Paintball

[Walking_Target]

Hello Everybody, Walking_Target here with some freindly -and hopefully useful- tips for choosing your first paintball marker.

I will try to address the major concerns of what and why you will want to choose a marker, everything from price to maintenance.

Q: Why should i buy my own marker?
A: If you have never played before, or only done so once or twice, you shouldn't.

The main reasons to buy a marker are to have something you will like to play with, and to save on field fees (it generally costs less to play as an equipment owner)



Q: What should i get?
A: Marker choice is not a scientific thing, you mush choose something that suits you, is comfortable in your hand, suits play style and your budget. In short, you really do have to make it to the pro-shop or field and try things out.

Personal Preference, Always



Q: Pump, Semi-Automatic Mechanical or Electronic?
A: This is one i get asked all the time, and it goes hand in hand with your play style. While you can play speedball with a pump (and it can be tonnes of fun!) most people will want a Electronic (electro) marker or a Mechanical Semi-Automatic (mech semi-auto, mech semi). Expereinced recreational players and tournament players tend to fine tune their setups to thier play style, more on that later though.

Don't let people tell you that pump play is useless either though, just realize that it is a different kind of play than with semi-automatics; i would not advise buying a pump marker as your first marker though.





Q: Higher Priced markers are Better?
A: In the low end price bracket, yes. anything from $100-$500 will generally work on a sliding scale. a $300 marker will generally perform bette than a $200 marker, after the $500 point, there is usually very little difference in actual performance, unless you are having something custom made (Palmer's Pursuit, Punisher, Doc Nickel ect. ect.)

keep in mind that even after you buy the marker, you still need a tank, mask and hopper, and probably a ball-hauling system to go with it.





Q: Should i buy the new 'X' from 'X'?
A: No! not until you have tried it, and like it; and you are able to talk to owners who have had it for that time. It's no good purchasing a hot new concept design if it is going to need repairs soon after you get it.

The exception to this rule is proven technology; maufacturers like PMI and Kingman put out new models of their proven markers every year with updated milling and anodizing (colors) but it is the same base item, just new packaging.

If in doubt, ask someone who owns a new-ish one.





Q: How about this marker from Wal-mart/Target ect. ect.
A: No, just no.

Go to a proshop, it may cost you a few bucks more, but they'll be able to help you if anything goes wrong with it.





Q: My friend has 'X', is it any good?
A: Try for yourself. if you like it and it's covered under what has been said above, go for it.





Q: What do *you* shoot?
A: What time of day, what field and what is everybody else using? what mood am I in?




Q: What would you recommend?
A: I personally recommend Tippmann, PMI and Kingman markers. They have a proven track record and there are lots of upgrades available.

of all three, i prefer Tippmann, they are tough and relyable. there's a reason most fields use them as rentals






Q:How much should i spend?
A: only as much as you have to. it doesn;t save to go cheap on a marker that you will be replacing in a few months. usually $100-$200 is a good range for the marker itself.





Q: How can i convince my Mom/Dad/Guardian(s)?
A: Do your research, present it to them like an adult, show them the difference between owning and renting, and how much it will save in the long run. offer to let them keep it when you are not taking it to the field.


Q: What about my other equipment?
A: Those questions will be answered in another thread, expect to spend about $100-150 for half-decent equipment. (tank, mask and hopper, maybe harness)

[mark]

Very nice.

But just one thing I want to add. If you dont see yourself staying with a single gun for a while, don't put hundreds of dollars of upgrades into it. All that will do is waste money, and end up killing you on resale. If you do want to spend money, I suggest upgrading your gear, barrels, hoppers, packs, etc.

I'm not saying you shouldn't upgrade it at all, just don't put $800 into a spyder that you will only be able to get $200 for later on down the line. Unless you pla on keeping it for an amount of time that justifies spending that much, but sometimes what you plan and what takes place isnt that similar.

That's just my opinion, others will have theirs too.

[Walking_Target]

both an equipment guide and an upgrades guide comming

[mark]

Cool, again nice work.

