First Marker - How much to spend?

[xraymtb]

As the title says - how much is it worth spending on a first marker?

Been to a variety of local sites around Edinburgh/Newcastle playing with rental kit and have decided to get my own and start walkons.

Would probably be playing woodsball at first (due to the local sites), maybe some tourney stuff later. Not really interested in milsim style markers.

I was hoping to keep my initial setup to under £200 for the marker, hopper, air and mask (second hand marker was my thinking).

My main question is what to spend my money on. Is it worth getting a low end marker or finding the cash for a mid-range or better?

I was settled on a PMR or Ion (second hand - I should stay within budget) until I seen a DM6 and a PM7 both at a little under £200. Is it worth stretching the budget to get one as a beginner?

 

[leach]

well you could get a pmr or ion, would be a good starter marker only thing to consider is might be a waste of money if within a couple of months you realise you want a better/more reliable marker. May be an idea to spend a bit more and pick up like an etek for example. I say this because through experience I know they're easy to maintain and you could pick one up for around the 150 mark. So you would end up a bit over budget, but you would get a better marker.

 

[tiffer]

If your budget is firm at £200.
I agree with Leach to a certain extent,but I believe for woodsball,walk-on days something like an ION would be ideal.
As you said cheap secondhand,also easy to maintain,easy to upgrade and loads of bits are available.
Technically they are pretty simple and there's always people on here who can help.
Hopper I'd say the egg II or III,the reason is that they are cheap(no longer fashionable),easy to maintain,good on batteries and will feed your choice of marker all day long without issues.
Get a good quality mask(very important and often overlooked) such as V-force.
All this can be had secondhand in the classifieds,ask questions before you buy.
£80+ for the Ion.
£30~£40 for an Egg hopper.
£30~£40 for an aluminium bottle(not expensive new).
£20~£30 for a mask.

 

[OddJob]

You're not cool unless you've got more guns than you can use.

 

[tiffer]

You're not cool unless you've got more guns than you can use.

Damn I knew I forgot something....

 

[leach]

Plus I have an etek for sale

 

[xraymtb]

I think I'm more confused than ever....

Looking back at old posts, I can pick up an Ion or PMR for about £100, an Etek for around £150, a PM7 or Ego 06 for around £200. And thats without talking about upgrades, DM's (5 or 6) etc.

I can see the advantage in getting a PM7 say over a PMR but is age a factor when looking at a DM5/6 or Ego 5/6?

 

[Fredo]

I had 5 IONS, cost a fortune because you will always want to upgrade them & add bits.

Go straight to a PM7, fantastic gun, easy to maintain, no "ups" needed.

It will give you the whole package in one hit.

What a sales pitch (now see below)

Mine is up for grabs if you want a real good one. £180.00 all-in to your door, details on request.

Andy/Fredo
LOKI

 

[tiffer]

buy a reasonable gun, dont completely cheap out as you'll just get problems.
Also buy from the UK! i made this mistake >_>
People talk about ions for the perfect starter gun... there wrong. there is far too much that needs to be upped!
Id go for any of the new protos, there nice and simple to maintain and can be fount for a great price.

Sorry m8 I have to disagree,Ion's don't need upping nor do any other markers.
What's wrong with a standard Ion,Ego,Pmr?
Let's get away from "starter guns",I don't agree with that statement whoever says it,buy once and buy the best you can afford.
I was working on his budget,he said he had £200,eveytime someone comes on here saying that they always get advised to spend more.
Ions are cheap,easy to maintain and fast firing.
Differing opinions may be valid but just because you had an issue doesn't mean they're all crap.
I'll be honest my m8's have all upgraded from Ion's to Ego's,purely becasue they're the guns to have,but they won't sell their Ions,which they lend out.
Ego's are of course better guns but they didn't have to upgrade.
My opinion is based on what I've seen and used,stick with your budget.
Markers are the same as everything else,your money your choice.
If you want build quality and reliability go for a Planet marker Ego,Etek,but if you want plastic the worlds your oyster.....

 

[spangley_special]

if you got arpound 200, i'd say look at 2nd hand matrixes
pm7s are around that price as are dm6's

or you should be able to get a UL'd PM6 for less, 150-170ish

As has been said get a high end if you can, as you'll only end up upgrading to one at a later date anyways