Help choosing a tournament marker. - Page 3

p8ntninja · 08-10-2011, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hritzcracker

I'm definitely leanin more in that direction. Either a new etek3 am or an ego8. Money is always a factor but so is quality. If i'm gonna drop 400 on an axe which from what i've gathered is a lower end tourny gun then I might as well drop an extra 100 and go for an ego8. I'm pretty sure i'll like tourney ball. I just don't want to go droppin 1500 and 6 months from now have other people drop out or somethin and now i'm not competing anymore and usin a 1500 gun for rec ball.

If your honestly leaning in this direction I strongly suggest looking at the MacDev Done. It is a proven platform, top notch quality (made in Australia) and probably cheaper an Etek 3 or '08 Ego and lacks QEV's which I think the Ego has. If you despise spools then sure go with the Etek 3. The Drone is imo the best 'cheap' tournament marker available.
*I have no affiliation with MacDev other than owning a Clone*
'ninja

NSGSplatmaster · 08-10-2011, 09:40 PM

I won't turn this into a debate thread because I like Macdev products myself. That having been said, not all of the EGOs have QEVs - the Etek 3 is essentially an 07 EGO with an LED board, and the 08 made a change from dual QEV-like fittins to a consolidated "block" which uses the same diaphrams but was marginally easier to service. Used 08s are going for very fair prices at the moment. The spool valves shoot nicely (all my experience was with the Droid) but they do also have a lot more o-rings to worry about. It comes down to a personal descision - shoot some guns before you buy if you can! If you're going the EGO route though, you might as well have the LCD screen. Either way, MacDev, Planet Eclipse, Dye/Proto are fine choices. I'd stay away from Dangerous Power (as a gun tech at a field that sold a ton, they were miserable) and Ions (not bad guns at all, but kind of a pain for the get up and go player) along with older Shockers/Nerves/other SP stuff. Ditto to not bothering with Bushmasters or older Angels.

Here's some bad news though. If you drop the money on a legit setup, it will have lost a SIGNIFICANT amount of resale value by the next year....and more the next, and more the next. The investment is one of security, insurance if you will - you know your setup is legit and it is going to work every time you want to play. You can always find new teams, but even for playing recball, how many people do you see with marginal equipment that never works? They may say "Oh, I just play for fun, its no biggie", but in reality, no one is REALLY content with wasting their own time. You don't HAVE to spend 1500 dollars on a paintball marker, but you SHOULD spend a reasonable amount of money in a setup that is 100% legit. Other people may and will fail you in the tournament world, but do you want to fail other people, due to gear? Unlike many things in paintball, this is one thing we all have control over.

Addition: Do not consider the Vanguard Creed. I was sponsored by Vanguard for two years and do not have anything good to say about those markers.

Amsterdam · 08-10-2011, 09:40 PM

macdev drone. they're delivering them on august 15th. so its considered a pre order/

hritzcracker · 08-10-2011, 10:05 PM

I agree with everything you said nsgspplatmaster. As far as finding new players tho... I live in bfe PA. There's a few people to play rec ball with but not alot of peole that have legit gear and are tryin to compete. Like I said before I never owned an electro in my life, so spools annd qev's are all greek to me. The guys i'm playin with know ther ****. I'm a descent player with sub par gear right now. I'm really leaning twards a used ego and was told not to go older than 08 because there was pretty significant improvements made post 07. Another problem I have is livin in the boonies PA there's nowhere to get hpa filled. We'll deal with that tho. I really just need to figure out if I should buy a used ego and take the chance of the gun havin issues or if i'm better off goin to the lower end like an axe/mini and gettin a brand new marker. Am I better off new low end or used high end? Thus is my dilemma.

p8ntninja · 08-10-2011, 10:31 PM

Like I posted earlier in the thread MacDev has the Drone at a MSRP of $550. Keep in mind that is the Manufacturers SUGGESTED Retail Price, so it could easily be $500 when your shop orders one or if you decide top buy from ansgear or other online retailers. The markers in the $400-500 range are considered mid end with the exception being the Drone and Axe which are pared down tourney makers. I personally would go new Mid End. Used Ego's can be chock full of problems and you never know what the original owner(s) did to it prior to you getting your hands on it. Hope this helps.

