Right!!!!
I haven't finished it yet, done most of it but not everything. I'm looking at doing a complete sticky as I'm a waster & I've got far too much time...
How's this for starters, as an improvement on one recently posted up. PLEASE, tell me if anything's wrong or anything needs adding. -Spelling mistakes, anything.
PS with regards to marker prices, the prices I put up are mostly second hand, I need some help with finding the NEW prices for most of them. -The internet filter's being arsey at college & blocking everything related as 'weapons'.
I need to do a masks section, & put something down about tourneys maybes, and put the new prices for markers up, *work in progress*.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Okay you are a new player or you probably wouldn't be reading this. I'm going to help you as much as possible in choosing what you should buy.
Commitment
What is your level of commitment to playing paintball? If you have rented or been and loaned a gun and played a few times this is the best place to start.
There are differing levels of commitment:
.
There is another route though, called Super Air (or Sup’ Air), which is played on flat grass pitches, with inflatables instead of bunkers.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Mini-100_2620.JPG
A lot of info and some definitions can be found here.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paintball
Some more definitions here (PM me if you have anything not mentioned here, you want me to explain)
http://www.icdpaintball.com/icd05/glossary.asp
http://paintball.about.com/od/glossary/
And this is some general info for new players: http://www.pbnation.com/showthread.php?t=1093605
This comes at several different commitment levels as well:
Money
Paintball is not a cheap sport to play, by any stretch of the imagination. If you are not gonna be playing fairly often (once a month or every other month is a good figure to start from) then why buy?
Make sure you’ve hired kit a few times, and you’re certain you’ll have the money/dedication to justify buying the kit you’ll have bought. There’s no rush to run out and buy your own kit! Make sure the sport’s for you before you move onto the next level.
When you’ve caught the bug (I have no doubt it’ll hit you soon enough) & you’ve decided you really want to play paintball more often, it will be the time to buy your own gun. Money is now the issue. If you are on a budget like many people will be, reading this, then this could be quite helpful. If money all but grows on a tree in your backyard well reading on will not hurt either .
For a first marker, there is the choice between getting a cheap, ‘low end’ (basically less technical) marker first, and upgrading afterwards, or saving up, and getting a relatively mid-high end marker.
Here is a labelled marker (not very clear...I'll probably do it again). It's an ego, mmm!
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h84/92rt095/untitled-4.jpg
I will be honest in that I don’t know the new prices for most of these markers, but I have put the second hand price next to some, that I know of.
Low End Markers £20-£70
There are many cheap markers available, which are equal to and better than the site markers you use.
Common site markers are Infernos, Spyders, Automags and Tippmann 98’s.
These are really cheap second hand, and while you might not get much of an advantage over other site players, you be able to get used to taking apart and maintaining your own marker, and learn the basic parts. A mechanical cocker would also not be a bad first marker- very upgradeable!
Most low-end markers will run on C02 bottles, which your local site will fill for you.
These do not have ‘e-grips’ ie, aren’t electronic, these are mechanical markers, and very slow compared to the next tier of markers.
I would comment that it might not be a good idea to buy a low-end marker new, as their resale value is very low; buy second hand- often their condition is quite good!
Upgrades:
For the low end markers there are a few upgrades you can buy, or even perform yourself when you are confident.
General upgrades include: barrel, bolt, feedneck, gripframe (and trigger), and grips.
Spyder Upgrades
http://www.pbnation.com/showthread.php?t=869360
Tippmann Upgrades
http://www.pbnation.com/showthread.php?t=868523
These markers would be ok to use at a rec-ball, or Walk-on level. When you feel you’re being outgunned, or your marker is holding back your progression, it’s time to move on to:
Mid Markers £70-£200
There are SOOOOooo many markers around now, so I will start with the most common. These would be excellent at rec-ball or walk-on level, and would do at entry tournament level.
Some run on C02, but most will run much more efficiently on HPA (High Pressure Air).
It goes without saying. The new ‘must have’ starter marker is the
Smart Parts ion.
This is a reliable, practical, and light marker. –For what you get, the price is great. I would recommend this as a first marker- pretty simple to use when it’s been explained to you, and will keep up with higher end markers some £100s more expensive. This can also be upgraded pretty easily to match any high end marker.
