Fireman Hose Nozzles | Cheap vs Expensive Comparison

Fireman Hose Nozzle Cheap vs Expensive Comparison See Which One Wins

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[herbiesnerd]

I’m a retired firefighter engineer. Here is my take on these type of nozzles, and my opinion is based on experience of having owned one of these garden hose nozzles.

PROS
1) It looks cool

CONS
1) Weak stream
2) No distance
3) No pressure

Here’s a functional difference between a firefighting combination nozzle )ability to change the stream pattern) and these nozzles.

A combination nozzle, aka Fog Nozzle is pumped at 100 psi nozzle pressure. Domestic water pressure on your home is somewhere in the 45-60 psi range.

Although these are not true firefighting nozzles, in theory they are designed the same. Without the higher pressure approaching 100 psi, a combo nozzle will produce a limp Dick flow stream.

The other style of firefighting nozzle is a Smooth Bore Tip, aka Solid Stream nozzle. The nozzles are not adjustable and deliver a solid stream of water for better penetration and reach to hit the seat of the fire (fog nozzles create a stream of small droplets that can simply evaporate before it hits the seat of the fire on deep seated hot fires). Solid stream nozzles are pumped with a nozzle pressure of 50 psi.

50 psi is what domestic water pressures provide.

So in the end, the good old fashioned narrow tip garden hose nozzle remains the best way to go. You get a good reaching stream and it’s adjustable to produce a spray pattern.

These firefighter style nozzles are just a gimmick with a domestic water supply.

With the water pressure being constant, the larger the nozzle tip, the less pressure with more GPM. The smaller the nozzle tip, is more pressure with less GPM.

Finding that balance is your personal choice.

At home, I’d rather have more pressure over more GPM.

[boostedh]

Honestly, the first nozzle for me has the best spray pattern with residential water pressure. I syringe water my creeping bent grass so I need a finer spray pattern. The 100 dollar nozzle would do the same thing for 2000 sqft golf course putting greens at the 80-100 psi they have at the course. The 100 dollar one is made to be used with way higher water pressures and if you want to mimic that at home, the 30 dollar one’s pattern is actually what you need for home turf. The red one was trash.

Thank you! You just saved me 70 dollars!

[RJ-nfjm]

I like using a fireman’s nozzle for the pressure/volume combo, but they are a pain to twist all the way to shut off the water. I put a brass ball valve between the hose and nozzle so I can keep the spray pattern constant and can turn the water on/off without the constant twisting. Those nozzles are sometimes a pain to twist open and shut. I wish they had a handle like the traditional pistol gripped ones so the spray pattern could change with the press of the handle. One day, someone’s ultimate frustration will turn into invention. I’m sure it could be done.

[BMK]

I've had the hisc nozzle for over 19 yrs now and that thing is tough. We backed over with my truck on accident once and it survived!

Sure it doesn't kick out like a fire station nozzle because my home isn't plumbed that way, but the nozzle has survived the test of time and that quality over quantity goes a long ways for me.

[kencrisp]

While I applaud your efforts to do a fair comparison of these various nozzles, a more accurate representation would have been made if they were all tested under the same, exact conditions. You tested some with those optional cut-off valves and some without the cut-off valves. The cut-off valve with the plastic handle looked like the opening was a smaller diameter than the garden hose, which would have restricted more of the water flow to the nozzle. You didn't talk about or show the openings inside those cut-off valves. Also, you installed the quick connects onto the nozzles for these tests. That again could misrepresent how the factory nozzles perform. It's been my experience that those quick connects restrict water flow to the nozzle. That's why I eventually threw mine away. It sounded like you used those quick connects on all of the nozzles in the tests, and while that would make the tests consistent across the nozzles, there really wasn't a good reason or benefit to using them. It didn't save the viewers any time, since you could eliminate shooting video of you screwing the nozzles onto the hose without the quick connects. I do realize your good intentions of demonstrating the difference between cheap and expensive nozzles--and I do appreciate the time and effort you put into making this video for us--but the tests weren't as fair and consistent as they could have been, IMHO. Thanks so much...

