$201-300 Category
Guns in this category are somewhat similar in performance and even function to those in the previous, but have some extra perks. This is a pretty good price range to be looking into for those looking to play their first tournament and step into the world of competitive paintball.
-Smart Parts Ion XE
http://www.smartparts.com/
[Description to come]
*Blowforward (Similar to spool valve but simplified)
*Impulse/Ion Barrel threads
*Break beam eyes
*HPA preferred
-Smart Parts Epiphany
http://www.smartparts.com/
[Description to come]
*Blowforward (Similar to spool valve but simplified)
*Impulse/Ion Barrel threads
*Break beam eyes
*On/off ASA
*HPA preferred
-Proto SLG
http://www.protopaintball.com/
One of the most interesting new guns to come out this year, the SLG is designed to give spool-valve-like performance, but it is not a true spool valve. It is a sear tripper, and operates somewhat similarly to the way Automags work. The result is a simple design that offers decent performance.
*Sear tripper spool valve
*Cocker threads
*Break beam eyes
*HPA preferred [CO2 compatibility unconfirmed]
-Proto Rail
http://www.protopaintball.com/
[Description to come]
*Spool valve
*Autococker barrel threads
*Break Beam eyes
*Clamping feedneck
*HPA required
$301-400 Category
The markers in here are not a huge step up from the last, but you do get your moneys worth. Here is where you're just starting to have a marker that could hold its own in regional and even national tournaments. Certainly not the best, but pretty good, especially for the money.
-Smart Parts EOS
http://www.smartparts.com/
The EOS is what the Epiphany should have been. It's been given a BOB body (which makes the firing chamber inserts far easier to use) as well as a clamping feedneck. It's also been made a bit lighter, and the rubber webbing has been taken away; overall, it looks a lot less like something you'd find in Toys "R" Us.
*Blowforward (Similar to spool valve but simplified)
*Impulse/Ion Barrel threads
*Break beam eyes
*On/off ASA
*CO2 compatible
-Invert Mini
http://www.invertpaintball.com/
Probably the smallest and lightest low/mid end gun available, the Mini works on a unique inline poppet valve system. It also has switched the locations of some key components, namely the regulator, bottom line, and electronics. The regulator is built into the ASA, and the bottomline is completely gone, with the air traveling directly up through the grip frame (without any hoses, air travels throughout the gun via machined paths and manifolds); the circuit board has been moved into the fore-grip. A nice little gun, but rather awkward for some people; I strongly suggest at least holding one before buying to make sure you don't hate it.
*Inline Pressure controlled poppet valve (poppet valve is not stationary, unique design)
*Autococker barrel threads
*Break Beam eyes
*Clamping feedneck
*HPA required
-Alien Interceptor
http://www.alienpb.com/
Built by a very small company, the Interceptor is the basic gun of Alien PB. It offers a interesting body design that's supposed to make maintenence easier, and their patented "Sweep valve" and "Sweep bolt" that's supposed to give it a flatter trajectory. Fans claim Ego-like performance; I'd suggest that buyer be wary, there's always a reason a product remains cheap and relatively unpopular.
*Stacked tube air ram
*Autococker barrel threads
*Break beam eyes
*Clamping feedneck
*On/off ASA
*HPA required
$401-500 Category
There's a bit of a black hole here, not too many guns in this price range, even fewer that are worth buying.
-Dangerous Power F8
http://www.dangerouspower.com/orig/home.php
Dangerous Power sort of snuck onto the scene last year, starting with their Fusion which gained popularity quickly thanks to it's simple design, good performance, and reasonable price. The F8 is the 2nd version of the Fusion, designed to be lighter and with few changes in the internals for better performance.
*Stacked tube FASOR (Forward Air Spring Operated Return)
*Cocker barrel threads
*Break beam eyes
*Clamping feedneck
*On/off ASA
*HPA required
-FEP Quest
http://www.firstendeavorpaintball.com/
FEP is a pretty new company with a fairly strong fanbase. The Quest offers a simplified spool valve design, that makes for much easier maintenence than similar guns and better efficiency. Many users have had various problems though, possibly all user-error, I'm not sure. Either way, it's a good buy, but as with all small companies, be cautious.
*Spool valve
*Autococker barrel threads
*Break beam eyes
*Clamping feedneck
*HPA required