Upgrades available: barrel, feedneck, bolt, trigger, new eyes, DM membrane mod, QEV/banjo/internal fittings, board, body kit, regulator. £155 new, £100 odd 2nd hand but good condition.
There aren’t many parts, so are relatively easy to maintain (lube, clean)
There are too many markers to explain, so I will broadly list and explain the next batch:
Impulse, shocker, intimidator (or Timmy), old Matrix (DM3). Roughly £100 2nd hand.
Not all that dissimilar; My first tourney marker was an impulse, and it was very easy to maintain (even for a technophobe like I was then). –Practical, durable and just real workhorses, you can drop them in a puddle & shoot through breaks with few problems. These are air powered markers – High Pressure. They are fairly fast (faster than mech markers), and upgradeable, just maybe a little heavy. A lot of the modern technology on newer markers you can retro-fit to older markers, including eyes, feednecks etc.
Upgrades: as above- there are many upgrades available! You can keep it stock or upgrade it as far as it will go- the body itself being the only real impediment.
Shockers in particular in this bracket can be upgraded to be a v. high end marker.
Angel’s from LCD/IR3 (all preceding were High Pressure, all Angels after are Low Pressure)/A4/04 Speed/Euro
These are a good price second hand from a buyers perspective right now, as they have fallen in price due to a new type being designed every year.
They require the least maintenance of any marker I have ever owned; the new bolts are self-lubricating, so all you have to do is clean and lube the hammer once in a while.
I am biased because I really like Angels, & I think they’re a good starter tourney marker. Price second hand depending on model can be from £70 to £180.
Upgrades: again, many, barrel kit, feedneck, board, Spitfire Mod (new eyes & board- brings all angels up to speed with newest technology), other aftermarket boards, trigger frames, regulators, the Newton or Evolve kit (same thing different name- increases gas efficiency a LOT)
Cockers
Cockers come in all of these brackets as they are so customiseable, you can get them in varying degrees from mech to a Karnivore; which a top pro team uses.
An E1/E2 cocker would come into this bracket. –MANY aftermarket parts available, and many DIY mods you can do as well, from midgitizing to no-blocking, a lot is possible with these markers, and at the moment they are very cheap second hand.
High End Markers £200-£1000
From cheap-ish, to more expensive.
Remember this about the cheaper (but still high end!! Markers) the factor in the success in use of most of these markers is the user themselves. –If you can physically move your fingers at 15bps, you will be able to do that on a DM, an Ego, an Angel or an Etek. All the markers in this bracket can compete against each other in terms of speed, but you are now spending money on lightness, customiseability (is that a word?) and the ability to high-tune, and looks/style/shiny knightrider lights.
Angels: 05 Speed/G7 £200-£300
These are cheap markers- as before with the older angels, real work horses. –Efficient and little to maintain, and also cheap!
I’ve had an 05 Speed for almost 2 years & I’ve never had to take the back off it! Never had to service the mini-reg! It’s gas efficient and consistent over the chrono, can shoot through breaks, and you clean it at the end of the day, occasionally change the battery and you’re done, chuck it in the bag to play another day.
Comes without asa, good improvements would be feedneck, barrel kit, Evolve/Newton kit, maybe Spitfire board or Tadao board.
06 Speed/G7 Fly £300-?
As above, but these are more expensive, being the newer models. They boast BETTER gas consistency, and just generally a curvier shape, and lighter.
Comes without asa, needs new feedneck, barrel kit…that’s about it.
Etek (£475ish new from Planet)
VERY high quality cheaper version of the ego, I’ve heard good things about this. –This is like how the ion is to the shocker (except it’s better obviously, that’s not meant as a slur!)
It is a genuinely much cheaper version of the ego with similar perfomance (though it has lost the screen and QEV).
A barrel kit and bolt upgrade is adviseable, & maybe a q-lock feedneck. Still a v new marker so we shall se what comes along to improve it further!
Takes cocker threads!
Angel 1 £695
New Angel. I can’t think of any possible upgrades, yet! Everything you could need….already comes with the marker (3-bore barrel kit, toolkit, clamping feedneck, asa etc).
