What was the Last Major Technical Advance in paintball Markers ?

[Chuck E Ducky]

I would say HPA was the last major technical advance to markers today. Without it most markers today would not exist in current form. Hopper tec would be a close 2nd IMO.

[Cunha]

This is the big recent one to me. This development was the cherry on the top of spool valve technology, both mech and electro.

I think the droid might have been the start of the BETTER spool era, and PE like they have been known to do, have distilled it into a really robust system.

[Tinybear]

Echoing the First Strike Rounds/MagFed.

Everything else I think was more evolutionary rather than revolutionary.

First strikes offer a way to change how the games played. There not my thing as the required setup was just too costly and more than I’m interested these days (I like simple. Old school two pod pouch my mask and a marker, old jeans and a t shirt work these days for me).

[The Inflicted]

I remember a Behind the Bunker podcast with the original owner of Pinocio talking about his patents and idea for integrating a camera with wifi into the hopper. He said they thought they could get the cost down to the $300 range for the camera and hopper. They could stream to a PC on the sidelines and see the game in real time from the players perspective. Imagine that on a speedball field or even woodsball game where you could see all the players POV in realtime and watch the game. Wasn't long after that episode when HK bought them out. Makes me wonder if they will ever do anything with it. That could be a game changer. At least it would make watching paintball a little more interesting. Wouldn't be a stretch to see them add it to a mask too. I look at my $25 Wyze cameras and think it's not too far off from being doable.

I don't know if mating the camera to the hopper is the right way to go, functionality-wise.
What's really needed are robust, water-proof, impact-proof Paintball cameras that mount to barrels and can be easily adjusted for deflection to compensate for a paintball's drop at range.

https://youtu.be/YTRu11c7uM8

[MrKittyCatMeowFace]

Is that just a contour roam?

[The Inflicted]

Dunno. Is the Roam Novatek or Ambarella-based?

[Cyberpyr8]

I agree that the hopper camera might not be the best angle for watching paintball I think it's more of the concept of adding the tech into the gear. I have 2 gopro's that I mount to my gun and mask. They are both big for paintball. They have been shot because they stick out differently than my normal equipment. Even with sticking up further, I prefer the mask camera angle over the barrel mount. It gets more of my perspective and I don't get blocked by doorways, bunkers or other stuff. I just wish it was tighter to the mask and didn't stick out. Think about the small cameras on the Google Glasses that was integrated into the frame a few years ago. Integrate that into the center of a mask so it doesn't stick out or isn't in the way and I could record or stream and you have a mask I would pay $100 more for.

My point is, there could be cameras mounted in different equipment (whatever type of camera) and deliver realtime video to watch players playing. I think about a field like Orlando Paintball. It is a tourist trap thing for sure, but they have a photographer on the field taking pictures every weekend and then they post them up on social media. If they had equipment with cameras in it they could capture video and shots from everywhere to use later. They could even have monitors inside the shop with live feeds showing gameplay for family and friends not playing. If you have ever been there it's not a far stretch to see how they would use that to help keep people engaged. Even at the NXL events to see what players are seeing and what they are doing from the farside of the field would be great. I really want to see better POV while players are on the field. I think that's one thing that is hard to capture with traditional sports camera setups on the sidelines and GoPro type cameras don't stream over wifi in real time plus they add bulk.

[Arthur]

FS definitely in terms of revolutionary. I've shot it now for about 7-8 years. There is nothing more satisfying than seeing a object leave your barrel, travel straight, and hit its target well beyond where your ball(s) normally smack.

It hasn't always been easy, it has its shares of pitfalls too, like the fact that most magfed guns are garbage. But if you buy quality and put in the time, it is a very rewarding experience.

[Magmoormaster]

My guess would be the self timing LPR-less modern spool valve guns. I believe (not 100%) that this was first implemented on the Dye NT10 and eventually developed into the Gamma Core. John (Irony from PbN) I believe is the man behind this madness.

Disclaimer: This information is most likely flawed due to my shoddy memory.

The NT was such a tragic gun. To this day, I cannot think of a better looking and better feeling gun, ergonomically, than the NT10. But it was such a steaming pile of crap to actually use.

