UPDATED 12/12/08-Added new spyders, cleaned up old markers
OK, so PBF must get AT LEAST 100 post a week about new players not Knowing what marker to get, well here is my solution: A List of beginner Markers.
First of all know that not only must you buy a marker, but Co2 or High-Pressure air, a mask (It is a good thing to invest in a quality double pane fog-proof mask), and paintballs (dont buy the cheap stuff, high quality paint will help you perform better).
100-300$ Price range is what you want, nothing more, nothing less.
Yes, even if you have 10,000,000$, if your beggining, dont buy anything over a 300$ gun, you might not like the sport. Also if you plan on selling your marker in the near future, do not put much money, if any, into the marker because upgrades dont raise the retail value much at all.
Click the name of the marker,after you have decided,to go to a spot to buy it.
Tippmann 98 custom BASE: 139$
The 98 custom is considered a tank due to it being vertually invincible. Being a Open-Bolt semi-automatic marker it lets the user learn to play the game easily. With a simple upgrade, this can turn into an electic marker, but at a high price (150-200$). The electric version can fire automatic, semi, Auto-response, 3 shot burst, and turbo. Very reliable. Heavy. Best used for beginning woodsball play.
Spyder vs2
BASE:$160
Finally a fast firing low pressure spyder with eyes! As far as I know, it shoots semi only, but as a new player, that's all you'll need. this will only function with high pressure air, due tot he new valve design.
Spyder VS1
BASE:150
The spyder VS1 is an electronic spyder that is similar to the VS1, except that it uses the older style vale. This means that thouhg you can use CO2 with it, you will not get the performance benefits that the VS2 has over it.
Spyder Mr1/Mr2
Base: $150/$250 respectably
Finally, an affordable mil-sim marker! the mr2 and mr2 are the standard tried and true base spyder, with a fancy new look. The major differences between them are that the vs2 is an electric marker and the mr1 is a mechanical marker. Both these markers will operate on both CO2 and high pressure air, as they do not use the new valve of the VS2.
Spyder Imagine BASE: 108$
At 108$ this Marker is a bargain. The Three firing modes are Semi-auto, auto, and three shot burst. 14 balls a seconed and a rear cocking system makes this gun pretty comfortable. Verticle ball feed, tournament velocity adjuster, and an expansion chamber are some handy features too... at a cheap price and great speedball play, this is a great begginner gun.
Tippmann 98 custom PRO BASE: 160$
This is a little bit better than the 98 custom. With a longer barrel, the option of an e-grip (Makes the marker elecronic) or a Response trigger, a drop forward, and a double trigger this gun seriously owns the normal 98 custom.
Tippmann A5 BASE: 230$
The Tippmann A-5 is a paintball marker with the patented Cyclone Feed System. The Cyclone Feed System Links the Feeder Sprocket to the Air System. The Faster you shoot, the faster the Tippmann A-5 feeds. Pull the Trigger 15 times a second, and the Tippmann A-5 feeds 15 balls per second. The Tippmann A-5 can also be heavily upgraded, there is e-grips, response triggers, and much, much more, i must say, it is a very hot gun.
Piranha R6 BASE: 120$
This is your average Semi-Automatic paintball marker, with an alluminum threaded barrel. This marker is corrosion resistint due to it being made of aircraft grade alluminum. With a price of only 120$ this is a very in-expensive and heavy duty paintball marker.
Tippmann X-7 BASE: 329$
The most visually customizable marker on the market. The Tippmann X-7 takes sim-play to the next level. Has a Magnesium receiver for light-weight and strengh adding properties. Highly feild stippability and a new enhanced cyclone feed makes for faster shooting (20 BPS) and enhanced play over the A-5. This new marker has over 1000 different appearence models.
These are pretty much your basic starter guns, there are plenty more but these are the 8 most common. As for upgrades, at this time, you dont need very much if any. If your'e looking fro a barrel look for a a 12-16 inch barrel (NO BIGGER, it will NOT help you at all), or possibly an expansion chamber for the tippmann, and thats pretty much it unless you want a stock and/or a drop forward for comfort.(WARNING: upgrades do not raise re-sale value much at all!) Have fun out on the feild!
-Graydon