Set up for a new starter? Some advice and opinions please

[Sharpe_95]

Hi Guys,
I am jumping the gun a little here, but I wanted to ask about potential set ups before I go ahead and get kitted out (I want to do some extensive research). Below are details about me, what I will be doing and my current 'proposed' set up. Any thoughts and comments would be greatly appreciated especially if you have experience of any of the kit on my list or suggestions for better/cheaper stuff.

Thanks in advance

ME:
Will be playing speedball and a little rec-ball/woodsball. Budget: £400-£800 (depending on what kit is available). I either want to go cheap but practical, with a view to buying REALLY good all new kit again in a couple of years, or buying stuff that is higher on my budget but it has to be good enough to last 2-5 years before (and if) I upgrade.

My set up: (Opinions please!!!)

Mask: Either the Dye i4 or i3.
Marker: Either:
1) Planet Eclipse Etek 3 AM
2) Planet Eclipse Etek 3 LT
3) Proto 2011 Reflex
4) Proto 2011 Rail (this is my cheap cheap option)
Hopper: To be honest I really need some help here. I WILL be getting a Dye Rotor, but not immediatly due to cost (maybe get it around Xmas?). As such I dont really know whether to get a cheap grav loader or a cheap (by comparison to the Dye) electic hopper. Thoughts?
Air:
CE Approved 0.8L 3000psi Air System (see link)-
http://www.fatbobspaintball.co.uk/Air_and_Co2_Systems-Air-Air_Systems/c12_150_153/p601/CE_Approved_0.8L_3000psi_Air_System/product_info.html
Yes I know this is the cheapest one, but if it works ok then it will do, again till about Xmas when I can get a better one.
Pack: Empire React Pack 5+8 (link)-
http://www.fatbobspaintball.co.uk/Packs_Bags_&_Vests-Paintball_Pot_Packs-Empire_Packs/c11_137_146/p2631/Empire_React_Pack_5+8_-_Black_(L/XL)/product_info.html
Tubes: Not sure the right way to go here? I was thinking Dye lock tops unless people have other thoughts?

Advice and personal experience of this kit ^ or kit you are suggesting would be MOST welcome, thanks again!

 

[hello_moto]

There is no difference in performance between the AM & LT variants of the Etek3. The LT has composite parts whilst the AM ("all-metal") uses aluminium on everything so it has better aesthetics.

The 2011 Rail is a PoS in my opinion. You're far better off sticking with a PMR 2010 or even a 2009 SLG UL (dont get any other SLG apart from the 2009 UL version). The 2011 reflex is like a DM without the LPR so it really boils down to whether you prefer a spoolie (reflex 2011) or a poppet-valve shooter (etek3). Best thing to do is try them both out and see which you prefer.

An cheaper alternative to a rotor would be a 2nd hand empire prophecy which has (arguably) comparable performance to a rotor. Both are considered to be the 2 high-end hoppers available on the marker right now.

Whilst a 3000psi tank may seem to be a cheap option, it wont really suit speedball as it's a little too cumbersome and heavy. Better to save a little and invest in a 2nd hand fibre-wrapped bottle on these forums.

Once you do have some disposable cash in hand, you can then afford to splash out on guerrilla air tanks which are arguably the lightest tanks available in the UK right now (a GA 68/4500 only weighs 1kg and a GA 45/4500 only 800g compared to 1.1kg and 900g of its competitors).

EDIT: your stated bugdet of £400-£800 is more than adequate to source some decent gear (assuming you're buying from the forums). You can easily get an Etek3, rotor and fibre-wrapped bottle for under £400. Buying all the afore-mentioned new will exceed the £400 mark though.

 

[Big_jim]

http://www.p8ntballer-forums.com/vb/showthread.php?144034-Big_jim-s-Big-Sale-Markers-Loaders-ect

Sorry for the shameless plug but I have a very nice PMR SE for sale in this thread. Willing to shift on price a little to help a starter. Have a look

 

[jmelech]

The reflex is a very good marker, but then again so are Etek's so personal preference really.

