Metadyne Thumper/Phoenix Redux

[MOATI]

Some of you might remember me...some of you won't. It's been so long since I've been on here I had to make a new account! This site has always been k own for its innovative highly knowledgeable players. As such I'm curious about your responses to the video Metadyne put out. Would you give them another chance? What types of things would you like put to the stress test? Any and all feedback is valid and welcome.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=OIqxEgaLHDc&feature=youtu.be

[Jonnydread]

If I wasn't into forgiveness I would never have owned any Gardner guns.

I really like the Thumper and would absolutely give them another chance. Shit happens and I think transparency is a good start to rebuilding.

Not sure about the stress test, but I know the Thumper (even with a replaced piston) struggled to have constant air pressure. They seemed to be okay with 12g cause there wasn't constant pressure pushing against the internals, but struggled with wear and tear of constant pressure. So that's something I would like to see rigorously tested.

[Grendel]

First step is acknowledging where fault lies and having open and transparent conversation with your customers and in the video I think they did that and fairly well.

Like Jonny I liked at least the idea of the Thumper (I've never handled one that works but there are some out there) and I would be interested in giving them a chance to redeem themselves. There is a trust issue and it is much harder to regain trust once lost and that is the situation Metadyne finds themselves. The "proof will be in the pudding" so there will be hesitancy in potential buyers to dive into the adopting a new marker from them, especially those who had witnessed and been stung by the Thumper.

If I was to give advice is when they are comfortable with the final design, manufacturing/assembly process and have good Beta test results I would work to get markers in the hands of everyday players in a real playing environment. These units need to be post Beta testing and in the final production format. Let actual players give real life opinions . I got the ability to play with Nova Paintball's N1 and N3 markers at a field for a day and witnessed others playing with them that same day well before they were released for sale to the public. That experience convinced me I wanted an N3 and at the first opportunity I bought one as well as spread the word here and at fields. This type of grass roots effort would go a long way to help Metadyne recover some of that trust they have lost.

[ATBen]

I'd prefer they do an M79 nerf launcher, but let's see.

[superman]

I have owned at least a handful of thumpers. I saw the forward pumping thing a bit of a downside as it made it a bit more difficult to hand over to someone that was used to a normal pump. I did however like the thumb paddles.

I know many don't have experience with it, but i hope they also make it so it can cock at any angle, not just when the marker is vertical. If they truly did an overhaul on the marker, I wouldn't mind trying one, or even being a beta tester, to pass around to our local pump group.

[RuleOfSines]

My early Phoenix prototype can indeed cock at any angle, at the expense of no longer being able to auto trigger.

[Chuck E Ducky]

If it’s an updated version with the thumb paddle pump, stick fed, 12g capable, unique ano options would be cool.

functional detents would be cool to add. Especially with how inconsistent paint is getting.

please do extensive testing focusing on durability and reliability. Oh and standard of the shelf orings and the least amount of proprietary parts possible.

[Dmurb42]

Hey chuck, im new on this forum. I was recommended to check this forum out for help with my thumper. Is it possible to get some help from your friend on updates and upgrades he had done to his.

[Chuck E Ducky]

I would email them directly see if they have some updates for yah. But capitalpaintball is the one that got his thumper to work. It’s been modified tho and Dave has a which finger for markers.

[Cyrus-the-virus]

I'd love to buy one. I wasn't in a financial position to buy one the first time around. Now I am.

This year is going to be expensive. I have a list of new markers and equipment to purchase.

[jokers]

So when the thumper first was discussed I put my name in for the buy. I waited what felt like eternity and they notified me mine was coming up, build was done just needed to choose anno, I sent in a Jcurt90 and they annoed that as well and it took a good long while after that to get mine back. My thumper was one of the last ones to exit their shop shortly before they closed. I want to believe that it has any updates that they discovered and that it is ready to go but I have always been hesitant to use that marker, because I do not want to break it. So this marker has become a wall hanger.
What I think would be a show of good faith is to take any thumper back either for a trade or preferable to fix and provide parts for sale for the thumpers.
Maybe I am wrong but with how good Metadyne was with hype videos I would need a lot more then a single video I need to hold it touch and play with it before i get excited again.

[MOATI]

These are all good and fair points...please keep them coming. I've been asked to test out one of their new markers and I appreciate all the feedback as it will help me know what to focus testing on...although I mostly plan to just play with it and see how it holds up under real use.