[DrEmmerich]

I'd agree and I'd add that while Spyders PMI and Tippmanns are good entry markers, you can easily pick up a used ICD, BKO, Cocker and other mid or high end semi markers quite cheap now, some cases cheaper than a new Spyder or Tippy, just be willing to spend time maintaining it properly.

[TrracerAce]

I've been extolling the virtues of Automags on every new-ish player I come across. It doesn't hurt that mine is both very pretty and still going very strong after a decade of use (through its previous owners, I'm a recent convert)

If I can convince just one to get a 68 Classic instead of an Ion, I believe the paintball gods will smile upon me and I will one day stumble across an "old" Buzzard in a pawn shop for $50.

[af895]

Originally Posted by TrracerAce

I've been extolling the virtues of Automags on every new-ish player I come across. It doesn't hurt that mine is both very pretty and still going very strong after a decade of use (through its previous owners, I'm a recent convert)

If I can convince just one to get a 68 Classic instead of an Ion, I believe the paintball gods will smile upon me and I will one day stumble across an "old" Buzzard in a pawn shop for $50.

I do this too. I've built three 68 Classics now - mine, one for a friend and another for my nephew. Automags are pretty much the epitome of mechanical semi-auto markers. (I say that having owned a 2k Blazer) Having upgrade paths like the X-Valve, ULE bodies, Tac-One body etc just make it all that much sweeter. (mine's got a Tac' body now)

[nhmercracer]

My $.02
If i was on a limited budget, with hindsight being what it is, I would invest in a mask first. Almost all the field rental masks I have seen could use a new lense. The renters invariably return to the counter seeking some way to prevent fogging. With your own mask, even if you rent, you will have a much better day. Being able to see is the most important aspect of the game.
Sean

[Kevin Barr]

Originally Posted by TrracerAce

I've been extolling the virtues of Automags on every new-ish player I come across. It doesn't hurt that mine is both very pretty and still going very strong after a decade of use (through its previous owners, I'm a recent convert)

If I can convince just one to get a 68 Classic instead of an Ion, I believe the paintball gods will smile upon me and I will one day stumble across an "old" Buzzard in a pawn shop for $50.

Hey lads, I have never used an Ion, so I am at a disadvantage. A friend asked me today if he should get an Ion for his first marker. I had already suggested a tippman or a spyder which he seemed to go with. Now he is thinking Ion and he says the research says it is a "10/10" but all I can say is I just don't know. Comments, questions, nasty remarks?

Kev

[sdlm]

Originally Posted by Kevin Barr

Hey lads, I have never used an Ion, so I am at a disadvantage. A friend asked me today if he should get an Ion for his first marker. I had already suggested a tippman or a spyder which he seemed to go with. Now he is thinking Ion and he says the research says it is a "10/10" but all I can say is I just don't know. Comments, questions, nasty remarks?

Kev

Well, An Ion is an electro alright, and has the firepower to back it up. However, it is nowhere near as durable as a Tippmann or Spyder, without practicing one wonders just how much firepower a new player could expect from any gun. It also has many moving seals, a regulator, on/off switch batteries and about 100 other things that you have to know about in order to effectively use.

The Problem is, many new players see that even some experienced players have Ions, and they see the vids on youtube of them shooting 16 balls a second (the video will claim 26bps of course) and they think "what an advantage that would be over a tippmann" So they never learn to shoot, they learn to spray, Which is no way to play.

That and I am uncertain just how cheap an Ion really is as a starting setup, think about this $150 for a m98 powerpack at my local wal-mart, includes a mask, hopper, 9oz tank, Tippy, squeegee, lube, and Allen wrenches. That is everything that is needed to go out there and have a good time, nothing else is really required, it runs fine on co2, and the blowback into the hopper seems to stir the balls quite well.

Now, take an Ion for $200 and then think you'll still need a decent hopper, so $50-100 there, and I don't think it would be a smart Idea to use co2, (I love co2, and it can be used with almost any gun, but the knowledge and setup is far beyond the skill of a new player) so $60-130 for a cheap hpa tank, and if you are going to be shooting that much paint you'll need pods and a pack $20-60 you could spend nearly $500 on such a setup and still not have any upgrades to speak of.

There are two really good choices as I see it, a Tippmann (any model) or an Automag (Classic, or minimag). At least IMO.