Bob Long Intimidators or ‘Timmys’
ICD/ Indian Creek/Promaster
Not much experience with these myself, but they are fast and good guns. I have heard some say they are high maintenance, but I know them to be high performers, and really quick.
Very customiseable, and there are many aftermarket parts.
High end Shockers
Dynasty, the TonTons, Naughty Dogs, Russian Legion all use these markers. They appear to be making a comeback in fashion. Popular markers. Not as easy to maintain as some, and some can have efficiency problems if not maintained properly, but looked after these markers are fast, light and look great.
Many, many upgrades.
Dye matrix (£750 new) / Proto matrix (£500 new)
They are awesome guns; fast and much lighter than their earlier counterparts.
Upgrades to the board are popular, and barrels are available. There is also a trigger frame available- the Ultralight frame, which is really popular. The evolve bolt can be used to good effect on these markers, to increase efficiency.
These are the same line of marker, really like the e-tek is to the ego. The PM is a nice marker, v reliable. The DM is it’s big performance brother with better looks.
Neither are ‘easy’ to maintain, but you’ll learn easily enough, it isn’t rocket science. –All of these markers may seem complicated enough to begin with but with help from the manual & people on these boards you can ask anything of, there isn’t anything you can’t fix. –there will always be someone who can help.
Planet Eclipse- Ego: £1000
These are said to be the cream of the crop and are in fashion at the moment- on every field you see, there’ll be someone shooting an ego.
They are performance markers, very customiseable; every upgrade under the sun you could think of is available, from knightrider boards to barrel kits to new contrast-colour kits to bling you up. I have heard good things about the 'Lucky' kit which aims to do the same as the evolve kit on an Angel.
Also, many people have upgraded their stock frames to a 'Star Frame' and star trigger.
The ego takes cocker threads, what a blessing!!!
Fast, light and good looking. The ‘dark’ version even has a beer opener…
I haven't finished it yet, done most of it but not everything. I'm looking at doing a complete sticky as I'm a waster & I've got far too much time...
How's this for starters, as an improvement on one recently posted up. PLEASE, tell me if anything's wrong or anything needs adding. -Spelling mistakes, anything.
PS with regards to marker prices, the prices I put up are mostly second hand, I need some help with finding the NEW prices for most of them. -The internet filter's being arsey at college & blocking everything related as 'weapons'
.I need to do a masks section, & put something down about tourneys maybes, and put the new prices for markers up, *work in progress*
.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Okay you are a new player or you probably wouldn't be reading this. I'm going to help you as much as possible in choosing what you should buy.
Commitment
What is your level of commitment to playing paintball? If you have rented or been and loaned a gun and played a few times this is the best place to start.
There are differing levels of commitment:
- ‘punter’ recball in the woods, where you borrow kit.
- Walk-on days (where you use your own kit)/Scenario games eg the Big
- Game/Stargate, etc
- Woodsball Tournaments
.There is another route though, called Super Air (or Sup’ Air), which is played on flat grass pitches, with inflatables instead of bunkers.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Mini-100_2620.JPG
A lot of info and some definitions can be found here.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paintball
Some more definitions here (PM me if you have anything not mentioned here, you want me to explain)
http://www.icdpaintball.com/icd05/glossary.asp
http://paintball.about.com/od/glossary/
And this is some general info for new players: http://www.pbnation.com/showthread.php?t=1093605
This comes at several different commitment levels as well:
- Training- where you just set up a field and play casual games against your own team, or another team.
- Local/regional tournaments such as the UK Masters, NSPL etc. –In these there are divisions ranging from King of The Hill (new players div), to Division 1 (highest division, for experienced teams).
- Large UK events such as the Welsh Open (part of the Uk Masters)
- International events, - the Millennium Series, the NPPL, the NXL, PSP.
Money
Paintball is not a cheap sport to play, by any stretch of the imagination. If you are not gonna be playing fairly often (once a month or every other month is a good figure to start from) then why buy?
Make sure you’ve hired kit a few times, and you’re certain you’ll have the money/dedication to justify buying the kit you’ll have bought. There’s no rush to run out and buy your own kit! Make sure the sport’s for you before you move onto the next level.
