Banzai Sidewinder Falls 09
by Banzai
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List Price: Category: Toy See more product details |
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Toys and Games Reviews of Banzai Sidewinder Falls 09
Customer Review: Way Way Over Priced
Summary: 2 Stars
If you pay over $400 Dollars for this item, in my opinion, you are paying too much. Sidewinder 09 is fun, while it lasts. The issues of the seams coming apart are true...and attempting to get someone to address the issue...for get about it. Buyer be ware... do not pay over $400, because you will most likely need to buy another waterslide the next season. The seller asking $999 is way over priced in my opinion. I paid $425 for mine in July 2010. Amazon had it listed for approximately $423.97 in July of 2010. Becareful and don't get taken advantage of by some of these sellers for a product that has been sold for $423.97, and in my opinion based upon my experience, the aforementioned product is not worth more than $400 (It's like a one season use pass for $400). Appromiate usage over a 2 1/2 month period was 13 times. The ages ranged from 18 months to 39 years of age; largest person was approximately 6'2" 217 lbs (the bigger people were a rarity, usually on the slide to help the little kids and they used good caution). The average age and size was 4-10 years of age and 40-110 lbs. Kids were not allowed to run rampant and strict rules were enforced (no more than 2 kids on the slide area at a time & and no more than 6 kids even in the unit at one time). The slide was wiped down and dried while turned on and emptied from water each weekend, then stored in an extra large (over 16 cubic feet) plastic storage container that was lined with a blanket to ensure a smooth fit with no catches/hangnails. Is it a fun slide? ...Yes. Is it work to properly maintain? ...Yes. Is it truly durable even after proper care? ...not so much! True question is what is it worth to you, and how much are you willing to pay? Over $400 dollars in my opinion is not a good deal!Customer Review: Summertime Fun Toy
Summary: 4 Stars
Bought this toy today--July 19,2009.
Reviewed and searched for a waterslide all over the Net and stores. I became a little discouraged when I discovered so many negative reviews of these toys. But, I have a darling little grand-daughter who loves the water and has played on one of these slides before. So, Grammy and I took her to K-Mart- the only store that had even one of these slides for sale.
On reading the instructions and inspecting the toy, a couple of things occurred to me: 1) the blower fill tube is too short, placing the blower too close to water; 2) the blower is REALLY powerful. The first problem, I solved by stretching a 4" rubber plumbing coupling over the blower outlet, allowing ten feet of 4" lightweight PVC drain pipe to connect with the vinyl fill tube---blower is now 15 feet from any water source. The second problem is one of engineering. The blower is SO POWERFUL that I believe it tends to OVERINFLATE the toy. This is why so many complaints are related to "seam failure." I solved this problem by placing a LASCO PVC (# 12 D2466 ) 1 1/2" x 3/4" threaded bushing in the Air Release port. This allows air to escape continuously as the blower fills the toy. Kinda' like a "pop-off" valve. The walls of the toy are much less tense and the toy stays fully inflated. If, as it may be, seams are failing because of fabric failure or the rotting of the thread used, that is a different problem.
I think the 400 lbs. capacity is just too liberal--- this is a toy for little tots, not 100 lbs. kids.
If all fails, there is still no price to put on my grand-daughters face as she giggles and laughs with glee no matter how long the toy lasts.
Customer Review: So Far, So Good - REQUIRES SUPERVISION
Summary: 4 Stars
Here are my random thoughts:
1. The slide if very large and very heavy. My wife cannot set it up or put it away alone. As such, we only use it on the weekends when I am home.
2. It takes a long time to dry out (set up running with the fan) - can take several hours. It is not something you can put away quickly after your kids play. Each time the slide has gone away somewhat wet...and that leads me to worry about degrading the durability.
3. Lots of concerns on this site about durability. I am only 4 uses in and I can already tell that this will be a toy that will require continual maintenance/repair. I have already seen a couple small seam splits. These I have patched by simply using superglue on the seam. Larger rips will need to be patched - and catastrophic tears will need to be sewn with fishing line and sealed with seam sealer (none yet - but I am expecting them).
4. This toy requires supervision. My son already fell about 4 feet onto his head from climbing on the ouside of the ladder. So - create and ENFORCE strict rules. Also - my boys (4 & 6) like to wrestle and a favorite spot seems to be at the top of the slide. The danger of a fall due to this behavior is high. I cannot leave them alone on the slide for even a short period of time....in fact...I can't even multi-task while they are playing. Maybe your kids are less nutty than mine.
Finally - I hope it lasts at least two summers. If I can get two summers worth of use out of it then i will buy the bigger more expensive slide next time because it is so much fun....if it breaks down before that then I will chalk it up as an expensive lesson learned about Banzai products.
Customer Review: Expensive one season toy
Summary: 2 Stars
My daughter (6yo) and nieces have had such fun on this slide that I am sad to report it is a piece of junk. I got it on sale in July 08 from Amazon. I thought I got a great deal. On first examination, the slide seems well made and durable (for those of you that prematurely wrote good reviews after owning for a week). During usage it does waste a lot of water. We did use it quite a bit last summer and it did suffer a two small tears one of which was in a seam that was not sewn correctly. I fixed these with the provided patch kit. The tubing is not a very good thickness and continuous crimps and cuts off the water. Try climbing the slide to fix this hanging over the side at 11' with water running down your back. We stored the slide in a giant rubbermaid container after drying. The slide consists of three colors: blue, orange, yellow and light blue on the pool bottom. The blue seems to be the most durable and although the orange seems to be the same type of material it has faded to pale yellow or peach along the rails. The blue did not fade at all. The orange material has two layers (a top mesh and vinyl underneath. They have started to separate and the vinyl is degrading, tearing, and is basically falling apart. I live in Southeast Texas and let's face it...it is pretty hot here and the sun is brutal but isn't this product made for sun. The handles and stake loops also faded and rotted. The strap that goes around the blower even rotted. After the money I spent and the care I took on this slide; I am not at all satisfied with the purchase. If you want something disposable that the kids will have a blast on for about 2 months this is great if you don't mind the price.Customer Review: So far, I'm the lucky one.
Summary: 4 Stars
I read all the reviews here and elsewhere before picking this slide up at ToysRUs. I was extremely worried about tears and rips, so we went ahead and purchased the 3-year warranty from ToysRUs for $59. We purchased it in early June, 2009. We have used it at least 10 times, including a big neighborhood party just yesterday. At one point I had 6 6-10 year-old kids at the top of it, and while it did start to tip from the weight (I yelled and got them off quickly), I haven't had a single leak yet. I even bought seam sealer and some top quality patch kits in advance to make sure I had them when needed. Haven't had a problem yet.
BUT, it is a real pain to set up and clean up properly. I have been using my wet vac to clean all the water out because there is NO WAY to get it all to drain of evaporate.
I also purchased a big Rubbermaid container to hold it when not in use. The first time I stored it in there for about a week I had mold/mildew galore when I took it out again. But here is a little trick that really works: Buy a pint or quart of Isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) and pour it in your storage container all over the slide. I considered just using chlorine (bleach) but I think it might discolor the fabric AND chlorine degrades over time. I'm probably going to put a gallon in for winter storage.
Overall the kids love this thing...and spend a little for the warranty. It covers you for everything anyway, even if you cut the thing with a knife!! And you can at least guarantee that you will get 3 years out of it.