choosing a marker

[CIRE]

hello everyone. I'm relatively new to PB and I love it. I'm having a hard time choosing a marker.(I tend to research b4 I buy). I have read threads and reviews after reviews and noticed that everyone has a different opnion in things.
I'm looking for a intermediate marker that can be upgraded as my skills progress to keep up with the big guns. I visited a PBStore and was told that its not possible that I if I wanted to keep up it'll cost me $1300. Is there a marker out there that can meet my needs?

 

[jeevusmaximus]

Welcome to Paintball

If you are looking for an upgradable marker, the most versatile (dont know if its the best word) marker is an autococker. Autocockers have so many aftermarket parts its unbelievable but choosing the right parts isnt so. If you havent already, check out http://www.pbreview.com . You can pick up a stock cocker for about $400 ish.
Although, I should warn you that fiddling with an autococker if you dont know what your doing is a bad idea. Anyone who owns one or on this forum will tell you the same.

If you would prefer an electronic marker, I would go for the Impulse from Smart Parts. They are good markers, both standard and vision (vision versions have an "eye" that means no breach breakages). You can get a standard one at around $450.

Before you go out and buy a marker, the most important thing you have to do is try as many markers as possible. If you don't and you go out buying an autococker and dont like the way it shoots, you will be stuffed! This is the most important thing to do before investing in a new marker.

Hope this information helps a bit.

 

[CIRE]

I have no clue when it comes to autocockers/cockers.
here's the deal...my coworkers want to start a team but it seems pretty iffy..we will be playing tho...so I'm looking for something that will do the trick when we are just playin for fun..and when the time comes to get serious and my skills get better I can just upgrade. I don't have that much to spend...I can prolly dish out close to $300 total. I would luv to spend less just in case this team idea of theirs doesn't work out.

 

[Billy No Mates]

it depends what you want out of the marker, and what kind of games your going to be playing.

If you want to play woodland, and/or not bothered about rate of fire : -

Then look at a decent non-electric spyder, they span a huge price bracket. you should be able to find something to your liking.

If you want to play alot of Supair, and/or you want to spray paint at insane speeds :-

Then you're probably better off getting something with an electric trigger. This is kinda like power steering on a car. Instead of you pulling the trigger the fire the gun mechanically. You pull the trigger against a microswitch which then electronically fires the gun. result, a much higher rate of fire, with a bit of practice.
Again, Kingman do electric spyders, and again real cheap.

You could always look second hand, and save a few bob that way.
the other way so save a bit of maoney would be to buy a spyder "clone" there sare markers that look and function almost identical to the spyder, but are usually cheaper. (lower build quality, less upgrades...)
for example Diablo Sabotage, Black Dragun, 32 Degrees Rebels....

The list goes on.

Jeeves was right, try as many as you can before you buy anything. You might not like electronic triggers when playing, so you might be able to focus your search a bit better. but then the reverse might be true.
The easiest way to decide is to steal other peoples markers (not litterally) and play a game or two with them, then see what you think.
I spent 4 months deciding on getting my cocker, but im definatley happy with it. so was comfortable spending my hard earned cash on it.

hope that helps.

 

[joowon49]

CIRE, My strongest suggestion is for you to get a cocker. For an easily upgradable marker, GREAT performance, and versatility its there. Also, on the subject of "to keep up with the big guns" The autococker is the only prominent non-electro gun used by pro teams. That says a lot about is possibilities and its performance. If a cocker is still a little more than your willing to spend (a stock cocker with a decent CO2 system would cost about 500) then I would suggest a Tippman Custom 98. Great beginners gun, easily maintained and is durable for whatever **** you can put it through. It also has a good choice of mods you can do like reactive trigger, flatline, etc. Unfortunately, if you do chose to go tournament, a tippman isn't gonna hold up well, unless you're a phenomenal player. So please think about getting a cocker because with a little extra money it will fill all of your needs. I dunno what the guy at the pbstore was talking about but current stock cockers are quite reliable, and many stores will perform free labor on guns you buy from them. Best of luck, and congratulations on discovering paintball.

 

[Billy No Mates]

i forgot to mention.

I assume youve already invested in a decent set of goggles?
that would be the first thing i would buy. Very useful to be able to see on the field.

once you have a marker, you will also need,

A hopper
A power source - CO2 or Air (co2 is FAR cheaper)
some form of pull through or squeegie.
A barrel condom or bung - saftey regulations
Possibly a battle pack to carry paint out onto the field with.

keep this in mind if you havent got this stuff that you will have to get at least some of it.

The Co2 and barrel condom should be obtained with the marker you purchase. (usually part of the deal)


hope that helps, if you need anything else, dont hesitate to ask.

 

[CoreOfEvil]

spyder

yeah, if you're only willing to pay around 300, go with a Spyder becausey ou also have to get your CO2, mask, hopper and elbow, so all that together should be around 200, then get an electronic hopper and maybe a teardrop barrel

 

[chunk.Clan]

Why ............

not have a look about for somthing secound hand. That way you can get a little more for your money. Also depending on what you are playing (rec or tourney) try it out first. there is no point shelling out a lot of money on a nice gun if you can`t get to grips with it. Also, keep it simple. Cockers are nice guns and easily upgraded but are quite complecated internally. A simple pull pin out and bolt fall out system is the best move to make with your first gun. Forinstance, an inferno. Nice cheap base gun. Easy to clean and maintain. If you wanted to spend a little more then an impulse may be the one. It has the same easy release bolt system but is more of a tournament marker. It has quite a good bps rate and has lots of extras which can be added on. e.g. cricket board, tape worm etc.
Hope this helps
Chunk.

 

[Collier]

Personally I don't think a cocker is the beat Idea for someone new to p/b markers. Not unless you like to tinker and don't mind spending some time learning how they work or know someone that does!

For cheapness and speed how about a mag, drop in a level 10 bolt and you won't be chopping!!

Paul.

 

[Poptart]

Well im also a noob so to speak. Ive been playing about a month now, and like you i had a lot of trouble deciding which gun to buy.

After asking all my friends both online and off what they though, and doing some of my own research (www.pbreview.com is an awesome place to go) i bought a Spyder E99 (125 bucks at actionvillage.com). The spyder is awesome. Its very easy to clean and maintain, the gun is sweet (shoots 13 bps, and until you get more practice you wont be able to shoot 13 bps on semi auto). Only thing i recommend is buying a new barrel, i got the Smart Parts All American 2002, and in my opinion its comparable to the Dye Boomstick (not to mention the AA 2002 is also about 30 bucks cheaper).

If you want a gun that you can do a whole buncha crap too then i would recommend the Tippmann 98 custom. It is similar to the Spyder in its ease of upkeep and maintance, but you can customize the crap outta it. Personally i only chose the Spyder cause i thought it looked better, and the only customization ill be doing is when i buy a new gun to replace the spyder.

Ohh and the electronic hopper is a good buy, i got the Evlution 2 for about 65 bucks from paintballgateway.com and even fully auto with the spyder i cant outshoot it.

overall with the gun, barrel, electronic hopper, jt nvader thermal mask, and 20 oz anti siphon tank i spent about 350 or so (not including shipping and handling, overall i spent about 400. shipping to hawaii sucks, but its still cheaper than the stores out here, they wanted 200 for the spyder ONLY!!)

Best advice i think anyone can give is to tell someone not what gun to get, but what benefits they personally experience with their own set up. So i would advise you to do the same, check out the reviews, ask your friends and even the guys at the pb field you play with. in my experience those guys are very friendly and always willing to help out a new paintballer.