Cheaper option to carbon fiber air system?

[benepv]

I am getting back into tournament paintball after a few years of not playing however I am on a limited budget. I need a lightweight air system preferably under £50. Obviously for this budget I'm not going to be getting anything too special... not even a second hand carbon fiber tank. But on the other hand a heavy steelie isn't really ideal. I have already done a bit of looking around and I have come across Guerrilla's new Pro 3k range which seem are around £50 and are being sold on Rap4. Any other suggestions?

 

[BOD]

Guerrilla's new Pro 3k bottles are aluminium so they will be roughly the same weight as "steelies" which are aluminium bottles, no one has made bottles out of steel for many years.

 

[Narkadox]

You might be able to get a Fiber tank that's a few months away from re-test for around £50 which would get you started. And a re-test would cost you about £25 when it's up.

 

[Tom]

As above, steelies are in the real majority of cases aluminium
The weight difference is not realy remarkable between a standard 3000 and a standard 4500
(Albeit that a 'standard' fibre is bigger than a standard aluminium)

The advantage of the new guerilla 3000 is that it has the curved base like fibres, so you can roll it in your shoulder

Choices are:
Suck it up and use a standard 3000
Go for the guerilla 3000
borrow for free
Get a very short life second hand (average second hand price being £80)
Use just paintball / rematch 0% credit - making sure you can afford the payments and to play

 

[benepv]

As far as a standard 3000psi tank goes, are they still able to be used to compete in tournaments at today's level? Also, wouldn't you look like a bit of an idiot running around with a bulky tank compared to others with a small, lightweight cf tank?

 

[Tom]

As far as a standard 3000psi tank goes, are they still able to be used to compete in tournaments at today's level?

The CPPS run fills at 3000psi and I've seen plenty play with 48ci fibres which are the same capacity as a standard 3000.
So with the amount of air its entirely viable
The real factor would be ergonomics of rolling a fibre in your shoulder or holding a flat bottomed aluminium

Also, wouldn't you look like a bit of an idiot running around with a bulky tank compared to others with a small, lightweight cf tank?

You only look an idiot to the Agg haters
A small 48ci fibre is the same size as a standard 3000psi aluminium (just a little shorter and a little fatter)
A standard 68ci fibre is bigger and fatter than a standard 3000psi aluminium

 

[Tom]

http://p8ntballer-forums.com/threads/bottle-weights.158899/

Finally something for the original question:

Guerrilla air 13cu/ci 0.2l
3000psi. At 1000psi, output 500psi
Weight 1lb 450g

Pure energy 48cu/ci 0.78l
3000psi. At 1000psi, output 600psi
Weight 3.5lb 1600g

Guerrilla air 48cu/ci 0.8l (both from markings)
4500psi At 2000psi, output 500psi
Weight 2.2lb 1000g

Empire air 91cu/ci 1.5l
4500psi. At 2000psi, output 800psi
Weight 3.7lb 1700g

Details are:
Make & size (sizes based on cylinder markings in cubic inches or litres and converted, with the exception of the .48, this accounts for differences in rounding on specs)
Pressures (maximum fill, current pressure, regulator output)
Weight (very rough on old school non digital kitchen scales)

All figures are approximate

An equivalent weight comparison of 48ci steelie and fibre show the fibre at 2/3 of the steelie. So there is a weight saving
However many people go for a standard 68ci and still talk about them being lighter because they are fibre
False perception - in this comparison the fibre is slightly heavier - because it is bigger

 

[benepv]

Ok thanks for the help guys. I'll probably get a Guerilla 3k and save the rest of my money on paint and upgrade in the future if necessary.

 

[Tippmann Sam]

Could you send me the link to the one you purchased please

 

[Spookls]

Could you send me the link to the one you purchased please

try here buddy
http://www.rap4uk.com/Paintball-High-Pressure-Air-Systems-UK-s/2274.htm