Gadgets: A high-tech water gun for adults

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Water guns are typically geared toward the younger crowd. That's not the case with the Spyra SpyraThree water blaster.

I can attest that it is an endless source of enjoyment for adults. The SpyraThree Pro model is the pinnacle of their water blaster technology, and it's fantastic. The powerful water gun runs off an internal USB-C rechargeable battery, and with its auto-reload feature, it can be refilled in seconds.

A switch on the side lets you change between the three modes: open for freestyle, burst for consecutive rapid fire and league mode for ultimate gameplay. No doubt, I found the burst mode to my liking and kept it on. The more you fire, especially in the burst mode, the faster the internal water tank empties. However, with the auto-reload feature, just dip the front end into a bucket of water, press the trigger, and it reloads in seconds.

An LED display indicates the tank level, displaying a running indicator while it reloads and empties, as well as the battery power. It's rated to reach distances up to 49 feet, and caution should always be used; do not point it at another person. Spyra rates the powerful Water Blaster for ages 14 and up.

The USB-C port is located under a rubber flap, which must remain closed when not in use to maintain its waterproof rating. A single charge is sufficient for over 2,200 shots, and a full charge takes approximately 4 hours.

https://spyra.com/products/spyrathree available in blue or red, $169.99 for one, $317.72 for a pair

The Stihl HSA 40 battery-operated hedge trimmer Is built with the strong reputation of all Stihl products. And for good reason; the only thing missing from the trimmer was the cord.

Instead, you have a rechargeable battery for power, which I put to the task of trimming bushes around my house, and the battery won the battle. After my job was complete, the HSA 40 still had more than 50% battery level, enough to take on my neighbor's hedge trimming.

The compact 4.62-pound gardening tool features 20-inch, laser-cut diamond-ground blades capable of up to 2,800 strokes per minute. Stihl states on their website that their blades remain sharp for an extended period.

The 10.8-volt Li-Ion rechargeable battery is rated to run for up to 40 minutes before needing a charge in the included charging dock. The time can vary from user to user, depending on how the trimmer is being run. An LED indicator on the side of the HSA 40 indicates the remaining power. An advantage of using battery-operated tools is that Stihl offers many other tool options that share the same battery system.

The tool makes it easy to get my hedges trimmed and looking good. But like any other power tool, you need to know how it works and always take caution. Eye safety glasses and gloves are recommended for protection. Maneuvering the trimmer to keep a small bush rounded was simple. Power it on, and it's easy to hold securely with a back and top side handle. A trigger under the back handle turns the device on and off.

A blade cover is included, and the back of the trimmer features a hanging element for wall storage. Stihl recommends using their hedge trimmer blade cleaner after each use to help eliminate sap and keep the blades lubricated.

A 5-star review caught my attention on the Stihl site, which gave the HSA 40 trimmer a decisive vote of confidence: "Uncle Jimmy told me about these trimmers because he used them in the Navy. Amazing performance with military precision." Uncle Jimmy and the Navy can't be wrong!

https://www.stihlusa.com/products/hedge-trimmers/battery-hedge-trimmers/hsa40/ $159, which includes a battery and charger