Just starting out

[killerdan101]

Hi everyone i am 16 and I live in Essex and I have been playing paintball at some parties but I would like to play more often. I would like to know where is a place to do speedball, A good starter gear for under £200 and training days in Essex.

thanks in advance

Killerdan101

 

[cjsoftuk]

Hi killerdan101, I'm also new to this hobby, and, like you, didn't have a huge budget.

First of all, Essex is mainly "woodsball". Gunsmoke Paintball (www.gunsmoke-paintball.co.uk) have a SupAir field, which might help, but they appear to be more Woodsball orientated. So I can't really help on that front if you're after fast-paced speedball. Which sites have you played before?

Second, something that probably is your biggest problem. Legalities. Unfortunately, it is technically illegal to own a paintball marker (or ammo for it) under the age of 17. I don't know how far off your 17th birthday is, but I don't advise going and breaking the law.

However, I'll give my 2 cents (almost the same as 2 pence) on what you should be thinking about when choosing a marker.

• You've got to like how it feels.
• Do you want to play in competitions?
• Are you going to want to replace it in 2 months when it's not fast enough or efficient enough for you?
• What gas are you going to use? Essex is better suited to players that use air systems.
• Do you want to have a hopper that can't necessarily keep up with you?

Now that you've thought about those, here's my take on it:
If you want to play in competitions you probably want to have an electro-pneumatic marker. These are usually signifcantly more expensive, though are coming down in price. Examples: Proto SLG, Ego8, Ego9 etc

As to replacing it every other month, you want to have something that is reasonably modern so it's air or co2 efficient, and you also want to be able to be comfortably within the limit of the number of balls per second.

I would always recommend high pressure air (HPA), even for new players. Most sites have switched to air, and it doesn't freeze in horrid weather like we are having now.

I would suggest a force feed hopper, thus motorised.

BZ Paintball have several very good deals for the lower end. The "Proto SLG Starter Pack" is £45 over your budget, but would probably be a good starting package. You can always ring them to see if they can build a custom package for you if you like the look of something else. They are always very helpful.

One last thing, whereabouts in Essex are you (nearest town will do)? The more info we know about you/your location, the more we can help.

I hope this has been helpful.

Chris (cjsoftuk)

 

[Ellis90]

Second, something that probably is your biggest problem. Legalities. Unfortunately, it is technically illegal to own a paintball marker (or ammo for it) under the age of 17. I don't know how far off your 17th birthday is, but I don't advise going and breaking the law.


Chris (cjsoftuk)

since when has it been illegal for a person under 17 to own a paintball marker?

if i were you mate, i wouldnt buy a new marker, but rather go for used but in good condition gun such as a proto SLG (around 80 quid) a decent mask with a thermal lense (JT proflex, dye i3 pro, empire events, Vforce grillz) and some playing pants and jersey, (very cheap off here) and a carbon fibre air system (the one thing i would buy new, but if you go for second hand make sure theres at least a years test left on it)

check out the other threads on this section for more advice on what to buy first etc, you will save yourself a lot of money.

 

[cjsoftuk]

OK, there are some exceptions, my fault, and I'm sorry about that. I will point you at the UKPSF's page on Paintball and the law (http://ukpsf.com/paintballlaw.asp).

The bit that proves awkward is: "It is an offence to give an air weapon, or ammunition for it, to a person under 17 years of age." My take on that, nobody should be selling to anyone under 17. I, having turned 17 last year, was very careful not to buy a marker until after my 17th birthday, so that that bit of law had no effect.

I'll let you make what you want of the UKPSF's law page, and I'd rather not see this thread descend into a law debate, I'm only just taking things as I see them. That said, if killerdan101's parents were perfectly happy to buy it (but he has use of it), I don't see that being an issue based on what the UKPSF law page says.

killerdan101: I missed a couple of things that tylerdurden has picked up, I advise looking around for second hand stuff. I bought the most recent SLG to get sold on here for £50. It might need Dye to replace the board, which I think will be covered since it is still under warranty, but otherwise seems OK.

SLGs are probably the lowest level these days for tournament markers, but appear to perform well. My take on this is that it's not so much the marker, but the operator thereof.

 

[killerdan101]

My birthday is friday so I will be allowed to get a marker by law after friday and I live in a town called Billericay which has two fields nearby both are woodsball called delta force which has a speedball area but it is not sup'air and another called skirmish which i don't know much about as I have not gone to that one. Thanks for all the advice about the equipment I will use that after friday.

 

[glenn]

that is the law for air weapons but a paintball marker isnt classed as such.

but yeah check on here theres plenty of good stuff up for sale

the only thing i would say is make sure you get a good mask as you dont want it steaming up on you but make sure its comfartable

 

[cjsoftuk]

killerdan101: I've played Skirmish a couple of times - it's certainly cheaper than Delta Force and they're rather good at what they do. You're not too far away from me either. With regard to markers etc. If what glenn says is true, then I wouldn't worry anyway!

The most important thing to get right, as glenn says, is a mask that's comfortable and doesn't fog readily. I'm using a Proto Switch EL mask. It's budget, but I've not had it fog on me yet. Readily available from BZ.

Skirmish do not run walk-on days, and I don't think Delta Force will either. I've waited a fair bit before getting involved in paintball as a walkon thing, since I'm still dependant on parents or public transport - but hopefully not for long! Public transport is not the BEST idea in the world.....

I know you'd prefer speedball, but is there any specific reason? I'm more of a woodsball player myself, mainly because I find it's cheaper. I use less paint playing woodsball.

I've used BZ (http://www.bzpaintball.co.uk) in the past, and they are very good. If you ring them up, they'll be able to sort something out for you. Just tell them what you want, or tell them you're confused and don't know what to get, and they'll be able to help.

 

[glenn]

another point if your just going to punter days check with the sites first not all will let you use electro markers for them.

 

[Jckk335_crazy]

I know from another forum that delta force are very strict as in the type of marker that you have to get permission to use at there sites, they won't let you take electro markers on site and any marker that you do take on has to use their co2 tank, also you won't be able to use remote hoses and markers that you can adjust the volicity by hand.

 

[Mactoshdog]

it has to be said,
Delta Force SUCKS.

first time i went paintballing was at one of their sites, duno if it was just the marshels, but it almost put me off for good.

back on topic;

the basics you will need:

marker - Ion/SLG or something else low priced while good

Mask - Its all preferance, find a local shop and try every pair on, its the only way you will find a mask you like.

Gas - use HPA (air) dosent have to be a carbon wrapped bottle, but i would not use anything other than air.

Hopper - cant go wrong with empire's, halos, or viewloaders, just to name a few of the cheap and fast hoppers around in the classifides. read up on their specs, amke sure they can keep up with what ever marker you end up with, and that they have a good battery life. (over the years the cost of those 9v's will add up)



Optional extras:
Get this stuff once you have your main kit, if you have any spare cash, and if you even want any of it.

playing gear - all personal preferance realy, again, try stuff on
foot wear - i dont play on sup'air fileds, so i use rugby boots, but if you are plaing sup'air grippy trainners should do the tick (i have no idear)
pads - if you feel like some padding, i have funny knees, so i use knee pads, and if its a cold day a bounce vest , again, just depends on if you want any padding.

MOST IMPORTANT THING

Dont spend all your money on kit, YOU NEED TO PLAY!
and...


HAVE FUN



ill bet iv missed something, but im sure people will shortly let me know what it was.