Ion XE any good for newbie

[Mr Piggy]

hello all

i spent ages doing research on different markers. and have wound up at the ion XE with an air tank.

iv chosen it because;

-the bolt out back, easy maintinence
-good air efficiency
-reliable
-3 burst mode

it seems that it will need a feedneck clamp.

what sort of price am i looking at?

would there be a better suited marker for me?

thanks all

 

[Mactoshdog]

if you ok buying second hand, get for a PMR

i have an ion xe, and i love it, but if i had to buy my first gun now, i would not get one.

this is becase;
the bolt is heavy
the feedneck is rubbish,
the ASA is also rubbish,
the stock board is near usless (it will not have 3 birst mode)
the stock barrle is just a metal tube,
the stock trigger is horrible.

considering what need replacing, you will be spending just as much, if not more on upgrades, than what you spent on the gun.

were as, a PMR is going to be fairly cheap, (a second hand 09 is currently going for less than a new XE on classifed) and they come needing very little upgrades, if any.

 

[Sugz]

Hello and welcome!

I dont owe an ion XE perse, but i have ungraded my ion a bit. And i can say that if you were to get an XE the there are 4 upgrades that i would instantly recommend.
a aftermarket trigger, an on/off ASA, Locing Feedneck and an 360QEV

However these can be brough over time, as you get more familiar with your XE.
However, the cost of a new XE is around £190-200 + all the upgrades
That would cost you around £250

£250 could get you for example a very good Second hand marker on here (like a PM7,8). or a brand new Proto SLG, or for a wee bit extra a Dangerous power G3.

heh, sorry to give yourself more options here. In any case, an XE is generally speaking a good starter marker, it will allow you to learn more about how they work and will let you have a good muck around with it. I know that ions and XE's are generally very reliable. However in the future you are likely to find yourself wanting to upgrade it. And here is where it gets expensive (if brought new )

Are you wanting to maybe buy second hand? IF so check out the forums, or have a look at sites for a SLG, PMR or DP G3.

Bear in mind that i have only had an ion, i loved it, but quickly found myself wanting more (Hence the ups).

In any case, i hope someone can offer a more sound opinion on the three other markers i suggested.

All the best!

#Edit#
It would be usefull to tell us what field of paintball you are looking into, walkons, Sup'Air, Woodsball?

 

[Mr Piggy]

oh, yes.

i am a woodsball fan .

but somthing else which might be relevant is that fact that im not after a fast marker. max 5bps ish.

i do not use much paint, i do not get much of a thrill out of JUST shooting paintballs, im in the territorial army, and after using an array of such awsome weaponry, shooting paint is a bit of an anticlimax.

and so i pick my shots very carfully, and fire a couple of balls.
and also for budget reasons, cant aford loads of paint

so im not after a milsim marker.

but i absolutly love paintball, for the synergy, the tactics, the fun.

thanks all

 

[Sugz]

Ah i hear you mate! Same, i for some reason feel an unnecessary need to be conservative ammunition. woodsball, i can easily make it through a round with 150 balls. Even the odd occassion when i play Sup'Air i find myself letting loose in small bursts, not a constant stream of paint, but thats just me i think

hm, so a tippman would not be ideal for you since you are not looking for a millsim marker. But to be honest, i would definately look into a Proto PMR, proto SLG, or a Dangerous power G3, or a second hand marker off these forums, over an Ion XE - simply to save you money in the long run and be left with a top of the line marker.

Cheers!