Hopper wise rotor or prophecy the way to go. If you want an inbetweener for the meantime I'm selling my prophecy - knocking the price down to £50 with delivery
http://www.p8ntballer-forums.com/vb/showthread.php?143983-Etek-2-Empire-Prophecy&highlight=

 

[Lollingsgrad]

I've just finished buying all my kit off of these forums. I haven't had a chance to play with it all yet so I won't comment on suitability but I will say this; firstly that isn't the cheapest new 45/3000 air tank.

On these forums you'll likely get encouraged towards the 2nd hand route, which can be a pretty good idea on a number of items. One item this does not include, for me at least, is the mask. I bought mine secondhand and regretted it; if you're going to buy anything new get the mask. If you don't, at least budget in replacing the lens on them straight away. Also, if you decide to go secondhand on the marker, spend a few minutes looking into the gun's history. I was able to trace mine back to the first buyer on these forums just by checking out the seller's post history and following the trail. This allowed me to see how old it was and issues it'd had, but obviously you can't do this with all or even many markers.

 

[Gadget]

The i4 is a great mask, but very tight on your face - so if you you've got a fat head make sure you try one out first as they can be claustrophobic.

Personally I'd recommend Vforce Grillz - excellent mask and good value, lenses are also very easy to swap (doesn't sound like a biggie, but ask anyone who has crippled themselves trying to swap a spectra lens on JT goggles and it's a god send)!. Empire Events are also great, but expensive.

Of the guns listed I'd probably go for the Etek 3 AM. Have you considered the Empire Axe? Very good marker for not a lot of beans.

Rotors are fantastic loaders, you can't got wrong with one. If you can't get one now (keep an eye of the For Sale forum, they go for about £75-80 second hand), I'd get a 2nd hand Halo or Reloader for £30-40. You won't lose much money when you come to resell.

Air - I think it's a false economy going for a 3000psi system. They're heavy and you WILL want to get a 4500 fibre wrapped system at some point in the future.

Pack - 5+8 is a big pack. Personally I'd get a 4+7 (or consider a 3+6 if you're skinny).

I use Dye Lock Lids and love them, so they'd get a thumbs up from me, although I know some people don't get on with them.

 

[Sharpe_95]

Hi guys, thanks for the good advice PLEASE KEEP IT COMING.

Two points I would like to add:
1) I have no problem with people plugging there kit in this thread. Sadly I probably won't be buying kit for a month or two (maybe three) so don't expect a response from me- but maybe another reader of this thread will see your plug? Just want to be open with you all.

2) I would like to add a further question to my post: A lot of people are giving good advice about buying 2nd hand from this forum. I am a little wary about this as I have never got anything 2nd hand from a forum. Can I ask what people think regarding how 'safe' it is to buy 2nd hand and also what (if any) safety nets are in place? Ie. What if the marker doesn't work properly etc? Do other people have any good/bad experiences and/or advice?

 

[Gadget]

I think you're fairly safe buying from well known members on here. Plat members have itrader feedback that you can review. I'd be very cautious about buying from anyone without feedback or who had registered recently. You can always ask for other forum members to vouch for any sellers that you're concerned about.

If you do buy 2nd hand, pay via Paypal and NEVER send payment as 'payment owed', always send it as payment for goods, otherwise you have no way of carrying out a chargeback if things do go wrong. Sellers often ask for money as payment owed to avoid fees - I always decline and just add 4% to the amount to cover the fees.

If a transaction does go wrong, open a Paypal claim within the 45 day window and bring it to the attention of the mods. Always carry out any haggling on the sale thread itself, not via PM.

 

[gramble]

I was wary of buying second hand on forums too, there are fairly strict rules on here about photos with your user name and date which prove that they own the gear. Also, anyone who has a bad reputation on here will be instantly flagged by the other users...generally my experience has been that everyone is very honest; we're not a big community (I'm still fairly new to it) but I've found people to be friendly and open and everyone seems to know each other.

Another point which I'm sure has been mentioned before is that you will find MUCH better deals on here that you will from the shops. New PB kit is expensive and probably not worth the money unless you know you're going to take it seriously.

 

[Gadget]

Definitely, you can bag some fantastic bargains. As a team we've just sold about half a dozen Angel 1s on here and they were going for £150-£200 and most were mint condition. Bargain for a top level tournament marker.