more money than time, thus are willing to spend more for a less-powerful alternative so long as it means they don't need to put in as much time to get it. Buying a $300 CPS2000 off of eBay may end up costing more than a homemade costs (even when factoring in time and labor), but it may also save time to acquire a soaker that's good enough for their needs.
Why are these people not asking others to build a soaker for them instead? I think it's a trust issue. People prefer trusting things made by companies since if a major problem occurs, if it's a design flaw, they can sue the company. Suing aside, more people likely believe that more safety tests have gone into the making of a stock soaker as opposed to a homemade. Sure, a lot of homemades are built well and operate safely, but I'm talking from public opinion. Even if actually stronger, the appearance of many homemades as a series of attached PVC tubes, caps, and valves can be more intimidating (and not safe-looking) than a form-moulded stock soaker.
Clearly, homemades are a decent alternative to CPS 2000s/Monster XL (if not to WW Piranhas), but I am again going far enough to say that, for most hardcore water warriors, homemades are the only alternative. If you think you want CPS 2000- or Monster XL-like power, you'll definitely be happy (if not happier) with a homemade.
This is most definitely true. For those wanting more and can put in the time and effort, homemades will allow one to possess more powerful soakers than any CPS2000 or Monster XL. Thing is, this statement now caters to a rather small subset of the population. Even in these forums, what is the actual percentage of the membership that has even attempted modding or building a homemade soaker? With SSCentral being the main promoter of building, I'd be surprised if the number of members who've attempted a mod, let alone homemade, was even 20% of the total membership. What I don't like about the whole 'hardcore' soaking business is that it is dividing the membership. By virtue of being part of an online soaker forum, members of Soakerdom may already be considered more 'hardcore' than the rest of the public. What I fear is that too much scoffing of stock soakers, which is what the majority of the membership has access to, will only end up alienating the rest who do not have the time/energy/ability to build or buy a homemade blaster or mod their soaker.
However, this is digressing. Those who join boards just wanting a CPS2000 or Monster XL aren't likely very serious water warriors, anyhow. They are akin to guys who join online FPS video games thinking the [insert bigger weapon available here] is the thing they must possess, then end up sniped by more skilled individuals once they start playing.
More serious individuals will look at the options at hand and then make a decision based on their time, money, skills, desires, and needs.