I'd also argue that the adjustable solenoids eclipse had for a few models were a really cool innovation.

[Chuck E Ducky]

Most disappointing marker I ever purchased was the NT10. It drives my hatred toward Dye markers today I actually left a fully sponsored team when they switched to Dye from PE back in the day. I was one of the first few that got an NT10 when they were released at CUP the thing never made it threw a point before shredding paint. I got back and gave it away for a 1/4 what I payed for it with full disclosure.

[JonM]

It seems like most changes these days are incremental improvements to existing designs. It's gotten to where features like toolless disassembly, the elimination of external air lines, air efficient spool valves, and so on are now entry level features. Maybe that is in itself a leap forward.

[Sdawg]

Break beam eyes

[Trbo323]

It's not in markers themselves but first strike rounds

Made the sniper roll possible and legitimate overnight

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[the_hyren]

And yeah, I know the EVS had a HUD, but GI scrapped it, Intel owns the IP and shelved it.

From what I saw the company making the projector hardware went belly up and they can't be had anymore.


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[ATBen]

Good to know. Sounds possible as it must have been a pretty niche project.

[the_hyren]

Gamma core. And specifically the way it increases efficiency. The idea is that a spring decompresses as the volume vents and stops the venting. This allows a big increase in efficiency as it prevents venting while the ball is past the barrel porting.

Similar ideas are in place in the J4 Torque as well and identical in the shocker amp, luxe x, and the adrenaline luxe.

In terms of mechanical technical advances the biggest is efficiency.

While not really technical in my opinion the have been tons of creature comfort improvements with little sign of that slowing down. Attention to weight, ergonomics, ditching macro line, better reg designs, on off asas, feednecks, tool-less dis-assembly, etc.

Electronics have made massive technical advances. Better battery life in storage, bluetooth programming, nice oled screens, less wires, whisper sweet nothings into your ear, lithium batteries, wireless charging, wifi self updates, chronograph in loader, angle sensor in loader. All kinds of stuff and I'll bet that electronics in paintball have plenty more room to grow yet.

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[Siress]

Totally subjective.

I think the last mainstream, novel advancement was tool-less maintenance and repair; e.g. quick-change lens, snap-fit assembly of internal workings. One could argue that's just design optimization. If so, you'd have to go back to the first electronic paintball gun (WDP Angel or PneuVentures Shocker).
The last paradigm shifting advancement was probably high-capacity force-feed hoppers, and the use of paintball field netting prior to that.

edit: Reading other posts, I have to agree with First Strike for novel advancement.

[Brokeass_baller]

"Major" advance is subjective, but I really think the hAir valve (despite being based on a design from 2001ish) is one of them. There's finally a market for featherweight mechanical triggers, and that thing definitely provides. Eventually people will copy it, and those people will be named Adam and Billy.

The CS2 mech trigger ramp-lever thing is really cool, too. I can't help but wonder what an automag would feel like with a similar system installed.

[JonM]

I’ll be honest here and say that the advancements made in modern mechanical markers have pretty much permanently sidelined my Automags. Even an entry level Emek can shoot more smoothly, with a light trigger pull, in a lightweight body all without investing in ULE & ULT kits and tuning. Some may argue that that’s what makes Mags special, but you can’t argue with inexpensive modern simplicity.

[Cunha]

Yeah. Mags are cool guns, but design has finally exceeded them. They still offer some unique features and functionality but overall package is inferior in most regards. Same with cockers though. So people will still use stuff for passion.

[gabe]

The lever driven poppet. It wasn't too long ago we all thought poppets were going away and then BOOM. PE drops the lever valve on us.

But I'm also just a huge LV fanboi

[Meleager7]

The lever driven poppet. It wasn't too long ago we all thought poppets were going away and then BOOM. PE drops the lever valve on us.

But I'm also just a huge LV fanboi

Hmmmm.....what could PE Lever system do for a stacked tube blowback? Does the mechanical advantage of the lever, even at that small size, mean a small, lighter rear striker (and lighter drive spring ) can be used?