hritzcracker · 08-10-2011, 10:45 PM

So p8ntninja, from the guns i originally mentioned, you'd go with a new etek3 over a used ego8? I'm partial to the look and feel of the etek/ego. Kinda feels more like what i'm used to. I'm goin to gcr in NY this saturday and will hopefully be able to get my hands on a few of the guns you've all mentioned. Haven't had a chance to play with a macdev or dye at all.

p8ntninja · 08-10-2011, 11:05 PM

The Etek 3 will do you just fine if you are able to test shoot an '08 Ego and confirm everything is fine working condition that's what I would grab. If you have the chance to hold a MacDev you may find yourself wanting that, I truly feel that the Drones are the best marker available new or used in your price range, they are very sexy and they stand out on the field as MacDev markers are not that common but man they shoot like a dream.

Tinman · 08-10-2011, 11:23 PM

I've never met a mini that cost more than $40 to fix EVER.

That being said i have a gen one mini that has had 3 parts replaced in it's lifetime..
The lower air tube, $20 this is my fault for not properly reattaching the asa after a very thorough cleaning.
one new main-board.. I had turned the marker off enough times with paint covered hands that the button that turns the marker on and off Had developed buildup behind it.
it was $25
and one solenoid after about 160,000 shots $35
I know the marker has firing modes but i've never taken it out of semi.

Silver · 08-11-2011, 12:45 AM

Again, I have shot and played with all of the markers on your list. If your going to go new, Axe. I would shoot an axe over any ego from 09 and below. My field has sold at LEAST 50 axes so far and I have not heard a single bad thing from any of the owners. For electros, I don't really prefer one brand over another, but when it comes to wanting a good tourney gun for a good price the Axe is the way to go. There is nothing "lowend" about them.

Studwiser · 08-11-2011, 01:33 AM

I would say pick up an ego, they are rock solid and very easy to service. They are also very easy to resell for a simular price to what you payed. My friends ego 9 gets about 1100 rounds to a 50/4500 tank so the efficiency is great, which matters if your a back player. Axes are nice but you can pick up a nice ego 8 for 400-500. They both shoot great but i have had less experience with axes and alot of people at my field have had some problems with them. (could be isolated but i dont know)

08-10-2011, 09:40 PM	#23 (permalink)
Amsterdam smoke ring for my halo Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Macomb Michigan	macdev drone. they're delivering them on august 15th. so its considered a pre order/ __________________ my feedback

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

08-10-2011, 09:40 PM	#22 (permalink)
NSGSplatmaster MCB Member Join Date: Apr 2006	I won't turn this into a debate thread because I like Macdev products myself. That having been said, not all of the EGOs have QEVs - the Etek 3 is essentially an 07 EGO with an LED board, and the 08 made a change from dual QEV-like fittins to a consolidated "block" which uses the same diaphrams but was marginally easier to service. Used 08s are going for very fair prices at the moment. The spool valves shoot nicely (all my experience was with the Droid) but they do also have a lot more o-rings to worry about. It comes down to a personal descision - shoot some guns before you buy if you can! If you're going the EGO route though, you might as well have the LCD screen. Either way, MacDev, Planet Eclipse, Dye/Proto are fine choices. I'd stay away from Dangerous Power (as a gun tech at a field that sold a ton, they were miserable) and Ions (not bad guns at all, but kind of a pain for the get up and go player) along with older Shockers/Nerves/other SP stuff. Ditto to not bothering with Bushmasters or older Angels. Here's some bad news though. If you drop the money on a legit setup, it will have lost a SIGNIFICANT amount of resale value by the next year....and more the next, and more the next. The investment is one of security, insurance if you will - you know your setup is legit and it is going to work every time you want to play. You can always find new teams, but even for playing recball, how many people do you see with marginal equipment that never works? They may say "Oh, I just play for fun, its no biggie", but in reality, no one is REALLY content with wasting their own time. You don't HAVE to spend 1500 dollars on a paintball marker, but you SHOULD spend a reasonable amount of money in a setup that is 100% legit. Other people may and will fail you in the tournament world, but do you want to fail other people, due to gear? Unlike many things in paintball, this is one thing we all have control over. Addition: Do not consider the Vanguard Creed. I was sponsored by Vanguard for two years and do not have anything good to say about those markers.

