I can understand the point about the right tool for job but I still dont't see the need for a marker that imitates a real gun to the Nth degree. Surely the Ion on which the SP8 is based would be just as much the right tool (plastic etc) without the need for the mock bullpup designer case?
The Sp8 isn't a bullpup design as far as I was aware.
its not, bullpup refers to the magazine being placed behind the trigger. Like the Steyr Aug.
not the point nhbc was trying to make tho' i feel.
the main point of the design is to take the bottle weight off the marker and fix a stock. their are several ion varients that can do this without the need for the "realistic" look - but generally this invoves the exenditure of significantly more money on aftermarket 3rd party kit.
the sp8 is a simpler cheaper (slightly) way of getting a higher performance electropneumatic marker (with internal-upgrade potential) with a stock and no bottle mounted. granted no one says you have to use the stock, but if your carrying the marker around for 2 hours on the trot in a big scenario game, then a lighter set up is ideal - rather than trying to carry enough air to last on a bottle on the marker. 1.5l bottles ain't light...and they throw off the balance. or maybe i just need more muscles....
the fact that SP chose to stick it in a shell based on the XM8 project is besides the point for me. if they did a lighter marker with a stock that gave the same performance as the epi-SP8 we use then i'd go for that - but they don't.