When you’ve caught the bug (I have no doubt it’ll hit you soon enough
) & you’ve decided you really want to play paintball more often, it will be the time to buy your own gun. Money is now the issue. If you are on a budget like many people will be, reading this, then this could be quite helpful. If money all but grows on a tree in your backyard well reading on will not hurt either .For a first marker, there is the choice between getting a cheap, ‘low end’ (basically less technical) marker first, and upgrading afterwards, or saving up, and getting a relatively mid-high end marker.
Here is a labelled marker (not very clear...I'll probably do it again). It's an ego, mmm!
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h84/92rt095/untitled-4.jpg
I will be honest in that I don’t know the new prices for most of these markers, but I have put the second hand price next to some, that I know of.
Low End Markers £20-£70
There are many cheap markers available, which are equal to and better than the site markers you use.
Common site markers are Infernos, Spyders, Automags and Tippmann 98’s.
These are really cheap second hand, and while you might not get much of an advantage over other site players, you be able to get used to taking apart and maintaining your own marker, and learn the basic parts. A mechanical cocker would also not be a bad first marker- very upgradeable!
Most low-end markers will run on C02 bottles, which your local site will fill for you.
These do not have ‘e-grips’ ie, aren’t electronic, these are mechanical markers, and very slow compared to the next tier of markers.
I would comment that it might not be a good idea to buy a low-end marker new, as their resale value is very low; buy second hand- often their condition is quite good!
Upgrades:
For the low end markers there are a few upgrades you can buy, or even perform yourself when you are confident.
General upgrades include: barrel, bolt, feedneck, gripframe (and trigger), and grips.
Spyder Upgrades
http://www.pbnation.com/showthread.php?t=869360
Tippmann Upgrades
http://www.pbnation.com/showthread.php?t=868523
These markers would be ok to use at a rec-ball, or Walk-on level. When you feel you’re being outgunned, or your marker is holding back your progression, it’s time to move on to:
Mid Markers £70-£200
There are SOOOOooo many markers around now, so I will start with the most common. These would be excellent at rec-ball or walk-on level, and would do at entry tournament level.
Some run on C02, but most will run much more efficiently on HPA (High Pressure Air).
It goes without saying. The new ‘must have’ starter marker is the
Smart Parts ion.
This is a reliable, practical, and light marker. –For what you get, the price is great. I would recommend this as a first marker- pretty simple to use when it’s been explained to you, and will keep up with higher end markers some £100s more expensive. This can also be upgraded pretty easily to match any high end marker.
Upgrades available: barrel, feedneck, bolt, trigger, new eyes, DM membrane mod, QEV/banjo/internal fittings, board, body kit, regulator. £155 new, £100 odd 2nd hand but good condition.
There aren’t many parts, so are relatively easy to maintain (lube, clean)
There are too many markers to explain, so I will broadly list and explain the next batch:
Impulse, shocker, intimidator (or Timmy), old Matrix (DM3). Roughly £100 2nd hand.
Not all that dissimilar; My first tourney marker was an impulse, and it was very easy to maintain (even for a technophobe like I was then). –Practical, durable and just real workhorses, you can drop them in a puddle & shoot through breaks with few problems. These are air powered markers – High Pressure. They are fairly fast (faster than mech markers), and upgradeable, just maybe a little heavy. A lot of the modern technology on newer markers you can retro-fit to older markers, including eyes, feednecks etc.
Upgrades: as above- there are many upgrades available! You can keep it stock or upgrade it as far as it will go- the body itself being the only real impediment.
Shockers in particular in this bracket can be upgraded to be a v. high end marker.
Angel’s from LCD/IR3 (all preceding were High Pressure, all Angels after are Low Pressure)/A4/04 Speed/Euro
These are a good price second hand from a buyers perspective right now, as they have fallen in price due to a new type being designed every year
.They require the least maintenance of any marker I have ever owned; the new bolts are self-lubricating, so all you have to do is clean and lube the hammer once in a while.
I am biased because I really like Angels, & I think they’re a good starter tourney marker. Price second hand depending on model can be from £70 to £180.
Upgrades: again, many, barrel kit, feedneck, board, Spitfire Mod (new eyes & board- brings all angels up to speed with newest technology), other aftermarket boards, trigger frames, regulators, the Newton or Evolve kit (same thing different name- increases gas efficiency a LOT)
Cockers
Cockers come in all of these brackets as they are so customiseable, you can get them in varying degrees from mech to a Karnivore; which a top pro team uses.
