General opinion of the Invert Mini.

[rob_evanson]

I want something new, the mini wasn't around when i quit pb 6 years ago and they look interesting. I've looked at a few reviews online and although the reviews don't go mad for it, they aren't bad either.

Some cons are problems with the trigger setup/firing logic makes it inconsistent in semi auto mode.

There is no happy medium in the setup between being gentle on paint and being economic on gas.

I'm moving from an Ion, and to be honest the only reason I'm moving is I'm worried about the lack of parts.

Any personal experiences with the mini are welcome.

One final point, I noticed this is a poppet valve with a blow forward bolt returned by a spring. Isn't this how an automag worked (without the poppet) looks a little like an small e-mag too.

 

[Bambulus]

Mini Tuning guide

http://www.pbnation.com/showthread.php?t=2581649

You can also get a NDZ spring kit and bolt from the states, which lowers the operating pressure needed to move the bolt and fire - softer on paint and less kick etc (allegedly - personal experience with these would be good). Empire also do their own reduced weight bolt now, if I remember right


Most of the mini's semigood/bad rep is from the first generation, with people having all sorts of trouble. These have all been addressed in the revised generations, so reviews are only really accurate when you know which gen they're reviewing.

The mini works on an optical trigger sensor, so as long as you make sure to set it up right (it's fine out of the box), then there shouldn't be any problems detecting the pull


operating .gif

 

[sundance1968]

are you buying new?

i would only pick a mini up if they were going really cheap, mini usually £230 mark new ?

they seem to float around the 2nd hand market at £130 £160 mark ?

ive just picked up an etek 3 lt with case like new for my lad its 6 months old been used twice had about 1000 balls through it for £220 personally i'd wait for the xmas sales and new year for 2nd hand markers which is about to happen very shortly you might be able to pick an ego 09 up for £300 when everyone gets shiny new markers, and no need to be thinking about new springs with a marker like an ego 09 just chrony and off you go

 

[Dusty]

I've been using a mini as a site gun for over two years, as well as a personal backup. It's been lent to punters, tourney players, beaten, abused, thrown in mud and puddles, left in a kit bag and in all that time i've only ever replaced the battery and cleaned it externally. It's had a full strip down and service once in it's poor life and i did it without the manual it was that easy.

After all that abuse it still keeps firing as well as it did first time out of the box. All it needs to make it a better gun is a new barrel which should be very easy to pick up. One of the best purchases I ever made.

 

[rob_evanson]

Thanks for the input guys, I'll be looking at the second hand market for one. Just got to sell my Ion first.

 

[Bolter]

Thanks for the input guys, I'll be looking at the second hand market for one. Just got to sell my Ion first.

If you get one, and you need any help at all, feel free to PM me.

 

[Bolter]

Mini Tuning guide

http://www.pbnation.com/showthread.php?t=2581649

You can also get a NDZ spring kit and bolt from the states, which lowers the operating pressure needed to move the bolt and fire - softer on paint and less kick etc (allegedly - personal experience with these would be good). Empire also do their own reduced weight bolt now, if I remember right


Most of the mini's semigood/bad rep is from the first generation, with people having all sorts of trouble. These have all been addressed in the revised generations, so reviews are only really accurate when you know which gen they're reviewing.

The mini works on an optical trigger sensor, so as long as you make sure to set it up right (it's fine out of the box), then there shouldn't be any problems detecting the pull


operating .gif

Be very aware of so called "upgrades". We (Storm) have tested bolts, spring kits, boards, triggers, poppets etc, and we very quickly came to the decision that whatever benefits they promised, we were unable to find them for the most part.

The spring kits for example. Empire made the mini, with a bolt a certain weight, and a spring with tension to suit that bolt. If you change these, you then need to fine tune the mini, to even get it to work properly, let alone give you any benefit. I underlined fine tune because theres alot of messing about involved. Im not saying these things dont work. Im saying its a big faff!

The boards are pretty cool, but my beef with them is that when your gun is locked in a mode (Millennium for example), it has the same settings in place despite what board it is. So all the sweet little functions and fun stuff they put on there, and its only useful for showing off or at the range. Now, if the stock board was poo, then fair play, but it works just fine.

From a personal standpoint, stock is best.

There are a few things that can be changed to your benefit. The trigger and the barrel ..... and now you can buy an ASA with an on/off (currently in stock at KEE) which is a big plus.

 

[Bambulus]

Agreed with Bolter, for the record.

My mini came sweet out of the box, trigger is fine to use and the ASA isn't even as much of a problem as I thought it would be. It's a great little marker that could easily be worth more than the £150 second hand price tag. I certainly have no regrets buying one.

And an added point: The Mini will be just as, or even more air efficient than an ion, so don't worry about that so much.

 

[Random Invert]

Love my mini, changed the bolt to a techT delrin which to be honest makes no difference, I like the stock trigger find it very soft (just a bit of move left/right but no problem) air efficiency is fine getting atleast 1000~ balls out of a 3k fill, only time I had a problem with air was when I was ramping at 15bps but that's not needed.

 

[rob_evanson]

Thanks guys, as far as upgrades go, you've echoed much of what the main reviews have said. Upgrades on a mini don't do too much, out of the box it does what it says on the tin. Might put my ion up for sale tonight then and wait until Xmas / new year to pick one up as I won't be playing again until after.chrimbo.

Who am I kidding, I'll end up buying one as soon as I have the cash.