Paintball

[SN toter]

I was interested in these since I first heard about them and finally grabbed one.

Retailer description:

Features:
Featuring an 8+ (or 8-10) balls per second feed rate.........and no batteries required.
Powered by minimal agitation of the gun, the Primo Loader helps sort and funnel as you shoot for a consistent vertical feed.
The patent pending Proto Primo Loader is the first of it's kind with a positive feed shelf designed to relieve pressure on paint reducing jams and increasing feed rate.
Comes with a clear spring lid for easy reload.
The large opening works well with Proto Alpha pods for the ultimate paint carrying system.
Large capacity durable shell holds 200 paintballs.

First Impressions:
It's got a sleek external design, nice silver Proto badges, and a flip top lid that stays up via a spring. The shells feel very sturdy/durable, too. Not like a cheap plastic.

Packaging:
It's a non agitating hopper that comes in a box nicer than what most guns come in, probably could be a couple bucks cheaper to slap it in a plastic bag with a folded name stamp instead.

Tacamo/Archon copy?
I heard a lot of people before this was released saying how it was a ripoff of the shelf hopper Tacamo made. It is not. The shelf is a seperate piece that has a very unique design. It is a long shelf that angles down towards the back of the hopper from the nose. The top has a 'channel' running down the center of the shelf from the nose end of the hopper to the back of the hopper. Also the bottom of the shelf has a ridge that runs the length of the shelf. I don't really know how else to sescribe it, but the ridge is shaped like a serrated blade, only the serations are much larger, make sense?.


Size:

It's a 200 rounder, nuff said. I lined it up with two other 200 round hoppers to show a profile size comparison. The Primo is a tad thinner than both the SSL-200 and the VL200 too. I put a 50 rounder in there as well for comparison.

Size comparison:
From left to right(GXG pocket hopper, VL200, Proto Primo, Tippmann SSL200)



Performance?

I tried this on two markers to give it a fair test. First with my Azodin KP. It sits a little high for what I like, but it's not uncomfortatble.



I shot this thing as fast as I could and it didn't skip a beat. Perfect, especially considering this is what I bought it for.

Next I ran about 2 pods through my ND freestyle with it. I was in semi only and with the eyes on I didn't break a single round. I did have some skipped shots when I really got on it, but when I was shooting conservatively, 6-8 bps, it fed incredibly well and very consistantly. It's an incredible difference over a VL200. I'd actually put it on par with a revvy.

Overall?
For $14.99 you get a hopper that doesnt' take batteries but feeds almost as well as a reloader or revvy. It's a good design, a nice value, and it's well built. I'd liek to see a 100 round option as well, but this is perfect for my KP for now. Nice job Dye.

[R_Os]

Good writeup, I can't wait to get my scummy hands on one.

[casper]

I agree.I have one and it is really nice,no problems feeding and gives my t2 balance

[Driek]

Looks QUITE promising. They would have the market if they would make a 100 round version.

[SN toter]

Originally Posted by Driek

Looks QUITE promising. They would have the market if they would make a 100 round version.

I'm hoping to see one soon, that would be ideal.

[desertT1]

Good review. It's $23 locally, but I might eventually get one to have on hand.

[Mayvik]

If only it didn't look like the spaceship from Flight of the Navigator

[rdogx78]

I'm digging the primo, I'm selling my pinokio and bumping up my revvy as my primary and primo for backup.

If anyone wants a pinokio with a virtue crown, 80 shipped.

[nickydp33]

too bad it looks like a stream lined zeppelin on approach

[Bob T Guy]

Originally Posted by nickydp33

too bad it looks like a stream lined zeppelin on approach

That's a bad thing how?