Help with markers and equipment?

[Sean Diamond]

I'm sure all you seasoned pro are sick of us so called 'newbies' harping on about which equipment they want to get when they seem to know hardly anything about what they're talking about. Well you were a newbie once, we all have to be at some time. So for the benefit of people like myself in this position, can u give me as much advice as possible.
The question i put to you is coming from a new player with a budget at max of £200. He plays Rec-ball frequently with the prospect of the odd tournament now and then, so he now wants his own equipment. He has good goggles (JT Flex ize) but is interested in a marker. Now which one do you suggest he chooses?
Pirahna Pro EXT G3 or Pro TS G3
Spyder Aggressor/XTRA/E-99
JT Excellerator 4.0 or 5.0
Black Dragun (various types)
Do you think any of these would be a wise choice? Any reviews on these products would be apprecited. Also he needs to know what to run his marker on. CO2 or air or nitrogen, whilst still considering the budget. What are the pro's and cons of each of these? What size should he choose 12,16,20Oz or 48ci,88ci, 3000 or 4500psi. It all is a load of jargon to me.
I know it is a lot, to ask in one post but if i could have a large response to this post, so many of the younger players would be helped. Thank you.
And just remember, you were a newbie once...

 

[theycallme...theone]

Indeed!

Hey mate ur very right in saying that once we were all newbies! ok well when it come to starter guns it can be pretty difficult choosing cos of all the pretty colours and things (i know i went 4 red ) but lemme see. pirhana's arent bad guns when set up right. spyder is something i would personally stay away from! the JT guns i have only heard good things about. and sorry but i cant help u with the black dragon! however one gun that u havent mentioned that i would very much reccomend is the inferno from belsales ( contact them on +(0)441252345484 or www.belsales.co.uk)
then with the CO2, the sizes , i would personally go for a 20 oz bottle.with that budget it would be very hard to find even a compressed air system alone, let alone with a gun!! the problem with co2 is it can freeze up in the cold weather and is nowhere near as consistent as compressed air. however the price of compressed air systems can go up to something like £450 so id stick with co2 whilst still playing recreationally. hope this helps!

 

[Sean Diamond]

Thanx thats great advice. More like it please. I'll try that site, cos i've heard good things about the inferno's...

 

[rob_evanson]

The inferno has to be top of the low maintenence starter markers. Many sites use them to death, with very little problems. For some good deals on Inferno packages try.

www.planeteclipse.com
www.powerball.co.uk

Powerballs sister company Arrow Precision actually manufacture the Inferno.

 

[Jamie]

If you do go for an inferno (which i personally wouldn't) then you would be better of gettibg a higher end one, and not the Inferno Field. The T3 is about the only you would want to consider getting.

 

[Micah]

Pick up a copy of What Paintball Gear. It gives no nonsence simple to understand reviews of the most popular starter markers. It would probably be the BEST place to start.

-Micah

 

[Cenobite]

I have to disagree on the spyder front, I think they are great markers. I will admit that I havent used the others however, although I hear Pirahna is also a good marker (that can take Spyder barrels etc?)

A friend of mine has one, he brought a year or two ago. It now has a good air system on it and fires beautifully. Its rate of fire is pretty good and is only let down by the trigger (which could no doubt be worked on). The only other thing is I find the action a little noisy compared to my cocker.

With co2 when it was stock it was rather good at gas clouds when rapid firing, but once on air that stopped entirely, with increased consistency on rapid firing.

The reason I rate them is that simply said they are a cheap starter marker but the range of upgrades and optional extras is as vast as any top tournament spec gun. I would be quite happy playing in a tournie with one of these if my cocker gave up the ghost.

 

[CROOKED-POPO]

I bought my Spyder Xtra after seeing my brother play chop and trouble free for two months on repeated outings with his. I've been using mine as a backup while I upgrade my old cocker. You can see my honest reviews at paintball.com under the Xtra section in markers. Overall, it's been great with only a few minor glitches. You can get it, a 16 oz co2 tank, and rev hopper for 200 dollars american. Good deal.