[Ghostduck2881]

You weren't the only one that had to create a new account on here! I had to do the same. I find it very funny they have you listed as a Newbie! They should have you updated to "Legend". Seeing you come "out of retirement" had be rethink my own. Especially after Montydoom's passing. I told Serenity and Krazy 8 about you playing at EMR and they said that unfortunately they will actually be playing in Europe at a game there around the same time. ML/R Ghostduck

[Chuck E Ducky]

Good to hear. Well if they want some help with the Thumper lmk. The North East pump group organize regular pump days. I could get it in the hands of a ton of experienced pump players. We have one local player that regularly uses his original thumper he modified to work well.

[FredMnkyDad10]

So when the thumper first was discussed I put my name in for the buy. I waited what felt like eternity and they notified me mine was coming up, build was done just needed to choose anno, I sent in a Jcurt90 and they annoed that as well and it took a good long while after that to get mine back. My thumper was one of the last ones to exit their shop shortly before they closed. I want to believe that it has any updates that they discovered and that it is ready to go but I have always been hesitant to use that marker, because I do not want to break it. So this marker has become a wall hanger.
What I think would be a show of good faith is to take any thumper back either for a trade or preferable to fix and provide parts for sale for the thumpers.
Maybe I am wrong but with how good Metadyne was with hype videos I would need a lot more then a single video I need to hold it touch and play with it before i get excited again.

I was thinking the same. If they want to rebuild their damaged reputation. Taking care of those customers from the first rebuild would be a great start.

I know likely tons of customers that bought it, likely sold it at a great loss. But likely those that bought them at way lower cost or still have them, have a paperweight/wall hanger.

Doing a trade for the new version or if they can upgrade the old version to work like the new version. That would show they are willing to make things right, rebuild their reputation and stand behind their new products.

[jokers]

I have an idea but it would be painful for Metadyne, if they are serious about wanting to come back, it is a somewhat "easy" way to gain trust.

The east coast has a bunch of pump only days which they could visit and provide all of the markers for the games. Take those same markers and go to the Supergames, Decay of Nations, Fulda, ION and any other big game loan them out at those games document the maintenance of the markers throughout the times they are in use. If they produced 200 markers, and say 100 Havoc launchers they could loan out 100 markers and sell the other launchers and markers depending on their overall cost, profits and everything else it would offset the cost or pay for itself.

If they did something like that they would need to have a custom anno or lasering on the loaner markers to make sure to keep track of the markers and prove that they are the same markers going out each time.Ask that everyone who uses the marker take a picture with it, as well as give an assessment if they can.

While they are there they could also offer tech service on Thumpers, kind of like how PE does with their markers during those games.

I think maybe PE did something similar to that when they came out with their rental replacement, but I am not sure and know that very few have done it.

If they did they could call it "the Rise of the Phoenix" and post all of it on social media with days and times that they could be in the area.

[jokers]

The reason that I am so hesitant about Metadyne and think this is necessary is that, as stated they had really good youtube video hype as well as I think that there were people on this forum that posted about using the early versions of the Thumper with no issues.

[bellicose]

My only issue was chopping paint. I loved the operation.

[k_obeastly]

if they want to maintain a push to cock "pump" gun, keep it looking about the same and put a splatmaster style valve in it. Put a cool phantom compatible one piece sc feed on it (I think that would sell fairly well on its own). Then rename it "the good thumper" and it will be great.

[Cyrus-the-virus]

if they want to maintain a push to cock "pump" gun, keep it looking about the same and put a splatmaster style valve in it. Put a cool phantom compatible one piece sc feed on it (I think that would sell fairly well on its own). Then rename it "the good thumper" and it will be great.

I think a thumper with a phantom spring PHeed would be pretty sick ngl.

[Chuck E Ducky]

I like the idea of spring feeds more then I actually like using spring feeds. Give me a good old rock and cock. I do like the idea of a spider style mount tho. It would make switching between stock and open super easy it’s also cheaper to machine. Then you can let the customer decide how they want to customize it. I think an AR style grip frame would be a good move too. I have a Havoc launcher with a Phantom 45 and bottom line kit on it. I like the AR style grip mounts makes for convenient customization and options. + they could keep the cost down by buying grips in bulk or low cost grip options to keep the cost down.

[Cyrus-the-virus]

I can go both ways. Kinda depends on what style of paintball I'm playing.
Speed ball, 100% rock and cock
Woods ball, I prefer spring feeds

[Bryceeden2]

I don't know. I was one of the original pre orders and loved the concept, but the actual marker was terrible and they never really made it right with those of us that bought them. I might be willing to give them another chance, but I definitely wouldn't be pre ordering this time.