To be honest, not much touches the ion in its price range (new anyway..)
the diablo wrath seems to be its closest competitor, although it doesnt ramp..
The eyes in the ion are probably its best feature as there great, i have to be honest...
i also had MANY bad experiences with Ions..
mine has caused me nothing but trouble..
But to be fair, when they work, they work well..
Despite my troubles. although you need to spend about £100 on them to eliminate the stock design flaws/faults they are rockin guns..
Personally, in your shoes i would look at the second hand market as i wouldnt buy another ion as there just too much trouble..
like any marker, you get what you pay for, for all thatperformence you get for less than £190, the ion has to give somewhere, quality and reliability is where SP made there compromises..
to be honest, i realy cant decide wheather i love them.. or hate them..
but i still use em religously.. (go figure...)
They are, without a doubt, the marmite of markers