08-10-2011, 10:05 PM	#24 (permalink)
hritzcracker Baller Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: B.F.E. Pennsylvania	I agree with everything you said nsgspplatmaster. As far as finding new players tho... I live in bfe PA. There's a few people to play rec ball with but not alot of peole that have legit gear and are tryin to compete. Like I said before I never owned an electro in my life, so spools annd qev's are all greek to me. The guys i'm playin with know ther ****. I'm a descent player with sub par gear right now. I'm really leaning twards a used ego and was told not to go older than 08 because there was pretty significant improvements made post 07. Another problem I have is livin in the boonies PA there's nowhere to get hpa filled. We'll deal with that tho. I really just need to figure out if I should buy a used ego and take the chance of the gun havin issues or if i'm better off goin to the lower end like an axe/mini and gettin a brand new marker. Am I better off new low end or used high end? Thus is my dilemma.

08-10-2011, 10:31 PM	#25 (permalink)
p8ntninja MCB Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Originally SoCal, currently Midway Utah	Like I posted earlier in the thread MacDev has the Drone at a MSRP of $550. Keep in mind that is the Manufacturers SUGGESTED Retail Price, so it could easily be $500 when your shop orders one or if you decide top buy from ansgear or other online retailers. The markers in the $400-500 range are considered mid end with the exception being the Drone and Axe which are pared down tourney makers. I personally would go new Mid End. Used Ego's can be chock full of problems and you never know what the original owner(s) did to it prior to you getting your hands on it. Hope this helps.

08-10-2011, 10:45 PM	#26 (permalink)
hritzcracker Baller Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: B.F.E. Pennsylvania	So p8ntninja, from the guns i originally mentioned, you'd go with a new etek3 over a used ego8? I'm partial to the look and feel of the etek/ego. Kinda feels more like what i'm used to. I'm goin to gcr in NY this saturday and will hopefully be able to get my hands on a few of the guns you've all mentioned. Haven't had a chance to play with a macdev or dye at all.

08-10-2011, 11:05 PM	#27 (permalink)
p8ntninja MCB Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Originally SoCal, currently Midway Utah	The Etek 3 will do you just fine if you are able to test shoot an '08 Ego and confirm everything is fine working condition that's what I would grab. If you have the chance to hold a MacDev you may find yourself wanting that, I truly feel that the Drones are the best marker available new or used in your price range, they are very sexy and they stand out on the field as MacDev markers are not that common but man they shoot like a dream.

08-10-2011, 11:23 PM	#28 (permalink)
Tinman MCB Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Brighton Michigan	I've never met a mini that cost more than $40 to fix EVER. That being said i have a gen one mini that has had 3 parts replaced in it's lifetime.. The lower air tube, $20 this is my fault for not properly reattaching the asa after a very thorough cleaning. one new main-board.. I had turned the marker off enough times with paint covered hands that the button that turns the marker on and off Had developed buildup behind it. it was $25 and one solenoid after about 160,000 shots $35 I know the marker has firing modes but i've never taken it out of semi.

08-11-2011, 01:33 AM	#30 (permalink)
Studwiser Habs fan! Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Langley, BC	I would say pick up an ego, they are rock solid and very easy to service. They are also very easy to resell for a simular price to what you payed. My friends ego 9 gets about 1100 rounds to a 50/4500 tank so the efficiency is great, which matters if your a back player. Axes are nice but you can pick up a nice ego 8 for 400-500. They both shoot great but i have had less experience with axes and alot of people at my field have had some problems with them. (could be isolated but i dont know)