[bonzyb]

Purchased the Ultimate Fireman’s hose bucket from OG garage after looking at more expensive Griot’s garage Nozzle. My thinking was it would not get used as much as my pressure washer when detailing care. It’s a nice nozzle and looks like based on your video Phil, I made a solid decision.

[laszlodesimon]

Another very informative video of the most frustrating unit of a hose! A lifetime of trying different nozzles and wasted money, and you are right, cost doesn't mean it's better! Thanks for demonstrating it all so well. You always amaze!

[nathanhoffman]

Thanks for another informative video. I use the OG version of the red nozzle you showed in combination with the Griot’s handle. My use is to fill buckets, so I leave the nozzle set to where I want it, press and lock the Griot’s handle and let the bucket fill up while I finish setting up.

Side note: I tried the Griot’s quick disconnects but they leaked and significantly reduced the water volume. I now have MTM QD’s and they are great.

[still-DJ]

I've got to stay with my Gilmore with the thumb water shut-off. These fireman nozzles are great on city water pressure, but I'm on well water pressure 45psi - 60psi (well kicks on @ 45psi and off @ 60psi) and for my needs the Gilmore has the Lifetime warranty. I wish I had full time city water pressure. I only use the water hose to flood-dry my truck. Great review.

[toddthomas]

Great review…would love to see a garage tour and a separate toolbox tour of your red boxes someday.

[toddshreve]

The expensive nozzles require 3/4" hose, ball valves (and not the teensy hole found in cheeseball home squeaky garden hose bibs), and 60 PSI+ *at the nozzle when wide open*.
Especially the Underhill. You can read this disclaimer all over their website.

[OnTheToolsWithSal]

I have that red overmolded one I got from obsessed garage and I have the Dramm ball valve adapter and MTM hydro stainless quick couplers on all of my hoses. I have a 100’ hose on the front corner and back corner of my house as well as a 50’ in my garage, all are Red High temp 3/4” hose from continental. Little pricy but it’s worth it, buy once cry once.

[bradc]

I use a Gilmour, like 12 bucks on Amazon. Very happy with it and it shuts off without added gadgets.

[bobbymorgret]

I have an Adams polishes firehose nozzle, it looks a heck of a lot like Griots. I paid $99.00+tax about 3 or 4 years ago. It is very high quality and it does turn all the way off, but I quit using it because my water here doesn't have enough pressure for it.

[OnTheToolsWithSal]

I’m pretty sure that the Adams and griots are rebranded Kochek nozzles. They make firefighting and irrigation nozzles

[cynthiaenglish]

You do awesome product comparison videos! They’ve helped me a lot when making purchasing decisions! Thank you.

[duratoke]

I like the fire-hose sprayers! I won't buy any other kind, but I always have to buy low end cause even those aren't cheap. And unless I KNOW they will last because inevitably they start falling apart either the rubber starts crumbling or the turning them off or on unscrews the whole thing. I just want one that will keep working, giving me either a high volume stream or car washing amount of rinse water. And that's another thing I wanted to know. I wanted to know how far do they spray??? I mean you didn't have to set up markers and everything but it is something I'd base my purchase on. It seemed to me that should have been in here. Sometimes that's the only way I can reach certain parts of my yard is with a stream that can go 30 feet or so. To reach my compost pile for instance. Actually that's what I love most about these kind of nozzles. The high volume of water plus the DISTANCE! I have a single stream shooter that probably goes 50, but it is a pin-point and usually not all that useful. Hmm - unless I am chasing squirrels. And what the heck, does the Griot's garage even turn off? I am unsure. It was stated it needs a valve attached and never saw it actually shutting down completely, can it be turned completely off? It seems like it would. But have to I know, these are a necessary / unnecessary expense for me.

[ruthweigh]

I have the exact Underhill nozzle and mine shuts off once yu turn it to stream and then off…not sure if this is a design change from mine? Ive had mine for 2 years and NO PROBLEMS. However, if you dont have GOOD pressures in your water you wont like the Underhill red nozzle

[freeandcriticalthinker]

Your water pressure in your area seems quite low. Those fire hoses don’t perform to their potential unless you have some serious amount of pressure along with high flows

[paulbegemann]

Nice video. I agree the home Depot ones with all the spray patterns really suck. Looks like the big red one is the way to go. Thanks!