An E1/E2 cocker would come into this bracket. –MANY aftermarket parts available, and many DIY mods you can do as well, from midgitizing to no-blocking, a lot is possible with these markers, and at the moment they are very cheap second hand.
High End Markers £200-£1000
From cheap-ish, to more expensive.
Remember this about the cheaper (but still high end!! Markers) the factor in the success in use of most of these markers is the user themselves. –If you can physically move your fingers at 15bps, you will be able to do that on a DM, an Ego, an Angel or an Etek. All the markers in this bracket can compete against each other in terms of speed, but you are now spending money on lightness, customiseability (is that a word
?) and the ability to high-tune, and looks/style/shiny knightrider lights.Angels: 05 Speed/G7 £200-£300
These are cheap markers- as before with the older angels, real work horses. –Efficient and little to maintain, and also cheap!
I’ve had an 05 Speed for almost 2 years & I’ve never had to take the back off it! Never had to service the mini-reg! It’s gas efficient and consistent over the chrono, can shoot through breaks, and you clean it at the end of the day, occasionally change the battery and you’re done, chuck it in the bag to play another day.
Comes without asa, good improvements would be feedneck, barrel kit, Evolve/Newton kit, maybe Spitfire board or Tadao board.
06 Speed/G7 Fly £300-?
As above, but these are more expensive, being the newer models. They boast BETTER gas consistency, and just generally a curvier shape, and lighter.
Comes without asa, needs new feedneck, barrel kit…that’s about it.
Etek (£475ish new from Planet)
VERY high quality cheaper version of the ego, I’ve heard good things about this. –This is like how the ion is to the shocker (except it’s better obviously, that’s not meant as a slur!)
It is a genuinely much cheaper version of the ego with similar perfomance (though it has lost the screen and QEV).
A barrel kit and bolt upgrade is adviseable, & maybe a q-lock feedneck. Still a v new marker so we shall se what comes along to improve it further!
Takes cocker threads!
Angel 1 £695
New Angel. I can’t think of any possible upgrades, yet! Everything you could need….already comes with the marker (3-bore barrel kit, toolkit, clamping feedneck, asa etc).
Bob Long Intimidators or ‘Timmys’
ICD/ Indian Creek/Promaster
Not much experience with these myself, but they are fast and good guns. I have heard some say they are high maintenance, but I know them to be high performers, and really quick.
Very customiseable, and there are many aftermarket parts.
High end Shockers
Dynasty, the TonTons, Naughty Dogs, Russian Legion all use these markers. They appear to be making a comeback in fashion. Popular markers. Not as easy to maintain as some, and some can have efficiency problems if not maintained properly, but looked after these markers are fast, light and look great.
Many, many upgrades
. Dye matrix (£750 new) / Proto matrix (£500 new)
They are awesome guns; fast and much lighter than their earlier counterparts.
Upgrades to the board are popular, and barrels are available. There is also a trigger frame available- the Ultralight frame, which is really popular. The evolve bolt can be used to good effect on these markers, to increase efficiency.
These are the same line of marker, really like the e-tek is to the ego. The PM is a nice marker, v reliable. The DM is it’s big performance brother with better looks.
Neither are ‘easy’ to maintain, but you’ll learn easily enough, it isn’t rocket science. –All of these markers may seem complicated enough to begin with but with help from the manual & people on these boards you can ask anything of, there isn’t anything you can’t fix. –there will always be someone who can help.
Planet Eclipse- Ego: £1000
These are said to be the cream of the crop and are in fashion at the moment- on every field you see, there’ll be someone shooting an ego.
They are performance markers, very customiseable; every upgrade under the sun you could think of is available, from knightrider boards to barrel kits to new contrast-colour kits to bling you up. I have heard good things about the 'Lucky' kit which aims to do the same as the evolve kit on an Angel.
Also, many people have upgraded their stock frames to a 'Star Frame' and star trigger.
The ego takes cocker threads, what a blessing!!!
Fast, light and good looking. The ‘dark’ version even has a beer opener…
