Paintball

[Warwitch]

Looks like the technical differences have been covered.

While they may not be the easiest to work on. If you buy one and send it to Jared for a good "once-over", you probably wont have to mess with it for a loooooong time, if ever. I can honestly say that my Viking is the only marker Ive owned that has never had even one hiccup. Flawless function every time. I cant say enough good things about his shop. He doesnt just send out "satisfactory" markers, they are exceptionally tuned.

You dont need a super-fancy Vike/Excal to take advantage of what AKA has to offer. Its all about the guts. One of the greatest things about them. The rest is purely cosmetic. I find it absurd that there are new spaceguns costing thousands of dollars that can be "upped".

[himurax13]

Well there is a reason you have to buy a toolkit to work on it. Because most people will screw their marker up because they have no idea what they are doing. The $50 or whatever a toolkit costs nowadays is a good deterrent for it. The only time I have opened the only Viking I ever bought new was to do the "Froth" mod which is basically adding a #11 O-ring to the ramshaft to place the bolt a hair forward to prevent small paint from rolling behind the eyes. I haven't touched the SCM since Dan put her together over 4 years ago and at least 60 cases later.

[Marauder_Pilot]

A Viking or Excal is the only electro I'd ever own besides a Cyborg, Droid or E/X-Mag.

[Cunha]

The reason they are the best is because they were designed properly. They do not require GREASING of the ram or other components. They require simple oiling, like any good air tool. Any company that wanted to design their components better could make them grease free, but instead other companies make them the easier cheaper lamer way, requiring periodic greasing.

Vikings are pretty large and funny shaped because of their tray though. They really would just take some time to grow on you. They are hefty except the expensive milled ones.

I am not quite sure where I stand with them because I prefer a gun that feels tighter and vikings really dont feel that way to me. Blazers feel microsized compared to vikings.

Viking quality and fit and finish is top top notch though. Really maximum goodness.

[custar]

Originally Posted by Cunha

The reason they are the best is because they were designed properly. They do not require GREASING of the ram or other components. They require simple oiling, like any good air tool. Any company that wanted to design their components better could make them grease free, but instead other companies make them the easier cheaper lamer way, requiring periodic greasing.

Ding, ding, ding; we have a winning submission here. Grease is only used to cover up for lax tolerances.

I have allowed many people to shoot my AKA's; ALL were impressed and wanted one for their own. I allowed a friend to shoot my blind Excalibur at a scenario event this past weekend. I had to pry it out of his had as he squealed, "My Precious, Precious doesn't want to leave us." I had a Rollout arrive Friday and shot it for the first time Saturday with no adjustment (and I even forgot to oil it beforehand). It chrono'd at 275 +/- 3 with no adjustment on my part even though the tank was new to the marker. It was also impressed with how little kick it had compared to by '03 which is a bit heavier.

Stock Vikings and Excaliburs were given Type III milspec anno, the best available. A stock AKA has very little need for "upgrades"; the components used by AKA as stock were almost all top of the line. AKA makes some of the best bolts and valves for several other markers, and the ones AKA used on their own are superb. Sidewinder regs are standard on Vikings and Excaliburs, and those are among the three best regs available. The stock feednecks aren't clamping, so that is a desirable upgrade, and the stock grip panels are functional but no great shakes. I like the Javelin barrels and will most likely have one milled to accept an Apex tip (and the heresy only begins there). Triggers are almost purely personal preference. Otherwise, there just isn't much to upgrade on a Viking or Excal. How often have you seen listings of "marker x" with $500 in upgrades? Buy an AKA and spend the $500 on paint and field fees, not on upgrades needed to make the marker perform decently.

custar

[Warwitch]

THe only "upgrade" they really need is a fast hopper.

[Listessa]

I really appreciate everyone who gave me thoughts and opinions on the world of AKA, as well as provided some pictures of GORGEOUS guns to drool over!

So, himurax13 is the wicked enabler of all things AKA and I now have a nice green Viking on the way.
I'm just itching to get to play with it! This is a very good week for guns.

[pillage]

Originally Posted by Listessa

I really appreciate everyone who gave me thoughts and opinions on the world of AKA, as well as provided some pictures of GORGEOUS guns to drool over!

So, himurax13 is the wicked enabler of all things AKA and I now have a nice green Viking on the way.
I'm just itching to get to play with it! This is a very good week for guns.

You won't be dissapointed, I can get over 1000 shots off a 45-3000psi bottle.

[SpinDoctor15]

Originally Posted by Listessa

Thanks guys!
So, out of the two, which do you prefer Vikings or Excals?

Hehe... Ford or Chevy? Automag or Autococker?! The perennial argument, of course.

I have previously owned 2 Vikings (stock '03 and '04), and currently owned 1 Excalibur (full-mill '03 w/Humphrey solenoids). I LOVE the Vikings, but I needed to sell them at the time for some cash flow. I bought the Excal because I got a superb deal on it. All shoot very well, and I just happen to like the feel of this Excal, so I have no reason to sell it now. I would certainly pick up a Viking again if the opportunity arises. And I'd REALLY like that '04 Viking that scorpion_rider posted. If it comes up for sale, I'll be knocking!

[himurax13]

Originally Posted by Listessa

I really appreciate everyone who gave me thoughts and opinions on the world of AKA, as well as provided some pictures of GORGEOUS guns to drool over!

So, himurax13 is the wicked enabler of all things AKA and I now have a nice green Viking on the way.
I'm just itching to get to play with it! This is a very good week for guns.

Hmm, sounds like someone needs to get a Noxx Box

P.S. I forgot to tell you cocker owners something. DON'T FIDDLE WITH IT. The only things you should be touching is the sidewinder reg, the power swith, and the bolt for cleaning purposes.